Chapter 59: The Serpent’s Gambit and the Situ Family’s Reckoning

At this moment, in a secret chamber forged by a Holy Land within Furnace City on the Xuan Continent, a group of figures, clad in black, sat in solemn assembly, preparing to discuss the recent incident in Furnace City.

They had concealed their true identities beneath their dark robes, remaining unknown to outsiders.

These were the shadows of the Holy Land, dedicated solely to serving its interests.

Now, the time had come for them to divide the spoils of Furnace City.

“The Fourth Pillar of the Serpent of Devouring has been prepared for transport to the Celestial Prison,” one of the black-robed figures announced.

“Even there, the Serpent of Devouring will find it challenging to rescue him.”

The Celestial Prison was a facility specifically built by a Daoist Venerable for incarcerating criminals.

However, no one present dared to guarantee that the Fourth Pillar wouldn’t be snatched away.

An organization founded by a Daoist Venerable signified infinite possibilities, much like the control room in Furnace City, which had been taken down by a single RPG.

The other black-robed figures nodded in agreement.

This was indeed the best course of action. The Celestial Prison boasted numerous experts, with its personnel comprising elite disciples of the Holy Land, along with resident Holy Land elders overseeing its security.

It was, in essence, their home ground, and there could be no better cage.

“The Serpent of Devouring’s plan this time remains perplexing,” another figure stated.

“If it was for the Myriad Flame Earth Lotus, then their expenditure far outweighed their gains. And if it was to free a powerful enemy sealed by the Haotian Daoist Venerable, there was no need to use the control center to reach the heart of the Myriad Flame Region.”

“Their strength would have allowed them to go there directly. Moreover, nothing happened after the Myriad Flame Earth Lotus was removed.”

From their perspective, the Serpent of Devouring’s plan was utterly foolish.

Not only had they sacrificed their arrangements in Furnace City and used a disposable Dao artifact left by their Daoist Venerable, but they were also now jointly hunted by several great Holy Lands.

‘What was it all for?’

“They have always been this way. I’m not concerned about that,” another voice interjected.

“What I want to know is what that object was that interfered with Furnace City’s grand barrier.”

“I’ve already dispatched experts to investigate, but no matter how they probe, it appears to be nothing more than ordinary marble,” one figure replied.

“The law that almost destroyed the entire barrier seems to have never existed.”

“It doesn’t resemble anything from the Seven Sins Daoist Venerable.”

The Daoist Venerables were all recorded in their Holy Lands, perhaps not exhaustively, but this particular incident’s congruence with the Serpent of Devouring’s Daoist Venerable was too disparate.

“This matter is of grave importance. The interrogation of the Fourth Pillar should be expedited.”

For them, anything concerning fundamental laws elevated the danger level to its highest.

“Now, let us discuss how to handle the Furnace City incident. As our appointed administrators, the Situ family allowed such an event to occur during their tenure. They cannot escape blame and should be severely punished.”

“Indeed,” another agreed. “They should be exiled to the frontier mines for a century of hard labor to atone for their sins.”

The others frowned.

Such a punishment seemed overly harsh. After all, the instigator was the Serpent of Devouring. Hadn’t the neighboring Tianyuan Kingdom, a pseudo-Holy Land itself, been driven almost to madness?

This time, the Serpent of Devouring’s lineup was even more formidable than what Tianyuan Kingdom had faced.

“Situ Yi, a student in my institute, is highly favored by our Grand Elder,” a black-robed figure suddenly interjected.

“I hope a few of his family members can accompany him.”

“Our station in Furnace City suffered severe damage, and in the future, we will have to rely heavily on our fellow Daoists for matters concerning Furnace City.”

The two black-robed figures who had previously advocated for punishing the Situ family cupped their hands.

“As it should be.”

Another black-robed figure spoke.

“My sect’s disciple, Situ Yan, is soon to participate in a crucial sect competition. Therefore, I hope this matter can be postponed.”

“The Primordial Sect also had many disciples injured in this incident and may not be able to dedicate their full efforts to Furnace City’s affairs, leaving more responsibility to our fellow Daoists.”

‘Alright, why don’t you two just say that the Situ family can’t be touched right now?’

However, the two black-robed figures from the Heavenly Palace Institute and the Primordial Sect had already indicated their willingness to withdraw from the competition for leadership in this transition, which greatly pleased the elders of the Demon Sect and the Nether Sect.

Of course, they weren’t giving up everything, but rather relinquishing their claim on the largest share. This allowed the two elders from the Demon Sect and Nether Sect to feel quite satisfied.

The Primordial Sect, as the first sect founded by a Daoist Venerable, had endured for tens of thousands of years, weathering several Daoist Venerable eras without decline, possessing an incredibly profound heritage.

When no Daoist Venerable was in the world, it could be said to hold the reputation of the foremost sect under heaven.

The Heavenly Palace Institute was the sect founded by the most recent Haotian Daoist Venerable, whose lingering prestige still awed the world.

It retained the most artifacts left by the Daoist Venerable. Its current Grand Elder was rumored to be the foremost person in the world, and its acknowledged paramount Dao artifact, the Celestial Calculation Computer known as Alice, could only be described with four words: ‘infinitely wondrous in its use.’

No matter how astonishing the former Valley Master Fang Yue of the Hundred Flowers Valley’s strength might be, even with her exclusive Dao artifact, it was truly uncertain who would win if she were to battle Zhang Xiaoyou, who could directly wield Alice.

For the Situ family, the Demon Sect and Nether Sect were only interested in their mid-to-low-level personnel in Furnace City.

They were quite satisfied with the Situ family’s management of Furnace City and thus wished to directly appropriate these individuals, as they genuinely held no regard for the high-level combatants of the Situ family.

One should not underestimate these individuals who managed the Situ family’s daily operations, for they were the true treasures cultivated by the Situ family over the past 400 years.

Which powerful family could thrive without the sustenance provided by its mid-to-low-level personnel? Without them, they would be like rootless duckweed.

However, absorbing the mid-to-low-level personnel wasn’t as simple as forcing the Situ family out. These individuals, nurtured by the Situ family, were fiercely loyal.

If the Situ family left, they would surely follow, and the Situ family would not easily abandon them. Without these people, the Situ family would essentially crumble.

But what if the Situ family simply vanished?

Without their central leadership, these individuals would become like scattered sand, ripe for absorption through various methods.

Compared to the withdrawal of the Heavenly Palace Institute and the Primordial Sect, these considerations were minor.

Even before that foolish second son defected to the Serpent of Devouring, they had already gained considerable advantages through him.

However, competing with those two sects had always been immensely stressful. Now that they had voluntarily withdrawn, it was a joyous occasion for everyone.

They could leverage these advantages to squeeze out other Holy Lands. Personnel could be cultivated again over a century, but the profits gained from securing the largest share far exceeded that value.

‘Let’s give the Situ family a pass then.’

However, there was no reason to spare the fool who had kicked them.

“Situ Yan openly colluded with the Serpent of Devouring, leading to great chaos in Furnace City. He is one of the main culprits and must not be spared. He must be executed.”

“Agreed.”

“Let’s conclude our discussion here for today,” said the black-robed figures from the other sects.

They had originally hoped to let the Heavenly Palace Institute and the Primordial Sect wear down the advantages of the Demon Sect and the Nether Sect, but that plan had fallen through.

They would have to find other ways to compete.

“Good.” Afterwards, they all dispersed, as individuals like them had too many clandestine matters to attend to.

***

Deep within the Abyssal Sea, belonging to the Serpent of Devouring, lay a colossal submarine: the Heaven Abyss.

In an impossibly dark room, yet one filled with stars, seven massive celestial bodies were present.

Six of these stars lit up in succession, and a gigantic white whale manifested.

“Greetings, Alliance Leader.”

The immense, pure white glowing whale spoke—or rather, it was impossible to tell if it spoke, but its voice resonated directly into their hearts.

“Thank you for the efforts of all the Apostles. I am aware of the events in Furnace City.”

One of the stars emitted a voice: “We are incompetent and failed to complete your command. The Myriad Flame Lotus was not obtained, and the Fourth Pillar was captured.”

The whale’s voice was profoundly deep: “No matter. All of you have fulfilled my commission. Although the Myriad Flame Lotus was not retrieved, it is no longer suppressed within the Heart of Myriad Flames.”

“As for the Fourth Pillar, he ventured into peril for my aspiration; he must be rescued.”

“However, according to reports from our informant, the Fourth Pillar has been transported to the Celestial Prison, whose defenses we cannot breach,” a star stated.

“No matter. The Celestial Prison itself is part of the plan. There are also things that need to be released there. Moreover, do any of you fear the Celestial Prison’s confinement?”

“Naturally not! One might even say it is better that way. Please, Alliance Leader, entrust the leadership of this plan to me. I will not disappoint you!” A star emitted a fervent voice.

“Granted.” The grand voice assented to his request.

“Serpent Face, you may go find your collaborators for this plan.”

“Thank you, Alliance Leader.” A deferential voice emanated from the Serpent Face star.

“Then, this council shall conclude here.”

“Yes, Alliance Leader.”

***

In Furnace City, at the Situ family residence.

Situ Yan watched Situ Yan (Second Son), now a prisoner, bound in the dungeon.

Upon seeing his father approach, he frantically crawled forward: “Father, I know I was wrong! Save me, Father!”

Looking at Situ Yan (Second Son) before him, Situ Yan felt a wave of sorrow.

His son still didn’t understand the magnitude of the crime he had committed. He still believed his father could shield him from disaster, as he always had.

“Bring it here.” The servant beside Situ Yan handed him a food box.

Situ Yan placed the box before Situ Yan (Second Son): “These are all your favorite foods.”

Situ Yan (Second Son) frantically opened the food box, and indeed, it contained all his beloved dishes.

As he ravenously devoured the food, he mumbled, “Father still treats me best. Those Holy Land people are beasts! Dad, when can I get out?”

“Enough!” Situ Yan finally could no longer endure his son’s foolishness.

“Do you know how much loss you’ve brought to Furnace City? Do you know the Situ family’s current predicament?! Do you realize you nearly doomed the Situ family to eternal damnation?! You still want to get out?”

“This is your last meal. The Holy Land has issued its verdict: tomorrow at noon, you will be publicly executed.”

Situ Yan (Second Son) stopped eating, his eyes wide, and frantically shook the bars of his cage.

“Father, you’re lying to me, right?! Why is this happening? It’s just a few commoners who died! I’m your son! Father, save me! I want to find my mother! I want to see her! She’ll definitely save me!”

Situ Yan shook his head and said, “No, she won’t. This meal was prepared by her own hands after I told her the outcome.”

“No one can save you. If it weren’t for your third and fourth brothers, the Situ family wouldn’t have survived this calamity. Yan’er, this is the last time I will see you as your father. Tomorrow, I will personally send you on your way as your executioner.”

As Situ Yan finished speaking, he walked out despondently, the desperate cries of Situ Yan (Second Son) behind him scraping at his heart like razor blades.

“Father.” Outside the cell, Situ Huo, Situ Yan (who had returned as soon as the barrier resumed normal operation), and the young Situ Yi stood, looking at the physically and mentally exhausted Situ Yan with concern.

Situ Yan forced a smile, patted his sons, and walked away with a crestfallen expression.

He was still the City Lord of Furnace City, and he had many aftermath duties to attend to. This was his responsibility.

***

Meanwhile, at the Haotian Manor, Yue Feng was deeply ensnared within a mortal illusion.