A Useless Person's Rise to Power

Chapter 8: Setting a Trap for the Enemy, the First Signs of Political Intrigue

Once the time limit for the secret realm expired, a wisp of spiritual light forcibly teleported all disciples out.

The plaza at the entrance to the secret realm was bustling with noise. Some were happy, some were sad; some returned laden with spoils, while others were covered in wounds and dejected. But almost everyone's gaze was immediately fixed on the same person.

Qin Zhan slowly walked out of the portal, his clothes neat and spotless, his face still calm and indifferent, only his eyes were more profound and sharp than before entering the secret realm. The aura emanating from his body had already stabilized at the peak of the ninth level of Body Tempering, only a thin membrane away from the Qi Gathering Realm.

Seeing his composed demeanor and recalling the commotion emanating from the depths of the secret realm, everyone could easily guess that Qin Zhan had once again seized the greatest opportunity.

"Have you heard? In the secret realm, Zhao Xuan and his four companions teamed up to ambush Qin Zhan, but they were all crippled in a single move!"

"He also took the combat techniques from the ancient altar!"

"That's terrifying. No one in the outer sect can mess with him anymore."

Whispers rose and fell, a mixture of awe, envy, and apprehension lingering in the eyes of Qin Zhan. Qin Zhan remained oblivious, his mind subtly shifting as he took in his surroundings. His gaze swept across the crowd, quickly finding two pale-faced individuals with shifty eyes at the edge—

One was Wang Teng, the top disciple of the outer sect, whose bones were broken and whose dantian was damaged. The other was Chen Fei, an inner sect disciple, whose cultivation was almost shattered when he stomped him on the ground.

Wang Teng's face turned pale and then flushed, and he felt a tightness in his chest.

Looking at Qin Zhan, who was surrounded by admirers, he was consumed by jealousy, and hatred spread like a poisonous vine.

Why? How dare a three-year loser suddenly rise to power and surpass me? How dare he steal all my opportunities? I refuse to accept this! I will make him pay!

Chen Fei, on the other hand, had a sinister look in his eyes, and felt both fear and hatred in his heart.

The thought of being trampled to the ground and publicly humiliated by Qin Zhan filled him with shame. Seeing Qin Zhan's triumphant air now only fueled his malice: Qin Zhan, don't be so smug! I won't swallow this! When I find an opportunity to unite with more inner disciples, I'll crush you completely, ensuring you can never rise again!

The two exchanged a subtle glance and tacitly reached an agreement—to join forces to bring down Qin Zhan.

All of this was observed by Qin Zhan.

He sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm, even pretending to be completely unaware, and turned to walk towards the outer residence, his back view appearing completely unguarded.

This was the first move he made.

Qin Zhan knew perfectly well:

Wang Teng is unwilling to accept defeat, and Chen Fei harbors resentment for the humiliation. These two will surely conspire in secret, waiting for an opportunity to retaliate. Rather than passively guarding against them, it's better to proactively lure them out and resolve the trouble once and for all.

He can't just kill them outright, the sect has its rules. But if they "accidentally" trespass into the forbidden area, run into monsters, and suffer the consequences, then it has nothing to do with him.

The art of strategy lies in leveraging existing forces and using their strength against them; this is the most skillful approach.

Upon returning to his residence, Qin Zhan did not immediately begin cultivating. Instead, he deliberately left the door wide open, sat cross-legged in the courtyard, and began circulating the "Burning Heaven Battle Emperor Technique," revealing a slightly disordered aura, as if his old injuries had recurred.

At the same time, he "accidentally" left a Soul Tempering Pill, which he had just obtained from the secret realm, on the stone table. The pill was radiating spiritual light and was clearly a top-grade treasure.

After doing all this, Qin Zhan closed his eyes and focused his mind, seemingly healing his injuries, but in reality, he was letting his mind wander and quietly waiting for the fish to take the bait.

Sure enough, it only took half an incense stick's time.

Two furtive figures stealthily crept to the outside of the courtyard wall.

It was Wang Teng and Chen Fei.

Chen Fei held his breath, staring at Qin Zhan, whose aura was fluctuating in the courtyard, a glint of wild joy flashing in his eyes:

Hahaha, heaven is on my side! This kid really did suffer some hidden injuries in the secret realm, and his aura is unstable now, making it the perfect time to strike!

Wang Teng also stared intently at the Soul Tempering Pill on the stone table, his greed surging:

If the sneak attack succeeds, not only will Qin Zhan be crippled, but his pills, combat skills, and all his resources can also be seized, killing two birds with one stone!

The two exchanged a glance and both saw murderous intent in each other's eyes.

Chen Fei lowered his voice: "I'll hold him off from the front, you attack from behind and cripple his dantian! After it's done, we'll split the treasure!"

Wang Teng nodded emphatically, already fantasizing about the glory of a successful revenge.

Little did they know that from the moment they scaled the wall and approached, they had already fallen completely into Qin Zhan's trap.

Qin Zhan silently calculated in his heart:

This place is near the edge of the forbidden area behind the outer sect's mountain, where rumors circulate about low-level demonic beasts, and the sect has explicitly forbidden private duels. If we just lure the two of them towards the forbidden area and then "guide" them a little, their fate will be out of their own hands.

Just as the two were about to rush in, Qin Zhan suddenly opened his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them. He feigned panic and said, "How dare you trespass on my property and plot something sinister!"

He deliberately feigned a hint of panic, got up and ran towards the forbidden area behind the mountain, coughing twice as he ran, seemingly out of breath.

Seeing this, Chen Fei and Wang Teng were even more convinced that Qin Zhan's injuries were serious. They weren't about to let this opportunity slip by, and roared as they gave chase: "Qin Zhan, today is your death day!"

"Trying to run? Leave me with your treasure and your life!"

The two chased after him relentlessly, completely blinded by hatred and greed, and did not notice that they had gradually stepped into the forbidden area.

Qin Zhan kept walking, always maintaining a distance of several feet from the two. It seemed like he was about to be caught, but he managed to narrowly avoid them each time.

He knew in his heart that this was a psychological tug-of-war—

Make the enemy always feel that they are just one step away from success, so that they will disregard everything and completely lose their rationality.

Soon, the three ventured deep into the forbidden area.

Ancient trees blocked out the sky, creating a chilling atmosphere, and a faint aura of demonic beasts wafted through the air.

Qin Zhan suddenly stopped, turned around and stood there. His previous panicked and weak appearance was completely gone, replaced by a fierce fighting spirit and a cold and icy expression.

"Why did you stop chasing?"

Qin Zhan's voice was calm, yet it carried a chilling sense of oppression.

Chen Fei and Wang Teng suddenly stopped in their tracks, looking at Qin Zhan who was completely different from before. Their hearts sank, and an ominous premonition grew wildly within them.

"You...you're not injured?" Chen Fei's voice trembled.

Qin Zhan's lips curled into a mocking smile: "If I hadn't faked my injuries, why would you all have obediently come to my doorstep?"

Wang Teng's expression changed drastically, and he suddenly realized: "You did this on purpose! You set us up!"

"It's too late to understand now."

No sooner had Qin Zhan finished speaking than a ferocious roar suddenly rang out from the dense forest not far away!

A shadow wolf, entirely black with exposed fangs, slowly emerged, its eyes bloodshot, staring intently at Chen Fei and Wang Teng who had intruded into its territory. This shadow wolf was a demonic beast, its strength comparable to the second level of the Qi Gathering Realm, ferocious and bloodthirsty.

Chen Fei and Wang Teng were so frightened that their legs were spinning.

Fear instantly filled Chen Fei's heart: We're doomed! There really are monsters in the forbidden area! We've been tricked to death by Qin Zhan!

Wang Teng's face turned ashen, filled with deep regret: Why did I covet that little treasure? Why did I come seeking revenge? This was simply courting death!

The two of them no longer cared about hating Qin Zhan and turned to run away.

But the Shadow Wolf had already been alerted and leaped forward to attack.

"ah--!"

A scream rang out instantly.

Qin Zhan stood still, watching this scene indifferently, without the slightest sympathy.

When he was subjected to all kinds of humiliation in the past, did these two people ever show any mercy?

They have ended up like this today, simply reaping what they sowed.

He did not kill anyone, nor did he violate the sect's rules; he simply led two enemies with murderous intent to where they were meant to be.

This is how the dealer operates: without making a sound, the outcome is already decided.

Before long, the screams gradually subsided.

Qin Zhan turned and left, his back view calm and composed, as if he had only done a trivial matter.

When the outer sect elders arrived at the forbidden area with their men, they found Chen Fei and Wang Teng covered in wounds and on the verge of death. Both of them had lost all their cultivation and were now completely useless.

When asked what happened, the two hesitated and dared not say that they had gone to ambush Qin Zhan. They could only vaguely say that they had accidentally entered a forbidden area and encountered a monster.

Although the elders had a vague idea, they had no evidence pointing to Qin Zhan, and given Qin Zhan's consistently calm and courteous demeanor, the matter ultimately had to be dropped.

When the news reached the outer sect, all the disciples were shocked once again.

Everyone understands that Wang Teng and Chen Fei's current state is definitely related to Qin Zhan.

But they didn't lift a finger or break any rules; they easily eliminated two major threats.

Courageous, and even more resourceful!

On the high platform, the elders' gazes toward Qin Zhan completely transformed into admiration and high regard:

This child is deep and thoughtful, acts with restraint, is ruthless and decisive, yet knows how to be tactful. He is destined for greatness!

On one side of the crowd, Su Qingyuan, dressed in white, had a faint smile on her stunning face.

She gazed at Qin Zhan's retreating figure and sighed softly in her heart:

Luring the enemy into a trap, using someone else to eliminate the threat, leaving no room for error.

Qin Zhan, Qin Zhan, how many more surprises are you hiding?

Qin Zhan stood in the crowd, feeling the awe in everyone's eyes, but his heart remained unmoved.

Eliminating Wang Teng and Chen Fei is merely clearing away a bit of dust from the road ahead.

The inner gate has been opened for him.

A wider world, stronger opponents, and a higher peak await him ahead.

His talent has been revealed. From now on, no one in the Qingyun Sect will dare to underestimate this young man who rose from obscurity.