Chapter 35: The Dark Cultivators' Conspiracy

Han Ming stepped into the secret chamber, her mind on high alert.

Inside, only two people awaited her.

“Welcome, welcome,” Sun Lingtong, seated at the head, clapped his hands with cordial enthusiasm.

The main seat occupied the center, with two rows of chairs flanking either side, three seats to each row.

To Sun Lingtong’s left, in the middle seat of the left row, sat an elderly man. His face bore the marks of time, his expression brooding. As Han Ming entered, his gaze swept over her, probing and scrutinizing.

Han Ming’s eyes flickered; she regarded the old man and found his face vaguely familiar.

After a moment’s thought, she recalled, “That’s the mechanism master from the black market—the one who sells the Twin Serpent Binding Cords.”

“Please, have a seat,” Sun Lingtong invited.

Han Ming chose the farthest seat on the right, positioning herself closest to the chamber’s exit.

“Sun Lingtong, you offered a generous reward to invite me here. What is it you want from me? Speak plainly,” Han Ming said as soon as she sat down.

Han Ming was a demonic cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage. Her features were lovely, though tinged with an ashen-blue pallor, and an ever-present chill emanated from her, lending her a strange and deadly allure.

Sun Lingtong clapped in approval. “Straightforward! Very well, I’ll get to the point.”

“I intend to move against Sun Lie, and after careful consideration, Han Ming, you are the most suitable partner.”

Han Ming gave a soft “oh,” arching an eyebrow. “So you’re after the Phoenix Soul Blood Incense Pills too?”

A year prior, Sun Lie had refined eighteen Phoenix Soul Blood Incense Pills. After delivering them to the Zhou family, the remainder were to be distributed on the spot.

Sun Lie was known for his generosity and boldness, and, being somewhat drunk at the time, announced that any interested cultivators could compete for the pills, winner taking all.

Han Ming happened to be present.

She was an outer disciple of the Soul Devouring Sect, cultivating the Ninefold Soul Devouring Technique. The Phoenix Soul Blood Incense Pills suited her cultivation perfectly and were of immense value.

She immediately joined the fray, but the competition was fierce and opponents numerous. Forced to reveal her demonic arts, she killed one Foundation Establishment cultivator outright and gravely wounded three others.

That was how her demonic identity was exposed.

Naturally, Sun Lie would not publicly hand over the pills to a demonic cultivator.

Han Ming had no choice but to flee.

Ning Zhuo spoke up, his voice hoarse and slow: “Who wouldn’t covet the Phoenix Soul Blood Incense Pills?”

Sun Lingtong nodded. “In fact, we want more.”

“Sun Lie is a master alchemist and has lived in Fire Persimmon Immortal City for over a year now, with a steady stream of clients seeking his pills.”

“His success rate is extremely high, and with each commission, there are always a few pills left over.”

“I have already investigated: in his pill vault, there are shelves lined with over a hundred bottles of elixirs!”

Han Ming nodded slightly, clearly tempted.

Her exposure had happened a year ago, and she had remained in Fire Persimmon Immortal City ever since, unwilling to give up her designs on the Phoenix Soul Blood Incense Pills.

Over the year, she had gathered much intelligence and even probed Sun Lie’s defenses several times, but each attempt ended in failure.

Han Ming said, “Sun Lie is at the peak of Foundation Establishment—his own strength is formidable.”

“At the same time, as a master alchemist, he is under the protection of the City Lord’s estate, residing in the Ziyang Courtyard.”

“Ziyang Courtyard is city property, and its array is interconnected with the grand formation of Immortal City.”

“Thus, the Ziyang Furnace inside the courtyard can draw on the boundless earthfire of Fire Persimmon Mountain for alchemy.”

“Leaving aside the courtyard’s guards, even the protective array alone is not something we can break through quickly.”

“If a stalemate arises, we’ll have to face city guards rushing in from all sides.”

Sun Lingtong laughed. “Han Ming, don’t forget my sect’s origins. Look at this!”

With that, Sun Lingtong produced a talisman.

Han Ming’s eyes brightened with delight. “A Formation-Breaking Talisman? Excellent!”

“I’ll join you. But let’s be clear—I want at least three Phoenix Soul Blood Incense Pills.”

Sun Lingtong only smiled, saying nothing.

Ning Zhuo snorted coldly, “In your dreams! If you get one, count yourself lucky. If our planned personnel hadn’t failed to arrive, there’s no way we’d bring in an outsider like you at the last minute.”

Han Ming’s face darkened, killing intent radiating from her. She stared at Ning Zhuo, narrowing her eyes. “The last Foundation Establishment cultivator who treated me that way died a year ago. Three others were left gravely injured.”

Ning Zhuo chuckled coldly. “You think I’m like those useless wretches?”

As he spoke, his hair twisted into thick, whip-like braids, rising like serpents. Beneath his cloak, mechanical birds poked their heads out—dozens of electric-eyed avians trained their gaze on Han Ming.

Han Ming’s heart tightened.

Fire Persimmon Immortal City was protected by a grand array, putting spellcasters like her—who relied on magical arts—at a disadvantage during battle.

With the suppression from the formation, body cultivators, corpse cultivators, beast tamers, and mechanism masters like Ning Zhuo actually gained the upper hand.

Han Ming couldn’t fathom Ning Zhuo’s full abilities, but she knew this: he made his living selling the Twin Serpent Binding Cords and had amassed a fortune. To still be alive with such wealth meant he was anything but simple.

Sun Lingtong clapped, dispelling the tension. “Enough. We’re here to cooperate, not to kill each other.”

“Han Ming, you hail from a great demonic sect and are formidable, but let me tell you: the Child with the Shorn Locks is every bit your equal.”

Han Ming snorted and withdrew her killing intent.

Ning Zhuo relaxed his hair whips, drawing his cloak back over his restless Thunder Quell Birds.

Seizing the moment, Sun Lingtong said, “For this surprise attack on Ziyang Courtyard, there will be only the three of us. We’ll each be guaranteed at least one Phoenix Soul Blood Incense Pill.”

“The actual division will depend on our contributions during the operation—no matter how many we get.”

“What do you both say?”

The chamber fell silent.

Ning Zhuo said nothing.

Han Ming pondered.

She did not trust Ning Zhuo, but she did trust Sun Lingtong. Sun Lingtong came from the Sect of Emptiness, a major sect on par with Han Ming’s own Soul Devouring Sect. Their status was equal.

Furthermore, Sun Lingtong had managed the black market in Fire Persimmon Immortal City for years and was known for his impeccable reputation.

“He’s the local power here. If he wants to strike at Ziyang Courtyard, he must be confident.”

“If I miss this chance, how long will I have to wait on my own?”

With that, Han Ming nodded slightly, her voice cold. “Agreed.”

Sun Lingtong looked to Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo finally nodded. “Very well. Let’s formalize the contract.”

Ziyang Courtyard.

Alchemy Chamber.

Sun Lie and Meng Chong stood before the Ziyang Furnace.

The great alchemical vessel was taller than two men and dominated nearly half the chamber. Its copper-red body radiated intense heat.

Meng Chong, still reeling from what he’d just heard, eyed the furnace. “Master Sun, are you saying you want to throw me into the furnace, roasting me like an ingredient?”

Sun Lie lifted a gourd, taking a hearty swig of strong liquor. His cheeks flushed. “Hahaha, that’s exactly right!”

Meng Chong frowned, bewildered. “Using a person as an alchemical ingredient—isn’t that a demonic cultivator’s method?”

Sun Lie rolled his eyes. “What demonic method?”

“In the myriad arts of cultivation, practicality is king. Whichever method works best, we use. Orthodox or demonic, both are paths to cultivation—what’s the essential difference?”