Chapter 1847: Looking at the Knife

Hu Guang, moving like the wind, swiftly reached Junior Brother Hu's side. He laid him on the ground, took out a top-grade healing elixir, and placed it in his mouth, whispering, "Relax, quickly absorb the medicinal power!"

Junior Brother Hu gave a miserable, wry smile, showing no sign of being able to refine the elixir. Having cultivated to the late-stage Moon-Glow realm, he naturally understood which injuries were fatal. Even as a strong demon with a powerful physique and abundant vitality, he couldn't hope to survive such a severe injury, unless it was a legendary sacred medicine capable of bringing the dead back to life. His earlier cry for help was merely an instinctive fear of death.

"Cough..." Junior Brother Hu spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with fragments of internal organs. He whispered, "We... brought shame to Zixuan." What was supposed to be a foolproof plan resulted in one of them being forcibly taken down. News of today's event would surely invite ridicule, and his death would diminish the upcoming victory.

"Nonsense," Hu Guang said, his heart bleeding. Though not of the same race, they were both demons, and he had watched Junior Brother Hu grow up, feeling like a father to him. Seeing Junior Brother Hu in such a tragic state, and knowing he had orchestrated today's deployment, filled him with self-reproach and anguish.

"How could this happen..." Junior Sister Bao stood by, her Moon-Glow cultivation strong, yet her mind was in disarray from the shock of the scene. She felt a deep sense of dread, realizing that if Lu Ye had targeted her earlier, it would be her, not Junior Brother Hu, lying on the ground.

"Blood Burst Technique!" Lionheart, who had risen from his seat of honor, yelled through clenched teeth, his face so grim it seemed to drip water. Being well-informed, he naturally recognized that what Lu Ye had unleashed at the last moment was the Blood Burst Technique, a secret blood path art. This secret art, belonging to the Blood Race, was used by them in desperate situations to perish alongside their enemies. What utterly bewildered him was how a mid-stage Moon-Glow cultivator could unleash such a powerful Blood Burst Technique. Junior Brother Hu was one cultivation layer higher than Lu Ye, and demons possessed incredibly strong physiques. Even if he was directly targeted, the outcome shouldn't have been this. Yet, the truth was before his eyes: Junior Brother Hu... was beyond saving. This made no sense at all, because even a true Blood Race member, using this secret art at mid-stage Moon-Glow cultivation, should not possess such terrifying lethality.

"Hahahahaha!" A loud laugh erupted, adding a bizarre touch to the somber atmosphere. A group of Moon-Glow demon cultivators angrily turned their heads, wanting to see who was laughing so wildly. Upon seeing, it turned out to be Mang Dang from Five-Color Island.

"Fellow Daoist Mang Dang... why are you laughing?" Lionheart stared at him coldly, his tone implying a challenge. Today's events were far from perfect, and Junior Brother Hu's death could not be reversed, filling him with intense rage. His eyes, fixed on Mang Dang, gleamed with chilling killing intent.

"I watched a good show, and my heart is greatly pleased, hence the laughter!" Mang Dang replied, holding a wine jar, his expression unchanged as he met Lionheart's gaze. The two great island masters stared at each other across the distance, the atmosphere growing grim.

"Senior Brother!" Hu Guang called softly, then slowly shook his head.

Lionheart also knew Mang Dang was not to be trifled with. Zixuan could not afford to offend Five-Color Island over such a minor matter. His gaze flickered, and his killing intent vanished. He said calmly, "I heard Fellow Daoist has a good relationship with that Lu Ye?"

"What business is it of yours?" Mang Dang retorted unceremoniously, slowly rising to his feet. "No more show, is there? Then I'm leaving!" Carrying a jar of wine, he turned and swept towards the island's edge, leaving a trail of wild laughter that made the group of Moon-Glow demon cultivators tremble with rage.

In a short while, Mang Dang arrived before the island's protective formation. Without ceremony, he ordered the Zixuan Island demon cultivators stationed there, "Open the formation!" Those Zixuan Island demon cultivators recognized Mang Dang and naturally didn't make things difficult for him. They immediately activated the formation, and Mang Dang flashed through.

A figure flew towards him. Mang Dang glanced over, didn't recognize them, and paid no further attention. However, he could confirm that this cultivator was likely a Zixuan Island demon cultivator, as they were shouting while flying, "Senior Brothers, hold the formation, let me in!" They passed each other.

Mang Dang, however, suddenly turned back and glanced at the demon cultivator, who only possessed Star-Dweller cultivation. He vaguely felt something strange, though he couldn't pinpoint what exactly, just an instinctive feeling. But ultimately, it was none of his concern. Watching such a grand spectacle today was quite interesting. Moreover, he had already been warned by Lu Ye, knowing that the one who had just died in battle was merely a clone of Lu Ye, while Lu Ye's true self was likely hiding somewhere safe and sound. The main twist of this grand show had yet to be revealed. If the Zixuan demon cultivators knew the truth, he wondered how they would feel. Surely... they would be very sad, as it would undoubtedly mean Junior Brother Hu died in vain. Thinking of this, Mang Dang became even more delighted. He secretly admired Lu Ye, acknowledging that Lu Ye of Jade Snail was indeed no ordinary person. But it was not surprising, after all, how could someone who rescued him from the Filth Clan be ordinary? Back in the Jade Snail star system, he had personally experienced Lu Ye's power, and at that time, Lu Ye was only at the early Moon-Glow stage! Now, with Lu Ye's cultivation having advanced another layer, his strength would only be greater.

Inside the grand formation, the demon cultivator entered Zixuan Island. The demon cultivators guarding the area recognized him. One of them spoke, "Junior Brother Hou Fei, how are things on Three Realms Island?"

Hou Fei replied, "Same as usual, no changes. What's the situation here?"

The speaking demon cultivator glanced in the direction of the banquet hall. "I'm not sure of the exact situation, but they definitely fought. There were strong residual energy fluctuations just now, and Mang Dang from Five-Color Island has already left early."

Hou Fei looked thoughtful. "Then they must be preparing to mobilize troops soon. Senior Brothers, please carry on. I'll go prepare." With that, he headed deeper into the island.

At the banquet venue, Junior Brother Hu had died, leaving only one last wish before his death: "Level Three Realms Island!" This was Zixuan's ultimate goal all along. With Lu Ye dead in Zixuan, it could be said that the greatest threat had been eliminated. According to their prior intelligence, although Lu Ye's cultivation on Three Realms Island wasn't exceptionally high, his strength was formidable. Back then, Baiyue Yu Huan, a late-stage Moon-Glow cultivator, was relentlessly pursued by him until he had no escape. This was also why Hu Guang had made today's arrangements. The purpose was simply to lure him into a trap. If Lu Ye came, no matter what he did, he wouldn't leave alive. If he didn't come, Zixuan would suffer no loss, and they could use Wei Po, whom they had captured, to justify their actions, thus ensuring their campaign was legitimate.

As a top power in the Myriad Manifestations Sea, Zixuan still had to maintain its reputation. Launching an unprovoked attack on a high-grade spirit island would inevitably arouse suspicion and fear among other similar powers towards Zixuan. If Zixuan could attack Three Realms Island without cause today, it could attack other spirit islands tomorrow. Having a valid reason made a difference. By inviting so many island masters from various spirit islands today, they would naturally help spread the word that cultivators from Three Realms Island had first killed Zixuan demon cultivators, and only then did Zixuan retaliate, thus claiming the moral high ground. As for whether Three Realms Island cultivators had killed Zixuan demon cultivators... it didn't matter if they had before, because today they did! In plain sight, Junior Brother Hu died by Lu Ye's Blood Burst Technique. This was an unresolvable enmity!

Before everyone's eyes, Lionheart's furious voice resounded across Zixuan Island: "Mobilize troops for Three Realms Island! Within three days, I want Three Realms Island to be utterly annihilated, not even a chicken or dog left alive!" Upon receiving the order, all the demon cultivators were filled with murderous intent. For this day, the Zixuan demon cultivators had waited an entire year, with various secret deployments already in motion. So, at Lionheart's command, many Zixuan Island demon cultivators sprang into action instantly.

At the banquet venue, Hu Guang bowed to the guests from all sides. "Such an unexpected turn of events today has startled you all. I will personally visit you another day to apologize." The guests naturally understood Hu Guang's meaning. They returned his bow and each took their leave. With Zixuan preparing to mobilize troops against Three Realms Island, it was certainly inappropriate for them to remain.

After seeing the guests off, Hu Guang's gaze sadly fell upon Junior Brother Hu's remains. He instructed, "Take Junior Brother Hu away and arrange him properly." Immediately, a demon cultivator who usually had a very good relationship with Junior Brother Hu stepped forward. He bent down, picked up Junior Brother Hu's remains, and swiftly departed.

Yuan Cheng had not yet left. He sighed and looked at Hu Guang, saying, "My condolences." Hu Guang remained silent, merely nodding.

On the other side, the Moon-Glow demon cultivator carrying Junior Brother Hu's remains was rushing towards Junior Brother Hu's personal chamber when, from the corner of his eye, he suddenly noticed a figure approaching from an angle. He turned his head and immediately recognized the demon cultivator. It was precisely the person previously stationed at Three Realms Island to monitor Lu Ye's movements, seemingly named Hou Fei. It was also he who had sent back the news of Lu Ye's return.

He immediately called out, "Hou Fei, aren't you supposed to be assembling? Why are you running around?"

Hou Fei hurriedly replied, "Lord Red Elephant, I have an important matter to report, concerning Three Realms Island."

Red Elephant immediately stopped, and said in a deep voice, "What is it?" After speaking, he suddenly felt something was off. Looking at the long blade in Hou Fei's hand, he asked, "When did you start using a blade?" He knew Hou Fei somewhat. The guy was a Ghost Cultivator, so suddenly carrying a long blade was a bit odd.

"A trophy," Hou Fei casually replied. "It's a good blade, Lord Red Elephant, would you like to see it?"

Red Elephant felt Hou Fei was behaving strangely today. He said he had an important matter to report, yet inexplicably asked him to look at a blade... Before he could refuse, the long blade at Hou Fei's waist was unsheathed. Red Elephant's eyes widened in shock, because in that instant, Hou Fei's face rapidly twisted and transformed. Even his original late-stage Star-Dweller cultivation surged explosively, revealing a mid-stage Moon-Glow level.

As a flash of bright blade light swept past, Red Elephant cried out in alarm, stumbled backward, and felt a pain in his chest. Without needing to look, Red Elephant knew he was injured; there was certainly a deep, bone-revealing wound on his chest. It was thanks to his quick thinking, throwing Junior Brother Hu's remains out to block the attack at a crucial moment. Though Junior Brother Hu was dead and only his remains were left, those remains were still tough. Hou Fei's blade not only severed Junior Brother Hu's remains but also wounded him, demonstrating the ferocity of that strike.