"I think it's best not to tell your Master about this for now."

Within the Shenxiao Sect, Qi Xiu, who had hurried back, had not yet reached Yunti Peak when he encountered Daoist Priest Yunqing, his Master Daoist Yunxiong's close friend, on the path.

Seeing a hint of worry hidden in Qi Xiu's expression, Daoist Priest Yunqing immediately inquired what had happened.

Daoist Priest Yunqing was no outsider, so Qi Xiu did not hide anything. He recounted the full situation: his Eldest Senior Brother, Wei Wuji, was mortally wounded and had buried himself in Hundred Coffin Mountain, and his Second Senior Sister, Nangong Qingxiu, was mentally disoriented with her whereabouts unknown.

After hearing all this, Daoist Priest Yunqing was first enraged.

He had watched Wei Wuji and Nangong Qingxiu join the sect and was very clear about their strength.

To have them beaten, one to death and the other seriously injured, it must have been a Dao Expert who sneak-attacked them in secret.

Otherwise, even if the two were no match for their assailant, they couldn't possibly have been injured to this extent.

A Dao Expert attacking those in the Blood-Stained Realm! This blatant violation of the agreement must be severely punished!

However, after his anger subsided, Daoist Priest Yunqing calmed down. He then advised Qi Xiu not to tell Daoist Yunxiong about this situation just yet.

"With your Master's temper, what do you think he would do if he knew about this?"

"Naturally, he would..."

He thought of his Master's explosive temper, veritable as a powder keg. What would happen if his Master found out? His eldest disciple, beaten to within an inch of his life, had self-buried in Hundred Coffin Mountain. His only female disciple was seriously injured, mentally disturbed—almost a madwoman—and also missing. A wry smile touched Qi Xiu's lips:

"Master would probably turn all of Dianchuan upside down to find the culprit."

"That's right, but the current situation is different from the past. Once Yunxiong finds out about this, he will be uncontrollably furious. If he violates the agreement because of this, Divine Sorrow Ridge will definitely send experts to assassinate him."

Having highlighted the severity of the situation, Daoist Priest Yunqing stroked his goatee, pondered for a moment, and said, "Let's not tell your Master about this for now. I will report to the Sect Master immediately and let him decide. For a Dao Expert to be forced to violate the agreement to attack them, those two must have discovered something extraordinary."

After pondering, Qi Xiu felt that what Daoist Priest Yunqing said made sense.

Currently, Dianchuan was in chaos, and there was the precedent of the Lord of Night Peace violating the agreement and being captured by the Nature Banner. Now, Divine Sorrow Ridge and the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains were both watching like tigers, monitoring if the local cultivators violated the agreement, hoping to turn the tables. If his Master really broke the rules because of this, Divine Sorrow Ridge would surely seize the opportunity, making things even more troublesome.

Following Daoist Priest Yunqing's advice, Qi Xiu did not return to Yunti Peak but instead went to Daoist Priest Yunqing's Xi Yu Peak to await news.

「Merely one hour later」

Daoist Priest Yunqing returned, bringing with him the arrangements from the Supreme Sect Leader Dongfang Qing.

"The Sect Master said to keep this matter confidential for the time being, limited to just the three of us knowing. He will explain things to Yunxiong later. Additionally, take this."

Daoist Priest Yunqing produced an exquisite box that looked as if it were crafted from the very essence of clouds and mist. Its appearance was gentle and mysterious, as if the purest cloud in the sky had been eternally captured in a fleeting moment of change, forming a beautiful container. The box's surface, adorned with delicate patterns, shimmered with a milky white luster.

"Inside is a Treasure Medicine bestowed by the Sect Master. You can use it to treat Wuji and Qingqiu. Take good care of it."

Handing the cloud-mist treasure box to Qi Xiu, Daoist Priest Yunqing instructed, "After treating Wuji, you two must immediately return to the sect without delay. These are the Sect Master's exact words; remember them well."

With a thoughtful gaze, Qi Xiu took the cloud-mist treasure box and slowly nodded. "Don't worry, Uncle-Master, your disciple understands."

「After four days」

Qi Xiu returned from the Shenxiao Sect to the treacherous region of Half-Step More, back to that same mist-enshrouded, desolate mountain range.

But just as he stepped into this area, a halo suddenly emerged behind Qi Xiu's head. An ancient, unadorned lamp ignited on its own within it, emanating a pure and vast, colorful glow that enveloped him in layers of protection.

Stopping in his tracks, Qi Xiu slightly narrowed his eyes, and his aura suddenly became fierce.

Someone is using a Dharma Gate for divination on me…

And this person's cultivation level must have reached the peak of the Blood-Stained Realm!

Ordinary divination wouldn't be enough to trigger the manifestation of the Hunyuan All-Encompassing Luminance, which is a Merit Treasure.

Standing amidst the void, Qi Xiu's eyes flashed with a purple light as he slowly scanned his surroundings. One after another, hidden and lurking auras, concealed in dark corners, were revealed.

Is it because of the Blood List? Or... that mysterious Dao Expert who attacked Eldest Senior Brother and the others?

As he contemplated this, Qi Xiu's hands did not hesitate. With a sweeping motion of his wide sleeves, a torrent of Talisman Scripts surged out. Rune Arrays descended thunderously, compressing the very heavens and earth into a mottled, rugged corridor.

"You who hide and skulk, all of you, get out here!"

With a fierce shout, carrying the terrifying force of the Dragon Might Spell, an almost tangible sonic wave swept in all directions. The dense fog was instantly cleared, and the heavens and earth abruptly became clear.

"Six Arts Dao Idiot, you truly live up to your name as one of the top ten on the Blood List. Our brothers' concealment skills have even deceived Dao Experts, yet you detected us so quickly."

Emerging with smiles from the void, more than a dozen mysterious cultivators dressed in hemp-yellow robes appeared before Qi Xiu. These people lifted the hoods from their heads, revealing their bald scalps. At the center of each brow was a mark resembling a flame-like lotus.

"Your Excellency possesses exceptional talent and the potential to achieve the Dao. Today, we have come specifically to guide you into our Secret Shrine Temple, so you may attain the supreme fruit-position," the lead bald monk, his expression serene and a smile on his face, said as he placed one hand vertically before his chest.

"Secret Shrine Temple? Hah, a bunch of heretics, daring to speak of fruit-positions. Instead of staying put in the Western Border Great Province, you've run off to Dianchuan. Are you seeking death?"

The moment Qi Xiu heard the lead bald monk's words, a hint of coldness crept onto his face.

Secret Shrine Temple. It was one of the infamous heretical sects of the Western Border Great Province. The sect was large in scale with numerous followers, and all three of its Sect Hierarchs were Dao Experts. Their inherited Dharma Gates allowed for a bizarre transmutability between soul and body, and they wreaked havoc across the province. However, the sect possessed an heirloom Primordial Spirit treasure left by its founder. Because of this, the Military Governor of the Western Border Great Province hesitated to act against them, wary of potential consequences. Over time, this only emboldened their arrogance.

Yet, it was unexpected that this heretical sect, which acted unopposed within the Western Border Great Province, would take advantage of the chaos in Dianchuan and start causing trouble here—and even fix their eyes on him.

"Death? That is a gift from our god. We are under orders to invite Your Excellency back to the Western Border Great Province with us. If you are unwilling, then we will have no choice but to offend you," the monk from the Secret Shrine Temple said, performing a one-handed salute. He then flicked his fingers. The dozen or so heretical monks who had come with him fanned out, raising their hands high as boundless vital energy surged from their bodies.

In an instant, the elemental energies between heaven and earth began to surge violently. The sounds of earth, water, fire, and wind resonated from the void in all directions. Under this intense resonance of vital energy, the many Rune Arrays Qi Xiu had placed rapidly collapsed, dissolving into the most primal energies and dissipating into nothingness.

Chanting scriptures with peculiar and malevolent melodies, an endless torrent of vital energy, true energy, mana, and Gang Qi converged, forming a majestic tidal wave that crashed down toward Qi Xiu.

"Hmph! Daring to show off your meager skills before an expert! Mighty Dragon! Hundred Eyes! Crush them for me!"

His gaze locked on the lead bald monk, Qi Xiu snorted coldly. Suddenly, two towering figures of stark white bone, radiating extreme terror, stepped out from behind him.

Mighty Dragon Demon Vajra!

Hundred-Eyed Bone Demon Monarch!

These two White Bone Devil Gods had followed Qi Xiu through many battles, absorbing a vast amount of bone essence, and their power had grown considerably. Especially the Mighty Dragon Demon Vajra. As the chief of the Eight Great Protector Demon Vajras of the White Bone Demonic Dao, his potential was immense. The ancient power latent within his Dragon Bones would gradually awaken through continuous combat.

ROOOAR—

Upon its appearance, the Mighty Dragon Demon Vajra erupted with a terrifying dragon's roar. Almost tangible shockwaves swept out instantly. Its nearly hundred-zhang-tall frame moved with thundering strides, charging straight for the heretical monks. Its body, refined from Dragon Bones, was indestructible. When the tidal wave of vast and turbulent vital energy slammed into it, the most it did was halt its advance; it sustained no damage.

In contrast to the domineering strength of the Mighty Dragon Demon Vajra, the Hundred-Eyed Bone Demon Monarch was far more insidious and cunning. It relied on its agile, multi-limbed body to move rapidly across the battlefield. The eerie, blinking demonic eyes on its skeletal frame continuously shot out beams of Demon Light that even cultivators in the Blood-Stained Realm could not withstand.

With the two White Bone Devil Gods joining forces, the Secret Shrine monks were immediately put under enormous pressure. They had to suppress the forceful assault of the Mighty Dragon Demon Vajra while also guarding against the concealed strikes of the Hundred-Eyed Bone Demon Monarch.

"Six Arts Dao Idiot, you are indeed worthy of your reputation. Your multitude of techniques is simply breathtaking."

The lead bald monk hadn't expected this. Qi Xiu hadn't even acted personally, yet two of his bizarrely powerful summoned creatures were enough to suppress the dozen or so monks he had brought. His gaze toward Qi Xiu grew even more fervent.

"Enough with the nonsense!"

Having been delayed by these unexpectedly appearing monks of the Secret Shrine Temple, Qi Xiu's brows furrowed slightly, and his wide sleeves began to emanate an ancient aura, one that seemed to chafe against the very fabric of Qiankun.

Just as he was about to employ Universe in the Sleeve to erase the lead bald monk from existence, his vision suddenly blurred, and the monk vanished.

"Hmm?"

As Qi Xiu's eyes narrowed slightly, he expanded his vast Divine Sense to search for the monk's whereabouts.

Suddenly, a brilliantly colorful net, imbued with the ancient aura of the divine Dao, unfolded. The net's threads were smooth and delicate, carrying the aura of strange spirit beings. Shockingly, they were made from the small patches of skin taken from the crown of countless living people's heads.

Enshrouded by this abruptly appearing net, Qi Xiu's vision went dark.

「In the next moment!」

All around him, numerous flame-like lotuses suddenly appeared. Atop these lotuses sat a colossal, indistinct figure, seemingly composed of countless light and shadows.

"Your Excellency, do not panic. Your bloodline is extraordinary, possessing the miraculous ability to draw upon the myriad energies of heaven and earth. My Lord intends to descend into this world and has chosen you as his vessel for incarnation. This is a supreme honor, a great Opportunity one might not encounter in a million lifetimes."

The lead bald monk's figure reappeared. He addressed Qi Xiu with great earnestness, as if Qi Xiu was about to receive a blessing of worldly magnificence.

Hearing this, Qi Xiu let out a chuckle, the corners of his mouth curling up. So, after all this, it turns out you're after my Innate Mixed Yuan Holy Body…

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