Chapter 610: A Passive Situation
"Electric Fire Vortex."
Zhang Ruochen fully released his spiritual power, extending both arms and spreading his hands flat before his chest.
"Whoosh!"
In an instant, the surrounding natural spiritual energy violently trembled, transforming into a vortex-like flow of force that revolved around Zhang Ruochen.
That airflow appeared only briefly before suddenly dissipating.
It failed!
Cultivating a third-level spell was indeed not going to be smooth sailing.
Zhang Ruochen frowned slightly, then studied the contents of the Barbarian Lizard Beast Hide again, carefully searching for any details he might have overlooked earlier. After thoroughly studying it for half a day, Zhang Ruochen began his cultivation once more.
"Whoosh!"
The natural spiritual energy once again formed a vortex, like a wall of wind tightly wrapping around Zhang Ruochen's body.
Then, Zhang Ruochen carefully controlled his spiritual power, lifting it upward, causing all the natural spiritual energy to converge toward a single point above his head.
Gradually, the natural spiritual energy transformed into the power of lightning, slowly beginning to coalesce.
"Boom!"
Just as success seemed imminent, the lightning power suddenly exploded, unleashing a powerful force. Zhang Ruochen couldn't dodge in time and was struck by the lightning energy.
Fortunately, protected by the Dragon Pearl, his injuries were not severe.
The difficulty of cultivating a third-level spell far exceeded Zhang Ruochen's expectations. A moment's distraction was enough to lose control of the lightning power.
Zhang Ruochen did not lose heart. He adjusted his mindset and resumed cultivation.
Failure after failure, followed by repeated attempts.
Time passed second by second. After spending over thirty days, failing more than three hundred and eighty times, and covering himself in wounds, his entire body charred black, Zhang Ruochen finally succeeded in mastering "Electric Fire Vortex."
Zhang Ruochen cultivated spells solely to conceal his true identity; his primary focus remained on martial arts.
Nevertheless, successfully mastering a third-level spell like "Electric Fire Vortex" still significantly enhanced his strength.
With his forty-fourth-level spiritual power, amplified by the Thunder Pearl, unleashing a third-level spell was enough to make ordinary Fish-Dragon Ninth Transformation cultivators flee in terror.
At the same time, while cultivating the third-level spell "Electric Fire Vortex," Zhang Ruochen's peak Fish-Dragon Third Transformation power was fully consolidated, reaching a state of effortless control.
If he were to open his first Saint Vein now, the probability of success could rise to thirty percent.
Zhang Ruochen roughly estimated the time. This seclusion had already lasted about five months within the Scroll World.
"Half a month should have passed in the outside world. I wonder how the situation has developed?"
This was a critical period, and Zhang Ruochen dared not seclude himself for too long. Thus, he did not continue cultivating.
Exiting the Scroll World, Zhang Ruochen immediately headed to the Saint Willow Hall.
As he walked, Zhang Ruochen could clearly sense that Red Willow Villa had changed significantly compared to half a month ago. First, the number of heretical martial artists in the villa had suddenly increased. Second, the entire villa's atmosphere had become extremely heavy, carrying an indescribable sense of oppression.
Had some major upheaval occurred during his seclusion?
"Greetings, Great Protector."
Outside Saint Willow Hall, two maidservants bowed to Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen nodded to them and strode straight through the door.
Red Desire Star Envoy sat at the highest seat. Seeing Zhang Ruochen, she immediately set aside what she was doing and called out, "Great Protector, you've finally emerged from seclusion! How is it? Did you succeed in cultivating Electric Fire Vortex?"
"Naturally, I would not disappoint the Star Envoy."
Zhang Ruochen extended one palm and slowly opened it.
His palm seemed to transform into a heavy expanse of earth, above which strands of electric light gathered, forming a small lightning vortex that crackled with a popping sound.
Red Desire Star Envoy had long become immune to Zhang Ruochen's exceptionally fast cultivation speed. Though amazed inwardly, she did not show it.
Red Desire Star Envoy nodded, her expression solemn. "Many things have happened in Azure Cloud Commandery during this time. I knew you were in seclusion, so I didn't send anyone to disturb you."
Zhang Ruochen could see the worry etched between Red Desire Star Envoy's brows, clearly indicating she had encountered a major problem.
He closed his five fingers, and the lightning vortex dissipated on its own. He asked, "Has Di Yi arrived in Azure Cloud Commandery?"
"Di Yi is still hiding in the shadows, his whereabouts secret. I don't know if he has reached Azure Cloud Commandery yet. However, Azure Garment Star Envoy and Ice Demon arrived first and have already broken into Red Willow Villa once, killing two of my loyal Fish-Dragon Seventh Transformation experts." Red Desire Star Envoy said with considerable anger.
In truth, Red Desire Star Envoy was not angry because of the deaths of the two Fish-Dragon Seventh Transformation experts. What truly infuriated her was that someone had acted as an insider; otherwise, Azure Garment Star Envoy and Ice Demon could not have infiltrated Red Willow Villa and escaped unscathed.
Red Desire Star Envoy's mood seemed somewhat low. "Now, within Azure Cloud Commandery, almost all those loyal to me are being assassinated daily, creating a climate of fear."
Zhang Ruochen asked, "Why not withdraw everyone to Red Willow Villa?"
Red Desire Star Envoy let out a self-mocking laugh. "Three days ago, I already recalled most of my people to Red Willow Villa. But what good does it do? Now, anyone who steps out of Red Willow Villa is immediately killed."
"I suspect that not only Azure Garment Star Envoy and Ice Demon have come to Azure Cloud Commandery, but also Blood Cloud Sect's top assassin, 'Hunter,' might be hiding near the villa. Only he can kill without a trace."
"If we continue to hole up in the villa, we'll be like fish in Di Yi's net. When the time is ripe, he'll sweep us all up at once."
Red Desire Star Envoy's demeanor remained relatively calm, but Zhang Ruochen could sense the helplessness and disappointment in her heart, perhaps even a trace of unwillingness.
In just half a month, the once ambitious Red Desire Star Envoy seemed to have become a fragile woman in need of care and help.
Thinking about it carefully, it was actually quite normal.
Di Yi had not even shown himself personally, merely dispatching two or three subordinates, and had already shattered the forces Red Desire Star Envoy had painstakingly cultivated, forcing her to cower within a single villa.
If the situation were allowed to develop, let alone facing Di Yi in a decisive battle, internal chaos within Red Willow Villa might cause it to collapse without a fight.
In truth, Red Desire Star Envoy had long wanted to discuss and strategize with Zhang Ruochen.
For some reason, whenever she encountered an insurmountable problem, she now thought of Zhang Ruochen first.
At this moment, Red Desire Star Envoy's beautiful eyes were fixed on Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen appeared very calm. "Di Yi has arranged two groups of people—one in the open, one in the shadows. Azure Garment Star Envoy operates in the open, deliberately disrupting us and weakening our strength, forcing us to retreat to Red Willow Villa."
"Di Yi, meanwhile, hides in the shadows, quietly observing. Once internal chaos erupts within Red Willow Villa, he will strike with the force of thunder, uprooting Red Willow Villa entirely."
Red Desire Star Envoy said, "Of course, I also know Di Yi's goal. But how do we break the current deadlock?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "Right now, we have only one path: to take the initiative and strike. If we can kill Azure Garment Star Envoy and Ice Demon, it will not only boost our morale but also force Di Yi out of hiding. Only when Di Yi reveals himself do we have a chance of victory."
The disparity in strength between the two sides was too great. In truth, Zhang Ruochen did not have a particularly good plan either.
Red Desire Star Envoy's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she thought carefully. "Azure Garment Star Envoy and Ice Demon are both top-tier experts. In all of Red Willow Villa, only I, the Blood Cloud Sect Leader, and you can contend with them. To kill those two, we would need at least six experts of your caliber. Moreover, besides those two, there is also the possibility of the top assassin, Hunter, lurking in the shadows."
"If we take the initiative to strike, it will certainly be a mutual defeat. By then, when Di Yi emerges from the shadows, fresh and waiting, we might not even have a chance to escape."
Zhang Ruochen asked, "Do you want to give up?"
Red Desire Star Envoy shook her head. "If I leave now, I have at least a fifty percent chance of escaping unscathed. But those loyal to me within Red Willow Villa would surely be slaughtered. I must take responsibility for them. Therefore, even if it means death, I will hold on until the very last moment."
"In that case, why don't we carefully plan? Perhaps we can carve out a path to survival from this desperate situation," Zhang Ruochen said.
Red Desire Star Envoy still hesitated, feeling that Zhang Ruochen's method was too risky.
If they stayed in Red Willow Villa, relying on the villa's formations, they at least had a chance to fight Di Yi.
Conversely, if they took the initiative to strike, they would lose the protection of the formations. With such a vast disparity in strength between enemy and ally, how could they fight?
Just then, a white light appeared outside the door.
"Swish!"
A Message Light Talisman flew in from outside.
Red Desire Star Envoy extended a hand, grabbing it forward and collecting the Message Light Talisman.
After reading the contents of the talisman, Red Desire Star Envoy's expression did not change. She simply put the talisman away.
Zhang Ruochen asked, "What happened?"
"Nothing major," Red Desire Star Envoy said lightly. "I just didn't expect Di Yi to go after the Demon Sect's Holy Maiden."
Zhang Ruochen, who had been very calm, suddenly emitted a powerful energy fluctuation. He stepped forward and asked, "Why is Di Yi targeting the Demon Sect's Holy Maiden? What exactly is going on?"
Red Desire Star Envoy looked at Zhang Ruochen with some surprise, curious. "Why are you so concerned about the Demon Sect's Holy Maiden's safety?"
Zhang Ruochen tried to restrain his emotions as much as possible. "Nothing, I've just met her once."
After a pause, he added, "I think, since Di Yi is going after the Demon Sect's Holy Maiden, why don't we use her to deal with him?"
Red Desire Star Envoy shook her head. "Unfortunately, it's too late. According to the message just received, last night, Azure Garment Star Envoy and Ice Demon broke into a Demon Sect stronghold, launched a massive slaughter, and severely wounded the Demon Sect's Holy Maiden. It is said that the Holy Maiden has already fled Azure Cloud Commandery City, heading toward the direction of the Fallen God Mountain Range."