Chapter 1431: After Your Turn (II)

Whoosh!

Drifting dark clouds covered the surrounding sky in an instant. Kuiqi had already slipped away, his body wrapped in black divine ability mana that suppressed the [Veiled Yin] wound on his arm. He felt weak and in pain all over.

Yet though he had escaped, there was no trace of relief. He halted abruptly in midair. Not far ahead, a Daoist in a white and yellow feathered robe marked with circular patterns stood in the air. A dharma sword rested on his back, shining brightly against the dark sky.

He had willow-shaped eyes and carried a refined, scholarly air. One hand extended forward, holding a twelve-sided glazed lantern with a bronze base, casting a soft pale yellow light.

Dark crimson blood trickled from the corner of Kuiqi's mouth. The Daoist Master of the Great Xiukui Temple showed a brief flicker of surprise, but it vanished at once, leaving only coldness in his gaze.

Master Changxiao!

Before him stood the Grand Daoist Master who had vanished for many years, the very Changxiao who had long contested Dao arts with Hengzhu Dao Gate. Elsewhere, Wei Xuanyin and Xiao Chuting faced each other through the clouds. Neither showed the slightest hint of surprise. Only the Lower Luo Plains fell into sudden silence. Even the Mahas present were momentarily stunned.

"Daoist Master Changxiao?!"

The silence lasted only an instant before a light, drifting sound echoed through the great void.

Bang!

The sound was like a snapped string, distant yet close at the same time. Xiao Chuting's white jade fishing rod sprang upward at once, releasing a faint glow. Beneath the clouds, the white-robed Grand Daoist Master broke into a radiant smile. His tightly bound sleeve, which had been swollen and restrained, finally opened!

In that instant, divine abilities and mana erupted across the battlefield. Endless dim white light surged from Wei Xuanyin's sleeve, connecting heaven and earth. The perilous mountain ridges that had confined the drifting boat halted abruptly, then were forced apart by the rising radiance.

"Changxiao!"

At this moment, the one filled with the greatest fury was undoubtedly Hengli. His gaze swept across the scene, capturing the lantern-bearing figure in the sky. His first instinct was to abandon the Maha in his grasp, whose golden blood still flowed, and step into the great void to fight Changxiao!

Yet the Grand Daoist Master in the yellow-white feathered robe remained serenely expressionless. The lantern in his hand released boundless radiance, and behind his head, a mirror-like jade disk engraved with osmanthus patterns emerged from concealment into brilliant light.

He had hidden himself for so long. How could he fail now?!

This was nothing like when he had pursued Li Ximing and tested the stance of Luoxia and the Dragon Clan. The difference was like heaven and earth. In an instant, the world dimmed, thunder roared, and the shifting light of the twelve-sided glazed lantern shone upon Kuiqi's face, reflecting flickering golden radiance in his dark pupils.

The [Great Kui Convergence Bronze Sword] rose once more, straining to block the golden light. The sound of metal grinding rang out. Black qi spread and turned into a rain of ash that fell from the sky.

Thunder boomed across the sky as Ning Wan's cold voice suddenly echoed through the air, "Yan Jianxiao! How dare you ignore the grace of the place that nurtured you?!"

The voice reverberated through the sky. Daoist Master Changxiao tilted his head slightly, as if unfamiliar with his own name. A faint smile curved his lips as he thought,

Is this not precisely to repay the Chi Family's debt?

————

Mount Xiaoshi.

Smoke and dust billowed as the long-awaited purple qi finally dispersed. The ground lay in ruins, streaked with flashes of golden light. A massive golden body had collapsed upon the earth, emitting a low hum. Blue and green flames spread across it, leaving it visibly weakened.

Xuwang withdrew his golden body and transformed into a fat monk with large ears as he descended on a spirit wind. Below, his fellow disciples were still shouting, "Help us! We are not like you with a treasure artifact protecting us. That woman's flames are vicious!"

Xuwang casually tossed the wooden fish in his hand into the air. It released waves of white light in midair, helping his fellows extinguish the flames on their bodies. He then turned and smiled at the Daoist Master nearby. "Fellow Daoist Helian, many thanks for your help. Without you, who knows how long it would have taken to drive that woman away?!"

The man before him held a long pole-blade that was neither spear nor halberd. He was handsome, dressed in a snow-white feathered robe, with eighteen glazed beads hanging at his waist. He cut an imposing figure. It was Helian Wumeng!

Yet this Daoist Master of the Helian Family, a great general of Tiefo State, had a hint of disdain in his calm expression. A cold light flickered in his eyes as he said, "Do not try to curry favor with me. No matter what, Tinglan belongs to the Three Xuans Dao lineage, an orthodox sect. What are you lot? If not for the National Preceptor's orders, I would not care even if all of you died!"

The Helian Family had once been on good terms with the Emptiness Dao, but they had long since fallen out over past incidents. Their relationship was now far from friendly, and even hostile before today. Their cooperation now was only because they had received the same orders.

As orthodox devil cultivators of the Heavenborn Devil Dao, the Helian Family considered themselves superior. Their foundation lay in a separate domain within the great void, and they measured themselves against the Supreme Yang Dao lineage of the Purple-Gold Devil Dao. They regarded blood-drinking Purple-Gold Devil Dao cultivators as a misguided path. With such pride, how could they look upon him favorably?

The monk was rebuked but showed no anger. He simply smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Helian has quite the temperament!"

Helian Wumeng had a strong reputation across Mobei and Monan. As the Helian Family's Auspicious Child, he was highly valued by Helian Wujiang. Whether in cultivation or divine abilities, he far surpassed the Helian Family's Purple Mansion Realm cultivator stationed in the Hetao region, and he was also stronger than Xuwang.

Naturally, the monk did not hold a grudge and leaned closer, asking quietly, "May I ask what orders you have received, General? Are you joining us to attack the [Great Primordial Hidden Radiance Mountain]?"

Mount Tangdao had a grand formation, but a hastily constructed Purple Mansion Realm formation could not cover the entire range. Numerous formations were scattered throughout, making it a valuable prize. At least one of the five Merciful Ones had to remain to guard the area. Xuwang had a stronger background and could claim a share, yet he was cautious by nature and hoped to bring Helian Wumeng along as a reliable ally.

Helian Wumeng glanced coldly at him before letting out a mocking laugh. "Foolish monk. The [Great Primordial Hidden Radiance Mountain] will fall into our hands sooner or later. It is only a temporary stronghold. What good could it hold? At most a formation plate, and you think it would fall to you or me? My lord has already set out from Timber Mountain. One force moves west, another east, and I go south. We will bypass the Great Primordial Hidden Radiance Mountain and gather at the three streams region! The weak Purple Mansion Realm forces along the river are where the real gains lie."

Xuwang nodded repeatedly, smiling without replying. There was no right or wrong in this. He sought to break the enemy in the north-south conflict in order to expand Buddhist lands. This differed from the devil cultivators' pursuit of resources. He simply said with a smile, "I will only remind you of one thing, Fellow Daoist. Do not forget that Tinglan and the others have only retreated..."

Helian Wumeng let out a scornful laugh and replied, "Do you think Tinglan will hide in Purple Smoke Blessed Land or return to the Great Primordial Hidden Radiance Mountain to reinforce it? Do you take me for a fool who would attack a blessed land? Take your useless lot and get out of my sight!"

With that, he rose on the wind and departed over the mountains. Xuwang remained behind, still smiling. Once Helian Wumeng was gone, his smile faded, his face turning cold as he thought,

A bunch of northern barbarians... if not for the Qi Emperor's favor, they would still be herding horses in some corner, and yet they dare act so arrogantly before my Seven Dharma Forms...

It was common for northern Purple Mansion Realm cultivators to look down on the Merciful Ones. They considered only Mahas their equals. There were many as blunt as Helian Wumeng.

Xuwang could only curse inwardly before turning to ask, "Why are you still wasting time? Those who move first gain the advantage. If we can intercept a retreating Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, that would be a great prize!"

His status was clearly higher, and his tone carried an unspoken command. Two of the remaining four immediately rose into the air and followed behind him. "Please give your instructions, junior brother!"