Chapter 258: Gu Ran's Surge of Joy, Speeding Up the Plan

And thus, it happened.

In a swift, decisive motion...

Whoosh!

Gu Ran's longsword streaked across the neck of the Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm cultivator, effectively ending his life.

'I've done it!'

'No one hindered me!'

Gu Ran's pupils subtly widened as he sensed the influx of cultivation base power seeping into his body.

An unstoppable wave of elation surged within him.

Without wasting a moment, Gu Ran pinpointed another Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm cultivator and unleashed his onslaught, once again striking gold!

'They're not preventing me from battling Heavenly Origin realm cultivators!'

'This is valuable information. While each Heavenly Origin realm cultivator provides a relatively modest boost to my cultivation base, it all compounds over time!'

'Yet, I realize this strategy isn't viable long-term. I need to concoct a plan to eliminate them completely.'

'At this point, it's clear their target is my 'Endless Dark Blood Moon' bloodline.'

'But their tactic mirrors that of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect – feigning proximity and trust.'

'They're apprehensive that my rapid ascension in power could complicate their plans to extract the power of my potent bloodline. Thus, they're employing every strategy to stifle my growth.'

'Ha! Little did they know I've already seen through their scheme!'

'...'

As Gu Ran proceeded to tackle the remaining cultivators, his mind was ceaselessly at work, considering his next moves.

Regrettably, despite all his strategic planning, Gu Ran couldn't foresee that Jiang Chen's actions were motivated purely by the desire to kill him!

The situation had grown complicated because of one key factor: Gu Ran was safeguarded by the cursed Heavenly Fate.

'We need to accelerate our actions.'

'We cannot allow Gu Ran to eliminate too many of the Heavenly Origin realm cultivators, despite their rank.'

Observing Gu Ran's relentless slaughter, a slight furrow appeared on Jiang Chen's brow.

Without delay, he commanded all the death warriors to give their utmost, and instructed Liu Xiong to feign an increase in power.

'Seven Meridians Shattering Art!'

'Spirit Ignition Secrets!'

'...'

Each death warrior unleashed their lethal power-enhancing secret arts, propelling their combat strength to a monumental peak in an instant!

Their opponents were entirely blindsided and rapidly found themselves defenseless.

After a few swift maneuvers, they were left bleeding profusely, their spirits dissipated.

Meanwhile, hovering in the sky, You Haiyin was on the brink of defeat, staggering unsteadily, barely maintaining his flight.

"Breaking Mountain Splitting Earth Blade!"

Spotting a window of opportunity, Gan Ruifeng ruthlessly swung his blade at You Haiyin.

Slash!

Devoid of any strength to counter, You Haiyin's face twisted in anguish.

With wide, startled eyes, he watched his body cleaved into two.

"Damn it, You Haiyin, you inept fool! You couldn't withstand even for this short duration!"

Feigning shock, Liu Xiong widened his eyes as large as copper bells, pretending an inability to assist.

This, too, was part of Jiang Chen's strategy.

"Hahaha!"

"That vile You Haiyin has finally met his end!"

"With You Haiyin's demise, the once respected Three Mountains Island's You Clan is definitively obliterated!"

'...'

Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing were overjoyed at the sight of You Haiyin's downfall.

Their eyes then landed on Liu Xiong.

Cai Xueqing surveyed the black-clad cultivator standing before him, his face etched with an icy demeanor, and stated, "If you depart now, we won't bear any resentment towards you."

"Indeed!"

Gan Ruifeng maintained his dispassionate expression. "But if you choose otherwise, don't fault us for being ruthless."

"Ridiculous."

"Do you truly believe you can defeat me? Just the two of you?"

Liu Xiong scoffed, bracing himself for the impending conflict.

"If it's death you seek, don't harbor any regrets!"

Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing shared a look before launching their attack on Liu Xiong.

In their eyes, with the numerical superiority on their side, they were confident they could swiftly dispatch this bothersome black-clad interloper.

With such an edge, they thought victory in this combat was firmly within their grasp.

But just as they moved...

"Perfect timing!"

"Violent Blood Rupturing Veins Art!"

Feigning the use of a self-damaging secret art, Liu Xiong momentarily amplified his strength, showcasing the combat prowess of a Half-step Dao Comprehension realm.

"What?!"

"How can this be?! How can you still display the combat strength of a Half-step Dao Comprehension realm when you're severely injured?"

"Curses, retreat, retreat!"

"..."

Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing were entirely taken aback. Their eyes widened in terror as they scrambled to escape to safety!

"Where do you think you're heading, you two failures?!"

"You wanted to take my life, didn't you? Don't you dare flee!"

Liu Xiong bellowed with fury, charging straight towards them.

As a Dao Comprehension realm cultivator, dispatching Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing was a straightforward task for Liu Xiong.

However, a convincing act required measured restraint, a lesson Jiang Chen had imparted to him.

Hence, Liu Xiong refrained from delivering the death blow immediately, allowing Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing to struggle a while longer.

Simultaneously, on the battlefield below, the cultivators from the Gan and Cai Clans were utterly baffled.

What was happening?

Their own ancestors were fleeing?

Indeed, weren't they the ones who promised to kill any deserter? Why were they now escaping themselves?

However, their confusion was short-lived.

Once they grasped the gravity of the situation, the cultivators from the Gan and Cai Clans also commenced their retreat!

Their united forces disintegrated completely; the members of the Gan and Cai Clans scattered haphazardly, escaping in every conceivable direction, akin to a mudslide.

"Kill, kill, kill!"

"Victory is ours!"

"Eradicate those scoundrels from the Gan and Cai Clans! Three Mountains Island is the sole dominion of our You Clan!"

"..."

Victorious cheers and shouts echoed, some originating from the descendants of the You Clan, while others came from Jiang Chen's death warriors acting as provocateurs, stirring the pot.

In the distant sky.

'Is that all?'

'Are the Gan and Cai Clans defeated just like that?'

'Where is Wu Qian? One of the three clans should surely summon Wu Qian! Without him, how will the 'original plot' tie together?'

'Could it be that Wu Qian will make an appearance after everything has unfolded? But that would be incredibly lackluster and uneventful.'

'The stage is set for a major plot twist right now!'

As he surveyed the battlefield on Three Mountains Island, Jiang Chen idly stroked his chin.

According to his conjecture, and following the undisturbed 'original plot', Wu Qian would undoubtedly emerge on Three Mountains Island.

There was a strong likelihood that he would corner Gu Ran.

In that 'original plot', Wu Qian had already encountered Gu Ran during his maritime hunting expedition and had taken a liking to him.

Subsequently, Gu Ran would unleash chaos on Three Mountains Island, engaging in back-to-back battles against the three significant factions.

With every clash, he would grow stronger while the Yu, Gan, and Cai Clans would fail to resist his power.

Either Gan Ruifeng or Cai Xueqing would summon Wu Qian, readying themselves for a rebound, their hearts brimming with anticipation.

However, thanks to that mysterious opportunity, Wu Qian and Gu Ran already knew each other and held a favorable impression of one another...

Regardless, Wu Qian would undoubtedly find several reasons to ally with Gu Ran, leaving the members of the Gan and Cai Clans dumbstruck as they realized they had inadvertently called in reinforcements for their adversary.

Hence, Gu Ran executed an impressive display of power.

Following this course of events, the primary instigators from the Gan and Cai Clans would be eradicated, with only a few inconsequential survivors left behind, none of whom held any significance to Gu Ran.

Circling back to the main topic, the storyline had already undergone multiple alterations due to Jiang Chen's meddling.

Yet, the overall trajectory remained unchanged.

Certainly, Wu Qian would still enter the scene.

Although he might not harbor the same fondness as their 'initial' encounter, Wu Qian would still be swayed by the Heavenly Fate, among other elements, leading him to choose to stand alongside Gu Ran and enable him to make a grand display of power.

Such a scenario must not transpire!

So, adhering to the devised plan, Jiang Chen flew towards the location where, based on their past encounter and Wu Qian's trajectory, he surmised Wu Qian might be.

He intended to find Wu Qian and intercept him!

Previous Chapter - Table of Contents - Next Chapter