"We have received news again. The Daqian border has been sealed off by Luo Feng personally leading the army, and traces of other kings of the Netherworld Palace have also appeared within the army. This move by Daqian is very unusual."

Ji Chengtian said to Elder Shiming during their meeting.

Recently, the spies of the Shadow Pavilion have been closely monitoring Daqian's movements, aiming to detect any abnormalities from Daqian at the earliest.

And today, that anomaly has arrived.

"The only significant event in recent days is the script theft by Xuan Lin, and the border blockade is likely for the 'Soldier Armor Martial Scripture'.

Elder Shiming thought for a moment, then asked, "And Qing Yu? Has he not made an appearance yet?"

"Not only him, but even Xuanzhen and the True Martial Two Elders have not shown themselves," Ji Chengtian replied.

"That's quite strange..." Elder Shiming frowned and pondered.

If Qing Yu intended to pretend he wasn't injured, then sending out Xuanzhen and the True Martial Two Elders would be the best choice.

Yet he acted contrary to expectations, making this peculiar move, as if he had no concern about the leak of the 'Soldier Armor Martial Scripture'.

If Elder Shiming hadn't divined that Qing Yu was indeed hit by the Sun Stealing Arrow, he would have started suspecting Qing Yu was setting a trap for others.

"Deception and truth, that's Qing Yu's brilliance. He must have realized someone is probing his situation and thus is responding this way."

Ji Chengtian said, "His actions make the whole matter mysterious, making it impossible for people to guess whether he truly is injured or pretending to be to set a trap. Had you not previously asserted with certainty that Qing Yu was injured, I would also hesitate now."

Ji Chengtian is not lacking in decisiveness, but since he is dealing with Qing Yu, he hesitates.

Qing Yu's actions over the years have revealed his extraordinary methods. Many times, even Ji Chengtian admits he cannot achieve what Qing Yu has done.

Dealing with such a person, caution is indispensable.

Those who wish to achieve great things must dare to fight and make decisions swiftly. But for those who seek longevity, prudence and thorough consideration are necessary.

Many lay their foundation through struggle, willing to take risks with just a thirty percent chance of success.

But after achieving success, they start seeking stability, no longer entrusting their fate to the whims of fortune.

This is not only because they are no longer in their previous destitute state but also because, having moved past a gambler's mentality, they know one can be lucky for a time but not for a lifetime.

Unless you are a child of destiny, ultimately, betting will leave you with nothing, even losing your life.

Qing Yu precisely calculates Ji Chengtian and Elder Shiming's cautious mindset after experiencing storms, hence acting in this manner, allowing their cautious thoughts to plague them, trapping them in indecision.

Had Elder Shiming not divined the truth, they indeed might have remained mere observers, until Qing Yu recovered and appeared, then it would be too late for regrets.

"Heh, let's see what other tricks Qing Yu will play. His good days won't last long..." Elder Shiming sneered sinisterly.

·······················

In early June, the tracks of the Sword Maiden and Xiao Qiye were discovered near the Daqian border, with Luo Feng promptly pursuing them.

After nearly seven days of pursuit, the Sword Maiden and Xiao Qiye relied on their existence-confounding abilities to escape from the kings of the Netherworld Palace, but with the border sealed, they could not enter Hou Qian and had to flee northwest along the border.

After another half month of tracking, the traces of the Sword Maiden and Xiao Qiye were discovered once again.

By then, they were near Shu Province, about to enter its territory, and Shu Province is under Hou Qian's domain.

This time, not only Daqian's people came in pursuit, but even those from the Shadow Pavilion headed to Shu Province, intending to intercept them.

The prior seven days of pursuit had already allowed the Shadow Pavilion to discover why Daqian sealed the border and what was carried by the Sword Maiden and Xiao Qiye.

Although they did not overtly join the pursuit, covert methods were employed quite a bit. After all, it's confirmed that Qing Yu was struck by the Sun Stealing Arrow; though Ji Chengtian and Elder Shiming need someone to take the blow, their fear of Qing Yu is not as deep as before.

Even if Qing Yu knew they were laying traps against him, how could he possibly recover instantly and kill his way to Hou Qian?

Thus, on this day, the Sword Maiden and Xiao Qiye were blocked before entering Shu Province.

"Oh dear, oh dear, Old Kong really doesn't want to offend Daoist Qing Yu, considering how terrifying that man is. But no choice, how can Old Kong not heed the Shengde Emperor?"

Kong Xuankong wielded his blade at the border of Shu Province, intercepting the Sword Maiden and Xiao Qiye outside its borders.

"You think just you, Kong Xuankong, can stop us?"

The illusory light flickered on Wu Wang in the Sword Maiden's hands, clearly an extremely sharp sword, yet at this moment it seemed it might vanish from the world at any time.

Kong Xuankong, with solid prowess even within the Divinity Realm, would be hard-pressed for the Sword Maiden and Xiao Qiye, both newly advanced to Divinity Realm, to contend with even if they joined forces.

But the two had repeatedly eluded the kings of the Netherworld Palace through more than just sheer strength.

In terms of power, King Qin Guang, Nangong Jue, Equal King Luo Feng, and the movement technique-wielding King Biancheng, far surpass Kong Xuankong alone.

Especially King Qin Guang, as the foremost under Yama, he could slay the two solo.

"I know that you have treasures to aid your escape, but I don't need to stop you indefinitely."

Kong Xuankong gestured a tiny margin with his fingers, "Just need to hold you for a while, only for a little while, the notified kings of the Netherworld Palace are rushing here."

"He's stalling, go!"

Xiao Qiye grasped his sword and stepped forward, Hidden Blade unsheathed, "Tear Scroll, Heavenly Slash Sword Technique."

The most unembellished slash, the most stunning draw, Jue Ming's sword cleaved the heavens, its instant brilliance intimidating the nonchalant Kong Xuankong.

"Draw blade!"

A clash of blade and sword techniques, Shattering Universe Saber swift as the nimble bird, its dark, dull edge slashed upward, precisely matching the direction of the incoming Sword Qi, clashing fiercest edge to fiercest edge.

And the final outcome was...

"Zing—"

Like skimming a ripple, the Sword Gang was slightly affected, but the Sword Qi was utterly annihilated.

Faced with Kong Xuankong, though the Heaven Cutting Sword Technique surpassed the Sword Drawing Skill, Xiao Qiye's foundation and weapon fell far short of Kong Xuankong's.

Bear in mind, the Shattering Universe Saber almost competes with the Heavenly Talent Sword for the title of the World's Number One Edge.

"Xuanyin Absolute Sword."

In a flash, Xuanyin Sword Gang sliced through the air, clashing with the Sword Gang, its fracturing Qi Force tearing the air, echoing like a ghostly wail.

Then, Kong Xuankong saw a man clad in a black Sword Robe stepping through the air.

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