Half a year. Only half a year had passed.

The Main Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion was now thoroughly clean.

Two dazzling new stars shone in the sky above the Main Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion. Thanks to the promotion by interested parties, one of them was rivaling the renown of Lin Qi, the public holder of the Yan Emperor Order.

Xue Kailong, the man who had caused the Ten Evils Hall to grind their teeth in hatred, was about to be promoted to a Seventh-Grade official position in the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, taking on the role of Vice Hall Master of one of its halls!

The false star of the Human Domain: some unknown Sect Master of a Demonic Sect.

The true star of the Human Domain: a scion of a Military Family, the Human Domain's strongest master of catching adulterers, the destroyer of spies from the Ten Evils Hall, and a new high-ranking member of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion who could uncover the truth of a case from the slightest clues—Xue Kailong!

Wu Wang didn't mind at all. In fact, he almost felt like laughing.

「On the day of the promotion ceremony.」

In the attic, Wu Wang slowly awoke from his recliner by the window, a faint Daoist rhyme drifting around him.

Tsk, hiding behind others really isn't so bad.

"Young Master," Lin Suqing floated over from the side. "It's quite lively outside today. They say there's some sort of promotion ceremony going on. Aren't you going to take a look?"

Wu Wang sighed. "The clamor is theirs; I have only my own truth."

"Huh?" Several question marks seemed to appear above Suqing's forehead.

Wu Wang bluntly explained, "I'm not going. Today, I can't draw attention, to avoid being targeted by Evil Gods later. Everything has been arranged."

Lin Suqing blinked, slightly confused.

Immortal Mu poked his head down from the second floor, whispering, "I just sensed Master's Daoist rhyme. Is my master here too?"

"Senior Feng Zhizi?"

Wu Wang laughed. "I heard from Pavilion Master Liu that he invited Master Feng Zhizi to watch a grand spectacle."

"Sect Master."

The Grand Elder's call came from outside the door. Lin Suqing hurriedly ran to open it, ushering the Grand Elder in.

The Grand Elder was exceptionally spirited today. He wore a blood-red robe, his blood-red hair fluttered in the wind, and even the wrinkles on his aged face seemed fewer than usual.

Upon entering, he asked, "Aren't you attending the promotion today?"

Wu Wang replied, "No."

The Grand Elder wondered, "But isn't your name written on the plaque?"

Lin Suqing laughed. "Have you dressed up specially for this, Grand Elder?"

"Today's matter is a bit troublesome."

Wu Wang carefully chose his words, waiting for the Grand Elder to activate the Barrier before speaking softly, "We can't make an entrance right now. At least, not until the dust has settled. Then I can appear. The rest can be left for the two Pavilion Masters to handle. Both of them are seasoned... cough, experienced powerhouses in the Human Domain. There's no need for me to show off too much. Grand Elder, would you like some tea?"

"Of course," the Grand Elder said with a smile, walking over with hands behind his back to where Wu Wang sat. He conjured a wooden chair and sat down, and they started chatting about the business performance of the new magic treasure shops the Annihilation Sect had opened in the last six months.

Lin Suqing brought over two cups of fragrant tea, lit incense, and cast a small spell to bring in a gentle breeze.

Dongfang Mumu asked to be excused, saying she was going to pay respects to Feng Zhizi. Wu Wang naturally couldn't stop her. He even reminded Immortal Mu to stay far away from Xue Kailong; it was best not to even look at him much.

"Sect Master, what's been going on these past six months?"

The Grand Elder said quietly, "Others may not know your character, Sect Master, but I do. Naturally, you wouldn't care for a sixth or Seventh-Grade position in the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion. But there are always rumors within the pavilion that you are suppressing Xue Kailong... I happened to hear some of this and thought about debating them, but I feared exposing your identity, Sect Master. So, I've held my tongue until today."

Wu Wang laughed. "Suppress him? If there's no issue with Xue Kailong, not only will I not suppress him, I will strongly recommend him to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion."

"Oh? How so?"

"Grand Elder, just open a Cloud Mirror and see. If we calculate the time, it should be starting over there soon."

Wu Wang laughed and said, "What I need to do now is keep a low profile, a very low profile, and try not to attract the enemy's animosity. It's not that I'm afraid of the person pulling the strings behind the scenes; I simply see no need to."

The Grand Elder nodded with a smile and drew a circle with his hand, saying, "I'm not very skilled with the Cloud Mirror Law."

Then the Cloud Mirror displayed an image so clear that one could see individual strands of hair and even the skin pores of some young Fairy Immortals!

The words 'not good at it' were clearly redefined in the Annihilation Sect.

Wu Wang looked at the image. In the open space before the Main Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, thousands of cultivators had already gathered.

A banner was hung over the hall entrance, with the inscription: [Xue Kailong and Wu Wangzi's Rank Advancement Grand Ceremony and the Inauguration of the Vice Hall Master of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion's Punishment Hall.]

Wu Wangzi's name was placed after Xue Kailong's.

This made the Grand Elder show his dissatisfaction.

Wu Wang laughed. "Grand Elder, don't be hasty. Just keep watching."

As soon as his words ended, several elderly figures walked out from the hall. The two in the lead, one portly and one thin, were, of course, the Human Emperor's left and right arms: the Pavilion Masters of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion and the Four Seas Pavilion.

Look at Liu Baiyi: with his majestic stride and broad build, his earthy yellow robe accentuated his authority, and his plump face looked exceptionally composed when he wasn't smiling.

Then there was Feng Zhizi: crane-white hair yet youthful face, wide sleeves and a long robe, with a grey outer robe over his white attire, as if the very words 'elegant refinement' surrounded him.

The two Pavilion Masters each made a gesture of invitation and took their seats to the left and right of the hall's entrance.

Two Vice Pavilion Masters of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion stepped forward and sat in slightly lower positions.

Nearby, cultivators brought over a long table and placed it at the foot of the grand hall's steps. On the table, they set a sound-amplifying Treasure Bead, creating a simple 'lectern.'

It wasn't just the thousands of figures present. From all corners of the Main Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, stewards, Immortal Soldiers, men and women, young and old, all cast their Spiritual Sense and Immortal Consciousness toward this spot.

At this moment, Xue Kailong stood in the first row, looking calm, but the smile at the corner of his mouth couldn't be completely suppressed.

「In a distant cave dwelling, the Evil God Qiong Qi had changed into fresh robes.」

He sat on a treasured throne, two jars of fine wine beside him.

Being an official in the Human Domain isn't too bad. It's much more comfortable than fighting and killing. If not for the fact that he didn't dare to go there in person, he truly wished he could go to the Human Domain and try his luck, starting as a common soldier and climbing step by step to the position of Pavilion Master. That would surely be more interesting.

Never mind. The Human Domain won't exist for much longer anyway.

Qiong Qi's smile grew wider, a hint of ferocity within its depths.

After today, it would be time for him to find his next prey. If he could control one or two Transcendents in the Human Domain...

"The rank advancement ceremony begins now!"

A steward from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion shouted loudly. Qiong Qi immediately focused, personally taking control of Xue Kailong's Divine Soul and body.

The steward shouted, "Xue Kailong and Wu Wangzi, please come forward!"

Xue Kailong—or rather, Qiong Qi—stepped forward. After a few paces, he noticed Wu Wangzi wasn't there and hesitated, halting his steps.

The female steward presiding over the grand ceremony also wondered aloud, "Where is Elder Wu Wangzi?"

"Ah, Wu Wangzi has taken leave from me," Liu Baiyi laughed. "Let Kai Long come up and say a few words. He is the protagonist today."

Xue Kailong cupped his fists in a salute. Without declining, he strode confidently to the area behind the table, stepped onto the white jade stairs, and looked out at the assembled Immortals of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion.

An indescribable sense of achievement welled up within him.

"More than half a year has passed in a flash..."

Then, Xue Kailong delivered a passionate and stirring speech.

He began with a few modest words, then expressed gratitude to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion for giving him this opportunity, interspersing his speech with anecdotes about the obstacles he faced upon arriving at the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion and the lack of understanding from his family...

Overall, it had not been an easy journey to this day.

Many sentimental elder Fairy Immortals were moved to tears, their eyes glistening.

Behind the crowd, Xue Kailong's parents watched, their eyes filled with deep emotion.

「In Wu Wang's attic.」

The Grand Elder looked at the current scene with puzzlement and whispered, "Sect Master, does this Xue Kailong really have a problem?"

"You see," Wu Wang laughed, "they've all been fooled, haven't they?"

Behind the rocking chair, Lin Suqing held her hands in front of her, puzzled. "Young Master, didn't you say a grand show would unfold here? Isn't everything fine?"

"How can the show start if I haven't called 'action'?"

Wu Wang smiled, took out a Jade Talisman from his sleeve, and just as Xue Kailong uttered his final words of gratitude, Wu Wang raised the Jade Talisman and said, "All units, listen up. Commence."

Lin Suqing and the Grand Elder couldn't help but stare intently at the Cloud Mirror before them.

At the grand promotion ceremony, filled with Immortals, Xue Kailong completed his bow and was about to turn back to the crowd. Suddenly, the Immortal Light flickered to the left and right of the long table, and four elderly figures appeared.

The pressure of the Transcendent Realm came crushing down, and a ring of Immortal Light appeared under Xue Kailong's feet.

There was a slight astonishment on Xue Kailong's face.

The multitude of Immortals present were also puzzled and did not understand what was happening. Several high-ranking figures, rarely seen on normal days, had appeared together.

"Everyone, remain calm. Kai Long, you too, stay calm."

Liu Baiyi rose from his seat at the front of the hall. He gestured to Feng Zhizi, who stroked his beard, nodded, and rose to follow.

The two great masters walked behind Xue Kailong, causing Qiong Qi, who was tens of thousands of miles away, to break into a cold sweat on his forehead.

Moments ago, he had infiltrated Xue Kailong's Nascent Soul to control him... Now, this feeling of immersion was overwhelmingly strong!

Liu Baiyi declared loudly, "Today, I have specially invited the Pavilion Master of the Four Seas Pavilion to bear witness. I am going to announce a momentous matter and present Kai Long with an award!"

All the Immortals quieted down simultaneously, looking towards their Pavilion Master.

Even more Immortals turned their gaze here, including many reclusive experts of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, who also halted their cultivation and watched this place with concern.

With his hands behind his back, Liu Baiyi leisurely ambled forward, his voice reaching every corner of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion:

""The human heart—these two words have always been the most elusive since ancient times.

"You all know that the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion initially didn't react in time and was infiltrated by many spies from the Ten Evils Hall. For many years, this has been a great headache for me, and all of you have been quite uneasy about it.

"This was my oversight, and I offer my self-criticism here.

"Fortunately, over the past six months, Xue Kailong exhausted his abilities to identify each spy. And now, I can publicly announce!

"Our Main Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion is now free of people from the Ten Evils Hall!""

Following a pause, Liu Baiyi exclaimed loudly, "Bring up the reward that I have prepared for Kai Long!"

A few strong men carrying a large wooden box ran over and placed it in front of the long table.

Liu Baiyi, with his hands clasped behind his back, smiled and said,

""Does everyone know that in this world, there is a mythical creature adept at peering into the cracks of the human heart, skilled at finding its weaknesses?

"Kai Long's abilities are not inferior to that of this creature!

"For this reason, I have commissioned the creation of this special award!""

As he spoke, Liu Baiyi waved his hand toward the wooden box, which immediately shattered into pieces, revealing the brightly shining statue of the mythical creature within.

This creature resembled a fierce tiger with an added pair of wings. It had a long neck and a ferocious face, frozen in an upward roar, its fierce aura washing over the onlookers.

Xue Kailong's expression was a bit dazed, his eyes slightly vacant.

The Immortals were also slightly taken aback, looking at the creature with a sense that it seemed somewhat familiar.

"Isn't that Qiong Qi, the leader of The Ten Great Evil Gods?"

"Pavilion Master, comparing Lord Xue Kailong to an Evil God... isn't that a tad inappropriate?"

"Qiong Qi is indeed adept at probing into hearts."

Liu Baiyi announced loudly, "Correct, this is the—Gold Qiong Qi Award!"

PFFT!

In Wu Wang's small building, the Grand Elder sprayed a mouthful of tea to the side, his eyes twinkling with a hint of shrewdness, already having a faint guess about the situation.

From the Cloud Mirror, Liu Baiyi's voice continued, "Kai Long, come forward and carry this reward back!"

"Pavilion Master," Xue Kailong said with an embarrassed tone, whispering, "I feel this reward is too significant. I truly cannot accept it. Pavilion Master, please retract your order."

"What's wrong?"

Liu Baiyi stepped forward, standing in front of Xue Kailong, and spoke gently, "I, as Pavilion Master, believe you are fully deserving, and it is most fitting. Go on, take the award."

Xue Kailong's face stiffened, but he could only step sideways twice, his eyes fixed on the back of the golden Qiong Qi statue, raising his hand to press down on it.

No, there's a powerful formation inside designed to trap a Divine Soul!

He understood! In that instant, Xue Kailong suddenly understood!

He had been exposed long ago!

He, a God from the Heaven Palace, diligent and cautious, had spent half a year painstakingly rooting out the spies the Ten Evils Hall had planted within the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion.

Yet, he himself had long been exposed, treated like a performing monkey for their amusement!

The Benevolent Emperor Pavilion was out to destroy his reputation, to grind his, Qiong Qi's, face into the dirt and rub it in!

He!

THUMP. A large, pale, fleshy hand suddenly clamped down on Xue Kailong's wrist, forcing his left hand toward the golden Qiong Qi statue!

Xue Kailong turned his head abruptly, his eyes glaring at Liu Baiyi, and suddenly let out a furious roar!

Golden light flashed around Liu Baiyi as he forced Xue Kailong toward the golden statue. Immediately, a puff of black smoke shot out from above Xue Kailong's head. This smoke rapidly took on the form of Qiong Qi and viciously spewed flames at the golden statue.

Liu Baiyi flung Xue Kailong aside and took a slight step back, allowing the Qiong Qi statue to explode.

Immortal Light flickered all around as several Transcendent experts struck simultaneously. A cage of Immortal Light trapped Qiong Qi's wisp of Divine Soul in mid-air.

A commotion erupted before the main hall!

At Wu Wang's residence, the Grand Elder had already stood up, glaring through the Cloud Mirror at the ethereal shadow of Qiong Qi.

Wu Wang, however, slightly furrowed his brow.

What? This isn't how we rehearsed it!

The plan was to trick Xue Kailong into lifting the statue, which would directly extract Qiong Qi's Divine Soul. That way, Xue Kailong's safety would be fully guaranteed.

Now, Xue Kailong is being restrained by two Immortals. He seems to be alive, but the extent of his injuries is unknown.

Of course, Xue Kailong ended up in a rather miserable state, but the visual impact is far better than the 'civilized play' I had arranged.

Wu Wang laughed. "Pavilion Master Liu certainly has a knack for messing with an Evil God's mind."

"It must be his deep hatred for Evil Gods."

The Grand Elder sighed. "Pavilion Master Liu has followed His Majesty the Human Emperor, battling the Heaven Palace and the Ten Evil Gods for so long. Naturally, he'd love to flay them and pull out their tendons."

"Hmm," Wu Wang nodded, comfortably leaning back into his chair. "Let Pavilion Master Liu enjoy this. Xue Kailong shouldn't die from this."

The Cloud Mirror showed the scene before the grand hall: the crowd was incensed, many Immortals hurling curses at Qiong Qi's Divine Soul, which was suspended in mid-air.

It seemed Qiong Qi's Divine Soul was locked down, unable even to dissipate itself. Its crimson, baleful eyes scanned the surroundings as it roared incessantly.

In those eyes, apart from anger, there was also a hint of... loss.

Liu Baiyi had already stepped behind the long table. He slightly raised his hand, and the shouting all around quickly subsided.

"Everyone, forget past grievances for a moment! First, let us thank Fellow Daoist Qiong Qi three times for helping us eliminate the villains from the Ten Evils Hall!"

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Qiong Qi, for helping eliminate the villains from the Ten Evils Hall!"

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Qiong Qi, for helping eliminate the villains from the Ten Evils Hall..."

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Qiong Qi, for helping eliminate the villains from the Ten Evils Hall!"

The shouts began scattered, but by the third time, they were thunderous, stirring the Immortals into a fervor.

Qiong Qi let out an infuriated roar, cursing, "Liu Baiyi! I was careless for a moment and fell for your scheme, you big-eared scoundrel!"

"HAHAHAHA! HAHAHA!"

Liu Baiyi threw his head back and laughed, his eyes full of delight. He said, "Qiong Qi, did you ever imagine you'd be outsmarted by me one day? You, the most cunning of the Ten Evil Gods! How does it feel to be bested?"

Qiong Qi began to struggle fiercely, tendrils of black aura nearly seeping out.

Liu Baiyi opened his left hand and clenched it gently. Qiong Qi's wisp of Divine Soul instantly shattered, turning into streaks of black smoke in mid-air, which were immediately evaporated by golden light shining from the side.

"Liu Baiyi! I will make you rue the day! Liu Baiyi! What an immense shame and insult!"

Qiong Qi's bellowing gradually faded away.

Pavilion Master Liu simply curled his lips into a smile, calmly saying, "As if you would have spared me if I had given you the chance to kill me before."

Then, he laughed heartily again, repeatedly exclaiming his satisfaction.

Feng Zhizi looked on with obvious envy.

The Immortals of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion each showed faint smiles. Many of the older ones had eyes full of pleasure, their minds feeling much clearer.

One of the Ten Great Evil Gods personally helping the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion root out spies from the Ten Evils Hall—this will surely become a legendary tale in the Great Wilderness.

An Immortal brought over a chair, and Liu Baiyi settled into it calmly, speaking in a moderated voice:

""I suppose you all understand by watching this scene that Xue Kailong was controlled by Qiong Qi. His ability to find the flaws in people's Dao hearts was also due to Qiong Qi's power.

"It's very clear what Qiong Qi wanted to do; he simply wanted to use this opportunity to enter the upper ranks of our Benevolent Emperor Pavilion and learn many secrets about our Human Domain.

"Using Qiong Qi to eliminate the spies of the Ten Evils Hall—this clever strategy was not my own.

"Before I explain this matter, I would first like to make several things clear.

"First, the spies Qiong Qi found were indeed spies. Qiong Qi wanted to use Xue Kailong's identity to reach the upper echelons of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, and he left no loose ends in this regard.

"A young friend and I have conducted detailed verifications. There have been no wrongful accusations or miscarriages of justice.

"Second, Xue Kailong, as well as his colleagues who had gathered around him earlier, were also victims of Qiong Qi. Shortly, I myself will personally diagnose them to see if any hidden injuries were left by the Evil God.""

The Immortals chorused, "The Pavilion Master is benevolent and righteous."

"Come, let's show everyone a small part of the recorded images from the past six months."

Liu Baiyi took out several Image Projection Beads from his sleeve and, using immortal power, floated them into the air, where clear images emerged within them.

The first images showed Xue Kailong (controlled by Qiong Qi) interrogating suspicious Immortals of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion. The footage clearly captured Xue Kailong secretly making small gestures, causing black qi to seep from the ground into the soles of those spies, thereby destroying their mental defenses...

The scenes continued to change, each showing Xue Kailong·Qiong Qi's activities inside the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion.

After two Image Projection Beads had finished playing, the images suddenly paused.

The Immortals, who were watching with rapt attention, felt it ended too soon and all looked towards the Pavilion Master.

Pavilion Master Liu smiled.

""Today, I shall also do something a bit out of line. I originally promised that fellow not to publicize this matter, but truly, I am unwilling to let his contributions be buried.

"Does anyone know who devised the plan against Qiong Qi?""

Feng Zhizi laughed. "Was it our young friend Wu Wangzi?"

""Correct, it was indeed our young friend Wu Wangzi.

"Now that Qiong Qi is no longer here, and there are no more spies from the Ten Evils Hall in the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, I will show you all exactly what happened these past six months.""

Pavilion Master Liu pointed his finger, and streams of Immortal Light flowed out from the Image Projection Beads. The scenes displayed were no longer recorded Cloud Mirror images.

Instead, it was 'three-dimensional reality' recorded by the Image Projection Beads.

It was Pavilion Master Liu's private study. Two figures were shown from behind, gently clinking their cups. Wu Wang's voice could also be heard:

""Pavilion Master, you should still prioritize keeping everyone safe. If this plan succeeds, it's merely icing on the cake. If it doesn't, then so be it.""

Pavilion Master Liu said, ""How about we just ridicule Qiong Qi for this?""

Wu Wang laughed.

""To waste Qiong Qi's skill of prying into human hearts without using it would indeed be wasteful.

"Fundamentally, we shouldn't fear Evil Gods. We should treat them as equals. As long as he desires something, he will reveal weaknesses. If we can understand their way of thinking, we can find their flaws.

"Qiong Qi probably doesn't attach too much importance to the Ten Evils Hall. Using the numerous moles from the Ten Evils Hall—who have infiltrated the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion but are only in low-ranking positions—to trade for a high-ranking puppet under his personal control would seem very worthwhile to him...

"Besides, with a great expert like yourself, Pavilion Master, presiding here, what is there to fear from him?""

""Hahaha, very well, very well! Shall we give it a try then?""

""Let's try.""

As they spoke, the two figures gently clinked their cups, letting out a few sinister chuckles.

The scene shifted. The two were sitting next to a steaming hot pot, eating and discussing. Wu Wang, smiling, explained his 'game' theory.

The expressions on the Immortals' faces were quite something to behold. Most stared in stunned silence, while beads of sweat appeared on the foreheads of a few.

The scene shifted again. Wu Wang and Pavilion Master Liu were discussing the day's grand ceremony. Wu Wang repeatedly emphasized the need to ensure Xue Kailong's safety, striving to prevent any victims in the affair.

To be cautious, Wu Wang even suggested inviting the Pavilion Master of the Four Seas Pavilion.

In the final scene of the recorded images, Liu Baiyi and Wu Wang stood shoulder to shoulder by a window, their hands clasped behind their backs, smiling and saying something.

Liu Baiyi said, ""There are gaps in human hearts, and Evil Gods exploit them. Those controlled by the Ten Evils Hall were likely ensnared because of such vulnerabilities.""

""Pavilion Master needn't sigh over such matters.""

Wu Wang tilted his head slightly, offering the assembled Immortals a view of his profile as he said with a smile, ""Human hearts and Evil Gods—it is hard to say which is more fearsome.""

WHOOSH!

The Immortal Light retracted back into the Image Projection Beads. The entire Main Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion was so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

Pavilion Master Liu spoke slowly, "Wu Wangzi is promoted to the Seventh Grade and will serve as the Acting Hall Master of the Punishment Hall. Upon achieving another great merit, he will be immediately promoted to the official Hall Master of the Punishment Hall and will receive the special stipend of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion. Does anyone have any objections?"

All the Immortals bowed in unison.

"We comply with the Pavilion Master's order!"

"We welcome Wuwang Palace Lord!"

"We invite Wuwang Palace Lord to take his position!"

The shouts of the Immortals rose, wave upon wave. Many Immortals searched all around, but Wu Wangzi's figure was still nowhere to be seen.

Pavilion Master Liu frowned slightly, his Immortal Consciousness focused on Wu Wang's pavilion. The Barrier was still there, but…

"Master! Pavilion Master!"

Xiao Jian Daoist hurriedly descended from the sky and whispered a few words into Pavilion Master Liu's ear. Liu Baiyi's mouth twitched slightly as he cursed aloud, "Don't just stand there, go after him! Who allowed you to let him go?"

Xiao Jian Daoist pointed to the empty space where the Image Projection Balls had been floating, saying anxiously, "This disciple didn't know you had this as well!"

"How dare you talk back? Will admitting your mistake kill you?"

"No, but you need to be reasonable... Ouch! The Pavilion Master is hitting me!"

"Go after him! Even if you have to drag him, bring him back! Where's Pavilion Master Feng? Where did he go? Quickly, don't let him abduct Wu Wangzi for me!"

In front of the grand hall, Liu Baiyi stamped his foot. Xiao Jian Daoist's figure shot into the sky, hastily pursuing to the south.

It was unknown who laughed first, but then the cultivators burst into collective laughter, filling every part of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion with a joyful atmosphere.

「Meanwhile, inside the sneaky Flying Shuttle heading south.」

Wu Wang's forehead was lined with dark marks, and he sat there gritting his teeth.

Why on earth had he trusted this Liu Baiyi!

That old senior's subordinates are one more cunning and harder to deal with than the last! We agreed I'd just stay behind the scenes and offer advice! Now they've pushed me out to be a Hall Master!

Isn't that forcing me to scheme against Evil Gods? Are Evil Gods so easily outwitted? It was just that Qiong Qi happened to be countered by my Praying Star Technique!

Ptui!

Human hearts are truly black!

Wu Wang gritted his teeth, truly wanting to curse out loud. Beside him, the Grand Elder's eyes were full of admiration.

"Sect Master, this strategy was really your..."

"No, it wasn't! It has nothing to do with me!"

Wu Wang shuffled closer to Lin Suqing.

Still, the old auntie gave him some peace of mind. She had no desire for fame or fortune, nor did she understand the intricacies of these schemes. She offered him a rare warmth in the Human Domain.

Suddenly, a shout: "Sect Master Wuwang, be careful!"

Wu Wang's heart lurched; a sense of alarm instantly arose. The Grand Elder moved to shield Wu Wang. A potent Blood Killing Aura enveloped Wu Wang and Lin Suqing as the Grand Elder also retracted the Flying Shuttle.

High in the sky before them, a goshawk was diving straight for Wu Wang!

The goshawk's forehead burst open, and from within its blood, the phantom of Qiong Qi solidified, roaring furiously at Wu Wang, "I couldn't achieve the Seventh Grade, and neither can you! Trash! A good-for-nothing suppressed by me!"

He's panicking. The Evil God lost immense face; he's clearly panicking.

The Grand Elder snorted coldly, ready to engage the enemy. A mere wisp of a Divine Soul was hardly a threat to him.

But a faint sneer came from the side, followed by a flash of sword light that severed Qiong Qi's phantom at the waist.

Looking in the direction from which the sword light had come, Immortal Mu, accompanied by Feng Zhizi, approached leisurely—it was Feng Zhizi who had acted.

The Pavilion Master of the Four Seas Pavilion laughed.

"This Qiong Qi is quite vexed, coming to find trouble with you, Sect Master Wuwang. However, it seems he is still unaware of the joint scheme between you and Pavilion Master Liu."

Wu Wang shook his head slightly and breathed a sigh of relief, smiling. "Losing two portions of his Divine Soul, Qiong Qi must have suffered a severe blow to his vital energy."

Feng Zhizi laughed. "An Evil God in such disarray—truly a rare spectacle."

Wu Wang pondered briefly, a glint of sharpness flashing in his eyes.

Since Qiong Qi attacked me directly, he can't blame me for playing dirty!

Wu Wang transmitted his voice to Feng Zhizi, "The Four Seas Pavilion should seize this chance. Use your merchant caravans in the Nine Wildernesses of the Great Wilderness to spread the news that Qiong Qi sought reconciliation with the Human Domain and helped the Human Domain eliminate spies from the Ten Evils Hall. It would be best to make several hundred, even several thousand copies of the Image Projection Beads showing him interrogating the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion Immortals, using them as proof. Let the Heaven Palace thoroughly interrogate this Qiong Qi."

Feng Zhizi considered briefly, then laughed. "Brilliant, Sect Master Wuwang! This could also be considered an overt scheme! Shall we find a large city to have some drinks and discuss this in detail?"

"Let's go, let's go," Wu Wang sighed incessantly. "No matter what, we should lay low for a while. A tall tree attracts the wind. I don't want to be pushed into the spotlight and roasted."

"HAHAHAHA, HAHAHAHA!"

Feng Zhizi stroked his beard and burst into laughter, summoning a white cloud that carried the four of them towards the nearest large mortal city.

「In the southwest of the Great Wilderness, inside that cave dwelling.」

The middle-aged man opened his eyes. His face was deathly pale as he angrily swept the wine jar beside him to the floor.

With a cold snort, his form transformed into a gust of black wind that surged out of the cave, rolling towards a small, mixed-race tribal settlement hundreds of miles away.

In just an instant, the black wind swept over the area. Every living creature within collapsed to the ground, their souls devoured. Faint, sorrowful cries seemed to echo, but in an instant, only dead silence remained.

"Human Domain, Benevolent Emperor Pavilion! Liu Baiyi!"

Qiong Qi's eyes were full of rage as he roared toward the eastern sky, "I will definitely make you pay the price!"

CRACK!

A silver-white lightning bolt suddenly plummeted!

This lightning bolt didn't so much strike as it instantly shifted into place. Its tip landed on Qiong Qi's back, the bolt itself only then tracing its path through Heaven and Earth.

A bloody hole tore open in Qiong Qi's back. He lowered his head to spit out a mouthful of blood, staring up at the sky in utter astonishment.

"Who! Who dares to ambush me!"

The originally dim sky now, unbeknownst to him, featured several faintly twinkling Stars.

「In the Northern Wilderness, the Starry Sky Temple.」

The woman in the long gown stood silently, enveloped in Immortal Light. With her eyes closed, her expression was unreadable, but the resolve in her action as she brought her wooden staff down was utterly decisive.

In the starry sky, the Star God's forehead blazed with silver light!

In the southwestern region, Stars flared brilliantly, and several more silver-white lightning bolts descended!

Qiong Qi roared, his form enveloped in boundless black qi as he surged towards the heavens. But the silver lightning tore through the black qi with ease; several divine lightning bolts struck him until his flesh was torn open, forcing him to hastily retreat towards his cave dwelling.

A cold snort reached Qiong Qi's ears, but nothing followed.

Just a simple warning.

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