The sound of the bamboo flute shifted as lantern lights floated along the river. Meng Qi held Bai Chong in his left hand and Xuan Gui horizontally in his right, staring directly at the “Purple Stars Sovereign.” The exhilaration of repelling powerful enemies made him feel slightly arrogant.
However, Meng Qi remained clear-headed. This was all because he had suddenly appeared, disrupting the plans of the Purple Stars Sovereign and the Blue-tier assassin “Sword of the God of Death” and others. They had been forced to act hastily to prevent Bai Chong from being taken by him. Meng Qi had used the previous battles with several powerful opponents to elevate his momentum to its peak. This shift in momentum had created the current situation. In different circumstances, with a different setup, he would not have had such an easy time.
The wind surged into waves, spreading outward, making it difficult for even outer-scenery experts to keep their footing. It snapped a large tree and was on the verge of drawing the attention of the capital’s grand formation.
Meng Qi pressed hard with his feet, firmly stepping on the horse’s back, intending to soar skyward and use the turning ability of “Riding the Wind in Emptiness” to escape the encirclement by the Purple Stars Sovereign and others, forcing the Demon Master out. At that moment, his left hand suddenly felt lighter, and a sense of foreboding arose in his heart.
The Bai Chong he had grabbed in his left hand was merely a layer of human skin!
Inside, it was already completely hollow!
From the Southern Wilds, skilled in mysterious martial arts… These thoughts immediately surfaced in Meng Qi’s mind. He had been fully focused on the Purple Stars Sovereign, the assassins from the Benevolentlessness Pavilion, and the Free Heaven Demon, somewhat neglecting Bai Chong.
Bai Chong was definitely not someone who would surrender easily!
Meng Qi activated his full predictive abilities and heightened his perception. He threw the skin in his hand toward the Purple Stars Sovereign and the Blue-tier assassin to divert their attention. He turned his head toward the other end of the street and saw a faint trail of red hidden in the lantern shadows, quickly moving away.
Bang! Meng Qi shattered the horse’s back with his foot and dashed across the street, chasing after it. His green robe fluttered like a giant eagle.
The two assassins from the Benevolentlessness Pavilion, one Blue-tier and one Green-tier, retreated into the darkness, silently tracking him. The “Purple Stars Sovereign” and the “Free Heaven Demon” exchanged glances and surprisingly chose to give up!
Because if they couldn’t catch Bai Chong off guard and subdue him within a short time, he could easily fight back fiercely, triggering the capital’s grand formation and drawing the attention of powerful figures from the government and the Six Gates, including even “Vastly Virtuous” Cui Qinghe!
After all, as long as Bai Chong handed over half of the entrance map, there was a certain chance he could survive, while they themselves would be in extreme danger.
The green shadow vanished into the distance, and the small boat retreated into the shadows on the river. In an instant, the Jinshui Bridge street was left with overturned stalls, fallen pedestrians, scattered trees, and several outer-scenery experts who had stopped but dared not pursue. It was a scene of chaos.
Sun Yuexiu withdrew her gaze, her expression complex. Looking at the fallen horse, she softly muttered:
“With such formidable strength, he must not be unknown. I wonder which of the Earth List he is?”
It seemed she was speaking to herself, yet also asking her senior apprentice sister, Ren Jingxiu.
…
The blood-red figure moved like an extremely agile snake. Even with Meng Qi’s abilities, he nearly lost track of it. He dashed forward, leaping from street to street, tightly following the trail.
Many passersby only felt a gust of wind, unable to even catch a glimpse of a figure!
The soothing sound of water splashing reached Meng Qi’s ears. He clearly knew that Bai Chong had fled back to the riverside of Jinshui River, seemingly intending to escape through the water.
This place was already remote, rarely visited by people. An old stone arch bridge stood over the river.
Following the trail, Meng Qi dashed out of the alley. Suddenly, he felt Bai Chong’s trail abruptly stop, and his aura instantly dispersed.
What… Meng Qi instinctively slowed his steps, his gaze unconsciously drawn to the stone bridge.
Standing sideways on the bridge was a middle-aged man in wide robes and long sleeves, his black hair pinned with a wooden hairpin. His demeanor was refined and graceful, standing quietly as if he were the master of heaven and earth, the pivot of the universe, exuding an indescribable charm like a god or demon.
Beside his feet lay a figure, with slightly translucent skin appearing red. His bones had turned to mud, and his muscles and skin were completely ruined—this was none other than the previously lively Bai Chong!
Han Guang!
The “Demon Master” Han Guang!
The mythological “Heavenly Emperor” Han Guang!
He had really come!
Without thinking, Meng Qi secretly activated his inner-scenery power, concentrating it at his toes, attempting to leap backward and escape from this heretic, the most gifted and brilliant demonic genius within a hundred years!
Han Guang leisurely turned his head, his eyes revealing an unusual blackness. His gaze locked onto Meng Qi.
Time suddenly slowed. Meng Qi felt everything become sluggish, yet the “distance” between him and Han Guang vanished in an instant. A handsome face, almost demonic in its beauty, suddenly appeared right before his eyes!
Without invoking the power of heaven and earth, without even raising a hand, with just this gaze, Meng Qi felt as if he had been forcibly pulled back, trapped in a nightmare, unable to escape!
A true Dharma Body, the Dharma Body that commanded such respect, was terrifying beyond imagination!
Meng Qi had mentally prepared for the possibility of encountering Han Guang, but no matter how many times he had faced such situations, he could not fully grasp the terror of a Dharma Body. For a moment, he felt his Yuan Shen being suppressed!
A golden lotus quietly bloomed, and the Primordial sat within. Meng Qi suddenly regained his clarity and prepared to activate his Dharma Manifestation, triggering the capital’s grand formation!
I am a righteous young hero, with many allies. Even if Cui Qinghe is drawn in, he would still have to show some respect for Master Kongwen’s reputation. But you are a demonic heretic, the mythological Heavenly Emperor, the sworn enemy of noble sects and clans. Once trapped within the capital’s grand formation, the consequences would be unpredictable. Are you afraid?
Meng Qi, fearless of death, let his aura surge, and an indescribable Dharma Manifestation was about to emerge behind him.
A smirk curled on Han Guang’s lips, revealing a sinister yet carefree smile, his eyes turning dark and profound.
Instantly, a phantom image emerged within Meng Qi’s mind—towering and shadowy, clad in black robes and wearing an imperial crown, exuding a distant and lofty presence. His face was majestic, as if he ruled over the three realms and ten directions, the sovereign of the universe, the master of past, present, and future!
As this figure appeared, all colors faded from Meng Qi’s vision, leaving only black and white. His thoughts seemed to freeze.
The Yanmo Emperor Body!
At that moment, a golden great Buddha appeared in Meng Qi’s mind, one finger pointing to the sky and one to the earth, radiating great purity, great compassion, great wisdom, and great fearlessness!
Above all under heaven, I alone am the honored one.
His Yuan Shen grew stronger, transcending self-attachment, and Meng Qi immediately broke free from the mental influence!
Without some hidden strength, how could he dare to agree to Gu Xiaosang’s plan to lure out the “Demon Master” Han Guang?
Han Guang was slightly taken aback. Before he could decide whether to continue pressuring Meng Qi or retreat, a sudden surge of energy erupted nearby, piercing the sky and activating the capital’s grand formation!
“Demon Master Han Guang!” shouted Liu Shengming, the “Purple Roc Divine Hunter.”
Clouds gathered, and golden rays formed rings, fully activating the capital’s grand formation.
Inside the Vermilion Robe Hall, Sima Shi suddenly opened his eyes, revealing a chaotic void within. His right hand formed a circle, delivering a simple yet ancient strike toward the golden light on the water screen before him!
Within the Government Hall, a long sword brimming with the aura of an emperor flew forth, crossing the void with the power of countless beings, majestically and powerfully slashing toward Han Guang.
In the residence of Marquis of Pingjin, Cui Qinghe, with five long whiskers, drew his sword. Purple light soared into the sky, dazzling and noble.
Within the imperial palace, nine dragons flew out, riding the grand formation, rushing toward Han Guang.
In a short moment, the situation turned, and Han Guang found himself in a more dangerous predicament than when he had been trapped in the Sword Formation of Slaying Heaven!
The suddenness of the event left Meng Qi momentarily stunned. With all the capital’s experts focused on the “Demon Master” Han Guang, he was not attacked, though he felt the grand formation transform into chains, layer upon layer, binding his body!
At that moment, a melodious and playful laugh, like a yellow oriole leaving its nest, entered Meng Qi’s ears, and the “chains” briefly eased.
“Gu Xiaosang!” Meng Qi suddenly turned his head and saw Gu Xiaosang standing amidst the golden light, her white dress pure and holy, her eyes sparkling like stars, as if she were strolling casually in her own courtyard.
“Husband, it’s time for us to go to the Nine Heavens,” Gu Xiaosang said with a charming smile.
Meng Qi immediately understood. Liu Shengming had cooperated with her, and the plan to force out Han Guang had such a treacherous hidden maneuver!
Trusting Gu Xiaosang completely would truly mean dying ten times over!
As these thoughts passed through his mind, he followed Gu Xiaosang, quietly diving into the Jinshui River and swiftly moving forward, heading toward a hidden spot beneath the river.
The underwater cave was secretly connected. Gu Xiaosang seemed to know the way well, quickly leading Meng Qi into a strange cavern.
Without needing Gu Xiaosang’s reminder, Meng Qi immediately sensed the deadly dangers hidden at every step.
Gu Xiaosang gently waved her hands like an innocent young girl, guiding Meng Qi left and right, seemingly ignoring the dangers but always avoiding them just in time.
After walking for a while, Meng Qi saw a deep, bottomless cave opening.
Gu Xiaosang stopped, her eyes glancing sideways: “Husband, take my hand. We’re about to enter the Nine Heavens.”
Meng Qi knew the danger inside but was unsure of Gu Xiaosang’s intentions. He exhaled and extended his left hand to grasp hers.
Gu Xiaosang’s hand felt like a playful fish, tickling Meng Qi’s palm as she smiled: “Please, husband, activate the Thunder Scar.”
As she spoke, she pulled out the Celestial Boundary Tablet with her other hand.
The Thunder Scar on Meng Qi’s back became visible, purple and dripping with power. As his energy connected, Gu Xiaosang channeled it into the tablet.
The tablet emitted a hazy glow, enveloping the two of them. Gu Xiaosang and Meng Qi took a step forward, entering the “Deep Eye.”
The scenery changed. Meng Qi saw a world forged from white clouds. In the distance were palaces and a few powerful auras.
“No Dharma Body, so we won’t be discovered,” Gu Xiaosang smiled lightly. Suddenly, green light sprouted beneath her feet, lifting her and Meng Qi high into the sky of this realm!
As the green light emerged, Meng Qi sensed a faint ripple within the Great Dao Tree inside his mustard seed ring.
Was this also “food” for it?
…
Inside the palaces of this realm, there was a golden throne that seemed to belong to the supreme ruler of heaven and earth. Sitting upon it was not the “Heavenly Emperor” Han Guang, but a man with sharp eyebrows and star-like eyes, thin lips, and a cold gaze.
He looked toward the place where Gu Xiaosang and Meng Qi had disappeared, his expression indifferent, as if watching two ants play.
The “Mad King” Gao Lan!
Suddenly, light surged, and the “Demon Master” Han Guang, wearing a wooden hairpin and wide robes, appeared, slightly disheveled.
“Almost capsized in a ditch, but I was well-prepared. They’ve entered the upper realm?” Han Guang casually brushed off his sleeves.
Gao Lan slightly nodded:
“The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.”
…
On the stone arch bridge, surrounded by attacks, Han Guang’s figure suddenly shattered like a mirror’s reflection, eerily vanishing.
Cui Qinghe’s eyes narrowed as he noticed that the corpse of Bai Chong, previously reduced to a pile of mud, had mysteriously disappeared.
“He was the real Han Guang…” Cui Qinghe sighed.
…
In a secret courtyard somewhere in the capital.
The withered Lampbearer Divine Envoy gazed at the light changes along the Jinshui River and chuckled, giving orders to his subordinates:
“The Holy Maiden has commanded: before dawn, paste the ‘Nine Heavens Ruins Entrance Map’ all over the streets!”
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