C605 Black and Black

"An evil genius?"

Woo Zhengyang wasn't sure if he should accept that title.

"Yes, do you know there's a legendary skill called 'The Art of Thick Skin and Black Heart'?" Lee Yuanye said proudly.

"The Art of Thick Skin and Black Heart? Never heard of it."

"I figured you wouldn't, haha..."

"Then why'd you ask?" Zhengyang replied, exasperated.

"Alright, just study hard, young man. 'The Art of Thick Skin and Black Heart' is profound. Even I haven't fully grasped it, but I'll give you four words to start: thick skin, black heart!"

"If that's the essence of 'The Art of Thick Skin and Black Heart,' then you've mastered it to perfection."

"Oh, not at all, I'm far from it," Lee Yuanye said modestly, continuing, "We agreed, didn't we? We need to be a bit more sophisticated. We can't just blatantly seize what we want; that's the behavior of villains."

"So what do you suggest? That they just hand it over to us?"

"Not exactly. They wouldn't just give away their sacred artifact. But if they make a mistake, wouldn't they have to face the consequences?"

"That's why you brought me here, isn't it?" Zhengyang said, annoyed.

Zhengyang wasn't naive. Although he never planned to scheme against others, he wasn't clueless. When Lee Yuanye brought him to the Moon Light Martial Mansion, Zhengyang sensed something was off. Now, hearing Lee Yuanye's plan, everything clicked for him.

This is clearly a setup, using themselves as bait to lure the Moon Light Martial Mansion into action! Once the Moon Light Martial Mansion makes a move, they can justifiably and confidently seize what they want.

"Heh, it's just a temporary measure, a means to an end for our plan!" Lee Yuanye chuckled.

"What if they don't take the bait?"

"They will, and even if they hesitate, someone will push them into action."

"Someone can influence the leader of the Moon Light Martial Mansion?" Woo Zhengyang asked, puzzled.

This world is different from the previous one, where many sects had elders who could override the sect master's decisions. Here, the leader of a Martial Mansion has absolute authority.

"In most Martial Mansions, the leader's word is law, but the Moon Light Martial Mansion is an exception. Have you forgotten their core practice?"

"The 'Dance of the Moonlit Beauty,' a technique only women can master?"

"Exactly. In the Moon Light Martial Mansion, although men often take the spotlight, the true power lies with the women. Whether it's the technique or the big prize we're after, they work best for women."

"Besides, if they didn't want to engage, they wouldn't have kept us here. Your technique happens to counter their Holy Nun, and even if the Mansion hesitates, the Holy Nun won't agree to let it slide."

"Is the Holy Nun you mentioned really the strongest in the Moon Light Martial Mansion? How powerful is she?"

"Very powerful! Let's put it this way: among the Martial Mansions under the Heavenly Mirror Pavilion, the Moon Light Martial Mansion is the most likely to replace the Pavilion. The Holy Nun there just hasn't dared to break through yet. If she did, even my father wouldn't be able to match her."

"There's something else. From what I know, the people from the Moon Light Martial Mansion have been searching everywhere for the third spiritual treasure. Their intentions are pretty clear."

"The third spiritual treasure?"

"Yes, there are three spiritual treasures. One is with our Heavenly Mirror Pavilion, another is with the Great Desolate Ancient Clan, and the third was originally in the hands of a mysterious powerful figure. But then that figure disappeared, and the third treasure vanished with them."

"The Great Desolate Ancient Clan? Are they Martial Emperors?"

"The Great Desolate Ancient Clan is an ancient and incredibly powerful race, but they rarely show themselves. Otherwise, our Heavenly Mirror Pavilion would have been gone long ago. As for the mysterious figure, I don't know much, just that such a person existed."

"So, the Moon Light Martial Mansion wants to establish its own dominance."

"Establish dominance? That's just the tip of the iceberg! You might not know this, but the Moon Light Martial Mansion is a place where women rule over men. The Holy Nun is an outright feminist and authoritarian. If they really find the third spiritual treasure, the Heavenly Mirror Pavilion will be in danger, and so will all the men in the world. Think about it: would someone that domineering allow a person who can counter her powers to exist, especially if that person is a man? If you fall into her hands, you'd either be killed or worse. Tell me, aren't you scared?"

"Get lost!"

"Even if they haven't found it yet, they might replace Heavenly Mirror Pavilion with something else eventually. I may come from another world, but I've taken over this body, and my father and brothers have treated me well. There's no need for you to worry about family feuds and scheming. So before I leave, I want to contribute something to the Heavenly Mirror Pavilion, to suppress it a bit. I believe Mr. Zhengyang won't blame me for this small selfishness, as I still know how to prioritize the bigger picture."

"So, how do you want me to bait them?"

To leave this world, Woo Zhengyang was willing to take risks. He could also understand Lee Yuanye's perspective by putting himself in his shoes.

"It's simple. Just go out for a walk and enjoy the moonlight. Someone will definitely make a move, and then we'll have an excuse."

"Aren't you afraid I might actually get killed?"

"Ha... Don't think I don't know you carry your Star World with you. Even without it, you had a spatial artifact before, right? You die? Those few ladies wouldn't be happy about that."

...

Not long after, Woo Zhengyang stepped out of the white jade pavilion. He wasn't really going to wander around or enjoy the moonlight. Instead, he sat down cross-legged to cultivate. The moonlight artifact at the Moon Light Martial Mansion was quite unique, speeding up the circulation of vital energy, which was naturally beneficial for cultivation.

Woo Zhengyang had just settled down to meditate when he heard the sound of clothes rustling above. At the same time, Lee Yuanye's voice echoed in his ears, "Wow, looks like an angel just descended. You're in for a treat..."

Looking up, Woo Zhengyang saw a woman in white gracefully floating down from the full moon above, truly resembling a celestial being descending to earth.

Soon, she landed beside him. To his surprise, it was Sun Siyu, whom he had knocked off the platform in the Hundred Flower World.

"Young Master Woo, do you remember me?" Sun Siyu greeted him with a smile as radiant as a blooming flower.

"Of course... I remember, Miss Siyu. It's been a while."

Woo Zhengyang felt a bit awkward. Their conversation sounded so cordial now, who would have thought that not long ago, they were locked in a life-and-death struggle?