Chapter 1204: Unexpected Visitor

Qianjun Biyi's expression drastically changed.

Xinghuanzi frowned, his eyes cold, and he spoke chillingly to the approaching figure.

"Scram!"

A single word caused a chill wind to rise, and murderous intent gathered from all directions.

Xinghuanzi had always been this way; even after being slain by Xu Qing once, his demeanor remained unchanged upon rebirth. Arrogance and coldness were etched into his very soul. This held true even when facing other quasi-immortals, even against overwhelming numbers, and even with the presence of an elder nearly at the peak of quasi-immortality. The order he cultivated would rather break than bend.

The middle-aged cultivator smiled faintly upon hearing Xinghuanzi's response.

"Quite a temper," he remarked.

A glimmer flashed in his eyes before he turned to bow to his leader. The elder he bowed to frowned slightly but nodded. The next moment, the middle-aged cultivator's aura surged dramatically, as if he had borrowed immense power.

He then raised a hand and pressed it downward. Immediately, the black sea churned, and grotesque black flying insects, not corporeal, swarmed from its surface. In mere moments, their numbers became vast, dense, and boundless. They rose from the black sea and surged towards Xinghuanzi.

A cold gleam flashed in Xinghuanzi's eyes. The next instant, countless iron chains materialized around him, clanking as they spun into a vortex that suddenly expanded. The might of order suppressed all, and the path of balance extinguished everything. Simultaneously, Qianjun Biyi unleashed sword energy, fully cooperating with Xinghuanzi. Wherever their divine abilities reached, the black flying insects crumbled. Xinghuanzi's vortex of orderly chains, in particular, roared like a tempest. From a distance, the grotesque black flying insects seemed utterly fragile, continuing to shatter.

However, the crumbling insects didn't fully dissipate; instead, they left behind countless specks of black dust, like powder or mist, scattering everywhere. Furthermore, with a flick of the middle-aged cultivator's hand, the myriad specks of black dust surged, converging around him and layering upon his body until he was completely covered. His face was likewise enveloped, as if a new body was being sculpted for him. In the blink of an eye, the middle-aged cultivator's original features vanished, as if he had donned a seamless, faceless cloak. Then, the area where his face had been twisted, and in the next instant, new features reappeared, though their appearance had drastically transformed. He had taken on Xinghuanzi's exact likeness! From his appearance and expression to his aura and soul, everything was identical. After this transformation, black dust continued to gather on either side of his head, instantaneously forming two more heads. These, astonishingly, resembled Qianjun Biyi.

This sight caused the ascended cultivators to feel their hearts sink.

Then, in this horrific three-headed form, the middle-aged cultivator smiled at Xinghuanzi and his two companions. He then ignored Xinghuanzi, turning to walk towards his own companions. His companions, having witnessed the entire scene, showed no surprise, clearly accustomed to it. Their leader, the elder, didn't even glance back, turning and walking away into the distance. The entire group seemed poised to depart.

And at that moment, a bizarre scene unfolded. As the middle-aged cultivator walked away, he inexplicably pulled Xinghuanzi and Qianjun Biyi along with him. The three of them moved forward in sync, as if manipulated, having lost control of their own bodies. Qianjun Biyi, in particular, had blank expressions, as if their very souls had been snatched away. Xinghuanzi, though moving forward, showed a sharp glint in his eyes. With every step, a cracking sound echoed within him, indicating the control over him was steadily breaking down.

This sight elicited a soft gasp from the middle-aged cultivator. His leader, the elder, also turned back, looking at Xinghuanzi thoughtfully. "He's quite good. Take him with us," the elder spoke indifferently. As he spoke, three members of his team immediately stepped forward and flew towards Xinghuanzi.

Witnessing this, Zhou Zhengli looked thoughtful, Xie Lingzi licked his lips, and Yuanshan Su frowned. The other ascended cultivators remained silent, but a sharp glint appeared in their eyes. Every cultivator who could ascend from slaughter possessed their own pride. To watch a fellow cultivator be treated this way, even if their relationship didn't warrant direct intervention, still caused deep discomfort. However, the opposing group was clearly stronger, boasting multiple quasi-immortals and that terrifyingly powerful elder. The disparity between them was vast. Thus, despite the turmoil in their hearts, no one stepped forward at that moment.

Xu Qing, too, felt uncomfortable. Those two swords belonged to him. As for Xinghuanzi… Xu Qing considered the situation and felt that something was amiss. It would be one thing if they were outside, but this was the Reception Star. As newly ascended cultivators, they were here awaiting their assigned duties. If someone could simply be conscripted away like this, then this 'reception' was far too casual. "This is unusual!"

Xu Qing narrowed his eyes, then decisively stepped forward. The moment his foot landed, his aura exploded. The Constitution of Space-Time instantly enveloped the area, and a bell flew out from between his brows. The next instant, the bell chimed. The ethereal tinkling reverberated through the world, resonating within the minds of all present. Everyone's expression changed instantly. Both Xu Qing's fellow ascenders and the opposing team's cultivators showed a change in expression. The sound of the bell, like a thunderclap in their ears, shook their minds and bodies, causing their cultivation to stagnate and all their spells to become... ineffective! The next instant, many individuals plummeted from mid-air. The three cultivators charging towards Xinghuanzi also shuddered, their eyes wide with horror, unable to continue their assault. As for Qianjun Biyi, the two brothers' bodies trembled at this moment, showing signs of awakening amidst the bell's chime. Xinghuanzi, who was already on the brink of consciousness, instantly awoke at the sound of the bell! The murderous intent in his eyes was exceptionally fierce. However, compared to them, the middle-aged cultivator was the most affected. His three heads disintegrated instantly, and the body sculpted from black ash shattered into countless fragments, scattering black dust and revealing his true form. His true form's pupils contracted, and he abruptly looked at Xu Qing, his expression grim to the extreme, as if facing a formidable enemy. His heart was filled with the turmoil of a narrow escape. For before him, an iron skewer had appeared, he knew not when. This skewer was incredibly sharp, and the coldness it emitted suppressed the middle-aged cultivator's very soul. He didn't know when the skewer appeared, but he knew he had been within a hair's breadth of having it pierce his glabella. Now, two fingers had pinched the skewer, halting its penetrating momentum. The one who had clamped the skewer was his leader, the elder who was infinitely close to the peak of quasi-immortality!

The elder slowly turned his head, his gaze settling on Xu Qing. Xu Qing met his gaze calmly, speaking indifferently, "Those are my swords, and those are my people." The elder's eyes held deep meaning. He then withdrew his gaze, looked at the sky, and bowed. "Venerable Immortal, my team has completed your additional task. May we now depart?"

As his words echoed, everyone present felt a stir in their hearts and looked up. Xu Qing also gazed at the sky. The calm sky suddenly rippled, and the previously dull firmament regained its color. The vivid colors, a riot of hues, rapidly intertwined to form patches of splendor. Within the splendor, a figure gradually emerged, stepping forth. It was an unassuming elder. Dressed in coarse linen, he resembled an old farmer, holding a rough wooden staff. The staff was covered in cracks, much like the wrinkles on his face. The moment he appeared, the elder who was nearly at the peak of quasi-immortality immediately lowered his head, as did every member of his team. The instant Li Mengtu saw this person, his expression drastically changed. His eyes widened abruptly, revealing disbelief, and he gasped in surprise, whether intentionally or not: "Master!" Xu Qing's heart also jolted at that moment. He felt a familiar presence from the elder. It was from the Constitution he had previously abandoned! The newcomer was none other than Li Mengtu's master, the Immortal from the Dao Immortal Sect of the Western Star Domain—the Poison Lord! At this moment, Xu Qing's vigilance surged to its peak. He knew very well that this individual was no benevolent figure. The Constitution he had once offered was not an act of kindness; it contained the karma of borrowing and repaying. Had he not comprehended the Constitution of Space-Time back then, he feared the repercussions would have been endless. He would have had his Dao borrowed. This was why he had decisively abandoned it then. Regardless, Xu Qing had never expected to encounter him here. Furthermore, judging by his identity, it was clear that the Poison Lord was not merely a patrol inspector for the Dao Immortal Sect; he held other duties as well!

"I am the head of the Department of Procurement," the Poison Lord said, looking calmly at everyone, his voice hoarse.