Chapter 970: Also an Open Strategy

Ji Yuan viewed Lian Ping'er as undoubtedly a significant figure among his opponent's chess players, or at least an important piece. However, she had repeatedly attempted to strike him with deadly force. In Ji Yuan's opinion, this strongly suggested that his opponent had grown suspicious of him, or at the very least, was exercising considerable caution.

It didn't matter, though. Ji Yuan had already learned a great deal from Lian Ping'er regarding what he had initially hoped to extract from the various Venerables. He could also infer some other things himself. Anything more, even with the best of relations, would never be divulged by those primeval beings who believed themselves superior to heaven and earth.

Even the most powerful individual could not know everything under heaven. For instance, his opponents were unaware of how many moves Ji Yuan had already made. Therefore, Ji Yuan had no cause for dissatisfaction.

Ji Yuan clearly understood that there were very few who could truly orchestrate the grand game of heaven and earth. Zhu Yan's avatar had been eliminated. Ji Yuan also had some understanding of the whereabouts of the one from the Yu Ling Sect. The Venerable to whom Lian Ping'er belonged remained hidden, but there were still some clues about them. Beyond these three, it was uncertain if a fourth existed.

Therefore, the power of righteousness still prevailed over evil. Even if his opponents truly intended to confront him directly, Ji Yuan had no fear. After all, he had already slain Zhu Yan and now had Xie Zhi as an ally.

If the current situation could be maintained, Ji Yuan would be quite content. As he always said, time was on their side.

Regardless of what the opposing side was now preparing, hesitation and overthinking would be a disadvantage. Ji Yuan's approach was to steadily follow his own strategic path.

With his thoughts settled, Ji Yuan put down the chess piece, slowly gathered the black and white pieces from the board, and placed them back into the box, then stood up.

"Zao Niang, I might be gone for a while this time. Please watch over the house..."

Just as Ji Yuan was about to speak, his body swayed slightly, and his steps became a little unsteady. In his perception, it felt as though heaven and earth were in a gentle tremor.

Rumble, rumble, rumble...

This slight sensation of losing balance was something Ji Yuan hadn't experienced in a very long time. Those nearby were also startled by his state.

"Mr. Ji?" "Ji Yuan?" "Sir, what's wrong?"

Ji Yuan quickly regained his balance. In fact, there was nothing physically wrong with him; it was a form of spiritual perception connecting with the heavens.

"It's nothing," he replied.

Having responded, Ji Yuan walked out of Ju'an Pavilion, stepped onto a gentle breeze, and ascended above Ning'an County. He gazed eastward, muttering with a slight frown.

"Could it be the Dragon Clan's opening of the desolate seas?"

An event occurring in the far east that could shake heaven and earth was very likely the Dragon Clan's grand undertaking of "opening the desolate seas" (Pìhuāng). As soon as he spoke these words aloud, Ji Yuan's eyes widened, and he immediately understood several things.

"We may not need to wait for those who play the game to recover. To shake heaven and earth, external forces can also be utilized..."

"For example, the Dragon Clan harnessing the essence of all waters in the world to surge towards chaos and open up the desolate seas is one such method."

Xie Zhi also arrived, stepping on the wind, landing beside Ji Yuan and continuing his thought.

"Ah? Sir, will Ruo Li be in danger?"

Zao Niang might not understand or care about grand cosmic events, but her first thought was the safety of her good friend, Ying Ruo Li. Ji Yuan immediately dispelled her worries.

"As I said before, opening the desolate seas brings immense merit. This fact itself will not change. Ruo Li's participation in this endeavor benefits heaven, earth, and all living beings. Moreover, she is amidst countless aquatic creatures, so she will not be harmed."

"Ji Yuan is right; your good friend won't be harmed," Xie Zhi said. "But don't forget who initially promoted the opening of the desolate seas. It's likely connected to Lian Ping'er and her associates. Now, after all these years, aquatic creatures from all corners of the world are lending their full support, with the Dragon Clans of the four seas bravely leading the way. Even if Ji Yuan were to step forward and forbid the opening of the desolate seas, would it be possible?"

It must be said that Ying Ruo Li was now undeniably the Dragon Clan's foremost goddess. Whether in cultivation, beauty, or her reputation and influence among the dragons, she was revered by all. Under the allure of Ying Ruo Li's charm and the promise of merit from the "opening of the desolate seas," what was once a solitary undertaking by Ying Ruo Li, a true dragon, had transformed into a shared responsibility for all aquatic creatures under heaven. It had become the greatest event for aquatic races in nearly two millennia.

Xie Zhi's expression was solemn, and a wisp of black, smoke-like demonic energy seeped from the corner of his mouth.

"Even if we were to forcefully stop the opening of the desolate seas now, it would undoubtedly incur the wrath of all aquatic creatures," Xie Zhi continued. "We are naturally not afraid, but it would likely ignite a conflict between the aquatic races and the immortal cultivation world. And putting that aside, if this endeavor succeeds, Ji Yuan, then the numerous dragon clans who first pushed for it, especially that dragon maiden who is more important to you than even your own kin, might ultimately wither away like flowers... The move they are using is an open scheme!"

Regarding the matter of shaking heaven and earth to trigger a great calamity, even though the sense of "death upon revealing heavenly secrets" was now loosening, Ji Yuan still could not explicitly tell the countless aquatic creatures. However, if he were to obstruct the opening of the desolate seas, Ji Yuan would truly become an enemy blocking the path of countless aquatic creatures. No matter what kind of true immortal he was, it would be futile.

Ji Yuan knew that Ying Ruo Li would absolutely trust him, and so would the Old Dragon and the Ying Clan. But what did that change?

"Mr. Ji..."

"Zao Niang, you don't need to worry," Xie Zhi interjected. "Don't you know what kind of person your Mr. Ji is? If this were to cause Ying Ruo Li's demise, even I couldn't bear it. How could he bring himself to do it?"

Xie Zhi's guess was accurate on this point. Ji Yuan had indeed taken the salvation of all living beings as his responsibility. However, not only was it impossible for a single sacrifice to provide a permanent solution, but Ji Yuan also disliked problematic questions like "saving one's mother or wife" or "sacrificing the few to save the many." Moreover, the person in question was someone extremely important to him.

"Hmph, it is indeed a clever scheme," Ji Yuan mused. "But from another perspective, isn't it exactly what we want? You can be a thief for a thousand days, but you can't be on guard against a thief for a thousand days. When soldiers come, we meet them with resistance; when floods come, we block them with earth. This suits my intentions."

"Heh, just don't regret it in a few decades. I'll follow your lead anyway."

Xie Zhi chuckled, and Ji Yuan, in turn, smiled again.

"Since I was born into this world, I have never done anything regrettable," Ji Yuan declared. "I haven't before, and I won't in the future! Even if I am ultimately defeated, I will have no regrets!"

With that, Ji Yuan waved his hand.

*Zheng—*

After a sword's clear hum, the Green Vine Sword, which had been suspended at the tip of the jujube tree, studying sword comprehension alongside the small characters from the *Sword Intent Scroll* and the *Sword Scripture*, flew into his hand. Ji Yuan gripped it behind his back with a reverse hold, while the *Sword Intent Scroll* and the *Sword Scripture* simultaneously flew into his sleeve.

'This time, when I go out, woe betide anyone who is so blind as to cross my path!'

Xie Zhi had known Ji Yuan for a long time. Whenever Ji Yuan was about to leave, the Green Vine Sword would simply follow him directly. It was rare for Ji Yuan to actively summon and grasp the sword himself. This indicated that Ji Yuan's state of mind at that moment was one of "gripping the sword."

"Mr. Ji, I want to go too..."

"Me too!"

As Zao Niang spoke, Hu Yun immediately echoed her. The former was worried about others, while the latter, in addition to worrying about others, was also concerned for himself. If Zao Niang also left, Hu Yun felt that if Lu Shan Jun came looking, he wouldn't even have a chance to hide in Ju'an Pavilion and would certainly be finished.

Ji Yuan turned to Zao Niang and said softly.

"Zao Niang, I will be gone for quite some time on this trip. I want you to stay home and guard the spiritual root, using your cultivation to accelerate its growth. The fruits from these 'nine-nine' spiritual roots might be able to mend many things."

Zao Niang clenched her fist, then nodded slightly in assent.

"Zao Niang will certainly engrave your words in her heart and ensure there are no mishaps!"

Ji Yuan then looked at Hu Yun.

"And you," he said. "I know your cultivation is actually quite diligent. Though you seem playful on a daily basis, that is simply your nature. Spend more time with Zao Niang when you have the chance."

Hu Yun immediately adopted a serious expression, stood straight, and bowed respectfully.

"I obey your decree, Sir!"

"Good, I'm off," Ji Yuan said.

"Little one, cultivate diligently," Xie Zhi added. "If I see you next time and you still haven't taken human form, I'll skin you!"

After each leaving a remark, Ji Yuan and Xie Zhi stepped onto flowing clouds, transformed into a sword light resembling rosy clouds, and vanished into the horizon.

Hu Yun looked a bit dejected.

"Zao Niang, I still can't see any sign of transforming into human form, and Master said he'd skin me..."

"Hm, that would be perfect for me to sew a scarf for Mr. Ji."

"Zao Niang, you..."

While Hu Yun and Zao Niang playfully headed back to Ju'an Pavilion, Ji Yuan and Xie Zhi had already traveled far from Ning'an County in that short time, nearly even exiting Desheng Prefecture.

Ji Yuan knew that once he had spoken, given Zao Niang's nature, she would likely not take another step outside Ju'an Pavilion, but would diligently cultivate beneath the tree to nurture the spiritual root.

But sometimes, things happened by such coincidence. The original growth of the jujube tree's spiritual root was far from sufficient; even centuries more wouldn't have been enough. Ji Yuan had never expected it to be useful in this current kalpa. Yet, by a stroke of luck, Wang Youhong had brought over a piece of a withered immortal peach tree, which transformed into the soil in Ju'an Pavilion's courtyard.

Initially, it wasn't apparent, but upon Ji Yuan's return this time, he was even surprised by the spiritual root's growth. It was because he saw hope that Ji Yuan now wished for Zao Niang to fully mature the spiritual root. And asking Hu Yun to spend more time with Zao Niang was also his way of alleviating her loneliness as much as possible.

"Ji Yuan, where are we going first?"

Ji Yuan performed a quick divination with his fingers, and with a slight stir in his heart, he spoke.

"Starting from nearby," he said, "first to Xianxia Island, then Wuliang Mountain, followed by Hengzhou, and after that, the Western Regions. Of course, Changjian Mountain cannot be omitted. I will personally deliver the last three volumes of *Yellow Springs*."