Mo Fan’s plan was simple: stir up some commotion in the Blackwater River to draw the attention of the underwater demonic creatures.
Then, he tossed a multitude of spirit stones into the water.
Spirit stones contained spiritual energy and naturally emitted a faint glow. When gathered in large numbers, their radiance intensified, shining like a treasure’s light, capable of attracting demonic creatures from far away even underwater, not to mention the dense spiritual energy wafting out.
Both human cultivators and demonic cultivators coveted spirit stones.
Even if some demonic cultivators didn’t know how to absorb the energy within, they still recognised spirit stones as the cultivation world’s hard currency.
So, after Mo Fan threw over two thousand spirit stones into the Blackwater River, water-based demonic creatures immediately swam toward them.
“Spirit stones, as expected!”
“So many, at least a few thousand!”
“That demon didn’t deceive us!”
In the water, a group of cultivators beamed with joy, each using their techniques to seize the sinking spirit stones, communicating via sound transmission with great excitement.
Though subduing or slaying demons was their sect’s mission, it didn’t stop them from making extra gains.
With so many spirit stones here, even as Foundation Establishment cultivators, they were quite tempted.
With a mindset of not letting such an opportunity pass, they rushed downward, eager to grab as many spirit stones as possible.
As for the demon general they were chasing, they had long forgotten him.
“Bold cultivators, daring to trespass in this general’s waters and steal spirit stones from my domain!”
Just then, a black fish several metres long swam up, followed by a host of large fish and shrimp, exuding waves of demonic aura.
The cultivators’ expressions shifted slightly.
“Trouble! There’s a demon lurking in this river!”
“Perfect. Just a demon general. Let’s kill it and earn some contribution points.”
The cultivators exchanged glances, communicating via sound transmission. One of them flew out from the group, waving a hand to produce a pile of spirit stones, sending them toward the black fish. “Respected General, we meant no harm. We didn’t know this was your domain. We’ll return the spirit stones. Please forgive us.”
“Hmph! Good that you know your place.”
The black fish grinned, revealing sharp teeth, and spoke in human tongue. “Hurry up and hand over the illegally taken spirit stones to this general.”
“Given your hard-earned cultivation, I’ll spare your lives.”
“General, please calm down. We’ll hand them over.”
The lead cultivator’s eyes flickered. He cast a spell, sending sound waves through the water. “Fellow disciples, let’s return the spirit stones to the general.”
“Yes!”
The cultivators echoed in agreement.
“Please accept them, General.”
The lead cultivator’s lips curled slightly. He tossed a few spirit stones, then his right hand shifted through a series of seals, and he said softly, “Kill.”
Buzz.
In an instant, over a dozen streams of light shot out.
“Such audacity!”
The black fish demon general was startled, barely letting out an angry shout before its body was blasted into a cloud of blood mist by the flying swords.
“The general’s dead!”
“Kill these human cultivators to avenge the general!”
Seeing their general slain, the lesser demons were shocked and furious. Except for a few quick-witted ones who fled immediately, the rest recklessly charged at the cultivators.
The outcome was predictable. As the streams of light danced through the water, the entire area soon turned crimson.
“No need to chase those lesser demons. Collect all the spirit stones first.”
The lead sword cultivator stopped the pursuit and dove deeper.
But this delay brought more native Blackwater River demons rushing in.
A bloodbath sparked by spirit stones began.
Meanwhile, after tossing the spirit stones, Mo Fan fled toward Blackwind Mountain with He Feifei without looking back.
“Your plan’s too simple. Will it work?” He Feifei asked, worried.
“Don’t worry. You’ll never understand the importance of money.”
Mo Fan grinned, full of confidence.
Though spirit stones weren’t money, in the cultivation world, they were worth more than gold, coveted by all cultivators.
The two demons flew on, fully escaping the Blackwater River.
Mo Fan looked back, seeing no trace of the human cultivators, and sighed in relief, knowing his plan had worked.
“You actually pulled it off!”
He Feifei’s eyes widened, a hint of doubt lingering.
Though spirit stones were valuable, distracting over a dozen Foundation Establishment sword cultivators with just two thousand seemed surreal to her.
Mo Fan only smiled, keeping to himself that the tactic relied on crowd psychology and the cultivators’ greed.
As someone who’d lived as a human in a past life, Mo Fan knew human nature well. Greed was a fundamental flaw.
Those Foundation Establishment cultivators might be formidable, but if one succumbed to greed and went for the spirit stones, the others, even if less greedy, would follow suit, driven by herd mentality.
It was a pity about those two thousand spirit stones.
But to save his life, Mo Fan had no choice.
To him, spirit stones were no different from roadside pebbles. With enough time, he could replicate endless spirit stones using his gold coins.
So, while the method was simple, not just anyone could pull it off.
You needed enough spirit stones to start with.
A few wouldn’t tempt Foundation Establishment cultivators, let alone ignite their greed.
“We’ve shaken off those cultivators for now. We should be safe for a while.”
Mo Fan smiled, looking at the murky river in the distance, his brows furrowing as he murmured, “I wonder if this scheme will bury all those sword cultivators underwater…”
“What did you say?”
He Feifei looked at Mo Fan, her eyes gleaming with admiration. She felt she understood this “treasure” less and less, and his unique aura was growing ever more captivating.
“Nothing. Let’s hurry back to Blackwind Mountain.”
“It’s still over a hundred miles away.”
Mo Fan shook his head, knowing it wasn’t time to relax. Who knew if those sword cultivators might suddenly pursue? Better to escape now.
“Alright, Treasure, you call the shots. I’ll follow you.”
He Feifei nodded, stepping forward to link arms with Mo Fan, her ample chest brushing against his arm without restraint, making him stiffen.
“What are you doing?”
Mo Fan’s face twitched as he looked at He Feifei, his gaze involuntarily dropping to her prominent chest.
“Damn, how did I not notice this crane demon’s assets before?”
Feeling the soft sensation on his arm, Mo Fan secretly swallowed.
“I just feel safer this way. You don’t mind, do you, Treasure?”
He Feifei blinked at him, swaying her body to rub against his arm.
“…”
Mo Fan was speechless. With you acting like this, could I say I mind?
Besides… it’s not half bad.
With that thought, he waved his hand, black mist pouring from his body, enveloping He Feifei as they sped toward Blackwind Mountain.
