Chapter 126: Planning!
Back at Lingmu Peak, in the quiet room with all restrictions lifted, Zhou Ding did not immediately begin cultivating, nor did he go to look for Xin Ruyin.
He stood alone by the window, his gaze piercing through the array's light barrier, looking out at the vast sea of clouds and distant mountains. His face was calm as water, but his eyes were deep and dark, as if countless thoughts were colliding, deducing, and weighing within them.
The only light in the quiet room was the soft glow of the luminous pearl, which cast his tall shadow long on the cold ground.
"Infant Carp Beast... Ugly Black... Reverse Star Alliance..." These three words echoed repeatedly in his mind like a curse, weaving together a picture full of danger, conspiracy and uncertainty.
Each response made his heart sink a little deeper.
The hunt in the original work ended tragically, filled with betrayal and slaughter.
Now, as an elder of the Six-Hall-King Star Island, his strength and status far surpass those of the pseudo-core cultivators in the original story who ultimately became abandoned pawns and targets for silencing.
But once you get involved, you'll almost certainly be drawn into the core vortex.
"As long as I participate in the demon hunt, I am very likely to run into Wu Chou and inevitably get involved in the vortex of the Reverse Star Alliance..." Zhou Ding muttered to himself, his voice sounding somewhat hollow in the quiet room.
His slender fingers unconsciously traced the cool jade patterns on the window frame.
The whirlpool is too big and the water is too deep.
The struggle between the Reverse Star Alliance and the Star Palace will be the main theme of the Chaotic Star Sea for the next few hundred years. It is a terrifying meat grinder capable of crushing Nascent Soul cultivators and annihilating countless sects.
Given his current cultivation level and foundation, it would be unwise for him to get involved too early; the risks far outweigh the benefits, and one wrong move could lead to utter ruin.
"But if I don't go..." Zhou Ding's thoughts shifted, his brows furrowed, and he began to ponder the possibility of refusing.
Seclusion? That excuse is too common and too perfunctory.
Having just learned of the Infant Carp Beast's whereabouts, it was precisely the time to exert oneself and make a name for oneself. To then immediately announce seclusion would seem deliberate, or even like a coward or a sign of fear of battle.
What does Miao Lihui think?
What will the Six-Tier Palace headquarters think?
His prestige and trustworthiness as a "newly appointed elder" would likely be greatly diminished, and he would inevitably face many obstacles in his future actions within the palace.
Moreover, given Miao Li's experience, he might not be completely oblivious to any flaws.
Moreover, thinking on a deeper level, can refusing to participate completely avoid the problem?
not necessarily.
If Miao Li is indeed a member of the Reverse Star Alliance, wouldn't I, as an "outsider" elder who knows about the existence of the Infant Carp Beast but refuses to participate in the hunt, seem "suspicious"?
"Did he sense something?"
"Is he a spy for the Star Palace?"
Once such suspicion takes root, the consequences could be far more terrible than direct involvement.
Could this lead to more covert investigations, surveillance, or even... clandestine purges?
Even if they succeed in this hunt, in order to protect the secrets of the Reverse Star Alliance, will they turn around and include themselves, who knew about the matter but did not participate, as targets that need to be "dealt with"?
He had experienced the cruelty of the cultivation world all too well. The principle of "better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free" was the guiding principle of many forces.
"Going is not an option, not going is not an option either... It feels like I'm stuck in a dead end." Zhou Ding felt a rare sense of unease and frustration, as if he were trapped in an invisible net, and the more he struggled, the tighter the restraints became.
He paced slowly in the quiet room, his footsteps echoing clearly in the empty stone chamber, which only served to highlight the turmoil in his mind.
He walked to the jade table, where the array diagram he had discussed with Xin Ruyin during the day was still spread out. The exquisite lines now appeared somewhat chaotic to him, just like his thoughts at that moment.
"Isn't there a way to have the best of both worlds? How can we avoid offending the Six-Linked Palace and also avoid the trap of the Reverse Star Alliance?" Zhou Ding stopped, closed his eyes, forced himself to calm down, and laid out all the known information in his mind like chess pieces, re-analyzing the situation.
The foundation of Lingmu Peak, the safety of Xin Ruyin and Xiao Mei, his own path, potential powerful enemies... all of these depend on his choice this time.
Suddenly, it was as if a flash of inspiration pierced through the fog in his mind!
"The key lies in the Infant Carp Beast, and in this demon-hunting operation itself."
Zhou Ding suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze flashing with a sharp light. The previous irritation vanished, replaced by the sharpness and focus of a hunter locking onto his target.
"What if we could fundamentally prevent this operation from taking place, or... eliminate its 'necessity'?"
A bold, crazy, yet incredibly tempting idea, like a dazzling bolt of lightning suddenly illuminating the dark abyss, instantly brightened all his blind spots!
"Since it's a demon-hunting operation, the target is that level six infant carp beast. What if... the demon beast is gone?" Zhou Ding's heart skipped a beat, as if he was startled by his own thought, but then he was overwhelmed by a strong sense of excitement and control.
My thoughts instantly became incredibly clear, like the sun breaking through the clouds!
"If I can kill that infant carp beast silently before the Six-Linked Hall mobilizes its forces on a large scale, before Miao Li officially takes charge, and before Wu Chou arrives, then the so-called 'hunting operation' will naturally cease to exist!"
Miao Li's visit was pointless, and Wu Chou has lost both his reason for being there and his objective! All potential crises will vanish without a trace!
Once this idea took hold, it spread like wildfire, with the determination to destroy all obstacles, and quickly took root, grew, and thrived in his heart.
Upon careful consideration, this seems to be the most direct, proactive, and effective way to break the deadlock that he can think of right now!
Not only can it resolve crises, but it can also acquire valuable monster materials to enhance one's own strength!
"Eliminate the Infant Carp Beast in advance..." Zhou Ding's eyes grew brighter and brighter as he began to rapidly assess the feasibility of the plan in his mind.
"With my current strength, I possess a mid-stage Core Formation cultivation level, a terrifying divine sense at the late-stage Nascent Soul level, and a powerful physical body that, after multiple rounds of feedback and tempering, is strong enough to withstand a level six demon beast."
In addition, there's Xiao Jin, a powerful helper whose actual combat strength far surpasses that of ordinary mid-stage Core Formation cultivators and whose defense is almost unbeatable, as well as the newly promoted Golden-backed Mantis, whose scythe is incomparably sharp and who excels at sneak attacks and assassinations.
With three against one, and proper teamwork, the chances of defeating a level six Nascent Soul Beast, even if its combat strength is comparable to the late-stage Core Formation realm and it possesses the unpredictable and difficult-to-defend 'Water Divine Thunder', are at least 80-90%! Even higher!
The more Zhou Dingyue analyzed, the more confident he became.
He was not blindly arrogant, but based on a clear understanding of his own strength and that of his spirit pet.
Xiao Jin's Golden Armor Technique is enough to withstand most attacks, and the Golden-backed Mantis's surprise attack is enough to cause fatal damage. Meanwhile, he can provide support from the center, using his powerful divine sense to control the overall situation and look for an opportunity to strike a fatal blow.
"The key is to do it 'quietly'." Zhou Ding's eyes sharpened like knives, and the excitement in his heart was quickly replaced by calm calculation.
"We can't let the Six-Hall Alliance, especially Miao Li and any potential spies from the Reverse Star Alliance, realize that I acted first. We need to do it cleanly and efficiently, like a monster disappearing naturally, or being hunted down by other unknown forces or passing high-level rogue cultivators. Ideally, we should erase as much of the battle as possible, leaving no clues related to ourselves."
"In this way, we can obtain the precious materials from the Infant Carp Beast, strengthening our own foundation, and fundamentally resolve this crisis, avoiding a direct conflict with Wu Chou and the Reverse Star Alliance. A double win!"
The more Zhou Ding thought about it, the more feasible the method seemed. All the pent-up emotions in his heart dissipated, and a strong sense of confidence and decisiveness to regain control of the situation surged into his mind.
Instead of passively waiting for a crisis to strike, it's better to take the initiative and nip the danger in the bud!
This is Zhou Ding's style of doing things!
Of course, risks still exist, but he was not blinded by the possibility of victory.
Even with help, facing a level six infant carp beast alone is not foolproof.
The most terrifying thing is when a demonic beast makes a desperate counterattack before it dies. Its "Water Divine Thunder" is said to be powerful enough to instantly evaporate an entire sea area and severely injure a late-stage Core Formation cultivator.
In addition, are there any other unknown dangers lurking in the sea area where the baby carp beast is located?
If I act in advance, will I run into Wu Chou or other forces that may already be lurking nearby?
"But compared to being passively drawn into the conspiracy of the Reverse Star Alliance, having my life and death in the hands of others, taking the initiative and seizing the initiative is undoubtedly more in line with my Dao heart."
Zhou Ding took a deep breath, his eyes no longer showing any hesitation, only the calmness of ice water and the decisiveness of a rock.
"Risk and opportunity coexist. This is worth the gamble!"
"First, we need to confirm the location of the Infant Carp Beast and the preparation progress of Feng San Niang, and estimate the approximate time window when they might officially take action, so as to leave me enough time to act." Zhou Ding's mind raced, and a clear action plan quickly formed in his mind.
He needs more information to refine the plan.
……
Several days later, Zhou Ding returned to Baishui Tower in Kuixing City.
He remained calm and composed, his face bearing the usual authority of an elder and a touch of just the right amount of concern for the affairs of the hall. No one could tell that he was brewing a startling solo operation.
Upon meeting Feng Sanniang, he first inquired about the follow-up handover of the previously collected resources, listened to her report, and gave several instructions, showing his usual seriousness and responsibility.
Then, he seemingly casually steered the conversation to the most important matter of the day.
"Third Sister, how's the recruitment of Pseudo-Core Formation cultivators to assist in setting up the formation going?"
Zhou Ding sat down in the main seat of the private room, accepted the spiritual tea served by the maid, gently blew on the floating leaves, and spoke in a calm tone, as if it were just a routine expression of concern.
"This matter concerns the success or failure of the demon hunt, as well as the safety of all of you. We must be cautious and prioritize quality over quantity. If we are not well-mannered or if our personnel are not in good spirits, the formation will be unable to exert its power, and unforeseen circumstances may arise."
Feng Sanniang, who was standing below, replied hastily upon hearing this, her tone carrying a barely perceptible urgency: "Reporting to the elder, it is being expedited. However, there are not many qualified pseudo-core cultivators to begin with, and most of them are elusive or already have missions to perform."
Currently, we've only tentatively reached an agreement with one fellow Daoist skilled in water-attribute techniques, surnamed Zhao, who seems fairly reliable. However, we still need to find at least three or four more people to set up the complete 'Six Escapes Water Wave Array.' It will probably take some time… at the earliest half a month, and at the latest a month, to gather them all.”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Ding showed an understanding expression, nodded slightly, took a sip of tea, and said gently, "Yes, this matter cannot be rushed. Without enough manpower, the formation cannot be practiced to perfection, and hasty deployment may easily lead to unforeseen problems. You must carefully select the people; their cultivation, temperament, and teamwork are all indispensable. It is better to wait a few more days to ensure everything is safe."
He paused, put down his teacup, and his gaze seemingly casually fell on Feng Sanniang's face. He then added, his tone slightly more serious: "Furthermore, the location of the Infant Carp Beast is a top secret. Before the operation, it is crucial that nothing is leaked, not even to the recruited cultivators. The approximate location should only be revealed at the last moment. This is to prevent leaks that might frighten the beast or cause other unnecessary trouble, adding unnecessary variables."
Seeing Zhou Ding's emphasis on secrecy and prudence, Feng Sanniang smiled confidently, as if to say, "You can rest assured I can handle this." She even straightened her back unconsciously, lowered her voice, and said with a hint of self-praise, "Elder, rest assured, I understand the situation and will not dare to be careless. That sea area is remote, located on the edge of the 'Ghost Mist Vortex,' far from regular shipping routes, and rarely visited. The patrol team members who discovered the monster have all been strictly ordered to keep quiet and have been temporarily reassigned to guard it. Moreover..."
She lowered her voice further and leaned forward: "Just in case, I've dispatched an additional team of absolutely reliable trusted men, led by a pseudo-Core Formation cultivator, to disguise themselves as demon-hunting squads at several key shipping lanes and islands a hundred miles from that sea area, secretly keeping watch. If any unknown cultivators or forces approach on a large scale, we'll immediately know and issue an alert. The core area where the demon beasts are located is currently calm and absolutely safe. This is the location and the nautical chart."
As she spoke, she even took out a specially made jade slip from her bosom and presented it with both hands.
Seeing Zhou Ding's signal, she carefully activated the jade slip, and a miniature three-dimensional light and shadow map appeared in the air between the two of them.
She pointed to a section of sea marked with a striking red light and surrounded by tiny whirlpool symbols, and explained to Zhou Ding in detail the precise coordinates where the baby carp beast was last discovered, as well as the hydrological characteristics of the surrounding sea, the distribution of undercurrents, the situation of scattered islands, and even marked the approximate locations of the sentry posts she had set up.
Her explanation was detailed and thorough, clearly showing that she had put in a great deal of effort and made very solid preparations for this demon hunt.
Zhou Ding's gaze swept calmly across the map, like the most exquisite magical artifact, firmly imprinting the flashing red coordinates, the complex surrounding hydrological environment, and the location of the hidden sentry into the depths of his mind, without missing any details.
However, a look of satisfaction and approval appeared on his face at the right moment. He nodded and said, "Yes, you have considered everything very thoroughly and arranged it properly. In that case, I am relieved. Continue to expedite the recruitment. Once Elder Miao arrives and the manpower is complete, we will discuss the specific action plan in detail. At that time, I'm afraid you will still need to put in a lot of effort to coordinate."
"Yes! I understand! I will definitely share the burden with Elder and Elder Miao!" Feng Sanniang was delighted to receive the affirmation and quickly bowed in response, putting away the jade slip.
Having obtained the most crucial information—the precise location of the Infant Carp Beast, its surrounding environment, and the judgment that Feng San Niang's recruitment progress was slow and would take at least another half month to a month, indicating that the operation would obviously not begin soon—Zhou Ding felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders.
He didn't linger any longer. He encouraged Feng Sanniang a few more times, told her to take a rest, and then got up and left Baishui Tower.
On the way back to Lingmu Peak, Zhou Ding's expression had returned to its usual calm, but deep within his eyes, there was a sharp glint as cold as a winter star, the calmness and determination of a hunter before his attack.
Back in his cave, he had dinner with Xin Ruyin as usual, discussed some insights into formations, and even pointed out a small mistake Xiao Mei made when making talismans. Everything was normal, and he did not show any abnormality.
As the night deepened and all was quiet, Xin Ruyin and Xiao Mei each returned to their quiet rooms to cultivate or rest.
That night, the moon was hidden and the stars were few, the clouds were as dark as ink, and the sound of the waves was like a giant beast panting in the deep sea.
At the summit of Lingmu Peak, the radiance of the "Inverted Five Elements Array" enveloping the mountain subtly shifted in a way imperceptible to ordinary people, quietly opening a gap just wide enough for one person to pass through.
A pale gray streak of light, almost completely blending into the deep night, slipped silently out of the gap like a ghost, without stirring up the slightest ripple of spiritual energy, and instantly disappeared into the thick, churning clouds.
Within the shimmering light was Zhou Ding.
He changed into a dark gray, tight-fitting outfit that was unremarkable and easy to move in, and covered it with a cloak of the same color, even his face was hidden in the shadow of the hood.
His aura was so concealed that, unless seen with one's own eyes, even a cultivator of the same level would easily overlook him as a slightly stronger sea breeze if they scanned him with their divine sense.
At his waist hung two specially made spirit beast pouches, which looked ordinary but had stable interiors. Inside were two creatures, Little Gold and Golden-backed Demon Mantis, which had shrunk to their limit, their auras completely concealed, and were like sleeping creatures.
Like a gray lightning bolt tearing through the dark clouds in the night, it sped off like lightning toward the remote sea area known as "Ghost Mist Vortex" that Bai had recorded in his diary.