One can only use a single pill, while the rest will be sealed and rendered ineffective. However, Meng Qi was unsure whether the extra pills could work on people from the divine and demonic world. Therefore, he had secretly resolved to save Du Huaishang at all costs—even if it meant sacrificing his own East Pole Longevity Pill. If Du perished or remained in his current coma, the rebel forces would inevitably disintegrate over time, rendering the main mission utterly unachievable and resulting in immediate elimination!
Of course, all of this hinged on whether Du Huaishang’s condition fell within the East Pole Longevity Pill’s curative range.
Inside the tent, Meng Qi seemingly chatted casually with Jiang Zhiwei, Qi Zhengyan, and others about trivial matters. In reality, he employed his Wind-Responding Transformation, using a hair clone to replace himself while his true form stealthily exited and slipped toward the central command camp. With his current Eight-Ninths Primordial Cultivation at the sixth heavenly layer, no one below an authentic Sage-level expert could detect any anomaly.
Transforming seamlessly between the appearances of patrolling soldiers, guards, and officers, Meng Qi soon reached the vicinity of the heavily guarded central command camp. He transformed into a flea, a technique only possible after reaching the first layer of the Heavenly Ladder, and patiently waited for a familiar acquaintance.
Time passed. The setting sun cast slanting rays, and the river breeze grew increasingly biting, as if a deity of winter and the north had descended. A monkey-like man habitually rubbed his hands together as he stepped out from the tightly guarded central command tent, his expression gloomy and his mind burdened.
Suddenly, he felt someone pat his back. Puzzled that someone could approach undetected and nullify his senses, he instinctively turned around.
If someone intended an ambush, why bother to alert him with a pat?
As he turned, his gaze froze, then quickly shifted to a mix of shock and joy: “Master! Is that really you?”
Meng Qi smiled calmly, saying, “Du Tianwang was destined to face this calamity; we have come specifically to resolve it.”
Ever since learning the Jade Emptiness Divination and receiving guidance from Duke Huan of Qi, Bai Xiaoming, Meng Qi had grown fond of speaking in a mysterious manner, though he increasingly disliked others doing the same in front of him.
Competition breeds rivalry!
The monkey-like man immediately struggled to control his aura, causing the surrounding earth to slightly sink as he joyfully bowed: “Master truly is the Red Army’s harbinger of fortune!”
It must be that divine and demonic beings secretly support our leader! The last time we faced difficulties in the Great Tranquility, a Master came to our rescue. At a crucial moment in our growth, we fortuitously obtained a divine weapon and gained the aid of Master Stone, a second-tier expert, quickly becoming the most prominent rebel force. And now, after suffering an assassination attempt and with Master Stone helpless, the Master has appeared once again!
Who would believe there’s no divine or demonic backing behind this?
Meng Qi guessed his thoughts and silently remarked that the divine being supporting them was the Lord of the Six Dao Reincarnation. Of course, that same being also supported their enemies. He couldn’t fathom what the Lord’s true intentions were.
“What happened, Hou Yue?” A clear yet slightly aged voice emerged from within Du Huaishang’s tent, as Hou Yue’s fluctuation in aura had been obvious.
Hou Yue glanced at Meng Qi: “Master, allow me to report the situation briefly.”
Even though he had already entered the Outer Scenery realm and become an eighth-tier Earth-level expert, he still couldn’t fathom the Master’s depth, sensing only that Meng Qi had become immeasurably stronger since their last meeting. Perhaps divine or demonic forces had weakened the restrictions upon him?
Meng Qi nodded slightly, standing with his hands clasped in the shadows near the tent.
Shortly afterward, the tent flap lifted, and Hou Yue emerged, subtly signaling Meng Qi to enter while hinting that other rebels were watching and monitoring the area. Master Stone couldn’t come out to greet him directly.
Meng Qi flashed forward like a ghost, swiftly passing through layers of partially lifted magical barriers and entering the tent. His eyes first fell upon two figures: one was the leader he had seen previously, the second-in-command of the Red Army, “Nanling Kirin” Hu Zhigao; the other wore a deep blue Taoist robe, had white hair and a youthful face, a high wooden hairpin, a slightly protruding forehead, a rigid aura, and a black sword at his waist. Just standing there, he seemed to be the center of the surrounding environment.
This must be Master Stone… Meng Qi surmised.
Sure enough, the old Taoist looked at Meng Qi and performed a respectful bow: “This old Taoist, Master Stone, greets you, fellow cultivator.”
Meng Qi returned the bow: “Long have I heard of the Master’s reputation. We have just arrived here and are not yet clear on the situation. Please brief me.”
“We”? Master Stone glanced behind him but saw no one else.
Hu Zhigao guessed they were the same people from last time and quietly asked, “Where are the others?”
Compared to before, this Master seemed only more mature and restrained—his white robes were elegant and refined, his handsome appearance free of any divine or demonic traits. Yet his eyes resembled the night sky, encompassing everything and sparkling with brilliance, involuntarily drawing others into their depths.
“We originally intended to come directly to pay our respects, but we were led away to see the King of the Sea, Pinghai, and had to transform and slip away first to come to Du Tianwang’s tent.” Meng Qi concisely explained the situation.
Hou Yue blurted out: “Damn Zhu Shou, taking advantage of our misfortune!”
Hu Zhigao added: “Let the Master know, that Pinghai King Zhu Shou is ambitious, cunning, ruthless, and now, taking advantage of our leader’s severe injuries and coma and Master Stone’s inability to leave, he has incited ‘Jiushan Marquis’ Miao Hu, ‘Fudi Duke’ Feng Jingtang, and ‘Great Tianwang’ Liu Shunshui to challenge for leadership, attempting to seize temporary control of the ‘Heaven-Bearing Sword’ under the guise of righteousness.”
He continued: “These individuals are all top-tier experts above the third grade, and the remaining rebels have aligned themselves with them.”
“Don’t worry, we won’t be deceived by him.” Meng Qi smiled calmly, maintaining his composed demeanor.
Seeing that Meng Qi understood the situation, Master Stone refrained from further discussion and instead said: “The world has long suffered under the imperial court. Once unrest begins, it spreads everywhere. They have already lost half their territory, and the eighteen rebel forces are currently strong, collectively appointing Du Tianwang as their leader, planning to cross the Nujiang River to attack the corrupt regime. However, the court refuses to accept defeat, assembling powerful experts and deploying large armies to guard the natural strongholds. Leading them is ‘Emperor of Martial Arts’ Dugu Shi, one of the three top-tier experts rated by the Bai Xiao Hall.”
At the mention of this name, Hou Yue instinctively murmured: “Though of humble bloodline, a rare genius, outstanding in bearing, outwardly humble but inwardly proud, unmatched in swordsmanship, spear fighting, and bare-handed combat, self-proclaimed ‘Emperor of Martial Arts,’ a top-tier expert among the world…”
These were the Bai Xiao Hall’s words of appraisal.
At the very least an Outer Scenery peak expert, even if not necessarily a Half-Step Dharma Body, he was an Outer Scenery peak capable of defeating most opponents of the same level… Meng Qi listened thoughtfully, recalling his own situation at the sixth layer.
Master Stone continued: “Alongside Dugu Shi came four top-tier experts above the third grade, making their strength roughly comparable to ours. However, they harbor many internal conflicts. Thus, we planned to seize the opportunity while our momentum was strong and their forces were rife with suspicion, aiming to cross the river decisively.”
“A few days ago, we launched a full-scale attack and fought fiercely on the river. Originally, I was to confront Dugu Shi, temporarily creating an opportunity for Du Tianwang to activate the ‘Heaven-Bearing Sword’ and severely wound or even kill him. However, at the critical moment, an unexpected enemy ambushed, gravely injuring Du Tianwang. Had it not been for the Heaven-Bearing Sword’s automatic protection, even if I had given my life, I couldn’t have rescued him from the combined assault of Dugu Shi and the mysterious enemy.”
Meng Qi’s expression remained unchanged: “An unexpected enemy?”
Was it a fellow reincarnator from the opposing faction, or a disciple of the Blood Sea Rakshasa Sect?
“It is said to be a mysterious cultivator secretly serving the imperial court, rated as a second-tier expert by the Bai Xiao Hall only after this battle, bearing the title ‘Shadow King.’ Currently, the crown prince of the court wielding the ‘Imperial Blade’ has arrived, stabilizing the troops’ morale and preventing the experts from openly feuding. Additionally, more mysterious cultivators keep joining their ranks, reversing the situation.”
Master Stone sighed: “Their top-tier forces now number seven, with dozens of mid-tier experts, and they also possess divine weapons. With Du Tianwang incapacitated and Zhu Shou harboring rebellious intentions, facing both internal and external threats, we struggle to resist. It’s likely that their next attack will cause us to disintegrate.”
“Our current priority is self-preservation.”
Hearing this, Meng Qi’s heart tightened. Was the mission doomed to fail before it even began?
Suppressing his complex thoughts, he spoke enigmatically: “If we retreat now, the momentum will shift irreversibly, and the imperial court will become unshakable.”
For the sake of his mission, Meng Qi could only speak with calculated deception.
“What is the Master’s suggestion?” Hu Zhigao immediately asked.
Though the chaos across the land rages like wildfire, it also pressures the imperial court, forcing internal reforms and the renewal of outdated systems. If given enough time, they might subdue the experts harboring their own ambitions and regroup to reverse the tide.
Meng Qi spoke eloquently: “The primary issue lies with Du Tianwang. If he recovers, regains control of the divine weapon, and we assist him alongside the Master, we can quell Zhu Shou’s greed and prioritize defeating the imperial court. Currently, the momentum lies with the rebels, not the imperial court. As long as we stabilize the situation, reinforcements from other rebel forces will arrive. As for the imperial court, any internal reforms will trigger power struggles, turning their external and internal threats against them!”
Knowing Hu Zhigao’s unwillingness to retreat, Meng Qi spun an elaborate tale, exuding the confidence of a brilliant strategist. After all, what they needed most was reassurance, regardless of logic or reason. In such a predicament, clarity eluded them.
Hu Zhigao’s eyes lit up, then dimmed: “Unfortunately, our leader’s injuries are strange, resisting all medicines and herbs, barely clinging to life.”
“Therefore, we have come to assist.” Meng Qi replied confidently.
Master Stone looked at him deeply, then stepped aside, inviting him into the back of the tent. There, Du Huaishang lay pale on a simple bed, eyes closed, breathing weak. Surrounding him was a magnificent long sword, entirely golden with a broad hilt, radiating a terrifying aura that made Meng Qi’s heart race.
They say my fortune is immeasurably strong, yet Du, at only the fifth heavenly layer, obtained a divine weapon, while I have never encountered a divine weapon falling from the heavens into my hands… Meng Qi inwardly grumbled. With the Yuan Shi Golden Manual and other supreme cultivation techniques, his knowledge was vast, allowing him to discern more than Master Stone and others.
Du’s soul was weak, showing no sign of recovery, his wound piercing his body, blood flowing without cease… This strangeness stirred Meng Qi’s thoughts. He opened his Wisdom Eye!
Invisible, illusory black qi tightly coiled around Du’s soul, as if sentient!
Meng Qi pondered briefly before speaking: “It must be a curse-born parasite of mysterious and sinister power. Without removing the parasite and lifting the curse, even the finest elixirs will prove ineffective.”
Master Stone had vaguely sensed something but was enlightened by Meng Qi’s words, suddenly understanding: “Do you know how to remove the parasite?”
“The parasite has entwined with Du Tianwang’s soul. Without the appropriate method or eliminating the parasite’s master beforehand, rashly removing it would endanger his life.” Meng Qi recalled the information he had gathered to counter the Blood Sea Rakshasa sect’s parasites.
Hu Zhigao and Hou Yue immediately became disheartened: “We don’t even know who the parasite’s master is or where they hide…”
Just then, they watched Meng Qi step forward, his eyes suddenly becoming unfathomably deep, with countless dazzling, illusory starlines emerging within, shaking their minds!
Hmm… Master Stone gasped, finding Meng Qi increasingly enigmatic.
A thread of karmic connection extended from the parasite into the void. Meng Qi used the Jade Emptiness Divination to its fullest, tracing the connection backward to its source.
After a while, Meng Qi closed his eyes, then reopened them, all supernatural signs gone, as he smiled: “I have roughly located the parasite’s master. I shall proceed immediately.”
Master Stone needed to maintain control over the Red Army to prevent internal chaos and couldn’t act directly. As for the others, Meng Qi found them inadequate and volunteered to act alone.
“Thank you, Master.” Hu Zhigao and Hou Yue did not protest.
“Will the cultivator go alone?” Master Stone asked.
Meng Qi nodded: “Yes, they will remain here to assist you in maintaining the situation.”
The Nujiang River was unique. Although Meng Qi had ways to cross it secretly, except for Qi Zhengyan, his companions couldn’t. Within the faction-ridden rebel forces, Jiang Zhiwei was too “straightforward,” Ruan Yushu was brilliant but too “upright,” Zhao Heng lacked methods to counter bizarre techniques, leaving only Qi Zhengyan as the most suitable for this situation. While Meng Qi’s true form was away, Qi needed to maintain command.
“Perhaps temporarily let those cultivators remain with Zhu Shou? This old Taoist suspects someone within the rebels is secretly colluding with the imperial court. I hope they can assist in the investigation.” Master Stone requested.
It was difficult to act under such close surveillance here.
Meng Qi, considering his clone was still present, agreed. With Master Stone’s help, he stealthily left the camp and approached the Nujiang River.
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