Chapter 442: Switcheroo

Translated by: La0o9

Proofreader: Arya

Ye Ying Mei had a look of nostalgia as she explained: “These past years, we were unwilling to accept being manipulated by him forever, so we used a lot of time and resources to silently prepare”

Gu Qing Shan nodded and gestured her to continue

Ye Ying Mei spoke: “I know all of Wang Hong Dao’s most commonly used techniques, so I have been secretly crafting a treasure tool that can block those particular techniques for a short while”

Zhao Wu Chui spoke: “I know where he is wounded most heavily, so I made an attack treasure tool. It can only be used once, but it’s definitely potent”

Ye Ying Mei sighed: “These are the items we’ve prepared as a last resort to pull him down with us”

“You’ve both had it hard”

While empathizing with them, Gu Qing Shan quickly reorganized the current situation.

Rakshasa’s Daughter is Rakshasa Peak’s master, she might not be the strongest combatant they have, but because she received Rakshasa’s inheritance, even the three Cryptic realm cultivators of Rakshasa Peak must obey her orders.

Up until now, she’s been staying still as a mask without doing anything.

There’s only one reason why she’s doing that.

Just like Ye Ying Mei and Zhao Wu Chui, she doesn’t know where Qi Yan hid the coordinates of the two worlds.

Without the coordinates, she has no way to find the two worlds and travel there.

Without the coordinates, the two new worlds are nothing but a moon reflected in the pond, a nice thing to dream of but isn’t at all useful.

That’s why even though Wu San revealed the existence of the two worlds, he was still useless to both Hallmasters and Rakshasa’s Daughter. Since he didn’t know the coordinates, his life had no practical meaning to them.

That’s why the two Hallmasters had to cooperate with Qi Yan.

That’s why Rakshasa’s Daughter had to keep her disguise as a mask, she wanted to learn more about the new worlds.

Understanding this, Gu Qing Shan determined his next course of action.

He extended his hand: “Give me your treasure tools, I’ll kill Wang Hong Dao”

“Are you sure? You’re only at Virtualized realm early stage” Ye Ying Mei looked at him questioningly.

“I’m not like you where I need to be careful of various scenarios”

“Not to mention, since both of you have Wang Hong Dao’s shackles on you, you won’t be able to attack him with all you have, and if you can’t kill him, I’ll die at his hands anyways”

“Rather than that, I’d rather fight for my survival with my own hands, this way I can at least feel assured”

Hearing that, the two Hallmasters understood Qi Yan’s thought pattern.

Zhao Wu Chui spoke in a low voice: “To prevent Wang Hong Dao from discovering out secrets, we don’t keep the treasure tools we made by our side but rather stashed them at an unassuming floating island. Furthermore, both treasure tools are sealed so that no one other than us can touch them”

Ye Ying Mei explained: “Some time is needed to undo the seals”

“Then one of you go get them, we’ll wait here” Gu Qing Shan curtly said.

Hesitantly, Ye Ying Mei replied: “Qi Yan, no offense but truthfully, I can’t trust a person like you”

Zhao Wu Chui also nodded.

“That’s simple to solve”

Gu Qing Shan raised his hand and swore: “If you give the treasure tools to me, I swear to do everything in my power to engage in a decisive battle of life and death with Wang Hong Dao, if there are falsehood in my words, may the heaven and earth kill me right here”

An invisible wind picked up around his body and a sound echoed in the sky.

The oath was recognized.

Seeing him take an oath to heaven and earth, Ye Ying Mei could finally smile.

Zhao Wu Chui just stared at Gu Qing Shan without saying anything, but a complicated look could be seen in his eyes briefly.

Qi Yan just pushed himself onto a desperate path, having to determine life and death between himself and Wang Hong Dao.

Who else could doubt Qi Yan’s determination when he already swore such an oath?

“Your sincerity, I’ve seen it” Ye Ying Mei spoke.

At this point, she was actually feeling a bit of respect towards Qi Yan.

Merciless and assertive.

He’d rather swear an oath than to trust someone else.

He’d rather wrestle for his own life with the Cryptic realm Elder rather than leaving the initiative to someone else.

This was a poisonous snake that you cannot ever underestimate.

Ye Ying Mei suddenly felt a bit glad.

——glad that she didn’t attack Qi Yan right away.

“I’ll need some time to take back both treasure tools and undo their seals” Ye Ying Mei said.

“According to our information, master won’t return for at least half a day” Zhao Wu Chui sternly told them.

“Very well, then one of you go and retrieve the treasure tools”

Gu Qing Shan said as he stood up.

“Where are you going?” Zhao Wu Chui asked as he saw him do that.

Gu Qing Shan didn’t answer and only gestured to Qing Rou as he reached the edge of the platform.

“Young master?” Qing Rou went up and asked.

“Go, we’re returning”

“Yes”

Qing Rou then stood close, holding his hand as she normally serves him.

It was now that Gu Qing Shan turned around to answer: “I’m going to arrange a few things for Gu Qing Shan’s breakthrough, I’ll return soon enough”

The two Hallmasters now remembered.

Right, Qi Yan’s disciple was about to breakthrough to Sainted realm.

“After I return, I’ll stay right here waiting for the two of you”

Saying so, Gu Qing Shan was about to leave.

But then he stopped and turned around: “Ying Mei sis, you should go, old Zhao is currently the strongest cultivator in our sect, he has to stay at the sect to look after it”

Ye Ying Mei felt that made sense.

Since the only Cryptic realm cultivator in the sect and the sect master had both left, if no one was there to protect the sect while she left and they’re attacked by other sects, that’ll be something to really laugh at.

The fact that Qi Yan can still consider such a thing at this point in time means he was properly doing his job as Zwei Wei Hall’s Hallmaster.

She glanced at Zhao Wu Chui.

Zhao Wu Chui answered: “I’ll be here to protect it, don’t worry”

“Then I’ll go get the treasure tools” Ye Ying Mei said.

Seeing everything properly arranged, Gu Qing Shan led Qing Rou back to his place.

Ye Ying Mei also left the protective barrier formation above and disappeared as she flew away.

Only Zhao Wu Chui stayed behind on the platform, waiting for the two of them.

Time slowly passed.

After a while, Zhao Wu Chui suddenly remembered something.

“Damnit, we got swept away by that brat Qi Yan”

Zhao Wu Chui felt a bit dejected: “He still hasn’t mentioned a word about giving up courting Rakshasa’s Daughter… does he have other intentions?”

Zhao Wu Chui stared at where Qi Yan sat before.

The Rakshasa’s Daughter mask on the table was already taken away by Qi Yan.

Zhao Wu Chui grimaced.

Qi Yan isn’t simple at all like I thought.

Even if I ask again, he probably won’t reveal his true intentions.

Fortunately, Qi Yan will have to risk his life against Wang Hong Dao soon.

Zhao Wu Chui mused.

Qi Yan risking his life against Wang Hong Dao…

Under such circumstances, I’ll be the one to benefit no matter what I do.

Zhao Wu Chui rubbed his chin in thought.

…

Zhao Wu Chui didn’t wait too long.

Qi Yan quickly returned and sat down at his seat.

Qing Rou poured Qi Yan another cup of spirit tea and put it to his mouth.

“You were quick” Zhao Wu Chui commented.

“That disciple of mine didn’t require too much concern” Qi Yan answered.

“Your disciple is quite a good heir, I could already see how far he’ll go on the path of the sword, maybe he’ll even surpass you and me one day”

Zhao Wu Chui tried probing: “Did you already prepare the spirit stones necessary to activate the formation?”

“I don’t remember how much spirit stones were needed for the Sainted realm breakthrough formation” Qi Yan replied without changing his expression.

“I already guessed that you won’t remember such a thing, so I’ll tell you now, he’ll need seven-seven-forty-nine spirit stones, not even one less” Zhao Wu Chui very sternly said. (1)

49 spirit stones?

Shannu thought back for a bit.

Gu Qing Shan once asked her if she needed spirit stones.

There was at least 100 trunks full of spirit stones just in Gu Qing Shan’s Inventory Bag alone

Just 49 spirit stones…

Due to how lacking resources in this world are, Shannu had to act the part for Zhao Wu Chui to see and scowled.

“Why does it need so many?”

Zhao Wu Chui answered: “Sainted realm is no longer a minor thing that can be breezed through, you have to put enough spirit stones in there to avoid the formation losing its effectiveness halfway through”

“I’ve already given Gu Qing Shan over 100 spirit stones, even if he uses the higher-ranked formations, that much should be enough, there’s no need for you to say anything else”

Hearing that, Zhao Wu Chui was shocked.

Qi Yan has that many spirit stones left?

From his tone, Qi Yan seems to have quite a bit stored up.

That can’t be right…

Qi Yan has always been a big spender, I’ve recorded every single spirit stone he used on every occasion.

He shouldn’t have that much left, should he?

Then Zhao Wu Chui realized.

—-it’s the new world!

Zhao Wu Chui clenched his fist.

Qi Yan found two entire new worlds!

Ignoring Zhao Wu Chui’s boiling inner rage, Shannu didn’t bother to say anything else to him and took out a pill from his gem ornament.

“I’m still wounded from that battle with the sword cultivator in the new world. I’ll need to heal up for a bit”

“We’ll discuss official business again when Ying Mei sis returns”

Saying so, Shannu immediately crossed her legs and entered a meditative state.

Healing was a very good excuse.

Although she had Gu Qing Shan’s experience and skills, Shannu doesn’t have Gu Qing Shan’s assertiveness.

This was related to a person’s own characteristics and wisdom, unable to be replicated through any skills.

When it comes to complicated and tangled situations, Gu Qing Shan himself needs to be here.

So Shannu’s job was just to buy time.

—-enough time for Gu Qing Shan to finish his tribulation and enter Sainted realm.

The Ascended realm tribulation’s difficulty comes from its duration of a whole day and night, heavily testing the cultivator’s will and stamina.

The time required for the Sainted realm tribulation wasn’t that long, the real difficulty comes from how powerful the lightning becomes, enough to kill the cultivator with the slightest slip-up.

And when he faces the Projection realm tribulation, just like Bai Hua Fairy, he’ll have to face both the Wind and Lightning tribulation.

Since Gu Qing Shan was facing the lightning tribulation, it won’t be over until he destroys the last lightning strike.

If he can, he needs to finish it as fast as possible.

Because Shannu won’t be able to buy too much time.

When Ye Ying Mei returns, the three Hallmasters will officially begin to plan out the details of their scheme to kill Wang Hong Dao.

If Gu Qing Shan still hasn’t returned then, Shannu won’t be able to keep up the act.

She has all of Gu Qing Shan’s skills and experience, including his acting skills, but she won’t be able to do it to Gu Qing Shan’s degree.

Knowing how cunning the Hallmasters are, they’ll notice as soon as Qi Yan acts just slightly off, and the truth will be revealed.

At this time, on the platform.

Shannu very quickly entered deep meditation.

Seeing that, Zhao Wu Chui knew that he had to fully concentrate on healing his wounds.

He couldn’t help but sigh softly, feeling a bit dull.

Originally, he wanted to use the matter regarding his disciple to lead the subject towards either the new world or about Rakshasa’s Daughter, but Qi Yan curtly cut off all that.

And he couldn’t even interrupt.

Since Qi Yan will have to wrestle for his life with Wang Hong Dao soon.

Zhao Wu Chui just stayed silent and sat there.

Staring at Qi Yan who was healing his wounds, he kept thinking about upcoming scenarios, feeling anxious without being able to calm down.

Note:

(1) seven-seven-forty nine: Basically they’re saying 7×7 = 49. It’s a common way to refer to things in Wuxia and Xianxia novels. I personally have no idea why, but that’s the way it’s written