The Simplest Way to Break the Deadlock: Rob!

Great calamity!

Those two simple words exploded in Zhou Feng's mind, instantly sweeping away all the fog.

He had previously wondered how a mere incomplete Heavenly Heart Gu Remnant Formula, one that could not even be called top-tier, had earned such relentless pursuit from the deeply rooted Qian Clan. They had even been willing to offer precious gifts such as the Silver-Scaled Spiritual Molt and High-Rank Gu Essence to curry favor with him.

Now, everything was laid bare beneath the sun.

What mutual benefit? What eagerness to recruit talent?

From beginning to end, this had been a carefully woven trap.

The terms Qian Lu had offered seemed generous, yet every sentence had guided him toward the Qian Clan Tribal Land. The moment he dared step onto Qian Household territory, he would be a sheep walking into a tiger's jaws, delivering himself into the net. By then, it would no longer matter whether he handed over the recipe. His person, his Gu, and every secret he carried would be completely controlled by the Qian Household. In the end, he would become a pawn for them to use as they pleased, with his life, death, honor, and disgrace no longer in his own hands.

Having understood this, Zhou Feng frowned slightly as countless possible responses rapidly cycled and played out in his mind.

Pretend to agree, enter the trap, and wait for a chance to counterkill them?

No. Too dangerous, with far too many variables.

The Qian Household had occupied Nine Void Mountain for centuries. Its family branches ran deep, restrictions blanketed its Tribal Land, and experts lurked everywhere. One careless step would mean eternal damnation.

Feign cordiality, keep the Qian Household hanging, and secretly fleece them for resources?

Still no. Every member of the Qian Clan was an old fox, and