The sword light was incredibly swift, cutting across the vast sky.
However, the
"Hmm?" The sword light dissipated, revealing the Immortal Zombie
Controlled by
The sword light was razor-sharp wherever it passed, rippling the air and shattering the illusions to reveal the true scenery beneath.
But after a single breath, the true scenery was once again veiled by layers upon layers of illusions.
"This is the Heavenly Lotus Sect's Phantom Illusion Garden — a perfected Gu formation of the Phantom Path, created over three hundred years ago by Phantom Demon Immortal
The Immortal Zombie Bo Qing nodded and sighed with emotion: "Each generation produces its own talents. After my main body perished, it seems the
Yu Muchun continued: "Phantom Demon Immortal has long since died. For this Immortal Gu House to silently trap and confuse us both — for us not to realize until now — the person operating it must possess extraordinary cultivation!"
As he spoke, the Tower Lord, Bi Chentian, and Lian Jiusheng appeared before them.
"Escaping destiny is already a grave sin. Now you wish to attack a subsidiary sect of
"Cease your prattling!" The Immortal Zombie Bo Qing was furious. His arm swept forward, and a terrifying sword light slashed down with breathtaking speed.
The Tower Lord, Bi Chentian, and Lian Jiusheng all roared in unison, activating their Immortal Gu moves.
The sword light was unstoppable. It shattered all three Immortal moves, and though its power had diminished by more than half, it still bore down on the three.
The three Immortals vanished from sight, narrowly dodging the blow.
"Cowardly rats!" The Immortal Zombie Bo Qing snorted coldly, greatly displeased.
Yu Muchun's eyes glinted, but inwardly, he breathed a sigh of relief.
With the three Heavenly Court Immortals personally operating the Phantom Illusion Garden, combining the power of three Eighth Transformation experts, they had finally trapped the Immortal Zombie Bo Qing and Yu Muchun inside.
Time passed. Several days later.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Three thunderous explosions erupted as brilliant light blazed forth.
Xiao Mang was sent hurtling through the air, blood gushing from his mouth as his body tumbled, spraying a trail of crimson across the sky.
THUD.
A muffled sound.
He didn't hit the ground. The Elders behind him barely managed to catch him.
Defeated!
Xiao Mang's face was ashen as death. Eyes wide, he glared up at the mountain peak where Xiao Shan stood, his gaze burning with hatred and fury.
Behind Xiao Shan stood two
Days ago, Xiao Shan had ventured into the forbidden area behind Bright Mountain, violating the Xiao Family's clan rules and facing severe punishment. Xiao Mang seized the opportunity to seize power and sought to put his own brother to death.
Xiao Shan fled, and Xiao Mang rallied the Elders to pursue and hunt him down.
Chased to this nameless mountain peak, Xiao Shan was cornered with no way out, on the verge of being slain by Xiao Mang — when two Demonic Path Gu Immortals descended from the sky and saved him.
Xiao Mang's plan had nearly succeeded but fell short at the last moment. Fury consumed him. He broke free from the Elders' support, staggered to his feet, and bellowed: "Xiao Shan, you truly are treacherous beyond belief! A patriarch of the
Xiao Shan threw his head back and laughed, his laughter laced with bitterness and anguish: "I was wrong about you. For the sake of power, you'd raise your hand against me! How could you be so cruel — and here I always treated you as my closest blood relative in this world. Go ahead and twist the truth. But I believe everyone under heaven has sharp enough eyes to see through you."
"Lord Xiao Mang, the enemy is powerful. It would be wise to retreat for now."
"Indeed. There will be other days."
"Xiao Shan may be gravely wounded and near death, but the two Fifth Transformation Demonic Gu Masters behind him are in perfect condition."
The Elders behind him murmured urgently, advising retreat.
"Hmph!" Xiao Mang spat another mouthful of blood, his voice dripping with contempt. "Those two are just stray dogs. High cultivation, sure, but they barely have any Gu insects — what is there to fear?"
Though he said this, Xiao Mang knew the situation today made it impossible to kill his brother.
His eyes flickered with sinister light as he weighed his options: "I already hold the upper hand and have the righteousness of the cause on my side. No need to fight to the death. Return to Bright Mountain and inherit the patriarch's position. Then, as a pillar of the Righteous Path, I'll issue a bounty for Xiao Shan's head. Once branded a traitor and hunted by the entire Righteous Path, Xiao Shan will be a lone fugitive — his combat strength will inevitably decline. Meanwhile, I can rest and wait, and when the time comes, killing him will be far easier."
With this thought, Xiao Mang abandoned his stubborn pride.
"Xiao Shan, traitor of the Righteous Path — you will die a wretched death. Today I'll let you go. But mark my words, I will deal with you in the future! Let's go!"
With that parting threat, Xiao Mang led the Elders in a careful retreat.
Though wounded, his combat prowess remained formidable.
The two Demonic Path Gu Masters, lacking sufficient Gu insects, didn't dare pursue rashly and allowed them to leave.
"Brother Xiao, we meet again!" The tall, stout Fifth Transformation Demonic Gu Master — Sun Panghu — watched Xiao Mang depart, then turned to Xiao Shan with tears brimming in his eyes.
The short, lean Fifth Transformation Gu Master, known as Zhou Xingxing, placed one hand on Xiao Shan's shoulder and activated healing Gu insects: "No time for catching up — we need to treat Brother Xiao's injuries first!"
Xiao Shan's severe injuries were quickly stabilized under the two Gu Masters' efforts.
Xiao Shan's complexion was a deathly grey. He sighed deeply: "I owe my life to the two of you. Without your help, I would have perished here today. But my brother is ruthless — he'll be back. He won't rest until he's killed me. I can treat my own wounds — you two need to leave. I refuse to drag you both down!"
"Brother Xiao, what are you saying? You saved my life all those years ago. This life of mine has always been yours!"
"That's right! Back then, I avenged my family and slaughtered my enemies' entire clan, but you caught me, Brother Xiao. After hearing my story, you released me that very night. I've carried that debt of gratitude in my heart ever since."
Sun Panghu and Zhou Xingxing spoke in succession, their voices earnest and fervent.
"We're not leaving."