Watching Gu Xiaosang leave, Han Guang picked up the severed head of Cao Xianzhi and stared into his wide-open, lifeless eyes with a faint smile. He shook his head slightly, then took a step forward, arriving at the edge of the real Golden Tent.
The interior of the tent was lavishly decorated. Regardless of the materials used, the emphasis was solely on outward appearance, with many rare treasures interspersed throughout—for instance, several Sun God Stones hanging at the highest point, illuminating the entire tent in dazzling golden splendor.
Without announcing himself, Han Guang casually lifted the tent flap and stepped onto the thick, soft woolen carpet. Taking a deep breath, he spoke leisurely, “Have Wan Chong and Luo Hou already come?”
Numerous precious weapons hung inside the tent—swords, spears, axes, and halberds—gleaming with radiant light, exuding a heroic aura that captured the eye. Yet, no matter who entered, their gaze would inevitably fall first upon the giant bronze-skinned man lounging there. Leaning back against a goddess-like woman of unparalleled beauty, he resembled half a towering mountain—majestic and imposing.
His features were striking, his expression one of careless boldness, his slightly hooked nose hinting at a trace of sinister cunning. He appeared no older than forty. The woman behind him had large, bright eyes and delicate eyebrows like distant hills. Her skin looked so smooth it seemed ready to burst, and every part of her radiated seductive allure, except for her dignified aura.
The bronze-skinned man laughed heartily, “Seeing Cao Xianzhi’s head, I knew the Cao family had submitted. How could they dare not come? After seeing the other proofs, Mengnan finally bowed his head, and we reached an agreement.”
He was none other than G’eldo, the Khan of the grasslands who had attained the “Celestial Punishment Treasure Body”!
Faced with G’eldo, Han Guang did not show excessive reverence. With a graceful stride, he slowly walked to the left and sat down, idly toying with a wine cup. His gaze alternated between deep emotion and cold detachment as he smiled faintly, “Everything is ready. Only the right opportunity remains.”
G’eldo waved a hand, signaling the goddess behind him to withdraw. In an instant, only he and Han Guang remained inside the tent.
Han Guang set down his wine cup, composed and unruffled, his eyes turning solemn, as if he were a god or demon gazing indifferently upon the mortal world: “It’s been many years. Your seductive aura has only grown stronger.”
“Indeed,” G’eldo replied, drinking from a bowl as if reminiscing.
Han Guang poured himself another glass of wine, speaking casually, “Many Golden Tent Warriors are worried about the Khan, fearing you’ve become addicted to beauty and weakened by excessive indulgence.”
G’eldo pounded the table, unconcerned, “What’s the point of living if one cannot drink or enjoy beauty? What’s the difference between such a life and that of a eunuch? Even if danger lurks, even if threats remain, what do I have to fear? Let them come! If they can truly weaken me through seduction, then they deserve the credit!”
“How many men in the world can sleep with a current-generation Joyful Bodhisattva and still survive unscathed?”
Han Guang smiled, his eyes still deep and unfathomable: “The matter of the Cao family has already been leaked.”
“This revelation will sow fear and suspicion among all factions. The southern barbarians will be forced to retreat into isolation, making them easy prey for piecemeal defeat,” G’eldo laughed loudly.
When no one can determine which forces have secretly submitted, how can the various sects and clans trust each other enough to fight side by side? Perhaps only the Pure Yang Sect and the Huamei Villa can be relied upon, while all others must be suspected!
“It will also expose any spies,” Han Guang sipped his wine, the wooden hairpin in his bun dark and dull, reflecting no light, “though the Cao family is now in grave danger.”
G’eldo leaned back slightly, comfortably resting against a giant dragon’s head. His eyes narrowed as he stared into the empty space ahead, as if gazing across vast distances to lock eyes with someone unseen. The axe that oppressed the heavens was hidden somewhere unknown.
“Ever since our last battle, I’ve been spiritually entangled with Lu Da and Chong He. Though separated by a million li, we can still faintly sense each other’s presence. Therefore, none of us dare act rashly or reveal any mental vulnerabilities. If they move, I move. Once they attack the Cao family, the great war will begin,” G’eldo’s voice grew lofty, as if not only addressing Han Guang but also issuing a warning to the two Earth Immortals a million li away.
Han Guang, with his elegant demeanor and handsome features tinged with an aura of the supernatural, smiled faintly, appearing almost divine or demonic: “No wonder the Khan couldn’t spare the hands to deal with the Wolf-Slaying Society or the remnants of the Full Moon Clan. But they’re just stray dogs, with barely any Grandmasters left. They’re not even worth the effort. Why bother dividing your attention now?”
“No matter how minor the threat, it cannot be ignored. Besides, I’ve just received some new intelligence,” G’eldo replied calmly, his expression unchanged.
Han Guang seemed to understand and asked no further questions, departing gracefully.
…
A hawk soared into the sky, circling once before turning westward, flying beyond the Golden Tent’s perimeter, then heading south.
At the Qingming season, in a small town on the edge of the grasslands, a physician was packing his medicine chest when suddenly a hawk landed before him.
Thump, thump, thump! As he stood alert and surprised, he heard a strange heartbeat, his own heart seemingly syncing with it, beating faster.
A voice formed in his mind, sentence after sentence:
“The Cao family killed Cao Xianzhi, who opposed them, betrayed Gao Lan, and secretly defected to the grasslands. Many other factions have done the same. Further investigation and verification are needed before any conclusions can be drawn.”
“The Luo Sect and the Heaven-Destroying Gate are sincerely cooperating with G’eldo.”
“The Asura Temple remains indecisive, only making decisions under pressure. In the western region, perhaps we should not dispatch Dharma Bodies to block them, allowing sects and clans to engage their quasi-Dharma Body forces and divine weapons. Mengnan will not risk his own forces for G’eldo.”
“The Blood Robe Sect seems to have already decided. Either the Blood Sea Rakshasi knows of G’eldo and Han Guang’s other advantages, or they have other plans.”
“The Heaven-Destroying Gate and the Luo Sect are confident, even if Gao Lan might return to the righteous path. Perhaps the demon race is indeed involved.”
“The Life-and-Death Unpredictable Sect rarely appears, hiding in the Changsheng Sect’s tent, seemingly preparing something secretly…”
“No leads yet on the spies.”
“Yuan Shi Tian Mo.”
The physician was stunned. These were crucial pieces of intelligence, especially the first one. Without vigilance, many top sects could be destroyed if their allies turned traitor in the heat of battle!
The final four characters revealed the informant’s identity, enhancing the credibility of the intelligence.
He fixed his gaze on the hawk. Finding it ordinary, he watched it spread its wings and fly away as his thoughts returned to normal.
Not long after, Lu Da of the Huamei Villa and Daoist Chong He of the Pure Yang Sect each received this information.
“The hearts of men have scattered…” Chong He sighed upon reading the first message.
With this revelation, every faction would grow suspicious of each other, and there would be no way to investigate thoroughly in the short term.
As for suppressing the news, Chong He believed other factions certainly had spies and informants in the grasslands. He couldn’t stop the Golden Tent from deliberately leaking it. The real importance of the Yuan Shi Tian Mo message lay in the subsequent entries, especially the accurate grasp and judgment of Wan Chong Venerable and others’ attitudes, emotions, and words.
Lu Da stared intently at the slip of paper in his hand, issuing quiet instructions:
“Find Gao Lan.”
Gao Lan might have been lured over, which could offset many things.
…
Changle, the imperial city.
Ren Kui, the “Supreme Elder” of the Taiyue Sect, entered an abandoned palace. According to intelligence, Gao Lan had been seen here.
The palace stretched deep, its materials unique. Each step echoed with a crisp sound—whether one had opened their acupoints or reached the Outer Scenery realm, flight was the only way to avoid it.
The windows were nailed shut, allowing no light inside. The interior was dark and eerie.
Ren Kui suddenly stopped, seeing a figure seated on a broken throne. Handsome, with thin lips and a cold, indifferent gaze, the man was none other than the “Mad King” Gao Lan.
Ren Kui inwardly scoffed—most of the forces he had tried to recruit had defected to the grasslands, yet this man still acted like an emperor…
Before he could speak, Gao Lan spoke calmly, “I know you would come.”
“You also know what choice you must make,” Ren Kui, though facing a Dharma Body, maintained his dignity as the Supreme Elder of a top sect.
Since a choice must be made, it would naturally be to side with the side that needed him most, thus securing greater benefits without fearing post-victory betrayal.
Gao Lan’s gaze lifted casually, “I want the imperial throne.”
What use was a solitary emperor’s seat? Ren Kui smirked inwardly, then replied solemnly, “Only the Northern Zhou throne. No problem at all.”
This was one of the agreed-upon conditions among the major top sects. Even if Gao Lan demanded more, they would still comply.
Gao Lan waved a hand, “Leave. I will act when the time comes. If there are any contracts, feel free to present them.”
Ren Kui felt as if his thoughts had been seen through. Reluctantly, he produced the mysterious contract given by Chong He—intended to prevent Gao Lan from betraying them later. It stipulated that he must not side with the grasslands or the heretical cults in this battle.
After signing the contract, Ren Kui left the palace. Gao Lan remained seated, shrouded in shadow, a faint trace of mockery on his lips.
…
Inside his own tent, Meng Qi sat in meditation, trying to process the shock and sorrow from Cao Xianzhi’s death.
This Clear Source Marvelous Sovereign had carried too much burden, lived too responsibly, too cautiously, only to meet a sudden calamity. Truly, it made Meng Qi sigh in grief and fear, for when a great calamity comes, it doesn’t matter how hard you try to live peacefully—you might still die in the street for no reason at all!
Only by facing it head-on and actively transforming the calamity can one survive.
I hope Cao Xianzhi isn’t truly dead, that Gu Xiaosang and the others are just bluffing, Meng Qi silently wished before pondering which factions had actually defected to G’eldo.
Even at the Grandmaster level, the truth might not be clear. The innermost circle consisted of Dharma Bodies or Half-Step experts, or sects like the Life-and-Death Unpredictable Sect that kept a low profile, making it nearly impossible to investigate.
From the “Envoy”?
Wan Chong and Luo Hou had already left in the night to return to their territories to prepare. Only Liu Yu Buddha remained, but he was an Outer Scenery Peak expert, and Meng Qi had no prior connection with him.
Wait, there was still someone who must know, and whose strength was within his capacity to handle.
“The Great Demoness” Gu Xiaosang!
Meng Qi’s thoughts wandered, landing on the most suitable yet least desirable person to confront. The enchantress was unpredictable and full of tricks. He would rather face Liu Yu Buddha than provoke her.
Suddenly, Meng Qi’s vision blurred, and Han Guang appeared before him.
“Master?” Meng Qi tensed again. Truly, not a moment’s preparation was given.
“Tomorrow you will investigate the Wolf-Slaying Society. I’ll secretly give you another mission,” Han Guang said, his face bathed in moonlight, expressionless.
“What mission?” Meng Qi asked, puzzled.
“The battle is imminent, yet G’eldo still focuses on the Full Moon Clan and the Wolf-Slaying Society. There must be something amiss, perhaps hiding a crucial secret. I want you to kill everyone accompanying this investigation—except for the Great Luo Holy Maiden. Her goal likely aligns with yours. In any case, you must capture the remnants of the Full Moon Clan’s secret,” Han Guang’s gaze was deep and unreadable.
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