This lotus seed appeared ordinary, seemingly only a relatively rare variety. It retained a bit of moisture and the lingering warmth from Gu Xiaosang’s hand, causing Meng Qi to hesitate slightly—Blooming to See Myself?
Was Gu the Enchantress equally uncertain about her ability to escape this chessboard of fate? Hence, she laughed lightly about life and death, intending to leave behind a memory, hoping someone would remember that there once was a woman named Gu Xiaosang—not the Eternal Mother, not Jade Dragon Purple’s Gu Xiaosang? With the Yuanxin Seal upon him, Meng Qi still couldn’t grasp Gu Xiaosang’s mindset—her cheerful tone, her erratic thoughts, speaking of things both tragically beautiful and cruel, making him feel a strange sense of empathy.
Long, long afterwards, if he failed in his struggle, who would know that a Meng Qi from Earth had ever passed through here, striving for self-existence?
In this respect, he and Gu Xiaosang were indeed kindred spirits.
Holding the lotus seed, Meng Qi could no longer respond with casual indifference as before; he fell into silence.
Gu Xiaosang smiled without a trace of gloominess, exuding tranquility, like the moon breaking through dark clouds, casting its glow upon the lake. She, too, remained silent, and the atmosphere instantly turned serene—stillness breeds wisdom, and serenity gives rise to insight.
Meng Qi toyed with the lotus seed in his hand for a while before changing the topic: “You were able to perceive the transformations of the Eight and Nine Profound Stages at the same cultivation level due to the special connection created by the Three Lives Fruit and Dual Cultivation?”
“If my dear husband says so, then it must be true.” Gu Xiaosang wrinkled her nose slightly, her smile blooming like a flower, repeating her deliberately vague answer.
Just remember that this demon girl possesses such an ability… Meng Qi changed the subject: “Earlier, the one chasing Jie Sha—no, Saren Gowa—was the ‘Faceless Demon’?”
“Not the Faceless Demon,” Gu Xiaosang replied firmly. “Nor is it anyone from the Destroy Heaven Sect. I don’t know where the Demon Patriarch found this helper, but his appearance was hideous, seemingly not born that way.”
A Mythical member? As Meng Qi puzzled over this, Gu Xiaosang had already tilted her head to gaze at a bizarrely dark and eerie gem floating nearby. The gem was fractured, split into countless facets, each flickering with a soul-stirring dark radiance, resembling one door after another leading into the abyss of the underworld—the gates beyond the Ghost Gate.
“The Nether Ghost Gate, the primary material for the Weeping Elder’s divine weapon,” Gu Xiaosang said cheerfully.
The final Heavenly Punishment Thunderbolt had been the most terrifying, seemingly capable of piercing through space and time. With a single strike, everything within a ten-mile radius turned to absolute nothingness, including the corpses of Weeping Elder and Tuoya, and all their treasures. Meng Qi estimated that if he had taken that blow himself, even with the Eight and Nine Profound Stages, there would have been no need for rescue.
Now it seemed that the main material for the divine weapon had barely resisted that Void Thunderbolt.
“Once, he was the most wicked demon in my heart, the most formidable enemy. I envisioned countless ways to slay him. Who could have imagined he would perish so simply—no grand battle, no spectacular clash,” Meng Qi remarked upon witnessing the scene, neither erupting in rage nor attempting to seize the Netherworld Ghost Gate, but sighing with quiet resignation.
As for the terrifying entanglements and dangers within, they were not for outsiders to know, especially the karmic punishment after the transformation almost placing him in a deadly predicament. Had it not been for Han Guang’s hidden maneuver and Gu Xiaosang’s conflicting interests, he would have perished here, left only hoping that Jie Sha’s strange sword wouldn’t affect his other body.
Gu Xiaosang’s dimples faintly appeared: “It shows that my dear husband has grown. Enemies once thought unbeatable can now be cut down with a single blade. In today’s world, aside from Dharma Body experts, you can dominate all.”
Her gaze shifted: “Did the Six Desires Lecherous Monk give my dear husband the ‘Six Desires Mundane Needle’?”
Her tone was more of a guess, deduced from the Six True Buddha’s personality and usual methods.
“I originally intended to obtain his secrets and use it on him, but who knew he’d die so quickly.” Meng Qi felt slightly embarrassed. As a young hero of the righteous sects, holding such a treasure was somewhat beneath his dignity.
After regaining composure, Daoist Jie Sha and the elder with gray hair had long vanished without a trace, beyond pursuit. Since Gu Xiaosang had colluded with Jie Sha, she might already know the secrets, so Meng Qi chose to confront her directly.
Gu Xiaosang chuckled lightly: “You and I are husband and wife, one in essence. Whatever you gain, my dear husband may keep, except for these two lustful needles—I must claim them. Leaving them with you, are you perhaps eyeing some other maiden?”
Long accustomed to her affectionate words, Meng Qi was momentarily stunned—was she suggesting trading the Six Desires Mundane Needle for the Netherworld Ghost Gate?
The Six Desires Mundane Needle was a relatively common treasure, only effective when used unexpectedly. Compared to it, the Netherworld Ghost Gate was far more valuable. Without hesitation, Meng Qi handed over the Six Desires Mundane Needle to Gu Xiaosang and took possession of this slightly damaged divine weapon core.
After finishing this, Meng Qi suddenly inhaled deeply, slowly rising to his feet, standing atop the waves, his aura rapidly surging. With his long blade in hand, he stared straight at Gu Xiaosang:
“I won’t strike from behind you. Make your move!”
The secrets of Saren Gowa, the hidden faction secretly siding with the Golden Tent—all must be obtained from Gu Xiaosang. Meng Qi had not forgotten his mission for this trip even slightly.
Earlier, had he suddenly attacked, he would have had a sixty to seventy percent chance of subduing Gu Xiaosang, but he ultimately chose a direct challenge, clear of entanglement, clear of conscience, achieving inner completeness.
Seeing Meng Qi burning with fighting spirit, showing no retreat or fear, Gu Xiaosang’s star-like eyes suddenly gleamed with amusement, feigning sadness: “Just moments ago, we made life-and-death vows, so deep and sincere, yet my dear husband turns cold-hearted in an instant…”
Meng Qi’s fighting spirit blazed as he faced Gu Xiaosang, yet his mind remained clear. He ignored her teasing words as if a breeze had merely rippled the water’s surface, soon smoothing again.
Seeing Meng Qi standing like a war god with his blade lowered, Gu Xiaosang’s smile faded into a faint trace: “We will inevitably fight, but not today. Tuoya has fallen, yet the Ruyi Heavenly Mother survives. Soon, even the top five experts on the Black List—perhaps even Dharma Form masters—will arrive.”
At this, she giggled, her eyes glancing sideways, exuding a hundred charms: “My dear husband wishes to know something? Just ask me, why resort to violence?”
Meng Qi had planned to take advantage of this timing, making Gu Xiaosang believe that reinforcements were imminent. This would force her to act more cautiously, allowing his momentum to gradually dominate and accumulate advantages. However, he was momentarily stunned by her words.
…
Inside the golden tent, the heavily robed Da Man brought news from the Ruyi Heavenly Mother.
“The Supreme Evil Demon is none other than ‘Crazy Blade’ Su Meng, inciting internal strife and personally intervening…”
“Before Tuoya’s death, only the Great Luo Holy Maiden remained among the seven Grandmaster-level fighters…”
“Their side includes Weeping Elder, ranked thirty-third on the Earth List, and Saren Bowa, the Killing Life Evil Demon…”
The gathered evil sect leaders’ expressions subtly changed. Seven Grandmaster-level fighters were equivalent to a top-tier sect. And they were annihilated like this?
Though they schemed against each other and were not united, merely having seven Grandmasters was enough to intimidate anyone—nearly half the strength of a combined force.
And they were wiped out in a single battle?
Han Guang’s face darkened as if secretly employing secret techniques for calculations. Suddenly, he lightly exclaimed: “Weeping Elder is dead, slain by Crazy Blade.”
Weeping Elder slain by Crazy Blade? The present figures like Contemporary Joyful Buddha, Joyful Bodhisattva, Illusion-Destruction Demon, and high-ranking priests of the Eternal Life Sect exchanged glances.
The Weeping Elder had long been a peak-level Outer Scenery expert; many of the present powerhouses weren’t certain they could defeat him!
Has Crazy Blade grown this powerful? Surpassing Su Wuming’s era by countless times!
“Interesting,” suddenly spoke Gourdo, who had been leaning against Joyful Bodhisattva, eyes closed and seemingly napping.
Han Guang immediately stood, filled with slight apology, regret, and killing intent: “It was my negligence, failing to detect Crazy Blade’s transformation technique, letting a wolf into our house and wiping out multiple Grandmasters, ruining the Khan’s important matter.”
Gourdo patted the soft flesh of Joyful Bodhisattva’s arm, appearing extremely relaxed: “No worries, just a minor issue. Besides, my hasty ascension to Earth Immortal left some hidden dangers, which I must resolve through dual cultivation with the Bodhisattva. I was worried everyone would have nothing to do, so I entrusted this task.”
His eyes slowly opened, his pupils pitch-black: “The matter of the Hao Yue family has nothing to do with the Heaven-Smiting Axe. It’s merely related to another supreme divine weapon, the Minghai Sword, which I, the Khan, selfishly desire.”
Han Guang was momentarily stunned, then smiled: “As long as the Khan’s important matters remain unharmed, it’s fine.”
“I’ve already prepared thoroughly. At this time tomorrow, I shall meet Lu Da and Chong He!” Gourdo suddenly stood, his towering figure upright.
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