Chapter 808

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

The system didn't know the reason for the Host's confidence, but just having it watch Jin Jue City was still something it could do.

The system began to diligently perform its proper duties; occasionally it would pop up only because nothing was happening in Jin Jue City, and it couldn't help wanting to find the Host to chat.

"Host, how many more days until we reach Jin Jue City? If we arrive too late we might miss the chance to find jade stones. You have to know this is the most critical time. That whoever, if they find a rare gold-jade mine, its value can rival a medium-sized Spirit Jade Mine."

Jin Jue City's scope is truly vast; the system cannot monitor every corner. Therefore it sometimes selectively chooses locations itself, going wherever there are more people and it's more lively.

The jade-finding activity the system mentioned just now is the traditional event in Jin Jue City mentioned before, proposed by the Jin Yu Shu Clan of Jin Jue City, a large-scale event in which all forces in Jin Jue City participate together.

As long as one can discover jade stones that have not yet been mined during this period, one can obtain the mining rights.

Even if they don't want to mine it themselves, they can sell it to other forces in the city in exchange for benefits. There are quite a few people who count on striking it rich at this time every year. The key is there really are lucky ones with good fortune, to the extent that every year at this time quite a few people come running to Jin Jue City to hunt for treasure.

"Oh, we want to get there faster too, but you look at the surrounding situation first. Those parasites are like they've gone mad trying to intercept us outside Jin Jue City." The originally scheduled time was forced to be delayed again and again. This isn't because Lu Yan isn't trying hard enough; it's simply that the parasites are trying too hard.

System: ……

The system also found it strange. Parasites don't have their own thoughts; after controlling a human or beast they act on instinct. Why would they choose to target the Host's group? Could it be that the parasites have fiery golden eyes, seeing through outer appearance to inner nature, confirming the Host poses the greatest threat to them, wanting to strangle the risk in the cradle?

But if one thinks that way, it's even more impossible to send this kind of lineup that is knowingly sending them to their deaths. It doesn't achieve half a bit of effect and would only excessively consume their own side's strength. Aside from creating a bit of trouble on the road, no use has been seen.

"Host, do they have some other purpose?"

Shen Yao: ……

So after pondering for half a day you come up with this conclusion? These parasites obviously have another purpose. Even if they only follow instinct they can't keep sending themselves to their deaths.

"They seem to be transmitting some kind of message." Whenever they entered Shen Yao's perception range, they would emit an indescribable fluctuation.

At first Shen Yao only thought this was a means of communication between parasites, but later she discovered this idea was wrong. Parasite communication would be simpler, while this fluctuation is more like it's transmitting outward.

Shen Yao had tentatively asked Lu Yan and the other cultivators in the caravan, even ordinary people.

Without exception, none of them sensed anything. Only Shen Yao was special, clearly capturing this fluctuation, and growing increasingly familiar with it.

Tsk.

At this time the importance of learning a foreign language is reflected. Different species, no way to communicate.

These parasites cannot speak. They have their own means of communicating with each other. Only this fluctuation carries emotion, just like humanity's Seven Emotions and Six Desires, straightforwardly and simply conveying humans' most genuine feelings.

But what's rather a pity is that until now Shen Yao still hasn't deciphered it, even though she's already familiar with this fluctuation, and can even perfectly replicate it out in the open without a care.

"System, can you communicate with the World Consciousness?" Like before at Shanglu.

System: ……

Although the system really wanted to nod, it truly couldn't contact the World Consciousness.

"After the Spirit of Shanglu escaped, the World Consciousness actively blocked contact with me." The system indicated that right now it fundamentally cannot find where the World Consciousness is. Perhaps it's hiding beside them watching the spectacle, or perhaps it's already fallen into slumber.

After all, this World Consciousness is somewhat weak, like it has suffered a very heavy injury, needing a large amount of time to slowly recuperate. Occasionally sleeping a bit does it no harm.

After all, the World Consciousness doesn't care what humans ultimately develop into. The entire world belongs to it. Without humans there are still other creatures existing. It's just that humans have always been uniquely favored and able to occupy the top position, which is why humans appear to be the mainstream in every world.

"Actively blocked?" That's somewhat serious. Perhaps these parasites are more complex than she imagined. Their creator perhaps isn't the mastermind currently utilizing them.

Afraid of startling this easily startled system, Shen Yao didn't voice her speculation, but skipped this topic and asked about the distribution of forces in Jin Jue City. "Besides the Jin Yu Shu Clan, how many other families can stand on equal footing with it?"

Speaking of this, the system was no longer sleepy. It jumped out with a *zeng* sound. "Quite a few. Among them the most formidable is the Floating Xuan Yuan Clan.

Besides that, the Qingzhou Meng Family, the Huang Zhou Luo Family, the Chen Zhou Sima Clan — they are all famous aristocratic families in Jin Jue City.

They hold a large amount of jade mine output in their hands. The other aristocratic families are all just vanguards. If something happens in Jin Jue City, it's inseparable from them pulling strings behind the scenes."

Shen Yao extended a finger and tapped the tabletop. Xuan Yuan Clan, Sima Clan — these two surnames, it seems they've been entangled with each other since ten thousand years ago.

The most ancient conflict traces back to when the Xuan Yuan Clan and Sima Clan contended over who was the number one aristocratic family in the Central State. The result was naturally very obvious. The Sima Clan was defeated by the Xuan Yuan Clan, and could only take their family and leave the Central State, fleeing far away to Chen Zhou.

As a result, no one expected that after ten thousand years, the Central State would slowly marginalize from its original position as the center of the Jiuzhou Continent, while Chen Zhou rose with the momentum, becoming the Jiuzhou Continent's new center.

The Sima Clan lost a horse but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Without expending a single soldier, they suppressed the Xuan Yuan Clan. Right now the two families still don't get along when they meet. Tripping each other up is the norm.

As for the Qingzhou Meng Family and the Huang Zhou Luo Family, they are just ordinary hereditary families. They can't compare to the Xuan Yuan Clan and Sima Clan in terms of how long they've been famous. But in Qingzhou and Huang Zhou they are also top-tier. Coming to Jin Jue City now is just wanting to use the "snipe and clam struggle, fisherman profits" routine. The Xuan Yuan Clan and Sima Clan vie with each other; they pick up the cheap leftovers.

"Have you discovered anything unusual in the Xuan Yuan Clan and Sima Clan households?"

Anything unusual?

Nothing unusual at all. Not even a trace of parasites was seen.

Hm?

The system realized the situation was wrong. "Are the Xuan Yuan Clan and Sima Clan the masterminds? Even the Qingzhou Meng Family and Huang Zhou Luo Family have parasite remnants." Only those two, plus the City Lord Jin Yu Shu Clan, had nothing develop.

Shen Yao shook her head. "Not necessarily them. The Xuan Yuan Clan and Sima Clan have deep foundations and ability. Parasites are not their match.

Cannot rule out whether they are related to the parasites. Place the focus of subsequent surveillance on them."

Shen Yao flattened her bent fingers. She stared at the lines in her palm, discovering that the inner side of her palm had some chaotic lines.

Mm.

Is this hinting at something? Could it be that this trip to Jin Jue City carries unknown risks?

Far more than unknown risks — this clearly wants the lives of Lu Yan and the others!

Once again intercepted on the road by crazed parasites, Shen Yao no longer wanted to complain to the system. Because some words are useless even if spoken. These parasites seem to have realized something. Regardless of consequences, even if they die miserably, they must drag down Lu Yan's group's steps.

Lu Yan hasn't felt anything yet, but the other people in the caravan began to have problems.

Especially the Fan Family manpower who came along. They had already experienced much before. Now looking at parasites that can't be killed no matter what, hesitating, they wanted to wait in place.

"Young Master Lu, we really can't keep going." Who knows if there are even crazier parasites behind? One by one they rush up heedless of their lives to self-destruct. Even if they don't die, they'll shed a layer of skin.

"Staying behind is a dead end." Lu Yan expressionlessly raised his hand and dealt with a parasite poison snake trying to sneak attack. By the way, he used his long blade to flip the parasite inside the snake's head away. Beside him, the Flaming Lion opened its mouth and spat fire, burning the parasite into ashes.

Lu Yan coldly gazed at the remaining Fan Family people. In his heart he thought Fan Gui Qi's plan wasn't bad. Pity the people he selected were truly not up to the task. Going around in circles, they were all lost on the road. In the end, Fan Sheng's side still has to rely on himself.

"No, regardless, we must stay, Young Master Lu. Please forgive us for being unable to continue forward with you."

These Fan Family personnel also knew staying was dangerous, but they had already been scared out of their wits, fundamentally unwilling to consider Lu Yan's words.

Since that was the case, Lu Yan did not force them, continuing to write letters to Fan Gui Qi far away in Yuan City. He had done what he ought to do; the rest of these people had nothing to do with him.

The carriage continued forward; this time those staying behind were the last batch of Fan Family personnel who had followed along.

Shen Yao sighed that these people would thus walk a road of no return; they might as well have gone to Jin Jue City with them. Now they were merely a hundred li from Jin Jue City; if things went smoothly it would take only several days. Why stop at the ninety-ninth step, wasting time, wasting energy, and losing their lives?

"Host, not everyone can open the Heavenly Eye." Those people lacked the ability of foresight; they did not know staying behind was a dead end.

In their view, continuing forward recklessly was the path with slim hope of survival.

Who didn't know the attacks all along this road were because they were heading to Jin Jue City?

As long as they didn't go to Jin Jue City, they would be safe. They completely failed to understand the parasitic nature of these parasites. Ever since they stepped into this circle, they had become fish meat on a chopping block, only able to be slaughtered at will.

"Indeed, so what can be said? Only hope the matters on the west side haven't spread." The scope was limited to the surroundings of Jin Jue City.

System:...

Mm.

The probability isn't high!

Not just "not high" — such useful parasites, how could they only be simply tried on the west side? They've definitely spread across the entire continent to earn more Spirit Jade resources.

Jin Jue City, drawing ever closer to Shen Yao and the others, was still bustling. Aside from a very few clear-headed upper-class individuals, the vast majority were immersed in false prosperity, drunk on life and dreaming of death.

"They've come after all?"

"Reporting to Master, they have come."

"Heh! What is this called? Heaven has a road, you don't walk it; Hell has no gate, yet you insist on breaking in. Back then that vile woman ruined my plans, severed my Great Dao, forced me into closed-door cultivation to recuperate, nearly causing my efforts to fall short at the last moment. Now her offspring comes to deliver themselves to death — truly unexpected."

"Unexpected that in my lifetime I'd still get a chance for revenge!"

The black-robed, hooded man laughed to the heavens. He had hidden in Jin Jue City for decades, unable to leave just because of a small Secret Realm — all because of Mu Rong!

Even though Mu Rong ultimately died in the Floating Air Lu Family, the man was still displeased, hating that he couldn't directly dig up Mu Rong's bones and smash them to pieces.

Unfortunately Mu Rong also knew she had offended someone too powerful. Before death she had made arrangements. By the time news of Mu Rong's death reached Jin Jue City and the man wanted to do something, he couldn't find a single trace of Mu Rong.

As for Mu Rong's son Lu Yan, the man had not failed to consider secretly striking. He even used bewitchment on Yan Ying. Unfortunately Lu Yan did not leave with Yan Ying, staying in the Floating Air Lu Family until adulthood before going out to travel.

During this period the man also arranged personnel to attack Lu Yan, but unfortunately all were resolved by Lu Yan. The most dangerous time was also evaded by Lu Yan.

Because the disrupted plan restarted, the man's attention was no longer on Lu Yan. He thought Lu Yan couldn't be dealt with in a short time, never expecting Lu Yan would travel ten thousand li to deliver himself to his door. Heaven truly aids him. This time, he would make Jin Jue City Lu Yan's burial ground, ruthlessly avenging the long-dead Mu Rong!

"Go, have people watch them. No need to act for now. Constantly monitor the Mother Body's nutrient supply. If insufficient, go catch people."

"Go, search/find someone to watch them; temporarily there is no need to act, pay constant attention to the host's nutrition supply, and if it is insufficient, go catch people."

"Mm, withdraw. First stabilize that old thing. Jin Jue City's arrangements aren't complete yet; can't let him die."

The man finished speaking and waved his hand again. Then he tossed a Space Ring to a similarly dressed subordinate, filled with rare premium Jade. These were things the man used to win over collaborators.

This was also a problem of this era. In the man's heyday, these premium Jade were external possessions; only one's own strength was the hard truth.

As it turned out, now everyone relies on external possessions. To achieve his goals, the man had no choice but to turtle up in Jin Jue City mining as a tool person.

Fortunately decades ago Mu Rong intervened to stop him, severing the man's heaven-shaking conspiracy. Otherwise Jiuzhou Continent would not be this peaceful now; it would have long since fallen into a human purgatory, awaiting the Savior's appearance.

On the back mountain of a tall manor, an elder was patiently waiting for the stone door to open.

As the black-clothed hood was removed, an ordinary-looking middle-aged man emerged from the stone door, handing the Space Ring to the elder.

"Elder Sima, this is the Master's sincerity. Please, Elder, don't forget to speak well of me before the Clan Head."

The middle-aged man's words fell, and the elder immediately pocketed the Space Ring, earnestly stating the Clan Head was far away in Chen Zhou and couldn't attend to Jin Jue City affairs. "Everything handled by this old man. Mr. Nangong's matter will certainly be properly settled."

Although Elder Sima didn't know what that man who always liked hiding behind the stone door ultimately wanted to do, that didn't prevent him from using the other's reputation to embezzle Spirit Resources and strengthen himself.

The Sima Family's base camp was in Chen Zhou, yet Jin Jue City was in the west of Central State. Elder Sima had long wanted to return to Chen Zhou. Unfortunately, without trouble in Jin Jue City he fundamentally couldn't leave.

Now the middle-aged man's actions were growing increasingly strange. Elder Sima wasn't worried at all. At worst he'd just directly abandon Jin Jue City. He'd earned the family plenty of benefits over these years; he believed the Clan Head wouldn't make things difficult for him.

Both parties harboring ulterior motives had their own calculations. Only the people of Jin Jue City knew nothing, even as dark clouds pressed on the city at this very moment.

Both parties, each harboring their own schemes, had their own considerations, but only the people of Jin Jue City knew nothing, even as dark clouds pressed down on the city at this moment.