The sky over Xingyue Yuan was bright, and the tavern in Baiyu Jing was still bustling. Most of the people who wandered in Xingyue Yuan were without identities, but they all had their own lives. In this region where no single power held sway, force was the foundation that guaranteed everything, yet it wasn’t the only factor.

In a quiet room on the eleventh floor of Baiyu Jing, large calligraphic characters hung on the wall, and a beast’s mouth served as an incense burner. The young master of the Langya Bai Clan, under favorable conditions, always made his life more refined. At this moment, he sat cross-legged, his left hand reversed, gripping a long sword held horizontally in front of his body. His clothes were proper, and his posture was very upright.

Regarding the daily gold earned by the Baiyu Jing tavern, the accumulation of wealth was not that exaggerated. The “clothing purchase fee” among the expenditure items likely bore significant responsibility. The waiters provided their own clothing. The woodcutters and those responsible for opening the lamps didn’t need to dress too well. The owner even wore a single Ruyi Xian Robe year-round. It was clear for whom the clothes were purchased.

The snow-bright blade reflected his jade-white handsome face. He casually picked up the nearby wine pot, swallowed a mouthful of the tavern’s most expensive wine, and sprayed it all onto the cold blade. Wine beads were dense and evenly spread on every inch of the blade. He took a piece of snow-white square cloth and slowly wiped his long sword. This process was very slow. He didn’t miss any subtle spot, more serious than sitting at the counter calculating accounts. A swordsman must first recognize his own sword, then recognize himself, and finally recognize his opponent. He used this process and his sword for the final exchange.

A person dressed simply, with a wood-chopping knife hanging at his waist, had appeared at the door at some unknown time. He did not turn back. Because this person was unstoppable, unrestricted by heaven and earth. He only smiled and said: “Still has to be this watered wine, it washes the sword very clean.”

Lin Xian asked: “Then why not just use water to wash it?”

Bai Yu Xia said deeply: “Why do people drink alcohol? Drinking is a kind of feeling. My sword is also like that.”

Lin Xian leaned against the door frame, standing with his arms crossed, and did not speak. Bai Yu Xia also did not say more. This person was really not interesting. People who carried too much were always very difficult to be interesting.

He wiped his long sword clean and put it back into its sheath. He meticulously adjusted his collar, then stood up. He stood up and walked out. As he passed by Lin Xian, he only said: “Guard our tavern well, I’ll be back soon.”

Only then did Lin Xian speak again: “I’ll go with you.”

Bai Yu Xia stopped: “You know what I’m going to do?”

Lin Xian shook his head: “I don’t know. But I know you’re going to find the owner. Matters that make you wipe your sword so seriously, I should go.”

Bai Yu Xia said in the tone of a shopkeeper: “The owner didn’t tell you because he didn’t want to involve you. You bear the hope of Rong Country, you cannot easily get involved in danger.”

“The owner told you?” Although Lin Xian’s duty was only a woodcutter, he was not that convinced.

“At first, he didn’t want to tell me either. He didn’t want to involve me, or…” Bai Yu Xia smiled: “He thought I was too weak and couldn’t help.” He casually shook his head: “But I’ve followed him from Qi Country to the Demon Realm, from the Demon Realm to the Maze Realm, from the Maze Realm back to Xingyue Yuan, day and night together. I really can’t think of any way he can hide from me.”

“You’re not afraid of being involved?” Lin Xian asked again.

Bai Yu Xia said: “I have already left the Langya Bai Clan and cut off ties with Yue Country. I am a lonely wild ghost. Except for the owner himself, I cannot involve others.”

“I am also not afraid,” Lin Xian said.

“Since the owner didn’t call you, he naturally has his reasons,” Bai Yu Xia said very seriously: “This matter is of great importance. Even Jingli Xiaosheng Seng hid it.”

“How others are is others’ business,” Lin Xian said: “I ji bai under the owner, receive his protection, and get his guidance. Now that he encounters matters, I stand by. There is no such reason under heaven.”

Bai Yu Xia turned back and looked at him seriously: “I believe you, Lin Xian, are a man of great righteousness and light on life and death. But this matter is not as simple as you imagine. One wrong step will also involve your country. We all know your feelings for Rong Country. The owner does not hope you go, and neither do I.”

“You say you are a lonely wild ghost, only residing in this Baiyu Jing, and now I am too. The one who raised and taught me is already dead, and I have no parents or family. I am detached from everything, come to follow the owner in cultivation. So there is no question of involving anyone, at most involving Baiyu Jing.” Lin Xian’s voice was like his knife, persistent and forceful: “If in the future I am fortunate enough to grow, I will naturally go back to repay the motherland. But now, I must do what I should do. Today I am Lin Xian of Baiyu Jing, Lin Xian of Rong Country is still in the future.”

Bai Yu Xia gazed into his eyes, from which he saw not the slightest tremor. “Then there is only one last thing left,” Bai Yu Xia said.

“What thing?” Lin Xian asked.

Bai Yu Xia walked a few steps and pushed open the window of the eleventh floor with one hand. Sky light surged into the room, and the wind from the canyon blew his forehead hair into disarray. He said: “The owner said, if I cannot achieve Shen Lin before today, then don’t go to seek death.”

As his words fell, he casually stepped out of the window. The beautiful man with skin as white as jade walked into the clear sky above, instantly stirring wind and clouds, and heaven and earth resonated. People looked up, and a might close to that of a god temporarily descended on Tianfeng Valley!

Bai Yu Xia stood in the center of the swirling wind and clouds, feeling the power constantly rising in every corner of his body, smoothing the surging Yuan Qi turbulence, grasping the violent yet orderly sword Qi, and sensing his perceptions expand to near infinity. His eyes blurred, and Lin Xian, whose eyes held divine light, had already passed through the sword Qi waterfall and walked silently and solemnly in front of him. An imposing momentum collided, simultaneously resonating with this heaven and earth.

Today was a good day. Now was indeed a good time. Baiyu Jing consecutively produced two Shen Lin, both Yellow River prodigies! The entire Xingyue Yuan trembled.

“Then let’s go,” Bai Yu Xia no longer said more.

At this moment, Lian Yu Chan’s voice rushed out from the tavern: “Where are you going? Not taking me along?!” Although she detected the changes in heaven and earth, she still didn’t know what had happened. She drew her sword and rushed out of the building—such a refined and delicate girl also became so reckless. Who did she learn this from! Owner, ah, this prosperous era is as you wished!

Bai Yu Xia flicked a finger with his backhand, and a jade-colored sword Qi sealed the window, blocking Lian Yu Chan in the tavern: “Stay home and watch over things, we’re going to visit brothels, we can’t bring women!”

Lian Yu Chan drew her opposite sword and fiercely chopped at this sealing window sword Qi several times, only feeling a stifled breath and a difficult-to-relieve depressive intent. The owner clearly said I would be the first to achieve Shen Lin…

“Not giving her a choice?” In the fierce heavenly wind, Lin Xian spoke and asked.

“Let’s just forget it,” Bai Yu Xia said: “Her father is Lian Jing Zhi, this is a connection that cannot be cut. Besides, the tavern always needs someone to stay, right? In case we’re all gone, someone can still be missed a bit.”

“Bah, bah, bah!” Lin Xian thought of the owner’s warning and hurriedly said: “Quickly bah three times!”

…

Zhuang Gao Xian laughed as he flew away from Han Xu and the others. In the moment of turning, the smile on his face was already restrained, and then the laughter also silenced. He clearly flew out of the sight of the Yong Country people, then held his breath and hid, returning again. Like a wisp of air, a tree shadow, an existence without trace in heaven and earth.

He observed the aura of Han Xu’s group from afar. These Yong Country people were extremely cautious, gathering together from beginning to end, so there was no opportunity. But Zhuang Gao Xian still waited until these people stepped onto the soil of Yong Country before choosing to give up and go to Taixu Mountain Gate himself.

Killing Han Xu was of course the best choice, but it could not be done. Now, like this, it could also be considered grasping the next best result. No matter what, defeating Han Xu and stripping Yong Country’s qualification to participate in the alliance meant winning the next ten years of contention with Yong for Zhuang Country. Even if there were Mohist representatives speaking for Yong Country, the authority they obtained would also greatly shrink. Since ancient times, there has been no reason for not being present yet being able to divide the meat!

Since he had gained such an advantage here, in the next country war, he wanted to contend not only for land resources, but also strive to support Du Ru Hui Dong Zhen’s possibility with country momentum. Du Ru Hui once recorded in “Yuan Shi Yu Ce” that Zhuang Ting could gain more support from Yu Jing Mountain. Thus, in a virtuous cycle, the country’s momentum would roll on, and even if Jiang Wang was a genius several times over, it would be very difficult to catch up!

Of course, he no longer planned to give Jiang Wang the chance to catch up… Wrong. Zhuang Gao Xian, immersed in beautiful prospects, suddenly frowned. At this moment, he suddenly understood clearly where he had always vaguely felt wrong—even if Han Xu had indeed completed the transmission during the battle process in some way he did not know. But those people from Yong Country still came too timely! A smaller number of people would not have been able to influence him killing. And exactly so many people, one first-class Duke, the Prime Minister of Yong Country… These were important figures in Yong Country, could they just free themselves and come so neatly? Rather than saying they received the message and came in time, it would be better to say they were already prepared to receive!

Just now that group of Yong Country nobles, Huai Xiang Hou Yao Qi was someone he had contacted very early, and they had always had eye contact. But he and Du Ru Hui both consistently thought this person was not trustworthy, very likely a double agent, and with the principle of using a bit is a bit, they always coaxed him. In today’s sudden battle, Yao Qi also did not give any hint. Or rather, if Yao Qi had given a hint, he would have been alerted earlier.

At this moment, the first thought that arose in Zhuang Gao Xian’s heart was—this was Han Xu’s trap! Han Xu initiated the challenge not to expand after Dong Zhen, but to consume himself! Immediately, the second thought jumped out—the Mohists want to act against the world and make a move on him!

Of course, many people wanted to kill him. But he couldn’t think of anyone with such execution, such strength, and such motive other than the Mohists! Like Jiang Wang who hated him to the bone and was indeed a threat, someone he would have to divide life and death with in the future, but he would have to wait until Dong Zhen to have the opportunity? No wonder there wasn’t a single Mohist expert among the people who received Han Xu just now! Wasn’t that exactly their effort to clear suspicion?

Regardless of how the Mohists planned to avoid the risks afterward and how to clear suspicion—admittedly framing and destroying corpses was his old profession, but those were things the Mohists needed to consider now. At this moment, what he needed to consider was how Zhuang Gao Xian could extricate himself from the crisis. The danger had not yet occurred, but at the moment of producing doubt, he treated the danger as already existing. First, eliminate the possibility of the danger existing, then go verify if the danger existed. This was his working style, and also the fundamental reason why he had stood undefeated for so many years.

Thoughts flashed in his mind, and he strode, leaping a thousand zhang into the air, accelerating towards Endless Quicksand. Meticulous in mind as he was, he knew that returning urgently to Zhuang Country at this moment was instead easy to fall into a trap. In contrast, gathering at Taixu Mountain Gate, where the world’s strong ones were, was the truly safe place!

…

Hiding in the preset battlefield, gazing at the cold array patterns already outlined by Chu Jiang Wang, Wu Guan Wang felt no sense of security in his heart. He felt a bit cold, perhaps because of this array, or not only because of the array. The corpse he had nurtured with difficulty uneasily jumped an eyelid. He swallowed saliva, and through the Yanluo mask on his face, opened the Hell No Door’s internal communication channel, tentatively saying: “Boss… you didn’t say our target was a contemporary Zhen Ren.”

“Now I haven’t said?” The Boss’s voice was very matter-of-course.

Wu Guan Wang thought, but you won’t let this old man leave now either. After all, he still considered his words and probed: “This is a Zhen Ren…”

Yin Guan did not know where he was hiding, but his voice was clearly transmitted: “Accurately speaking, he is a Zhen Ren who has already fought a life-and-death battle with another contemporary Zhen Ren and is heavily depleted.”

Song Di Wang also joined the pre-battle discussion. His voice was muffled and increasingly less arrogant: “This is still a country lord, we will be wanted afterward.”

Yin Guan retorted: “Are we not wanted now?”

Song Di Wang immediately compromised: “Then it’s nothing.”

Among the several Yanluo, Ping Deng Wang was the most calm. He joined Hell No Door originally to continuously break through himself and accelerate the rise of his strength. Without challenging strong enemies and directly facing dangers, how could he break through? Although the danger this time was indeed somewhat too much…

“We all voluntarily took this task and came here voluntarily. There is no possibility of turning back. Either detach from the organization now and wait to be hunted by the organization, or… try to assassinate another monarch!” As he spoke to the end, his voice was even somewhat excited. The last time he killed that useless monarch of You Country and plundered a country’s dragon Qi, his body, said to be inherited from the Ji surname’s Yang Clan bloodline, was stimulated. His Great Sun Golden Flame Art completed a key step again and cultivated to perfection. He also swallowed the dragon and achieved Shen Lin. If he could successfully kill Zhuang Gao Xian this time and plunder Zhuang Country’s dragon Qi, to what level would his cultivation rise again? Hopefully, that fellow was already beaten badly, best if he was on the verge of death!

Chu Jiang Wang’s voice in the channel rang coldly: “Come.” This voice had a clear cold power that spread tracelessly, making the listeners’ emotions more stable and their perceptions more keen. It was an invaluable wonderful sound method. Of course, few people inside Hell No Door were normal, so it was hard to say how stable their emotions could be.

How do Shen Lin strong ones capture the traces of Dong Zhen strong ones? They do not capture Dong Zhen strong ones; they only ambush on the path the target hurries to Endless Quicksand. They lock onto this piece of space, not a specific person. Hell No Door is a professional assassin organization, very experienced in challenging strong enemies. The deaths of countless Yanluo have made this experience profound and thick. Just like a giant entering water, it naturally produces ripples. Chu Jiang Wang’s pre-set array, with intention against no intention, captured that point of ripples in the entire airspace.

But Zhuang Gao Xian came too fast. Almost at the same time as Chu Jiang Wang’s words sounded, a majestic and dignified crowned figure had already pierced through the air. The trap almost failed to activate!

Boom! A man with flying long hair and green eyes shining appeared horizontally! His form was evil and mad, making people see and want to self-abandon. In the instant where even divine intent could not capture, he fiercely collided with the figure wearing a white-based yellow Sui coronet and a Ping Tian Crown on his head!

Yin Guan was always like this! Among all the Yanluo, he was the only one who did not wear a mask, letting the world chase him. He never cared about the lives of others, and seemed to care little about his own. The Hell No Door he led always dared to take the most dangerous tasks, and he was always at the center of the danger! Perhaps this was why the members of Hell No Door were still fundamentally convinced by him, even though the organization changed extremely quickly.

In the high air, the two figures merged and separated. Yin Guan had been accumulating momentum for a long time, waiting at ease. Zhuang Gao Xian was hurrying, casually responding. Green blood sprinkled the long sky! Yin Guan instantly fell back!

But simultaneously, a cold wind howled, and goose feather snow fell from the sky. Hail like stone bullets roared and broke through the sky. The temperature dropped sharply, and a cold intent seeped into the divine soul. Some ice edges were visibly formed on Zhuang Gao Xian’s coronet. The void he stepped on seemed to turn into a snow plain. Boundless desolation, ten thousand li ice sealed. This was—

“Cold Ice Hell!” Chu Jiang Wang’s set array had already activated, barely encircling the almost passing Zhuang Gao Xian inside. Since ancient times, the only arrays capable of fighting Dong Zhen with Shen Lin were military arrays. They had to be strong soldiers, famous generals, and fierce military formations; one could not be missing. Other array disks or array flags, regardless of the school of array path, limited by the ability of the array setter, could not cross the gap between high-grade cultivators. Just like Chu Jiang Wang was also an array path expert and brought out the strongest Cold Ice Hell, which he had arranged for a long time beforehand, yet he almost failed to trap anyone. Qin Guang Wang blocked with his body, only barely allowing this array to play a role. But what role?

Contemporary Zhen Ren, seeing through this world. Zhuang Gao Xian lightly brushed his body, and the ice frost on the outside of his clothes was all gone. Five fingers spread and rose to the sky, and the flying snow in the full sky was grasped empty! Earth rank Dao technique, Hun Dong Gui Yuan! This was a Dao technique derived from “Hun Dong Tai Wu Yuan Gao Shang Yu Xu Zhi Qi,” a part of Yu Jing Mountain’s core Dao law system, and also his most handy. The world all knew—Yu Jing Mountain’s core Dao law, controlled by Yu Xu Zhi Qi, was absolutely strong in the world. Especially this Hun Dong Gui Yuan, after years of polishing, in his Zhuang Gao Xian’s hand, its might was close to heaven rank Dao technique, while consuming less, faster, and applicable range was broader.

“Interesting!” Zhuang Gao Xian discovered he had guessed wrong. Or rather, only guessed half. Indeed, someone had schemes against him, and at this key node of participating in the Taixu alliance. But it wasn’t the Mohists. Because if the Mohists wanted to kill him, they wouldn’t need to hire assassins. And such weak assassins! For the Mohists, inviting such demons and ghosts to act, besides increasing the difficulty of avoiding liquidation afterward, had no meaning.

Then who? The opponent had such a clear grasp of the world situation, could capture this key moment, yet their own strength was not enough, still needing so many fancy tricks… His heart became increasingly calm, his face yet excited, his robe sleeves bulging: “Gutless bandits! Did Han Xu invite you to kill me? A country lord, not thinking about governing the country, not fulfilling political duties, but entrusting world matters to assassins! Doing such despicable acts, truly a waste as a ruler!”

Zhuang Gao Xian spread his large hand, and Yu Xu Zhi Qi rapidly spread, the entire Cold Ice Hell constantly collapsed, all collected in his palm, “Hun Dong” everything, all “Gui Yuan.” But after the flying snow was empty, large groups of dark clouds descended from the air, covering the light.

“Yan! Yan! Yan!” Heaven and earth echoed such whistling, how strange! Evil! Mad! Look closely, where were dark clouds? Clearly, it was an evil bird out of its cage! It was a tailless swallow, but not small. Its wings spread, already covering the clouds and moon. Black feathers flew like arrow rain, covering the sky and falling on the Zhen Ren. That pair of vicious swallow eyes stared deadly at Zhuang Gao Xian, and the hunger and thirst within them were clearly visible—the desire to eat his skull!

The Yan Xiao, whose divine body was robbed by Ao Kui and who was reborn by borrowing Ao Kui’s “death,” inherited most of Ao Kui’s physical strength and was already in complete form, possessing Shen Lin level combat power—Ao Kui was left in the Star Tower prison, but it was a True Dragon Dao body close to the Huang Zhu level. That was because Yan Xiao’s realm had not caught up, otherwise it would absolutely not have been only Shen Lin level performance. When Jiang Wang first entered the Sen Hai Source Realm to challenge Yan Xiao, the injury to its left wing displayed three abilities, respectively Yan Peck, Shift Space, and Chaos Flow. These three abilities were respectively related to its bird beak, right wing, and double claws. At that time, Jiang Wang guessed that when it grew stronger, it might possess five abilities. Now, it was indeed so.

The Shen Lin level Yan Xiao, besides Yan Peck, Shift Space, and Chaos Flow, also had Flying Feathers and Xiao Wail. One was a large-range attack, and the other was a terrifying killing method combining sound and divine soul. This time, Jiang Wang first released it, and it was also its first battle after seclusion. How could it not perform fully?

Flying Feathers had already arrived, Xiao Wail had just begun, and with a flap of its right wing, it had already pounced in front of Zhuang Gao Xian, its head Yan Peck! This series of actions flowed smoothly, showing the killing ability it was strictly tempered by Jiang Wang.

Clang! Its hard bird beak, with near-fatal ability, pecked on a contemporary Zhen Ren’s fist, emitting a long sound like metal striking. Yu Xu Zhi Qi went around the fist, still Hun Dong Gui Yuan. There was no need for too many fancy choices; for a Zhen Ren who saw the essence of the world, what was suitable was enough. Zhuang Gao Xian focused more on conserving strength to welcome endless challenges. Since the opponent chose this time point to act, this was not their only means!

All powers from Yan Xiao were terrifying Dao technique powers gathered together. Zhuang Gao Xian’s fist continued forward, indifferently smashing these attacks, and also smashing Yan Xiao!

Hm? Just as Zhuang Gao Xian confidently turned back, dark powers surged, and in that evil substance, a sinful whistling echoed again—Yan! Yan! Yan!

Yan Xiao died and was reborn!