Crow Immortal: I Can Duplicate Infinite Resources

Chapter 258: I Am a Demon Sect Spy

“Elder Mu.” Sect Leader Qi’s voice dropped to a grim, uncompromising register. “You must never entertain such thoughts.”

“Miss Yan San’s situation is entirely different from Sect Leader Ye’s. The title of Giant Demon Star was forcefully strapped to her by the Myriad Phenomena Sect. In truth, her nature isn’t inherently evil, but she is currently being ruthlessly hunted by several apex Sects from the Central Heaven Domain. She barely escaped them with her life.”

He swept his gaze across the assembled Elders. “The only reason she survives is because she operates alone. She can flee at a moment’s notice. If we forge a bond with her, we simply hand those major Sects a hostage. When they inevitably fail to corner the Giant Demon Star, Wanchun Valley will be the first to be slaughtered to draw her out.”

“Whether she comes to our rescue or not, associating with her means our absolute destruction.”

Elder Mu broke out in a cold sweat, visibly startled. “Yes, Sect Leader. My forethought was severely lacking. I only saw a Nascent Soul realm cultivator who could oppose our enemies; I failed to consider that she is the primary target of their absolute kill orders.”

He paused, a deep frown creasing his face. “But their determination to kill the Giant Demon Star is absolute. In twenty years, when they finally turn their attention back to Han Yu, their killing intent will be just as resolute. By then, it won’t just be one Nascent Soul realm cultivator invading the Southern Domain. We will ultimately be—”

“That is exactly why the Sect Ember Reserve was established,” Sect Leader Qi interrupted gently. “We can only do everything in our mortal power and leave the rest to fate.”

A wry chuckle escaped his lips. “If the Myriad Phenomena Sect heard me speak of ‘fate,’ they would probably hail me as a kindred spirit.”

The dark humor landed perfectly, eliciting a few tight, breathy laughs from the tension-filled room.

“What is the current status of our Sect Ember Reserves?” Sect Leader Qi asked, returning to business.

Elder Bai offered a bitter smile, forced to report on his runaway disciple once again. “Bai Shiqi, who was originally designated as a prime candidate for the reserve, has abandoned the Sect.”

Elder Wen chimed in, “Yuan Shengjiao will need approximately two more years to break through to the Foundation Establishment realm.”

“Li Yunxia is on track for Foundation Establishment,” Elder Lu reported. “If her Cultivation proceeds smoothly, I estimate four to five years.”

Elder Yan added his assessment. “Ye Shinian should reach Foundation Establishment within a year or two. Sheng Yan is a slower burn; it will take him roughly a decade.”

“As for the active Foundation Establishment Deacons, we have already imparted the Golden Core Cultivation methods to the three most loyal ones,” Sect Leader Qi noted. “If the worst comes to pass—if we are all wiped out and the main disciples perish—it will fall to them to carry on Wanchun Valley’s legacy in the shadows.”

“They must work hard, but so must we,” Elder Wen said with a warm smile, twirling a strand of her snow-white hair. “My path to the Golden Core is permanently sealed. Instead, I will dedicate all my remaining strength to cultivating the Mystic Spirit Ginseng and other vital spiritual items. I will ensure our disciples have the resources to survive just a little bit longer.”

She turned her gaze to the other elders. “Lu Qing, you three must push yourselves to the absolute limit. Strive for the Golden Core realm with everything you have.”

Hearing her speak with such selfless, open-hearted acceptance of her limits placed a heavy burden on the hearts of Elder Lu, Elder Bai, and Elder Mou. They all nodded solemnly.

Elder Yan silently reached out and grasped Elder Wen’s hand. No words were needed between them.

Witnessing the absolute unity among the Elders, Sect Leader Qi felt a surge of profound resolve. With his current Cultivation level, reaching the Nascent Soul realm within twenty years was little more than a pipe dream. But surrounded by such unwavering dedication, he had no choice but to fight tooth and nail to the bitter end.

After the meeting concluded, Elder Lu departed the main peak hall and boarded a flying boat toward the Battle Hall.

Just as he arrived at the entrance, he spotted Tian Ziyue chatting with three junior disciples: Zhong Yue, Sun Kang, and Liu Lan. Normally, neither Elder Lu nor Tian Ziyue would have given these outer disciples a second glance, but because they regularly associated with Han Yu, they had become familiar faces.

“What are you discussing?” Elder Lu asked as he approached.

“Elder Lu!” Zhong Yue bowed hastily. “We came to see if Han Yu was at the Battle Hall. We also wanted to inquire about joining to learn practical combat.”

Realizing the Spirit Dog, Xiao Bai, was panting loudly and furiously wagging its tail at her feet, she scooped the animal up with an embarrassed flush.

“Oh? If you wish to join, you are more than welcome,” Elder Lu said with an approving nod. “As for Han Yu, he is currently in Secluded Cultivation.”

“When is he expected to emerge?”

“That is uncertain. He has been cultivating with terrifying diligence lately, and his condition is excellent. We will not disturb him.”

Elder Lu’s vague dismissal was enough for Zhong Yue and the others. They wisely refrained from prying further, bowed respectfully, and resumed their hushed conversation about joining the Battle Hall.

As they spoke, two elegant white cranes descended slowly from the sky.

Bai Lingyun broke away from the nearby crowd, running up to hug her personal crane before staring curiously at the second one. “Whose crane is this? Has Senior Brother Hua arrived?”

“Mm.” A somber voice replied. Hua Qi stepped off the bird, his empty sleeve pinned to his side. The loss of his arm had drained him of his former vibrancy; he looked heavy and subdued.

Elder Lu glanced at him. “Hua Qi. Do you have business at the Battle Hall? Are you also looking for Han Yu?”

“Elder Lu. I have come to train for a few days. After that, I intend to return to the Western Moon Kingdom to properly settle Ji Yida’s affairs,” Hua Qi answered.

Elder Lu raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Did you not already travel there for that exact purpose? Why go again?”

“I was deceived by Qi Feiyan and Ji Qingling,” Hua Qi said, his jaw tightening. “I fear the Ji Qingling I met was an imposter. I need to return and conduct a thorough investigation. I must see this matter concluded properly.”

He sighed, his gaze dropping to the floor. “When I accepted Ji Yida’s Storage Bag, I swore to resolve his lingering regrets. I never imagined it would spiral into such a mess.”

“You are a man who honors his promises.” Elder Lu nodded approvingly. “Go, then. See it through.”

Just don’t bring any more strangers back to Wanchun Valley this time, Elder Lu thought to himself.

After a brief inspection of the Battle Hall, Elder Lu returned to the main peak. He formally transferred his internal administrative duties to Sect Leader Qi and Elder Yan, then collected twenty Purple Yang Fruits from Elder Wen.

Starting today, he too would enter Secluded Cultivation to launch a desperate assault on the Golden Core realm.

………………

The wilderness stretched out in a vast, desolate expanse, entirely devoid of human life.

Bai Shiqi had no idea where he was anymore.

He grounded his green Plantain Leaf artifact on a jagged boulder, sinking to his knees. He immediately swallowed a Pill and dropped into a meditative stance to regulate his ragged breathing. As a cultivator at the fourth layer of Qi Refining, his reserves of Spirit Breath were pitifully shallow. Pushing the Plantain Leaf this far had forced him to stop and recover his Cultivation multiple times.

The frantic, burning anxiety that had driven him from the Sect had finally burned out, leaving behind a cold, calculating clarity.

With his meager Cultivation, simply surviving the journey to the Central Heaven Domain would require a miracle. Attempting to violently breach a Demon Sect to rescue Vinegar Saucer was absolute suicide.

He had to infiltrate them.

Even a ruthless Demon Sect must place immense value on a disciple with a Single Spirit Root, Bai Shiqi reasoned.

As long as he could manipulate his way inside and confirm Vinegar Saucer was alive, there was still hope. Surviving the infiltration was the only step that mattered right now.

His Spirit Breath partially restored, Bai Shiqi channeled his Qi back into the green Plantain Leaf and took to the sky.

He hadn’t flown more than a few miles when the sharp whistle of displaced air caught his attention. A sleek flying boat sliced through the clouds from the south, banking sharply.

“Eh? A Wanchun Valley Plantain Leaf?” a voice echoed from the deck.

The craft suddenly veered, intentionally blocking Bai Shiqi’s flight path. A cultivator dressed in stark white stood at the prow, sneering down at him. “Little Wanchun Valley rat, where exactly do you think you’re going?”

Bai Shiqi’s heart plummeted. The small boat was crammed with seven cultivators, all wearing the distinct robes of the Little Sky Net Sect.

How is my luck this rotten? he cursed inwardly.

“This is truly the Will of the Heavens!” another Little Sky Net Sect disciple cheered, his eyes lighting up with predatory greed. “We are already near the borders of the Great Desert Dynasty on our way back to the Sect, and the Heavens drop a Wanchun Valley disciple right into our laps! Isn’t this practically begging us to claim merit?”

The other disciples nodded eagerly, drawing their weapons. “Exactly! If we capture this brat and claim the bounty, we’ll earn enough resources to forge our Heavenly Secret Spindles again in no time!”

“Praise the Heavens!”

Watching their eyes gleam with malice, Bai Shiqi realized they saw him as nothing more than Meat on the Chopping Block. His mind raced frantically.

Gritting his teeth, he puffed out his chest and roared with manufactured fury, “You dare touch me?! I am a deep-cover spy planted in Wanchun Valley by the Demon Sect of the Central Heaven Domain!”

He pointed a trembling, accusatory finger at the stunned disciples. “Does your pathetic Little Sky Net Sect truly dare to ruin the Demon Sect’s grand design?!”