Chapter 1854 - Beginning
Two opposing energies rampaged through Enchantress' body, crashing together wherever their currents met. Under that relentless violence, hairline fractures began creeping through her meridians.
Envoy Shen stole a sidelong glance at Liu Wuxie after seeing Enchantress in such a wretched state. She wondered how he had done it. Somehow, he had twisted Enchantress into something hideous, a creature that looked neither human nor ghost.
"Master, are you all right?" Envoy Shen asked with extreme caution.
Enchantress had always ruled her subordinates through cruelty and fear. Even the three spectral envoys, powerful and highly ranked as they were, could not stand before her without trembling.
"Is he dead?" Enchantress asked. She wiped the blood from the corner of her lips and glanced at the young man lying motionless against the wall.
"He's dead," Liu Wuxie replied after checking the youth's breathing.
"Get him out of here. Chop him into pieces and feed him to the dogs."
Enchantress swept one hand toward the door and dismissed everyone. She needed solitude to suppress the chaos tearing through her body.
Liu Wuxie obeyed without hesitation, lifting the youth's corpse into his arms before carrying it out of the bedchamber.
As he passed the three spectral envoys, each one studied him with a probing gaze. One incident after another had shaken the palace since his arrival, and their suspicions were increasingly centered on him.
Liu Wuxie hurried back to his courtyard and activated every surrounding restriction. Once the courtyard was sealed, a black vortex opened before him and swallowed the youth directly from his arms.
Inside the Sky-Devouring Divine Cauldron, the youth floated motionlessly within an expanse of darkness.
When Liu Wuxie had approached him earlier, he had secretly drawn upon the Ancestral Tree's energy and sealed the youth's heart meridian. The young man appeared completely dead, but deep within his body, one fragile thread of life continued to endure.
"Where am I?" the youth asked after the spiritual liquid restored his consciousness. He stared into the surrounding darkness, his eyes clouded with bewilderment.
"Your location doesn't matter. Concentrate on recovering," Liu Wuxie replied, his disembodied voice echoing beside the youth's ears.
"What did you give me?" the youth asked. "When Enchantress drained my yang energy, why did she draw the pill's energy into herself as well?"
Only silence answered him. Liu Wuxie had no intention of revealing the truth.
He had specially refined the pill to contain both yin and yang energies. The instant those opposing energies entered Enchantress' body, they erupted out of control, plunging her internal energy into chaos.
That pill had caused a violent disturbance inside her bedchamber.
An oppressive silence descended over the entire palace, and fear kept everyone on edge. Anyone passing Enchantress' bedchamber tiptoed, terrified that the faintest sound might provoke her wrath.
Enchantress finally emerged two days later, her complexion still drained of color. Despite her pallor, she had managed to force her injuries under control for the time being.
That day, she was required to assist the sect master of the Shadow Divination Gate with his ritual bath and change of robes. No matter how badly she suffered, she could not remain in seclusion.
Liu Wuxie was ready since early morning, hoping Enchantress would choose him as her assistant. This was the finest opportunity he would receive to approach the Shadow Divination Gate's sect master.
The Shadow Divination Gate had already brought the first batch of students from the Shadow Divination Dao Hall back to the sect. The ritual bath would prepare the sect master to absorb their lifespans and extend his own.
Such a method defied the natural order established by the Heavenly Dao. Before beginning the ritual, the sect master first needed to cleanse every impurity accumulated within his body.
"You, come with me," Enchantress ordered as she stepped out of her bedchamber.
"Understood," Liu Wuxie answered, the corner of his mouth rising ever so slightly.
He had deliberately placed himself near Enchantress' bedchamber, ensuring that he would be the first person to enter her line of sight when she emerged.
His plan had now advanced another crucial step. Even so, nothing would be complete until he located and absorbed the Heavenly Derivation Codex.
Liu Wuxie followed behind Enchantress in silence, suppressing his presence until he seemed almost unnoticeable.
"Once we arrive, you will not speak a single word, regardless of what you witness," Enchantress warned, looking back at him with emotionless eyes. "Disobey me, and you die."
"Understood," Liu Wuxie replied with a nod, carefully arranging his expression to display the proper amount of fear.
His reaction satisfied Enchantress. Had he remained unnaturally composed in the face of such a warning, she would only have become suspicious.
They passed through rows of buildings until an imposing grand hall rose before them, marking the end of their journey.
"Stay here until I return," Enchantress instructed before leaving Liu Wuxie outside and entering the grand hall alone.
Liu Wuxie respectfully moved beside the entrance and lowered his gaze. In truth, he had already activated the Ghost Pupil and Divine Tribulation Pupil to peer through the grand hall.
A figure dressed entirely in black sat upon the highest throne. The instant Liu Wuxie saw him, he knew the man's identity. This could only be the sect master of the Shadow Divination Gate.
Three men stood inside the hall alongside Enchantress. They were none other than Black Tiger, Venomous Viper, and Demon King. All Four Great Guardians had gathered in one place.
"Enchantress, I've heard you've been feeling unwell these past few days," Venomous Viper said. Mockery curled faintly at the edge of his mouth, while his eyes held no trace of warmth.
"She probably drained too much yang essence from men," Black Tiger added, deliberately pressing his mockery into her open wound.
Enchantress trembled with barely contained fury. Venomous Viper and Black Tiger had always maintained a close relationship, which only made their coordinated ridicule more infuriating.
"Shut your mouths, or I'll tear them both apart!" Enchantress snapped, every word sharpened by rage.
Had her injuries not restrained her, she would have attacked both men where they stood.
"Enough!" Demon King declared, stepping between them and ending the confrontation at once.
His ability to silence the others with a single word made his superior standing among the Four Great Guardians unmistakable.
Once Demon King intervened, Venomous Viper and Black Tiger abandoned their taunts. Both turned away from Enchantress and directed their attention toward the sect master.
"Sect Master, did you summon all of us because you have new orders?" Venomous Viper asked.
His triangular eyes closely resembled those of a viper. That likeness grew even more striking around his pupils, which radiated a chilling mercilessness at the very first glance.
In the past, the sect master had always called upon the Guardians individually. Gathering all Four Great Guardians together was an exceedingly rare occurrence.
"Demon King, how are the preparations involving the fresh blood?" the sect master asked, ignoring Venomous Viper's question as he looked toward Demon King.
"Everything is ready, Sect Master. They have all been transported to the designated location," Demon King replied, bowing with complete respect.
Demon King had personally supervised the establishment of the Shadow Divination Dao Hall. Under his direction, every stage of the operation had proceeded without obstruction.
"You've handled the matter well. I will remember your contribution," the sect master said, his praise revealing the depth of his trust in Demon King.
"Serving you is my honor," Demon King replied, immediately dropping to one knee.
The sect master offered no immediate reward, but Demon King knew his status would undoubtedly rise once the grand plan reached completion.
"Venomous Viper, what have you discovered about the matter I assigned you?" the sect master asked, finally shifting his attention toward him.
"I've investigated the situation thoroughly, Sect Master," Venomous Viper reported. "A large number of experts recently departed from the Heavenly Divination Gate's headquarters. Their most likely destination is our Shadow Divination Gate."
Venomous Viper had maintained constant surveillance over the Heavenly Divination Gate, ensuring that none of its movements escaped his notice.
"The Heavenly Divination Gate is asking to be destroyed," Black Tiger said with a sinister laugh. "If they dare come here, we'll make sure not one of them leaves alive!"
The Shadow Divination Gate and the Heavenly Divination Gate had always shared an irreconcilable feud. Their opposing beliefs had driven the two factions into countless clashes over the years.
The sect master remained silent and descended into thought. Such a large-scale mobilization by the Heavenly Divination Gate was clearly abnormal, especially when their previous confrontations had always remained relatively small.
"Black Tiger, what is happening at Windmoon Mountain?" the sect master asked after a brief period of contemplation.
Each of the Four Great Guardians carried a separate set of responsibilities.
Enchantress had previously overseen the surveillance of Windmoon Mountain. Following the attempt on her life, however, the sect master had placed her in charge of the sect's internal security and entrusted all external affairs to the remaining three Guardians.
"Nothing unusual has happened," Black Tiger reported truthfully. "That Old Meng hasn't made a single attempt to alter Windmoon Mountain's geomantic structure."
He had kept the entire mountain under close watch, making it nearly impossible for any movement to escape his notice.
"That makes no sense," Demon King said, drawing his brows together. "Didn't he travel to Windmoon Mountain specifically to destroy our geomantic structure? Why hasn't he done anything?"
Demon King was not alone in his confusion. The sect master also looked equally bewildered. He had repeatedly performed calculations with the Heavenly Derivation Codex, but every attempt to uncover the answer had failed.
Several months earlier, the sect master of the Shadow Divination Gate had calculated that a great calamity would soon descend upon him. Because that calamity threatened his life, he had ordered Demon King to establish the Shadow Divination Dao Hall in Eastern Emperor City.
By absorbing a sufficient number of lifespans, he would gain the power to comprehend the Heavenly Derivation Codex in its entirety.
Once he reached that point, no one would be able to oppose him.
"Sect Master, could the Heavenly Divination Gate have arranged all of this as part of some scheme?" Enchantress asked, finally breaking the silence she had maintained since entering the grand hall.
If even the sect master couldn't calculate the truth using the Heavenly Derivation Codex, the Heavenly Divination Gate had to be responsible.
"The three of you may leave. Enchantress will remain behind," the sect master replied. "Continue with the plan as arranged."
The moment the three Guardians emerged from the grand hall, Demon King fixed Liu Wuxie with an icy gaze.
Liu Wuxie stiffened beneath that terrifying scrutiny. He immediately lowered his head and carefully displayed the fear expected of a servant.
"That brat actually managed to become one of Enchantress' trusted confidants? How interesting," Black Tiger remarked, a calculating smile spreading across his face.
Enchantress drained the yang energy from nearly every man she abducted, turning them into a dried corpse. Not only had Liu Wuxie survived, but he also appeared to be thriving beneath her command, naturally drawing Black Tiger's attention.
Demon King offered no comment. His gaze pierced into Liu Wuxie like a sharpened sword attempting to cut open his soul and expose everything concealed inside. That silent scrutiny alone revealed that he was far more dangerous than Black Tiger or Venomous Viper.
"Interesting. His vitality remains abundant, and his energy hasn't weakened at all," Venomous Viper said with a sinister laugh as he stepped back. "Enchantress hasn't drained his yang energy."
"What is your name?" Demon King asked.
Something about Liu Wuxie seemed vaguely familiar, yet Demon King could not remember where they might have crossed paths. Although Liu Wuxie had altered his appearance, roughly half of his original features remained.
"Number 179," Liu Wuxie replied.
Revealing his true name was impossible. Demon King had almost certainly visited Eastern Emperor City, and if he connected Number 179 to Liu Wuxie, the consequences would be catastrophic.
Inventing a false name posed just as much danger. Demon King could order an investigation with a single command, and the absence of anyone bearing that name would only deepen his suspicions.
"I asked for your name," Demon King repeated as he advanced.
The aura of a pinnacle Origin Immortal surged from him like a crushing tide, driving Liu Wuxie several steps backward.
Black Tiger and Venomous Viper moved to either side, sealing every possible route of escape. If Liu Wuxie continued to refuse Demon King's demand, none of them would show him mercy.
Every one of the Four Great Guardians possessed a ruthless temperament, making them fully deserving of their infamous reputations.
Under the combined pressure of Demon King, Black Tiger, and Venomous Viper, Liu Wuxie's mind raced. At such a critical moment, a single careless answer could spell disaster.
"I belong to Guardian Enchantress. None of you have the authority to interrogate me," Liu Wuxie suddenly shouted, deliberately raising his voice until it carried into the grand hall.
Enchantress had been discussing something with the sect master when Liu Wuxie's voice reached her. She furrowed her brows.
"What is happening outside?" the sect master asked, unmistakable displeasure entering his voice at the disturbance outside the hall.
"Sect Master, I brought that man here to assist with your ritual bath and change of robes," Enchantress explained truthfully as she dropped to one knee.
"Call them inside," the sect master ordered, curious about the person daring to raise his voice outside.
Demon King possessed an exceptionally cautious nature, and very few people were capable of drawing his personal scrutiny.
After receiving the sect master's summons, Demon King, Venomous Viper, and Black Tiger turned and reentered the grand hall.
Liu Wuxie had no choice but to follow the three Guardians. The moment he crossed the threshold, he lowered his head and adopted an exceedingly cautious posture.
He knew the smallest clue could expose his true origins. If the sect master noticed anything suspicious, he might uncover the truth with the Heavenly Derivation Codex.
Far away at Windmoon Mountain, Elder Meng suddenly rose from his seated position atop the strange boulder.
"Is it finally beginning?"
He lifted both hands without hesitation. Mysterious patterns surfaced across the boulder beneath him, twisting and writhing as though awakened into life.