The Demon with Holy Radiance

"This ring grants you the authority to activate the teleportation containers, but it can only be used within the Fusheng Domain. It cannot be used to travel between domains.

In addition, you can use this ring to contact me directly. I will respond and provide help immediately."

The Workshop Master then added, though this time he was addressing Yang An.

Since he was now the leader of the Scripture Defector Association, it was only natural for him to have the necessary authority to act more freely. This way, he wouldn’t have to consult the Workshop Master on every single matter.

Yang An, of course, gladly accepted.

Finally, the Workshop Master’s gaze turned to Wen Yin.

Wen Yin seemed somewhat out of place, as she wasn’t an Innate Flesh Mushroom like the others. However, the Workshop Master showed no favoritism.

"You are not an Innate Flesh Mushroom, so what is useful to them would only harm you. But if I’m not mistaken, what you need most right now is something to improve your Cultivation Level. Consider this a welcoming gift for joining the Scripture Defector Association as a new member."

The Workshop Master took another item from his Storage Magical Artifact.

It was a fist-sized, slowly pulsating fleshy growth that exuded a musty, mold-like scent.

"This item is called the Qi Nourishing Exquisite. It will allow you to maximize your use of Mana, shortening the time needed to improve your Cultivation Level. As for its cost, it should be something you can bear."

"Junior Sister, hurry and thank the Workshop Master."

Before Wen Yin could reply, Yang An stepped forward with a smile and took the fleshy growth from the Workshop Master’s hand. He immediately presented the growth to Wen Yin.

An information box popped up before his eyes, indicating that the Workshop Master hadn’t lied. The item was exactly as he’d described.

The cost of using this fleshy growth was that it would amplify other costs.

In other words, once Wen Yin fused with this Qi Nourishing Exquisite, the costs she would have to bear in the future would become even more severe.

Trading amplified costs for faster cultivation progress was indeed a reasonable exchange.

It was a shame Wen Yin wasn’t an Innate Flesh Mushroom, but this was the only solution available.

"Thank you, Workshop Master."

Wen Yin did as Yang An said. She took the fleshy growth from his hand, her face filled with joy.

’In the world of cultivation, you encounter all sorts of strange and bizarre things. You can’t judge a person by their appearance, and you certainly can’t judge an item by its looks.’

’It’s just a fleshy growth. A bit ugly, sure, but that’s perfectly normal.’

’Besides, it came from Yang An’s hand. She might not trust the Workshop Master or the others, but she trusted Yang An.’

With the arrangements settled, the Workshop Master let out a soft sigh.

"The state of the world is such that even ten thousand years of peace cannot prevent eventual collapse. You must act quickly. I am entrusting this step to you."

Yang An knew the Workshop Master had other things to do. No one puts all their eggs in one basket unless they have no other choice.

This reminded Yang An of the three paths the Workshop Master had mentioned before. His actions were surely connected to the other two paths.

But he wouldn’t ask. Because... one of those paths was already in his hands.

He had already been given one of the baskets.

Soon after, the Workshop Master departed, disappearing without a sound.

Yang An then began to lay out the group’s next steps.

How were they to create chaos?

This was no simple question. It required careful, long-term planning. They had to consider not only the potential impact of their actions but also a fallback plan for the entire Scripture Defector Association.

"How about we kill the State Lord of Ten Soldiers State and steal everything from the Golden Soul Sect’s branch there? Then we can go to other State Territories and cause the same kind of trouble."

The first to offer a suggestion was the thoroughly dark-skinned fellow, Black Egg, who grinned and revealed a set of brilliant white teeth.

’Hearing his suggestion, Yang An felt even more strongly that there was something strange about this guy’s bloodline. How could he be so well-versed in the art of looting?’

Ultimately, however, it was a crude plan. Yang An rejected it, and the others didn’t agree with it either.

The reason was that the Scripture Defector Association, in its current state, was in no position to clash head-on with the Golden Soul Sect and expose themselves right from the start.

"We can use the ’set a tiger to devour a wolf’ strategy! Use Demon Fiends to stir things up! We could even incite a demonic calamity!"

Heart also made a suggestion, and the others agreed it was a good idea.

Similarly, White Bird proposed a suggestion.

"From what I know, there are actually many small and medium-sized factions within the Fusheng Domain who are very unhappy with the Golden Soul Sect. They just don’t dare to openly defy them. Perhaps all we need to do is light a fire..."

’What else would you expect from a Saintess? She even knows which factions harbor disloyal intentions toward the Golden Soul Sect and knows them inside and out.’

Her status, however, could be useful as an inside source, allowing the Scripture Defector Association to get internal intelligence on the Golden Soul Sect. That was a crucial advantage.

As he considered White Bird’s identity, a question suddenly occurred to Yang An.

He looked at White Bird’s exquisite and charming face.

"My junior sister was recently near the Land of Shattered Armor and happened to discover that the new State Lord of Chongwen State secretly sent men to set up an Array in the vicinity of Broken Armor. What is the Golden Soul Sect planning?"

Hearing Yang An’s question, White Bird frowned slightly and fell into deep thought.

"Broken Armor..."

No one spoke, not wanting to disturb her as she quietly pondered.

After a few moments, she seemed to recall something. She took a deep breath, her expression turning grave.

"I haven’t heard the Central Sect issue any orders regarding Broken Armor. However, several months ago, a large quantity of the Primordial Stone stored within the Central Sect was shipped to the Border State Territories. The two events might be related!"

Primordial Stone?

Aside from Yang An, White Bird, and Wen Yin, the term was completely unfamiliar to the others.