"Don't be so glum, it is not all bad," Foodie Chen assuaged seeing Duncan's expression. "Once you get transported inside, you can find a place and hide. Cultivating in there is ten times more effective than cultivating out here."
"In six months, everyone inside there apart from the fated one will be sent out automatically. I will help you escape when that time comes. Who knows, you might have enough power to escape on your own after cultivating in there for six months."
Duncan felt that six months was too long to be stuck in there with demonic beasts and cultivators far more powerful than him. It looked like his only option was to find a hidden place and cultivate in peace.
"Senior brother, will Level 1 beasts also enter?" Duncan asked hoping that was the case.
"No, Level 1 beasts will not enter easily unless they are desperate. Even Level 2 beasts below the middle stage will hesitate to enter," Foodie Chen said nonchalantly. "It would mean that you will be the weakest existence in there. So, it will be easy for you. Anyone you come across will probably be stronger and all you need to do is run away."
Duncan heard that and felt a little dejected.
He was hoping that Level 1 beasts will also enter so that he could find a few and increase his cultivation by slaughtering them. But now, it looked like he will have to work very hard to increase his cultivation in there.
Duncan didn't fault his senior brother for not knowing that his cultivation technique required him to engage in slaughter to advance. The suggestion he gave was the best one from his standpoint. However, things were different for him.
"Senior brother, why don't you clear a path for me and allow me to escape from here now? I will head back to the sect and await your arrival?" Duncan asked casually.
"If I make a move now, I will be attacked by every Level 2 beast in the vicinity. Level 3 beasts may join in as well," Foodie Chen said not even deigning to look in Duncan's direction. "There is a fragile peace established now, if I break it, this region will become like the area in front of the gates before the gates were completely opened."
Duncan remembered the massacre that occurred in front of the gates and shuddered. He knew that any stray attack might kill him if such a melee occurred. So, he came to terms with his situation and kept quiet.
Foodie Chen watched Duncan sulk from the corner of his eyes and felt a little bit of pity. As much as he wanted to send this junior brother away, he had his mission. Compared to Blood Blossom Fruit, letting his junior brother suffer for a bit was only a small trade. So, he didn't say anything more.
He didn't know how the Vice-Sect Master knew that a Grotto Heaven will be opening in this region soon. His mission was to send this junior brother into the Grotto Heaven safe and sound.
As for what happened afterward, it wasn't his responsibility.
*****
Meanwhile, some distance away from the entrance to the Grotto Heaven, the Sect Master of Heavenly Demon Sect stood calmly and watched into the horizon with his sharp gaze.
"Sect Master, our Golden Core disciples have been sent over to retrieve the treasures inside the Grotto Heaven. Strict instructions have been given to not enter the main hall," Liang Tianye said walking up to him.
"Good, then everything is in order. This is the sixth and final Grotto Heaven situated in the Seven Primes Hexagon Formation that is suppressing the Aghori Path in this world. In six months, this Grotto Heaven's restrictions will lift. Within next year, the Aghori Path will start to appear," the Sect Master smiled a bit satisfied.
"Is that wise, allowing the Aghori Path to descend? Wouldn't that endanger this world?" Liang Tianye asked a little hesitantly.
"The Buddhists in the central continent have established a connection with the Buddhist Heavens already. The righteous faction has made contact with the Dao Court already. At this rate, we are the only ones who are left behind. So, it is necessary for us to have a final trump card."
"In seven years, we need to be ready for whatever will come our way. It had taken us a lot of trouble and centuries of planning to lift these restrictions right under the righteous factions' noses. If even a single whiff of this plan was smelled, the entire world would have descended on us on righteous fury."
"The reason the Heavenly Demon Sect was founded in this fringe continent instead of in the central continent was exactly the Aghori Path. Our inheritances and foundations aren't lesser than the top factions of the righteous path. Why did we establish our sect here instead of occupying a prime location in the central continent?"
"This is the exact reason for that. Liang Tianye, don't tell me that you are getting sentimental about this world. The Liang Tianye I knew would never be so soft-hearted," the Sect Master asked with suspicion.
"Hmmph," Liang Tianye snorted angrily. "Sect Master, you don't need to doubt my loyalty. I was merely concerned about the impact of the Aghori Path. The moment it descends, things will change forever in this world. There is a chance for this entire world facing destruction."
"Similarly, those powers wouldn't sit idly by seeing Aghori Path descend as well. They will come at us with the intention to wipe us out. I was merely wondering if the risk was worth it. Do you have a plan if things spiraled out of our control and we end up losing?"
"Ha ha ha… This is the Liang Tianye I know. Don't worry, if the worst happens, we can retreat with our most promising seedlings into the upper world. I have already established our retreat path. I wouldn't take such a gamble without making proper preparations," the Sect Master said with a slight smirk.
"Then, I am not worried. I have already grown tired of this world. I would have already ascended if not for this plan," Liang Tianye smirked in reply.
"It has been hard on us. To pose as mere Nascent Soul cultivators and remain in these barren lands despite our strength. But, this is the will of those above us. We need to see this through. The struggles that happen at that level are something we can't affect yet. Once the Aghori Path descends into this world, our merits will be huge. We will be groomed by the higher-ups and you should know how beneficial it is for us," the Sect Master sent a secretive smile at Liang Tianye.
"I know," Liang Tianye smirked. "By that way, I wonder if I can bring in another member of the sect into the fold."
"I hope it is not that new disciple of yours," Sect Master said warily. "You should know that we need him as a distraction from our true goals."
"No, it is not him. I never cared for these imbeciles who are my disciples. Frankly, I feel that they are a waste of my time. If not for the appearances that need to be kept up, I wouldn't even bother to take them in as my disciples," Liang Tianye said a little irritatedly.
"Then who was it that has moved your heart? Ah! I did hear a rumor that Elder Feng finally managed to obtain her long-cherished goal. Is it her?" the Sect Master asked with a small smile.
"Indeed," Liang Tianye smirked. "I feel that she has good potential. She can be groomed to serve our faction in a better way."
"Serve the faction or serve you?" the Sect Master laughed.
"Is there a difference?" Liang Tianye said cockily.
"No, no, you can bring her in as someone under your care. Her strength is decent. Whatever you do with her is up to you," the Sect Master laughed jovially. "By the way, we need to tighten the perimeters from now on. We can't allow the news about Aghori Path to slip out."
"Even those arrogant idiots who think themselves as the backbone of the sect don't know the existence of Aghori Path or our true affiliations. What are you worried about?"
"It is better to be careful. Make it look like we are taking a firmer stance on intruders after the recent debacle with Seven Clouds Sect. Do not allow any intruders into the Grasslands. Those righteous sects will buy that excuse," the Sect Master ordered seriously.
"I will do that," Liang Tianye nodded.
"What about the preparations for the other plan?" the Sect Master asked.
"I have already sent someone to escort the brat to the Grotto Heaven. The records are right. Slaughter Demon Sutra can only be cultivated with enough slaughter aura. I left him alone for two weeks. He had basically no progress."
"But, after sending him to the cannibal cave for a week, he broke through continuously four levels. Currently, he is at the peak of the middle stage of the Qi Gathering realm from the reports I received. Sending him in there will help him increase his cultivation fast."
"If we are going to use him as a proper distraction, his strength must be at least somewhat decent for them to be truly fooled. So, we need him to increase his cultivation fast," Liang Tianye said in a bored manner.
"How about giving him some resources?" the Sect Master asked frowning a bit. "I think the time we have left is inadequate to let him grow on his own."
"We can't do that," Liang Tianye said shaking his head. "Someone will start to suspect if we piled all our resources on him. Furthermore, we need him to be a distraction. Facing small adversities now will allow him to be the right weapon when required."
"True, greenhouse flowers can't survive a storm. Even if he doesn't survive, we need him to give us enough time," the Sect Master nodded.
"It looks like things are progressing well. But, to be on the safe side, create a few more plans and let them be implemented. Let those elders in the sect come up with some plans and be a general nuisance to those righteous factions. Let them loose and make them cause chaos," the Sect Master said thinking for a bit.
"That's doable, as long as the attention of the righteous faction is focused on them, we win," Liang Tianye smirked. "Well, senior brother, I have a fox to tame in my abode. Do you wanna join?"
"No, carry on, and make sure she is completely tamed before bringing her into the plan. I don't want any last-minute surprises," the Sect Master warned sternly.
Liang Tianye's face turned dignified upon hearing that and nodded solemnly.
"Don't worry, I know my priorities," Liang Tianye said seriously.
"Good, let's hope everything goes right," the Sect Master murmured looking into the distance at the Grotto Heaven that was visible.
*****
A/N: Hey folks!
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