Entering the Immortal Path, Mastering a Hundred Arts — Chapter 35: Storming the Garden in a Battle to the Death (Please Bookmark)
Page 1 of 3
Over the years Jin Yanzi had presided over Danju Ward, he had lined his pockets considerably.
Naturally, outsiders were envious.
The explanation was perfectly reasonable.
Li Yetian’s gaze swept back and forth between the two men.
Then he said, “Fifty percent is too little.”
At his words, Li Qing glanced at Li Yetian, a flicker of displeasure crossing her face before vanishing.
Li Feng asked him, “How much do you want?”
“At least sixty percent of Jin Yanzi’s possessions. Once we succeed, all the blame will fall on me, while neither of you will bear any risk.”
That was the truth.
As a heretical cultivator, Li Yetian’s reputation in Anhe City had long since been ruined.
Whenever anything heinous occurred, people almost instinctively associated it with him.
Besides, the Murong family had only recently been wiped out.
The gossip had yet to die down.
If Jin Yanzi fell now, Li Yetian would inevitably become the prime suspect.
Li Qing, however, knew nothing of his true identity and was barely acquainted with Anhe City.
Naturally, she could not understand the implications of his words.
Worried that complications might arise, Li Feng smoothly took over the conversation and placated them both.
“Fellow Daoist Li Qing, let us go along with Fellow Daoist Liu’s proposal.”
“Once this operation is over, I will give you a Kunyuan Pill as additional compensation. How does that sound?”
Li Qing nodded in agreement, feeling considerably more balanced.
The Kunyuan Pill was quite valuable.
A single pill could extend one’s lifespan by two and a half years, and it could prove miraculous at a critical moment.
The three of them finished dividing the spoils.
Next, they discussed when to make their move.
Li Yetian was familiar with Jin Yanzi’s residence and reminded them, “That old coward Jin Yanzi has always valued his life above all else. He set up a second-tier defensive formation throughout his estate.”
“Without his permission, outsiders will find it extremely difficult to enter.”
“I can deal with a second-tier formation. It will not be a problem,” Li Feng replied confidently.
Li Yetian was startled. “You are a second-tier formation master as well?”
“I know a little.”
Li Yetian began speculating inwardly.
Just how many immortal arts did this fellow truly understand?
When they had first met, talismans had filled the sky around him like worthless paper offerings.
He consumed pills as casually as beans.
And now, he even understood second-tier formations.
A cultivator proficient in alchemy, formations, and talismans alike was unheard of.
This made Li Yetian even less willing to underestimate Li Feng.
The cautious thought he had originally harbored of exposing Li Feng’s identity was temporarily suppressed.
Li Qing’s expression also shifted subtly as she looked at Li Feng.
She knew very well that this was far from the extent of his abilities.
Li Feng took in both their expressions but offered no explanation.
Sometimes, having enough means to protect one’s path could itself serve as a deterrent.
Page 1 of 3
Page 2 of 3
He proposed, “If neither of you has any other objections, swear an oath. That way, we can all feel more at ease.”
The three of them were merely temporary allies, so trust was of vital importance.
It could not be overlooked.
Li Feng trusted Li Qing relatively well.
Only Li Yetian required special attention, lest something unexpected occur during the operation.
Cultivators valued the state of their hearts above all else and would not lightly make a joke of their future.
Even heretical cultivators were no exception.
Thus, an oath was an excellent guarantee for their cooperation.
After each of them swore an oath, a measure of trust was established.
“We will act at noon the day after tomorrow. If either of you has any suggestions, speak freely,” Li Feng said.
Li Qing was surprised by his unconventional plan.
“There will be crowds everywhere during the day. Would that not make it easier to alert Jin Yanzi?”
“Who would choose broad daylight to kill someone?”
“Precisely because most people think that way, it will be all the more deceptive and lower Jin Yanzi’s guard.”
“Besides, Danju Ward will be holding two large-scale auctions the day after tomorrow. Cultivators from all over the world will gather there.”
“Their complicated identities and backgrounds will help us disperse attention quite effectively.”
Li Feng offered his reasoning.
Li Qing and Li Yetian had no further objections.
The three formally settled every detail.
…
The day of the operation arrived beneath a cloudless sky, with brilliant sunlight illuminating the land.
No one would have imagined that, beneath such bright and peaceful heavens, Danju Ward was about to undergo a violent upheaval.
At that moment, Jin Yanzi was inside a room in his estate, discussing an agreement with the senior members of the Celestial Crane Sect through a communication talisman.
He had no idea that danger was about to descend.
The estate steward knocked on the door and respectfully announced, “Master, a cultivator surnamed Li requests an audience.”
Whenever Li Yetian came, he always claimed to be surnamed Li.
Jin Yanzi naturally knew who it was.
These past days, Jin Yanzi had been under relentless attack from public opinion. His mental state was poor, and he had aged considerably.
The reputation he had painstakingly built over several decades in Anhe City had been utterly ruined.
Not long ago, the forces behind ten Foundation Establishment cultivators had come demanding an explanation.
Now Li Yetian had arrived uninvited, leaving Jin Yanzi thoroughly irritated.
“Send him away.”
Jin Yanzi had no desire to deal with Li Yetian.
The Celestial Crane Sect knew of his predicament and had deliberately lowered the price of the promises they were offering.
He was trapped on both sides, unable to please anyone.
“Master, that cultivator says he possesses something that can help you.”
“A useless wretch thinks he can help me?”
Jin Yanzi knew Li Yetian’s character all too well.
His spirit stones had probably run out again, and he had come to beg for more.
Nevertheless, Jin Yanzi still ordered the steward to let him into the estate.
Jin Yanzi’s estate was divided into an outer garden and an inner garden.
The outer garden was devoted primarily to scenic beauty: arched bridges, flowing streams, and an atmosphere of leisurely elegance.
Page 2 of 3
Page 3 of 3
The inner garden was where Jin Yanzi lived.
A large second-tier defensive formation covered the entire inner garden.
The formation was powered by mid-grade spirit stones and consumed a considerable amount every month.
An ordinary rogue cultivator could never afford such an expense.
Without Jin Yanzi’s permission, outsiders would find it extremely difficult to pass through the defensive formation and enter the inner grounds.
Escorted by the steward, Li Yetian entered the inner garden without the slightest trouble.
Meanwhile, on Li Feng’s side—
After slipping into the outer garden, he carefully examined the large second-tier defensive formation again and again.
To infiltrate the inner garden without alerting Jin Yanzi, he had to understand the defensive formation thoroughly.
Li Qing kept glancing around, waiting anxiously.
The longer they delayed, the greater the risk of exposure.
“Fellow Daoist Li, only five minutes remain before we make our move.”
The three had agreed that the instant the appointed time arrived, they would strike.
They would strive to kill Jin Yanzi in a single blow, giving him no chance to resist.
Li Feng remained calm. He took out the formation-breaking tools he had obtained from the ruins of a cultivator’s legacy and set to work.
Before long, a passage into the inner garden opened.
Throughout the entire process, the formation did not react in the slightest.
Only one minute remained before the appointed time.
Following the marks Jin Yanzi had left behind, the two of them quickly located the target building.
Inside the reception hall, Li Yetian racked his brains to keep the conversation circling aimlessly and stall for time.
Listening to his chaotic rambling, Jin Yanzi’s patience finally ran out. After cursing him several times, he rose to see his guest out.
When Li Yetian received word that Li Feng had successfully entered the inner garden, the ingratiating smile vanished from his face.
He raised a hand and hurled three hundred second-tier low-grade Binding Immortal Talismans into the air.
Once activated, the talismans transformed into golden ropes that bound Jin Yanzi from head to toe.
Li Feng had crafted these talismans especially for the operation, spending half his fortune in the process.
Li Yetian, too, experienced the exhilarating extravagance of a wealthy talisman master.
Watching Jin Yanzi fall to the ground and struggle without pause, Li Yetian threw back his head and laughed.
“You old bastard, I have waited thirty full years for this day.”
“Prepare to die!”
As he spoke, black mist surged forth, seeking to swallow Jin Yanzi whole.
Jin Yanzi glared furiously and silently recited an incantation.
At once, more than a dozen golden pill-beads shot out and formed a long line before roaring toward Li Yetian.
Li Yetian knocked the first pill-bead away, but the others followed close behind.
Their attacks were airtight and unending, and they possessed an effect that restrained evil entities.
The instant the black mist touched them, it was devoured completely.
Li Yetian fell into a disadvantageous position.
Jin Yanzi circulated his vast spiritual power, attempting to break free of the golden ropes as he sneered coldly, “I was the one who raised you up, and I can be the one to destroy you. You ungrateful lowlife!”
Page 3 of 3