Below the level of Dharma Body, even if the “Cold Ice Fairy” Ye Yuqi were killed, it wouldn’t shock Meng Qi so much. However, having cultivated the Ba Jiu Xuan Gong, he naturally understood its formidable power.
After stepping onto the second tier of the Celestial Ladder and ascending to the Seventh Heaven, Cao Xianzhi’s short-term explosive power as a newly advanced Zongshi rivaled that of most peak experts at the Ninth Heaven of Outer Heaven. He could hold his own against a half-step Dharma Body practitioner for a brief period. With a physique as resilient as top-grade treasure weapons, his acute danger perception was exceptional, and his versatile, unpredictable movements made him nearly unbeatable in one-on-one combat among Zongshi of the same tier. Even when facing two or three opponents simultaneously, they might only eke out a narrow victory, and preventing his escape would prove extremely challenging. Divine weapons alone were ineffective unless they struck him directly. Cao possessed the ability to break through encirclements and survive at the cost of severe injuries before being fully restrained.
Unless the divine weapons could suppress Ba Jiu, or the Zongshi attackers had ways to counter it, could the Ba Jiu Xuan Gong, known as an all-weather, all-terrain combat machine, really be easily countered?
If they had laid a trap beforehand, hiding a deceased Earth Immortal, considering Ba Jiu’s danger-sensing ability, Cao might have fled before even entering the door? Had they prepared treasures to obscure danger perception?
Meng Qi didn’t doubt Cao’s death. The resentment and obsession condensed within that head were almost tangible. Han Guang and Gu Xiaosang had seen the three-headed, six-armed or two-headed, four-armed forms before—Mahoraga Monan had similar abilities. They wouldn’t be deceived by just a severed head without checking the Yuan Shen or the soul lamp. Unless Gu Xiaosang knew the truth and deliberately used the head to deceive, but there seemed no need, as Cao wasn’t indispensable.
Practicing Ba Jiu together, Meng Qi always had confidence in his survival abilities. Now seeing Cao’s head before him, it struck him heavily like the fox grieving the rabbit’s death, casting a shadow over his heart.
“Who is this?” Both Luo Hou, the “King of Asura,” and Wan Chong Zunzhe asked simultaneously. Since Cao became a Zongshi only recently, his reputation hadn’t spread widely, making them unable to recognize him at first.
Gu Xiaosang handed the head to the Lamp-bearing Divine Messenger. The firelight illuminated her face, warm and golden, saintly and serene: “Cao Xianzhi from the Cao family, a newly made Zongshi, but in terms of combat power, he can rank among the top eighty in the Earth List. You two are far from his match, even if you attack together, there’s a risk of death.”
Her hand hung down, drops of blood falling, contrasting sharply with her whiteness, drawing the eyes of young Luo Hou and others. Meng Qi sighed inwardly; flesh and blood have spirit, but the soul was already gone.
Both Luo Hou and Wan Chong Zunzhe’s expressions turned serious. Could Cao Xianzhi really be that strong? Why hadn’t his name been known before?
Was the Great Luo Holy Maiden exaggerating?
Gu Xiaosang’s eyes seemed to hold countless brilliant stars or lamps. Her eyelids lowered slightly, as if reflecting or describing: “The Cao family gathered their Zongshi to discuss fully surrendering to the Khan. He strongly opposed it, unwilling to mix with us of the Left Path. However, at that time, the Demon Sage, Da Man, and the Dharma King were all waiting for the Cao family’s decision. The family head made a ruthless decision, activated a divine weapon suddenly, and killed their own dissenting Zongshi to show their determination.”
“However, if the Demon Sage himself hadn’t intervened, Cao Xianzhi might have escaped.”
Both Luo Hou and Wan Chong Zunzhe, as high-level figures of their factions, knew well how many Zongshi the Cao family had and the power of their divine weapons. For Cao to break through such a battle situation was simply unbelievable. No wonder the Great Luo Holy Maiden praised him for being worthy of the top eighty in the Earth List, his short-term combat power not inferior to any Outer Heaven peak expert!
Meng Qi outwardly remained calm, playing with a bronze wine cup, but inwardly he felt more puzzled. With three Dharma Bodies—Demon Sage, Da Man, and Dharma King—watching, how could Cao have no sense of danger?
Unless someone had already specifically obscured the heavenly mechanism and disturbed his mind!
But Cao had previously been obscure; what virtue or merit could make high-level Dharma Body experts pay such attention and target him specifically?
Could it be his identity had already been suspected?
Was it after the incident involving the “Tree of the Great Dao”?
Since Gu Xiaosang’s words were hard to distinguish truth from falsehood, Meng Qi dared not rely too much on her account. He forcibly calmed his fluctuating emotions, feigning shock externally: “Cao Xianzhi actually had such strength? He must have hidden it deeply in the past!”
He was testing whether Gu Xiaosang and others knew about Cao’s identity as “Zhenjun Qingyuan Miaodao.”
Gu Xiaosang lacked her usual playful cleverness, appearing solemn and dignified, which seemed to be her main demeanor in front of others. She slowly spoke, her voice pleasant:
“The Cao family is one of the top aristocratic families. If they have resolutely surrendered to the Khan, the situation of other factions can be imagined. Even if Gao Lan regrets later, we still hold the advantage. When spring comes, the grass will grow everywhere, leaving the remaining sects and families in peril, with every bush and tree becoming an enemy soldier. Once the great trend is formed, it will be mighty and unstoppable. Those who follow will prosper; those who resist will perish. Why do you two hesitate and fear Lu Da and Chong He?”
Wan Chong Zunzhe immediately said, “Our Blood Garment Sect has never wavered; we fully support the Khan.”
“King of Asura” Luo Hou looked at Cao Xianzhi’s head, seemingly infected by the blood, shaken by the scene. He slapped his palm, turning the table into powder, and solemnly said, “Our Asura Temple was not raised in fear! This seat will immediately report to Mahoraga and act according to our agreement!”
Meng Qi took a deep breath, finally understanding the demoness’s purpose for coming here: to use the Cao family’s surrender to intimidate any dissent within the Asura Temple, preventing problems during the alliance meeting.
“Besides the Cao family, which other factions have secretly surrendered?” At this point, Xiao Luo Hou interjected, seemingly concerned while also wanting to speak.
Gu Xiaosang’s dress wrinkles slid like flowing snow. Standing gracefully, she smiled slightly: “Such matters naturally can only be known by a few faction leaders.”
Her dimples shallow, she looked around: “We of the Left Path have always been suppressed; in thousands of years, this is the best opportunity. Your wise discernment of the great trend is commendable.”
After speaking, she turned and left. Meng Qi quietly exhaled in relief; it seemed the enchantress hadn’t recognized him.
Regarding the matter of the Poisonous Hand Demon Lord, both the Golden Tent Warriors and the Outer Heaven Shamans had been influenced by his “Yuanxin Seal” and would forget afterward unless specific stimuli triggered memories. Other witnesses were only the followers of the Heaven-Extinguishing Sect, who, under the “Extreme Evil Heaven Demon” seeking personal revenge, wouldn’t possibly admit that the “Poisonous Hand Demon Lord” had been there, as it would be self-incrimination.
As for whether Gu Xiaosang would reveal the issue with the Poisonous Hand Demon Lord, Meng Qi was quite confident she wouldn’t. After numerous encounters and setbacks with this demoness, he had finally gained some insight into her temperament and habits. She preferred to keep secrets concealed, using them as hidden trump cards and contingency plans—this was precisely why she always appeared so inscrutable.
Such a person would never voluntarily reveal her secrets unless she had other intentions.
Meng Qi’s only concern was whether, after their last dual cultivation, Gu Xiaosang might have developed some additional sensing abilities toward him. But judging from the current situation, it seemed not.
Watching Gu Xiaosang’s back disappear, Meng Qi also left the banquet, exiting the tent. The night had deepened, torches everywhere, flames illuminating the surroundings, disturbing many birds, causing them to lose their day-night sense, flapping wings flying everywhere, being shot down by many grassland people for roasting and eating.
Standing in front of the tent, Meng Qi watched the flying birds and suddenly smiled, extending his left hand.
A bird seemed to sense something, folded its wings, and suddenly landed on his palm.
Wan Chong Zunzhe stepped out of the tent just in time to witness this. He saw the “Extreme Evil Heaven Demon” with a pale face, harboring madness, yet appearing serene, his deep and calm expression contrasting sharply with the gentle bird in his palm.
“Didn’t expect you to still have such leisurely elegance…” Wan Chong Zunzhe’s hair moved slightly without wind.
Meng Qi loosened his hand, letting the bird fly away, smiling slightly: “Extreme evil turning to good, movement and stillness in harmony. Occasionally calming the mind prevents inner turmoil.”
The bird flew into the sky, seemingly emitting a strange allure, attracting a hawk that snatched it away, flying far off, tearing flesh swiftly, its hunting speed earning applause from many grassland warriors.
Seeing this, Wan Chong Zunzhe remained silent for half a moment before saying: “It feels like you’re becoming more and more like a Heaven Demon…”
…
Among thousands of tents, outside an unremarkable gray one, Han Guang, the “Demon Sage,” strolled leisurely with one hand behind his back while holding a scroll in the other, reading calmly. The moonlight bathed his figure, his loose robe flowing gracefully, resembling a Confucian scholar or a wise sage.
“Rohit should be fine now,” he suddenly spoke.
From the shadows near the tent, Gu Xiaosang and the Lamp-bearing Divine Messenger emerged, instantly making the surroundings ethereal and transcendent.
“Of course,” Gu Xiaosang smiled lightly, “but I just don’t understand why the Demon Sage didn’t personally deliver the head?”
The Lamp-bearing Divine Messenger returned Cao Xianzhi’s head to Han Guang.
“The Heaven-Extinguishing Sect has actively promoted this matter. If I were to appear personally, it wouldn’t shock Rohit sufficiently. The Cao family’s surrender is one factor; Rohit’s sincere cooperation is the second; the Asura Temple, having families and estates, isn’t like other Left Path factions that can hide, unafraid of the Khan’s retaliation, is the third. Only with these three combined can the Asura Temple’s wait-and-see mentality be eliminated.” Han Guang held Cao Xianzhi’s head, examining it carefully with a calm gaze.
Gu Xiaosang’s expression remained serene, speaking casually: “The Demon Sage has always been ambitious and strategic, not one to stay under others for long. If Guldor becomes too powerful, it will surely be difficult to control. Your efforts for this alliance have indeed raised suspicions.”
The surrounding void suddenly became hazy.
“If Guldor becomes powerful, won’t the Rohit Sect also find itself in trouble, far less free than now?” Han Guang didn’t answer but instead asked with a slight smile.
Gu Xiaosang’s face remained saintly: “With the great calamity approaching, the world should become more chaotic.”
“Yes, chaos is better. In chaos, there are opportunities.” Han Guang readily agreed. He withdrew his gaze, examining Gu Xiaosang with a smile: “You are insightful, unpredictable, and unfathomable. Your beauty is unparalleled in this age. Though your power isn’t strong, it’s no longer negligible. Such a woman, even I feel a bit tempted. If I hadn’t already transcended love and indifference, I might not have been able to control myself. Pity, pity that my ‘third brother’ treats a fine flower like common grass, not knowing how to cherish it.”
“I like his rough manner,” Gu Xiaosang changed her address, but her expression didn’t change.
“What about later? When emotions deepen, will you cut love to see ‘myself’?” Han Guang asked casually.
Gu Xiaosang smiled ambiguously: “Why cut love? Killing him is enough.”
Han Guang was slightly taken aback, unsure of Gu Xiaosang’s mindset, and laughed: “I hope you can bring yourself to do it.”
He then said: “The Khan has a mission that needs your leadership.”
“What mission?” Gu Xiaosang’s expression turned solemn.
“The matter of the Wolf-Slaying Society. The Khan doesn’t want any hidden dangers when fully advancing south,” Han Guang smiled. “I will send Extreme Evil to assist.”
Gu Xiaosang nodded in acknowledgment, her figure drifting as she prepared to leave.
Suddenly, she said: “It’s time to ask the Khan to sense the entire ‘Golden Tent’ to catch the spy.”
The message would leak naturally after the public “head delivery.”
“A leak is fine,” Han Guang smiled.
Gu Xiaosang left with a silvery laugh: “Indeed, it’s better.”
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