To comprehend all laws and attain immortality

Chapter 354 Creating a Deliberate Deception

Watching the three streaks of light disappear into the distance, Gu Fan breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, today's situation was his plan. Otherwise, according to Wu Chengdao's intention, he would have summoned half of the old monster to face the demonic nascent soul head-on.

While that might temporarily repel the states of Wu and Yan, it would bring little real benefit.

Not to mention that the number of casualties among the lower-level disciples would be several times greater, even the Soul Abyss that was taken away would be beyond their ability to reclaim.

When Guiyun Sword Lord and Lu Ling returned, Gu Fan stepped forward and bowed, saying, "This disciple respectfully welcomes the Supreme Elder. This battle has repelled the Nascent Soul cultivators of two nations, which will at least secure a century of peace."

Guiyun Sword Lord forced a smile and nodded, saying, "In that case, don't disappoint me with what you said earlier. I'm waiting to see you shatter your core and form your nascent soul."

"Yes!" Gu Fan replied solemnly.

The second reason he gave to persuade the three Nascent Soul True Monarchs was that he was preparing to shatter his core and become a Nascent Soul.

Everyone knew he possessed the Nascent Soul Pill, and his statement that he had reached the seventh stage of the Golden Core Realm made his claim particularly convincing.

If Wei can gain another Nascent Soul cultivator, the balance of power between the two sides will be reversed.

This is precisely an extension of the strategies left behind by Qi Zongyuan.

As long as the Hundred Refinements Sect can create the illusion that half of the old monster is still alive, it will be enough to make the Wu and Yan kingdoms hesitate to act rashly. In addition, since the demonic path has already occupied the Soul Abyss, they can at least secure a hundred years of peace.

Gu Fan promised a time limit of sixty years for Nascent Soul formation.

Sixty years is enough for him to accumulate experience and achieve perfection, and then complete his final leap.

As for failure, he never thought about it.

Gu Fan followed Guiyun Sword Lord towards Taihe Hall. Halfway there, Wu Chengdao came to greet them, cupping his hands and saying, "Thank you for your hard work, seniors."

"It's alright." Guiyun Sword Master waved his hand, then turned to ask Lu Ling, "Fellow Daoist, are you alright?"

Lu Ling's expression turned slightly somber, and he nodded, saying, "This old man needs to cultivate in seclusion for some time."

In the previous battle, the external injuries were secondary; the key issue was that the Dharma Form was defeated by True Lord Yan Jin.

Although he has already cultivated to the Nascent Soul stage, the backlash from the collapse of his Dharma form has lessened considerably, but to avoid future troubles, he still needs to cultivate in seclusion for a long time.

"This battle is largely thanks to your selfless protection, fellow Daoist," Guiyun Sword Lord said sincerely.

Lu Ling shook her head: "The three sects are of the same lineage, fellow Daoist, there's no need for such formalities."

After speaking, Lu Ling rode her escape light and returned to the secluded cultivation place arranged by the Hundred Refinements Sect.

The group returned to Taihe Hall. Guiyun Sword Lord looked at Wu Chengdao and teased, "To be honest, just now, I almost thought that Fellow Daoist Banbian had personally taken action."

"You have no idea how many beatings I've endured since I started cultivating," Wu Chengdao said with a wry smile.

The giant palm strike of qi that came earlier was from Wu Chengdao.

Wu Chengdao was a successor personally taught, or rather beaten, by the Half-Old Monster. Their cultivation techniques and secret arts were of the same origin. In addition, with the mountain-protecting formation concealing them, the demonic nascent souls could not detect the true strength of the person who made the move.

His disguise as a half-demon, which startled the Nascent Soul cultivator of the demonic path, was part of a plan devised by everyone. The key was not only to conceal the fact that Wu Chengdao had formed his Nascent Soul, but also to the degree of control he exercised.

"You acted with great restraint just now," Guiyun Sword Lord praised. "Now they should be able to guess how much lifespan Fellow Daoist Half-Body has left."

""

Yan Kingdom, Yanyu Valley.

Tian Shi Zi was absent due to injury, leaving only five Nascent Soul cultivators present.

Yan Jin Zhenjun, whose wounds had not yet healed, lay half-reclined in the lava, absorbing the fire-attribute spiritual energy within.

"Fellow Daoists, you have worked hard." Fairy Qingyao said softly, "Now that we have discovered that the Half-Old Monster is not dead, the three sects of the Wei Kingdom have been destroyed."

Planning will likely take some time.

"It won't take too long," Li Mengchan said coldly.

"What makes you say that, fellow Daoist?" Fairy Qingyao asked in surprise.

Li Mengchan narrowed her eyes slightly and slowly said, "In the previous battle, although the half-old monster made a move, he never showed himself. Perhaps he was already exhausted and didn't dare to show himself for fear that we would see through his true strength."

"Otherwise, given his personality, why would he hide in the formation and not show himself?"

Xue Wushang feigned surprise and said, "Then why don't you just kill Guiyun Sword Lord and force him to show himself? You might be able to achieve victory in one battle, and then the Hundred Refinements Sect's treasures will all belong to you!"

"Not bad." Du Qianji nodded in agreement.

Li Mengchan glanced at the two expressionlessly and said calmly, "How about this? I'll trouble you two to take action yourself, and I'll go with you. If we succeed in this battle, I won't take a single share of the Hundred Refinements Sect's treasures. What do you say?"

"Fellow Daoist is joking."

Xue Wushang quickly smiled ingratiatingly, "We've all joined in this grand plan, how can we keep all the benefits to ourselves? Let's wait until everyone's injuries have healed before we go together."

Li Mengchan snorted coldly and turned her head away.

Fairy Qingyao lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then said softly, "Fellow Daoist Li is right. The half-demon dares not show himself, so he is probably not long for this world."

"Since that's the case, we don't need to waste any more effort. We just need to seal off the Soul-Falling Abyss and cut off the source of the Xuanpin Ancestral Qi of the three sects of Wei, and then we can sit back and wait for the three sects to decline."

"If the Half-Old Monster were to pass away prematurely, it wouldn't be too late to wipe out the three sects."

After a moment's thought, everyone agreed.

Six months later.

Since the battle that day, with the retreat of the three Nascent Soul cultivators, the northern border of Wei Kingdom has enjoyed a rare period of peace.

The cultivators from Wu and Yan joined forces to seal off the Fallen Soul Abyss. The original site of the Hundred Refinements Sect was put to good use, only now the cultivators from both countries were in charge.

Seeing this, the three chieftains of Wei left some people to take turns on duty, while the rest gradually withdrew.

But Gu Fan did not leave; instead, he stayed at the Hundred Refinements Sect.

Firstly, the Lingxiao Sect disciples here need someone to look after them.

Secondly, with him in charge of the mountain-protecting formation, even if a demonic Nascent Soul cultivator suddenly attacks, it can hold out for a longer period of time.

.

Although the spiritual energy of Taihe Mountain is slightly less than that of Yunjie Mountain, it is still very rich.

With the aid of elixirs, Gu Fan's magical power increased day by day, and his golden core was polished to a perfect perfection.

Time flies, and twenty years have quietly passed.

With two disciples attending to him, Gu Fan's days at the Hundred Refinements Sect were quite peaceful.

Only Qi Lingyun would often send letters through intermediaries, recounting the affairs of the sect and her longing for the three members of her sect.

On this day, inside a cave in Taihe Mountain.

Gu Fan and Jin Kui walked down the stone path and soon arrived at a lava pool.

Heat waves surged in the lava pool, and scorching flames illuminated the entire cave, making one's face burn.

But right there in the lava, dozens of disciples of the Hundred Refinements Sect were gritting their teeth and enduring the scorching heat until their magic power was exhausted before they climbed ashore and shook off the lava fragments covering their bodies.

The disciples were covered in scorch marks, and the cave was filled with the aroma of roasted meat.

"Fellow Daoist Jin, is this how the Hundred Refinements Sect trains the body?" Gu Fan asked, frowning as he breathed in the scorching air.

"This is nothing!" Jin Kui grinned. "What you see here are all Qi Refining disciples. This lava pool is only the second level. There are six more levels below, and the heat of each level gradually increases, corresponding to the Foundation Establishment to Golden Core stages."

"Besides this cave, there are also the Cold Pool, Sword Pool, Thunder Prison, and Black Wind Cave in Taihe Mountain."

Mentioning Black Wind Cave, Gu Fan suddenly recalled the past.

During the Three Sects Dharma Assembly, he and Jin Kui competed in weapon forging. After Jin Kui lost, he was to be sent to Black Wind Cave for three years of seclusion.

He turned to look at Jin Kui, meeting his bright eyes.

Jin Kui's smile was full of sincerity: "Fellow Daoist, would you like to experience the Black Wind Cave?"