Who Let Him Cultivate?! (WX)-Chapter 589: The Unlucky Jiuying Tribe

Qin Feng had smugly believed his concealment was flawless when he eavesdropped on the trio’s entire plan from the shadows. But when it came to the utilization of spiritual consciousness among peers, who could possibly surpass Lu Yang?

After entering the first level, Meng Jingzhou had calculated the distance from the entrance to the heavenly stairway using the map, determining that the fastest possible journey would still take a full day.

The first layer was a circular space. Since the rules stated that essence souls were obtained by slaughtering demon beasts, everyone’s initial reaction would be to fan out from the entrance, gradually exploring the first level, hunting and killing demon beasts. No one would think of checking the situation at the heavenly stairway first.

Upon figuring out the first level’s rules, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou came up with the idea of constructing a chest at the heavenly stairway entrance to collect essence souls.

The only uncertainty in this plan was the unknown strength of the demon beasts. If Nascent Soul demon beasts could unleash power equivalent to the Divine Transfiguration Stage, the demon prodigies wouldn’t even be capable of acquiring ten essence souls. In that case, tricking them at the heavenly stairway exit would be pointless; it would be faster for the trio to simply hunt the demon beasts and obtain the essence souls themselves.

Hence, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou quickly took Jiang Shishi to slay a demon beast and ascertain its strength. After confirming that the demon beasts’ combat power was indeed only at the Nascent Soul Stage, Meng Jingzhou immediately set off for the heavenly stairway entrance, leaving Lu Yang and Jiang Shishi behind.

To avoid raising suspicion, Lu Yang employed the Tree-Planting Mantra and the Animal Form Fist, transforming his wooden clone into Meng Jingzhou’s appearance.

Subsequently, Lu Yang detected Qin Feng hiding nearby. Playing along with the scheme, he outwardly fabricated a “blockade plan” while secretly transmitting auditory messages to inform Jiang Shishi of the true plan.

This was why Jiang Shishi had appeared nervous and emotional. Had it been up to her, she couldn’t have devised a strategy like this in such a short time—she doubted she could have formulated it even if she were given ten days.

Is this the wisdom of human prodigies?

Lu Yang and Jiang Shishi then proceeded to slaughter demon beasts methodically, deliberately arriving at the heavenly stairway slightly later than planned.

This resulted in the scene that had previously unfolded.

“You’ve worked hard, Fellow Daoist Qin Feng. I’ll be accepting these essence souls!” Meng Jingzhou stood on the edge of the chest, laughing heartily. The essence souls were strung together and tied all over his body, making him resemble a zongzi (rice dumpling)[1]—a sight that elicited envy from everyone present.

“Bastard!” Qin Feng erupted in fury, transforming into his original form, the Jiuying, which had one body and nine heads. Each head had the appearance of a giant, jet-black serpent. His eighteen eyes burned red, as if they could drip blood.

He was the one who had suggested the blockade plan to the Demon Alliance prodigies. This was the reason he could naturally and rightly seize the command authority.

Now, the plan has backfired, and I was exploited by the other party, losing all the essence souls. The Demon Alliance prodigies will undoubtedly vent their anger upon me. Even with the backing of the Transcendent Tribulation old ancestor, I could never withstand the wrath of all these races.

“Return the essence souls!” Qin Feng bellowed with ire, all nine serpent heads lunging simultaneously at Meng Jingzhou.

Having anticipated Qin Feng’s foolish move, Meng Jingzhou simply shifted his feet and sidestepped the attack.

Witnessing this, the other Demon Alliance prodigies realized they had been played by Meng Jingzhou. They also revealed their true demon forms and pounced toward him.

We can’t possibly end up without a single essence soul and fail to pass even the first level!

Ao Yue’s palm crackled with lightning as he contemplated whether to join the fray in snatching the essence souls. Their essence souls were also among Meng Jingzhou’s haul.

Right then, Jiang Shishi walked over and stopped Ao Yue. She pointed at the energetic Meng Jingzhou, who was jumping around. “This is my ally. We anticipated the Demon Alliance’s actions and laid this ambush in advance. Rest assured, Junior Brother Ao Yue and all fellow Daoists, our actions target only the Demon Alliance. Once he escapes, he will return ten essence souls to each of you, guaranteeing your entry to the second level.” This was the explanation she had discussed with Lu Yang beforehand.

From the perspective of Ao Yue and the others, they were unaware that Qin Feng had been duped by Lu Yang’s group. They would only assume that Lu Yang’s trio proved superior in wit and skill—predicting Qin Feng’s actions and hiding in the chest to uphold justice. Having lost and regained their essence souls, Ao Yue and the others wouldn’t demand more; ten was sufficient. This way, Lu Yang’s trio would not only earn a favorable reputation but also secure the lion’s share of the essence souls.

Jiang Shishi was grateful that her elder had the foresight to agree to the alliance. Otherwise, I would have been left with a pitiful ten essence souls.

Sometimes, the thought sent chills down her spine. These two human prodigies are too calculating. No wonder Elder always said my cultivation talent is adequate, but my wisdom falls short. So this is what I lack.

“Many thanks, Young Lord Jiang!” The prodigies were filled with gratitude toward Jiang Shishi for her magnanimity.

Ao Yue felt a nagging sense that something was amiss, but now wasn’t the time to dwell on it. The Demon Alliance had bullied us mercilessly moments ago. Isn’t this the perfect chance to retaliate?

“Everyone, let us aid this kind-hearted fellow Daoist in breaking free!”

Ao Yue transformed into his true form, an azure dragon. His dragon pearl released lightning, and along with a roar, he swept his claws through the Demon Alliance’s ranks with unbridled attacks.

Seeing this, the demon prodigies howled and charged headlong into the Demon Alliance’s forces.

Caught between chasing Meng Jingzhou and fending off the relentless assaults from Ao Yue’s group, and further hampered by their distrust of Qin Feng and a breakdown in the chain of command, the Demon Alliance was swiftly routed and fled in panic.

“So, Miss Jiang, teaming up with us two wasn’t a loss, eh?” Lu Yang asked cheerfully. He hadn’t lifted a finger since arriving at the heavenly stairway entrance. Everything had unfolded exactly as he predicted.

Watching Meng Jingzhou jump up and down like a monkey to dodge the attacks was especially satisfying while he rested comfortably from the rear.

“Indeed, it wasn’t a loss.” Jiang Shishi nodded. It’s more than just ‘not a loss’—it is a tremendous windfall. Although the events within the ancient domain can’t be revealed to those outside, the prodigies will know best in their hearts. This single act can elevate my status and image among them significantly.

With the Demon Alliance scattered, they fled in all directions. The rules did not forbid killing and didn’t permit them to reveal the events here; if they died inside, their death would go unavenged.

Meng Jingzhou safely rejoined Lu Yang and Jiang Shishi, panting heavily from exhaustion. One look at Lu Yang’s composed demeanor confirms I was thrown the gruelling task—again.

There’s no other choice. I only have myself to blame for being unable to perform the Tree-Planting Mantra and the Animal Form Fist.

As agreed, Meng Jingzhou distributed ten essence souls to each of the prodigies. The remaining eight hundred essence souls were divided among the trio.

Everyone searched for a while but found no designated submission point. When Ao Yue tentatively stepped onto the heavenly stairway, it absorbed his ten essence souls, and he was teleported to the second level. Only then did everyone understand how to clear the first trial.

One by one, everyone queued up and entered the second floor, leaving only the Demon Alliance prodigies hiding not far away.

After observing that Lu Yang and the others had all ascended, Qin Feng also attempted to proceed to the second level. But since he didn’t possess any essence souls, a barrier materialized before the heavenly stairway, blocking his path.

The final grain of sand in the hourglass fell. The ten days had ended. All the Demon Alliance prodigies were teleported outside the ancient domain.

~~~

“Qin Feng, it’s all your fault!” The Demon Alliance’s prodigies’ eyes instantly reddened. The fortuitous opportunities within the Creation Ancient Domain are bountiful, yet we didn’t even reap the slightest benefit.

“Elder, save me!” Terrified, Qin Feng scrambled to hide behind his tribe’s protector.

Only then did he notice the atmosphere was somewhat off, or rather, palpably heavy. It felt as if the gazes from every race, faint or blatant, were fixed on his Jiuying Tribe, and the attention was far from friendly.

What happened here?

1. Zongzi is often eaten during the Duanwu Festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival. More information is provided in the Translator’s Thoughts section below. ☜