Chapter 196 - 225: Master Taiyu, the Celestial Blood Thieves, the 3rd Prince, and the Commandery Establishment Grand Meeting
A Soul Lamp is connected to the Divine Spirit of a Martial Arts Strongman. By observing the Soul Lamp’s state, one can determine if the person is alive or dead.
Su Bai’s Dharma Tripod Prison contained its own pocket dimension, capable of blocking any form of detection.
When Su Bai had imprisoned the Fushui Demon Monarch in the Dharma Tripod Prison, it meant the Demon Monarch had completely lost his connection to his Soul Lamp.
When the thread of aura connecting the Fushui Demon Monarch to the Soul Lamp dissipated, the Soul Lamp naturally shattered.
"Have you found out who is responsible?"
At this moment, Master Taiyu asked with a frown.
In his opinion, the Fushui Demon Monarch’s cultivation and strength were negligible, but the demon had a connection to the Chaotic Sea Demon Saint in Cangzhou.
He was the Demon Saint’s most outstanding youngest son.
Now that this demon was dead, the connection that enabled his joint plan with the Chaotic Sea Demon Saint might be severed.
This was not good news.
However, he could probably fix the issue if he "paid a little extra."
"Reporting, True Master! We... do not know yet."
The Golden Armor Attendant lowered his head slightly and replied in a low voice.
"Very well! You are dismissed."
Master Taiyu, his face showing a trace of worry, didn’t press the attendant and simply waved his hand.
"Yes!"
The Golden Armor Attendant bowed in response, then turned and left.
’Right now, the Fushui Demon Monarch should be inside Fulong Daoist Temple outside Ling County, discussing the specifics with the Master of Fulong Temple.’
’Could it be... that the Temple Master did it?’
Master Taiyu thought to himself.
The Master of Fulong Daoist Temple was a prodigy himself. Ten years ago, his Martial Arts Cultivation had already broken through to the Dragon Mansion Realm.
With his strength, killing the Fushui Demon Monarch would indeed be simple and easy.
But he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss.
Perhaps there was a hidden story behind it all.
’Looks like I need to speed up the plan.’
A vicious glint flashed in Master Taiyu’s eyes as he muttered to himself.
"Men!"
Then, he slowly rose, clasped his hands behind his back, and called out with a grim expression.
As his voice fell.
The rays of light descending from the horizon seemed to dim considerably.
The next moment.
Several young Martial Artists of varying builds, clad in blood-red robes and wreathed in deep red Evil Qi, quickly appeared before him.
After he gave his instructions, the group departed once more.
Master Taiyu, meanwhile, gazed at the slowly rising sun on the horizon, his gaze profound.
His thoughts were unreadable.
...
「Far away, on the Endless Sea.」
A colossal black ship tore through the towering waves, churning up plumes of crimson spray, like a Black Dragon roaring into the teeth of the wind!
At the ship’s bow was a dark Jade Table.
The three leaders of the Celestial Blood Thieves sat around the table.
A purple-haired fat man spoke, his face fraught with worry.
"Big Brother! That kid is a treacherous snake. In the past, any faction that worked with him either ended up absorbed into his command..."
"...or they were screwed over, ending up dead or crippled!"
"Shouldn’t we be a little more vigilant?"
The burly, red-haired man beside him also said with a vicious look in his eyes, "I could tell long ago that kid is no good!"
"Big Brother! How about I sneak off and bump the kid off?"
As he spoke, the burly man faced the other two and made a throat-slitting gesture.
The grand leader of the Celestial Blood Thieves, the young man in the white robe currently holding a Jade Cup, just shook his head with a light laugh. "Why overthink this?"
"We stop the people from the Dayu Immortal Slaughter Bureau for him, and after it’s done, he gives us a considerable number of Evil Qi Blood Beads."
"This was always just a transaction."
"His character is irrelevant."
At this point, the white-robed young man’s expression turned slightly serious.
Then, he spoke slowly.
"Besides, if he really dares to drag us into his mess, he’ll have to enter the fray himself."
"At that point, whether he lives or dies won’t be up to him."
As his voice fell.
The two men beside him immediately fell into deep thought.
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn...
The white-robed young man seemed to sense something.
The other two men’s expressions also changed slightly.
An immense silver warship broke through the layers of clouds, its entire body shimmering with brilliant light.
It was as if it blotted out the sky and sun!
It descended abruptly from the heavens!
In the center of the warship, a silver banner rose into the clouds.
On the banner, the name ’Immortal Slaughter Bureau’—vividly carved with the blood of gods and demons—was deeply etched into view!
It was so intimidating one dared not look directly at it.
The huge shadow cast by the entire warship fell over the three leaders of the Celestial Blood Thieves like a black curtain.
Figure after figure, exuding an incredibly dense Evil Qi, took to the air from the silver warship.
And as it happened, Su Bai knew one of them.
It was the very same green-robed Swordsman who had fought a bloody battle with the Fushui Demon Monarch on the Bi River.
"They’re finally here."
Sensing the immense commotion and surging killing intent, a smile touched the lips of the white-robed young man.
Then, he casually tossed aside the Jade Cup in his hand!
The three of them slowly rose...
CRASH!
...
CLINK!
「Ling County, Fulong Daoist Temple, inside a pavilion.」
Su Bai and the Master of Fulong Daoist Temple, the young man in the Daoist robe, clinked their cups.
"Senior, may I ask what business brings you to my Fulong Daoist Temple?"
The young man in the Daoist robe took a sip of tea and asked with a hint of curiosity.
He found it hard to believe that an expert of Su Bai’s caliber would suddenly arrive at Fulong Daoist Temple for no reason.
At the same time, looking at Su Bai before him, a feeling of nervousness spread through him like ripples.
He had no choice. In the face of the unfathomably powerful Su Bai, he had to be exceptionally cautious, his Heart Spirit stretched taut.
"I just heard from Mu Yu that Fulong Daoist Temple is quite fascinating, so I thought I’d come have a look."
Su Bai also took a sip of tea and replied with a smile.
"Mu Yu?"
The young man in the Daoist robe was slightly taken aback.
"I am Mu Yu, a disciple of the Spirit Sword Sect of Cangzhou."
"Greetings, Master of Fulong Temple!"
Mu Yu, standing beside Su Bai, immediately spoke with a trace of reverence.
"Ah, so you are a young friend from the Spirit Sword Sect!"
The young man in the Daoist robe was slightly surprised to hear this, then nodded with a smile.
The Spirit Sword Sect was one of the great sects of the Righteous Dao in Cangzhou, with countless experts within its ranks.
Its overall strength was a notch above that of Fulong Daoist Temple.
Su Bai chatted with him for a moment.
At a certain point, Su Bai asked with some curiosity, "I wonder, what exactly did the Fushui Demon Monarch who was just here discuss with you, Master of Fulong Temple? Could you elaborate?"
"It’s not a secret, so there’s no need to hide it from you, Senior."
The Master of Fulong Temple began, "That Fushui Demon Monarch had previously committed a major crime and was captured by the Immortal Slaughter Bureau, then sealed in the No. 3 Celestial Prison."
"As it turns out, the Third Prince used some tricks to get him out, took him under his command, and had him work for him."
"The Third Prince? Who is he? Tell me more."
Su Bai’s interest was suddenly piqued.
’It seems this so-called Third Prince is the Fushui Demon Monarch’s master.’
The young man in the Daoist robe was stunned for a moment.
’It seems this Senior must be a reclusive Great Power, which is why he doesn’t know about the Third Prince, who’s been so prominent recently.’
He thought to himself.
Coming back to his senses.
The young man in the Daoist robe showed a warm smile and said truthfully, "The Third Prince is one of the youngest sons of the current Emperor Yu."
"According to legend, when he was born, a seven-colored phenomenon appeared in the sky, and he was Innately endowed with more than one Divine Technique!"
"For the first twenty years of his life, he was quite low-key. The only news about him was that he was always in secluded cultivation."
"But unexpectedly, at the age of thirty, he made a high-profile debut, backed by several major factions, and began contending with the other Princes for the position of Crown Prince!"
"And in recent years, as the decision on the Crown Prince’s position draws near, he has gradually revealed his frantic nature!"
"Previously, he sent that Fushui Demon Monarch to visit me. In reality, he just wanted my Fulong Daoist Temple to side with them and not interfere with their plans."
"Plans? Be specific."
"I’m not too clear on the details myself, but it’s very likely... related to tomorrow’s County Establishment Gala!"
The young man in the Daoist robe said with some hesitation.
The County Establishment Gala!
This was a grand event held once every ten years to celebrate the founding of Ling County.
At that time, many experts who have been away, as well as those from the surrounding areas, will rush to Ling County to participate in the event!
Some old monsters in secluded cultivation might even make an exception and emerge to take part in the grand festivities.
The young man in the Daoist robe pondered for a moment before speaking with a grave expression.
"Among the experts returning from their travels, several have very high Martial Arts Cultivation. One of them is very famous and is known as the number one Boxing Saint of the Dragon Mansion Realm in Cangzhou!"
"I believe the Third Prince’s plan is likely targeting these individuals."