An ancient and malevolent consciousness seemed slightly awakened, descending from an indescribable height. The greenish-purple demonic image gradually became more tangible, with fiery eyes and black teeth, polluting its surroundings.
At the same time, Wu Hengjian’s (Wu Heng Sword) Jiezi Ring directly flew into the demonic image. Everything inside the ring, including its own body, reverted to primordial essence, transforming into the “blood” and “flesh” of the demonic image!
Within a short moment, the demonic image appeared as solid and tangible as reality itself, clearly visible, interwoven with profound principles, corrupting heaven and earth, creating a hellish abyss, nearly matching the might of a Dharma image after ascending the first heavenly ladder!
This was Wu Heng Sword’s ultimate and desperate move—burning his essence, blood, and primordial spirit (yuan shen), forsaking all possessions and lifespan, shedding the black demonic scars!
The demonic figure’s arms were uneven—one as thick as a barrel, its palm pitch-black and large as a winnowing basket, emitting a suction force capable of devouring heaven and earth. The thinner arm wielded a longsword forged from condensed demonic energy, turning the vast sea of primordial qi across the heavens and earth as dark as ink. Merely breathing it in would undoubtedly poison or corrupt both the physical body and the primordial spirit.
Wu Heng Sword’s expression twisted into a snarl. With both arms spread wide, the demonic image flew forth from behind him, palm and sword striking simultaneously toward Meng Qi.
Demonic energy churned, and terrifying suction surged. The black light formation previously arranged by the Soul-Stealing Monarch began to waver and was on the verge of collapse.
Yet at that moment, Wu Heng Sword noticed that the Poisonous Hand Monarch nearby had become indistinct and distant. His greenish shadow seemed already infinitely far away, creating an immense gap between his physical form and the demonic image, making it seem as if the demonic image would have to cross mountains and rivers to reach him!
An illusory technique propelled by “Only I Shall Be Revered!”
The demonic sword slashed forth, black energy condensing into a long, pure beam of sword light, slicing through layers of “void” like a sharp knife through tofu, pursuing relentlessly. Meanwhile, the demonic palm’s suction grew even stronger, as if attempting to pull that aged and refined green figure directly from an infinite distance!
Suddenly, the surroundings grew dim and shadowy. The sword light seemed to dart through a vast starry expanse, yet it could never reach its “other shore” and encounter Meng Qi.
Near as if right before the eyes, yet far as the ends of the earth!
Suddenly, Wu Heng Sword’s gaze sharpened, unable to hide his shock. At the edge of the darkened starry void, the Poisonous Hand Monarch revealed a two-headed, four-armed form. The two faces, with four eyes, stared directly at him!
One head bore a compassionate expression, like a merciful Buddha, while the other remained indifferent and cold as a demon. The four arms were raised simultaneously, each forming a different mudra—some exuding killing intent and icy chill, others embodying the decadence of worldly life, and still others radiating scorching heat capable of burning away the world. Yet above all, there was a profound Buddhist mudra that transcended both this shore and the other shore, neither existing nor non-existing.
The first three were unified beneath the final Buddhist mudra, merging into a single force striking downward.
Suffering sea knows no bounds; my demon’s mercy destroys the world to save the Buddha!
Boom!
A muffled explosion rang out. The greenish-purple demonic image, already weakened from crossing through layers of “void,” could only barely defend itself, barely blocking the first three strikes. Yet the demonic energy exploded, turning pitch-black and dissipating, its protective light completely shattered.
“Suffering sea knows no bounds; my demon’s mercy destroys the world to save the Buddha!” Both heads spoke simultaneously in a grand, indifferent voice. The final palm strike mysteriously condensed an unfathomable profundity, ignoring the remaining defenses, and struck directly onto the demonic image’s head!
Crack!
The demonic image’s head shattered like a watermelon dropped from a great height. Its body split into deep fissures, rapidly fracturing into countless pieces, no longer able to maintain its solid form!
The vast expanse of primordial energy between heaven and earth instantly became pure, completely free from any contamination!
Meng Qi withdrew his two-headed, four-armed transformation, flicked his finger, and released a silver-white sword beam. Mid-flight, it transformed into countless sword lights, dazzling and dreamlike as they swooped down, swirling and slicing with apparent sentience or under precise, individual control, obliterating every fragment of the shattered Dharma image.
At this sight, Wu Hengjian’s face twisted in despair. He accelerated the burning of his primordial spirit and chose self-destruction!
Boom!
Amid the violent explosion, his final curse echoed:
“They will avenge me!”
Meng Qi’s left hand struck heavily, as if bearing the weight of a mountain, darkening the air before his palm, with tiny black needle-like holes spreading outward. The explosive force converged like rivers flowing into the sea, quickly dissipating and restoring calm.
At the same time, his gaze turned profound and restrained, locking directly onto Wu Heng Sword’s remaining primordial spirit, poised to seize the moment and unleash the Heaven-Shaking, Earth-Shattering Strike.
Suddenly, a high and distant sound of a Qin (a Chinese zither) rang out. Meng Qi’s spirit slightly trembled, his cultivation technique momentarily slowed, and he watched helplessly as Wu Heng Sword completely perished.
“Ruan San playing the Qin? It doesn’t seem very powerful…” Meng Qi showed no regret, only puzzlement as he pondered.
Splash! Waves surged, and the warship rocked, revealing deep blue, crystalline waters.
Meng Qi inhaled lightly, as if gaining sudden insight: “This must be a Qin melody targeting the Blue Bloods. The Ruan family is indeed profound and hidden. I should ask the little glutton about it next time…”
Looking back at the place where Wu Heng Sword had self-destructed, Meng Qi wore an expression of helplessness. He had no intention of killing, only of capturing and questioning. He hadn’t expected Wu Heng Sword to be so resolute and desperate.
Perhaps his previous image as a great demon had been too convincing, or perhaps he valued his own secrets more than his life… Meng Qi stared intently and noticed a drop of greenish-purple blood congealed on the ground, brimming with malevolence and devouring demonic essence.
With a wave of his hand, Meng Qi drew the “demonic blood” into his palm, suddenly recalling Wu Heng Sword’s earlier muttering.
“The demon returns to the world; the saint follows again!” Meng Qi held the demonic blood in his palm, murmuring thoughtfully.
Legends spoke of twelve Demon Saints under the Demon King. After his demise, they were successively defeated and killed, their flesh merging into the earth, their consciousnesses scattering into the void. Was the consciousness invoked and borrowed just now one of theirs?
“In other words, this drop of blood is refined ‘Demon Saint Blood’—I wonder whose it is…” Meng Qi looked at the drop of blood, now clearly dimmed and weakened, and cast a sealing technique over it before storing it in his Jiezi Ring.
Then he furrowed his brow in thought: “They will come for revenge… The saint follows again… The demon returns to the world… It feels like the words of some secret organization loyal to the Demon King. I should ask the Fairy Trace people about it when I get the chance, to see if they’ve ever encountered them before.”
The melody of the Qin grew increasingly intense and urgent. Meng Qi steadied his thoughts, left the warship, and stealthily returned to the Zhu Mansion to complete his final tasks.
What changes would come next, he could already guess somewhat!
…
Inside the Yun family’s mourning hall.
Yun Jiu Ye (Ninth Uncle Yun) took a deep breath. His mind flashed back to his previously prepared plans and words, feeling fully confident, with the position of family head seemingly within reach.
He glanced at Yun Er Ye (Second Uncle Yun), who also looked eager, and then at Yun Shi San Ye (Thirteenth Uncle Yun), finding the latter calm and composed, showing neither joy nor anger, as if everything were under control.
Trouble—how could Thirteenth Brother remain so calm? Could he have some hidden trump card? Yun Jiu Ye’s heart sank slightly as he finally looked toward Yun Liu Ye (Sixth Uncle Yun).
Yun Liu Ye looked somewhat downcast and indifferent… Yun Jiu Ye felt increasingly uneasy.
Just as he was about to speak, he saw Yun Liu Ye step forward and declare solemnly: “I will voluntarily withdraw from the competition for family head and focus solely on martial cultivation!”
What? Sixth Brother was withdrawing? How could this happen! Yun Jiu Ye was shocked—he hadn’t shown the slightest sign of withdrawal in the past decade!
He couldn’t help but look at the other two again. Yun Shi San Ye remained calm and expressionless, while Yun Er Ye clearly showed surprise as well.
Had Thirteenth Brother seized some leverage over Sixth Brother, forcing him to withdraw? Yun Jiu Ye’s heart sank further. He felt things weren’t as simple as he’d imagined. Still, he believed he still had a 50% chance of victory.
“Hold on!” When Yun family members were lost in their own thoughts, He Jiu suddenly spoke up.
“What does the Young Master have to say?” Yun Liu Ye asked in confusion. Donghai Sword Manor had rarely interfered in Yun family internal affairs before, a foundation of their pleasant alliance.
He Jiu’s hands dropped to his sides, his gaze deep and penetrating as he swept the mourning hall, declaring solemnly: “This concerns a traitor within the Yun family colluding with the Blue Bloods, endangering humanity itself. Our manor has long been friendly with the Yun family—we cannot allow the family head position to fall into unworthy hands.”
Suddenly raising his voice, he proclaimed with solemnity:
“Even if it brings disgrace, I, He Jiu, the Young Master of Donghai Sword Manor, will intervene in this matter on behalf of the Sword Manor!”
His stance was bold and majestic, exuding an awe-inspiring presence. The members of the Yun family were left speechless by his overwhelming aura. Furthermore, the matter concerning the Blue Bloods was indeed true. Most of the Yun family were already uneasy and hesitant about selecting a new family head. Having the allied force of Donghai Sword Manor step forward was exactly what they desired.
Yun Jiu Ye and Yun Er Ye suddenly had a bad premonition, while Yun Shi San Ye also slightly changed expression—it wasn’t going as they had planned!
After playing the villain, He Jiu softened his tone and promised: “Until the Yun family is truly safe, Donghai Sword Manor will provide protection and will not interfere in the Yun family’s specific affairs.”
This was a veiled promise of protection without turning the Yun family into a vassal. Instantly, many Yun family members felt reassured, having been frightened by the Blue Bloods.
Thus, an elder patriarch stepped forward with a bow: “Please, Young Master, enlighten us.”
He Jiu stared directly at Yun Jiu Ye and others, stating bluntly: “I recommend Uncle Liu.”
“What?” Yun Er Ye and Yun Jiu Ye exclaimed in unison. Yun Shi San Ye’s breathing grew heavier. They all wanted to express opposition, unwilling to accept Donghai Sword Manor’s interference.
They felt a beautiful expectation crumbling!
After playing the villain, He Jiu softened his expression and continued: “Regarding the matter of the Blue Bloods, both of you are under suspicion.”
Yun Jiu Ye had already prepared his defense, ready to speak, but He Jiu merely glanced at him and uttered four words: “Zhu Mansion’s backyard.”
Instantly, Yun Jiu Ye’s face turned pale. How had Donghai Sword Manor discovered this?
Then He Jiu turned the same indifferent gaze toward Yun Shi San Ye, speaking calmly: “Sometimes, certain actions may have been momentary lapses in judgment. As long as one repents sincerely, abandons evil ways, and is not the murderer of Old Master Yun, we will forgive and forget.”
His words were vague, offering escape routes for the Yun family’s experts.
Unsure of what intelligence He Jiu truly possessed, Yun Shi San Ye gritted his teeth and said: “I will gladly support Sixth Brother as family head.”
Suddenly, both he and Yun Jiu Ye looked toward He Xiu, recalling the child delivering a message that day. Could it have been someone secretly informing Donghai Sword Manor?
They had both noticed that event, but because it was done so openly and brazenly, they had been intimidated, fearing it might be a “fishing” strategy by Donghai Sword Manor. Guilty consciences had prevented them from pursuing or investigating further.
Reflecting now, they felt both hatred and regret. But considering the other party’s boldness, they must have had further countermeasures, unafraid of being traced or even capable of retaliation.
The calm and wise mask on Yun Shi San Ye’s face cracked. He lowered his head, eyes downcast, concealing his unwillingness. All his painstaking scheming had failed so inexplicably!
Yun Jiu Ye and Yun Er Ye, pragmatic men, chose not to fight the inevitable. They both expressed support in unison.
Yun Liu Ye was dazed, somewhat confused by the turn of events, until He Jiu repeated his promise of forgiveness. Only then did he exhale in relief, deeply grateful.
Merit lies in redemption!
Having done all this, He Jiu turned to Yun Jiu Ye: “What are you waiting for? Lead us to surround and capture the people in Zhu Mansion’s backyard!”
Yun Jiu Ye shuddered, then coldly replied: “Yes!”
…
In Zhu Mansion’s backyard garden, with He Xiu and He Jiu leading the charge, masters of the external world surrounded the area completely. Yet within their perception, the area was completely empty!
“We arrived too late,” He Jiu exhaled.
On a distant street, a carriage slowly rolled forward. Madame Bai Hua and Ying Ning looked back at Zhu Mansion, filled with fear and lingering dread.
Across from them, Meng Qi, dressed in a green robe, his temples slightly frosty, sat leisurely and calmly.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage