Plotting with a Tiger, Murder Hidden Beneath

As the saying went, the clever were often undone by their own cleverness. Jieyin Daoist could hardly be blamed for overthinking it.

No one would have imagined that a living being at the early True Form Realm like him possessed an Innate Spirit Treasure of unknown rank as his natal treasure.

After all, who could have imagined that such a feeble creature possessed such a priceless treasure?

Fortunately, he had always acted cautiously and had never flaunted even a hint of news about his natal treasure.

After all, the Fate Compass was one of his greatest secrets.

He understood well the truth that a common man was innocent, but possessing jade made him guilty!

Even before those close to him, he had merely brushed it off under the guise of divine abilities.

After all, only second-generation figures like the Three Pure Ones received the privilege of possessing natal treasures.

A third-generation figure like him could possess, at most, an innate divine ability!

Bai Ze looked at Jieyin Daoist and pondered. Since the other party believed the Three Pure Ones valued him, he would simply follow the scheme and borrow a tiger's hide to raise a great banner!

"Senior, I originally did not wish to flaunt this, but at this point, there is no harm in telling you.

"I am the personally designated inheritor of the three Heavenly Venerables. If you dare harm me, the three Heavenly Venerables will certainly not spare you.

"But if you make way, given my three masters' temperaments, they certainly will not hold it against you.

"I hope, Senior, that you will not lead yourself astray!"

Bai Ze straightened his back, imitating Duobao's disdainful manner. His nostrils pointed toward the heavens, his eyes half-lidded, as though no one was worthy of his notice.

He was as arrogant as arrogance could be, as unyielding as unyielding could be!

"Ha!"

Jieyin Daoist sneered. Seeing Bai Ze's fearless appearance, he could not help but laugh.

If not for his wariness of the methods left behind by the Three Pure Ones, he would have long since slapped this piece of trash to death!

"For the Three Pure Ones to accept trash like you as a disciple, their eyesight is getting worse and worse!"

After sneering, Jieyin Daoist's expression hardened as he looked at Bai Ze.

"Boy, I will give you a chance. As long as you sever ties with the Three Pure Ones from this day forth and return to the West with me, I guarantee you will not die!"

Not die? Having his bones hammered and marrow sucked dry, left half-dead and no different from a puppet, was also not dying!

I'm not fucking stupid!

But the time had not yet come. If he turned hostile now, there would be absolutely no chance of survival!

Bai Ze's expression shifted repeatedly. After a long while, he said, "Senior, severing ties with the three Heavenly Venerables is no problem, but could you refrain from killing Duobao?

"He showed me recognition and kindness, and we share brotherly bonds. I cannot bring myself to kill him!"

Jieyin Daoist's face darkened at those words. "He consumed Dream Orchid petals. If I do not kill him and refine his flesh and blood, how can I trust your resolve to sever ties with the Three Pure Ones?!"

Bai Ze narrowed his eyes. This old bastard was truly forcing him onto a dead-end road!

He secretly mobilized his spiritual power, pouring it continuously into the Fishing Drum, but it was still some distance from reaching its peak accumulation!

He looked at Jieyin Daoist and gave an awkward laugh. "Senior, why go this far? Duobao is not weak. Would it not be a pity to kill him? Would it not be wonderful to take him under your command?"

"No need! I do not lack subordinates!" Jieyin Daoist refused outright without expression.

This made Bai Ze frown deeply, and he could not help but speculate whether Jieyin Daoist also bore some grudge against the Heavenly Venerables.

"Senior, is there truly no room for compromise in this matter?"

Jieyin Daoist's gaze gradually darkened, and he snorted coldly.

"My patience is limited. Within three seconds, if you do not kill him, I will kill you!"

How could Bai Ze fail to understand now? This old bastard had definitely suffered losses at the hands of the Heavenly Venerables—and they had absolutely been major losses!

His eyes immediately turned as he gave an awkward laugh.

"Senior, there is really no need for this. As the saying goes, when killing someone, one must strike at the heart!

"If you bring Duobao and me back to the West, then announce it to the world afterward—

"The direct disciples of the Three Pure Ones have abandoned darkness for the light, severed their relationship with the Three Pure Ones, and joined your side instead.

"Would that not make the Three Pure Ones the greatest laughingstock of the Primordial World?

"And with the two of us as gilded signboards, the favored sons of heaven throughout the Primordial World will all yearn for the West.

"After all, the Three Pure Ones are so powerful, yet they cannot even keep their own disciples. Meanwhile, you possess a heart broad enough to embrace all things and take people like us in.

"At that time, all misunderstandings about you in the Primordial World will collapse without attack, and you can disgust the Heavenly Venerables as well!"

Jieyin Daoist frowned and pondered upon hearing this. He had to admit that Bai Ze's words moved him.

Every sentence struck straight into his heart, especially the final point about disgusting the Three Pure Ones, which stirred him greatly.

But!

Why was Bai Ze considering things so thoroughly for him?

If Bai Ze had said this merely to protect Duobao, then perhaps it made sense. Yet for some reason, an indescribable strangeness lingered in his heart.

Jieyin Daoist looked at Bai Ze, narrowing his eyes. After pondering for a long time, he said, "Your proposal does indeed move me, but I do not trust you!

"Now, immediately, kill Duobao. Otherwise, you will all die together!"

Bai Ze glanced at the Fishing Drum, which was still just short of completion. His brows furrowed tightly, and anxiety rose within him.

He looked at Jieyin Daoist, whose killing intent was becoming increasingly apparent. With a thud, he dropped to his knees and pleaded humbly.

"Senior, this junior begs you to spare Duobao. As long as you spare him, this junior is willing to offer Dream Orchid to you with both hands."

"You have no right to bargain with me. Once I kill you, Dream Orchid will still be mine!"

Jieyin Daoist sneered disdainfully, paying no attention whatsoever to the kneeling Bai Ze.

Yet after a moment of silence, Bai Ze said softly,

"Guang Chengzi once told me that this Dream Orchid is a spiritual medicine no weaker than an innate spiritual root.

"It can help True Form Realm cultivators condense the embryonic form of the Great Dao. I imagine that for a Tracing Origin Realm cultivator like you, Senior,

"its effects would only be greater, perhaps even accelerating your comprehension of the Great Dao.

"Yet Senior has continually forced this junior to personally kill his elder brother. Searching my heart, I cannot do it.

"But if Senior desires this Dream Orchid, then before you kill me, I also have the ability to destroy it!"

Bai Ze raised his head to look at Jieyin Daoist, his eyes filled with stubborn defiance.

"You are threatening me?" Jieyin Daoist looked at Bai Ze with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

Bai Ze smiled calmly and gently shook his head. "I am merely stating a fact.

"In terms of strength, I am inferior to Duobao. In terms of talent, Duobao is no worse than I am. The only thing I can bring out is some underhanded schemes and tricks.

"But such things are utterly vulnerable before absolute power!

"Still, I know Senior certainly will not spare us. The reason you have wasted words with me here instead of killing me is because of the backup measures the Heavenly Venerables left on me.

"But if Senior wishes to obtain, unscathed, that treasure capable of breaking your innate divine ability, and also acquire Dream Orchid, then you must agree to my demands!

"Otherwise, even if I die, I will certainly destroy both items!

"At that time, the Heavenly Venerables will surely learn that we have met with disaster!

"And you!

"Will surely face their reckoning!"

As he spoke, Bai Ze slowly rose to his feet. His expression was calm as still water, stripped of all his previous fawning and fear.

Instead, he smiled at Jieyin Daoist.

"Whether or not you make this deal is entirely up to you, Senior!

"This! Is a threat!"

Jieyin Daoist's gaze turned icy, and his face was so dark it seemed water could drip from it. He narrowed his eyes.

"So this is your true face?"