[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou":3,"chapter-the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-240":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Ink Saint of Great Zhou",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2292203,4481,"Chapter 240","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-240",240,"\u003Cp>Ji surveyed Lu Fang’s disguised ghost cultivator from head to toe, speaking with an air of superiority: “How strong is your perception?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his eyes, Lu Fang was already a prisoner, his life and death entirely in Ji’s hands; he had refrained from striking immediately only because he valued Lu Fang’s abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How strong is my perception?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang’s mind raced, facing two choices: one was to flee outright—given his strength, it shouldn’t be too difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other was to feign allegiance, then secretly send a transmission talisman to request backup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That way, he could trap both Ji and Song Ce in one net.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t you already aware of how strong my perception is? Why ask me? You look like ancient outsiders who escaped from the sealed grounds?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang replied ambiguously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji’s expression turned icy as he threatened: “You still don’t understand your situation. When I ask a question, you answer— you have no choice. Of course, if you want to die, I can oblige.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ce, arms crossed and watching the scene with amusement, warned: “I advise you not to kill him. His exceptional perception will be a great asset in evading the Luo Sha army’s pursuit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji snorted: “I know that well enough. But this ghost cultivator seems overly arrogant. If I don’t teach him a lesson and show him my power, he’ll think himself special.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he finished speaking,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji’s pitch-black pupils became swirling black holes, and tendrils of black mist surged from all directions, wrapping toward Lu Fang like a cage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his view, Lu Fang was merely a fifth-rank, third-stage ghost cultivator—barely worth noticing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the next second,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji was stunned to see this weak ghost cultivator effortlessly evade every strike of black mist with an uncanny movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This surprised him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t expected a random ghost cultivator to be this strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop.” Song Ce suddenly spoke. After Ji halted, he stared at Lu Fang, who stood still without fleeing, and asked curiously: “Your speed is fast—why didn’t you run?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang didn’t hesitate: “Because I just heard you needed me. I’m alone. If you offer me something valuable, I’m willing to help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s settled then.” Song Ce grinned, glancing at Ji beside him: “I’ll handle his rewards. What do you think? Having someone with such strong perception benefits both of us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two who had just been fighting to the death exchanged a glance, then both nodded. They didn’t care whether Lu Fang was trustworthy— if they sensed any treachery, they’d kill him together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang smiled faintly: “Don’t decide yet. My price isn’t cheap. If word gets out, I’ll be wanted by the Luo Sha kingdom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I also need freedom. If this deal goes through, you must keep a safe distance from me. I’ll only detect nearby dangers—everything else is none of my business.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You might not trust me. Fine. Someone has to show sincerity, or we can’t cooperate smoothly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ce fell silent for a moment, then nodded: “Alright. We’ll do as you say. But remember—if you try anything, I’ll make you pay dearly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On the other hand, if you truly wish to cooperate, your future is limitless. Since you recognized us as ancient outsiders, I’ll be frank.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re searching for the King of the Wu’e Clan. Once we find him, we’ll build a power capable of shaking the Luo Sha kingdom. As one of the first ghost cultivators to join us, you’ll secure a high position.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t seem like an ordinary man. This is an opportunity—a chance to fulfill your ambitions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ce was indeed skilled at manipulation; anyone else would have been swayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But according to Song Ce, they intended to seek the Wu’e Clan’s King—presumably the name of one of the sealed outsider races.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If even ordinary Wu’e Clan members were this powerful, their King must be far stronger. Finding his location would be highly advantageous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After brief consideration, Lu Fang decided the risk was worth it. He feigned interest: “How do I know you’re telling the truth? We’ll deal with the future later. For now, if you want me to cooperate, produce something truly tempting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Straight to the point—I like dealing with people like you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ce extended his hand; a white flash appeared, and a storage pouch materialized in his palm. He tossed it to Lu Fang: “Here’s a thousand mid-grade Wanda Stones—just a deposit. Once you prove useful, I’ll give you the remaining four thousand immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you join us in seeking the Wu’e Clan’s King, believe me, what you gain won’t be measurable in Wanda Stones.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deal!” Lu Fang glanced at the pouch and agreed without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ce was generous—either he truly needed Lu Fang’s perception, or he was merely trying to keep him calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t matter. Lu Fang just needed to be careful. Soon, he’d send a transmission talisman to Xue Luo Sha with the news about the Wu’e Clan’s King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the timing was right, he’d immediately leave the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was purely advantageous— and if he could kill Song Ce, even better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had an inexplicable feeling: the reason the barbarians appeared in the Lesser Upper Realm and found the sealed grounds was because Song Ce knew something beforehand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might even know the sealed grounds could be upgraded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that Song Ce had entered the deepest chamber of the sealed palace so easily told Lu Fang something was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, he hadn’t realized it then. Too many possibilities existed—he couldn’t possibly have guessed the sealed grounds could be upgraded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Lu Fang raised an eyebrow: “A Luo Sha army unit is approaching this direction. They’ll arrive in about ten minutes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you certain?” Ji frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ce closed his eyes, sensing for a moment, then sighed and shook his head: “I didn’t detect anything. But to avoid drawing the attention of the Luo Sha main force, we retreat. Whether they’re coming—I have my own way of confirming.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.” Ji nodded, glancing at Lu Fang with a low voice: “I hope you’re not lying. If you are, I won’t let you live.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1019,"2026-06-20T03:56:22.339Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9020db909fc393b331c42e8be871f2d7e1d906c2def51ad4762956ffa391eaa5","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-241","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-239",289,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-cover.jpg"]