The Hanyue Clan? The Wolf-slaying Society? Two more names that gave Meng Qi a headache. Their leader, Saren Gao Wa, was a disciple of the Jiesha Daoist, the woman who raised the Wolf King and saved Meng Qi’s life, yet she also bore an irreconcilable hatred toward him. She was searching relentlessly for Meng Qi, aiming to kill him and offer his head to the Wolf King.
After G’eldo destroyed the Hanyue Clan, he had never ceased hunting them down. Even before the major battle that could change the fate of the world, he was still preoccupied with this matter and sought someone to resolve it. It was indeed strange! Meng Qi mused inwardly and asked with suspicion, “Master, G’eldo has already reached the Earth Immortal level. What was difficult before is now probably effortless for him, something he could accomplish with just a finger. Why would he still entrust us with this task?”
Han Guang paced with his hands behind his back, stopping at the edge of the tent, his figure bathed in moonlight. “The information came suddenly. G’eldo and Lu Da, along with Chonghe, have been locked in a tense standoff, neither daring to make the first move.”
“His Golden Tent Warriors include no fewer than eighteen Grandmasters. There’s no need for him to rely on allies who are not united in purpose.” Meng Qi dared not approach Han Guang too closely and stood in the center of the tent.
There were only a few hundred Grandmasters across the entire martial world, all renowned figures. Excluding those at the half-step level, even the most powerful sects had at most seven, and some had as few as three. Their rarity was evident. It was only after G’eldo had conquered and assimilated numerous tribes that he managed to have eighteen Grandmasters directly under his command. The Changlei Sect, which united most of the tribal shamans, had only twenty-two Grandmasters. The entire grasslands could muster no more than sixty or so Grandmasters. The righteous sects of the Northern Zhou and Southern Jin had slightly more than the grasslands, but not significantly.
Han Guang’s expression remained unchanged, though the moonlight cast a sinister shadow over his face. “The Hanyue Clan repeatedly escaped the Golden Tent’s pursuit, so their strength and methods must be formidable. Before Wulihan passed away in meditation, the Golden Tent Warriors nearly killed Saren Gao Wa. But after his death, every attempt ended in failure. How could G’eldo feel at ease?”
Wulihan had once been the commander of the Golden Tent Warriors, a half-step Dharma Body cultivator, ranked as high as third on the Earth List. Unfortunately, he was too old and had passed away in meditation a few years ago. Currently, aside from G’eldo and Damman, both Dharma Body cultivators, there was a void at the half-step level across the grasslands. Although the world was vast, there were only eighteen half-step Dharma Body cultivators on the Earth List. As for those not on the list, based on Meng Qi’s current knowledge, they were likely very few: Simashi, the chief enforcer of the Six Ministries; Zhao Jing Shi of the Zhao Clan; the current Xuan Nu; the mysterious Iron Robe Mansion leader; Ye Yuqi, the “Frost Ice Fairy,” who had reached the half-step level but kept it secret; and possibly others far away in overseas or western lands who were supposedly deceased but still clinging to life.
In other words, the number of half-step Dharma Body cultivators wasn’t much greater than that of full Dharma Body cultivators, mainly due to the disparity in lifespan. Furthermore, if left path cultivators failed to breakthrough, they were prone to spiritual mishaps. It was normal for major factions to experience shortages at the half-step level. This was true for the Western Regions and the Southern Wilderness alike.
Looking at the current Earth List, the Northern Zhou and Southern Jin, which occupied fertile lands, had six each, showcasing their formidable strength. After all, the emergence of a Dharma Body cultivator required not only sufficient resources, top-tier cultivation techniques, and talented disciples, but also the corresponding opportunities, determination, effort, and focus. Therefore, the number of half-step Dharma Body cultivators often reflected the vitality or decline of a major faction, which was why martial cultivation thrived in the Central Plains.
Han Guang continued, “Before G’eldo’s rise, the Changlei Sect was on par with the Golden Tent. In many tribes, the shamans were even more important and influential than the Golden Tent. However, with G’eldo’s ascent, the Changlei Sect could only yield slightly. Although I’m not clear on Damman’s thoughts, I can make an educated guess.”
“G’eldo may appear rough and unrestrained, indulging in wine and women, but if he has indeed attained the Dharma Body, he’s no fool. Therefore, he would never entrust this matter to the Changlei Sect. If there were any major secrets, Damman would surely seize the opportunity.”
Meng Qi suddenly understood, “Without the shamanic sect’s mystical techniques, it’s no wonder the Golden Tent Warriors repeatedly failed to find the real target.”
Han Guang turned his back to Meng Qi, gazing at the cold moonlight at the edge of the tent. “Precisely. There may even be shamans secretly obstructing them.”
“No one knows how G’eldo obtained the Tianzhu Axe, but it did appear after the destruction of the Hanyue Clan, which has always sparked endless speculation…”
Han Guang’s tone was full of implications in that last sentence.
“Did G’eldo seize the Tianzhu Axe from the Hanyue Clan? Is he afraid that the Hanyue Clan still has secret techniques that could affect the Tianzhu Axe?” Meng Qi exclaimed in shock.
This was genuine shock, because he had met the Jiesha Daoist and observed her cultivation techniques, which were clearly not of the Tianzhu Axe lineage. They lacked the aura of divine punishment and were filled only with the killing intent. He had never considered this possibility before!
Han Guang did not turn around. “It’s only a possibility. G’eldo’s strange behavior is worth investigating. Anyway, it’s just a convenient matter.”
“If G’eldo truly has concerns, he will definitely find an excuse to keep an eye on us Dharma Body cultivators. This matter will have to rely on you.”
Meng Qi’s mind raced. Compared to the secret that might affect the Tianzhu Axe, the question of which factions had secretly allied with the grasslands seemed less important. The former could directly thwart G’eldo and crush the left path alliance. Moreover, Gu Yaonv seemed to be going as well, giving him an opportunity to capture her and obtain relevant information.
Since their first encounter, Gu Yaonv’s mysteriousness, unpredictable temperament, meticulous planning, and unpredictable actions had repeatedly put him at a disadvantage. Facing her always made him feel inferior, and the unavoidable entanglements that followed only deepened this feeling, gradually growing into a “heart demon.”
The mind must be cleansed regularly. One moment of completeness does not ensure perpetual completeness. This might be the greatest mental flaw in his current Waijing cultivation stage.
If he couldn’t even face her and defeat her, how could he ever hope to stop her from doing evil in the future?
No matter how powerful her background, how many hidden tricks she had, how resourceful she was, or how deep her schemes ran, she was not invincible!
Only by confronting her and defeating her could he face the upcoming Dharma Body tribulation with the most complete mind!
“Master, I will certainly do my utmost, but I wonder who else will be involved in this mission. I fear my strength may not be sufficient,” Meng Qi said, readily accepting the task.
Han Guang lightly tapped the back of his left hand with his right, as if recalling a melody. “G’eldo knows his strange behavior cannot be hidden from others, and he needs the mystical techniques of the shamans and our left path sects. Therefore, he has specifically designated ‘Great Luo Holy Maiden’ Gu Xiaosang and the Golden Tent Warrior ‘Nine Bends Falcon’ Tuogesi as the leaders. Each faction will send a Grandmaster to monitor each other, preventing those with ulterior motives from acting recklessly.”
“As for Gu Xiaosang, Tuogesi is a Grandmaster at the eighth heaven. It is said that he has recently gained G’eldo’s trust. His talent lies in circular flying attacks during enlightenment and teleportation after reaching the Waijing stage. His horse saber strikes are unpredictable and elusive. He is much more dangerous than the Blue-tier assassins of the Buren Tower in direct combat, and his escape ability is no worse than theirs. As long as he lives, others dare not covet this secret.”
“The Suzhen Sect has sent the ‘Desire Deva Bodhisattva,’ who only reached the Grandmaster level through sexual cultivation and a lucky chance. She has remained at the seventh heaven ever since, making her the weakest among them.”
Meng Qi listened intently. These were insights from a Dharma Body expert, crucial for guiding his future actions.
“The Changlei Sect has sent ‘Heavenly Mother Shaman’ Tuoya, who can borrow the power of ‘Ruyi Heavenly Mother.’ She is likely at the seventh to eighth heaven level and excels in many strange techniques, making her difficult to deal with.” Han Guang mentioned the shamanic deity “Ruyi Heavenly Mother.”
Some of these deities were naturally born spirits that protected certain tribes and gradually became their shamanic gods, facing fewer restrictions. Others were born from the accumulated wishes and prayers of their followers, guarding the tribes that worshipped them but unable to stray far, thus facing many limitations.
The Changlei Sect, through many generations, had conquered these deities and incorporated them into their system. The highest priest of each shamanic deity was generally as powerful as the deity itself. “Heavenly Mother Shaman” Tuoya was the highest priest of “Ruyi Heavenly Mother.”
The strongest among the shamanic deities was the Changlei Sect’s revered “Eternal Heaven,” a Dharma Body deity who had already been reborn three times from the incense offerings.
“The Xiu Luo Temple and Xueyi Sect have already left under cover of night and are unaware of this matter. The ‘Six Desires True Buddha’ of the Huanxi Temple volunteered to join, claiming admiration for the Great Luo Holy Maiden, the Heretical Deva Bodhisattva, and the Heavenly Mother Shaman, though his true intentions are not hard to guess.” Han Guang’s tone carried a hint of mockery. “The path of sexual cultivation relies on external aids. The Huanxi Temple lacks the Suzhen Celestial Realm to safely cultivate and protect their furnaces and the Xuan Nu lineage’s protection, leading to its long decline. Without its remaining foundation, it would have already become an ordinary evil sect.”
“They currently have no half-step Dharma Body cultivators. Their strongest are two Waijing peak experts, the current ‘Huanxi True Buddha’ of the Fandeng Sect and this ‘Six Desires True Buddha.’ The latter ranks thirteenth on the Black List and fifty-eighth on the Earth List, making him the strongest and most dangerous. However, you excel at curses and ambushes. If Gu Xiaosang can engage him head-on, you’ll have a good chance.”
“At the Grandmaster level, many secret treasures pale in comparison to one’s own skills and techniques, and they often require additional steps to activate. With the exception of divine weapons, core materials for divine weapons, as well as rare and hard-to-obtain supreme-grade talismans and artifacts, other top-tier treasures are seldom used—though they are by no means scarce.”
“I have already given my token to Wumian, and I have nothing additional to offer you. Fortunately, I previously assisted you in refining the ‘Ultimate Evil Temptation Banner,’ a top-tier magical artifact, which should serve you well.”
“If you had given me the token, I wouldn’t have dared to accept it. Such items are usually given to fellow reincarnators for completing missions…” Meng Qi muttered to himself. He was grateful that Han Guang was stingy—otherwise, he would have been exposed on the spot. After all, he couldn’t very well blurt out: “Wow, Master, you’re a reincarnator too? What a coincidence!”
Meng Qi had inspected the Ji Zi Ring of the Extreme Evil Demon King and found mostly demonic treasures and artifacts, filled with deep resentment and heavy impurities, even including some made from living people. The best among them was the small black banner, which turned out to be refined by Han Guang. The rest, including the robe and the Demon King’s Hand treasure, were merely top-grade.
At this point, Han Guang chuckled. “The Shengsi Wuchang Sect suffered heavy losses in the previous incident and now has only one half-step Dharma Body cultivator, the sect leader, and two Grandmasters left. One guards the main altar, while the other is with him, setting up the Yuying Evil God Formation, leaving them unable to spare anyone. Therefore, they only sent one Grandmaster-level undead, created from a half-step Dharma Body cultivator’s corpse. It has limited intelligence and can barely act autonomously, making it the easiest to deal with.”
Meng Qi was hearing for the first time that the Shengsi Wuchang Sect had been reduced to only one half-step Dharma Body cultivator and two Grandmasters. Judging from Han Guang’s words, had he been the one responsible for eliminating the rest?
If that were the case, wouldn’t the final step of his Wuzhen Linked Task become much easier?
Moreover, why was the Shengsi Wuchang Sect hiding in the Changlei Sect’s territory, preparing the Yuying Evil God Formation?
Meng Qi felt that listening to Han Guang’s words had been immensely beneficial, almost making him sincerely call him “Second Brother.”
The Shengsi Wuchang Sect’s leader, the “Yuying Emperor,” was shrouded in mystery. He rarely acted, but when he did, he always shocked everyone. He had never failed when appearing in person, so no one had ever seen his true face or knew his name. If not for his remote confrontation with Su Wuming, where he narrowly lost by a single move, his Earth List ranking would not have been limited to fifth.
He was also currently the number one on the Black List, surpassing even the current Huanxi Bodhisattva and the Buren Tower leader.
“Gu Xiaosang is suspected to be the incarnation of the Wusheng Old Mother, possessing extraordinary and mysterious abilities. For now, do not target her. It would be best to cooperate with her. If you uncover great secrets, sharing them between your sects is acceptable. Of course, you must remain vigilant against her potential attacks. Always remember to protect your Primordial Spirit with the Ultimate Evil Temptation Banner.” Han Guang issued a final warning. The Annihilation Heaven Sect had detailed records on each individual’s specific cultivation techniques, so there was no need for him to elaborate further.
Watching Han Guang depart gracefully, Meng Qi’s expression suddenly darkened. This would be the second time he faced the Demon Master unprepared!
Under the circumstances where a Dharma Body cultivator could easily discover his secret with a little attention, the first time could be attributed to the Demon Master’s carelessness, with the exposure risk being relatively low and not exceeding his own alert threshold, allowing him to continue hiding. However, the second encounter raised the question: how likely was it that Han Guang remained as careless as before?
Although Han Guang seemed not to have discovered his impersonation, the cumulative exposure risk from two encounters had already become significant, surpassing his own alert threshold—the point at which, regardless of the actual signs, he must withdraw to ensure safety. Only then could he navigate safely through the long journey ahead!
Therefore, this time, once he left, he could never return!
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