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Chu Xiu saw the way Qin Dongxu and his companions’ expressions changed, down to the smallest details.
He laughed, sounding calm and relaxed. “Don’t worry, everyone. I’m an agreeable sort. So long as you pledge yourselves to my cause, I’ll promise to treat you as I would my brothers.”
Tong Xinghai chimed in, “Everyone, this is your good fortune. Ordinary cultivators are unworthy of my Lord’s notice.”
Old Yao Sky Serpent laughed. “No need to hide it from you: my Lord has already decided. Once we unlock the good fortune within these ruins, he shall establish a new orthodoxy and transmit the Dao here! It shall be called the Celestial God Transformation Sect. If you join us now, you’ll become His Lordship’s right-hand men and closest confidantes in the days to come!”
The serpent looked like a young man, and his eyes were an unearthly shade of gold. He wore silver robes, and his aura was cold, sinister, and imposing.
The God Transformation Sect!
When she heard this name, Hua Xinfeng’s gaze turned a bit strange.
She recalled Su Yi saying that when yao cultivators established sects, they loved adding the words “god” and “immortal” to their names as a way of proclaiming that they’d transcended their former bestial selves and become something greater.
The Immortals’ Sword House was a good example of this; they were a faction of yao cultivators too.
Now, the man in the black cloak, this person who called himself Chu Xiu, wanted to occupy the empty shell of the Immortals’ Sword House and create a faction of his own, the Celestial God Transformation Sect!
Combined, this made Hua Xinfeng subconsciously assume that Chu Xiu was a yao cultivator too!
Hua Xinfeng couldn’t help but sigh to herself. Indeed, the words of a wise man are more precious than ten years of study!
All Su Yi had done was casually share something he considered common knowledge. Now, just hearing the name of the sect Chu Xiu wanted to establish, she’d deduced valuable information about him!
She couldn’t help but glance at Su Yi, only to discover that he was standing there, perfectly calm in stark contrast with the solemn, alert looks on the other's faces.
“You want us to join your faction?” It seemed as if Dongxu dared not believe his ears.
“You can interpret it like that,” said Chu Xiu with a nod and an amiable smile. “I know your hearts are full of doubt and confusion, but rest assured. So long as you swear loyalty to my cause, I can answer your questions, one by one.”
You Changkong took a deep breath. “And if we don’t agree?”
“Hah?” Tong Xinghai and the others couldn’t help but laugh, their gazes playful and their expressions full of ridicule.
The young man in the purple shirt said coldly, “Don’t think too highly of yourselves. I’ll give you a chance, but if you don’t treasure it, the Immortals’ Sword House shall become your tomb.”
Each word was as cold and sharp as a saber, brimming with austere killing intent.
Qin Dongxu and his companion’s expressions changed.
It was then that Chu Xiu glanced at Nie Xingkong. “How about you try and convince them not to do anything stupid?”
All of them were stunned.
Qin Dongxu and company then watched as Nie Xingkong stepped out from their ranks, turned to face them, and said, “Everyone, please, treasure the rare and precious opportunity before you. A chance to serve His Lordship means an opportunity to soar to greater heights of the Grand Dao when the Radiant Epoch descends upon this world.”
He had a large-framed skeleton, and his long robes were made of coarse cloth. He had two longswords strapped to his back, and his aura was as majestic and imposing as a mountain.
Yet now, although no one knew when it had happened, it seemed the leader of the Hidden Dragon Sword Sect had long since defected and joined Chu Xiu!
Qin Dongxu and company were visibly startled.
Clarifying Truth sighed. “Indeed, it seems we’ve all fallen for Fellow Daoist Nie’s schemes. This was an elaborate trap to begin with.”
Now, only Su Yi and Hua Xinfeng remained calm.
They’d long since known that Nie Xingkong was one of the Possessed.
Thus, when they learned that it was Nie Xingkong who’d provided Qin Dongxu’s secret map, Su Yi had quickly guessed that the sect leader was a double agent and that the map was nothing but bait to lure Qin Dongxu and his allies here.
The scene unfolding before him was unquestionable proof of his deductions’ accuracy.
The atmosphere was stifled, and the group felt a strong sense of foreboding.
It was then that Chu Xiu’s gaze turned toward Qin Fu. “What about you? Do you perhaps have good news for me too?”
Then, beneath the group’s flabbergasted gazes, Qin Fu stepped forth and bowed respectfully to Chu Xiu. “My Lord, High Elder Gu Qingdu of the Profound Moon Temple is willing to join our cause and follow your orders!”
As soon as he said this, Gu Qingdu stepped forth and bowed in greeting. “My Lord, I’ve admired you ever since Qin Fu first described your magnificent bearing. The opportunity to work alongside you is the greatest honor I’ve ever received.”
“What!?” When they saw this, Qin Dongxu and the others were practically struck dumb. They were both alarmed and furious.
Qin Fu was the sixth prince! Yet he, just like Nie Xingkong, had long since betrayed them and defected in secret.
Even more shocking was Gu Qingdu. He was a high elder of the Profound Moon Sect, yet Qin Fu had actually managed to convince him to change sides!
Witnessing this series of events gave Qin Dongxu and company chills, and their hands and feet felt ice-cold.
Even Su Yi was surprised. He’d guessed that Qin Fu was a spy. After all, he was one of the Possessed.
However, he wouldn’t have guessed that Gu Qingdu, this thick-eyebrowed, big-eyed, dignified, and imposing old-timer had long since turned traitor too.
“A fine fowl needs a quality tree to perch on. Gu Qingdu, you’ve made the right choice,” said Chu Xiu with a smile.
As he spoke, he removed a lustrous, snow-white flying sword from his sleeves and passed it over. “This is a spiritual blade I discovered in the ruins. Although it's only an Origin Treasure, the methods used to refine it are extraordinarily exquisite, and its power is top-class. Consider it a gift.”
Gu Qingdu shook, then lit up with delight and accepted it with both hands. “Thank you for bequeathing me a sword, my Lord!”
Qin Dongxu and the others’ expressions shifted. How could they miss that this entire display was for their benefit?
“Qin Fu, you’re the sixth prince of the Great Qin. How could you do something like this?” roared Qin Dongxu.
However, Qin Fu merely laughed, his expression strange. “No need to hide the truth: the former Qin Fu is already dead.”
Qin Dongxu was stunned, but before he could respond, Chu Xiu waved to Qin Fu. “You’ve performed well. Step back for now.”
Qin Fu hesitated, but in the end, he still said in a low voice, “My lord, I have a request.”
“Oh?” said Chu Xiu. “Let’s hear it.”
Qin Fu’s gaze suddenly landed on Su Yi. “This person once publicly humiliated me. My lord, please, help me wash away my shame!”
When he looked at Su Yi, his eyes shone with intense loathing.
Suddenly, all eyes were upon Su Yi.
However, when Chu Xiu looked at Su Yi, he suddenly burst into laughter. “Fellow Daoist, your disguise technique is practically seamless. Alas, I just so happen to cultivate a secret technique that lets me see through it. I noticed that something was off about you at a glance during our encounter on the Sea of Chaotic Spirits.”
“This… What’s happened this time?” Qin Dongxu and the others were flabbergasted. Don’t tell me there’s a problem with the Great Xia’s Zhou Yi too?
“You’re one of the Possessed, yet you actually managed to see through my disguise? That’s quite surprising,” said Su Yi calmly.
Chu Xiu sighed with admiration. “Fellow Daoist, your eyesight is extraordinary!”
This novel is available on bit.ly/3iBfjkV.
One of the Possessed!
The man who called himself Chu Xiu was actually one of the Possessed!
Qin Dongxu and the others finally seemed to understand. Today’s venture had numerous unexpected twists, and the questions just kept piling up. They almost couldn’t keep up with it all, and their hearts were increasingly heavy.
“Fellow Daoist, after everything that’s happened, why not show your true face? Are you afraid?” asked Chu Xiu. It seemed he was quite curious. Just who was the man beneath the disguise?
“What’s there to be afraid of?” said Su Yi with a dry laugh. As he spoke, his face and figure shifted, and in the blink of an eye, he’d regained his original appearance.
“It’s you!? Su Yi!” Nie Xingkong’s expression changed dramatically.
Su Yi!
The name was just two syllables long, yet each went off like a sudden crack of lightning. Qin Dongxu and his companions’ expressions changed completely, and they felt a chill course down their spines.
They’d formed this alliance precisely because they shared a common goal: killing Su Yi.
Who could have guessed that their target had been with them this entire time?
“Su Yi….” Qin Fu was dumbstruck; it seemed he found this hard to believe.
“It’s him!” Shang Luoyu and Lin Yubei were both startled and angry. They hadn’t expected this at all.
Nie Xingkong, Qin Fu, and Gu Qingdu’s betrayal was already a shocking twist, and they found it difficult to accept.
The reveal of Su Yi’s true identity came as an even greater shock, like thunder on a clear day. Qin Dongxu and his allies felt as if they were going mad.
It was just one operation, yet their ranks didn’t just include multiple traitors; even their greatest enemy was hidden among them. Who could possibly tolerate this?
“How is this possible…..?”
Qin Dongxu slumped in dejection. He’d been smug and complacent about this entire operation, as he thought that such an alliance of top experts could surely break through all obstacles in their path. He wanted to seize the good fortune hiding within the ruins and take Su Yi down while he was at it.
Who’d have thought things would turn out like this?
Gu Qingdu, Qin Fu, Nie Xingkong, and even the yao and heretical cultivators, were bewildered and uncertain too. They hadn’t expected this either.
Chu Xiu’s eyes lit up with a strange light, and he looked at Su Yi with a smile, as if he’d discovered a rare and precious treasure.
“So, you’re the famous Su Yi. I’ve heard your name and accomplishments, and you’ve long since piqued my interest. I wouldn't have guessed I’d encounter you here… Don’t tell me this is fate?”
“Fate?” Su Yi smiled. “I suppose it is. It just so happens that I’m quite interested in Possessed like you, too.”
Chu Xiu let out a hearty laugh. “In that case, why not pledge yourself to my cause? Work for me, and I’ll tell you anything you want to know!”
Su Yi sneered. “A paltry little figure like you? Are you worthy?”
When they heard this, Tong Xinghai and the others’ expressions darkened, and they bellowed, “Brazen!”
“Su Yi, who the hell do you think you are? How dare you talk to our lord like that! Your arrogance knows no bounds!”
Chu Xiu’s old followers’ glared, not the least bit friendly, as if Su Yi had stepped on their tails. Their expressions were filled with murderousness.
“Enough,” said Chu Xiu, silencing them with an airy wave.
He then smiled and sighed, “Can’t you tell? Convincing a monstrous talent like our Fellow Daoist Su to surrender and join our cause isn’t so easy. We’ll have to use some...alternative methods.”
A faint, firelike luster surged in the depths of his jade-green eyes.
It was then that You Changkong said out of nowhere, “Your Excellency, if you help us kill Su Yi, I trust that we’ll surrender willingly and pledge ourselves to your cause!”
Qin Dongxu, Clarifying Truth, and the others were instantly tempted.
Borrowing another’s knife to kill someone?