Within the study of the Luowang central hub, candlelight flickered and cast shadows on the map. Baishui Town and Huangsha Town were circled in cinnabar, with annotations noting "Force Composition: Controlled by the Three Great Families controlling the grain routes" and "Potential Risk: Remnant infiltration by the Azure Dragon Society." Yuan Tiangang lightly waved his whisk, his fingertip stopping at the border between Heishui City and Huangsha Town, his brow furrowed. "My Lord, your humble servant has deduced the movements of the forces in both towns, yet I still feel there is a 'variable' hidden within—although the Azure Dragon Society has destroyed the Blackwind Town sub-branch, their main headquarters remains untouched. Furthermore, there have been unknown forces secretly active in Heishui City recently. My calculations can only scratch the surface and fail to glimpse the depths of the Heavenly Secrets."
Chen Fan nodded, looking at the prompt for the "Regional Expansion" quest on his system panel. He had a nagging feeling that undercurrents were stirring beneath the calm surface of Baishui Town and Huangsha Town.Previously, summoning Yuan Tiangang had shored up the weakness in "deduction," but now what was needed was someone who could "Scry Heavenly Secrets and sever variables"—he swiped his finger across the panel, and the "Earth-Rank Summoning Authority" lit up again. The character information that popped up this time made his eyes shine:
[Summonable Character: Li Chunfeng (Source: "Huaijianghu Zhi Buliangren"), Role: Heavenly Secret Deduction, Divination, Strength matches Tianyuan Continent Postnatal Peak, Core Abilities: "Heavenly Secret Divination" (can deduce unknown risks through tortoise shells and divination sticks), "Variable Warning" (perceive sudden changes in Power Structure in advance), Loyalty: 100%, Summoning requires 3000 Destiny Points.]
"Li Chunfeng..." Chen Fan clicked "Confirm" without hesitation. "If I can have him deduce, the hidden dangers in Luowang's expansion can be avoided in advance."
As soon as the command was given, a layer of pale green light bloomed in the center of the study. Several auspicious clouds floated within the light, and a figure clad in a green Taoist robe slowly appeared. The man held a Brass Compass, a tortoise shell, and divination sticks hung from his waist. His face was refined and handsome, his eyes as clear as a deep pool, and an aura of "resonating with heaven and earth" surrounded him—it was Li Chunfeng.
He landed on the auspicious clouds, and the compass needle spun clockwise three times before finally pointing at Chen Fan. He then bowed and said, his voice flowing like a clear spring, "This humble Taoist, Li Chunfeng, pays his respects to my Lord."
"There is no need for such formality, Master." Chen Fan stood up, his gaze falling on the compass in his hand. "Luowang intends to expand into Baishui and Huangsha Towns, but we fear Heavenly Secret variables. We require Master's divination to avoid risks."
Li Chunfeng nodded, took the tortoise shell and divination sticks from his waist, placed three copper coins into the tortoise shell, and arranged forty-nine divination sticks on the table. He closed his eyes, focused his mind, and recited incantations. He flicked the tortoise shell with his finger—with a "crunch," the coins landed among the divination sticks. The tortoise shell suddenly vibrated slightly, and fine cracks appeared on its surface, spreading like flowing water.
The compass needle vibrated violently at this moment, finally pointing firmly in the direction of Heishui City. A wisp of black energy appeared at the tip of the needle, faintly echoing the pattern of the cracks on the tortoise shell. Li Chunfeng opened his eyes, his gaze grave as he looked at the tortoise shell and the compass, and slowly said, "My Lord, this hexagram is 'Water Marsh Jie' transforming into 'Kan for Water.' The hexagram indicates 'Blackwater Stirring Up Waves, True Dragon Hidden in the Abyss.'"
"Blackwater Stirring Up Waves? True Dragon Hidden in the Abyss?" Yuan Tiangang stepped forward, his whisk gently sweeping over the tortoise shell. "Does the 'Blackwater' Master spoke of refer to Heishui City? And what is this 'True Dragon'?"
Li Chunfeng picked up a divination stick and drew a curve over Heishui City on the map, aligning it with the cracks on the tortoise shell. "'Blackwater' is precisely Heishui City—the hexagram shows that within three days, there will be a power shift in Heishui City. It appears to be a counterattack by the remnants of the Azure Dragon Society, but in reality, it is the 'True Dragon' acting through this guise. The 'True Dragon' does not refer to a mythical beast, but a 'hidden dragon' lurking among the populace. It could be a Disgraced Prince, a Remnant of Noble Families, or a Reclusive Person who controls ancient power. He is lying dormant in Heishui City, using the conflict between Luowang and the Azure Dragon Society to accumulate strength."
As soon as he finished speaking, rapid footsteps were heard from outside the study. A member of "Heavenly Hearing" hurried in, handing over an intelligence report: "My Lord, Master Yuan, Daoist Li, intelligence from Heishui City reports that three days ago, a mysterious person wearing a bamboo hat entered the City Lord's Mansion and held a secret discussion with the City Lord until late at night. Since then, the City Lord has ordered to 'Seal Western City Gate and Prohibit Grain Export,' which is abnormal behavior."
"As expected, there is a variable," Yuan Tiangang's eyes sharpened. "That mysterious person must be an envoy of the 'True Dragon.' The City Lord sealing the city gates is likely to hoard grain in preparation for subsequent movements."
Li Chunfeng picked up the tortoise shell, his finger tracing the cracks. "This humble Taoist will perform another divination to see when these 'waves' will erupt." He shook the tortoise shell again. As the coins landed, the cracks on the tortoise shell suddenly deepened, and the black energy on the compass needle grew stronger. "The hexagram indicates 'Three days later, at the hour of Zi, at the grain depot in the western suburbs of Heishui City, a disturbance will arise'—and beside this 'True Dragon,' there is someone capable of 'Obscure Heavenly Secrets.' I can only deduce the approximate time and location and cannot ascertain their specific strength."
Chen Fan looked at the intelligence report and the divination results, his mind made up. "Master Yuan, you will adjust the deployment immediately and have Ye Gucheng take the Six Sword Slaves to secretly go to the western suburbs of Heishui City and lie in ambush near the grain depot. Observe the situation quietly. If there is any movement, first probe the reality, do not act rashly. Master Li, I trouble you to continue your deductions and provide early warnings if any variables arise. Also, have the 'Earth Sight' members closely monitor the City Lord's Mansion in Heishui City and record all personnel entering and exiting."
"As you command," Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng responded simultaneously. Li Chunfeng placed the compass on the table. The compass needle continuously pointed towards Heishui City, the black energy at the tip entwined like fine threads. "My Lord, rest assured, this humble Taoist will use the divination sticks as a guide and resonate with the compass. Once the 'True Dragon's' forces make a new move, I will inform you immediately."
Yuan Tiangang, meanwhile, walked to the map and drew a circle at the location of the grain depot in the western suburbs of Heishui City with a charcoal pencil. "Your humble servant will have Ye Gucheng bring the 'Concealment Talismans' to ensure the ambush is not detected. At the same time, I will arrange for twenty 'Wang' level members to disguise themselves as farmers and patrol around the grain depot to gather intelligence."
The candlelight deepened in the study. The three individuals within had their tasks assigned—Yuan Tiangang was writing deployment orders, Li Chunfeng was sitting in meditation, deducing, and Chen Fan was looking at the new notifications on his system panel, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes:
[Detected Luowang summoning Li Chunfeng, unlocked "Heavenly Secret Deduction" function. Can expend Destiny Points (100 points/time) to commission Li Chunfeng to deduce information on specific targets;]
[Current Destiny Points balance: 2800 points (after deducting 3000 points for summoning expenditure);]
[Long-term quest "Regional Expansion" has a new sub-quest: Investigate the "True Dragon" force in Heishui City, reward 2000 Destiny Points, unlock "Heavenly Secret Shield Cracking" authority.]
"True Dragon Hidden in the Abyss..." Chen Fan murmured softly. He realized that this "True Dragon" might not just be a hidden danger in Heishui City, but a key factor influencing the Power Structure of the Tianyuan Continent. Luowang's expansion would not only face the Azure Dragon Society and local forces, but also contend with this hidden "latent dragon"—and Li Chunfeng's arrival had precisely equipped Luowang with the "Heavenly Secret early warning" eyes.
Three days later, as the hour of Zi drew closer, the western city gate of Heishui City remained tightly shut. The farmers around the grain depot became more vigilant. Ye Gucheng and the Six Sword Slaves had already concealed themselves in the dense forest next to the grain depot, their white robes and black shadows blending into the night. Li Chunfeng sat in the central study, the divination sticks in his hand trembling slightly, the black energy of the compass needle growing stronger—a disturbance stirred by the "True Dragon" was about to erupt in the Heishui City night, and Luowang was prepared to deal with it.
Moonlight from outside the study filtered through the window lattices, casting its glow on Heishui City on the map, forming a wondrous resonance with the cracks on the tortoise shell and the compass needle. Li Chunfeng opened his eyes and said softly, "My Lord, the black energy is moving, the 'True Dragon's' people have departed for the grain depot."
Chen Fan nodded, his gaze resolute. "Let Ye Gucheng proceed according to plan. Let us see what trump card this 'True Dragon' is hiding."