A Theory, and Winning Over Wang Xijing and Xue Li
Deep within the Earth Spirit Sect, Li Xuan's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Hmph, still trying to hide? Now that the Earth Spirit Sect is forcing us, let's see how you cowards can hide!" He could almost see those talented students being forced out of the safe zone, becoming his prey.
On the other side, Dongfang Yueming felt the surging power brought by the "Tough as a Jiaolong" realm within his body, slowly exhaling a breath of turbid air, his Spirit Transformation increasingly profound. He pushed open the door and stepped out, his mind racing. "The Ash Demon's methods are unpredictable, and his target is unknown; traveling together with him is still too risky."
He went straight to Shi Qing's door and knocked gently.
Shi Qing opened the door and was slightly surprised to see Dongfang Yueming.
"Senior Shi," Dongfang Yueming said bluntly, "The situation is dire, and the two of us might not be enough to handle it. How about we travel together?"
Upon hearing this, Shi Qing hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Okay." She, too, sensed the lurking danger.
Without delay, the two immediately found their respective temporary teammates— Xue Ning and Zhao Jin.
"The four of you are going to act together?" Xue Ning's cool eyes flashed with surprise when she heard the suggestion. Zhao Jin also frowned.
Both Central Capital Dongfang Yueming and Shi Qing were being overly cautious, but then they thought of the students who had died mysteriously and the eerie methods of the Ash Demon, and ultimately suppressed their doubts and agreed. "Good, more people are always safer."
However, Dongfang Yueming did not stop there. He then sought out Wang Xijing, the leader of the Great Yan Dynasty who was at the Marrow Cleansing Realm.
When Wang Xijing saw Dongfang Yueming arrive with Shi Qing, Xue Ning, and Zhao Jin, a barely perceptible look of surprise appeared in his eyes.
"Senior Brother Wang," Dongfang Yueming said calmly, "The four of us plan to travel together. Would Senior Brother Wang be interested in joining us?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Xijing raised an eyebrow, a clear hint of disdain on his face. How could he, a dignified Marrow Cleansing Realm expert, associate with these juniors in the Tendon Transformation Realm? Just as he was about to refuse, Dongfang Yueming continued, "If Senior Brother Wang is unwilling, that's fine too. I'm sure that senior brother from the Snow Dynasty in the Marrow Cleansing Realm would be quite happy to join forces with us."
"Wait!" Wang Xijing's expression changed slightly, a hint of confusion rising in her heart. "What do you mean?"
Dongfang Yueming looked at him sharply. "Senior Brother Wang, have you ever considered that since the Ash Demon began hunting down students, has anyone who is not a student been harmed?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Xijing's pupils suddenly contracted! He had been so focused on seeking opportunities and improving his strength that he had never considered this point!
"You mean..."
"Perhaps, the Ash Demon's target from the very beginning was us outsiders," Dongfang Yueming slowly stated his deduction. "In that case, instead of searching passively and scattered, we should gather together. As long as we are conspicuous enough and our target is enticing enough, the ' Ash Demon ' might come knocking on our door!"
Wang Xijing's heart trembled, and his gaze towards Dongfang Yueming completely changed! "Good lad, courageous and resourceful!" he thought to himself, his contempt for Dongfang Yueming vanishing. But a lingering concern remained. "If the Ash Demon is truly attracted, then the credit for its capture..."
"It's simple." Dongfang Yueming smiled slightly. "Then it'll all come down to skill. We'll be responsible for luring him out, and whoever captures him and gets the credit will have to rely on their own methods."
"Alright!" A glint One Flash in Wang Xijing's eyes, and without further hesitation, "I'll join!"
Dongfang Yueming's lips curled into a confident smile. With Wang Xijing dealt with, the next target was Xue Li, the Marrow Cleansing Realm expert from the Xue Li Snow Dynasty.
The group quickly found Xue Li. This prodigy of the Snow Dynasty had a cold and stern face, and his whole body exuded a chilling aura that kept strangers at bay.
When Dongfang Yueming explained his purpose and invited him to join him, Xue Li merely glanced at him coldly and did not respond immediately. Xue Ning, who was beside him, seemed to want to say something, but hesitated and stammered, clearly quite wary of this fellow clansman.
Seeing this, Dongfang Yueming understood and didn't waste any more words. He smiled faintly and said, "It seems Senior Brother Xue Li isn't interested in this. Very well, we have different paths." His words even carried a hint of regret. "It seems Senior Brother Xue Li feels there's no need for us to go through all this trouble."
"Wait!" Xue Li was startled by Dongfang Yueming's seemingly casual but actually sarcastic words, and his brows furrowed slightly.
Dongfang Yueming's smile remained unchanged as she revealed her thoughts on the possibility that the "Ash Demon's " target was the students, and her plan to gather everyone to lure the snake out of its hole.
Upon hearing Xue Li's eyes flashed with a strange light, and he hesitated briefly. The plan sounded bold, yet it also seemed quite reasonable.
Seeing Xue Li hesitate, Dongfang Yueming didn't urge him. Instead, she turned around as if to leave and said leisurely, "Senior Brother Xue Li can take his time to consider. However, the opportunity is fleeting. Once we lure out the Ash Demon and capture it, there won't be anything left for you to do."
"I agree!" Xue Li finally stopped hesitating and agreed in a deep voice. The temptation of advancing directly to the final round, as well as the possibilities hidden in Dongfang Yueming's plan, made it impossible for him to refuse.
Dongfang Yueming turned around, his smile widening.
Wang Xijing observed all of this, and his opinion of Dongfang Yueming rose even higher. "This kid is not only quite strong, but his intelligence and methods are also remarkable! With just a few words, he managed to win over two arrogant Marrow Cleansing Realm."
But he immediately scoffed to himself, "However, schemes are ultimately just an aid; in the end, strength is what matters!" He secretly felt the surging power of the Marrow Cleansing Realm within him, brimming with confidence.
Just then, Wang Xijing and Xue Li's eyes met in mid-air, as if invisible sparks flew! Both of them saw intense fighting spirit and competitive determination in each other's eyes. In their eyes, the other was the true opponent in this Battle of the Python Gate!
Dongfang Yueming took in their reactions, but remained calm. "So what if they 'Marrow Cleansing Realm? If they can't defeat that ' Ash Demon ' even if they join forces, then I'll have to take action myself." He secretly calculated, a barely perceptible glint of sharpness flashing deep in his eyes.
All of this was secretly observed by Qin Rushuang, who was not far away. Her beautiful eyes gleamed with admiration. "This Dongfang Yueming... he was able to keenly perceive the target of the Ash Demon and come up with the plan to use himself as bait to lure the enemy. His intellect is truly Bufan." A strange feeling quietly grew in her heart, "Could it be... that he is the person I've been waiting for? Should I give him that ' Origin Page '?"
But she quickly suppressed the thought. "No," she thought to herself, shaking her head. "Although his talent and intelligence are both excellent, he seems to fall short of being a 'prodigy,' and his character and temperament are still unknown. The ' Origin Page ' is of great importance and cannot be entrusted to him lightly."