Feng Zikang’s sudden call jolted Liu Yue, sending a shiver through him. His mind was a complete mess; he was still agonizing over whether his sword formation had actually struck the man or not. Hearing him speak so abruptly, Liu Yue stumbled, nearly falling over.

“Brother… Brother Feng, what is it?”

Flustered and sweating cold beads on his brow, he managed a strained smile as he inquired.

Feng Zikang smiled faintly and waved a hand. “I was just asking, how many disciples does the Mount Tai Sword Sect have? I saw more than a dozen senior brothers just now, and their cultivation levels were not weak. Your sect is indeed rich in talent, truly possessing the bearing of a major sect!”

“Ah.”

Liu Yue breathed a sigh of relief, forcing a casual laugh. “We at Mount Tai must have three to four hundred disciples, at least. But those you saw in the small grove just now were all elite members of our third generation, naturally…”

He recalled how their group of over a dozen men had set up their sword formation against this fellow only to return empty-handed. Although he still didn't know the reason, the boasting words suddenly caught in his throat, impossible to utter.

“Three to four hundred disciples.”

This was hardly a small faction. Naturally, it was far inferior to the great sects of the Three Teachings and Nine Streams, but among the middle-tier sects, it was considered quite substantial.

However, the composition of the Mount Tai Sword Sect’s three hundred-plus disciples primarily consisted of cultivators at the basic Innate Realm. Very few had broken through to the Qi Infusion stage. The eighteen disciples gathered in the grove earlier truly represented the elite forces of the Mount Tai Sword Sect.

Liu Yue ushered Feng Zikang back into the room, offered an awkward smile, and then backed out. He dared not lock the door again, instead hurrying toward the back courtyard where Wang Shang, having finished speaking with the other fellow disciples, also hurried to meet him.

“He… he actually… the sword formation, did it… did it hit?”

Seeing Wang Shang, Liu Yue was so anxious he couldn't speak coherent words. Wang Shang’s face was grim; he slowly shook his head. “Junior Brother Yue, that brat is strange.”

“Our Eighteen-Coil Sword Formation locks onto the target; it absolutely never misses!”

Liu Yue gasped in sharply. Wang Shang’s words clearly indicated that this was no misunderstanding—the fellow had genuinely evaded the most potent strike of the Eighteen-Coil Sword Formation, the ‘Lock’ move.

Casually, without a scratch.

“E-even… even Father…” Liu Yue stammered, his face pale.

Under the Eighteen-Coil Sword Formation of Mount Tai, even a Foundation Establishment master could not so easily break free from the encirclement. Back during the trial of the sword formation, Liu Yuansu had indeed demonstrated the extraordinary skill of suppressing eighteen opponents with a single sword strike, but that required dozens of moves before he could break through the dense sword light of the eighteen coils.

How could a mere rogue disciple withdraw so easily?

If he truly possessed such formidable abilities, why would he return to Mount Tai with the two of them?

“No, it certainly isn’t his own cultivation!”

Wang Shang shook his head decisively. “Senior Brother Shen and Senior Brother Yun and I discussed it just now. That brat’s ability, at best, is only mid-stage Qi Infusion. After all, his Dao Foundation is complete, he lacks the Three Flowers and Five Elements, and his meridians aren't fully opened. Senior Brother Shen, at the eighth layer of Qi Infusion, believes his cultivation surpasses the brat’s.”

“Then how could it be…” Liu Yue was even more perplexed.

“He must possess some kind of protective treasure!” A flicker of intense desire shone in Wang Shang’s eyes. He stroked his short beard. “I didn't tell the others just now, but I think the brat himself didn't even know he was attacked, mistaking it for us just messing around. It must be this protective treasure that activated, teleporting him outside the formation without him realizing it!”

Wang Shang was naturally an intelligent man, but blinded by greed and preconceived notions, he insisted on viewing Feng Zikang as a fattened lamb incapable of true skill. Thinking it over and over, he settled on this phantom protective artifact.

Liu Yue hesitated. “Senior Brother, do you really think this fellow isn't merely feigning weakness? Perhaps… should we inform Yu…”

“No!”

Wang Shang grew agitated. If he informed the Sect Master, where would his own benefit lie? The Sect Master, upon seeing such a treasure, would surely claim it exclusively. His own son would benefit in the future, but what about himself, an outsider who had put in so much effort? Wouldn't he end up with empty hands?

Fortunately, Junior Brother Yue was somewhat arrogant and easily placated. Wang Shang cajoled and persuaded him not to tell his father about Feng Zikang for the time being, deciding they should conspire together on how to acquire Feng Zikang’s protective treasure.

“Initially, we must maintain a facade of harmony. We need to slowly probe his words to find out what it is before making a move.”

Their plan decided, Wang Shang would pretend to make amends and apologize to Feng Zikang, using the opportunity to subtly pump him for information.

Feng Zikang sat calmly in his room. Hearing their fanciful theories, he felt a smile tug at his lips. However, after a moment’s thought, he decided he could play along and use their plan to pry loose the secrets of the Mount Tai Sword Sect.

Liu Yuansu was inherently cunning and deeply sly; he would be hard to handle. But his son and disciples were less trustworthy; this line might lead to the desired results.

He let out a loud laugh and continued cultivating, wasting not a moment.

As dusk approached, Wang Shang indeed arrived with a pot of wine and a food box to see him.

“Little Brother Feng…” He called out affectionately, his face plastered with a false smile. He pushed the door open, engaging in pleasantries. “Brother has come to apologize for the previous incident!”

He diligently poured Feng Zikang a cup of wine and drank one himself first, as a sign of apology.

“My junior brother is the Sect Master’s beloved son; his temper is bound to be rather prickly. Everyone in the sect usually caters to him. For him to have lost his temper this time, even though I am his senior brother, I had no choice but to yield. I feel truly terrible for having inconvenienced Little Brother Feng during your visit to Mount Tai!”

Wang Shang naturally shifted all responsibility onto Liu Yue. Since he was playing the peacemaker now, the role of the hothead could be relegated to the spoiled young master, Liu Yue.

“Ah,” Feng Zikang put on an expression of manufactured anxiety. “How could you say such a thing? Firstly, it was indeed the fox that bit Senior Brother Liu, and I was extremely worried, so I should apologize for that; secondly, being able to visit the magnificent scenery of Mount Tai has broadened my horizons and provided a feast for my eyes. How could I possibly harbor any resentment?”

His words were soft, which made Wang Shang even happier, taking him for an inexperienced bumpkin. He opened the food box, laid out four kinds of delicacies for their drinking session, and poured Feng Zikang another cup.

“Little brother previously mentioned you were a rogue disciple from the East Sea. May I inquire as to your master’s esteemed name?”

He finally remembered to ask for the master’s title. Feng Zikang’s fabricated story was ready: “My master is Elder Ling, one of the Three Immortals of the East Sea. His footprints rarely touch the Central Lands; I suspect Senior Brother Wang may not have heard of him?”

“The Three Immortals of the East Sea? Elder Ling?” Wang Shang genuinely had no memory of the name. He frowned, racking his brain for a moment, but drew a blank. Feng Zikang secretly chuckled; it would be strange if anyone had heard of a name he made up on the spot.

“May I ask about your master’s cultivation level?”

This question was slightly presumptuous; who casually inquires about a master’s cultivation? Wasn’t that questioning the master’s moral character? But Wang Shang was too consumed by curiosity, and the matter felt too important to leave unasked.

Fortunately, Feng Zikang was unconcerned, replying with a respectful, smiling look. “My master comprehended the Heavenly Dao several years ago; his Dao Foundation is established.”

Foundation Establishment stage…

Wang Shang’s initial disdain lessened somewhat, but simultaneously, he let out a breath of relief.

To reach Foundation Establishment as a rogue cultivator was notoriously difficult, almost impossible without the aid of a Grand Reincarnation Plate—it was one in ten thousand who succeeded. Even small sects like the Mount Tai Sword Sect had to rely on affiliations with the Three Teachings and Nine Streams to possess such a Plate, accumulating enough Merit Points before they could borrow it for advancement.

For instance, the Mount Tai Sword Sect was allied with Daoism, which is why the Sect Master dressed in Daoist robes. A hundred years ago, Liu Yuansu achieved Foundation Establishment by successfully borrowing the Grand Reincarnation Plate from the Daoists.

Rogue cultivators rarely had such fortune; they had to rely on sheer personal strength to force a breakthrough. Feng Zikang’s master achieving Foundation Establishment already marked him as an extraordinary genius.

However, he was at least not some terrifying old monster who was untouchable, and Wang Shang relaxed his guard.

“I see your own cultivation is only at the early Qi Infusion stage. How can your master be so assured in letting you travel alone?”

Wang Shang himself was only at the early Qi Infusion stage. Not only could he not see through Feng Zikang, but to speak of this was truly laughable, yet his goal was simply to extract some information from Feng Zikang.

Feng Zikang smiled slightly, granting him his wish.

“My master dotes on me. If I hadn't constantly insisted on going out to see the world, he would never have agreed,” he paused, his voice dropping. “However, my master also feared I might encounter danger and specially bestowed upon me a treasure for self-protection. It is extremely efficacious. Since coming from the East Sea, I have often encountered many fierce beasts and sea demons, yet none have ever attacked me—that is the effect of this treasure!”

“Treasure!”

Wang Shang’s eyes widened, his breathing quickening. It was just as he had guessed! This brat had relied on this mysterious treasure to survive the strike from the Mount Tai Eighteen-Coil Sword Formation.

Otherwise, given his cultivation, he should have met an untimely death!

“May I ask what kind of treasure it is?” Wang Shang feigned curiosity. “Would you perhaps allow your humble brother a glimpse?”

It was working!

Feng Zikang knew the fish had taken the bait; now it was time to add more seasoning.

He showed a look of difficulty. “Senior Brother Wang, it's not that I’m unwilling, but my master specifically instructed me before I left that this item cannot see light, nor can anyone look upon it…”

“Of course, of course. Your humble brother was too rash!”

Wang Shang hastily changed tack, moving away from the topic, afraid that pressing too hard might raise Feng Zikang’s suspicions.

The two then chatted about minor things, finished a few cups of light wine, and Wang Shang finally excused himself.

“How was it?”

As soon as he stepped outside the courtyard gate, he was grabbed by the impatiently waiting Liu Yue, who urgently pressed him for details.

“It’s settled.” Wang Shang pulled him aside and whispered, “Junior Brother, don’t fret. The man definitely has a miraculous treasure; I’ve confirmed that, Senior Brother. However, he claims he has orders from his master that the item cannot be shown. We don't know what it is yet. I'll try to coax more out of him these next few days. Once we know what the item is, we can make our move.”

“There really is a treasure?”

Liu Yue’s eyes gleamed, his face full of greed. “This is great stuff! If even the Mount Tai Eighteen-Coil Sword Formation can’t harm it—if we obtain it…”

He suddenly remembered something and stopped, not continuing his thought.

Wang Shang understood what he was thinking the moment he paused.

There was only one artifact, but there were two of them. He had been too excited earlier and hadn't considered this.

“Junior Brother Yue—”

“You don’t need to say it. Anything else on that brat, you can have, but this miraculous treasure, I must have it!” Liu Yue was haughty, waving his hand. “If you disagree, I’ll tell my father!”

The Mount Tai Sword Sect truly belonged to the Liu family. If Wang Shang were to obtain this item, what then? A treasure that even the Mount Tai Eighteen-Coil Formation couldn't touch—perhaps even his father might not be able to subdue it easily. At that point, who would truly hold sway within the Mount Tai Sword Sect would become debatable.

Though Liu Yue was somewhat of a dandy, he understood this logic. Therefore, this treasure, he absolutely had to claim.

Wang Shang’s face turned pale. He desperately wanted the item too, but he understood that currently being dependent on others meant he had to tread carefully. He could only nod reluctantly.

Liu Yue was extremely pleased with himself. The item wasn't in his hands yet, but he was already fantasizing about possessing the treasure, displaying unmatched authority, surpassing even his father and the Sect Founder—that vision was utterly magnificent.

He whistled cheerfully and strode away, with Wang Shang closely following behind, his gaze holding a chilling killing intent.

“Junior Brother is truly formidable!”

Huo Zhongguang applauded, full of admiration. “In ancient times, Yanzi’s ‘Two Peaches to Kill Three Warriors’ was already a celebrated tale of wit. I didn't expect Junior Brother to use a fictitious treasure to sow discord between these two sworn brothers—even more brilliant!”

Yanzi was the Prime Minister of Qi. At that time, King of Qi had three renowned warriors under him, each highly skilled and decorated. When someone mentioned this to Yanzi, he laughed and said, what warriors? He only needed two peaches to kill them.

The next day, he picked two peaches from the King of Qi’s garden and presented them during the state banquet, asking the King to bestow them upon deserving officials. The King asked everyone to list their merits. Two of the three warriors boasted of their deeds and received the peaches to eat. The third warrior was enraged, claiming his great contributions were unrewarded, losing face, and committed suicide on the spot. The other two warriors, seeing this, felt deeply ashamed and followed suit.

This was the story of Yanzi killing three warriors with two peaches, illustrating that as long as the seeds of contention exist between people, they have weaknesses, and even warriors cannot escape eventual demise.

Feng Zikang using a treasure as bait to provoke dissension between these two senior and junior brothers was merely the first step in his scheme.

“At this juncture, however, we cannot let Liu Yue, the Sect Master’s son, die.”

Feng Zikang smiled faintly. “Whether we can uncover the secrets of the Mount Tai Sword Sect will still depend on him!”

“Hoo?”

Huo Zhongguang’s interest was piqued, his heart itching with curiosity. “Junior Brother still has other marvelous plans? Tell this old brother!”

Feng Zikang laughed heartily. “If I tell you now, it won't work. Just watch the show, Senior Brother. In a few days, I will know exactly what relationship the Mount Tai Sword Sect has with the Dragon Fang Island Demon Estate!”

For more novels, visit storyread.net.