Chapter Forty-Seven: The Plan Set

Thunder Echo stepped out of the secret chamber and was greeted by Du Gu Yixiao and Senior Brother Liu with their group of over a hundred cultivators. After exchanging pleasantries, Thunder Echo prepared to return to his quarters to practice and recover. Though he could now command flying artifacts since forming his foundation, he had none at hand, so he relied on his habitual use of Swift Foot.

Suddenly, his brows furrowed. He tossed out Swift Foot, leapt onto it, locked in a spirit stone, and with a tap of his toe, the black artifact streaked away like a ray of darkness.

After flying some ten miles, he spotted a conveyance skimming low through the air, with a figure sprawled atop it. Thunder Echo guided Swift Foot to intercept, cast a spell, and the conveyance descended slowly. He lifted the young man from it, whose face was covered in pockmarks. Thunder Echo was not surprised; it was as though he had expected this—Newton.

Newton was soaked in blood and barely breathing. Thunder Echo quickly helped him sit upright, pressing his right palm against Newton’s back, channeling pure spiritual energy without cease.

After a long while, Newton gradually awoke, and upon seeing Thunder Echo, tears streamed down his face. “Master… I… The Kingdom of Lihuo is lost, the Crown Prince is dead, I barely escaped thanks to the conveyance you gave me…”

“My brother is dead? Was it the Blood Fiend Alliance again?”

Newton sighed deeply. “Just as you predicted, a Core Formation cultivator from the Blood Fiend Alliance led more than ten Foundation Establishment cultivators. In three days, they conquered Lihuo. The Crown Prince’s cry for help to Dongyue went unanswered, and he was slaughtered by the Core Formation cultivator. Now Blood Fiend Alliance has completely occupied Lihuo.”

Thunder Echo’s face darkened, his gaze sinking in silence. Newton quailed at the sight. “Your expression is so grim, Master—never have I seen you like this.”

Suddenly, Thunder Echo turned toward the direction of Lihuo, solemnly bowing three times. “Brother, this vengeance will be repaid. I swear to wipe out the Blood Fiend Alliance.” Then he strode away. “Newton, follow me.”

They had barely walked a few steps when Du Gu Yixiao appeared. His eyes, usually narrowed, now widened—not for murder, but out of astonishment. He sensed the fierce killing intent radiating from Thunder Echo.

“I’m going to annihilate the Blood Fiend Alliance. If you’re my brother, help me.” Thunder Echo halted and spoke quietly.

Du Gu Yixiao’s granite-like face remained expressionless, but his heart stirred fiercely. “The Blood Fiend Alliance—a mysterious and fearsome group. Though not as strong as my former organization, in Dongyue it is top-tier. Can Thunder Echo really do it?”

After a brief contemplation, Du Gu Yixiao expressed his assent with a single word. “Alright.”

Thunder Echo’s pupils contracted slightly. “Good brother. First, help me look after Newton. I’ll find you later.”

Once again, Thunder Echo entered the underground chamber. The Dongyue Imperial Uncle stared at him in astonishment. “You… back so soon? Oh, you’re willing to help us eliminate the Blood Fiend Alliance now?”

Thunder Echo replied coolly, “Yes.”

The Imperial Uncle leapt up like a child. “Excellent! I knew you could do it! Come, look at these memorials.”

Thunder Echo glanced at the table before the Imperial Uncle, stacked with dozens of jade slips. He picked one up and sent his divine sense into it, smiling wryly.

It was a memorial from Wanfu Chaozong, detailing Thunder Echo’s rescue of the sect and embellishing his defeat of the Celestial Scar Gang’s leader. The memorial ended with an ardent recommendation for Thunder Echo, entrusting him with the great mission of eradicating the Blood Fiend Alliance.

The remaining slips were much the same, all recommending Thunder Echo, including those from Lihuo and the Thunder Family Fortress. The Imperial Uncle beamed, “See, so many Dongyue subjects unanimously nominate you. Don’t be modest.”

Thunder Echo remained composed. “In terms of cultivation, I am by no means a match for the Blood Fiend Alliance, and certainly cannot take them on alone. If I am to participate, I have one condition.”

The Imperial Uncle was overjoyed. “If you agree, you can have not just one condition, but ten or eight! Name it—what do you require?”

“I must have absolute authority to mobilize all forces of Dongyue. Not even you or the Emperor may interfere.”

“This…” The Imperial Uncle hesitated. Such delegation of power was perilous; so many cultivators under his command—what if Thunder Echo turned against them? Dongyue would be finished.

Thunder Echo understood his concern. “Imperial Uncle, you’ve surely investigated me. You know my heart is set on the Dao. I care nothing for fame or fortune, even less for ruling a nation. Believe it or not.”

After a moment’s thought, the Imperial Uncle gritted his teeth, as if making a momentous decision. “Thunder Echo, if you can destroy the Blood Fiend Alliance, I promise this on behalf of the Emperor. Still, could you share your plan?”

His swift agreement raised a question in Thunder Echo’s mind. “He promised too quickly—such a matter can he decide without consulting the Emperor?”

But Thunder Echo betrayed no surprise and calmly outlined his strategy.

“First, tightly control the situation at Hongji Foundation Academy. Hide all personnel for future use. Spread word that the academy’s leadership and Blood Fiend Alliance’s Ma Tao perished together in the Tianjingzi Spirit Gathering Array.

“Second, the Emperor of Dongyue must issue an edict, severely condemning the Blood Fiend Alliance, and declare that the nation will devote its strength to wiping them out within three years. This will confirm the academy’s defeat and lull the enemy.

“Third, rapidly gather all cultivators above Foundation Establishment nationwide, but do not use Hongji’s forces. Concentrate Dongyue’s elite and attack Blood Fiend Alliance in Lihuo, creating a grand offensive but with heavy losses—even sacrificing some experts if necessary.

“These steps will convince the Blood Fiend Alliance that Dongyue’s strength is diminished, emboldening them to strike openly and attempt to overthrow Dongyue. Once they emerge, the imperial court will announce the relocation of the capital, fleeing Dongyue. The Blood Fiend Alliance will surface, while we go underground, and then we can ensnare them all.

“Finally, I will enter seclusion for several months to stabilize my cultivation. When the Blood Fiend Alliance occupies Dongyue, I will emerge to lead the campaign against them. What do you think, Imperial Uncle?”

The Imperial Uncle’s eyes lit up, his broad forehead shining as well. He did not reply immediately, but weighed Thunder Echo’s plan carefully.

“First, false information to mislead; then a nation-wide purge; feigned defeat and capital relocation, ceding Dongyue to the Blood Fiend Alliance; finally, a counterattack to annihilate them. A bold plan, fraught with danger yet highly effective. The enemy is hidden while we are exposed—no way to destroy the mysterious Blood Fiend Alliance otherwise. Thunder Echo is truly remarkable—must be cautious with him in the future.”

With that, the Imperial Uncle laughed heartily. “Haha! Excellent! This plan seeks victory through peril—a masterpiece. But I want to know, once you draw out the Blood Fiend Alliance, how will you exterminate them?”

Thunder Echo flashed his little tiger teeth in a faint smile. “I’ll tell you then. For now, I need a detailed list of Dongyue’s cultivators—those loyal and those who might be Blood Fiend spies, all clearly marked. When the Blood Fiend Alliance surfaces, I’ll need a Core Formation cultivator to assist. The ideal candidate is Senior Linghu Zhong. Is that possible?”

The Imperial Uncle considered and agreed. “Alright, as you say, Linghu Zhong is yours to command for now.”

Thunder Echo nodded in satisfaction. “That will do. If I need anything else, I’ll contact Senior Linghu Zhong. For these next few months, I’ll vanish—do not reach out to me.”

Two days later, a glow sped across the sky above the Hengyang Mountains. Any high-level cultivator would recognize it as a black Swift Foot, piloted by an ordinary-looking young man at the front, with a small pockmarked youth standing behind.

The pockmarked youth spoke, “Master, do you really want Du Gu Yixiao to join this operation?”

The young man grinned, showing his little tiger teeth. “Why not? He’s my brother, the one I trust most. Though he has many secrets—including that blue cloth bundle—he’s a man with stories. That doesn’t stop us from being brothers.”

Suddenly, the little pockmarked youth asked, “Master, why did we circle so far only to return to Hongji Academy? Is this safe?”

“The most dangerous place is the safest. No one would expect me to return to Hongji’s secret chamber to cultivate. Do you understand?”

Newton, the pockmarked youth, shook his head in blank confusion.

Thunder Echo gazed into the distance, lost in thought—though none could tell what he pondered. In truth, he was listening to Zhu Chi’s voice within his divine sense. After contacting Zhu Chi’s primordial spirit in the Black Miasma Swamp and nurturing it within the spirit vein dragon’s body, Zhu Chi’s spirit had recovered by a third. Though still prone to slumber, he could now awaken at will.

“You really intend to help Dongyue eradicate the Blood Fiend Alliance? This will slow your cultivation.”

Thunder Echo sent back a strand of divine thought. “For my brother and Master Lei’s revenge, I must! A true man acts and refrains as his heart dictates. Please don’t counsel me otherwise, Senior. I know my own path. As for breaking the Dark Death Talisman and finding a suitable body for you, I will fulfill my promise.”

“Good, Thunder Echo—I trust you! As payment, I’ll teach you a divine art: Divine Thunder Slash! You can refine the power of lightning in your eyes and kill opponents unexpectedly.”

Thunder Echo’s expression did not change. “Thank you, Senior. I’ve always wondered about the blue light in my eyes—aside from seeing clearly, I didn't know its purpose. But are you after my blue light for your own ends? Does it help unseal you? Ha.”

Zhu Chi’s voice carried a hint of embarrassment. “You rascal—now that you’re grown, you’ve become a spirit ape. Yes, I wish to borrow your blue light, but it’s greatly beneficial to you as well. It’s win-win. Besides, Divine Thunder Slash isn’t easy to cultivate—don’t celebrate too soon.”

Thunder Echo said nothing more, knowing Zhu Chi would elaborate.

“Divine Thunder Slash has many requirements. First, a thunder spirit root, so you can withstand lightning’s force. Second, it must be practiced by low-level cultivators, or it can’t be mastered. Third—and most difficult—you must quickly reach the third level, or you’ll suffer lightning backlash, causing intermittent madness and eventual loss of sanity. After years of study, I found your blue light can refine Divine Thunder Slash, and your exceptional absorption rate allows rapid progress. That’s why I chose this art for you.”

Thunder Echo weighed the pros and cons in silence.

“This is a technique I acquired during my travels on other continents. I could not practice it myself, but its power is truly formidable. I never parted with it—now, I pass it to you.” As Zhu Chi finished, a yellow light flashed in Thunder Echo’s sea of consciousness, and a cluster of sparkling words appeared in the boundless domain. Thunder Echo read them without hesitation.

After a long while, Thunder Echo exhaled deeply. Divine Thunder Slash was indeed as powerful as Zhu Chi claimed, but what Thunder Echo valued most was its speed of activation. Incredibly swift—his opponent would be slain before they could finish forming a spell.

Just then, Newton cried out, “Master, look—Hongji Foundation Academy!” Thunder Echo nodded slightly, tapped Swift Foot, and became a black bolt of lightning, charging toward the deserted academy.

In an instant, Swift Foot vanished, and Thunder Echo disappeared for several months. No one knew where he had gone or what he had done.