HPDBC Chapter 43: Ripple Effect (2)
Chapter 43: Ripple Effect (2)
Chapter 43: Ripple Effect (2)
Guiyang.
"This is the location of the Three-Eyed Godly Thief's treasury. Spread rumors that there is treasure here," Zhou Xuchuan instructed.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Wang Yi and the other cultivators. However, he couldn't trust what they would say while they were drunk, especially men, who might end up drinking and sleeping with women. When sober, they might show him endless trust, but alcohol could change things.
In the first place, no secret could stay hidden forever. That was why he decided to reveal the existence of the treasury.
A few days later, a rumor spread throughout the entire martial world.
"Hey, have you heard?"
"The Three-Eyed Godly Thief's treasury, right? Who in their right mind would believe that?"
The treasury of the Three-Eyed Godly thief! Naturally, no one seemed to believe it at first. Everyone just dismissed the rumor as nonsense. Although the Three-Eyed Godly Thief did exist around three hundred years ago, thanks to the unreliable stories of his feats, he was almost considered a myth. According to the stories, he supposedly stole not only from the imperial palace but also from the Orthodox Faction, the Evil Faction, and even the two Demonic Factions.
"Yanchang is nearby... I don't have anything to do anyway, so I might as well visit."
However, humans were naturally curious beings; no matter how unbelievable it was, someone was bound to be interested enough to investigate.
"Hey, about the Three-Eyed Godly Thief's treasury that you talked about..."
"Huh? That false rumor is popular again?"
"It looks like the rumor is not false this time."
Li Yicai spread the rumors, including the precise location of the treasury, just like Zhou Xuchuan had said. Anyone could visit it if they wished to. Naturally, there existed people who visited that place. Some died in the traps, and some were lucky enough to survive.
When latecomers brought out valuable things and became rich, everyone believed the rumor.
*
Kaiyang Town.
"The Three-Eyed Godly Thief?" Shen Tujun frowned. In his hands was an order that came from the Anhui province.
"Tsk, tsk." He clicked his tongue in displeasure. "They know that we're always short on men here, yet they want us to investigate the treasury? They're being excessive."
The north of the Guizhou province was the domain of the Orthodox Faction. Just northwest of here was the supposed location of the treasury. The investigation order came because they were graphically close. Shen Tujun wasn't pleased about it, but he had no choice but to dispatch some men.
Shortly after, he couldn't help but suspect his ears.
"What? The treasury is really there?"
"Yes. We don't know if it truly belongs to the Three-Eyed Godly Thief, but apparently, the three-symbol was discovered on the floor of that underground dungeon.
"Whoa!"
Shen Tujun immediately reported to Martial Alliance headquarters.
*
"It's actually real?" Even the elders of the Martial Alliance were taken aback by the news.
The reason they sent men to investigate was because they were worried that it might be a trap from the Evil Valley or the two Demonic Factions. However, not only was it not a trap, but the rumor also turned out to be true, leaving them puzzled.
"What are you doing! Call in all the absent elders!"
*
Evil Valley.
"The Three-Eyed Godly Thief? That rogue from three centuries ago?" The Valley Lord was flabbergasted. "What are the movements of the Martial Alliance and the two Demonic Factions?"
"Even they don't seem to know. In the case of the Martial Alliance, they officially sent an investigation team some time ago."
"Where did the rumor start?"
The rumor truly came out of nowhere. Out of the blue, the Three-Eyed Godly Thief's treasury was apparently discovered. It would be strange if he wasn't suspicious.
Although Guiyang was the domain of the government, cultivators could freely visit, but they couldn't cause a fuss unless they wanted to risk getting tossed out.
Among those cultivators might be some people who recognize either one of them, so they had to leave as soon as possible.
"Then I'll pray for your well-being. If you need help, please reach out to me anytime." Li Yicai saw them out.
"Head Merchant. There's something I must give you before we leave." Zhou Xuchuan took out two books from his clothes. They were the martial arts manuals he obtained from the treasury—Agility Sword Art and Storm Steps.
"These are?"
"If Wang Yi and the other nine cultivators that came with me are reliable, and you plan to have them by your side, give them these techniques. You should not make copies of them. They should both be at the level of First-Class arts."
"I'll bear that in mind."
"Then, see you next time."
Zhou Xuchuan had Li Yicai handle all the martial arts manuals except for a few.
The two of them left Guizhou Province and arrived at Hunan Province. There, they found a rather secluded mountain and hid themselves for a while.
For about a month, Zhou Xuchuan and Zhuge Shengji focused on cultivating. Most of the time, Zhou Xuchuan helped Zhuge Shengji.
"I know I shouldn't say this but..." Zhou Xuchuan groaned. "Shengji, you really don't have a talent for cultivation."
"You said I'll be an expert if I have a lot of qi! You liar!" Zhuge Shengji snapped back.
During this time, Zhuge Shengji absorbed both of the Lesser Circulation Pills with Zhou Xuchuan's help. He had obtained forty years' worth of qi thanks to that.
"That's partially true. As proof, your physical abilities have improved significantly, and your cultivation realm has increased a little."
Internal qi was the source of power. Having a lot of it improved all physical attributes, including muscular strength, agility, and reflexes. Zhuge Shengji also improved his cultivation from Third-Class to Second-Class. However, this was purely thanks to the help of his internal qi.
Conversely speaking, using up his internal qi meant that he was no different from an ordinary civilian.
The Zhuge Family weren't known for their talent in cultivation in the first place. Zhuge Shengji, in particular, had an even tougher time. Not only did he have no interest in cultivation itself, but he lacked understanding and did not put in the effort, so naturally, he didn't improve.
Zhou Xuchuan pointed that out.
"You should've originally become an expert after consuming the Lesser Circulation Pill, but you did not put in the effort. It's all your fault."
"Didn't you say that just eating one will make me an ex—"
"There is no one more petty than someone who blames other people for their own shortcomings. Surely, you aren't someone like that, right, Shengji?"
"Of course! I'm not that petty!"
He fell for it.
"Really? Then whose fault is it that you couldn't become an expert?"
"It's my fault for being lazy about cultivation!"
"Right!" Zhou Xuchuan clapped in accordance. For some reason, he looked like he was mocking him.
"Urgh, I feel like I'm being deceived..."
"It's just you."
The two lived together like that. For nearly a month, they trained hard in martial arts. Zhou Xuchuan also helped Zhuge Shengji with his cultivation from time to time. Aside from that, he also put effort into his own cultivation.
The Violet Haze Divine Art is in the fourth stage, and I've just started the Violet Haze Sword Sutra. I'm still too slow. No, am I fast?
The Violet Haze Divine Art was the only divine cultivation art that the Mount Hua Sect had in its possession since its founding. It would be strange if it was easy to train in it.
Even with Zhou Xuchuan's enlightenment at the Harmony Realm, the cultivation art itself was so profound that it took Zhou Xuchuan a longer time to learn it. However, his progress was remarkable from an ordinary perspective.
There's no need to hurry.
He wasn't running out of time like before, nor were there any risks of getting exposed. Unless he had almost reached full mastery, no one would be able to tell if he trained in the art or not.