317: Master... could you please say something?!

In the northernmost reaches of the Immortal Martial World, the land was frigid and desolate, with all life withered. Not even a blade of grass could be seen, only a vast expanse of white wind and snow.

This place was rarely visited by humans, yet there was a very special existence here… the Cloud Mist Spirit Secret Realm.

The Cloud Mist Spirit Secret Realm was a Secret Realm hidden there, and not many people knew of its location; only some major powers were aware of its existence.

This was because this Secret Realm was connected to a very special organization… the Righteous Qi Alliance!

The Righteous Qi Alliance was an ancient and powerful Alliance organization, with many major powers holding seats within it. Generally speaking, the Righteous Qi Alliance did not interfere in worldly affairs; its status was independent and transcendent.

No one would provoke the Righteous Qi Alliance, not only because of its immense strength… but also because the Righteous Qi Alliance was tied to a very special existence.

However, today, certain ominous changes occurred deep within the Cloud Mist Spirit Secret Realm.

In a secluded and tranquil Immortal Cave, a figure with white hair and beard sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion. This was an old man with a youthful complexion and a profound aura, like an abyss or a sea… he was indeed a top-tier Harmony Realm expert!

The old man's strength was so terrifying that he had faintly touched upon the higher Samsara Realm, making him an expert comparable to the former Five Directions Great Emperor.

Yet, even such a powerful expert's current state showed subtle signs of trouble.

"Cang Xin, stop resisting… your resistance is meaningless."

A hoarse voice abruptly echoed within the Immortal Cave.

The old man's name was Cang Xin, and he was the only one in the Immortal Cave. He had not spoken just now, yet a second person's voice had sounded in the Immortal Cave.

If one were to look at Cang Xin’s face, they would be horrified to see a twisted human face emerging on Cang Xin’s left cheek!

This human face was sinister, either glaring in anger or cackling strangely!

A dangerous and sinister aura emanated from the strange face!

Meanwhile, the other half of Cang Xin’s face showed a struggling expression, as if he were enduring some kind of pain.

Deep within Cang Xin's consciousness, another powerful will was continuously eroding his spirit. If Cang Xin's spirit were to be defeated and annihilated by the opponent… he would be replaced by this external consciousness.

"You vile Otherworldly Slaves… dream on… you won't succeed."

Cang Xin's half-face twitched constantly as he struggled to speak in broken sentences.

The strange face on his other half-face cackled: "That's why some people don't shed tears until they see the coffin. What's the point of your struggle? Your consciousness will be replaced by me sooner or later…"

"It won't be long until we take down the Demon World, and next… it will be your Immortal Martial World's turn."

Such shocking words actually came from the strange face's mouth… it was indeed a Otherworldly Slave!

Just a few months ago, this Otherworldly Slave took advantage of Cang Xin's seclusion and cultivation, launching a surprise attack and burrowing into his Physical Body, intending to invade his will and replace him.

However, Cang Xin's strength was too great, and his spirit was also powerful and resilient, allowing him to endure and prevent the Otherworldly Slave from completely shattering his consciousness.

But because the Otherworldly Slave had gained the upper hand during the initial surprise attack, Cang Xin was severely injured at the time, his Physical Body almost completely taken over by the opponent, making it difficult to move, and his consciousness was also on the verge of collapse.

Cang Xin desperately wanted to resist the opponent's invasion of his Physical Body. He had tried many methods, but all were useless.

These evil Otherworldly Slaves were not only extremely skilled at invading others' consciousness, but they also seemed to understand him particularly well. Many of Cang Xin's counter-attacks were neutralized by the opponent, which filled Cang Xin with shock and anger.

The appearance of this Otherworldly Slave was truly bizarre. Not only did it know he was in seclusion, but it could also pass through layers of guards and reach his Immortal Cave?

Moreover, many of Cang Xin's countermeasures were neutralized by the opponent, as if the opponent knew them in advance.

These encounters made Cang Xin inwardly feel that something was amiss. A possibility vaguely formed in his mind.

"Could it be…"

As Cang Xin pondered, the strange face continued: "Cang Xin, surrender your Physical Body and will! Is it not good to be used by the Holy Lord?"

"The Immortal Martial World is destined for destruction. If you submit now, it will be a meritorious deed of serving the Dragon… do not make a mistake."

The strange face coaxed, its voice containing a subtle power of Gu.

Cang Xin's eyes showed a momentary flicker of hesitation and doubt, but then his gaze sharpened, the hesitation and doubt quickly vanished, and he let out a sharp cry.

"Evil Otherworldly Slave! Do not try to Gu me, I will not surrender!"

The strange face showed a hint of mockery: "Stubborn, since that's the case… don't blame me for not giving you a chance."

"If you are unwilling to serve the Holy Lord, there are plenty of others who are willing to serve; we don't lack one of you."

"Even if you continue to resist, it's useless. Completely annihilating your consciousness is only a matter of time. It will just be a little slower, but it won't delay anything…"

Just then, faint footsteps could be heard from the entrance of the Immortal Cave; someone was approaching the Immortal Cave.

Cang Xin's face lit up with joy. He had been in seclusion here for a long time, exceeding the original schedule. He presumed that his Disciple outside had noticed the anomaly and came to check on the situation.

"There's a chance!"

Cang Xin's heart swelled with joy.

"As long as an outsider comes in and I inform them of my situation, I can immediately summon various powerful experts to help… to jointly help him expel the Otherworldly Slave within his Physical Body!"

The Immortal Cave's door was knocked, and a young voice came from outside.

"Revered Master?"

"The time for your seclusion has passed… you can come out now, can't you?"

Cang Xin was pleasantly surprised; finally, someone had come to check on him.

His Physical Body was currently unable to move, so he opened his mouth to shout: "Quickly…"

As soon as two words escaped his lips, his voice abruptly stopped, and he could no longer speak the rest of the sentence.

The strange face on his own face sneered, greatly increasing its suppression of Cang Xin, rendering him unable to speak.

The Disciple outside's tone became almost anxious: "Quickly? Quickly what?"

"Revered Master? Are you alright?"

"Are you okay… I'm coming in, alright?"

After tentatively asking a question, the Disciple pushed the door open and walked in.

Seclusion and quiet cultivation were not simple matters. One might successfully achieve a Breakthrough in their Realm, or they might suffer Qi Deviation, get injured, anything was possible.

The Disciple looked anxious, gazing at Cang Xin, who sat motionless on the meditation cushion in the center of the Immortal Cave, like a stone statue.

The strange face had already disappeared, dormant within Cang Xin's Physical Body, leaving no trace.

Cang Xin's mouth seemed to be locked. He desperately wanted to tell the Disciple about his situation, but he couldn't utter a single word, only blinking frantically at him.

The Disciple was also puzzled: "Revered Master, why are you blinking so much…"

"Why don't you say something?!"

Cang Xin secretly channeled his Qi, barely breaking free from the Otherworldly Slave's suppression, gaining a moment to breathe.

"Your Revered Master… has been possessed… by a Otherworldly Slave…"

"Quickly… go get someone… to come…"

"To save… save…"

He mumbled, finishing his words intermittently, as if he had used all his strength.

But Cang Xin also breathed a long sigh of relief. He had conveyed his message, and now he just had to wait for someone to come to his rescue.

However, the Disciple who heard Cang Xin's words remained motionless. He neither stepped forward to check on Cang Xin's condition nor immediately ran out to call for help; he just stood there blankly.

"You… hurry up…"

Cang Xin struggled to say another sentence, but the Disciple shook his head solemnly.

"Revered Master, there's something I need to correct you on."

"Firstly, the Otherworldly Slave you spoke of is not a Otherworldly Slave, but the Holy Lord!"

"Secondly, your current situation is perfectly fine… and you don't need anyone to come and save you."

As he spoke, the aura emanating from the Disciple suddenly changed, just like the strange face from before… he was indeed a Otherworldly Slave!

His Physical Body had already been invaded!

His will had been replaced!

Cang Xin was struck as if by lightning, his heart plummeting to rock bottom. He finally understood what was truly happening.

His Disciple had long been Gu and replaced by this Otherworldly Slave!

It was probably this Disciple who had informed the Otherworldly Slave of his situation, allowing the Otherworldly Slave to successfully seize his opportunity and invade his Physical Body.

As for how many others in the Righteous Qi Alliance had already been replaced by Otherworldly Slaves… that was hard to say.

The strange face reappeared, and the Immortal Cave's door slowly closed.

And deep within this Immortal Cave, two unrestrained and wild laughs faintly echoed…