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Chapter 641: Chapter 647: Verification
Having a Formation Master as a Dao companion, although Zhirui had not studied formations, he still had discerning eyes. The formations they set up were extremely lethal and covered a broad area.
But what use would such formations have if deployed inside a marketplace?
"Could it be..."
Zhirui thought of a possibility and suddenly awakened to a realization—Profound Ice Sect planned to sacrifice the Loose Cultivators within the marketplace, as well as those disciples without any backing!
Moreover, he believed that such formations were certainly not only set up in this small marketplace. The Immortal Cities and marketplaces to the west and south of Profound Ice Immortal City probably had similar formations.
"Such ruthlessly sinister methods!"
This also strengthened Zhirui’s resolve to prevent the emergence of a Divine Transformation ancestor from the Profound Ice Sect. Falling into the hands of such a Sect Master, the outcome would likely be exceedingly miserable. 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝖕𝖚𝖇.𝖈𝔬𝔪
He had originally planned to just rest here and collect some news about the Profound Ice Sect but hadn’t expected such a significant discovery.
However, Zhirui would not reveal this matter to the Devil Race. He would rather see their strength weakened—why would he help them in this aspect?
All he needed to do was to inform the human race spies lurking among the cultivators of the Profound Ice Sect’s plot.
Zhirui patiently settled down in the marketplace, gathering intelligence and looking for the spies, during which he also made a trip back to Wanxian Island.
"Has anyone come looking for me while I was away?"
He had deliberately left Da Qing in charge at home specifically to watch over this issue.
"Li Darong paid a visit, but it wasn’t anything important, just that he settled the matters you had previously arranged."
"Good! In case of an emergency situation, contact me using the Soul Voice Transmission secret technique."
"Rest assured."
Now, only Da Qing and Xiaoqing knew what he was doing; even Jiang Fengwu was unaware.
After spending over half a month in the marketplace, Zhirui finally accomplished one of his objectives.
He found the Devil Race’s spies!
One appeared to be an ordinary-looking Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator; the other was a mortal without a hint of mana.
If not for Zhirui’s powerful spiritual soul, which allowed him to cover the entire marketplace with his Divine Sense, he would not have found his targets so smoothly.
Mainly because the two had a considerable difference in status yet were able to stay together in the middle of the night, it immediately drew his attention. Then he patiently eavesdropped on their conversation.
"Immortal master, I have received news from the mountain in Profound Ice Immortal City. The Profound Ice Sect has tightened security a lot, and many cultivators are descending and returning to the mountain every day as if something big is going on."
The Foundation Establishment Cultivator pondered for a moment and said, "Do you know the reason?"
"Not yet."
"Alright, I understand. Keep this money safe and report any news in time!"
"Yes! Please rest assured, Immortal Master, I will not neglect my duty in the slightest!" The mortal, clutching a heavy bundle, excitedly left.
Once Zhirui had a precise target, he retracted his Divine Sense that was spread across the marketplace and watched every move of the Foundation Establishment Cultivator day and night!
Despite his powerful spirit, doing so consumed a lot of his energy, and now that he had found the person, there was no need to continue draining his Divine Sense.
Since there was nothing pressing, the man did not leave the marketplace for the following half-month. He would only occasionally go out and have a few drinks and casual conversations with some Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators.
As for that mortal, he never sought him out again; everything remained peaceful and uneventful.
It wasn’t until the Profound Ice Sect once again spread news that a Nascent Soul was about to undergo Tribulation Transcendence—and this time, the details were disseminated far and wide as if it were truly happening—that he became anxious and left the marketplace to contact his superior. Although he internally doubted the news, it wasn’t up to him to decide its veracity.
Li Zhirui followed him silently, uncovering the identity of his superior and, through this connection, identified several other spies.
Upon receiving this intelligence, the Devil Race no longer paid it much attention. They weren’t foolish enough to be duped a second or third time, were they?!
The upper echelons of the Profound Ice Sect, after learning of this development, were immensely excited and agitated. With the Devil Race showing no response this time, could it mean there would be a chance next time?
The Sect Leader issued orders loudly, saying, "The real battle is about to arrive, and everyone must be ready to fight to the end!"
"However, I believe! In front of tens of thousands of our outstanding disciples, the Devil Race? They are no more than crumbling walls and shattered tiles, barely worth mentioning! Victory! It will inevitably be ours! And ours alone!"
——
Having said that, one wonders!
"Could this time be real?" Li Zhirui also heard the news immediately and, furrowing his brows, murmured to himself.
Even though he had unraveled the scheme of the Profound Ice Sect, he still had no idea when exactly the Nascent Soul would undergo its Tribulation.
If Li Zhirui were to pass on his suspicions to the Devil Race through a spy, the second attempt would be vastly less effective should he be mistaken!
Therefore, he needed to ensure that after the Devil Race received his information, there would indeed be a Thunder Tribulation above the Profound Ice Sect.
"That’s not right!"
A flash of enlightenment suddenly crossed Li Zhirui’s chaotic mind, and he exclaimed as if seeing the light: "The first time the Profound Ice Sect spread the news must’ve been when someone broke through a bottleneck! And since then, it has already been..."
Squinting his eyes and pondering for a moment, a radiant smile appeared on his face, saying, "Another half-month, and it will be a full year!"
Cultivators must undergo Thunder Tribulation to break through major realms after Core Formation, but the Tribulation does not descend immediately. It requires the cultivator to actively release their aura to invite it.
If unprepared, one can temporarily suppress it, but this can only last for at most one year!
At that time, no matter the circumstances, unless you possess mighty Divine Powers to completely erase your fate from the heavens or you perish, the Heavenly Tribulation will come for you, no matter where you are!
Regardless of the Profound Ice Sect’s calculations, the day of Tribulation is drawing near!
But to obtain accurate intelligence, Li Zhirui disguised himself as a Qi Cultivation practitioner and risked entering the Profound Ice Immortal City, where he soon noticed some anomalies.
The number of Profound Ice Sect disciples within the Immortal City had increased, and Spirit Pills for mana restoration and healing injuries were out of stock everywhere!
Listening to some Loose Cultivators complain, the nearby marketplaces and Immortal Cities also ran out of supplies today, forcing them to make a wasted trip.
In an instant, Li Zhirui guessed that the Profound Ice Sect was preparing for war, and there was a high likelihood that the current rumor was still false!
If it were true, these strategic materials should have been prepared well in advance, not just starting today.
To avoid being trapped in case the Profound Ice Sect closed off the city, Li Zhirui left the Immortal City that afternoon.
Upon leaving the city gates, he looked back and gazed at the towering and majestic Profound Ice Mountain nearby, thinking to himself, ’It won’t be long before this pristine snow-white peak is stained with crimson blood!’
