A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 290 - 250: Primordial Pearl’s Hit List

"Alright, who are we going to kill?"

Lu Qian took out two scrolls from his storage pouch, two identical copies: "I’ll write a list, Senior, help me kill the people on the list. But not now, I’ll call for you when it’s time to act. Every time you kill someone, cross off a name from the list, and when the list is completed, it’s over."

Wu Yan swallowed nervously; just how many names is the Sect Leader planning to write? If this death list contained a hundred or two hundred names, it’d be too much for anyone—oh wait, no—it’d be too much for the Pearl to handle...

"One portion of Innate Spiritual Qi for one list, a fair trade, don’t you think?" Lu Qian smiled sincerely.

The Pearl Spirit nodded: "Makes sense, go ahead and write."

Though she found it a bit odd, the Innate Spiritual Qi was extremely important to her, while killing was easily done, so she didn’t ponder further.

Wu Yan covered her face, beginning to worry about the Pearl Spirit.

Lu Qian picked up the pen and began to write names on the paper. With each name he wrote, he felt a sense of relief.

Golden Core from Chongming County’s Xuanguang Sect, Master Fengfeng, Lie Tiansheng.

Golden Core from Sanshan County’s Liyuan Sect, Master Yeguang, Cang Jing.

Golden Core from Xinghu County’s Jiyang Manor, Master Kan Yuan, Zhang Fusheng.

Golden Core from Liangxiang County’s Mingyu Sword Sect, Master Cangfeng, Li Xianyu.

Four Golden Cores with just the stroke of a pen, all the Golden Cores from Chongming County and the three neighboring counties are on the list!

Next followed a string of Foundation Establishment cultivators, the only two remaining Peak Masters, Hee Yangchen, Kong Lingde, Han Wen, Zhang Hansong, and also Zhuang Qing and Hong Fei.

When writing down the names of Zhuang Qing and Hong Fei, Lu Qian silently apologized.

But all those aware of this grand battle must be put on the list.

After a pause, Lu Qian wrote down a final name, Ji Yunrou.

This enchanting Jade Flood Dragon Fairy, with her depth of character and extraordinary intelligence, is extremely tricky. If they were ever to become enemies, he’d have no choice but to deal a ruthless blow.

Four Golden Cores, nine Foundation Establishment cultivators, thirteen names in total are on the list.

Wu Yan sneaked a glance, relieved that there were only thirteen people. If the Sect Leader had the nerve to write a hundred or two hundred names, she’d feel too ashamed to face the Pearl Spirit.

However, she didn’t realize that every person on this list was a significant figure in the neighboring counties, rulers of their small domains, holding supreme positions.

Lu Qian handed the list to the Pearl Spirit, repeating: "Pearl Spirit Senior, only when I call upon you should you act to kill."

The Pearl Spirit nodded and put away the list.

The list of the Primordial Pearl. It wasn’t a hit list but merely a precautionary trump card. The people listed were not immediate targets for elimination.

In fact, as long as they didn’t obstruct the Yunshan Sect’s survival or become its enemies, they could live unharmed.

Even the primary threat, Master Fengfeng, Lu Qian didn’t intend to kill unless absolutely necessary.

For one, the Primordial Pearl was a top-tier spiritual treasure that couldn’t be revealed. If the Yunshan Sect acquired the Pearl, once the news got out, not just Cangzhou but several surrounding states would be shaken, prompting powerful figures to take action, wiping out the Yunshan Sect ten times over wouldn’t be excessive.

Calling upon the Pearl was too dangerous. It required an absolutely secure setting with no witnesses. Even so, with the Yunshan Sect as a Foundation Establishment Sect suddenly killing a Golden Core, the news would stir nearby areas, attracting curious spies and probes.

The more Golden Cores killed, the likelier it was to expose the secret, posing unavoidable risks.

Secondly, even if Master Fengfeng were safely eliminated, what then?

The Xuanguang Sect’s hold over Chongming County didn’t rely on Master Fengfeng alone. They had one thousand five hundred disciples, with over a thousand elites. Even if the Primordial Pearl killed Master Fengfeng, could it slay all fifteen hundred disciples too?

With Yunshan Sect’s current power of three Foundation Establishment cultivators and about a hundred disciples, even with Master Fengfeng’s death, they couldn’t stand against the Xuanguang Sect or profit from it.

More importantly, the fall of a Golden Core in Chongming County would immediately spark invasions from the surrounding three counties. Currently, Lu Qian faced a single Golden Core, but then he would face a chaotic battle with three. What course of action could be taken in such peril?

Bear in mind, the Yunshan Sect didn’t even have a Spirit Vein. Even if they wanted to pledge allegiance to one of the three Golden Core Sects, more issues would arise.

To accept the Yunshan Sect would mean to share at least one Spirit Vein. With these three Golden Core Sects having numerous Foundation Establishment affiliates, why would they share a benefit with Yunshan Sect? Naturally, a sect surrendering would face exclusion and suppression from local sects, burdened with endless troubles.

In essence, while killing Master Fengfeng had some advantage, the harms outweighed the benefits, not much better than harming others without helping oneself.

Thus, Lu Qian would adopt other strategies to neutralize Master Fengfeng’s threat. As long as Master Fengfeng didn’t directly attempt to obliterate the Yunshan Sect or had a vendetta against Lu Qian, he was willing to honor this formidable figure, having him lead Chongming County.

Until Yunshan Sect grew strong enough, or when his value was exhausted.

This list served as leverage, a trump card, one that Lu Qian wouldn’t use unless absolutely necessary.

With many thoughts flashing through his mind, Lu Qian put away his list.

He sighed benevolently. Ah, Master Fengfeng, don’t do anything foolish; I truly don’t wish to kill you.

Having achieved his goals, Pearl Spirit wanted to take Wu Yan to study the cultivation techniques on the stone tablet.

Lu Qian suddenly recalled something and curiously asked, "By the way, Pearl Spirit Senior. That Master Moyun back then was indeed Jichuan Profound Monarch’s bloodline. Why didn’t you choose him as the Profound Monarch’s successor?"

The Pearl Spirit spat in disgust, "He was riddled with disgusting toxins, who knows what he’d been practicing. My master was severely weakened by poison and ultimately defeated. Such a person defiles the master’s lineage! Next time I see him, I’ll certainly kill him."

"No need, he’s already dead," Lu Qian remarked, wondering if others apart from Master Moyun had the bloodline of Jichuan Profound Monarch. These matters were worth investigating.

"Moreover, you shouldn’t act lightly in the future," Lu Qian added, "because it would endanger Wu Yan."

He explained the current situation to Wu Yan and the Pearl Spirit, particularly to Pearl Spirit, he elucidated the idea that "one is guilty by virtue of having a treasure." Wu Yan repeatedly nodded, promising not to disclose information about the Primordial Pearl, and the Pearl Spirit agreed not to reveal herself unless summoned.

Having wrapped up everything, Lu Qian proactively left the Treasure Pearl World. Next, it was time for Wu Yan to begin learning Jichuan Profound Monarch’s secret teachings, the "Supreme Primordial Spirit Sea-Suppressing Profound Skill."