Hidden Pieces and Schemes

Three days later, Lu Yuan and Yun Youzi returned to New Fire Valley. Having removed their disguises, both men wore expressions of exhaustion, their eyes calm.

Inside the core cave, Shi Jian, Shen Moxin, and the others waited. The silver scale was placed on the table.

"Tell me the situation." Lu Yuan sat down.

Shi Jian reported on the battle, and Lin Xiao added details about Lei Qingyue's abnormal reaction upon contact with the scales. Mo Chen presented a preliminary analysis: the scales are of unknown material, contain an ancient energy structure, and have a natural suppressive effect on dragon-type Martial Soul.

"What's the source of this speculation?" Lu Yuan asked.

Mo Chen adjusted his glasses. "We can only guess that it's related to the ' Gate of Finality.' It's not something that currently exists in the Douluo Continent."

"Using up the scales is a good thing." Lu Yuan picked up the scale and examined it. "It proves we have a trump card and bought us time. But once the trump card is revealed, its deterrent effect will decrease. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan won't give up."

He set down the scales. "Therefore, passive defense is not enough. We must take the initiative."

"How can I take the initiative?" Lin Xiao asked, arms crossed.

"It's not about military confrontation, it's about strategic maneuvering. Finding a place to grow and thrive in the cracks between the giants." Lu Yuan turned to Yun Youzi, "Elder Yun, tell me about the situation in Heaven Dou City."

Yun Youzi recounted Ning Fengzhi's invitation, the terms of cooperation, and Lu Yuan's response.

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect..." Shen Moxin pondered, "Ning Fengzhi profit above all else. Could cooperating with him be like inviting a wolf into the house?"

"There are risks," Lu Yuan acknowledged, "But logically speaking, cooperation is in their best interest at this stage. They need new theories to strengthen their Auxiliary System and to counterbalance the Spirit Hall's pawns. We, on the other hand, need time, resources, and the 'prestige' of security."

He tapped the table lightly with his index finger. "The key is to draw clear boundaries. Core secrets must never be leaked. We can provide some mid-to-low-level Martial Soul optimization solutions and Soul Power control techniques in exchange for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's overt information concealment and resource channels."

"Rare metals?" Mo Chen's eyes lit up.

"Ancient books," Shen Moxin simultaneously.

Lu Yuan nodded. "Both are possible. I will personally finalize the framework with Ning Fengzhi. Cooperation will be limited, and precautions must be taken."

Shi Jian frowned. "You're going yourself? It's too dangerous."

"He won't turn on me, at least not now. The value I've demonstrated outweighs the cost of turning against me," Lu Yuan said confidently. "Besides, I'll bring 'insurance' with me."

He looked at Su Yan: "After we cooperate, what will we do?"

Su Yan's voice was steady. "Sowing."

A hint of approval flashed in Lu Yuan's eyes. "Yes, sowing seeds."

He walked to the map of the mainland and traced it with his finger. "We're too slow. How many years will it take to cultivate disciples and spread our ideas on our own? There are too many suppressed and unappreciated Soul Master on the mainland. We can't afford to wait."

He turned around. "Initiate the ' Spark Sowing Plan.' No more passively waiting, actively sending out the ' Core Flame '."

You could hear a pin drop in the cave.

"How should I deliver it?" Lin Xiao asked directly.

"Through Elder Yun's trusted hidden connections and Mo Chen's old relationships within the Soul Engineer circle, we've developed reliable peripheral members," Lu Yuan said calmly. "Our targets are marginalized leaders of smaller factions, trapped rogue cultivators, and researchers who are skeptical of the system."

"No direct recruitment, no exposure of New Fire Valley. The method must be extremely secretive," Lu Yuan emphasized. "It could be a handwritten copy of a theoretical fragment sent anonymously; an idea 'unintentionally' revealed during a 'chance' encounter; a simplified Soul Tool containing new concepts. Only transmit the 'seeds' that spark thought, let them think for themselves, let them try."

Shen Moxin took a deep breath. "What if someone takes this fragment to a major sect to claim credit?"

"Then we'll eliminate them." Lu Yuan said calmly, "What we convey must be meticulously designed, appearing as 'personal inspiration' or 'fragments of ancient texts.' Most conservatives in major sects dismiss it as fanciful. Only those with true talent and the courage to try will become 'seeds.'"

Mo Chen rubbed his hands together. "It will take time, and it needs to be handled carefully."

"Elder Yun is in charge of overall liaison and target selection. Mo Chen prepares the 'props.' Teacher Shen assists in organizing and disguising the theoretical content," Lu Yuan assigned tasks. "Lin Xiao, you'll have to take care of the valley defense. Su Yan, keep an eye on the house."

"Yes," Su Yan replied.

Lin Xiao clicked his tongue and didn't object.

The plan was set. Beneath the surface restoration and construction of the New Fire Valley, hidden currents surged.

Lu Yuan communicated with Ning Fengzhi through encrypted channels and finalized the cooperation framework. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, under the guise of "funding the research of reclusive scholars," would regularly provide access to rare metals and ancient book rubbings, while obscuring information about the New Fire Valley region. In return, Lu Yuan, using the pseudonym "Mr. Zhiwei," would provide a "personalized cultivation suggestion report" for three core disciples every quarter, along with publicly available basic theoretical articles.

The conditions were clear, and the boundaries were distinct. In his last message Ning Fengzhi mentioned, "I am somewhat aware of your concerns, sir. Still waters run deep; that is the way to longevity."

After reading the letter, Lu Yuan burned it. He knew that Ning Fengzhi had seen through his secret scheme, but he didn't expose it. This kind of mutually beneficial, tacit relationship was exactly what New Fire Valley needed.

The resources arrived quickly. The rare metals made Mo Chen grin from ear to ear, and the catalog of ancient book rubbings was a treasure to Shen Moxin.

The "Sowing Plan" was quietly launched.

Yun Youzi activated a secret contact point that had been buried for over a decade. The target list contained only seven people, scattered in inconspicuous small towns or border areas of Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empire.

Mo Chen crafted several ingenious gadgets: an "old pocket watch" that could subtly amplify Soul Power perception; a leather scroll containing "fragments of ancient meditation"; and a "Soul-Warming Pearl" that could slowly release Soul Power to nourish the body.

These items were delivered to their targets in a way that was difficult to trace.

Days passed by. Construction of the New Fire Valley progressed steadily, and defensive fortifications were strengthened. The disciples' cultivation proceeded step by step.

Lu Yuan spent most of his time immersed in the research room. He continued to try to understand the fragments of rules and explore the possible forms of "Rule Soul Ring"; at the same time, he began to systematically organize all his knowledge, theories, and research notes, compiling a hierarchical system that could be passed down to others - "A Preliminary Study of Origin".

The workload was heavy. Often, late at night, the lights in the research room were still on. Lu Yuan would be hunched over his desk, writing furiously, his brows furrowed with exhaustion and a sense of urgency.

He always felt that time was running out. He had to preserve as much Core Flame as possible and pave the way before the storm fully arrived.

About two months later, the first batch of covert feedback was sent back through secret channels.

The blacksmith shop owner in a small border town of Heaven Dou, Martial Soul was "Anvil," improved his forging Soul Skill after studying "ancient fragments," increasing its efficiency by 30%. He muttered to himself, "That scroll... it's strange, but it seems to make some sense."

The descendants of the fallen viscount family of the Star Luo Empire, after wearing the "Soul-Warming Pearl" for a long time, felt less sluggish in their Soul Power and began to search for the origin of the bead and question their family's cultivation method.

An academy teacher, ostracized because his Martial Soul was an "abacus," received an anonymous letter about "Martial Soul specialization and auxiliary positioning." He began to guide his neglected students with new ideas, and the initial results were promising.

Feedback is scarce and vague, but it certainly exists, like scattered sparks in the darkness.

Within New Fire Valley, only a select few at the core knew these things. Each time he heard it, Shen Moxin's eyes lit up, Mo Chen chuckled, and Yun Youzi nodded. Lin Xiao became even more vigilant during his patrols. Su Yan organized the research lab even more meticulously.

When Lu Yuan received the news, he simply nodded and continued working. However, the rhythm of his fingers tapping on the table became slightly lighter.

With resources inputted and Core Flame sown, the New Fire Valley quietly grew. But Lu Yuan did not relax in the slightest. He spent more and more time in the research room, and the draft of "A Preliminary Study of Origin" piled up higher and higher. A sense of urgency flowed in his heart like an invisible hourglass.

One late night, all was quiet. The only sound in the study was the scratching of a pen on paper.

The door was gently pushed open, and Shen Moxin walked in carrying a bowl of porridge and some side dishes. Seeing Lu Yuan's tired figure bent over his desk, she slowed her steps.

"Sir, please take a break." She placed the tray on the corner of the table.

Lu Yuan stopped writing, rubbed his temples, and his eyes were bloodshot.

"It's so late, why aren't you resting yet?" His voice was hoarse.

"I brought you some food." Shen Moxin pushed the bowl of porridge closer. "If you keep staying up like this, your health will collapse."

Lu Yuan glanced at the late-night snack, then at Shen Moxin's concerned gaze, and smiled. His smile was faint, tinged with weariness.

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the deep night outside the window.

"Moxin," he suddenly spoke, "If one day, ' Spark ' no longer needs a specific 'leader' like me, but instead becomes a flame ignited in everyone's own heart, what do you think that would be like?"

Shen Moxin froze. She looked at Lu Yuan's profile illuminated by the light, his calm eyes gazing into the distance.

She thought about it carefully.

"That scene..." she said slowly, "Must have been brighter and warmer than it is now."

Lu Yuan turned back to look at her.

"Because it's no longer a solitary candle," Shen Moxin said, emphasizing each word, "But the lights of ten thousand homes."

The lab fell silent, save for the occasional soft crackling of the light bulb.

Lu Yuan looked at her, and a slow smile curved his lips. There was relief in that smile, and a hint of relief after all his worries were over.

"Thousands of lights..." he repeated softly, turning his head to look again at the boundless darkness outside the window.