Chapter 254: Mastermind or Pawn?

Da Li, Feiyun Province.

This province is one of the major territories controlled by the Yu family, flourishing with prosperity and constantly producing prodigious talents who rise to prominence. In each major city, everything runs in an orderly fashion; people come and go, and the Yu family’s banners are seen everywhere, influencing all industries and even reaching into some major sects through their disciples.

Dangmo Mountain.

In the distance, clouds shroud the mountain peaks, and the lush green mountains rise and fall, covered in thick forests and vibrant meadows sprinkled with flowers—an ideal place for cultivating and meditating. The spiritual energy here is abundant, as if it draws from the entire province’s spiritual veins, giving the area a mysterious aura. Even the mountainsides are covered in intricate runes.

This mountain is the ancestral land of the Yu family, where the elders and ancestors retreat for seclusion, and no one without a summons may enter. The grand array that envelops this majestic mountain stands firm, and the foothills are dotted with numerous caves, housing the Yu family’s core disciples who cultivate there. The atmosphere remains serene, devoid of any disturbance.

Today, the peak of Dangmo Mountain emits a divine light, and a powerful aura fills the air, nearly suffocating. An ancient and imposing hall manifests, revealing its presence to the world.

“Yu Jingxin, you’ve acted recklessly.”

“Those three might bring great calamity upon the Yu family. Do you understand?”

Two deep voices emanate from the ancient hall, void of emotion, as they address the young man standing outside.

The man wears a white robe, his face smooth like jade, with delicate, handsome features. A faint, charming smile plays on his lips, and every movement exudes grace—he is a refined and elegant figure.

In a family as vast as this, those who have reached the Deity Transformation Stage address one another as brothers, regardless of age or rank. In this realm of power, traditional hierarchies become less important.

Yu Jingxin, still smiling, bowed slightly. “Elder brothers, you might not fully understand. Those three are at most late Nascent Soul cultivators, yet they roam freely in the Forbidden Sea. I simply couldn’t let such an opportunity pass.”

“If you acted personally, how could you have failed to capture even Nascent Soul cultivators?”

“Their strength exceeded my expectations. They had a master of formations among them, which I didn’t anticipate.”

Yu Jingxin sighed lightly. “If I had managed to capture them, what our family would have gained from the Forbidden Sea would far outweigh what we lost.”

“Elder brother, what the third brother says is true. Anyone who can traverse the Forbidden Sea must hold a great secret.”

Another voice from within the hall spoke calmly, “But for Nascent Soul cultivators to escape from a Deity Transformation expert—that is difficult to comprehend.”

“The third brother has already taken action; thus, the enmity has been formed. There’s no turning back now.”

The elder brother’s voice echoed coldly, devoid of any emotion. “Warn the Yu disciples outside to be vigilant. If they are spotted again, I will take action to eliminate this threat.”

“Elder brother?”

“If they possess such power, then the secrets of the Forbidden Sea cannot be ignored. We know the circumstances well; you were careless, third brother.”

The voice from the hall was tinged with displeasure. Lingering too long at the Deity Transformation Stage can lead to underestimating others, especially in a place as treacherous as the Forbidden Sea.

“Elder brother, second brother, you may not know—they are extremely cautious, appearing without a trace.”

Yu Jingxin’s eyes held a hint of regret. “I delayed for as long as I could. They are no ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators. Even the most meticulous plan will have flaws.”

The hall fell silent. The two inside understood the situation well. Yu Jingxin had prepared thoroughly and had not underestimated those three Nascent Soul cultivators.

Yet, they still believed Yu Jingxin had been too impulsive, making a grave mistake. However, if he had managed to capture them, it would indeed have brought tremendous benefits to the Yu family.

“Third brother, begin your preparations. This matter won’t end easily.”

“Rest assured, elder brothers, I will take full responsibility and ensure the family faces no harm.”

Yu Jingxin’s eyes sharpened. “Transmission arrays have been set up on all the islands near the Forbidden Sea. We have Yu disciples stationed as bait. If those three show themselves, they will not escape again.”

“Understood.”

The voice from the hall softened. “I will speak with the Jiang family’s ancestor and prepare for the worst.”

Yu Jingxin frowned slightly, his expression showing reluctance. To have failed against mere Nascent Soul cultivators had been a blow to his pride. With a wave of his robe, he vanished from the mountain peak.

After he departed, the voices inside the hall resumed:

“Elder brother, what if those three break through to the Deity Transformation Stage...?”

“That's why we need to involve the Jiang family. If we can’t subdue them, we will make allies of them. But how can anyone break through to the Deity Transformation Stage while trapped in the Forbidden Sea?”

“So, you believe they will eventually emerge, and their destination will likely be the Hanging Heaven’s Gate in the overseas regions?”

“I will send a message to the one at the Immortal Mountain. When the time comes, they will assist us.”

...

The voices grew fainter until they disappeared. The mistake of their third brother would be theirs to resolve, ensuring the family’s interests were safeguarded at all costs. The secrets of the Forbidden Sea remained a key pursuit for Da Li’s major powers, and they had already issued a decree to keep this matter strictly confidential.

...

Lingwu City.

A young gentleman walked along the street, fanning himself with a white paper fan, followed by two maids. This man was none other than Yu Jingxin.

Strolling leisurely, he observed the surroundings, his demeanor graceful and composed. The passerby women stole glances, their cheeks flushing with admiration.

Suddenly, a woman approached, her eyes gleaming as she spotted Yu Jingxin.

“Greetings, Elder.”

“The plan has already begun, and the arrival of those three was quite timely.”

Yu Jingxin maintained his smile as he walked, keeping his pace steady. Though he and the woman gradually distanced themselves, their conversation continued through voice transmission.

“Do the other two suspect anything?”

The woman picked up an ornament from a stall, playfully engaging the vendor. “Elder, your plan had some apparent flaws.”

“Oh?”

“How could a Deity Transformation expert act so casually and fail to capture mere Nascent Soul cultivators?”

“Hehe, they truly were exceptional; they escaped.”

Yu Jingxin waved his fan, his smile inscrutable. “But without such strength, they wouldn’t be worthy as my pawns.”

“Understood. Elder is always prepared.”

“If I had captured them, the secrets of the Forbidden Sea would be ours.”

Yu Jingxin’s gaze sharpened as he glanced toward a distant tavern, continuing his stroll. “If they managed to escape, the Yu family suffers, but their power is genuine.”

“Elder clearly had everything planned from the moment you acted. I am in awe.”

The woman smiled as she entered a tea house. “What would you have us do?”

“They have only two options: kill me or destroy the Yu family.”

Yu Jingxin took a seat by the window on the tavern’s second floor, his eyes deep. “I have set a trap in my sanctuary, awaiting their move. However, I need two others with me to guard the place.”

“Understood, I will inform the elder ancestor.”

Sitting by the window, the woman’s eyes turned dreamy. “It seems Elder is still unwilling to let go of the Forbidden Sea’s secrets.”

“Heh, of course. According to Yu Chen, their ship bears similarities to the ancient warships.”

Yu Jingxin gazed out the window, watching the drifting clouds. “If the Yu family acts, my two elder brothers will intervene. I have placed myself as the bait, for I cannot leave the Yu family.”

“Elder truly is...” The woman covered her mouth, her smile lingering. “Everything seems illogical, yet remains perfectly within reason. Flawed yet flawless.”

Yu Jingxin’s smile remained, his expression unchanging. Deploying numerous Yu disciples was merely a facade, a way to display his supposed vulnerability and showcase the strength of those three.