Discovering Incense Slave was not a matter of convenience due to her proximity, but rather the fruit of Yu Ci's deliberate contemplation.
Among those who could penetrate the source of Boundary River, not one was a pushover. Even with their exceptional abilities, Yu Ci did not believe he could orchestrate their actions to follow his script, nor could he expect them to lend much support. In such a situation, adapting to the circumstances was paramount.
His choice of Incense Slave was threefold: firstly, they had a foundation of prior collaboration, and upon observing her words and actions, he found her to be quite acceptable; secondly, their relationship was such that they could come together and part ways amicably, free from the psychological barriers of using or being used, which suited his need for a temporary alliance; and thirdly, and most crucially, Yu Ci believed that within the current Sword Garden, aside from the figure supporting him and the Heavy Weapon Sect Leader, Incense Slave was the only one who posed a threat to the Master of the Sunken Sword Cave!
Their gazes met across the void, and before further exchange could ensue, someone nearby exclaimed in surprise, "This one... must be Yu Ci."
At the sound, Yu Ci turned his face and upon recognizing the speaker, he offered a smile, greeting, "Brother Xia."
Xia Boyang's demeanor was indifferent, far from cordial.
Having extricated himself early on with his Substitute Sorcerer Puppet, he had not crossed paths with Yu Ci since, nor witnessed his subsequent conduct. As a distinguished Advanced Golden Elixir Cultivator, the young master of Thousand Mountain Sect, and the nephew of the lady of Flying Soul City, he was considered a paragon among the Jade Purification Alliance's rising stars. To such an eminent figure, Yu Ci, with his unremarkable Cultivation Level and obscure reputation, was naturally looked down upon. Moreover, Xia Boyang felt a twinge of disdain hearing Yu Ci's casual reference to "Incense Slave," which he deemed highly impolite.
Yu Ci had come solely for Incense Slave, and could have disregarded Xia Boyang entirely. However, the time was not right for internal strife. With a quick mental shift, Yu Ci smiled again, "I had not the chance to exchange pleasantries with Brother Xia previously, due to the pressing situation. Around this time last year, Sister Murong came from the west, slaying the villain Nan Songzi. I happened to be present and was fortunate to receive her care..."
He deliberately slowed his speech, observing Xia Boyang's expressions. Noting the surprise and a softening demeanor, Yu Ci pressed on, "Honored by Sister Murong's esteem, I even dared to address her as a senior sister. Before her departure, Sister Meng Wei and I presented her with a Water Mimic Bird... In this regard, I suppose I can claim some connection to Brother Xia."
With a humble smile, Yu Ci lowered his stance considerably, and if Xia Boyang failed to take the hint, it would be rather ungracious.
In fact, Xia Boyang had initially intended to show Yu Ci his place, but was genuinely taken aback by the connection Yu Ci had just claimed. The "Sister Murong" Yu Ci mentioned was none other than the renowned "Jade Washing Flying Smoke," Murong Qingyan, his aunt's adopted daughter. While his relationship with her wasn't deep, it was not without significance, and he was aware of Murong Qingyan's western travels, though unaware of this particular detail.
Thus, Xia Boyang instinctively glanced back to confirm, and behind the hood, Incense Slave offered no response.
Her silence was as good as consent. After all, Xia Boyang was a figure of eminence, and even if his initial impression of Yu Ci was quite poor, he possessed the magnanimity befitting his stature. Since Yu Ci had already lowered his posture and invoked Murong Qingyan, he felt compelled to reciprocate, thus he allowed a smile to surface and nodded in acknowledgment.
At that moment, he caught only a glimpse of the back of Yu Ci's head.
Xia Boyang paid no mind, for just moments before, a mountain peak had succumbed to an avalanche, the surrounding lands quaking in its wake. Despite being ten miles apart, one could discern the buzzing tremor of a sword's hum amidst the thunderous roar of the cascading snow—a sound that naturally drew everyone's attention.
For this reason, no one noticed the expression that crossed Yu Ci's face as he turned his head.
After a long while, as the avalanche ceased and the sword's hum persisted for a time before fading away, the three of them turned to face each other. Their gazes briefly met, and silence ensued once more.
The so-called "seizing the opportunity" mustn't be too overt, lest one be taken for a fool. Yu Ci presented himself as if by chance or sudden impulse. A single person's capabilities and gains are limited, but the collaboration of three could elevate ambition several levels—aligning perfectly with Yu Ci's calculations.
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Yet, neither Incense Slave nor Xia Boyang were inclined to reveal their thoughts just yet.
Yu Ci's task at hand was to coax them into speaking—through silence.
Impatience got the better of Xia Boyang. His cultivation level of the heart was indeed high, but with a beauty by his side, and Yu Ci's previous remarks inadvertently elevating him, combined with the pressing situation, all these factors together finally compelled him to break the silence:
"Yu... Younger brother, what are your plans?" He had initially intended to say "junior brother," which would have confirmed their association, but he hesitated and chose different words.
Yu Ci did not dwell on the formality of address, but furrowed his brow: "I fear you may laugh, but I regretted coming here the moment I arrived. To that beast, the expanse of these mountains is a mere jest, and with the void's chaotic currents sealing the perimeter, it's like a birdcage with no room to maneuver... Ah!"
Apart from expressing regret, the rest of Yu Ci's description was starkly genuine. Xia Boyang nodded in agreement: "The void's patchwork here is indeed complex; if that creature were to unleash its fury, it would be troublesome to handle."
In theory, should the Master of the Sunken Sword Cave make a move, it would take but a moment to cleanse these mountains in a bloodbath. However, Yu Ci believed that the Master of the Sunken Sword Cave had no such inclination. For within these continuous snowy peaks, as known to the Master of the Sunken Sword Cave and even to Yu Ci himself, there existed Qu Thunderbolt-Free!
Yu Ci had always wondered if merely digging a few feet into any given mountain would reveal the venerable Sword Immortal, perhaps slumbering within?
Regardless of the accuracy of this belief, the fact that Qu Thunderbolt-Free had dwelled here for thousands of years was indisputable. Likely, every piece of ice and rock bore the remnants of his presence. It was this very deterrence that persisted, and as a shadow, the Master of the Sunken Sword Cave harbored a natural fear of it.
"That 'creature'..."
"You mean the Master of the Sunken Sword Cave?"
"Eh?"
Both Xia Boyang and Incense Slave looked at Yu Ci, momentarily at a loss for words.
The enigma was pierced by Yu Ci's single utterance.
Despite the chaotic and heated battle in the Boundary River, where various factions had converged, none truly knew the identity of the "creature that devoured Primordial Qi and whose sword shone for a hundred miles," nor understood the unfolding situation—leaving it all a confused mess.
And now, with Yu Ci openly revealing the creature's identity, it brought no difficulty in comprehension, and even astonishment, to both Xia Boyang and Incense Slave, who had participated in the gathering at the Sunken Sword Cave and had faced the showdown in the Guixu—a bottomless valley in the sea—and had even seen the mysterious coffin.
It must be said, Yu Ci had chosen an excellent audience.
Seizing the iron while it was hot, he arranged his features into an expression of perfect surprise: "You didn't know? Yet you chased after me! Me? I was nabbed by that fellow from the Heavy Weapon Sect, and just happened to come across..."
"So that's how it is!"
Xia Boyang's sigh was devoid of novelty, and his change of heart was equally predictable: "That monster has Possessed a Sword Cultivator's Physique—no wonder its Cultivation Level has surged so wildly..."
As he spoke, he lowered his eyes, concealing the flickering flames within them.
A Sword Cultivator's Physique that could harbor the Master of the Sunken Sword Cave—wasn't it the perfect vessel for concocting the unique witchcraft of the Thousand Mountain Sect?
Yu Ci selectively narrated the information. He mentioned the Possession by the Master of the Sunken Sword Cave but omitted to whom the Physical Body originally belonged, and he concealed the fact of the sword breaking through the void, making himself appear as nothing more than an unfortunate soul caught in the crossfire, pushing all blame and responsibility onto the Heavy Weapon Sect Leader. After thoroughly dissociating himself, Yu Ci observed the two, especially the reaction of Incense Slave.
Why was it said that Incense Slave posed a threat to the Master of the Sunken Sword Cave? It wasn't due to her own Cultivation Level, but rather because of the one who stood behind her.
Behind Incense Slave was the Rakshasa Ghost King, and behind the Master of the Sunken Sword Cave was the Great Brahma Demon King. Without going so far as to say they were irreconcilable, it was certain that their forces were as incompatible as fire and water. From Sky Rift Valley to Cliff City, and then to the Sword Garden, Yu Ci had witnessed the overt and covert struggles between the two demon monarchs more than once.
The first time he heard the name of the Great Brahma Demon King was when Bi Chao destroyed the one-way passage leading to the Black Magic Altar affiliated with the Great Brahma Demon King; later, in Cliff City, Blood Monk Yi Xin deliberately shifted the blame for the turmoil in Sky Rift Valley; not long ago, he also heard a retelling of the chaos in Guixu, when Incense Slave appeared and, within a few words, forced Wen Shifei to identify the Great Brahma Demon King.
Time and again, their sharp confrontations, coupled with clear intentions, formed the very basis upon which Yu Ci could "borrow strength."
While each was absorbed in their own calculations, another avalanche thundered down, closer than the last, its roar even more terrifying. Standing here, Yu Ci could feel the icy pellets and debris carried by the mountain wind.
"What is that fellow up to?"
Perhaps because Yu Ci had unraveled one mystery, Xia Boyang was more courteous to him and took the opportunity to seek his opinion. Yu Ci responded with unconstructive words:
"It seems he's looking for something."
Before his words had faded, atop the recently avalanched peak, a colossal Light Pillar soared into the sky, emitting a piercing scream that carried far and wide, once again drawing everyone's gaze.
Yu Ci felt something amiss and focused his sight to peer into the Light Pillar. Before he could discern anything, the Light Pillar suddenly split, transforming into a dozen strong beams scattering in all directions, with the eight tones of the heavens resonating simultaneously, soul-shaking and awe-inspiring.