stench.
The smell of spoiled, low-quality food, mixed with the stench of blood, sweat, and excrement, clings to the air like a thick, oily film, making people dizzy.
Jiang Chan huddled in the cold corner of the prison cell, with only a thin layer of moldy, rotten straw beneath her.
Her eyes were closed, her brows were tightly furrowed, and her body twitched occasionally.
It's been a day since we were dragged back from the Heavenly Viewing Hall.
The excruciating pain in my head subsided slightly, transforming from a tearing sensation that felt like it was about to explode into a continuous, stabbing pain.
Every breath, every heartbeat, pulls at the "wounds" deep within the sea of consciousness that have been ripped open by the backlash.
[Host's vital signs are stable. Contamination of the core deduction array confirmed. The grafted fragments of false information, 'Blood Moon Collapse, Soul-Splitting Piercing, Seven Kill Shift,' have been successfully embedded into the array's underlying logic. Keyword trigger probability: 73.8%.] The system's voice echoed in his consciousness.
It's done!
The virus has indeed been implanted!
But Jiang Chan felt no relief whatsoever.
The contamination was successful, but this is only the first step. No matter how powerful the virus is, if it is buried underground and does not sprout, it cannot harm people. Someone must "trigger" it and see the fake "secret" before panic spreads like a plague.
This is the mission of the "fear spreader"—to leak key pieces of information in a targeted manner and ignite panic!
Who is the target?
Elder Qian and Elder Wu! These two, who have old grudges against Li Wufeng and are greedy and suspicious by nature, are the perfect catalysts for fear.
How was it leaked?
[Consciousness Fragment Projection] - This icon floats silently on the system panel. Function description: It can accurately project specified fragments of information, like illusions or flashes of inspiration, into the target individual's relaxed state of consciousness.
Where is the opportunity?
Jiang Chan is now a useless prisoner, unable to even see Elder Qian and Elder Wu, let alone know when they will let their guard down.
She could only wait.
Like the most patient hunter, waiting for the system to capture that subtle opportunity, while desperately mimicking the dilapidated state that "Guihai" should have, deceiving every passing guard.
Time passed slowly, and the only sounds in the prison were the painful groans and heavy breathing of the other substitute bodies.
I don't know how much time passed, maybe a day, maybe two.
[The energy trajectory of the target individual 'Elder Qian' has been detected. Status: Focused (inventory counting), mentally concentrated but with fluctuations of greed and satisfaction, defense is lax. Location: C-class warehouse at Wanren Peak. Meets projection conditions.]
A cold, impersonal notification tone suddenly rang out!
Elder Qian, take inventory of supplies at Wanren Peak!
Are you focused but also tempted by greed? That's when you're counting money until your hands cramp—that's when your defenses are at their weakest!
"Lock onto him!" Jiang Chan roared in her mind, all her mental energy instantly focused, "Project the 'Soul-Splitting Thorn' fragment! Now!"
[Target locked: Elder Qian.]
[Projected information fragment: Image of 'Soul-Splitting Thorns covered in cracks'.]
[Consciousness Fragment Projector Activated... Projecting...]
...
Wanren Peak, Bing-character warehouse.
The place was filled with various ores, herbs, and some sealed magical artifact parts that shimmered with a faint spiritual light. The air was filled with the earthy smell of the ores and the faint fragrance of the herbs.
Elder Qian was a short, stout old man with a ruddy complexion, wearing a brocade robe embroidered with gold ingot patterns.
He was standing in front of a row of neatly stacked "cloud-patterned copper ingots" that gleamed with a bluish-gray metallic luster. His well-maintained hands, adorned with several gemstone rings, were lovingly caressing the largest copper ingot, his eyes filled with fascination, and he was humming a little tune.
"Tsk tsk, top-quality cloud-patterned copper... This batch is more than 30% better than last month's... If we refine it into a flying sword embryo, the profit will at least double... Hehe..."
He twirled his sparse beard with his chubby fingers, his face revealing undisguised greed and satisfaction.
Just then!
Without any warning!
Elder Qian's dazed little eyes suddenly widened!
The image on the smooth copper ingot surface covered with natural cloud patterns in front of him suddenly distorted and blurred!
The reflection of the copper ingot disappeared, replaced by a dark, cold metal spike covered with jagged cracks!
He was all too familiar with the shape of those spikes and that cold, ferocious aura!
Elder Li Wufeng's natal magic weapon - Soul Splitter!
But at this moment, the surface of the Soul-Splitting Thorn, which symbolizes Li Wufeng's terrifying authority, is covered with spiderweb-like cracks, and in some places, small gaps have even appeared. An aura of destruction, collapse, and misfortune is coming towards us!
"Ah!" Elder Qian was so frightened that his whole body of fat trembled, and he let out a strange cry, taking a step back!
Clang!
He held a jade ruler in his left hand, and subconsciously let go. The jade ruler fell and landed right on a row of neatly stacked slender-necked white porcelain vases below!
A crisp cracking sound rang out as several white porcelain bottles containing precious "jade marrow liquid" were shattered. The pale green, viscous liquid spilled all over the ground, and a rich spiritual energy mixed with a pungent fragrance instantly filled the air!
"My Jade Marrow Liquid!" Elder Qian's face twitched with heartache, but what terrified him even more at this moment was the terrifying illusion he had just witnessed!
What happened?!
He was clearly looking at the cloud-patterned bronze ingot, so how did he suddenly see Li Wufeng's Soul-Splitting Thorn... covered in cracks?!
Is it because I've been too tired lately and my eyes are blurry? Or... is it some kind of premonition?!
A chill ran up Elder Qian's thick spine, making him shiver.
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