Chapter 146
Chapter 146: Methods
It was the first time Zong Cheng Ping realized who was backing Wang Jie. While he didn’t know exactly who Xing Xue was, anyone from the Zhi family, even a maid, was of higher status than him.
“I dare to act against you, but aren’t you afraid of the people behind you?” Wu Yun’s voice was deep and heavy.
Wang Jie sneered, “Of course, you wouldn’t act until you’ve done your homework. But you can’t touch me. I’ll continue to act without restraint in the Lock Path interval, and what will you do about it?”
Wu Yun slowly spoke, “You underestimate Black White Heaven. The Lock Path interval may have its own rules, but rules always bow before power.”
“And that power, is it yours or the Zhi family’s?” Wang Jie shot back.
“Since Zong Cheng Ping is half-dead, you can ask him if I can kill you. Wang Jie, you’re too arrogant, unaware of how fragile your path truly is.”
“I know,” Wang Jie replied, “which is why I plan to give you a way out. Give me another set of materials from the Four Alliances and the Lone Peak Gorge to be handed over, and I’ll promise not to cause trouble in the Lock Path interval again. If you refuse, you’ll never have another chance to interfere in this place, not even the slightest.”
“A mere Lock Force cultivator dares to threaten the Deacon Hall?” Wu Yun’s tone was cold.
“Try me,” Wang Jie said, his voice unwavering.
“Then let me see you try,” Wu Yun concluded, ending the conversation.
Wang Jie turned to Zong Cheng Ping, “What can she do to me?”
Zong Cheng Ping paused before answering, “You’ll find out soon enough. There are many methods—rules exist in the light and the dark. If the light fails, they will resort to the dark. Unless you can defeat the Wandering Star Realm.”
Wang Jie rubbed his head. He had thought Wu Yun could be intimidated, but it seemed he had underestimated the internal struggles within the Zhi family.
From Xing Xue’s attitude, it was clear that those at the top didn’t care about the materials; they only cared about face. He believed that if he betrayed Xing Xue now, Wu Yun would certainly offer him enough rewards. But unfortunately, he wasn’t that kind of person.
For now, he had no choice but to take things one step at a time.
…
In the dark space, there were no walls, only streaking meteors flying by.
The man lay on the ground, silent as if dead.
Suddenly, a voice echoed. The surrounding void flickered to life. This was a prison, an unseen cage.
“Prisoner Shen Wang, injured a guard, escaped to the Lock Path interval. He is now being pursued. Attention: This fugitive is extremely dangerous. Any contact below the Wandering Star Realm is forbidden. If seen, kill on sight.”
As the voice spoke, a photo drifted in, landing on the man’s face.
The man opened his eyes, gazing at the photo. Wang Jie? A ten-seal Lock Force cultivator, yet capable of defeating a Hundred Thousand Combat Power Star Realm? A prodigy? How wonderful. Prodigies were his favorite to kill.
He stood up, tucked the photo away, and walked out.
His path was clear, unimpeded by anyone.
He was Shen Wang, a Wandering Star Realm expert, who had once disobeyed orders and escaped on the Star Cloud battlefield, committing a grave offense, and had been imprisoned in Black White Heaven.
Now, he had escaped.
…
Zhi Upper Realm, an old woman rushed to find Xing Xue, whispering something.
Upon hearing, Xing Xue’s face darkened with anger. “They dared to do this?”
The old woman sighed. “Master, you did the same thing back then.”
Xing Xue paused, her gaze heavy. “Contact Wang Jie, I need to speak with him as soon as possible.”
At the Lock Path interval, Wang Jie’s personal terminal rang.
He had already released Zong Cheng Ping, and now no one was coming after him in the Lock Path interval. He decided to find a quiet place to absorb Lock Force first.
“Brother Wang, it’s Zhi Upper Realm contacting you.”
Wang Jie immediately headed to the shop. Xing Xue had contacted him?
“Elder, this is disciple Wang Jie.”
Xing Xue’s voice came through. “Today, a Wandering Star Realm prisoner escaped from Black White Heaven’s prison and has fled to the Lock Path interval. You need to be cautious.”
Wang Jie’s face changed. “They can even play like this?”
Xing Xue’s tone was serious. “Wang Jie, I… the old woman is in a difficult position in Black White Heaven. After almost betraying the Zhi family by defecting to the Third Nebula, it’s hard for me to speak freely now.”
“I can’t stop this. And I may not be able to prevent other things in the future. I can only shield you from the storm in the realm of open rules.”
“But I can promise, for every success you achieve, I will give you rewards far beyond your imagination.”
“This is the promise I can make.”
Wang Jie’s face became serious. “Senior, you’re too kind. It was you who helped me secure the Silver Radiance Empire. I can never repay that kindness. Rest assured, no matter what happens, I won’t bring shame to you.”
Xing Xue let out a breath, her expression complex. “The things have already been sent to the Lock Path interval. I hope they can help you.”
“Child, take care.”
Wang Jie ended the conversation, feeling a heavy weight on his heart.
He hadn’t expected Wu Yun’s methods to come so quickly. She had thrown a Wandering Star Realm expert at him, disregarding the rules of Black White Heaven and the Lock Path interval. And yet, no one could challenge her—he was dealing with an escaped prisoner.
His good days were numbered. He needed to hide for now.
Just as he stepped out of the shop, Miao Tai contacted him. “Lord, not good. The sect is issuing a bounty. A Wandering Star Realm fugitive has come to the Lock Path interval, and it’s targeting you.”
Wang Jie calmly replied, “I know. Is this kind of tactic commonly used by Black White Heaven?”
Miao Tai’s tone was heavy. “I… I’ve never been through it, but I’ve heard of similar incidents in history. Each time, it causes a major shift in the Lock Path interval.”
“I don’t know what kind of person has this kind of ability.”
“First, having a Wandering Star Realm prisoner escape from a prison is extraordinarily difficult. It requires adjusting various relationships and covering up the truth. Second, they must ensure the Deacon Hall doesn’t act, because catching escapees is one of their responsibilities. If they came to the Lock Path interval, the fugitive would never dare to show themselves.”
“Which means that once the fugitive appeared, the lord in question must have coordinated most of the sect’s relationships. Truly, a hand that reaches everywhere.”
“Deacon Wu Yun definitely doesn’t have this ability.”
Of course, she didn’t. The real power came from the Zhi family, opposite to Xing Xue, most likely a Star Refining Realm expert. Such a person would be at the top level of Black White Heaven.
Wang Jie ended the conversation, blocked Miao Tai’s contact, donned his mask, and sought a place to hide.
For the time being, until his imprint was fully reinforced to Heaven Reversal, he wouldn’t show his face.
Time passed, and over a month had gone by.
Wang Jie began deepening his fourth seal. Meanwhile, the Lone Peak Gorge welcomed a new customer, someone radiating a terrifying presence, like a wild beast. He stood in Fu An’s courtyard, and the whole street was filled with unease.
Zong Cheng Ping, Fu An, Lie Qiu, and the others had already been waiting. As soon as the person arrived, they all bowed.
This person was none other than Shen Wang, the fugitive from Black White Heaven.
Shen Wang didn’t even glance at them, reclining on Fu An’s chair, shaking it twice, then looking up. “Where’s that Wang Jie? Where is he?”
Fu An and the others looked toward Zong Cheng Ping.
Zong Cheng Ping spoke respectfully, “His whereabouts are unknown. He must have heard of your arrival and gone into hiding.”
Shen Wang frowned. “You can’t deal with him? You don’t even know his whereabouts? Wretches.”
None dared to refute him. Shen Wang was an escaped prisoner—he wouldn’t hesitate to kill anyone.
“Go find him. Get him out. Use your brains,” Shen Wang ordered sharply.
The others hurried out.
Fu An, no longer willing to stay in the same place, left quickly.
…
Some time later, Wang Jie began deepening his fifth seal. Outside, things seemed calm, but Zong Cheng Ping and the others had been searching for him nonstop. All their cultivators had been sent out, and there were far more spacecraft in the area.
Yet, they couldn’t find Wang Jie.
Not only Wang Jie, but even Miao Tai was nowhere to be found.
Miao Tai, after his previous suffering, had learned his lesson. He refused to appear, shutting off his personal terminal, and no one could contact him.
If someone truly wanted to hide and avoid outside information, it was nearly impossible to find them.
Shen Wang grew anxious. He couldn’t afford to stay in the Lock Path interval for much longer. While the higher-ups could delay the Deacon Hall’s pursuit, the longer they dragged this out, the harder it would be for him to escape.
Once the deadline passed, things would get troublesome.
He didn’t want to be thrown back into a dark, unseeing cell.
The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became, and the more irritable he grew with Zong Cheng Ping and the others. He even killed Qiu Zhao, causing Fu An and the others to grow grim.
After all, Wang Jie hadn’t killed Qiu Zhao, but Shen Wang, an escaped prisoner, had no such reservations.
Soon, Fu An and the others kept their distance, only contacting him through personal terminals.
Not long later, Shen Wang suddenly came up with an idea: he would use materials to lure Wang Jie out.
“This person needs a lot of Lock Force materials. I’ll have them delivered, and use an irresistible temptation to draw him out.”
“Lord, this is too obvious. He won’t fall for it.”
“Oh? Then what do you suggest?”
“Anything you say, Lord. But we don’t have any materials left. We’ll have to apply to the upper-ups.”
“Then apply. And tell them this: If I haven’t killed Wang Jie by the deadline, I’ll kill you all. We’ll all die together. I won’t go back to that prison, and you won’t live peacefully either.”
Zong Cheng Ping had no choice but to contact Wu Yun.
Wu Yun knew this blatant trap wouldn’t work, but there was no other choice. Wang Jie had no weaknesses in the Lock Path interval, and there wasn’t anyone who could threaten him.
Even Miao Tai, if found, couldn’t threaten him. Not to mention, Miao Tai was nowhere to be found.
The only option left was to deliver a batch of Lock Force materials and see how to handle it when the time came. Shen Wang grew more impatient.
…
Another period passed. Wang Jie, drenched in sweat after finishing his exercises, had now deepened seven of his seals to Heaven Reversal. There were still a few materials left, but they weren’t enough to complete the eighth seal.
He didn’t know what was happening outside.
Opening his terminal, he checked the news.
His eyes widened in shock.
The biggest event in the Lock Path interval was a robbery. A massive amount of Cataclysm materials had been stolen. The thief was named Qiu Chou, the only Wandering Star Realm Lock Force cultivator in the Lock Path interval.
Wang Jie kept reading the news, then couldn’t help but smile.
This was indeed interesting.
The stolen materials were vast, comparable to the ones Zong Cheng Ping had given him. They definitely didn’t belong to the Lock Path interval but had been brought in from Black White Heaven.
It seemed they had intended to lure him out, but to their surprise, Qiu Chou made the first move.
Qiu Chou, Shen Wang—both Wandering Star Realm cultivators. One had planned, the other had acted.
None had expected Qiu Chou to steal the materials first. Not even Wu Yun, let alone Zong Cheng Ping’s group, had remembered him.
Wang Jie stood up, donning his mask. He wasn’t too worried.
He went to the shop to contact Xing Xue. The shop’s servant had reached out to him more than two months ago. It seemed Xing Xue had something for him—materials had arrived.
This time, he didn’t cut in line but obediently waited, fearing someone might be watching.