Chapter 751: Calculations

The four individuals holding umbrellas stood remarkably close, so much so that if the person in front didn't take a step, the one behind would immediately stumble. Their peculiar behavior, coupled with their four tattered black umbrellas, made them appear as a single, unified entity, resembling a strange mushroom with roots tightly fused but caps grotesquely split open.

This was Li Huowang's first encounter with individuals dressed in such a manner within the Law Sect. His sense of unease intensified, primarily because he detected no gaze or attention directed towards him from these four figures.

Just as Li Huowang anticipated the four figures in front of him would speak, the shadows of all the Law Sect followers abruptly converged around him. They swiftly formed an edict on the ground, one far larger than a house, billowing with dark, black mist.

The moment the edict manifested, the sky churned with dark clouds. In an instant, daylight rapidly faded, plunging the surroundings into a darkness almost akin to night.

Sensing the atmosphere, thick enough to almost solidify the air, Li Huowang realized this would undoubtedly be a grueling battle. The Law Sect had, in all likelihood, meticulously prepared for his ambush long beforehand. He suspected that from the very moment he had seized the Mount Tai Stone, the Law Sect had already marked him as a persistent nuisance.

With a resolute gaze, Li Huowang slowly drew a deep breath. Behind him, Peng Longteng gradually materialized, his colossal halberd hanging loosely by his side.

Just as the escalating tension approached its peak, and Li Huowang braced himself for a desperate fight, Xuanpin's red-robed figure emerged from the very ground beneath them.

"Don't move," Xuanpin whispered to Li Huowang. "I'll get you out of here."

Xuanpin finished speaking softly to Li Huowang. Six shriveled hands, adorned with long, slender nails, extended from within the red robe. They began to form intricate hand seals and recite an incantation.

The six hands simultaneously coordinated to form the seals, which Li Huowang couldn't decipher. Furthermore, he couldn't comprehend the incantation Xuanpin was uttering.

What Li Huowang could perceive, however, was a verdant bamboo forest. It rapidly spun into existence from the periphery of his vision, as if an intricate painting was unfurling, completely engulfing all the surrounding Law Sect members.

When they arrived in the lush green forest, the outside world was bathed in daylight. The tense atmosphere vanished without a trace, and Li Huowang, moments earlier in grave danger, found himself instantly out of harm's way.

Li Huowang cast a surprised glance at Xuanpin. He had to concede that, for a change, the individual was remarkably dependable; he finally felt as though he had a genuine ally.

"What kind of divine ability or spell is that? It's incredibly convenient; if you want to escape, you can do so at any moment. But how come you didn't need to chant last time, and now you do?"

Xuanpin turned to face Li Huowang, giving him a complicated look. "No comment. Since you yourself claim I like to keep secrets, do you truly believe I would teach you?"

Upon hearing this, Li Huowang's recently elevated impression of Xuanpin promptly diminished. Such a statement was delivered without any attempt at concealment, spoken directly.

However, recalling that Xuanpin had just saved him, Li Huowang refrained from vocalizing his displeasure. "Who were those umbrella-wielding individuals just now? They appeared quite formidable."

Xuanpin raised three fingers on his left hand and quickly performed a calculation. "Unknown," he stated. "At least, I cannot ascertain it."

"Even you don't know?" Li Huowang's brow furrowed instantly. It seemed this individual was extremely formidable, and more critically, he himself was now a target.

He was at constant risk of being ambushed by the Law Sect once more. From now on, his actions would undoubtedly need to be far more discreet. However, this was not a sustainable long-term strategy. After all, one can only be on the offensive for so long; constant defense is ultimately untenable.

"You needn't concern yourself with the Law Sect's ambushes against you. I have a task for you; if you succeed, the Law Sect's entire foundation in Siqi will be eradicated."

Upon hearing this, Li Huowang slowly turned his head, looking at Xuanpin and waiting for him to elaborate.

"The scouts we previously dispatched all perished, but the lama of the Bardo Temple managed to recall his soul. The information gleaned from the Mount Tai Stone was accurate; the Law Sect is indeed preparing a major offensive."

"Their aim is to gather us all together, then perform a grand sacrifice to heaven and worship their gods, thereby eliminating us in one fell swoop."

"Hmph!" Li Huowang scoffed. "They dream big!"

"Regardless of their intentions, now that we are aware, we must naturally devise a way to thwart their scheme. My proposal is to turn their own stratagem against them."

"Oh? Do tell."

"I will not inform those below of this. Instead, we will proceed as if following the Law Sect's plan. I will endeavor to create as much disturbance as possible."

"Once the Law Sect's attention is fully drawn, you will then execute a diversion, leading a team to dismantle their entire operation."

"Me? You specifically came to rescue me just so I could do *this*?" Li Huowang asked, pointing a finger at his own chest.

"What? You don't wish to go? Wasn't it your past self who yearned to turn the tide and rescue the common people from dire suffering?"

"Of course, I do. It's just that I always feel as though you're using me as a pawn again."

Li Huowang's brow furrowed slightly. He detected a subtle concealment in Xuanpin's words, and it wasn't the first time this individual had behaved in such a manner.

Xuanpin's six hands retracted. "Whether 'pawn' or not, both you and I are striving to contend with the Law Sect."

"Is that so? Then tell me, what exactly are *you* doing to counter the Law Sect? Why must I be the one to go? Why don't you go yourself?"

"Alas, I am no longer as formidable as you. To have lived for such an extended period only to be surpassed by a younger generation, I am truly ashamed."

"Don't try that with me. You're still hiding something, aren't you? Fine, then I won't do this. Find someone else to do your bidding!" Li Huowang declared, preparing to turn and walk out of the bamboo grove.

Just as Li Huowang was about to walk out, Xuanpin's voice came from behind him. "Wait," he commanded, his tone now imbued with authority.

Li Huowang halted his steps.

"Do you truly not comprehend why I withhold information from you? Do you believe I *should* inform you?"

Li Huowang turned to face Xuanpin. "Why not?" he challenged.

"When others gain knowledge, it merely remains knowledge. However, when *you* simply gain knowledge, it attempts to exert unpredictable influences on events."

"Is it because I am Ji Zai's Heart Knot? Or is it due to my cultivation abilities?" Faced with Li Huowang's inquiry, Xuanpin offered no reply.

"Tell me what you *can* tell me; give me a general overview! Otherwise, I'll suspect I'm out there fighting for my life while you people are scheming behind my back!"

Xuanpin hesitated for a long moment before finally speaking: "We are helping."

"Who are you helping?"

"Those below are contending, and naturally, those above are contending as well. Do you recall a statement you once made to me: 'Why not resolve the problem from its source?'"

Upon hearing this, Li Huowang's pupils instantly contracted. "You can get involved within the White Jade Capital? You can make contact with those Sima?! You can assist the Sima?!"