Boom!
Clouds swirled with crimson firelight, rolling into the sky like mushrooms, expelling turbid air and blowing away one tent after another.
Back turned to the explosion, Meng Qi passed through layers of forbidden spells, walked out of the camp gate, and in several strides reached the riverside hundreds of zhang away!
The experts patrolling the river surface, exterior scene masters and acupoint openers who were checking for escaping targets, all turned to look at the violent explosion, expressions shocked and confused, unable to understand what had happened inside the camp. Was it an enemy attack, or had one of the masters suffered a sacrifice or lost control of some strange martial art?
At this moment, Meng Qi let out a cold snort, jolting them back to awareness, and spoke with frosty authority, “An enemy has shapeshifted and infiltrated the camp, destroying the sacrificial altar. He has now slipped into the water, attempting to flee to the opposite shore. Why haven’t you prepared a boat for this general to pursue?”
The water within a hundred zhang of the riverbank was permeated with violently decaying black qi; Meng Qi needed to maintain peak condition to handle any unexpected developments!
“Yes, Heavenly Venerable,” a lower-third-grade officer hastily responded, too rushed to prepare a decent vessel, simply offering the small boat tied next to his personal mount.
Meng Qi stepped onto the boat, his true yuan surging, pushing the waves aside as he sped toward the river’s center. Within just a few breaths, he had already cleared the area filled with black mist.
Within the imperial camp, the violent explosion attracted the attention of martial emperors like Dugu Shi, the eccentric master Wen Jing, and the crown prince. Within less than a breath, they all appeared at the scene. Before them lay complete devastation—tents and the sacrificial altar behind them were utterly destroyed. The corpses arranged in a strange formation had all been cremated. Within a radius of a hundred zhang, the ground had sunk three chi, deeper toward the center, with a glassy sheen from melted and re-solidified earth!
Fortunately, Shadow King’s cruel methods and toxic martial arts had made him a solitary sect within the army, with few nearby camps. Otherwise, countless acupoint openers would have perished.
Even so, his mysterious sect suffered heavy casualties, with only nine exterior scene experts escaping. Those closer to the blast sustained minor injuries, while those farther away were left in disarray. The two experts guarding the altar at the epicenter were completely obliterated.
With a flick of his sleeve, Dugu Shi extinguished the flames, leaving only rising vapors. His deep-set eyes gleamed with sharpness as he scanned the nine surviving experts and asked gravely, “What happened?”
“The leader… the leader’s tent suddenly exploded. He, he was…” one of the surviving experts, intimidated by Dugu Shi’s overwhelming aura, stammered.
Wen Jing calculated with a finger, his spirit extending outward, eyes narrowing. No longer languid, he stated, “Shadow King is dead.”
Shadow King is dead? The crown prince inhaled sharply, and several top-three-grade experts felt a chill, sensing their own vulnerability.
In terms of strength, some were slightly stronger than the Shadow King, while others were slightly weaker, but there was no significant gap between them. Combined with his peculiar martial arts and the mysterious Gu insects—which granted him unpredictable techniques and life-saving abilities—the Shadow King indeed held a slight advantage over each of them.
Yet such a Shadow King had died mysteriously within his own tent, without the slightest fluctuation beforehand!
If he was killed, either he was completely unguarded, or the attacker possessed unimaginable overall strength or martial arts!
“Was anyone else seen before the explosion?” Dugu Shi asked, calm as ever.
An exterior scene expert glanced at him, took a deep breath, and replied, “Senluo Heavenly Venerable came by.”
“Senluo Heavenly Venerable?” the crown prince echoed, looking at Dugu Shi. This was his “good junior apprentice brother!”
“Not good! Transformation arts!” Wen Jing suddenly realized.
Dugu Shi’s mind stirred. His vast, tangible spiritual force surged outward like floodwaters, scanning every corner of the camp.
Nothing unusual!
Yet the absence of Senluo Heavenly Venerable was the greatest anomaly!
His spiritual force extended further, reaching the riverbank hills behind and the surface of the raging river ahead, where a small boat had slipped past the defensive perimeter, speeding toward the river’s center. A figure stood aboard, clad in black fish-scale armor, face hidden behind a steel mask, sword and saber lowered, standing proudly at the bow, exuding dominance.
Hmph! Dugu Shi let out a cold snort, still standing in the center of the tent, his right fist striking forward.
In an instant, the sky darkened, winds and clouds gathering into a colossal fist, carrying crushing force as it slammed downward.
Crash!
The river surged violently, lifting the boat high.
Meng Qi remained unmoved, his mind like a bright mirror, reflecting the terrifying power of the fist.
Compared to its overwhelming force, the hidden threads of soft, insidious fist intent were even more terrifying. Amid the turbulent yuan sea and chaotic environment, they wove invisible nets, tightening to entrap!
Yin and Yang, hard and soft, all manifested within a single fist, surpassing even Meng Qi’s rough grasp of the Yin-Yang Seal.
Truly worthy of the title “Martial Emperor.” A spontaneous respect arose in Meng Qi’s heart for Dugu Shi—not based on his character or stance, but purely for his martial prowess. Regardless of bloodline, any warrior who reached such a realm deserved his admiration, serving as an opponent to strive toward, a goal to surpass!
But this was no time to appreciate Dugu Shi’s martial arts. If entangled, divine weapons and several top-three-grade experts would overwhelm him. Without relying on secret treasures, he could only hope to take a couple down with him.
“Excellent!” Meng Qi suddenly roared. His body expanded, dwarfing his enemies, nearly towering to the heavens. His entire form seemed composed of the laws and principles of the universe itself. His right-hand saber slashed downward, as if dragging thousands or even tens of thousands of jin. The blade’s tip faintly collapsed into a black needle-like vortex, while radiant flames burst forth from his right, illuminating all directions without discrimination.
The blade struck suddenly, and the river surface turned blindingly white. Distant defenders felt their bodies lighten, blown ashore. Had a top-three-grade expert not timely emitted soft force, they would have shattered along with their boats!
Boom!
After the blinding white flash came the violent explosion sound, the shockwave tearing through the soft net and colliding with the massive fist of winds and clouds!
Boom! Crash!
The raging river surged a hundred zhang high, its scorching heat wave shattered by a single punch.
Crack! The small boat beneath Meng Qi shattered into pieces!
Yet the colossal fist also weakened significantly. Seizing the moment, Meng Qi’s body suddenly shrank, offering a slight smile toward the camp direction, bowing respectfully.
Then he lowered his center of gravity and dove into the raging river, escaping before Dugu Shi could strike again, before the top-three-grade experts could surround him!
Dugu Shi’s spiritual waves rippled outward like tangible water, scanning the river surface. He had locked onto Meng Qi’s aura!
Yet after scanning, he did not strike, merely murmuring in surprise—the assassin had actually submerged into the riverbed!
Though Dugu Shi feared no monsters, underwater combat was not his forte. With numerous fierce creatures, accustomed to mutual slaughter and brimming with ferocity, who would willingly provoke them?
This brief hesitation caused the locked aura to shift and escape, and Dugu Shi lost track of Meng Qi!
Deep beneath the river, Meng Qi transformed into a blue-blooded being, slightly merging with the current, rushing forward.
Snap! A spiky tail lashed toward him, narrowly avoided.
Sensing the approaching grotesque giant turtle and its demonic aura, Meng Qi’s aura suddenly shifted—evil, corrupting, apocalyptic, with overwhelming devilish might, far purer than the turtle’s!
The turtle seemed to tremble, slowing its movements as Meng Qi swiftly passed.
The scent of the Devil Sage’s blood, simulated via the Eight-Nine Mystical Art!
The Devil Sages were far more refined than the gods and demons of this world!
Relying on the Devil Sage aura and the vague resemblance to the Solar Sovereign, Meng Qi dodged numerous underwater monsters, speeding forward.
As they finally reacted, launching various techniques to surround him, Meng Qi suddenly surged upward, merging with the current, evading seals, surfacing to the upper layers!
After this ordeal, he evaded Dugu Shi and the underwater monsters.
Outside the rebel camp, Master Wan Shi and Hou Yue stood by the riverbank, gazing across. Due to the river’s vastness, they could only judge the disturbance from the turbulent waters.
Suddenly, they saw a head surface, growing larger—it was Meng Qi.
Meng Qi stepped out of the water, one foot at a time, his hair slightly damp, his white robe pristine. He smiled slightly and said, “Mission accomplished. Shadow King is dead.”
Mission accomplished. Shadow King is dead… Master Wan Shi gazed at the man walking calmly through the towering waves, momentarily dazed.
…
In the capital, front-line reports were the most popular topic of discussion, though only high-ranking officials could access them.
However, the Bai Xiao Hall’s updated rankings also hinted at the shifting tides of the world-shaking battle, drawing eager anticipation from many.
Inside the Bai Xiao Hall, several young men and women flipped through the latest rankings, occasionally gasping in astonishment.
“A second-grade expert emerged so suddenly!” a boy exclaimed.
A beautiful, elegant girl smiled, “The world is vast; there are always hidden experts.”
The ranking list in their hands turned to a certain page, filled with text:
“Shadow King, leader of the Blood Sea Sect, identity unknown. His martial arts are bizarre, seemingly infused with the Shadow Demon bloodline and the Blood Demon legacy. Extremely difficult to wound, with enigmatic techniques, excelling in curses and venomous insects, making him highly unpredictable. He rose to prominence in the Battle of the Raging River—a demonic emperor of the night, ranked as second-tier.”
As they discussed, several Bai Xiao Hall officials emerged with the new rankings, expressions strange.
The boy who first spoke rushed forward, grabbed a copy, flipped to the Shadow King page, hoping to glean details of the Raging River battle from the evaluation.
“Shadow King, leader of the Blood Sea Sect… ranked second-tier.”
“Deceased!”
Deceased? The group of youths stared in shock, unable to speak. The Shadow King, who had just entered the second-tier rankings days ago, had perished so suddenly?
Truly come swiftly, gone swiftly…
Suddenly, they flipped to the front, wondering who could have killed the Shadow King…
Only three first-tier experts were listed, but one new page had been added:
“Red Army’s Senior Advisor, named ‘Shi’ alone. Martial arts unknown, origins unknown, methods unknown. In the imperial camp, surrounded by divine weapons and top-three-grade experts like the Martial Emperor, he assassinated the Shadow King and vanished. Ranked first-tier!”
Another first-tier expert had appeared… The youths’ ears were filled with gasps.
To pluck a top general’s head like picking from a bag amidst a forest of experts, then vanish—truly inspiring awe… They couldn’t suppress such thoughts.
…
Dark light seeped in, entering a clone, swapping places. Meng Qi returned to his team.
To ensure silence and a decisive strike, he had used the karma-binding technique without hesitation: sharing your karma, taking your life!
This time, Meng Qi’s Yuan Shi Golden Scripture improved further, his Jade Void Divine Calculation strengthened, and the signs of the “All-Fruit Origin” emerged. Though it did not increase the number of karma he could endure, in that moment, facing a thick crimson karma thread, Meng Qi shifted the burden, accepting a lesser karma in advance!
Otherwise, Meng Qi feared that the karma might link him directly to the Blood Sea Rakshasa, allowing her to lock his location and strike across space with divine intervention!
The karma he now bore was “the Wrath of Gods and Devils.” Under the Blood Sea Rakshasa’s guidance, Shadow King had used a flawed sacrifice to deceive celestial gods above the Nine Heavens and infernal demons below the Nine Earths, gaining a bloodline enhancement from fourth to top-three grade without much cost, thus creating this karma.
This karma seemed to have no time limit, as if it could be resolved at any time. Yet the more lenient the backlash, the greater the pressure Meng Qi felt.
Seemingly simple and easy, often hideously difficult!
Qi Zhengyan glanced at Meng Qi, knowing he had returned, and stood, saying, “I will now awaken Miao Cong’s lingering will before death.”
“Brother Qi, didn’t you say you were lying to them? There’s no secret art…” Ruan Yushu showed slight surprise.
Qi Zhengyan’s expression remained unchanged as he spoke matter-of-factly, “That statement was the lie.”
“If we had exposed him on the spot, it might have involved a certain Grandmaster, making him lose face and causing the rebels to split, which would hinder our mission. It’s better to investigate privately first before deciding.”
Meng Qi twitched his lips, “Senior Brother Qi, you’re becoming more and more cunning.”
He gave a thumbs-up.
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