Chapter 1445: Entering the Bureau Does Not Mean Losing the Whole Situation; Death Can Make One Silent But Not Forever

Outside Changde Town, in a vast, desolate wilderness.

Bai Nie Yan Zhu let out mournful howls, rallying a group of ghost spirits to keep a close watch over Xi.

Xi, in fact, was already awake.

Using the lingering ghost spirits in the ghost town as his eyes, he had witnessed from afar the scene where the Tian Ji Kui Lei was smashed to pieces and Dao Qiong Cang was sent flying.

"Is that the main fighting force among the Ten Zun Seats?"

Now conscious, Xi didn't want to wake up; he was left with nothing but shock.

After all, as soon as he woke, he'd have to join the others in white robes, summoned by Dao Qiong Cang to "block" Kui Lei Han.

Then, his so-called "early exit" would lose all meaning.

Having mixed in the outer factions for so long, Xi had managed to keep his true self intact while inevitably picking up some of the scheming and intrigue.

This wasn't entirely bad.

At least, he wouldn't act like a naive fool anymore.

Obeying every order from above on a whim, rushing in without a second thought, even risking his life.

"One Shen Yi, one Ba Zun An—they're strong enough, and now Kui Lei Han shows up..."

"These three aren't even Ban Sheng, but their combat power could rival ordinary Ban Sheng... no, even an Ao Yi Ban Sheng might not beat them."

"If they team up, how could the Sheng Shen Hall fight back? Probably only the full Ten-Person Council could put up a decent resistance..."

While playing dead, Xi quickly assessed the enemy and ally strengths.

In the end, he realized that whether it was the Water Ghost, Ye Xiao Tian, or the battle specialists in the Ten-Person Council...

Uh, Yan Lao was gone.

Wei Feng Qianbei had been defeated.

Tian Ji Shen Shi had been crippled by Xu Xiao Shou on Void Island.

That left only Yue Gong Li, the new Red-Clad Chief in charge, Yuan Su Zi the Element Shen Shi, and Yu Lao the Kun Peng Shen Shi—those three.

Even if they went all out, could they take on the main fighters of the Ten Zun Seats?

"Doubtful!"

"Oh, right, and Lord Ai Cang Sheng..."

"Relying on one unreliable Sheng Di successor and two hot-headed old guys, we don't stand a chance!"

"But Lord Ai Cang Sheng is one of the Ten Zun Seats; he might be the one who can fight back, since he can keep an eye on Shen Yi."

If Ai Cang Sheng watches Shen Yi, and Dao Qiong Cang watches Ba Zun An... At this thought, Xi suddenly felt a chill.

He was starting to understand why Dao Qiong Cang had entered the game so early and been involved from start to finish, always targeting Xu Xiao Shou.

Kui Lei Han seemed neutral right now.

But if Xu Xiao Shou convinced him to join the Sheng Nu side, the balance of power would tip in an instant!

"In that case, even my teacher might get dragged into this..."

"And if Sheng Di enters the game, the Sheng Nu will definitely have preparations..."

"That's it! Qi Lin!?"

Xi suddenly remembered the failed operation in the Four Symbols Secret Realm, where the Heaven Team's pursuit of Xu Xiao Shou fell apart.

Back then, he hadn't understood why Dao Qiong Cang was so certain Xu Xiao Shou would walk into the trap.

Now, thinking about it...

Maybe the Sheng Nu's plan was to lure Sheng Di's Qi Lin into the game to gain more leverage?

And Xu Xiao Shou—or rather, Ba Zun An's move—was seen through by Dao Qiong Cang, then easily countered with Sheng Di Bei Huai?!

Realizing this late, Xi lay on the ground, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Being a pawn isn't scary; after all, fools can have dumb luck.

What's scary is when the pawn wakes up, starts thinking, and gains its own will.

At that point, the despair of knowing you're stuck in the mud, powerless to escape, and slowly sinking deeper...

It's terrifying!

"Is Xu Xiao Shou feeling the same?"

Xi thought of that guy, who must have woken up even earlier than him.

In that case, I'm on one level, Xu Xiao Shou on another, above that is the Ten-Person Council level, and at the top are Dao Qiong Cang, Ba Zun An, and Kui Lei Han...

Xi felt utterly drained.

The huge gap almost shook his Dao Xin, making him want to give up.

How long would it take to surpass the era and reach that top level?

And by the time I get there—or while I'm still trying...

Will others wait for me?

Will time wait?

Xi had a strong premonition.

Maybe soon, once the time is right or the sides push too hard, a world-ending war will begin!

And right now...

The two sides in the war are in Changde Town of Qingyuan Mountain, vying for that terrifying "top-level" powerhouse as their ally?

"Bang!"

Something like a falling meteor hit nearby with a massive crash, interrupting Xi's thoughts.

He didn't get up to check, and even suppressed Bai Nie Yan Zhu's strong territorial instincts, stopping it from attacking the newcomer.

"Damn, that hurts..."

Footsteps approached with a slight whistling sound, which sounded a bit like Dao Qiong Cang.

Wait, is that him? Did he get thrown here?

"How come you always go for my front teeth? What's wrong with you..."

The muttering continued.

Even if the voice sounded similar, Xi was sure it wasn't Dao Qiong Cang—who would say "damn" and "what's wrong with you"? That was way too unrefined.

Bai Nie Yan Zhu let out a "woo" of warning.

It didn't help.

Xi felt someone kick his body twice...

"Still playing dead? Time to get up!"

Is that really Dao Qiong Cang?

Xi turned into a statue, unmoving.

"Oh, ho, you're really committed to this act?"

"You kid, always learning the wrong things."

"But this mess in Sheng Mountain—sigh, anyone who gets involved ends up dirty... What a waste of my Gou Wu Yue..."

Hearing that, Xi couldn't keep up the act anymore and started to rise.

But then he heard rustling beside him, like someone lying down.

He couldn't hold back and turned to look, seeing the usually dignified Dao Qiong Cang lying on the ground with his arms as a pillow, staring blankly at the sky without a care.

Xi was stunned. "Dao Qiong Cang...?"

Dao Qiong Cang opened his mouth.

With two front teeth missing, he seemed to have shed all pretenses, returning from "saint" to "man."

The lofty distance was gone.

He sucked in air through his teeth, gazing dully at the sky, muttering to himself, "Ah, youth is wonderful!"

Xi jumped up in a panic. "Dao Qiong Cang, aren't we going back? Xu Xiao Shou is still there with Kui—"

Dao Qiong Cang extended a hand and pressed the young man back down.

"If you're going to play dirty, do it right; if you're going to be clever, think it through."

"Kui Lei Han knocked you flying, knocked me flying, but Xu Xiao Shou only got half his body sent away and stayed put."

Dao Qiong Cang turned his head, hand firmly holding Xi down, and smiled.

"You traveled all the way from Yujing City, chased here to Qingyuan Mountain, and finally found an ally. Wouldn't you want to catch up?"

"Since we've both chosen to bow out, why go back and stir things up?"

"If you're offering a favor, make it complete—don't stop halfway and demand it back, or you'll just annoy everyone."

"The Jianghu isn't just about fighting and killing..."

The rest of Dao Qiong Cang's rambling faded from Xi's ears; his mind was buzzing, completely dazed.

I didn't think like that at all. Offering favors? Giving face?

I just wanted to get away from the scene...

"So, you're not thorough enough!"

Dao Qiong Cang sighed. "The righteous gentleman gets universal respect, the sinister villain leaves a legacy for ages, but someone like you—in the middle—dies the fastest."

Xi: "..."

He looked again at Dao Qiong Cang, so close now, and quickly relaxed.

As he let go, all his earlier doubts flooded back into Xi's mind.

"Dao Qiong Cang, do you think Kui Lei Han will be swayed by Xu Xiao Shou?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Why? Do I look like I'm just eating for show? Use your brain—even your backside could figure it out. After all these years, if he were going to join the Sheng Nu, he'd have done it already."

"So you must have preparations in place, right!" Xi got excited, trying to sit up, but Dao Qiong Cang's arm held him down firmly.

Strange, Tian Ji masters don't train their bodies; how is his strength on par with ancient sword cultivators?

Xi gave up struggling and changed his question. "Then, Dao Qiong Cang, aren't you worried about leaving those two alone there, just in case...?"

"What if, what if—it's a one-in-a-million chance. Are you saying every time, you hit that tiny probability? That everyone plotting against you is always fixated on details? Are you that amazing?"

"Uh, that's not what I meant, I just..."

Xi hesitated for a long time, unable to articulate it.

"Just thinking isn't enough. If you think there's a risk, block the path ahead of time." Dao Qiong Cang looked back at the sky.

"How do you block it?"

This time, Dao Qiong Cang fell silent.

Xi was bursting with curiosity and wanted to press on. "Dao Qiong Cang, teach me!"

Dao Qiong Cang suddenly sat up, his gaze intense as he stared, asking word by word, seriously, "Are you with the Sheng Nu? Asking for all the details—like you're spying?"

Xi's heart skipped a beat; he bolted upright in shock. "Dao Qiong Cang, how could I be with the Sheng Nu..."

"What if?" Dao Qiong Cang smirked ambiguously.

Xi froze.

Only then did he feel he'd been played again by this damn flashy old Daoist...

The shock left him sweating, and it wasn't pleasant.

Xi knew that if he kept asking, the answer would probably just be that Tian Ji can't be revealed. So he shifted topics:

"Dao Qiong Cang, weren't you here specifically for Xu Xiao Shou? How can you leave him alone in Changde Town? Aren't you afraid he'll run?"

"Not afraid."

"Why?" Xi felt like every time he asked this, the answer slipped away.

This time, Dao Qiong Cang was forthcoming: "What you're seeing is just one of Xu Xiao Shou's wills."

"So?" Xi waited expectantly.

Dao Qiong Cang waved his hand in the void, as if grasping something, and said meaningfully, "And I have a big appetite!"

"Hmm?" Xi grew even more curious.

Dao Qiong Cang turned back, his "human" expression gone, back to being Dao Qiong Cang.

"Tian Ji can't be revealed."

Xi deflated like a punctured ball, all his energy drained.

"Alright, enough talk—they should be wrapping up." Dao Qiong Cang said no more, stood up, and headed toward Changde Town.

Xi had no choice but to follow.

He'd tried to slack off, but his superior caught him; looks like he'd have to get back to work!

"You don't need to come with me." Dao Qiong Cang suddenly turned.

"Ah? Then where should I go?"

"Go to Qingyuan Mountain."

"What's in Qingyuan Mountain?" Xi turned to look into the distance, confused.

The battlefield's south, and you're sending me north—this is completely the wrong direction!

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught Dao Qiong Cang's signature, smug, mysterious smile.

"Tian Ji can't be revealed?" Xi hesitated, then answered his own question.

"Good, you're learning. Go on."

"Then, where exactly in Qingyuan Mountain?"

"Just go—Yu Zhi Wen should be waiting there for a while now."

In Changde Town.

At the ruins of the Cao family blacksmith shop.

"Whoa—"

A faint unusual sound echoed, and dust rose in the town.

The remnant spirit in the Tian Ji Kui Lei felt as if something had pierced through it.

That invisible, wave-like energy rippled across the entire Changde Town.

In the next second, he noticed the crowd of Zhan Dao and Tai Xu white robes lurking several streets away—all collapsing like limp shrimp, eyes rolling back as they fainted.

"What kind of ability is this?"

The Tian Ji Kui Lei could barely make out the situation, and the spirit couldn't clearly sense the source of this power.

He still hadn't seen Kui Lei Han make any move!

Maybe this was some special use of Che Shen Nian?

But...

With just a glance...

Or not even a glance—the Tai Xu fell?

The spirit suppressed his shock and controlled the Tian Ji Kui Lei, mustering all his strength to pull another Ling Que from the abdominal space in Zhu Yi's spatial ring, then jammed it into the energy core in the rear.

"Buzz..."

"Sizzle sizzle sizzle."

Sounds flickered in his mind.

Unfortunately, all functions of the Tian Ji Kui Lei were wrecked.

The spirit couldn't activate any major arrays or weaving abilities now; the only thing left was the puppet's basic physical combat.

Like lifting a foot or taking a step...

Kui Lei Han had knocked out everyone else but left the lingering spirit in the Tian Ji Kui Lei untouched.

As the whole town fell silent, he finally spoke: "Do you know why I only left you?"

The spirit didn't respond, just struggled to lift his steps toward Kui Lei Han.

Blue-purple Dian Gang still swirled around Kui Lei Han.

If the Tian Ji Kui Lei charged in like this, it would probably be torn to shreds.

But that didn't stop the spirit; he knew this wisp of spirit was doomed anyway and wanted to go out with a big swing, like that flashy old Daoist.

Kui Lei Han said no more, quietly watching the Tian Ji Kui Lei approach, even deliberately retracting the outward force of his Fa Shen Xing Jie—the blue-purple Dian Gang.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

The town echoed with heavy, resolute footsteps.

And with each step, parts clattered to the ground.

Until the Tian Ji Kui Lei reached the giant's knee, the spirit once again felt the meaning of "immensity."

Setting aside the Void Servants on Void Island, Kui Lei Han was the largest being he'd seen in a normal human form.

Bar none!

Even Shen Yi was less than a third his size.

He truly looked more like an ancient warrior than the ancient warriors themselves!

This made one wonder: was Kui Lei Han's race really human?

"What do you want?"

The Tian Ji Kui Lei stayed silent, but Kui Lei Han asked instead, looking down at this half-wrecked thing approaching.

He watched as the Tian Ji Kui Lei bent its leg and jumped...

"Clang."

The Ling Que in its rear wasn't held tight; with such a big motion, it slipped out like lost excrement.

The Tian Ji Kui Lei successfully landed on Kui Lei Han's thigh.

But its spirit grew even more faint, as if the connection to the main body was about to break.

A hint of interest appeared in Kui Lei Han's eyes.

This little guy had the biggest guts he'd ever seen, daring to jump onto him.

Then he saw the half-puppet raise its hand...

"Clang!"

The arm fell off.

It didn't give up; from its shoulder, a hole opened, extending a soft tentacle like an octopus's arm.

But there were no "eight" arms— just this one, tattered and broken, clearly the limit of the Tian Ji Kui Lei's shape-shifting now. This wasn't even weaving; it was just a physical switch.

The octopus tentacle grabbed the fallen arm and slowly lifted it high.

The height barely reached Kui Lei Han's chest.

"Heh."

Kui Lei Han chuckled, still not understanding.

What was it handing over?

Did the arm hold a secret message from Ba Zun An?

Suddenly, the half Tian Ji Kui Lei leaped up!

The octopus arm gripped the detached arm and slammed it hard toward Kui Lei Han's head!

In that instant, Kui Lei Han was stunned.

The Tian Ji Kui Lei crashed to the ground after landing, breaking into a pile of scrap; sizzling currents still sparked, followed by a final explosion.

In the end, the array disk on its head flashed with light and let out a mocking voice:

"You licking that flashy old Daoist too?"

"Worthless dog."