Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 574 - 574 573 The Appearance of the Water Spirit Pearl

574: Chapter 573: The Appearance of the Water Spirit Pearl 574: Chapter 573: The Appearance of the Water Spirit Pearl Yu Zhengxing chuckled shrewdly, knowing that this whippersnapper wouldn’t escape the trap he had laid.

However, what’s a pitfall for the mediocre may well be a ladder to heaven for the exceptional.

Who can say for sure?

That was his attitude toward disciples he favored.

Whether it’s a pit or a ladder, they’d find out themselves.

They shouldn’t blame him if they ended up buried or broken, nor owe him thanks should they achieve success.

Such a cultivation strategy had already doomed many a talented Sword Cultivator, but he didn’t care.

He always believed that true gold isn’t afraid of the refiner’s fire, and what the fire ruins wasn’t true gold to begin with.

“You’ve probably heard about the recent, low-intensity conflict that has erupted between the Qin and Yue countries in the northwest, hmm, a small-scale war that has cost both sides; a year has passed, and with persuasion from various parties in the northwest, and the mainstream Daoist Sects on the continent playing matchmakers, the dispute has now almost reached its conclusion.

It’s uncertain what the future holds, but based on the current situation, it’s unlikely to escalate further.

The ultimate decision was to settle it through a high-stakes gamble, which is why I sent you there.”

Yu Zhengxing dug deep while Hou Niao listened quietly, “The root cause of the conflict between Qin and Yue was the discovery of a Five Elements Treasure in the Flowing Sand River, which doubles as the boundary river between the two countries.

Ownership of the treasure in the river was inconclusive, leading to this clash.

To avoid a large-scale confrontation between Daoist factions, both countries, with Golden Core and even Nascent Transformation ancestors in attendance, eventually compromised without aggravating the conflict.

This was partly due to restraint on both sides, and partly because the Water Demons of the Flowing Sand River meddled, preventing either side from taking control of the Treasure Bead in time.

Moreover, a Nascent Transformation Daoist ancestor happened to be visiting Jin Country, which led to both parties taking a step back.”

Yu Zhengxing gave a detailed account of the whole affair, “There are too many intricacies to convey in detail.

Various powers vied with each other in this, including the Qin Sect and Yue Sect—nominally the main players—as well as the indigenous Water Demons of the Flowing Sand River, and even the Qi Sect, which was mediating with ulterior motives.

They finally decided to control the escalation of the conflict by forbidding both Golden Core and Nascent Transformation ancestors from entering the area and instead leaving the battle for the treasure to Tongtian Realm cultivators.

Just as when the conflict first began, they kept the losses to the Low Rank cultivators.”

Hou Niao nodded in understanding.

Such strategies were not novel but recognized as the primary means of cooling tensions on the Jinxiu Continent.

For a millennium, it had successfully prevented many large-scale wars between the Daoist factions.

No Daoist faction is completely isolated from the world; they all have their allies.

A blind panic leading to reckless action could easily drag the whole continent into the fray, a precedent seen in Lizhi Sea, in Jianye City, in the Yaoguang Mountain Range.

The reason why Golden Core Cultivators have not rashly emerged during the few disputes Hou Niao has been involved in with various forces also stems from this consideration.

“You mentioned the Water Clan.

Are there Water Clans in the northwest similar to those found in the southeast and southwest?

What role did they play in all this?”

“It’s true that the water system in the northwest is scarce, but that does not mean completely non-existent.

The Flowing Sand River is the largest river in the northwest region and its basin marks the most prosperous area there; with rapid and broad currents, the river is home to Water Demons, including some at the Golden Core Realm.

The treasure, reportedly seen in the Flowing Sand River, means actually there are three key players: the human nations of Qin and Yue who believe the treasure is theirs, and the Water Demons of the river who insist that the treasure naturally belongs to the Water Clan.

It is precisely because of the disturbance by these Water Demons that a conflict, which should have ended swiftly, has dragged on until now.”

Yu Zhengxing explained, “The treasure is called the Water Spirit Pearl, the second Five Elements Treasure Bead to surface on the Jinxiu Continent.

Don’t you feel a certain fate connected to you?”

Hou Niao just laughed, “I am not a monk; I don’t concern myself with destiny’s whims.”

Yu Zhengxing, however, knew his past well, “The Jinxiu Continent is prone to abrupt changes, and there are often signs of unusual transformations; the Earth Spirit Pearl of the Yaoguang Mountain Range was procured by the Winged People Clan, and you were one of the people involved at the time.

Don’t you have any thoughts on that?”

Now the Water Spirit Pearl has appeared, not in the sea, but close to the desert.

This is quite interesting.

What does it mean?

The Earth Spirit Pearl was sought by the Yaoguang Winged People Clan.

So, who sought the Water Spirit Pearl?

The Water Demon of Flowing Sand River?

This thing is hardly native to the Jinxiu Continent; it must come from Outer Space.

What, then, does this represent?

If it’s the inevitable product of a certain process, does it mean that the Wood, Gold, and Fire Spirit Pearls will also appear one by one in the future?”

He waved his hand dismissively, “We’re getting off track.

The Water Spirit Pearl is in the Flowing Sand River.

According to the judgment of the Nascent Transformation Elders, it should be within a hundred miles of Sand Island.

As for the exact location, since the Water Spirit Pearl is an Exotic Treasure from Outer Space, it can hide its presence naturally and cannot be accurately pinpointed.

Thus, the Qin and Yue clans held discussions and decided to each send several cultivators of the Tongtian Realm to thoroughly investigate this hundred-mile stretch of the river.

Coupled with the Water Demon of Flowing Sand River causing chaos underwater, everyone relies on their own abilities; whoever obtains it, it belongs to them.”

Hou Niao’s eyes widened, “Uncle Master, you really think highly of me.

Do you want me to go and steal it?”

Yu Zhengxing smiled slyly, “Don’t put it so crudely.

How is it stealing?

It can be borrowing, it can be retrieving…

Moreover, we are not discreetly taking the treasure back to Shan Sect for our own possession.

Rather, we are putting it where it’s needed, in the Northwest, right in the Dark River beneath our Protective Forest!”

His expression turned solemn, “There are rules even in thievery.

As long as the purpose is noble, what does it matter how it’s obtained?

This Water Spirit Pearl is a great treasure.

If we place it in the Dark River, it will increase the Water Element Power several times over, greatly benefitting plant growth and also significantly reducing the Array’s burden.

The same materials for setting up the Array could then be used to set up even more Arrays.

It really is the most beneficial treasure for us.

I didn’t know about this before.

Had I known about such a wondrous treasure, I myself would not have been able to resist making the first move.”

Seeing Hou Niao shake his head vehemently, he continued to persuade gently, “Consider who else among us is more suitable for the task?

Not to mention your combat prowess, you also have decades of underwater experience in the Lizhi Sea.

If you can thrive in the vast ocean, what challenge could a small river pose?

You just need to slip in stealthily, make your move quietly, and leave without a trace… For this Protective Forest, a legacy for generations to come, you will be the chief contributor!”

Hou Niao hurriedly stopped him, “Don’t start painting grand pictures for me yet.

I need to get some things clear.

I don’t want to end up getting slaughtered by the Nascent Transformation Elders and Golden Core cultivators; I want to know, with the Nascent Transformation Elders and a host of Golden Core cultivators lurking around, how can I sneak in?

And how can I sneak it back out?”

Yu Zhengxing chuckled, “I will handle all these details for you; you don’t need to worry about it.

First of all, there won’t be any Nascent Transformation cultivators at the scene, blockading the river.

You underestimate how these Elders operate; they would rather sit in their retreats, drinking tea and chatting, than get personally involved.

At most, there will be a few Golden Core cultivators from the Qin and Yue sects in charge of the area, more preoccupied with keeping an eye on each other than guarding the river.

After all, it’s the capabilities of their Tongtian Realm cultivators that are being tested; they are not permitted to intervene directly.

Last but not least, as for how to blend in, you needn’t worry about that either.

I have connections within the Qin Sect.

You’ll just pose as a Qin Sect cultivator and walk in confidently.

What trouble could there be?”