Chapter 713: The Tide of Fate (Chapter High Energy)

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng looked at Juanzi, Mengzi, and Xiaoshan, then turned to face Bada, whose face was flushed red.

"Senior, are you the master of the Oil Cultivation Sect?" Qiu Qiu Zhiheng was well-traveled, but he had never heard of Oil Cultivation; since Juanzi and the others kept insisting it was Oil Cultivation, he could only follow their lead.

He deduced Bada was a master because this senior had dismantled the Three-Headed One's body.

This elder's cultivation base had surpassed Qiu Qiu Zhiheng's understanding.

Bada could no longer hide it and confessed frankly: "I'm from the Oil Cultivation Sect. My identity must not be revealed."

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng nodded: "Senior, rest assured—what we've said today will not leave this courtyard. I've witnessed your technique; I deeply admire it. When your sect prospers, I'll lend a hand without hesitation. But right now, I only want to ask you one thing: can this technique be reversed? There's an urgent matter—these three cannot be separated."

Everyone stared at Bada.

Bada was nervous, head down, rubbing his hands repeatedly: "Think about it—when gears rust, a little oil frees them; when parts are stuck too tight, oil lets you pull them out.

When have you ever heard of oil gluing things together?"

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng confirmed again: "So it's impossible?"

Bada nodded: "I definitely can't. If you find a Glue Cultivator, maybe they could."

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng was speechless with bewilderment—where would he find a Glue Cultivator at a time like this?

Bada sighed and looked at Qiu Qiu Zhiheng: "Honestly, I think this isn't a bad thing. Juanzi, Mengzi, and Xiaoshan have lived together for years, seemed compatible on the surface, but in truth, their hearts were never aligned—they just got by.

Juanzi is a simple girl who just wants to marry someone; Mengzi only knows how to wield blades and spears—he's made for the battlefield; Xiaoshan has grand ambitions—he wants a harem. These three can never truly live together. Now that they're separated, it's actually better!"

Xiaoshan nodded: "I agree—it's a good thing. How could I ever build a harem with them around—"

Juanzi slapped Xiaoshan across the face. Xiaoshan rubbed his cheek.

Though slightly hurt, Xiaoshan was proud—being able to rub his cheek meant he still had a face to rub.

Mengzi lowered his head: "How do I explain this to Seventh Master?"

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng looked around at them, his gaze distant.

He couldn't hear their words, yet their movements were crystal clear to him.

He remembered how he'd tried to maintain his dignity and courtesy when leaving the "New Ruler's" residence.

On the road, Qiu Qiu Zhiheng's hearing never returned; cool winds brushed his face, yet he heard not a whisper of breeze.

When Bada first arrived with Dengpao and the Three-Headed One, Qiu Qiu Zhiheng hadn't trusted him.

But later, when Qiu Qiu Zhiheng faced a powerful enemy, Bada had aided him repeatedly—only then did Qiu Qiu Zhiheng believe this outsider truly meant to help.

The "New Ruler's" safety had always been Qiu Qiu Zhiheng's greatest concern; he'd placed this elder beside the New Ruler—never imagining it would end like this.

When he returned to the underground city, Qiu Qiu Zhiheng sat in his courtyard, lost in thought, when Luo Zhengnan and Tan Tan Jinxiao came to see him.

"Hey, Master Qiu, how'd it go?" Tan Tan Jinxiao repeated the question several times before Qiu Qiu Zhiheng barely caught a word.

"Things went well—all good!" Qiu Qiu Zhiheng nodded, unsure whether to reveal the truth now.

Luo Zhengnan said: "I went to see them once too. I've never met an emperor, but Juanzi and the others had an unmistakable aura—something chilling."

"Yes, very chilling." Qiu Qiu Zhiheng pressed his chest—he felt a sharp, throbbing pain in his heart.

Tan Tan Jinxiao remained uneasy: "This can't be taken lightly. I've seen Juanzi—no major flaws, but minor ones keep popping up—especially Mengzi. He's good for battle, terrible for acting. All this needs fixing.

When Elder Lan Qiao Yi, that old bastard, arrives, we must dazzle Juanzi into fooling him. While they're still exchanging formalities, we strike from the shadows—it'll be a sure success!"

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng felt his hearing failing again—he watched them speak, but understood nothing.

After Tan Tan Jinxiao and Luo Zhengnan left, Qiu Qiu Zhiheng sat in the courtyard, muttering to himself: "What do I do now?"

At eleven at night, Qiu Qiu Zhiheng's wife, Zhuzi, arrived.

Before coming, Zhuzi had sent word—Qiu Qiu Zhiheng knew she was coming today—but in his panic,

he'd forgotten to meet her at the station.

Zhuzi didn't blame him. She entered the house, hugged him affectionately, but found him blank, unresponsive.

Zhuzi sensed something was wrong: "Qiu Zhiheng, what's wrong?"

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng's eyes reddened, tears falling: "Wife, what do I do?"

"What do you mean, what do you do? Why are you crying?"

"Seventh Master installed a new emperor in Neizhou, drove out the old one. With this new emperor, we've accomplished many major things."

Zhuzi nodded: "I know that. But why are you crying?"

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng wept: "Seventh Master entrusted this new emperor to me—but I failed to guard him.

The Three-Headed One became three separate people.

Now Neizhou is sending people to meet their new emperor—what will we show them? If Neizhou discovers this, everything we've done is wasted. Seventh Master will be ruined. This colossal matter has collapsed in my hands!"

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng had faced hardship before—any careless person wouldn't have broken down like this.

Precisely because he was intelligent, he foresaw the consequences—and those consequences were beyond his capacity to bear.

Zhuzi pondered long before grasping the stakes. She wanted to comfort him, but fear overtook her—she punched him: "I told you not to go wandering off. Stay quietly in Yaowang Gou. You wouldn't listen. Now what? How am I supposed to know what to do?"

The couple were desperate when a servant announced someone was requesting an audience.

Zhuzi went out and brought the visitor in—the visitor stepped down from a carriage, one with two heads, one with one head.

The two-headed one was Liangwucai; the one-headed one was Zhong'er.

Zhong'er bowed to Qiu Qiu Zhiheng: "Brother Qiu, we're not very familiar. I'm Seventh Master's subordinate—both sisters can vouch for me."

Liangwu nodded: "Master Qiu, this is Seventh Master's most loyal subordinate in Waizhou."

Liangcai said gloomily: "This youth somehow won Seventh Master's heart."

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng had a decent impression of Zhong'er—he'd come with Dengpao and Bada and had helped Qiu Qiu Zhiheng with many tasks.

Zhong'er said to Qiu Qiu Zhiheng: "Brother Qiu, I heard from the two sisters that no one besides the Luo sisters and their guests has seen the New Ruler, correct?"

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng frowned: "What do you mean?"

Zhong'er said: "Exactly what it sounds like—if no one else has seen the New Ruler, then quickly make a new one."

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng shook his head: "It's not that simple."

Zhong'er said: "It's not that hard either. Juanzi and the others had no imperial blood—they were fabricated by Seventh Master. Now, if we find a truly reliable Three-Headed One, why not recreate one?"

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng still shook his head: "Too risky. A truly reliable Three-Headed One is hard to find, and convincing the Luo sisters won't be easy."

Zhong'er had considered all this: "Brother Qiu, I know it's difficult—but better than doing nothing. You may not know what's happening in Waizhou—Seventh Master, using his title as Prince of Prince Pingyuan, secured many benefits for Like Puluozhou.

If the New Ruler's identity is exposed, Prince of Prince Pingyuan's legitimacy collapses, and Like Puluozhou's gains vanish."

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng rubbed his forehead. Zhuzi urged: "Qiu Zhiheng, I think this brother has a point."

After careful deliberation, Qiu Qiu Zhiheng called Ma Wu.

Ma Wu hung up, his temples throbbing.

The Xin Di matter remained unresolved, and now the Three-Headed One had failed.

Feng Dai had warned Ma Wu to avoid Xin Di affairs—but Ma Wu couldn't stay out, since the Ma family was already entangled, and this might drag him down.

Fortunately, Lu Lu Chunying, Chu Chu Huaiyuan, and Qin Qin Tianjiu were willing to help—progress had been made.

Lu Lu Chunying arrived at Xiaoyao Wu and reported to Ma Wu: "Brother Wu, He He Jiaqing has increased manpower. He hasn't investigated Ma Lao's land—he's focused elsewhere. I suspect this isn't simple."

Ma Wu studied the intelligence Lu Lu Chunying provided—he couldn't decipher He He Jiaqing's intentions.

He He Jiaqing examined the photos brought back by Seeing Datou, listening to Seeing Datou's explanation.

"These photos were taken at different Xin Di sites—all barren, no grass grows."

He He Jiaqing nodded and smiled: "Brother, you found the right place."

Shen Shen Rongqing didn't understand—why was it special that new Xin Di land didn't grow grass? Why did Seeing Datou think he'd found the right spot?

Duan Duan Shuqun carefully studied Seeing Datou's investigation materials and grasped the logic.

These Xin Di plots were connected.

Newly formed Xin Di land was randomly dropped by Neizhou into Like Puluozhou—scattered, mixed among other Xin Di plots.

Several newly formed Xin Di plots forming a continuous stretch was the greatest anomaly.

After reviewing the data, Shen Shen Rongqing conceded—Seeing Datou received more manpower and resources from He He Jiaqing, and he was indeed more diligent.

He He Jiaqing told the three: "I received word that Chao Ge has doubled the guard at the Wenyuan Pavilion. Do you know why?"

Shen Shen Rongqing thought a moment: "The Earth God's covenant is still hidden in the Wenyuan Pavilion—they don't want another theft."

He He Jiaqing nodded: "Any other theories?"

Shen Shen Rongqing thought again, then suddenly looked up: "Another, more important covenant has been added to the Wenyuan Pavilion."

"Not one—a group," He He Jiaqing waved a stack of photos. "All these Earth God covenants are now in the Wenyuan Pavilion. Neizhou must protect them fiercely—they've invested heavily in these territories."

Duan Duan Shuqun asked: "Neizhou deliberately connected these Earth God territories—but how?"

"Soil-Bearing Investiture!" When He He Jiaqing received the news from Zuo Anna, he'd already seen the pattern. "Neizhou is gambling big—but if they win, the gains are enormous."

Shen Shen Rongqing was stunned—she had to admit, all her previous assumptions seemed shallow before He He Jiaqing.

"Won't the Peddler retaliate?"

He He Jiaqing looked at Seeing Datou: "When you went to Xin Di, what did the Earth Gods do?"

Seeing Datou thought: "I didn't see anything unusual. I didn't even see the Earth Gods."

He He Jiaqing smiled: "You all heard that—the Earth Gods did nothing, didn't even show themselves.

What can the Peddler do to them?

Just because their lands are connected, he'd kill them? That makes no sense—it violates his own rules."

Shen Shen Rongqing added: "If they do nothing, they won't threaten Like Puluozhou."

He He Jiaqing shook his head: "They're not doing nothing—they're waiting for the right moment. Neizhou is patient. Their numbers will grow. More Earth Gods will join them.

When they finally act, stopping them will be impossible."

He He Jiaqing donned a night-robes outfit and prepared to leave. Before departing, he warned: "This matter must not be spoken of."

Following the address Seeing Datou uncovered, He He Jiaqing went alone to Xin Di, using his Travel Cultivator's magic treasure to traverse all thirteen territories.

This place isn't remote, but among the new lands, it's certainly unremarkable, and far from the central territories.

Transporting supplies here would be difficult, but He He Jiaqing made preliminary calculations—this issue falls within manageable limits.

He drew a map and smiled with satisfaction.

The peddler beside him praised: "Such a vast stretch of land—even dreaming of it would make you laugh awake."

He He Jiaqing startled, tucked away the map, and bowed low to the peddler.

The peddler waved his hand: "You spread the news everywhere—didn't you want me to find out? You knew I'd come. Why pretend to be so flustered?"

He He Jiaqing shook his head: "It's not flustered—it's because I'm asking for a favor, so I must be cautious."

The peddler relaxed, rolled a cigarette: "You're asking me for a favor?"

"Yes. I have an urgent request."

"What is it?"

"I ask you to give me the chance to rid Pulu Province of a threat."

"Rid it of a threat?" The peddler glanced around. "They haven't caused harm in Pulu Province—how do you remove them?"

He He Jiaqing said: "By the time they cause harm, it'll be too late to eliminate them. So you need someone to do your dirty work."

"Dirty work?" The peddler drew on his cigarette. "You think I don't have people for that?"

"You do—but that one isn't suitable," He He Jiaqing was prepared. "If you wanted to wipe out every living thing in a territory, Cui Ti would be perfect. But there aren't that many lives here—only thirteen Earth Deities.

Though they've just taken office, they're Cloud-Ascended cultivators. Thirteen Cloud-Ascended masters working in unison—Cui Ti might not defeat them.

And even if he succeeded, the aftermath would be messy. He's too flamboyant. You need a thief—one who can quietly accomplish this for you."

»

The peddler pinched his cigarette, thinking: "When it's done, these territories become yours?"

He He Jiaqing didn't deny his intent: "You're fair. Those who serve you always get rewarded.

Silently killing thirteen Earth Deities isn't easy. When it's done, judge how much reward suits me.

This matter isn't worth your attention—you have far more pressing concerns. I heard there's trouble at San Tou Cha too. Let me handle these territories."

The peddler smiled and nodded at He He Jiaqing.

At San Tou Cha, the new ruler's residence, Qiu Qiu Zhiheng, Tan Jin, and Luo Zhengnan watched as Ma Wu presented the "New New Ruler."

The "New New Ruler" followed the same pattern as Juanzi's group: one man, one woman, one child.

Ma Wu introduced: "These three are Asong, Ashou, and Afu. Absolutely reliable, but they have certain customs—need time to train."

As Asong spoke, he pulled out a biscuit and secretly gave Afu a bite.

Afu ate too fast, sneezed, and sprayed biscuit crumbs and snot everywhere.

Ashou quickly wiped Afu's face with her sleeve, then licked the biscuit crumbs off the fabric.

Luo Zhengnan said nothing.

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng didn't know what to say.

Tan Jin couldn't hold back: "Are you kidding? Are you pulling our legs? What the hell is this? This isn't an emperor!

I thought we'd trick Lan Qiao Yi and strike from the shadows—but who's going to believe this?

Fifth Master, you can't do this! If I'd known it'd be like this, I wouldn't have joined you. I'll just recruit men and wait for war!"

Luo Zhengnan urged: "Tan Sir, don't panic yet. Let's focus on training—we've never seen an emperor. Practice a few more days, we'll get it right."

Tan Jin shook his head: "Can you train this in a few days? How long did Juanzi's group train? Where's Juanzi? Why did they quit? What actually happened?"

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng still dared not reveal the truth—this couldn't leak. If word got out, how big a storm would it stir?

Luo Zhengnan said: "Let's all calm down. Don't panic yet—we don't even know when Lan Qiao Yi will arrive!"

Xie Gong asked Lan Qiao Yi: "Brother, when do we go to Pulu Province?"

Lan Qiao Yi smiled: "Why go to Pulu Province?"

Zhu Jin stared: "Didn't we agree to meet the ruler there? I've already assembled the troops—I was even planning to fight them!"

Lan Qiao Yi shook his head: "I said I'd go to Pulu Province—but I never told them when. If this hangs for a month, they'll stay on guard for a month. If it hangs for a year, they'll stay on guard for a year.

I'll keep them on edge daily. Let Hao City prepare. The ritual will begin in three days."

Zhu Jin gasped: "Brother, another ritual? How many new lands are you planning?"

Xie Gong stayed silent—he sensed there was more beneath this.

Lan Qiao Yi sighed deeply: "Creating new lands is merely a tactic. The number matters for the overall situation—but you still don't grasp the larger tide.

One new land makes them vigilant. Ten make them anxious. A hundred make them frantic. The chaos of Demon Land is hard to break precisely because the Peddler seeks victory within chaos.

I use chaos to control chaos—until he's mentally shattered—then sweep up his rabble like plucking an object from a pouch!"

Zhu Jin didn't fully understand, but Xie Gong grasped it.

After expelling the Sage, Lan Qiao Yi had just seized power. Xie Gong already saw in him the hope of conquering Pulu Province.

A light breeze brushed past. Lan Qiao Yi stood by the window, gazing toward Hao City: "What is the tide of destiny? New lands—that is the tide!"

In Hao City, nine city gates, atop the altar.

A Yi activated her Mad Cultivation Technique, her mind gone mad and vacant, plunging the altar guards into the same state.

The guards appeared normal on the surface, but their minds were blank—they didn't know why they stood guard, nor what consequences awaited if intruders breached the altar.

A Yi and Li Li Banfeng used brushes and small knives to carefully dig out the remaining seed-soil from the altar's stone crevices—the soil left over from the last ritual.

The work was grueling. Every crevice had to be dug. In the end, they collected only a small bag of seed-soil.

Li Li Banfeng whispered: "All this hard work—for just this little soil?"

Getting here wasn't easy. A Yi had pushed the full power of Hulucun to infiltrate Hao City's nine gates.

To accomplish anything within these nine gates required special methods to evade traps and weapons.

No one else could help. Li Li Banfeng could only assist A Yi thanks to his Heaven-Four Mansion cultivation talent.

"This much soil is plenty," A Yi wiped sweat, hefting the bag—it weighed over a catty.

Li Li Banfeng said: "We've been at this for over two hours."

A Yi tied the soil to her waist, pulled out a chisel, and gently probed the stone crevices: "To get more soil, we must understand how this altar was built. If we could take a stone back, we might discern its special material and craftsmanship."

As she spoke, A Yi pulled out pliers, a pick, and a small saw.

Seeing her tools, it was clear she'd done this before. Li Li Banfeng waited another two hours—A Yi hadn't removed a single stone.

The altar stones were indeed tough, but not impossibly so—A Yi's actions clearly held back.

Li Li Banfeng stepped closer: "Let me help you!"

A Yi shook her head: "No! The altar's underside is riddled with traps. A single wrong force, and they trigger."

"So what if they trigger? We can still escape!"

A Yi shook her head: "Even if we escape this time, what about next time? This is the territory of the Nine Gates. Is it easy to enter once? Once the Inner State tightens security, we'll never get another chance."

Li Li Banfeng stared: "You're unusually clear-headed today."

A Yi's expression was grave: "I can't afford to be mad! When doing something critical, you must stay sane, must know the order. If we fail to get the stone and lose this lead, won't it all be for nothing?"

After another fifteen minutes, A Yi wiped sweat and gave up.

"Old Seven, let's go."

"Why leave?" Li Li Banfeng blinked. "We haven't taken the stone yet."

"No time," A Yi shook her head. "Seed-soil loses potency five hours after leaving the altar.

I must get this soil back to Hulucun quickly."

Digging took over two hours. Prying stones took another two. Time was truly running out.

A Yi touched the button on her sleeve—the entrance to Hulucun appeared.

"Go, Old Seven!" A Yi reached the door, but found Li Qi beside her. She turned—Li Qi stood at the altar's center.

A Yi's eyes widened as she waved frantically but dared not shout loudly: "What are you waiting for? Hurry, Li Li Banfeng!" Li Li Banfeng waved her off, signaling her to go first.

A Yi didn't understand what he was waiting for—until she saw him pull out a black-and-white glove.

He spoke to the glove. She didn't hear what he said, but saw a white cloth bag emerge from within.

She recognized the bag. When Li Li Banfeng first came to Hulucun, he weighed out ten catties of explosives—packed in this exact bag.

Two catties could blow half a mountain. This was ten.

A Yi's eyes bulged. She whispered to Li Qi: "Are you mad? What are you doing?!"

Li Li Banfeng hugged the bag of explosives, smiling warmly.

That smile—A Yi knew it well.

Mad Cultivation Technique: Frenzied Arrogance.

BOOM!

A cloud of dust erupted.

The altar of Great Shang's Hao City exploded.

PS: You wanted stone? Now you've got plenty!