Chapter 304 Coercion and Enticement "Where are you going?" "Naturally, with her..."
At the same time, in Daze Prefecture, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Lin Feiran raised his hand to activate the magic array.
The same radiance appeared on this precious land of yellow sand, the sand swirling in the wind shone with gold, and the city was bright for the first time in a long time. Everyone looked up, and the monsters lurking outside the city immediately fled in panic.
The bound esoteric monk asked in a hoarse voice, "What is this?"
"Spirit Gathering Array".
Lin Feiran withdrew his hand, a few traces of spiritual light still lingering on his fingertips, flickering like embers, which scattered into the air with a gust of wind.
Wei Changzai raised his hand and caught a few scattered pieces. The light fell into his palm and quickly disappeared.
Without much thought, he immediately understood Lin Feiran's intention.
By concentrating most of the spiritual energy in the capitals of the five states, and then having the major sects in those states jointly guard them, the lifeline of most cultivators is effectively controlled.
The various sects located within it can benefit from the spiritual energy, and they are the real beneficiaries. Regardless of whether they approve of it or not, for the sake of the sect's survival, the high-level cultivators within the sect will have some concerns. Although they may not necessarily support her, they will certainly not allow anyone to destroy the spirit-gathering array.
In this way, the bargaining chip of spiritual energy will still remain in Lin Feiran's hands.
First, intimidate or guard the numerous but powerless mortals, then use spiritual energy to counterbalance the cultivators. By maneuvering in this way, the number of people offering their spiritual energy to the esoteric sect will only decrease sharply. In the long run, the esoteric sect may lose its patience.
What happens after you lose your temper...?
He composed himself and looked up at the person standing next to the clock.
Lin Feiran's gaze lingered on the magic array, his deep, calm black eyes shining brightly, his lips slightly pursed, his black hair fluttering in the wind and sand, silver threads flowing on his black robe, and his slender, strong fingers clenched together, gently rubbing them.
She was still herself, but she exuded an aura completely different from before.
I still remember a long time ago, when they went to the dormitory to have a meal together. There were many disciples in the hall at that time, but she just lowered her eyes and didn't look at anyone. Her gaze was only on the ground. After taking the food back, she silently left the crowd and sat alone under the quiet pine tree outside the courtyard, quietly picking up her chopsticks.
If he wasn't there, she would be accompanied by a squirrel munching on chestnuts.
At that time, she was like a shadow that could be seen everywhere, silently blending into the shadows, unseen by anyone.
At this moment, she was still like a shadow, but not a shadow, but a sword shadow, standing sharply and silently in front of everyone, with a faint light appearing, and a pair of black eyes looking straight at everyone, no longer avoiding it.
It will no longer be overlooked.
She only needs to stand here to attract everyone's attention, and now she can accept it calmly.
Wei Chang remained silent, his eyes reflecting her figure. Her dark eyes were almost completely filled with her, making it difficult for any light to enter them.
Lin Feiran, oblivious to the stares, simply brushed away the shards of light from her fingertips and calmly observed the light surging within the array.
This spirit-gathering formation was created by Bai Lu. It was originally used to gather spirits for the Human Emperor to possess a body. Its effects are extremely terrifying. Perhaps for this reason, she did not include it in "The Great Sound is Silent". Now, only she and Wei Changzai have seen it, and no one else can understand it.
At this point, the plan could be considered a complete success, and she breathed a slight sigh of relief, but she was not entirely at ease about the selection.
Getting to where I am today would not have been so smooth if I hadn't been so cautious and worked almost non-stop.
She knew in her heart that she could not let her guard down until she had met the Dao Lord and defeated him. The day of rebirth that Qiu Tong had mentioned was not far away. If everything were to happen again, she might not be able to get to where she was now.
Every step she takes now is a one-time opportunity.
In the vast darkness of the night, she looked at the scene appearing above the Yellow Bell, then took out a spirit jade and tossed it into Zhou Shushu's hand in full view of everyone.
She looked at the people under the medical tent and in the sand room, and said, "You should all know what this is."
In the darkness, Zhou Shushu was holding a piece of exquisite jade.
After the eternal night, nothing grew, and monsters roamed in droves. Mortals were powerless and could only rely on the power of the spirit jade, supplemented by the inaudible array, to use magic to drive away monsters and urge millet and wheat to grow.
For all mortals, this is a life-saving treasure.
She continued, her voice carrying across the five continents through the Yellow Bell: "The vast majority of the spirit jade produced in both realms comes from Luoyu City in the demon realm. This is no secret. Nowadays, spirit jade is scarce in the human realm, and it is even more difficult for mortals to obtain one. But fortunately, Luoyu City is now on my side."
If you believe in me, you will always have access to spiritual jade. If you join the esoteric sect…
She paused for a moment, and her words made people's hearts tighten: "They are all going to lead you all to cultivate and become saints. This spirit jade is probably useless. You should all go and cultivate on your own. The spirit jade will be given to the rightful person."
Lin Feiran didn't have any profound schemes; it was nothing more than "coercion and enticement." But the simpler and more direct it was, the more effective it was. Throughout history, few people have been immune to this tactic.
The human cultivators looked at the magic arrays in each state and fell silent for a moment, while many common people also began to waver in their hearts.
The path of cultivation is long and arduous. Even if one can truly shed the mortal body and begin cultivation, spiritual energy is still required along the way. Regardless of whether the esoteric sect can reclaim the spiritual energy later, it is currently under Lin Feiran's control. How could it be so easy to cultivate?
Lin Feiran observed everyone's expressions and knew that he had completed the third step of his plan. Now, he only needed to guard the formation, observe the situation, and wait for the cold snake to emerge.
However, she was not waiting for the Dao Lord at this moment, but for Bi Sheng, a cultivator who was only one step away from becoming a saint.
She turned around, her gaze fixed on the light screen before her, and began searching within it. Secret sect cultivators from various states had arrived, but Jiu Jian was nowhere to be seen. She paused for a moment, her brows slowly furrowing.
In her mind, even if Bi Sheng did not show up now, she would at least see the figure of one of the Nine Swords.
Is it that they are not in this scene, or that they have not even set off?
If they haven't set off, what more important thing are they doing right now?
Her gaze grew increasingly calm, but her thoughts raced. Had she made a mistake by placing all her plans on the crucial piece of "Qi"?
Even if you were very confident beforehand, the fact that things didn't go as planned inevitably made you feel a little uneasy.
But she still decided to wait.
Bi Sheng has disappeared without a trace, and perhaps the other nine swords, like her, did not have time to appear in today's sudden change.
Now that her move has been made and the situation has changed, it's better to wait three days and see how the esoteric sect plays its game.
"Let's go," she said, turning her head to Wei Changzai.
Wei Changzai nodded: "Okay."
Lin Feiran did not linger there. After talking with Zhou Shushu and the others, he flew away on his sword like a streak of light, leaving this land of yellow sand.
After that, everyone returned to their respective places as planned.
Mu Chun'e, Zhou Shushu, and others stayed in the prefectural government, while their disciples went down the mountain to help the people. At the same time, they spread the word about the connection between the esoteric sect and the cold disease, and rumors spread among the people, making it difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood.
Zhang Siwo, Gu Yu, and a few others remained in Yuluo City. At first, people were still being sent into the city, but by the third day, no one was entering anymore.
Lin Feiran and Wei Changzai returned to the Demon Capital. Several cities were encompassed by a magic array, and spiritual energy flowed within them, attracting more and more tribes to join.
In just three days, the situation changed quietly because of the simple phrase "coercion and inducement".
Lin Feiran didn't care how the Tantric sect's followers had changed, but according to many people's observations, the number of people offering Qi to the Tantric sect had indeed decreased sharply. During this period, some followers also tried to break the gathering spirit array, but they were all driven away by the cultivators in the city.
Everything is currently in a state of apparent balance, but everyone knows that this balance cannot last long; it is nothing more than a game of strategy.
On the first day, Lin Feiran returned to the Demon Capital and reunited with Ru Xian and others, while the Secret Sect made no unusual moves.
The next day, she went alone to the eastern part of Zhongzhou, sat down to meditate on the Cliff of Repentance, and openly became a bait, a bait that she knew was a trap but had no choice but to lure.
Meanwhile, there was still no unusual activity in the esoteric sects. Perhaps it was because there was too little energy being offered. Someone sent her a message saying that many esoteric sect strongholds had begun to close their doors to visitors and no longer allowed strangers to enter.
Bi Sheng and the others were still nowhere to be found.
On the third day, Lin Feiran opened her eyes and looked at the dark sea of clouds at the edge of the cliff. As she moved, the yin-yang fish lying in her palm immediately wagged its tail and swam up, circling around her.
Behind the blackfish's tiny eyes was a gaze as sharp as hailstones.
He could no longer leave Lin Feiran alone. He was now lying in ambush with the others at the chosen location. Even if something unexpected happened, they would not be unable to arrive in time as they had last time.
The blackfish flicked its tail and floated slowly around her, seemingly bored. It would circle around her cheek, its tail brushing against her eyelashes, then around her ear, and down to the back of her neck, nibbling at her neck intermittently.
On the third day, the esoteric sects still showed no unusual activity.
If there had been no movement before, it would have made people uneasy, but the fact that there was still no reaction now is quite strange.
Lin Feiran reached out and grabbed the fish back into his palm, playing with it while pondering.
This plan, besides severing the vital energy of the esoteric sect, can also dismantle the alliance between the cultivators and them to some extent. But more importantly, she wants to use this to force out either the Nine Swords or Bi Sheng.
Since the Dao Lord last appeared in Luoyang, not only has his whereabouts become a mystery, but Bi Sheng has also disappeared without a trace, and the Nine Swords have also vanished.
She originally planned to use herself as bait, but after waiting for three days, neither Bi Sheng nor Jiu Jian led anyone to destroy the spirit-gathering array, nor did they come looking for her. Could it be that neither the energy nor the spiritual veins were what they wanted?
Lin Feiran immediately denied this possibility.
However, according to the news brought by Mu Chun'e and others, the only action the esoteric sect was taking at this time was to prepare for the birthday of its leader.
Lin Feiran paused, and in a flash, she suddenly thought of something. Her right hand instinctively squeezed, and the black fish was in her hand. It immediately struggled and started to flick its tail.
She quickly let go and asked again, "Like hail?"
The black fish swung its tail in mid-air, frantically spitting bubbles at her, but a cool, detached voice emanated from it.
Are you hungry?
"..." Lin Feiran paused, then shook her head and said, "You already brought me food, so I'm not hungry now. Is Xie Kanhua by your side?"
The noise from Blackfish's side was quiet for a moment, then Xie Kanhua's flat, surprised voice rang out.
"Ah, I've seen it before, the messenger spirit of the demon-summoning edict? You...you play with this..."
Ru Xian's tone rose slightly: "Otherwise what?"
Now it was Xie Kanhua's turn to be quiet. After a few moments of silence, he chose to ask Lin Feiran, "Is there anything unusual on your end?"
“Nothing unusual,” Lin Feiran said. “I think the reason there’s been no activity these past few days is perhaps because the esoteric sect still has members, and if needed, we can still extract their vital energy…”
They're being strangely quiet. Once today is over, I plan to set off to investigate the matter of the birthday."
Xie Kanhua pondered for a moment: "The other sects are busy right now. Many elders are involved with the Secret Sect. They are still dealing with this matter. It's good that you go. I will inform the others about this matter. The Spirit Gathering Array is still under our control, so there is no need to worry."
But... once you leave this place, you will truly be alone; please be careful.
Lin Feiran smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm probably not alone."
The sound stopped, and the white fish in front of him flicked its tail and broke free, swimming away from Xie Kanhua's sight. He followed the direction of the fish's gaze and his eyes fell on Ru Xian.
Where are you going?
Ru Xian raised her hand to retrieve the white fish, then tossed a token into his arms: "Naturally, you'll go with her. You take this token to the Demon Capital and stand guard for me. The demons are skilled in singing and dancing; go there and play the pipa, and someone will like it."
Thank you for looking at the flowers.
That makes sense. He has been guarding the border for many years, but he has never actually set foot in the Demon Capital. It would be good for him to go.
With this expectation of meeting a kindred spirit amidst flowing water, Xie Kanhua rode his instrument to the Demon Capital. After meeting Xuanzhen and others, he went up to the highest point of the Demon Capital and began to express his feelings through the scenery and make friends through the zither.
...
"It sounds awful!"
In front of a temple, a large crowd of believers dressed in white robes crowded together. Their expressions varied. Some were trembling with fear, craning their necks to try to peek into the temple through the crack in the door, but could only see darkness.
But more than anything, there was a frenzy, with shouts like buzzing bees, making people dizzy.
Amidst the commotion, someone let out this angry roar.
He pushed through the crowd and walked up to a follower who was on the verge of tears. His expression was displeased as he said, "On the occasion of the Dao Master's birthday, you are here crying and wailing. Don't you find it jarring?"
The cultist stood at the edge of the crowd, his body pressed against the pillar. Facing the gazes of the others, he finally couldn't hold back and shouted sternly.
"Are you all blind? More than a dozen people have gone in since the beginning, and not a single one has come out. Is this really a place to discuss the birthday celebration? What... what did they send us here for?"
These words did not cause any ripples; the others simply stared at him without their eyes flickering.
The person who came to question him had the same expression, and he asked in surprise, "Does it matter?"
The trembling followers were stunned, swallowing hard involuntarily: "How can it not be important? What if... what if today is meant to kill us?!"
"So what?" someone asked softly.
Several of them approached him with a naive and longing look in their eyes, but when they looked at him, their gazes turned fierce. They scrutinized him and said, "Without the determination to give your life for the Dao Lord, how could you have come this far?"
"How strange, how did you become the head of the incense offering ceremony?"
More and more people were looking at him, their gazes like shackles falling, forcefully and irresistibly encroaching on his territory and forcing him back step by step.
That one small difference was enough for them to see him as an outsider.
The man retreated several steps until his back pressed against something cold. There was nowhere left to retreat. He turned his head and saw that what was blocking his way was the half-closed palace door.
He turned around and met several similar, scrutinizing gazes, and a chill ran down his spine.
Some people said, "Could he be an undercover agent sent by Lin Feiran and his group?"
"I don't know, what if?"
"Why don't we make the first move? We can't let him see what's happening inside. Better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free."
"..." Beads of sweat had already slid down his chin. The cultivator slowly clenched his fists. Just as he was about to make the first move, the palace door was suddenly pulled open half an inch.
A hand landed on his right shoulder from behind, as cold and hard as the palace gate.
He turned his head and met a pair of indifferent eyes.
The others immediately bowed and greeted him, "Lord Mountain Moving."
The Mountain-Moving Man's gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on the person in his hand, and he said, "You'll do."
Before he could even utter a word of refusal, the cultivator was dragged inside, and with a creak, the palace doors slowly closed.
Author's Note: [Heart emoji]
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