Qi Zhengyan had altered his appearance, his face resembling the bottom of a cooking pot, his back slightly hunched, and holding a pair of crutches, appearing like an ordinary martial artist skilled in unique weapons. If it weren’t for Meng Qi’s deep familiarity with him, he likely wouldn’t have detected the disguise.
Gu Xiaosang’s ability in this regard was still commendable!
She wore red clothing, tied her hair into braids, and had clear eyes and a delicate face, showing no trace of her identity as the Great Luo Holy Maiden.
“Don’t answer directly. Use secret voice transmission. Although even with external scenery deliberately created, someone might overhear, we have no choice now. The environment is noisy, everyone is using secret voice transmission, who would imagine that the ‘Crazy Blade’ Su Meng sitting calmly in the center is actually conversing with an unremarkable person nearby?” Gu Xiaosang’s voice, though clear and crisp, remained distinctly articulate even after speaking so much in one breath, and unless she deliberately tried to seduce, it always sounded pure and ethereal.
Meng Qi looked ahead expressionlessly, observing Chang Hui demonstrate his sword techniques. Ignoring Gu Xiaosang, he directly transmitted his voice to Qi Zhengyan: “Senior Brother Qi, what danger did you encounter? How severe are your injuries?”
Qi Zhengyan similarly fixed his gaze on the center of the training ground and replied solemnly: “I’ve been targeted by ‘Myth.'”
“Did they recognize our identities?” Meng Qi wasn’t particularly surprised. Before Bi Xia Yuanjun’s example, after completing the mission, the four of them had already speculated on this possibility.
Though Jiang Zhiwei hadn’t wielded her sword during the battle against the Queen Mother of the West, her signature technique “Blade Without Self” was far too distinctive. Without other Dharma Body techniques to obscure judgment, there was a high likelihood she would be recognized. Among those who knew her, many were skilled with blades, but few possessed such formidable strength. Those familiar with her would naturally suspect her closest associate first.
Even if some reincarnators chose to remain anonymous and avoid fame in the primary world, suspicion toward himself was inevitable. Following this line of reasoning, Qi Zhengyan, who bore the title “Incarnation Demon Descending the World,” bore some resemblance to figures from that era, while Ruan Yushu, with her innate “Heart of the Zither,” was even more conspicuous.
Only Zhao Heng, the Fifth Master Zhao, had not traveled the martial world and had no real connection with them, so “Myth” had no trail to follow.
It seemed that forming friendships in the primary world back then had been somewhat hasty. But who could have predicted that after death missions, non-combat tasks could also result in encounters with other reincarnators?
“It should be,” Qi Zhengyan confirmed. “I didn’t participate in the Dongyang Villa incident, so I have no enmity with ‘Myth.’ The ‘Blessing Celestial Official’ who attacked me aimed solely to kill, striking lethally without hesitation, clearly not coveting the rumored martial arts inheritance I obtained.”
“Did they attack you directly? Senior Brother Qi, how severe are your injuries? How powerful is the ‘Blessing Celestial Official’?” Meng Qi asked in rapid succession.
Ruan Yushu remained secluded in Langya and had not yet begun her martial journey. Jiang Zhiwei had a deep background, her master being the strongest under the Heaven Ranking, who had once beheaded the “Eastern King Gong,” a top-ranked figure in Myth, and emerged unscathed. Therefore, “Myth” likely wouldn’t target them, especially since “Fairy Trace” had already taken responsibility for obtaining the Buddha’s Palm inheritance. Their actions against Meng Qi and others were merely acts of revenge without any vested interest, so the attackers wouldn’t take significant risks.
Therefore, their targets were clearly focused on Qi Zhengyan, an ordinary disciple of the Huanhua Sword Sect, and himself, a discarded disciple of Shaolin.
“Yes, while traveling in Jiangdong, I heard about the Xingyun Banquet and thought you and Senior Disciple Jiang would surely attend, so I came to check it out. However, I was ambushed on the way. The attackers wore masks specially crafted by ‘Myth’ and were members of the ‘Blessing Celestial Palace,’ possessing the strength of ordinary half-step external scenery cultivators. I engaged in a fierce battle with one of them, trading injuries for my life, and barely managed to escape after being chased for over a hundred miles.”
“Just when my injuries flared up, Miss Gu Xiaosang intervened and scared off the ‘Blessing Celestial Palace.'” Qi Zhengyan detailed the entire incident. “I suffered a palm strike from the ‘Blessing Celestial Palace,’ but thanks to the Mei Xia Dan’s ability to disperse force, I only sustained severe injuries and have recovered significantly by now.”
Qi Zhengyan had almost reached the Eighth Aperture but had not yet cultivated the “Purple Stars River” technique, and his martial arts realm was insufficient, making him slightly inferior to Meng Qi. Against an ordinary Half-Step External Scenery opponent, without the advantage of long-range attacks from the Hun Tian Treasure Mirror, he was at a complete disadvantage and could barely escape with his life.
“Senior Brother Qi, managing to escape from a half-step External Scenery opponent is truly remarkable,” Meng Qi sincerely comforted him.
Although Meng Qi was currently ranked sixth on the Human Ranking and could potentially kill a normal half-step External Scenery opponent at full strength, his overall cultivation level was still insufficient. If a half-step opponent lowered their stance and directly attempted an assassination or ambush, he could easily lose his life. The fact that Senior Brother Qi survived was proof of his strength, which was even greater than Meng Qi had anticipated.
He grinned: “Regardless, we owe a debt of gratitude to Miss Gu, even if she has ulterior motives. Saving you was a genuine act.”
In Meng Qi’s view, Gu Xiaosang never acted without expecting profit.
“Dear husband, we’re family. There’s no need for formal thanks,” suddenly, Gu Xiaosang’s crisp, smiling voice joined their secret conversation.
Meng Qi struggled to maintain his expression: “You… you could hear us?”
Qi Zhengyan also looked slightly stunned.
Gu Xiaosang smiled sweetly: “Earlier, I only mentioned that external scenery could hear us if they deliberately tried, but I never said those below external scenery couldn’t do it.”
“…” Meng Qi was momentarily speechless.
Gu Xiaosang smiled: “To deal with Senior Brother Qi, a half-step External Scenery candidate might have been enough. But when facing you—someone who managed to counterattack and kill Qing Sanren, Flame Demon, and Luo Hun Xiao in an ambush—if I were part of Myth, I would definitely recommend dispatching at least a full-fledged External Scenery member. Even if it’s purely an act of vengeance unrelated to interests, it must be executed swiftly and decisively, leaving no loose ends to avoid unnecessary complications.”
“No wonder you kept urging me to hurry to Xingyun Manor,” Meng Qi suddenly understood. Xingyun Manor was a branch of the East Sea Sword Manor, with external scenery elders permanently stationed there. Currently, the young master He Jiu was present, making security even tighter. As for someone like the Wolf King, it was clearly a case of turning a blind eye to entertain the young master. “Wait a minute, why are you also calling him ‘Elder Brother Qi’?”
He only noticed the incorrect address after speaking.
“Dear husband, as your wife and the mother of our child, shouldn’t I follow your way of addressing him, or should I call him ‘big brother’ directly?” Gu Xiaosang looked completely justified.
I shouldn’t have asked that… Meng Qi’s face twitched. Earlier, when Gu Xiaosang used that form of address, at least there were no onlookers present. But now, Senior Brother Qi was listening in. How was he supposed to face his fellow disciples afterward? That gluttonous little rascal would absolutely never let him off the hook about this!
“By the way, I killed Qing Sanren, and you don’t seem to have any objections?” He quickly changed the subject.
Gu Xiaosang laughed joyfully: “He colluded with outsiders and secretly teamed up. It was a good kill! Besides, you’re my dear husband, the future Dharma King. Killing a few Sanrens is nothing.”
Meng Qi chose not to argue with the enchantress any longer and shifted his focus back to Qi Zhengyan.
Qi Zhengyan’s face, currently resembling the bottom of a cooking pot, revealed no expression: “After all, I’m a disciple of the Huanhua Sword Sect. I’ve already informed the elders stationed in Jiangdong about this matter, stating that they’re coveting the inheritance I obtained through my unique encounter. They’ll definitely be very interested in the ‘Myth’ situation.”
“Tsk, are they planning something big…?” Meng Qi’s eyes lit up. He could also take the opportunity to notify the Six Gates Bureau in secret. After all, there was a silver badge investigator in Yingcheng, and it wasn’t far from Guangling, the state capital.
He could also leave secret marks on the walls near the city gate to see if any other members of “Fairy Trace” were in the area.
Of course, he couldn’t directly meet or cooperate with members of “Fairy Trace.” During the last reincarnation mission, he had simulated the aura of the Flipping Heaven Seal. Although no one in Myth cultivated the Eighty-Nine Mysteries and thus remained unaware of its secrets, they would likely assume it was a specially crafted artifact and conclude that he and his team had merely stumbled upon it while temporarily collaborating with “Fairy Trace.” However, if he maintained overt ties with “Fairy Trace,” even the members of Myth could easily deduce—using nothing more than their toes—that he was “Yuanshi Tianzun.”
“My Luo Sect also has Sanren in Yingcheng,” Gu Xiaosang chimed in, her voice bright and cheerful. “I entered the first layer of the Nine Heavens Ruins only to find someone had gotten there before me, which significantly cut into my gains and soured my mood. At first, I suspected ‘Myth.’ Now that we have this chance, I absolutely want to strike back and give them a little trouble. Besides, our Luo Sect’s Dharma Kings, Divine Envoys, and Sanren also have a strong ‘interest’ in this mysterious organization called ‘Myth.'”
The enchantress’s words were a mix of truth and deception, not to be taken at face value… Meng Qi believed Gu Xiaosang wasn’t the type to go to great lengths purely for revenge without any benefit involved. Without the motivation of personal gain, she wouldn’t bother to intervene.
What was her true purpose?
“Junior Brother Meng, be careful during this period. I’ll hide in the Huanhua Sword Sect’s base in Yingcheng, waiting for the elders to arrive while secretly observing who is watching you,” Qi Zhengyan reminded him. He didn’t want to hide in the Luo Sect, as Gu Xiaosang was a dangerous figure.
“From what you’ve said, ‘Myth’ is merely acting out of anger and revenge, not involving any interests that would make them envious. As an organization, such behavior won’t last long. As long as you withstand this round and haven’t caused them serious losses, there likely won’t be any follow-up actions,” Gu Xiaosang smiled sweetly, consoling her “dear husband.”
After discussing for a while, the two slightly retreated and disappeared back into the crowd.
At this moment, Gu Xiaosang’s eyes flickered subtly, secretly glancing at Qi Zhengyan with a hint of amusement.
Chang Hui finished demonstrating his blade techniques, breathing heavily and looking excited. He directly knelt down and kowtowed: “Thank you, Young Hero Su, for demonstrating the blade techniques, fulfilling the long-held wish of the Chang family!”
Meng Qi’s previous guidance had already been considered a semi-mentor’s grace. In this world where the dignity of teachers was highly respected, Chang Hui’s actions didn’t seem sycophantic at all.
Before Meng Qi could respond, he heard Wang Zai sigh: “To supplement the missing parts based on the changes in blade techniques, this insight and mastery of blade techniques are truly admirable. Young Brother Su, I didn’t expect you to have reached such a level.”
His words weren’t long, but they made the martial artists watching suddenly realize, and they looked at Meng Qi with astonished, amazed, and excited gazes. This was almost the level of a sect founder, especially one who created their own techniques and passed them down!
Of course, it was just a small sect.
Truly worthy of being Brother Wang Zai, with such insightful commentary. I can’t even begin to match it… Meng Qi felt a bit emotional, giving Chang Hui a modest smile: “No need for excessive gratitude. I just happened to gain some insights from your blade techniques.”
Back then, when he saw Jiang Zhiwei create the “Yanluo Tie,” he had felt envious. Now, he had finally reached that level himself.
Yan Chong’s gaze deepened, further raising his evaluation of Meng Qi.
After Chang Hui gratefully returned to the platform, countless people eagerly stepped forward, but one person moved fastest, like a gust of wind, flashing to the center of the training ground.
He wore the attire of a Yuehua Sect disciple, seemingly ordinary, but his aura was calm and composed, exuding the demeanor of a high-level martial artist.
Many Yuehua Sect disciples murmured in surprise, not expecting to see this person here. This was a gathering of young experts. He might be young, but he had nothing to do with being an expert. Rushing onto the stage recklessly would bring shame to the sect!
However, in the eyes of Meng Qi and Yan Chong, this seemingly ordinary disciple had already opened the eighth orifice, with his qi circulating as smoothly as clouds and flowing water!
“Yuehua Sect disciple Ying Shaozhuo respectfully requests the young heroes to grant me a match,” the ordinary disciple bowed.
He directly challenged Meng Qi and others!
In the vast martial world, some people may possess strength but merely lack the opportunity to gain fame!
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