Chapter 138: Bait and Plan
The residential district had now developed into a survivor base with over ten thousand people, and relocating the entire population was no easy task. Fortunately, with Xu Zhi’s presence, she could ensure there would be no harassment from aberrations or mutant animals, and the city center did indeed offer more resources and better living conditions.
Even with the assistance of transcendental powers and Xu Zhi’s protection, the initial planning and preparation for the city center alone had taken over a month. After the full relocation of the residential district’s population, Xu Zhi even had her familiars herd the plantation cubs into the new plantation, just like sheepdogs herding sheep.
All in all, the process had taken nearly two months.
Xu Zhi did a quick calculation and figured the Federation must be deep in turmoil by now.
It was time for the hero to make her entrance!
But first…
“Will the familiars be discovered if they go out?”
[They won’t.]
Then it was all good.
Xu Zhi’s plan was actually very simple.
She would open a small exit from Cloud City and have Zhen deliver a letter. The letter would, of course, explain that she could solve the Archbishop’s problem for the Federation—but in exchange, the Federation had to pay her a large amount of attribute cores.
Naturally, only a portion would be needed as a deposit. The rest would be paid after the Archbishops were dealt with.
As for the method of payment, Xu Zhi would also tell them she had control over the currently unstable “entry/exit point” of Cloud City. The mutated animal delivering the letter would serve as proof. If they agreed to the deal, they were to write a reply and hand it to Zhen. Zhen would then deliver the time and place for the next gate opening, and someone from the Federation would need to follow it in—bringing the cores.
From the chaos back in the Capital, Xu Zhi had already figured out there were high-ranking cultist infiltrators within the Federation.
Now with two more Archbishops, it was unlikely the Federation could keep any secrets. The contents of this letter would definitely be leaked completely.
She would intentionally state in the letter that she was on the verge of “reaching a higher tier,” and that once she succeeded, even the Archbishops would be no match for her.
The Federation’s Transcendents might find that phrase confusing, but the Archbishops would understand it—and they would panic.
Because they knew very well: unless one had truly reached that point, no ordinary transcendent would know about the existence of even higher life levels. If she said so, then it had to be true.
That’s exactly the panic Xu Zhi wanted to cause.
She would even subtly let out a trace of her and Yu Shenwei’s auras when Zhen went out the first time.
Like fishing—this first letter delivery was just the bait.
A target about to break through, and an incomplete path of [Envy]—that was too tempting.
Xu Zhi didn’t believe they could resist.
The rest would be just waiting for the Archbishops to disguise themselves as Federation Transcendents bringing payment and then sneak into Cloud City.
It was a very simple plan—straight-up bait fishing. But with the Supreme being of [Cup] having issued the order, and with them being desperate to find Xu Zhi, yet unable to see her even once in two months, they were probably growing frantic.
Now, Xu Zhi was even sending them a letter in what was essentially a provocation. More importantly, the Archbishops must already know from their spies that she had previously appeared in the Federation. Now, with her avoiding direct contact and only sending a pet to deliver a message, it looked like she was afraid!
She hadn’t completed her breakthrough yet—that’s why she was being so cautious!
They had to seize the opportunity—go all in for a lethal strike!
After Xu Zhi finished writing the letter, she had the Narrator review it. Once it was confirmed, she sent Zhen off to deliver it to the Federation.
The Narrator commented:
[This plan is way too unrefined.]
Xu Zhi shook her head. “Why bother being so meticulous? Just tell me—will those guys come or not?”
[They will.]
The Narrator gave its judgment.
Even though the Archbishops’ followers had gained rationality, they still carried the traits of [Cup] in their behavior. They wouldn’t be able to restrain themselves.
“Right? As long as it works, it’s fine.”
[What about after they come in? You don’t have any follow-up plans?]
“Nope.” Xu Zhi shook her head honestly.
“If they come in, what more plan do I need?”
“Just kill them!”
[Careful you don’t mess up. If they’re coming in, they’ll be fully prepared.]
Xu Zhi chuckled at that. “Don’t worry, my familiars will all be level 30 by the time they come in. Black Cat is almost level 20. Worst-case scenario, I’ve got the cloak and control of Cloud City. Even if I can’t beat them, I can run. They won’t be able to catch me.”
[True enough.]
Inside Cloud City, Xu Zhi practically had all the advantages. As long as she wasn’t careless or suicidal, even someone at the same level would have a hard time killing her. Not to mention, she was already stronger than the average Archbishop.
Worst case? She could just run to the city center and, with help from her Little Aberrants, taking down an Archbishop would be a piece of cake.
But Xu Zhi did want to test herself a bit. During the two-month relocation of the residential district, she had been constantly evolving.
She truly felt that she was in the process of evolution.
According to the Narrator, even though she and the Archbishops were at the same “Stage Two,” she was already ahead of them. She was stronger.
So, why not give it a shot?
She couldn’t rely on running to the city center and asking her Little Aberrant friend for help every time something happened.
The poor thing was already miserable enough. It was fine to visit and play with it, but dragging enemies over all the time was too cruel.
Besides, she was already stronger than the Little Aberrants now, but her real combat experience was still pitifully low. That wouldn’t do.
The Narrator still grumbled a bit about her recklessness, but it also knew Xu Zhi had made plenty of these seemingly reckless decisions before. Though they looked unreliable, she never gambled her life carelessly—so it let her be.
[Fine, do what you want. Just don’t scream for help later.]
Looking at the Narrator’s words, a glint of mischief flashed in Xu Zhi’s eyes.
“If I scream for help, would you even be able to save me?”
[No.]
[I’m just a humble little game console. What could I possibly do?]
[You’re on your own!]
Really? She didn’t believe it.
Xu Zhi knew the Narrator was hiding a lot, but she didn’t feel like digging deeper right now. Maybe, when the time came, everything would become clear.
All she knew was—the Narrator had saved her once, when the shard had almost burned her to death.
Maybe, if she was outmatched by an Archbishop, the Narrator wouldn’t be as helpless as it claimed.
The thought even crossed her mind to fake weakness and test it—but she instantly scratched that idea out. She was a little shocked at herself for even thinking that.
“What a catastrophically dangerous thought.”
“You moth-types really are something.”
Xu Zhi shook her head repeatedly, convinced she’d been influenced by her [Moth] trait.
She was definitely not some dangerous, deranged lunatic.
She was just a cautious, meticulous, and humble little transcendent, that’s all!
