261: Arrest Operation

Inside the prison.

The four Wardens sat together.

"Gentlemen, what do you make of this matter?"

Xiang Zizhen looked at the other three Wardens.

"This Wang Xiao... is indeed a bit special."

Among the four Wardens, the only female, Warden Ji, said with emotion.

"If an ordinary person had such a murderous nature, he would have long since fallen into the Demonic Path, yet this person shows no signs of becoming a demon at all. It's incredible!"

The tall Warden Xu pondered.

"Actually, the Star Luo Lord is mainly worried that he will fall into the Demonic Path due to excessive killing... But judging from his current situation, since he shows no signs of becoming a demon, perhaps we can try to let him walk this path?"

As soon as he spoke.

The other three Wardens were all stunned.

"You mean... just let him kill as he pleases?"

Warden Yu frowned slightly.

"His murderous nature is uncontrollable and difficult to eradicate. Since there are no signs of him becoming a demon... then it shouldn't be a big problem."

Warden Xu said solemnly.

"In fact, as long as he doesn't fall into the Demonic Path, even if he has this terrifying murderous nature that is different from ordinary people, it won't have too much impact."

"This is his unique quality."

"Perhaps he can use this to forge a path of his own."

The other three Wardens all fell into deep thought.

Their pressure mainly came from the Star Luo Lord... After all, before this.

The Star Luo Lord had earnestly admonished them.

To keep a close eye on Wang Xiao.

And absolutely not allow him to fall into the Demonic Path.

Although Wang Xiao currently showed no signs of becoming a demon, it was better to be safe than sorry.

"I think we might need to observe him further."

"Isn't Old Chu about to embark on an arrest operation?"

"Why don't we take Wang Xiao along and let him kill some members of the Demonic Path forces?"

"On one hand, we can see if he shows any signs of becoming a demon after killing."

"On the other hand, we can also see if he behaves differently in the environment of the Demonic Path forces."

Warden Ji suggested.

The other two Wardens thought for a moment, then turned to look at Xiang Zizhen.

Xiang Zizhen pondered seriously for a moment, then nodded.

"Alright."

...That same day.

Xiao Shi received a notification.

In five days, he would accompany Warden Chuzheng (Xiang Zizhen's alias) to the Demonic Path forces for an arrest operation.

Normally, every once in a while.

The Warden would personally lead a team to the Demonic Path forces for arrests.

Xiao Shi thought about it.

He felt this wasn't bad.

It would be a good opportunity to get closer to Xiang Zizhen.

Besides wanting to kill the prisoners here, his main purpose in coming to the prison was to investigate Xiang Zizhen.

Traveling with him afterwards would be an excellent opportunity.

"Five days should be enough for me to complete my comprehension of Martial Soul Realm sabre techniques!"

Xiao Shi thought to himself.

And so.

Over the next five days.

Xiao Shi's main body was immersed in comprehending Martial Soul Realm sabre techniques and studying formations.

His clone, meanwhile, was in the prison, looking for opportunities to kill prisoners.

After discussion, the Wardens.

No longer stopped Xiao Shi from killing prisoners.

However, for Xiao Shi to be allocated prisoners from the prison, either new prisoners needed to be captured by the prison, or he had to exchange them for merit points.

"It seems I can only wait for the arrest operation."

Xiao Shi sighed.

Although there were no prisoners to kill.

He wasn't idle either.

He began to try and make contact with Xiang Zizhen.

At the same time, he was also learning about Xiang Zizhen's character through other prisoners.

It had to be said.

Although Xiang Zizhen hadn't been a Warden for long, his reputation in the prison was very good.

These Prison Guards all held Xiang Zizhen in high regard.

Xiao Shi discovered... whether Xiang Zizhen was serving as a commander in the Star Luo Army or as a Warden here, the temperament he displayed was consistent with what the Eye of Heavenly Secrets had detected.

Treating people with sincerity, gentle and refined.

He was very good to his subordinates.

But Xiao Shi knew this was likely a disguise.

Just as the aloof persona he maintained with this clone was not his original personality.

At the same time, he quietly inquired about a crucial piece of information.

That was the reason Xiang Zizhen was transferred to the prison to serve as Warden.

One suspicious point about Xiang Zizhen at the time was that shortly after Qin Mo's death, he went from being a commander to a Warden, a promotion in rank.

This couldn't help but make Xiao Shi suspect that he had gained merit with the Star Luo Lord after killing Qin Mo, thus earning a promotion.

However, through Xiao Shi's inquiries.

He discovered that Xiang Zizhen's promotion from commander to Warden wasn't due to any recent meritorious deeds.

Rather, it was the accumulation of his long-term achievements.

"From the current information, Xiang Zizhen's promotion doesn't seem to be related to Qin Mo's death..."

Xiao Shi mused.

But he knew that this alone couldn't completely clear Xiang Zizhen of suspicion.

He still needed to investigate this more deeply.

Five days passed in a flash.

Early in the morning.

The Prison Guards who were about to embark on the arrest operation against the Demonic Path forces had already assembled in the prison.

There were a total of thirty-six Prison Guards, who would follow Xiang Zizhen to the Demonic Path forces.

In addition to these Prison Guards.

There were also about ten prisoners from the prison accompanying them.

These prisoners were all wearing special handcuffs and leg shackles, their cultivation sealed.

The reason they were brought along.

Was because these prisoners knew some important secrets within the Demonic Path forces.

Some special locations even required them to lead the way.

To Xiao Shi's surprise.

Among these ten or so prisoners, he saw a familiar face!

This person... was none other than the old man from his cell!

Previously, when Xiao Shi went on a killing spree in the cell, the old man didn't even bat an eyelid.

He hadn't opened his eyes the entire time.

And Xiao Shi had also sensed a dangerous aura from this old man.

Knowing that this person was very powerful and extraordinary.

He hadn't expected.

That he would be among the group for this trip!

Soon.

Led by Xiang Zizhen, their group left Prison City and journeyed towards the territory of the Demonic Path forces.

In Star Luo Province, nearly half of the territory belonged to the Demonic Path forces.

Not long after leaving Prison City.

They entered the territory of the Demonic Path forces.

What Xiao Shi hadn't expected was... the Demonic Path forces had no defenses whatsoever along their borders.

They easily entered the Demonic Path forces' territory.

And upon arriving here.

Xiang Zizhen didn't have them make any disguises either.

They marched openly through the territory of the Demonic Path forces.

This made Xiao Shi realize... although the Demonic Path forces were similar in territory size to the Orthodox Faction, the two were not on the same level in terms of strength.

At least, it was extremely difficult for people from the Demonic Path forces to enter the territory of the Orthodox Faction.

While people from the Orthodox Faction could freely enter the Demonic Path forces' territory.

Like their own backyard.

And the moment they stepped into the Demonic Path forces' territory.

Everyone clearly felt a completely different atmosphere.

The sky here was dark red, and the earth was also dark red.

And it reeked of blood.

Xiao Shi also had a feeling as if he had returned to Lieyin City.

They traveled onward.

The desolate land was sparsely populated, not a single person in sight.

It wasn't until they arrived at a dilapidated small town.

That Xiao Shi finally saw other people here.

The people in this dilapidated small town were all from the Orthodox Faction.

This was one of their strongholds within the territory of the Demonic Path forces.

"We will rest here today and begin our operation tomorrow!"

Xiang Zizhen said to everyone.

And made adjustments and assignments for tomorrow's operation.

Besides capturing members of the Demonic Path forces here, they would also seek out some opportunities and fortunes using the brought-out prisoners.

Therefore, tomorrow's operation.

Was divided into two teams.

One was the arrest team.

The other was the treasure hunting team.

The Prison Guards could choose which team to join.

However, for Xiao Shi, Xiang Zizhen directly stated that he would personally lead him.

He had no choice.

Early the next morning.

Everyone began their operation.

Xiao Shi followed Xiang Zizhen, accompanied by three other Prison Guards.

They would arrest members of the Demonic Path forces.

Led by Xiang Zizhen.

They went directly to a valley.

Within this valley, there was a Demonic Path force called Sanguinary Blood Valley.

"Our mission today is to capture the members of the Demonic Path force from Sanguinary Blood Valley."

"I will personally deal with the Valley Master of Sanguinary Blood Valley."

"The rest will be captured by you."

Xiang Zizhen looked at them and said solemnly.

"According to the intelligence we have, besides the Martial Demon Realm Valley Master, Sanguinary Blood Valley also has one Martial Soul Realm expert at the Life Soul Stage, three Martial Soul Realm experts at the Soul Consciousness Stage, and ten Martial Soul Realm experts at the Soul Awakening Stage."

"Although we are far outnumbered, I believe in your strength."

The Prison Guards Xiang Zizhen brought this time were all elites.

One of them was a Martial Soul Realm expert at the Life Soul Stage, and the other two were Martial Soul Realm experts at the Soul Consciousness Stage.

They were all outstanding among cultivators of the same realm.

As for Xiao Shi... although he was ostensibly at the Soul Awakening Stage.

Xiang Zizhen had already made a rough estimate of his strength based on Xiao Shi's performance in the cell.

He believed that even if Xiao Shi couldn't kill a Martial Soul Realm expert at the Soul Consciousness Stage.

It wouldn't be difficult for him to protect himself in front of one.

"Any questions?"

Xiang Zizhen looked at Xiao Shi and the others, and asked.

The three Prison Guards all shook their heads with serious expressions.

Only Xiao Shi spoke up and asked.

"Can I kill them!"

Xiang Zizhen was not surprised by this at all, as if he had already expected him to ask this.

"The merit for killing is only half of the merit for capturing."

He glanced at Xiao Shi and said.

Xiao Shi nodded.

In that case.

Then he would capture some and kill some.

Anyway, the captured members of the Demonic Path forces would also be killed upon returning.

The difference was... the merit obtained from capturing would allow him to exchange for more prisoners from the prison.

Overall.

Capturing was definitely more profitable.

More people could be killed.

But if one considered the need to quickly improve strength through dropped items, killing them now would certainly be more suitable.

Therefore, Xiao Shi felt that killing some and capturing some was the most suitable strategy for him at the moment.

"Action!"

With a low roar from Xiang Zizhen.

Boom!

They all stomped the ground simultaneously, and along with Xiang Zizhen, charged towards the depths of the valley.

Xiang Zizhen was the fastest.

Like a brilliant meteor.

With a boom.

He rushed into the black city within the valley.

A roaring sound.

Immediately exploded from within the city.

A terrifying wave of power, directly diffused from within the black city.

"Retreat!"

The Prison Guards who were rushing forward, all their pupils contracted.

They immediately retreated.

This was the ripple from the collision of two Martial Demon Realm Experts, far beyond what they could withstand.

Xiao Shi had retreated far away at the first moment.

To avoid being affected.

After the ripple dissipated.

They continued to advance.

When they approached the black city in the valley.

They saw two figures, soaring up from within the city, attacking and fighting their way into the distance.

Neither the Martial Demon Realm Valley Master of Sanguinary Blood Valley nor Xiang Zizhen intended to choose the city as their battlefield.

After all, the power of a Martial Demon Realm Expert's attack was world-shattering, a disaster for others.

If they fought in the city.

The entire city would be destroyed, and there would inevitably be heavy casualties.

Neither side wanted to see that.

After the two Martial Demon Realm Experts left.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

These Prison Guards immediately burst with speed.

And directly charged into the city.

Xiao Shi followed behind these three Prison Guards.

He didn't try to show off by rushing to the front.

He knew that the reason Xiang Zizhen brought them was to have them capture enemies corresponding to their respective strength realms.

Xiao Shi's target.

Were those ten members of the Demonic Path forces at the Soul Awakening Stage!

As soon as he stepped into the city.

Xiao Shi immediately found one of the Demonic Path forces members at the Soul Awakening Stage.

This was a burly, one-eyed man with an eye patch over his left eye and scars all over his face.

A strong fiendish aura emanated from his body.

The three Prison Guards who arrived with Xiao Shi also saw this one-eyed brute, but they all chose to ignore him, sweeping past him.

Xiao Shi's eyes flashed with killing intent.

He planned to kill one first, just to get a taste.

His speed erupted, and although his clone couldn't reach the same speed as his main body, as he charged, the Blood-colored Evil Blade had already appeared in his hand.

A dense fiendish aura first surged and spread towards the one-eyed brute.

Penetrating his mind.

However, what Xiao Shi hadn't expected was... under the impact of the fiendish aura.

The one-eyed brute was completely unaffected!!

His expression remained unchanged.

"Hmm?"

Xiao Shi frowned.

He sensed that something was wrong.

Although the fiendish aura of these Demonic Path forces members was generally much stronger than that of the Orthodox Faction members.

They wouldn't be immune to fiendish aura because of it.

The scene before him.

Was truly bizarre!

Although Xiao Shi couldn't figure out the reason for a while, after he got close, the Blood-colored Evil Blade in his hand still whistled and slashed towards the one-eyed brute as usual.

Hiss!

The Blood-colored Evil Blade directly whistled through the one-eyed brute's body.

Slicing his entire body in half with one strike.

But when the one-eyed brute's body fell and hit the ground, it made the sound of shattering glass.

This was not his real body!!

Not only that.

From the one-eyed brute's body, a bloody sabre light simultaneously appeared, directly slashing towards Xiao Shi.

It was exactly the same as the strike Xiao Shi had used to cut the one-eyed brute in half earlier!