Chapter 133

Plan B was activated.

The Twelve Divine Generals split into two teams, six members each, and moved to sabotage two of the Changshou Sect’s ore veins.
The veins were lightly guarded, as most of Changshou Sect’s forces were still attacking Luoxian Sect’s forest veins.
When the Divine Generals struck, the defenders barely stood a chance. Like wolves among sheep, the generals snatched what little spirit iron they could and planted explosive talismans to utterly destroy both ore veins.

Once the job was done, the Twelve retreated without hesitation.

“Fall back! We must reinforce the mines—quickly!”

The attacks on the ore veins sent shockwaves through the Changshou Sect. The teams that had been assaulting Luoxian Sect’s forest veins, led by Chang Qing and three other groups, were forced to abandon their offensive and rush back to defend their own resources.

Meanwhile, six of the Twelve Divine Generals disguised themselves as ordinary disciples and approached the leaders of Luoxian Sect’s remaining forest and ore defenses. In the name of Jiu Li’er, they delivered twelve Tier 3 protective formation plates.

These formation plates weren’t perfect—they could only maintain a defensive barrier for a limited time—but they were more than enough to withstand the fury of the returning Changshou Sect forces.

Once activated, the Tier 3 formations successfully shielded Luoxian Sect’s four remaining forest veins and two ore veins. Though temporary, Han Luo had already prepared the next steps.
It all looked simple on the surface, but in truth, even a single misstep would have unraveled the entire plan.
Han Luo wasn’t a god; he had simply deployed a swarm of seemingly useless puppet spies to gather critical intelligence.

With information in hand, the enemy was exposed while they themselves remained in the dark.
When you can dictate the battlefield, even a child could win the fight.

Outside, the chaos had just begun.

The moment the Changshou Sect realized that their four forest veins had been uprooted, they would surely turn their rage toward Luoxian Sect.
But Han Luo’s defensive formations would hold. Unless the Changshou Sect had talents on par with Chi Xiao or Li Jun, they wouldn’t break through.

Unfortunately for them, they didn’t.

A herd of raging bulls had just slammed headlong into a steel wall—only to find the person on the other side casually sipping tea.
It was enough to drive anyone mad.

Han Luo ignored the chaos outside. Through his ancient bronze mirror, he watched with satisfaction as the four massive floating islands now hovered safely within the mirror realm.

“Changshou Sect, this is just a small piece of interest I’m collecting. The rest of your debt—I’ll reclaim in full soon enough.”

—

Meanwhile, the old ghost of Changshou Sect had already rushed to the imperial capital to file a complaint.

The capital—heart of Eastern Domain’s power.

Don’t think cultivators are beyond the reach of politics. In fact, cultivators pursued power even more fervently than mortals did, because power meant resources, and resources meant cultivation.
There was a saying in the cultivation world:
"With enough resources, even a pig can become an immortal."

“Honored Magistrate, Luoxian Sect violated the imperial decree! They sent a Qi Sea realm cultivator to deploy a Tier 3 Spatial Shift Array and steal all four of my sect’s forest veins! I ask for justice!”

The old ghost of Changshou Sect, a Nascent Soul expert and the sect’s patriarch with tens of thousands of disciples under his command, now bowed humbly before a mere Golden Core magistrate.
Such was the weight of imperial authority.

Magistrate Qingfeng looked upon him with an impassive face.
He didn’t like the old ghost—one of the most troublesome figures under his jurisdiction—but duty was duty.

“Do you have proof?” Qingfeng asked coolly.

“I do. Please, Magistrate, allow me to show you.”

The old ghost led Qingfeng to the site of the missing forest vein.
A massive crater stretched across several miles, its depths still fresh with the scent of overturned earth.

Qingfeng took it all in, his lips twitching involuntarily.

Luoxian Sect had always struck him as an orderly, peaceful sect—not prone to stirring up trouble.
He had heard rumors of some remarkable young talents emerging there recently… but now it seemed there were even more formidable figures operating behind the scenes.

This was too bold.

A forest vein wasn’t something that could simply be transplanted. Uprooting one was a one-way act—once moved, the vein would inevitably wither and die.
Such a ruthless maneuver was pure desperation, and it angered him.
Eastern Domain’s resources were already scarce; this kind of wasteful act was reckless.

What was Yunyangzi thinking, allowing his disciples to commit such a crime?

From the lingering aura, Qingfeng confirmed it was indeed a Tier 3 Spatial Shift Array.
While rare, it wasn’t unheard of for Foundation Establishment cultivators to master Tier 3 arrays—Luoxian Sect had produced several prodigies already. But had they produced one powerful enough to pull off this feat?

“Come. We’re going to Luoxian Sect.”

Qingfeng mounted his flying sword, bringing the old ghost with him straight to Luoxian Mountain.

There, Yunyangzi personally greeted them.

He had no choice; had he delayed, Qingfeng might well have attacked first and asked questions later.

“Greetings, Honored Magistrate,” Yunyangzi offered a respectful bow.

“Spare me the pleasantries. You know why I’m here. Answer me plainly—does Luoxian Sect have a Foundation Establishment disciple capable of deploying a Tier 3 Spatial Shift Array?”

“Of course we do,” Yunyangzi replied calmly.

“Impossible!” the old ghost blurted out. “A Spatial Shift Array is nearly a Tier 4 formation! It requires materials of multiple attributes fused perfectly. That alone demands the strength of a Qi Sea realm cultivator! Even if you had someone talented enough to attempt it, how could they have deployed it unnoticed under my surveillance—and stolen four entire forest veins?!”

His voice cracked with grief and anger.

Four forest veins represented the very foundation of the Changshou Sect’s wealth. Without them, the sect would be severely weakened.
He needed justice—at the very least, he needed Luoxian Sect to compensate him.

While the old ghost fumed, Yunyangzi remained composed.

“I can show you the person who did it.”

He crushed a talisman, sending out a summons.

Before long, Jiu Li’er arrived, bowing respectfully.
“Master, you called for me.”

“This is Magistrate Qingfeng,” Yunyangzi introduced her.

“Greetings, Honored Magistrate,” Jiu Li’er said sweetly.

“You claim to have deployed the array?” Qingfeng asked.

“Impossible!” the old ghost barked. “A Spatial Shift Array requires the seamless fusion of rare materials—something only a Qi Sea realm cultivator can manage! How could a mere Foundation Establishment disciple like you possibly—”

He was on the verge of tears.

At that moment, Jiu Li’er instinctively shrank back toward Yunyangzi, looking small and frightened.

“Longshou old ghost, you’re scaring her,” Yunyangzi said coldly.

The old ghost grunted but glared at Jiu Li’er menacingly.

Jiu Li’er lowered her head and trembled even more, as if on the verge of tears.

“Do you think I will allow this?” Qingfeng’s voice cut in, laced with displeasure.
He fixed the old ghost with a sharp gaze.