Wen Zhixing had a dream.
It was a very long dream.
In his dream, he found himself back on Blue Star.
As a quiz-taker from a small town, he had successfully secured a position.
His life transformed from there. He progressed smoothly, reaching a high position.
He made bold decisions to boost the economy and benefit the people.
He was adored by countless individuals.
With his power, even the strongest evil forces bowed and scraped before him.
He acquired a wife of unsurpassed beauty and wisdom, and a pair of intelligent and sensible children.
His life was complete.
"But I haven't killed Qiu Yinger yet!"
Wen Zhixing's eyes snapped open; he had escaped from that perfect dreamscape.
"Calming Heart Mantra!"
He knew it was all fake.
Although the Calming Heart Mantra couldn't fully suppress the drug's fierce effects, it at least kept Wen Zhixing from completely succumbing.
Wen Zhixing struggled to his feet, continuously reciting under his breath.
Now, as the drug's effects waned, the Calming Heart Mantra gradually began to prevail.
An unknown amount of time passed until Wen Zhixing's expression finally regained calmness.
"Damn it!"
Wen Zhixing opened his eyes, his gaze filled with exhaustion.
The Wonderous Soul-devouring Pill was indeed terrifying.
Although the Calming Heart Mantra suppressed it for now, this was only temporary.
It treated the symptoms, not the root cause.
The drug's effects had taken root in his divine soul, ready to flare up at any moment.
Previously, he had constantly wanted to practice cultivation, but now, that desire was gone.
He couldn't muster the interest.
Why practice cultivation when I could just have another Wonderous Soul-devouring Pill...
A glint of desire flashed in Wen Zhixing's eyes, and his hand unconsciously reached for the jade bottle in his pocket.
[Warning, you are about to lose control of your mind!]
[Warning, you are about to lose control of your mind!]
[Warning, you are about to lose control of your mind!]
"Not good!"
Wen Zhixing was shocked and swiftly came to his senses.
A Wonderous Soul-devouring Pill had somehow made its way to his lips.
He looked at his own hand in disbelief.
Large beads of cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
He had just been unable to control his thoughts and body.
It was as if a demon had possessed his being.
"Calming Heart Mantra! Let all things be still, let thoughts and breath calm, may I stand alone divine, uniting mind and spirit..."
Wen Zhixing clenched his teeth and immediately began reciting the Calming Heart Mantra.
I'm truly going mad.
Whoever concocted this elixir was so iniquitously cruel.
After a while, Wen Zhixing exhaled deeply.
His gaze became clear once again.
But Wen Zhixing had no idea how long this state could last.
This won't do, I have to upgrade the Calming Heart Mantra!
Wen Zhixing calmed himself, regaining his composure.
If the Calming Heart Mantra isn't effective enough, then it must be upgraded!
I only have two Fortune Points.
Wen Zhixing glanced at his attribute panel and felt a surge of disappointment.
Thinking the Calming Heart Mantra was sufficient, he had used his Fortune Points to upgrade his Concealing Qi Skill.
I misjudged.
Wen Zhixing's face turned pale.
He realized he had been overly optimistic.
Due to the previous attitudes of Si Nanyan and the others, he had wrongly overestimated his own status.
He naively thought they would continue to treat him with courtesy, believing his special constitution would set him apart from other furnaces.
They are the knife and I am the fish; how did I fail to understand this simple truth?
Wen Zhixing's expression darkened, and he felt an urge to slap himself.
He truly realized the treacherous nature of this world.
He had been too naive.
I must find Fortune Points... No...
Wen Zhixing was about to leave to collect Fortune Points but immediately stopped. I can't leave now; I'm supposed to be lost in carnal desires.
He should have been utterly lost by now.
If he left the house, Qiu Yinger would surely get wind of it.
That would be troublesome.
If Qiu Yinger suspected anything, she would inevitably employ other methods.
I must not panic, I must not panic... Wen Zhixing exhaled slowly, reminding himself.
The Calming Heart Mantra was also continuously in effect, keeping his mind clear.
Three days passed in a flash.
During these days, Wen Zhixing hadn't left his home, staying quietly indoors.
Meanwhile, someone would come to investigate every day.
Wen Zhixing pretended not to notice, even directly consuming a Wonderous Soul-devouring Pill in front of the visitor.
He also took the opportunity to grasp the pattern of the pill's effects.
It would act roughly every two hours.
However, if one consumed a Wonderous Soul-devouring Pill, after a bout of pleasure, one could feel refreshed for an entire day.
Another four Fortune Points. That makes six. Almost there.
Wen Zhixing kept checking his Fortune Points.
The investigator who visited also carried Fortune Fragments—a total of four Gray Fortune Fragments, all of which he had now collected.
During these three days, Zhang Tiancheng had not come looking for him.
He must have been blocked by someone outside.
When Zhang Tiancheng finally comes to find me, it will mean Qiu Yinger has lowered her guard, Wen Zhixing thought to himself.
Zhang Tiancheng was not one of Qiu Yinger's people.
He was simply responsible for daily patrols and overseeing other furnace cultivators.
Truthfully, they were not on the same side.
Thinking of Qiu Yinger filled him with resentment.
I must find a way to kill her!
Although Wen Zhixing was angry, he did not allow his anger to cloud his judgment.
At this moment, Qiu Yinger was inside the Cultivation Hall on Soul Devouring Peak; her thoughts were not solely focused on Wen Zhixing.
These past few days, she had been investigating the traitor within the sect.
If this traitor was not found, the Wonderous Palace would always harbor a hidden danger.
After some investigation during this time, she had unearthed more clues.
She had already locked onto a target.
However, the person's identity made it difficult for her to act directly.
All evidence pointed to one individual: someone from Wutong Peak of the Wonderous Palace.
Wutong Peak was Feng Ruoli's dwelling.
This put Qiu Yinger in a somewhat difficult position.
She hadn't expected this matter to involve Feng Ruoli.
The issue was becoming serious.
It was no longer something she could decide on her own.
Si Nanyan was still refining the Mother-child Venomous Worm. With her attention divided, it wasn't a good time to disturb her in the secret chamber.
"Qiu, it's terrible! People from the Righteous Sun Sect are attacking!"
Outside the hall, a voice filled with extreme panic resonated.
"What!"
Qiu Yinger was also greatly shocked.
The Righteous Sun Sect is attacking? How could that be?
Qiu Yinger's figure flashed out.
"What's going on!"
Her lovely face tightened.
The Righteous Sun Sect and the Wonderous Palace had been in open and covert conflict for years, but this was the first time they had directly attacked.
"It's... It's Deputy Palace Master Feng! She went out and was ambushed. She sent back a message saying she's being pursued and asked to activate the Sect Protection Array..." the messenger stammered.
"What!"
Qiu Yinger was stunned again.
Wait a minute.
Her mind was in disarray.
Feng Ruoli went out and was also ambushed and pursued? This news sounds oddly familiar. Isn't this exactly what happened to her Master, Si Nanyan? Except one escaped on her own, while the other was chased all the way to the sect's perimeter. Was the information leaked again? Or is Feng Ruoli orchestrating this herself?
"Qiu, what should we do?" the messenger asked, extremely anxious.