Xue Feng's 'Plan'
The next morning, Xue Bai awoke from his cultivation session with a gleeful expression. His estimate from earlier was incorrect. The place he had cultivated earlier had messed up his calculations.
Earlier, he was cultivating in Snowy Wind City. And even though Snowy Wind City was one of The Great Xuan Empires' greatest cities, its Spiritual Qi density could not compare to Xue Bai's courtyard.
And after cultivating in his bedroom, Xue Bai guessed that he could bring his previous estimate of 5 weeks down to 1 month. But still, with his large goal ahead of him, this still wasn't optimal. Xue Bai needed to advance 22 Realms in 18 months, and bitter cultivating, even at his home, wasn't going to cut it.
"This won't do. I should go out and grab some opportunities to speed up my cultivation. Bitterly cultivating is driving me nuts, and it's not even able to match the pace needed for my goal." Xue Bai thought aloud as he changed into some athletic wear.
Walking outside, Xue Bai was about to ask Xiao'er what was on the itinerary for today, but oddly he found that she wasn't here yet. Which was odd, as in the four odd years he had been in this world, Xiao'er had only been late once. She was so steady at her job that Xue Bai even thought she was secretly living in his courtyard.
Though he was curious about where she was, Xue Bai didn't plan to follow his itinerary for today anyway. So after closing up behind him, Xue Bai went to his Fathers office for permission to leave the Duke Estate. He had a few opportunities in his mind that were either just right for picking that suited his situation nicely.
Thankfully Xue Feng was inside his office. So after excusing himself, Xue Bai entered and spoke his request.
"Father, my cultivation speed is slowing down, and at this rate, I won't be able to reach the goal I set for myself. So I wish to leave home and get a few opportunities to help speed up my cultivation." Xue Bai asked.
After allowing his son to enter the office, Xue Feng took a moment to drink some tea to refresh his parched throat. But after he heard his son's words, he spat out the tea in a very comical spit-take scenario.
Coughing to regain control of his throat, Xue Feng spoke wryly, "Bai'er, you are an 11-year-old Peak Blood Exchange Realm cultivator. If you're cultivating slowly, then are the rest of us even cultivating?"
"I know that I'm special, Father, but still, at the speed I'm going, I won't be able to reach the goal I set for myself." Xue Bai said as he slightly admonished himself.
"What in the heavens is the goal you set for yourself? Reach the Xiantian Great Realm at 15. You're speeding through the Cultivation Realms like a comet right now, Bai'er. If anything, I'm worried that you'll reach the Xianitan Great Realm before me." Xue Feng spoke awkwardly.
However, Xue Bai didn't take his Fathers word seriously. His dad's vision was too limited currently. But thankfully, it was something that could be fixed. Xue Bai only needed to play the role of teacher.
"Father, I still wish to go out and grab some opportunities for myself. Don't worry. I know where the opportunities are and how to grab them safely without putting myself in danger. Nothing will happen as long as the Wang Twins are with me." Xue Bai explained himself.
"Bai'er, how detailed are those memories of yours?" Xue Feng couldn't help but ask.
Xue Bai had told them about the memory of a different timeline, but Li Rou and Xue Feng thought it was almost like a slideshow of the future. With only general events and societal trends. But after Xue Bai told them about the Blood Exchange Realm cheat code, Li Rou and Xue Fend realized that what Xue Bai knew wasn't as simple as they thought.
And now Xue Bai was telling Xue Feng that he even knew where specific treasures were hidden. So Xue Feng once again had to reevaluate his guess on what was in his son's head.
"Never mind that, Father. Can I leave then?" Xue Bai asked as he ignored his Fathers probing question.
"Bai'er, instead of going to get them yourself, why don't you write them down and let me pass them along to the soldiers under me? Now that the Wang Clan knows of your 'talent,' they most likely are paying close attention to you, And with the fact that you escaped their claws once, they are going to go for the kill this time." Xue Feng spoke seriously.
Xue Bai suddenly turned pale. He forgot just how merciless the Wang Clan was and how much of a threat he was to them. Wang Yichen would kill his own brother if he even showed a glimpse of superior potential. Let alone him who had a High Black Grade Martial Vein and was the son of his strongest competitor. How could he not be on their kill list with such a resume?
And with the multitude of assassins living in the Wang Clan, killing him, a weak Blood Exchange Realm ant, was easier than counting to 10. So even if Xue Bai had heaven-defying potential, the ability to leapfrog multiple stages, and was gifted with a High Heaven Grade Bloodline, against a Peak Domain Lord, like Wang Yin, Xue Bai wasn't even worthy enough to take on a strand of his aura, let alone leapfrog to his level.
Even if Xue Bai was protected by the Wang Twins, they were only at the 1st Stage of the Law Manifestation Realm. And even though they had a much higher Cultivation Base than him against Wang Yin, they still would only be reduced to fodder against him.
"But Father, I don't want to be a coward." Xue Bai spoke as he put on a conflicted expression.
On one side was the Wang Clan and Wang Yin, who would most likely be wanting to go after him. While on the other side, he had the safe option of holing up for 18 months before he planned to join the Soaring Sword Sect.
And while the latter was the smarter decision Xue Bai didn't want to cower away.
Seeing that his son didn't unhesitantly cower, Xue Feng smiled brightly. There were many things in life that could be improved forcefully, like cultivation and appearance. But among them all, Will was something known to be hard to improve.
If someone were born a coward, they would most likely stay a coward the rest of their life unless something dramatic happened to change it. But if he were born proud and courageous, then they were a step ahead of any of their cowardly opponents. And seeing Xue Bai be so courageous even under the threat of the Wang Clan, Xue Feng was somewhat proud.
"Bai'er, if it is a time when your opponent is still someone in your capacity to fight, then being a coward is something wrong. At that point, even I would look down on you. But against the Wang Clan, you can hide to protect yourself. Or if you want to be brave and ruthless, you can do the opposite." Xue Feng spoke with a smile.
"What's the opposite?" Xue Bai asked.
"Bait them in!" Xue Feng spoke deeply. But inwardly, he was against this plan and hoped that Xue Bai wouldn't choose this option. However, as a Father and General, Xue Feng knew he needed to teach his son fighting tactics.
'Bait them in! Yes, that's genius! With Mother, Father, and Uncle Huo, killing a lone Wang Yin would be easier than turning a hand!' The more Xue Bai thought of the idea, the more it seemed appropriate for the situation.
"Alright, Father, I'm in! How do we start this plan!" Xue Bai spoke excitedly.
'Huh! He agreed? Aren't 11-year-olds supposed to be scared of Domain Lord? Why is he so ready to put himself as bait against one? And a Peak Domain Lord at that!' Xue Feng thought.
Currently, his mind, after hearing Xue Bai's answer, was beginning to cave in on itself. Though he did throw out the suggestion, he was almost 100% Xue Bai would say no. And after that, he planned to let Xue Bai practice at home alongside him.
But hearing Xue Bai wanted to step up to the dangerous job Xue Fend was at a loss for words.
"Wait, Bai'er! Think about this clearly. The Wang Clan will send one of their three head elders for you. And they are all at the Peak of the Domain Lord Realm. So even if we manage to set up the ambush perfectly, the Wang Clan Elder might still be able to kill you with his glance." Xue Fend stood up and tried to dissuade his son.
However, Xue Bai was firm on the idea.
"No, it's okay, Father. I have taken your words to heart, and I wish to be the bait against Wang Yin! Not only would we be able to let me explore outside the Dukedom, but we would also take away one of the Wang Clan's biggest weapons. I find the results to be worth the risk." Xue Bai said seriously.
'I only said to scare you! I didn't mean it seriously.' Xue Feng, at this point, wanted to cry but had no tears. But sadly, the ship had already sailed, and there was no going back.
So putting on a fake smile, Xue Feng patted his son's shoulder and said, "You're indeed my son Bai'er but go back to cultivate. I, your mom, and uncle need to plan this out."
After saying so, he flew off without waiting for Xue Bai's input.