Without a second thought, Six-Wings flicked his sleeve, releasing a surge of chilling light that instantly pulled the Ice Phoenix to his side. Amidst the billowing white frost, a glistening orb shot forth. With a single roll, it transformed into the Eight-Wings Giant Centipede, which burrowed through the mountain and fled like a streak of white light.
A short while later, a piercing sound echoed from the horizon as a black-robed youth appeared atop a seven-colored cloud.
Though his sleeves fluttered gracefully and his movements seemed unhurried, his speed was anything but slow. In just a few flashes, he arrived eerily above the small mountain.
The black-robed youth first swept an indifferent gaze over the mountain below, then a cold smirk flickered across his face. With a slight tap of his foot, the seven-colored cloud beneath him shot forward once more, vanishing into the distance.
The direction he pursued was unmistakably the same path Six-Wings and the Ice Phoenix had taken.
This true immortal from the Immortal Realm seemed to possess some method to track the duo’s whereabouts. Despite the considerable time that had passed, he could still pinpoint their location with unerring accuracy.
Thus began the chase between the black-robed youth and Six-Wings and the Ice Phoenix.
Even with Six-Wings employing his life-saving escape technique, the difference in their speeds was like heaven and earth. Yet no matter how far he widened the gap, the black-robed youth would always catch up unhurriedly a few days later, clinging to them like a shadow or toying with them like a cat with a mouse.
Six-Wings was both furious and terrified. Yet no matter how thoroughly he and the Ice Phoenix inspected themselves, they found no trace of any tracking mechanism. Only then did he realize he had underestimated the abilities of an immortal from the higher realm.
Left with no choice, he could only continue fleeing with the Ice Phoenix, relentlessly burning through the newly condensed Suyin Star Qi he had painstakingly cultivated.
Three months later, just as Six-Wings was on the verge of collapse from the relentless pursuit, the black-robed youth suddenly vanished without a trace. For several days, there was no sign of him.
Overjoyed, Six-Wings and the Ice Phoenix believed they had finally shaken off their pursuer. They hastily sought a hidden place to recuperate and restore their depleted energy.
But half a month later, when the black-robed youth reappeared in the vicinity, the duo could only grit their teeth in despair and resume their desperate flight.
—
In a secluded hall within the headquarters of the Helian Merchant Alliance in the Blood Sky Continent, Bi Ying, the overseer of Blood Sky, sat behind a violetwood table, his expression dark as he examined a newly received jade slip.
After a moment, he finished reading and set the slip down with a soft clack, then lightly clapped his hands.
A gust of wind swirled before the table, and a blurred figure materialized, immediately bowing deeply to Bi Ying.
“What happened? Fellow Daoist Yanyu has fallen, yet it took you so long to report this to me,” Bi Ying asked coolly.
“Reporting to the lord, Senior Yanyu had joined two other Great Ascension seniors to investigate the disappearances within the Eight Nations and Nineteen Sects in the Qiyun Mountains. After several months, they sent word that they had located the suspected culprit’s hideout. But after that, no further messages came. Later, the Ming Snake Clan and our alliance dispatched people carrying the life tablets of the three seniors back into the mountains. Shortly after entering, all three life tablets shattered simultaneously, confirming their demise. However, some method had concealed their deaths until then.”
“The investigators spent another month searching before finding traces of the three seniors in a hidden location. From the signs of battle nearby, it appeared they had fought fiercely before perishing together—likely at the hands of a single opponent. Given the gravity of the matter, the investigators took great care to verify all details before daring to relay the news to you,” the shadow explained solemnly, as if privy to every detail.
“To obscure the fate of life tablets, even if only briefly, is extraordinary. In all my years, I’ve never heard of such a thing. Though Yanyu and the others were only average among Great Ascension cultivators, to slay all three single-handedly—fewer than ten of Blood Sky’s renowned old monsters could accomplish such a feat. Among our alliance, aside from myself, none of the other elders could do it. It seems the one who performed the blood sacrifice across the Eight Nations and Nineteen Sects is truly a monstrous fiend,” Bi Ying mused, stroking his chin, his eyes glinting coldly.
“If this fiend had only targeted the sects in the Qiyun Mountains, given his terrifying strength, most factions would likely turn a blind eye. But we’ve just received word that half a month ago, he openly appeared in the Great Dragon Nation, conjuring an endless river of blood to engulf its entire population and dozens of minor sects, absorbing all life into the crimson tide. Now, even the Blood Bone Sect and other major powers can no longer ignore this. Rumor has it they’ve been in talks these past few days, planning to form a Demon-Slaying Alliance, pooling their Great Ascension elders to hunt this fiend down. We’ve also received invitations to join,” the shadow reported dutifully.
“A Demon-Slaying Alliance? So the super sects like the Blood Bone Sect are finally stepping in. It seems this has escalated. Fine—our alliance need not dive too deeply into this mess, but we can’t remain entirely passive. Have Elder Jun participate in the alliance, but under no circumstances should he confront the fiend directly. Survival comes first. Losing Yanyu is already a significant blow,” Bi Ying decided after a moment’s thought.
“Understood. I shall inform Elder Jun Yimeng at once,” the shadow assented without hesitation, bowing again.
“Additionally, the time for the Stronghold War is approaching. Begin assembling our forces and make all necessary preparations. Hmph, if not for my duties here and the immense stakes of the Stronghold War—directly tied to a minor world’s resources—I’d be tempted to face this bloodthirsty fiend myself,” Bi Ying added with a cold chuckle.
“I shall arrange everything. However, regarding the participants for the Stronghold War—aside from yourself and Elder Wen Xinfeng, who are already here, Lord Lei has entered Blood Sky and is currently in seclusion at a branch. As for Senior Han Li’s group, reports from our scouts indicate they are lingering near the Ebbing Grasslands, still searching for the ancient altars there. The only complication is Senior Blood Fiend—since crossing into the fabled Thousand-Step Labyrinth a year ago, he has yet to return. Could he be trapped like the others?” the shadow ventured hesitantly.
“Don’t worry. Blood Fiend’s abilities are on par with mine, and he wouldn’t have entered that maze without absolute confidence in navigating it. When the time comes, he’ll appear,” Bi Ying replied without hesitation.
“If you say so, then Senior Blood Fiend will surely arrive on schedule. I shall send word to Lord Lei and Senior Han Li, instructing our branches to arrange their direct teleportation to the minor world’s outpost,” the shadow said.
“Proceed as planned,” Bi Ying nodded in approval.
With another ripple in the air, the shadow bowed slightly and vanished.
Left alone, Bi Ying idly reached for another jade slip from the pile on his desk.
But just then—*snap*—a faint, muffled sound came from his person. His expression twisted in shock, his outstretched hand freezing mid-air.
After a long pause, he inhaled sharply and retracted his hand, pressing it to his waist instead.
A green glow swirled as an emerald-green jade box flew out, hovering before him.
The box was inscribed with intricate spirit patterns and sealed with several pale golden talismans, faintly pulsing with spiritual light.
His face dark, Bi Ying moved swiftly, his hands forming a rapid series of hand seals before pointing at the box.
The jade box trembled, and the golden talismans drifted free.
The lid flipped open, revealing a peculiar flat disc within.
The disc was white as jade, its center etched with a blood-red array, while a black-and-white Taiji symbol faintly glowed at its core. A single glance at it evoked an eerie sensation, as if one’s very soul were being drawn in.
Bi Ying stared at the disc for a long moment before gritting his teeth and reaching into the box.
*Thud.*
The moment his fingers touched it, the crimson array on the disc cracked into several fissures, and the Taiji symbol at its center shattered completely.
“The Heavenly Mechanism shattered… So the legends were true. Since my early days on the Dao path, I’ve nourished this treasure with my essence blood, just in case. Yet now the omen has come to pass. Does this foretell disaster in the Stronghold War, or is my destined calamity truly upon me?” Bi Ying muttered to himself, his expression unreadable.
“Hmph, my fate is mine to command, not Heaven’s. Even if this treasure’s prophecy holds, there’s always a sliver of hope. But my current preparations are insufficient—I must lay more contingencies.” His face flickered through shades of emotion before he snorted coldly. With a flick of his sleeve, a green mist swept over the jade box.
*Boom.*
The box remained intact, but the white disc inside crumbled into dust, vanishing without a trace.
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