“We’ve been expecting you to come investigate!”
As the voice faded, Yin Feilong, whose meridians, internal organs, acupoints, and soul had all been sealed, spat out a streak of copper-green light directly at “Taiyi Heavenly Venerable” Huo Lishang.
This copper-green light seemed to possess its own life, requiring no activation or reinforcement from Yin Feilong. Wriggling its head and tail, it landed directly on Huo Lishang’s body.
It was a centipede with three heads, its shell resembling copper covered in green rust. About the size of a palm, with seventeen segments and seventy legs, it waved through treasures of gold and jade as if they were worthless, and passed through barriers as if they didn’t exist.
Huo Lishang instinctively felt an intense sense of danger. No longer concerned with maintaining his disguise as Han Guang, the “Taiyi Heavenly Venerable” whose cultivation had not yet reached the level of a Dharma Body, he suddenly radiated a layer of deep darkness from his body, as if it were the deepest and most profound night, connected to an endless abyss, completely enveloping his Dharma Body.
The strange centipede vanished the moment it entered the “darkness,” as if it had never existed at all. The darkness embraced everything and yet devoured and destroyed all.
“Great Brahma Night!” Yin Feilong’s heart stirred, blurting out the words.
From what he knew, the “Night Emperor” possessed a renowned technique known as the “Great Black Heaven Brahma Night Vow Light,” commonly called the “Great Brahma Night,” reputed to be unrivaled in both offensive and defensive capabilities. Although similar techniques existed, none could so effortlessly block the famous ancient wild beast, the “Buwei Green Centipede!”
Moreover, the “Night Emperor Ship” was located at the Ten Islands. In an instant, Yin Feilong could only think of the “Great Brahma Night” and the “Night Emperor” Huo Lishang.
Huo Lishang, his face hidden behind a mask, retracted his gaze filled with love for life. He stretched out his right hand and placed it atop Yin Feilong’s head, silently thinking, “I didn’t mean to destroy this beautiful young master who had already become a Grandmaster at such a tender age, but at this moment, I am Han Guang, the ‘Taiyi Heavenly Venerable’ of the mysterious organization, not Huo Lishang, the ‘Night Emperor.’ Forgive me, forgive me.”
Since they had exchanged identities, he had to fully immerse himself in the role.
As his soul was searched, the darkness felt like a peaceful hometown, causing Yin Feilong to relax. His firm spirit and mind began to loosen, and fragments of memories surfaced.
“An envoy of the Golden Turtle Island in the East Sea?”
The first thought Yin Feilong revealed startled “Taiyi Heavenly Venerable” Huo Lishang. Where was this place? Why had he never heard of it before?
Furthermore, the Seven Seas were divided into the Separation Sea, Frost Sea, Cloud Sea, Star Sea, Immortal Mist Sea, Three Heavens Sea, and Divine Gate Sea. Where was this “East Sea”?
Only in ancient texts were the Seven Seas and Twenty-Eight Realms collectively referred to as the East Sea, guarded by the Dragon Palace and Dragon King.
Where had this Golden Turtle Island come from?
Just as he was about to delve deeper into Yin Feilong’s memory fragments, a sudden sharp pain shot through his left hand, and a strong numbing sensation rapidly spread through his Dharma Body.
Sensing the source, Huo Lishang discovered that his left little finger had been bitten by the three-headed copper-green centipede from earlier!
It had actually pierced through the “Great Brahma Night,” which had spontaneously created its own realm and transformed into a night sky, reaching right to his side!
In theory, anything and any attack trapped within the Great Brahma Night should drift endlessly in the boundless night, losing its way and unable to reach Huo Lishang himself. Yet now, this three-headed copper-green centipede had returned from the stars, biting Huo Lishang’s little finger, leaving him astonished. This was something that had never happened before.
Huo Lishang struck his left palm, causing the “Great Brahma Night” to instantly contract, layering heavily upon the three-headed centipede’s body, growing deeper and heavier.
Crack, crack. In an instant, the copper-green centipede was crushed into a pile of mush. Yet, dark green, hideous blood began to seep slowly from the wound on Huo Lishang’s little finger.
Huo Lishang felt his mind beginning to scatter, his thoughts growing hazy. He knew the centipede’s poison was terrifying, potent enough to poison an entire sea of living beings. He quickly retrieved a hidden life-saving immortal pill and swallowed it in haste.
This brief delay was enough for Yin Feilong, caught in the soul search, to no longer be able to withstand the pressure, his soul shattering.
Seeing this, Huo Lishang dared not linger. He forcibly suppressed his injuries, transformed into darkness, and fled from the ruined house.
From his earlier inspection, he knew that the “Yin Patriarch” Xu Bei had also entrusted Yin Feilong with the “Ten Kings of Hell Decree.” Once Yin Feilong’s death was detected, he would strike remotely through it, clearly indicating a complete setup targeting members of the mysterious organization!
…
People often say that the Young Master is unrestrained and follows his heart, but compared to this fake Night Emperor, he wasn’t bold enough to brazenly threaten the “Yin Patriarch” Xu Bei or provoke the Five Elders of the Heaven Dao Alliance, recklessly offending every powerful figure across the Seven Seas and Twenty-Eight Realms in one fell swoop!
But considering he was acting under the identity of the Night Emperor, if he couldn’t handle the consequences, he could simply leave without a trace, and no one would know who he was or where he came from. The blame for everything would fall on the Young Master, making his audacity understandable…
At that time, even if the Young Master explained that the previous Night Emperor was a fake, a result of his whimsical identity exchange, the Five Elders would likely only respond with a mocking “hehe” laugh. Regardless, since it started because of him, they would arrest him first!
Yue Yue, Liu Shang, and Xia Pei looked at Meng Qi, who remained calm and composed, their thoughts churning with a sense of being wronged, feeling that the Young Master was definitely going to suffer gravely.
Truly, they had never seen anyone who could cause such a massive calamity in just a few days!
You Hu focused her thoughts, quietly brewing and pouring tea. No matter what the “fake Night Emperor” intended to do, they were now bound together like grasshoppers on the same rope, unable to escape. They could only adjust their mindset to face the coming storm.
And the only hope of surviving this crisis rested solely on this “fake Night Emperor.”
The true “Touchstone to Gold” ability he had displayed and the terrifying aura he exuded indicated that his strength surpassed both the Yin Patriarch and their Young Master, nearly matching venerable Earth Immortals like the Red Emperor and Hunyuan Immortal Lady. He was indeed a formidable figure!
As the four beautiful concubines were lost in their thoughts, Meng Qi smiled and picked up another cup of tea, never drinking it, continuing to play Go against himself, everything appearing so tranquil and serene, with flowers blooming in the sunlight.
Just then, the light at the cabin door dimmed, revealing a figure completely shrouded in black Daoist robes, making Yue Yue and the other concubines widen their eyes in shock. It was none other than the “Yin Patriarch” Xu Bei himself, who had just left but had now returned!
It turned out this was merely a probing tactic, a way for him to buy more time to reassess the gains and losses.
Meng Qi pushed the untouched tea cup slowly toward the Yin Patriarch, smiling, and asked, “Master Xu, have you made up your mind?”
He wore an expression of having known all along.
Under the bewildered gazes of Liu Shang and the other concubines, the “Yin Patriarch” Xu Bei, who had been confrontational and sharp-tongued just moments ago, now accepted the tea, sat down again, and managed a faint smile: “Since Young Master Lishang has indeed become aware of this matter, it seems I can no longer hide it from you.”
Whether to share a secret with one person or four was a simple arithmetic problem, and the Yin Patriarch would not make a mistake.
“I know only a little; there is much more I must ask of Master Xu,” Meng Qi replied humbly, although he was speaking the truth.
Watching the two chat amicably, without any hint of discord, Yue Yue looked at Liu Shang and the others in astonishment. Their eyes met, filled with confusion and surprise. The “Yin Patriarch” Xu Bei had actually backed down!
Even if the real Young Master were present, he wouldn’t have been able to make one of the Five Elders, the “Yin Patriarch,” yield so easily.
Could it really be that terrifying display of “Touchstone to Gold”?
They could see the profundity of the true “Touchstone to Gold,” but they didn’t know what it truly represented—how control had to be precise and delicate down to the tiniest material structures, how immense power had to be constrained within an extremely limited range, causing microstructures to collide violently and undergo substantial transformation. This was a legendary ability recorded only in some secret ancient texts!
Although they didn’t fully grasp how terrifying this ability was, the “Yin Patriarch” Xu Bei’s attitude gave them a glimpse of its power.
Had he ever shown such submission, even to the Hunyuan Immortal Lady?
As Xu Bei was about to speak, he suddenly felt a disturbance in his mind, pausing in shock. He knew Yin Feilong had died—the “Buwei Green Centipede” and his “Ten Kings of Hell Decree” had both failed to come into play.
It must have been the work of the mysterious organization “Xianji”!
“He’s dead…” Xu Bei suddenly spoke, his gaze scrutinizing Meng Qi, his eyes glowing with a sinister green light, attempting to discern any change in Meng Qi’s emotions.
“He’s dead?” Meng Qi was indeed slightly surprised. Huo Lishang had acted quickly!
Xu Bei shook his head: “Yes, but it’s no longer important.”
Because the killer had already escaped.
With a short sigh, he continued, “I’ve been stuck at the Human Immortal level for years. I must find a way to advance, but due to my origins, I’ve always been unable to achieve it. It wasn’t until I met the envoy introduced by Yin Feilong and witnessed his overwhelming strength that I found hope, so I willingly became their agent. It was also from him that I learned of the truth about the Real World.”
His words were vague, making Meng Qi eager to know more, so he deliberately asked, “Was it also the envoy’s order to deal with Qu Baimi and the mysterious organization?”
“You indeed know something,” the Yin Patriarch admitted candidly. “The Golden Turtle Island has requested that this mysterious organization be investigated.”
Golden Turtle Island? Was it an envoy of the Golden Turtle Island? Meng Qi was startled. Wasn’t the Golden Turtle Island left only with ancient wild beasts and immortal birds? Hadn’t there been any cultivators left?
Was its mysterious disappearance related to this?
Looking at Meng Qi, the Yin Patriarch spoke steadily, “Since you’ve become aware of this matter and learned of the Golden Turtle Island, they will eventually come looking for you. Why don’t I act as a mediator and introduce you as an external member of the Golden Turtle Island?”
“Do you know how terrifying the Golden Turtle Island’s envoy is? He is a Heaven Immortal!”
A Heaven Immortal? Just one envoy was a Heaven Immortal? Was this the same Heaven Immortal whose traces the venerable elder Chonghe had discovered? And what about the cultivation level of the Golden Turtle Island’s master? Meng Qi’s thoughts churned, his right hand lightly tapping the Go board as he smiled, “If just one envoy is a Heaven Immortal, the Golden Turtle Island could sweep across this world. Why would they go to such lengths to remain secret? There must be many restrictions and things they fear. Master Xu, allow me to think it over carefully and I’ll give you my answer tomorrow.”
Xu Bei nodded, saying no more, and truly left this time.
The concubines nearby, Yue Yue and the rest, listened in stunned silence. What Golden Turtle Island? What envoy? What Heaven Immortal? All of it completely exceeded their understanding!
…
Huo Lishang hid among the cargo stacks at the dock, using medicinal pills to expel the poison.
It wasn’t until midnight that he exhaled in relief, finally escaping life-threatening danger. However, his Dharma Body had suffered internal and external damage from the poison, leaving him in an extremely weakened state, unable to recover on his own.
“I’ve already investigated and confirmed that the matter involving Qu Baimi is related to the Golden Turtle Island in the East Sea. I’ve completed the task of the mysterious organization member. Moreover, since I will be dealing with the Yin Patriarch next, it’s time to switch back to the identity of the Night Emperor.” Huo Lishang mused silently, trying to comfort himself. It wasn’t that he wanted to end the game early.
He had left the treasure vault for the fake Night Emperor, so he could only return to heal!
He gathered his spirit, stepped out from the cargo stacks, and quietly approached the Night Emperor’s ship. It was late at night, and on the deck, there was only a graceful figure tending to the flowers.
You Hu?
What good fortune!
Huo Lishang called out, drawing You Hu’s attention, then waved and smiled, “You Hu, the game is over.”
You Hu looked at the Night Emperor, whose aura was so weak it was barely human, then glanced at the terrifying presence inside the cabin, momentarily stunned.
“You Hu?” Huo Lishang called again in confusion, thinking she hadn’t heard clearly, repeating himself, “The game is over!”
You Hu pursed her lips, her expression turning solemn as she looked at Huo Lishang and said, “Esteemed Young Master, please mind your manners.”
Please mind your manners… Huo Lishang opened his mouth, stunned and standing motionless on the dock.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage