40: Chapter 40 Who exactly are you?

Outside Yan Capital.

Inside a ruined temple a thousand miles away from Yan Capital.

"Ku Ming was actually killed?!"

Standing in the ruined temple, the Masked Man looked at the headless statue before him and exclaimed in shock.

It should be noted that Demon Lord Ku Ming had methods left on him by the Blood Refining Sect's Grand Elder, which was how he knew Ku Ming's status.

While in Yan Capital, he sensed Ku Ming's fall. It was precisely because he sensed Ku Ming's death that he didn't dare linger in Yan Capital.

Although the Crimson Smelting Yuan Tu Array was broken, the main objective this time was achieved, so he could consider it a successful mission to report back to the Sect.

As for Demon Lord Ku Ming, if he was dead, so be it. To the Blood Refining Sect, Ku Ming was nothing more than a tool.

His death was indeed a bit of a pity for them; after all, he was a cultivator of the Other Shore Realm and possessed great utility value.

But an outsider was an outsider after all, and their relationship had always been one of mutual exploitation. They weren't ignorant of the fact that the old fellow Ku Ming had dealings with several other Sects and had sold information about the Blood Refining Sect to them.

However, seeing that he was a powerhouse at the level of a True Monarch of the Other Shore, his value far exceeded the so-called information he sold, so they had simply turned a blind eye.

"True Monarch Qing Yan? Or True Monarch Yunhua?"

The Masked Man muttered to himself.

Was it True Monarch Qing Yan who killed him, or was it True Monarch Yunhua's contingency plan?

After all, according to the information secretly gathered by the Blood Refining Sect, True Monarch Yunhua had very likely taken that step.

Furthermore, Lin Ming was her only Disciple; he surely had many life-saving measures on him.

Therefore, it was highly probable that the methods True Monarch Yunhua left on Lin Ming were what killed Ku Ming.

This was still beyond his expectations.

With Ku Ming dead, some of their plans would have to be changed.

Thinking of this, the Masked Man immediately took out a black bead and crushed it directly.

A blood-black aura emerged from the shattered bead, which then transformed into a figure.

"Grand Elder."

The Masked Man spoke to this figure with a face full of respect and a hint of fear.

"How did Ku Ming die?"

The Grand Elder spoke slowly.

The Masked Man then informed the Grand Elder of everything that had happened in Yan Capital.

"Su Yan?"

Upon hearing this name, the Grand Elder was also slightly surprised.

"Yunhua, I'm afraid she has already taken that step."

The Grand Elder continued.

Meanwhile, the Masked Man just stood there quietly.

"It seems the upcoming plans will need some adjustments."

Ku Ming's death meant they had lost a usable pawn, so their subsequent actions would have to be adjusted.

The Grand Elder didn't particularly care about Ku Ming's death, but since it affected their other future plans, they needed to make some changes.

"Did you get the item?"

The Grand Elder's gaze returned to the Masked Man as he asked.

"Grand Elder, the Heavenly Sun Determination Herb has been obtained."

The Masked Man said in a low voice.

A stalk of herb emitting a scorching aura appeared in the Masked Man's hand, floating above his palm.

The appearance of this herb caused the temperature in the entire ruined temple to rise abruptly.

This was the primary objective of the Blood Refining Sect this time: the extreme Yang spiritual item, the Heavenly Sun Determination Herb.

The Blood Refining Sect had also accidentally learned that the Great Yan Dynasty possessed this extreme Yang spiritual item. After various methods of investigation, they confirmed it was in the hands of the Great Yan royal family.

So they planned to seize it.

"Very good. With it, I can take the next step."

The Grand Elder laughed heartily.

If it weren't for the fact that he couldn't act personally, he would have definitely come to take the Heavenly Sun Determination Herb himself.

Now that he had it, he was confident in taking the next step.

"Return as quickly as possible."

The Grand Elder then commanded.

"Yes."

The Masked Man nodded.

The Grand Elder's figure immediately dissipated.

Seeing this, the Masked Man also intended to leave the ruined temple.

"I was wondering why your Blood Refining Sect would move against the Great Yan Dynasty; it turns out it was for the Heavenly Sun Determination Herb."

A voice rang out in the Masked Man's ear.

Upon hearing this sudden voice, the Masked Man instantly turned around and took a step back.

"It's you?!"

Lin Ming's figure appeared before the Masked Man.

He naturally recognized Lin Ming's identity.

The Disciple of True Monarch Yunhua.

How could he be here?!

Lin Ming looked at the Masked Man with a playful expression; he had never intended to let this Masked Man go from the start.

From the moment the man fled Yan Capital, Lin Ming had been keeping an eye on him.

After entering the Demon Suppression Division to rest, Lin Ming had left Yan Capital and found the man's location.

He had also overheard the conversation between this fellow and the Blood Refining Sect's Grand Elder.

extreme Yang item — Heavenly Sun Determination Herb.

He hadn't expected the Great Yan Dynasty to have obtained such a spiritual item. No wonder the Blood Refining Sect moved against the Great Yan Dynasty, and no wonder True Monarch Gu Yan had lied.

"Stop looking. True Monarch Qing Yan didn't come; it's just me."

Lin Ming said with a slight smile.

He had noticed that the Masked Man's attention wasn't on him.

"Hmph... I think you're looking for death."

The Masked Man said coldly.

He naturally didn't believe Lin Ming's words. How could a mere cultivator of the Spirit Platform Realm lock onto his location and keep up with his pace?

There must be someone helping him in the shadows.

Yet, he hadn't sensed anyone else around.

That made things a bit troublesome for him.

In the next second, the Masked Man transformed into a streak of blood-colored light, escaping the ruined temple at extreme speed and fleeing outward.

Regardless of whether what Lin Ming said was true or false, he had no intention of tangling with Lin Ming any longer.

To this end, he did not hesitate to use a blood escape secret technique.

"He's running already?"

Lin Ming said in surprise.

This was somewhat unexpected for Lin Ming.

After all, hearing what the Masked Man had just said, Lin Ming thought he was about to make a move.

As it turned out, the fellow turned and fled, which was quite a surprise to Lin Ming.

Then, with a movement of his feet, Lin Ming also disappeared from the ruined temple.

The Masked Man moved rapidly; his speed was so great that only a faint trace of blood-light remained in the air.

"Your speed is too slow."

Lin Ming's figure appeared before the Masked Man again, speaking to him with an indifferent expression.

Seeing this, the Masked Man was startled, but he didn't stop. Instead, he quickly changed direction and even accelerated further, traveling at full speed, flying along.

But after a while, Lin Ming appeared before him again, blocking his path.

"Who exactly are you?"

This time, the Masked Man stopped his pace and questioned Lin Ming.

He suspected that the person before him wasn't Lin Ming at all.

But someone else in disguise.