Caveheart Isle. Dadangar Archipelago.
Hour of Ox (07:00 AM – 08:00 AM)
Hidden deep within the dense forest outside Cavereach City, a small encampment lay concealed, with tents and firepits marking the presence of a group that had been there for over a week.
A simple barrier-type formation had helped the group conceal itself. As such, the group members could perform their regular activities with ease without having to worry about being discovered by the passerby cultivators traveling near them via forest routs or through the skies.
Two middle-aged men, Shen Ji and Kou Lau, both Foundation Building Experts and island owners—Shen Ji of Gamshou Island and Kou Lau of Lamash Island—stood at the center of this group. They both were leading members of Kalingoot, an organization vehemently opposed to the Dadangar Islands Alliance.
Shen Ji’s sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, his expression one of confidence and calculation. Beside him, Kou Lau paced restlessly, his impatience evident in every step.
“It’s been over a week, Shen Ji. Are you sure your information is accurate?” Kou Lau’s voice carried a note of frustration. “We can’t afford to waste any more time waiting for that damn turtle Aksai if he isn’t going to show up.”
Shen Ji smirked, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “Patience, Kou Lau. Trust in my abilities. I have employed the Ghostly Pursuit Formation to track Aksai’s movements. It allows me to follow his activities without being detected. He will pass through this region on his flying sword soon enough.”
Kou Lau raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “And you’re certain it’s Aksai? Not some random cultivator?”
Shen Ji nodded confidently. “Um… I am certain. The formation has never failed me before. We just need to wait a bit longer.”
“Well that doesn’t sound so reassuring, does it?” Kou Lau said skeptically. Shen Ji took a deep breath as if he was gathering patience from air as he replied.
“I mean I believe he has altered his appearance as well as his aura somehow using a technique I don’t know. So I can’t be 100 percent sure that it would be him. But the Ghostly Pursuit Formation doesn’t focus on one’s appearance but their movements.
As long as someone moves the same way as recorded by the formation, we would be alerated. We can then confront that person and see if it’s really the man that we want. We’ll be able to kill that man and weaken Emerald Cove when we are sure of his identity.
I’m sure that bitch Nuya will resort to desperate moves once we weaken the island’s foundation by killing this guy. Then all we have to do is make use of Kalingoot’s reserved force to launch a conquest war on Emerald Cove. I hear that island has a relatively stable 2nd-order Spirit vein. It is considered as one of the most prosperous islands across all the others that are part of the Dadangar Island Alliance.
Hehehe. We just need to get rid of this man to weaken Nuya’s hold. Kalingoot won’t keep quiet as long as we create a desirable environment for it to act. We both can enjoy Emerald Cove’s resources when the time comes. I hear that man has cultivated a lot of high-yeild and expensive resources in his domain. I’ll eventually claim them all after the conquest war. Hahaha,” Shen Ji laughed out loud.
Kou Lau sighed but nodded, knowing Shen Ji’s reputation for precision and intelligence gathering. “Very well. We’ll wait, but I hope you’re right.”
Shen Ji turned to their subordinates. “Maintain your positions. Stay alert. Aksai will be here soon, and we need to be ready to strike the moment he appears.”
The men nodded, their expressions serious and focused. They had been lying in wait for days, but their resolve had not wavered. They knew the importance of their mission and the need for precision in their ambush.
There were 5 Spirit Refining Perfectionist among a group of 20-something subordinates. All of them were the subordinates of Kou and Shen. all of them were well-equipped with weapons and gears.
Although Shen Ji had estimated that Aksai would be traveling solo, he liked to play it safe. Thus, he had also summoned Kou Lau and his subordinates to be a part of the ambush. He had used his connections in the Kalingoot to make this call.
This was no longer a matter of Shen Ji seeking to get rid of Aksai to settle scores with Aksai anymore. Since he had involved Kao Lau, it had practically become Dadangar Islands Alliance vs Kalingoot.
Of course, Shen Ji didn’t care that Aksai was all alone. He didn’t care that Aksai had not acted as a member of the Alliance and unleashed harm on Kalingoot members. As long as Aksai’s death resulted in the weakening of Nuya’s momentum, that’s all Shen Ji wanted.
Shen Ji walked over to a small makeshift table where a detailed map of the region was spread out. He pointed to a specific spot. “This is where he will pass. The Ghostly Pursuit Formation has predicted his flight path to this area. We will intercept him here.”
Kou Lau studied the map, his eyes narrowing. “And if he changes his route?”
Shen Ji shook his head. “He won’t. The formation predicts his movements based on his previous actions as well as the current geological structure of the island.
Plus, I have just confirmed that he hadn’t entered the Cavereach City using his real identity. He won’t risk to use highly secure exits to get out of the city. He will come this way. We just need to be ready.”
Kou Lau sighed again, this time more resignedly. “Fine. But if he doesn’t show up by tomorrow, we need to reassess our strategy. We can’t stay hidden here indefinitely.”
Shen Ji nodded. “Alright. But don’t let you guard down till then.”
The two men settled into a watchful silence, their subordinates doing the same. The forest around them was eerily quiet, the tension palpable as they waited for their prey.
Hours passed, and the sun began to set, casting long shadows through the trees. The campfire flickered, casting a warm glow on the faces of the waiting cultivators.
Shen Ji and Kou Lau remained vigilant, their senses heightened as they scanned the skies and the forest around them.
As night fell, Shen Ji’s eyes suddenly sharpened, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“Someone’s coming,” he whispered to Kou Lau, who immediately tensed, his eyes darting around.
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AN: Shen Ji was first mentioned in chapter 257.