Who Let Him Cultivate?! (WX)-Chapter 587: The Trials Begin

The Qiongqi Tribe elder’s expression twisted menacingly as he noticed Gan Tian’s grievously wounded state. His brows furrowed, and he retorted in a booming voice. “Diabolic Sound Heavenly Maiden, do not spout such venomous slanders! When did our Qiongqi Tribe ever instruct you to do such a thing?!”

The onlookers, who had been ready to capture Gan Tian the moment she appeared, tacitly held back upon witnessing this scene. Since she was gravely injured, she couldn’t flee. This was a perfect opportunity for them to uncover who was pulling the strings behind her.

Gan Tian snorted coldly. “You’ve never done it? You dare act but not take responsibility? Cowards!

“Previously, your Qiongqi Tribe sent someone to get in touch with me, asking me to secretly probe the foundations of the various tribes, focusing on determining whether any ancient old ancestors remained. I saw that your Qiongqi Tribe offered generous terms, so I accepted the commission and risked my life to investigate the tribes’ ancient tombs.

“At first, I didn’t understand what your Qiongqi Tribe intended to do. Now, I finally see the truth! Your tribe has long pledged allegiance to the ancient Dijiang. Probing the foundations of the various tribes was to make it easier to control them all!

“Now that the ancient Dijiang’s influence is firmly established, you seek to kill the donkey after it’s done grinding and silence me!”

The Qiongqi Tribe elder rebuked her furiously. “What a bunch of nonsense! Everyone knows our Qiongqi Tribe is so poor that we had to take out loans from the Meng Family! How could we be described as ‘generous?!’ If we have truly pledged allegiance to the ancient Dijiang, how could we still be this impoverished?!”

Gan Tian was momentarily stumped for words. He seems to have a point.

“Wait! I remember the first to step forward and pledge allegiance to the ancient Dijiang was the Jiuying Tribe! And the one who hired me also told me to investigate the Jiuying Tribe first!” Gan Tian suddenly pointed a quivering finger at the Jiuying Tribe elder. She trembled slightly, though it was unclear whether it was from her injuries or the betrayal. “It was your Jiuying Tribe that hired me! To wash yourselves of suspicion, you had me investigate your own tribe’s ancient tomb first!”

The Jiuying Tribe elder nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. I’ve been comfortably watching the show. How did I suddenly become part of the show?

“Preposterous!”

Gan Tian sneered. “Whether it’s actually preposterous, you know the truth in your heart! This enmity of assassinating me today shall be repaid in the future!” With that, she prepared to leave.

“Stop her!”

Seeing the Diabolic Sound Heavenly Maiden attempting to escape, the elders of the various tribes immediately moved to surround and intercept her.

Seeing the situation turn dire, Gan Tian spat forth a mouthful of essence blood. Mustering the last of her energy, she activated the beast hide to ride the clouds and mist, leaping through space several times before vanishing without a trace. The demons were left fuming and cursing incessantly, the Jiuying Tribe being the most vehement.

Another thirty minutes passed.

After doing her makeup, Gan Tian returned to the Phoenix Tribe’s contingent, not looking in the least like someone who had been severely wounded.

Even the Phoenix Tribe elder couldn’t help but transmit an auditory message. “Was it truly the Jiuying Tribe that hired you?”

“Naturally, it’s false. That was merely a show I acted out with the Qiongqi Tribe elder, who can leverage this chance to clear the Qiongqi Tribe of suspicion. The ancient Dijiang unified the Demon Region by force, so the tribes will inevitably be discontent. Teaching the Jiuying Tribe a lesson is a perfect opportunity to sow discord amongst all the races.”

The Phoenix Tribe elder pressed further. “Did you really investigate the Jiuying Tribe first?”

“It’s false. In matters like these, wouldn’t you all believe whatever I say?” Gan Tian indeed lacked direct evidence to frame the Jiuying Tribe.

But to frame someone, what need is there for evidence? Suspicion is enough.

Gan Tian stated coldly, “Since the Jiuying Tribe has indulged their young lord, they must bear the repercussions of that indulgence.”

~~~

Having already entered the Creation Ancient Domain, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were unaware of Gan Tian’s actions. They were listening intently to the ancient domain’s rules.

The moment they stepped into the ancient domain, an androgynous voice echoed above them.

“Welcome to the secret domain. It is divided into three tiers. Only by reaching the second level may you obtain fortuitous opportunities. The higher your evaluation on each level, the more abundant the fortuitous opportunities.”

A three-storeyed pagoda materialized before the crowd, each storey representing a distinct space. It was a miniature version of the Creation Ancient Domain.

They were currently at the entrance to the first level.

“This level contains a large number of Nascent Soul demon beasts. For each demon beast slain, you shall receive one essence soul. Acquiring ten essence souls shall count as passing the first trial.

“The time limit for the first level’s trial is ten days.

“At the deepest part of the first level lies the heavenly stairway to the second level. You may ascend to the second level by possessing the requisite number of essence souls.

“Note that the second level’s trial will only commence after the first level’s trial has fully concluded.

“The first level’s trial begins now.”

A gigantic hourglass appeared in the sky, visible from any location within the first level. The sand trickled downward, marking the ten-day countdown.

“Immortal Fairy, have you seen this secret domain before?” Lu Yang asked.

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy shook her head. “No. I don’t know if I’ve never seen it or if it appeared only after my death.”

After hearing the rules, most demon prodigies scattered, venturing into the first level to hunt demon beasts. Slaying ten Nascent Soul demon beasts was no simple feat. Not everyone could challenge those at a major realm higher like Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. Moreover, the rules stated that a higher evaluation on each floor meant better rewards. Surely, slaying more demon beasts was preferable.

Meng Jingzhou remained at the same spot, scratching his chin. The rules sound stringent, but upon closer thought, there seems to be plenty of room for manipulation.

He shot Lu Yang a meaningful glance: What’s the plan?

Lu Yang roughly deduced Meng Jingzhou’s thoughts and returned a glance: Let’s kill a few demon beasts to get a feel for it first.

“You two, shall we join forces to kill the demon beasts?” Jiang Shishi asked. The situation on the first level is well-suited for an alliance. Two can surround and kill demon beasts for higher efficiency, while the third keeps watch to prevent others from stealing the spoils.

As for the Phoenix Tribe’s followers, they could form their own teams to hunt, regrouping at the entrance to the heavenly stairway later. The followers were not bodyguards—battling the demon beasts was an excellent training opportunity, and they didn’t need to protect Jiang Shishi.

“Let’s first see the quality of these demon beasts,” Lu Yang suggested prudently. Imagine if we really run into a demon beast as talented as we are, capable of unleashing Divine Transfiguration Stage combat power while at the Nascent Soul Stage.

“Alright.” Before Jiang Shishi entered the ancient domain, her elder had advised her that if she encountered any issues within, it would be best to consult these two people’s opinions for reference.

The first level’s environment was a dense forest. Deep within the woods, Nascent Soul demon beasts watched with covetous eyes.

The trio cautiously extended their spiritual consciousness. The noise of combat not far away alerted a Broadback Giant Ape concealed in the trees.

The ape had a patch of white fur on its chest. It hammered its chest and swung from tree to tree, roaring and brandishing its fists as it lunged at the trio ferociously.

With their wealth of combat experience, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had long noticed the ape’s presence.

“Arhat Fist!”

“Slash!”

The two attacked simultaneously. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Meng Jingzhou met the giant ape’s fists with his Arhat Fist. Losing to Meng Jingzhou in strength, the ape was blasted upward into the sky.

Lu Yang pushed off with his feet, leaping upward. His sword flashed out and back into its scabbard in a single fluid motion.

The giant ape was cleaved cleanly, its massive head separating from its body and rolling to a stop at Jiang Shishi’s feet.

Jiang Shishi stared, dumbfounded. This is a Broadback Giant Ape at the Apex Basic Nascent Soul Stage, and a pure-blood at that! Yet it was dealt with so effortlessly?

“Done!”

The two high-fived, relaxed and at ease.

“Looks like they’re all ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators. We can execute the plan.”