Haitin chuckled mirthlessly before responding to Aksai.
“Well, can you blame mortals and Spirit Refining newbies for not understanding the perspective of Foundation Building Experts? No, right?
Same way, you can’t judge a Core Formation Lord’s actions with the perspective of a Foundation Building Expert. I don’t blame them. Perhaps you and I would behave the same way if we were to break through to the 3rd realm ourselves,” he said casually.
Aksai mulled over Haitin’s words, realizing just how naive he’d been. He had always revered the Core Formation Lords, seeing them as distant, untouchable figures, but now it dawned on him just how strategic and calculating they truly were.
The Core Formation Lords weren’t just powerful cultivators; they were the unseen architects of the subcontinent’s balance of power. In a way, they were like nuclear deterrents from Aksai’s previous homeworld—restraining one another while subtly competing, each move weighted and watched.
“As for why the other sects and remaining three Core Formation Lords haven’t entered the game yet,” Haitin continued with an underlying seriousness.
“The Wild Devil Lands have always been chaotic. The unrest here isn’t new—the Purple River Sect, Western Limiya Gate, and Eastern Limiya Gate probably think the demonic faction is just causing its usual trouble, maybe trying to renegotiate some deal with the Haan Di Lord.”
Aksai’s brow furrowed. “You’re saying that the Purple River Sect and the other righteous sects don’t even know about the Haan Di Lord’s injuries?”
Haitin nodded.
“Most likely, yes. Haan Di’s side isn’t broadcasting the news, and neither are we. And as long as the Sun Ocean Society and the Green Glory Palace can keep it quiet, they’ll delay that information from reaching the other three Lords as long as possible.
The longer they stay in the dark, the more time the Sun Ocean Lord and Green Glory Lord have to maneuver their pieces—namely, you two.”
“So this is all about buying time?” Lini asked, her voice cold.
“More or less,” Haitin agreed. “Let’s just say they need to make some preparations before grabbing a certain opportunity with everything they’ve got. If they can keep the Purple River Lord and the others from knowing what’s really going on, they’ll have a window of opportunity to strike. And once that window opens, they’ll use you two to trigger a just cause scenario.”
“A just cause– that is to say the rescue or revenge of their core sect members,” Aksai murmured, finally grasping the full picture. “Once the pawns are in danger, they can come to their rescue… or for revenge after something happens to them, and take what they want while they’re at it.”
“Exactly,” Haitin confirmed. “And once they’re here, it’s game over. The Wild Devil Lands have something that’s caught their attention, something they’re willing to risk everything for. Ordinary Foundation Building Experts won’t be able to stop them. Even veteran Foundation Building Experts can barely delay them for a few seconds at best.”
Haitin’s eyes narrowed slightly as he turned toward Aksai, his voice calm but tinged with calculation. “So now, brother Aksai,” he began, “you will have to give your answer. What will you do? Will you help me get rid of this ticking time bomb named Lini for a generous reward, or will you pass on the opportunity?”
Aksai could feel the weight of the question pressing down on him. Haitin’s tone was very cordial, but the implication was deadly serious.
Lini remained silent, her gaze flicking between the two men, clearly sensing the shift in the air but unsure of what was about to unfold.
Haitin, ever the strategist, had laid out his cards with chilling precision. By involving Aksai, he would mitigate his own risks and place the burden of Lini’s fate on someone else’s shoulders.
If Aksai accepted, he would be the one to carry out the dirty work, and Haitin could wash his hands of it—at least publicly. If things went wrong, Aksai would be the scapegoat, not him.
Aksai felt a chill run down his spine. The cunning behind Haitin’s plan was undeniable. By suggesting Aksai kill Lini away from the Wild Devil Lands, in the relative chaos of Dadangar Archipelago, Haitin would not only delay the Green Glory Lord’s entry but also buy himself precious time.
If Lini, a prized disciple of Green Glory Palace, were eliminated outside the contested lands, it would be harder to accuse Haitin or anyone within the Wild Devil Lands of foul play.
Of course, this play couldn’t fool Core Formation Lords. The Green Glory Lord might rage, but without clear evidence, he wouldn’t have a just cause to launch a full-scale incursion into the region.
It was a shrewd plan, full of calculated risks. Yet, it was also deeply flawed. Aksai knew that killing Lini wouldn’t stop the Core Formation Lords forever. It might buy some time, but eventually, the Core Formation Lords will have a way to do what they intended to do all along.
However, the retribution of delaying them could be catastrophic. And it would be him who would bear the first burnt. Of course, the demonic faction would also suffer if they didn’t have a way to protect them. After all, the demonic faction didn’t have Core Formation Lords.
Haitin must have sensed Aksai’s hesitation because he added in a smooth tone, “Think about it, brother. By helping me, you’ll have a chance to walk away from this mess with a hefty reward. A reward that could push you further in your cultivation journey. Isn’t that worth considering?”
Aksai couldn’t help but scoff internally at Haitin’s proposal. Did this demonic young master really think he was some kind of fool, willing to risk his neck for a momentary reward?
Sure, Haitin spoke of resources and rewards, but Aksai knew better. Even if the promises were fulfilled, he’d still need to stay alive long enough to enjoy them. And with a Core Formation Lord breathing down his neck for ruining their plans, that was far from a guarantee.
No, Aksai had no intention of falling into that trap. Going along with Haitin’s scheme would only earn him a fate worse than death. But outright refusing was risky, too.
Despite all the casual talk and the friendly tone, Haitin wasn’t really offering him a choice. Aksai was still in Haitin’s territory, and a direct refusal could invite retaliation. Haitin’s subordinates could easily take it upon themselves to punish him for rejecting their young master’s “kind offer.”
So, Aksai knew he had to tread carefully. He pondered for a moment, weighing his words before speaking.
“Brother Haitin,” Aksai started, his tone measured, “it seems like you don’t really want to kill Lini outright, but rather to ensure that the Core Formation Lord won’t have an excuse to use her to invade the Wild Devil Lands, correct?”
Haitin, unsure of where Aksai was going with this but intrigued, gave a slight nod.
“Exactly,” he said slowly, his eyes narrowing. “The last thing we need is for that Lord to have a legitimate reason to make a move.”
Aksai gave a small smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Then why not leave it to me? I’ll handle her. I can make sure she disappears from the Dadangar Subcontinent entirely, without a trace and without anyone being the wiser.
No bloodshed. No mess. Just gone.”
Haitin leaned back slightly, eyebrows raised in curiosity. “And how exactly would you manage that, brother Aksai? Let me tell you, Core Formation Lords have access to various mysterious spirit spells and techniques.
It’s no small feat to make someone vanish without leaving a trace, especially someone as important as Lini. I’m sure she’s already been rigged with traps and techniques. If someone acts against her, the Green Glory Lord will immediately know. Even if we burn her body and turn her to ash, the Green Glory Lord would still find out. He’d use that as an excuse to enter the Wild Devil Lands.
More importantly, I’m not even sure we can kill Lini in the first place. I’m certain she’s protected by some mysterious technique of the Core Formation Lord. By the time we exhaust it to kill her, the Green Glory Lord might already be knocking at our door.”
Aksai shrugged casually, though his mind was already running through potential plans.
“If it’s just making her disappear from the Dadangar Subcontinent, I have my ways. Let’s just say I’ve handled… complicated situations before.
Sometimes, it’s not about eliminating the problem but simply moving it far enough out of reach that no one can use it. I’ll make sure she’s somewhere the sects—no, not even the Core Formation Lords—would think to look.”
Haitin studied him for a long moment, clearly intrigued but cautious. “And you’re confident you can pull this off?”
Aksai met his gaze, unwavering. “Confident enough to stake my life on it. You don’t need to worry about Lini becoming a problem. I’ll take care of it. And you won’t have to lift a finger.”