585: Chapter 95 Prelude to the Great Battle

Qingyun Mountain, Tongtian Peak, Yuqing Hall.

Inside the hall, sandalwood incense curled upward, yet it could not dispel the heavy atmosphere filling the room.

Immortal Master Mysterious Dao held an urgent message from Fenxiang Valley; the yellowed paper trembled slightly in his hand.

Yun Yilan's handwriting on it was forceful enough to penetrate the paper, every word carrying a burning anxiety:

[Wan Wanwang of the Ghost King Sect has led a massive invasion of heretics, destroying our Mystic Fire Altar, releasing the thousand-year-old Nine-tailed Fox Xiao Bai, and seizing the supreme treasure, the Mystic Fire Mirror. His intentions are clear: he surely wishes to ignite a new round of the Righteous-Demonic War, bringing ruin to all living beings. I earnestly request Qingyun and Tianyin to join this righteous cause, to together strike at Huqi Mountain and slay this Devil Head!]

With a "snap," the letter fell onto the Green Jade Desk.

Immortal Master Mysterious Dao's brows were tightly knit, his voice as heavy as dark clouds before a mountain storm: "Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

Tian Buyi rested both hands on the armrests of his chair, his expression even colder and more solemn than usual: "Wan Wanwang's ambition is long-standing. Daring to move against Fenxiang Valley and seize the Mystic Fire Mirror this time, I fear he truly intends to cause a world-shaking upheaval."

Across from him, Shang Zhengliang nodded slightly, his eyes filled with worry.

The Mystic Fire Mirror possesses infinite power; if it falls into the hands of the Ghost King Sect, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Zeng Shuchang mused, "Fenxiang Valley and our Qingyun both belong to the Righteous Path; if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. Since Valley Master Yun has spoken, there is no reason for us to sit idly by."

Water Moon True Person looked outside the hall, her gaze sweeping across the depths of the sea of clouds, and said softly, "That Nine-tailed Fox Xiao Bai is said to have a thousand years of cultivation; she will likely be very difficult to deal with. With such assistance for the Ghost King Sect, Huqi Mountain will surely have a dragnet prepared."

Meng Li frowned slightly, thinking to himself.

Mei San Niang had told him before that Wan Wanwang had recently contacted her again through Jin Binger; he was clearly unable to sit still.

Therefore, he had expected Wan Wanwang to take action.

However, he had thought the other party would continue searching for the Heavenly Tome, not expecting him to attack Fenxiang Valley, seize the Mystic Fire Mirror, and release the Nine-tailed Fox Xiao Bai.

Meng Li vaguely remembered that while the Mystic Fire Mirror was indeed powerful, it was primarily used to set up the Eight Desolations Mysterious Fire Formation.

This Formation was not only powerful but could also suppress the Beast God.

Wan Wanwang wants to resurrect the Beast God, yet he went to Fenxiang Valley to seize the Mystic Fire Mirror...

Was it to clear obstacles for the Beast God, or did he want to have a way to counterbalance it after its resurrection?

Meng Li felt it was likely both.

As for that Nine-tailed Fox Xiao Bai, if there were no magical modifications to the plot, although she had history with the Ghost King Sect, her own stance was neutral. Even if she leaned toward Wan Wanwang because of this rescue, the Blackwater Xuan Snake plus the fulong cauldron should be enough to deal with her.

Thus, even though the discussions in the hall rose and fell, Meng Li remained composed.

Before long, Immortal Master Mysterious Dao made the final decision: "Pass my command: gather the Disciples of the Seven Peaks and prepare for war. In three days, we will head to Fenxiang Valley to rendezvous with Valley Master Yun and Master Puhong to collectively strike the Ghost King Sect!"

As his voice fell, all the peak leaders in the hall responded in unison.

Immediately, the bell of Yuqing Hall rang out, spreading through the Seven Peaks of Qingyun, each toll carrying the murderous aura of an impending storm.

...

Huqi Mountain, a guest room in the main hall of the Ghost King Sect.

The Nine-tailed Fox Xiao Bai was using the Mystic Fire Mirror to expel the flame energy from her body.

The crimson ancient mirror shimmered with an eerie red light under the candlelight, the flame patterns carved upon it seemingly coming to life as they slowly absorbed the residual flame energy from Xiao Bai's body.

Wan Wanwang, dressed in black robes, stood waiting in the courtyard outside.

Beside him stood Six Tails, Xiao Qi, and Bi Yao.

After about the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Xiao Bai finished her healing and pushed open the door.

Seeing Xiao Bai emerge, Six Tails was the first to step forward and greet her: "Mother, how is the situation?"

Xiao Bai smiled slightly: "Everything went smoothly."

Then, her gaze swept over the others, finally settling on Bi Yao with a look of surprise and doubt.

Seeing this, Wan Wanwang introduced with a smile: "Xiao Bai, this is the daughter of Xiao Chi and me, Bi Yao."

Having said that, he then said to Bi Yao: "Bi Yao, this is your mother's elder sister; why haven't you called her 'Auntie Bai' yet?"

"Auntie Bai," Bi Yao called out to Xiao Bai in a crisp voice.

Xiao Bai looked at Bi Yao, her expression momentarily dazed, before she smiled gently after a short while and said, "You look so much like your mother."

"Is that so? My father often says that too," Bi Yao replied with a smile.

Seeing Bi Yao mention Wan Wanwang, Xiao Bai seemed to think of something; the gentleness and smile on her face faded a bit. She then took out the Mystic Fire Mirror from her robes and threw it to Wan Wanwang, saying coldly, "This is what Xiao Liu agreed with you."

Wan Wanwang caught the Mystic Fire Mirror, a flash of joy appearing in his eyes.

With this supreme treasure that could suppress the Beast God, along with the two volumes of the Heavenly Tome in his hands and the incomplete blood of the Beast God, his confidence in resurrecting and controlling the Beast God increased by several points.

He didn't mind Xiao Bai's change of attitude.

Firstly, his goal had been successfully achieved.

Secondly, he knew the reason for her behavior.

However, Wan Wanwang then thought of another matter. With a stir in his heart, he said to Bi Yao, "Bi Yao, go play with Six Tails and Xiao Qi first. I have something to discuss with your Auntie Bai."

Bi Yao nodded and left with Six Tails and Xiao Qi.

Once only one man and one fox remained, Wan Wanwang spoke: "Xiao Bai, I know you are dissatisfied with me, even harboring resentment, because of Xiao Chi's death. And for Xiao Chi's death, I bear an inescapable responsibility. I cannot expect you to forgive me, but I hope that for Xiao Chi's sake, you can help me with one more favor."

"What favor?" Xiao Bai asked.

Wan Wanwang said, "Take Bi Yao away and live in seclusion for a while."

Hearing this, Xiao Bai pondered for a moment, her heart understanding.

Wan Wanwang was planning to go to war with the Righteous Path!

She did not try to dissuade him.

For a person like Wan Wanwang, his so-called grand ambitions always came first. Love and family weren't non-existent, but they were lower in priority. Being able to arrange for Bi Yao to avoid this battle already made him a compassionate father.

And Xiao Bai likewise did not want Bi Yao to be dragged into the Righteous-Demonic War.

Thus, she nodded slightly: "I can do that."

Wan Wanwang cupped his hands: "Thank you."

Xiao Bai brushed her sleeve and said, "There's no need to thank me; I'm only doing it for Xiao Chi's sake."

With that, she turned and left to find Bi Yao, Six Tails, and the others.

The next day.

Xiao Bai left Huqi Mountain with Bi Yao, Six Tails, and Xiao Qi.

Wan Wanwang gathered Ghost Master, Azure Dragon, and You Ji together.

"Pass my command: immediately seal off Mingling Peak and set up a Spirit Gathering Formation." Wan Wanwang gave the order, then turned to Ghost Master and said, "I ask the Master to personally oversee the Formation to ensure that absolutely nothing goes wrong."

Ghost Master bowed and accepted the order: "As you command."

Wan Wanwang then instructed Azure Dragon: "Go to the Blood Refining Hall and call Xiao Yicai back."

Azure Dragon was taken aback: "My Lord, regarding the Blood Refining Hall..."

"No matter, set the affairs there aside for now." Wan Wanwang interrupted him, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority: "The Beast God's blood in his body has already fused with his Divine Soul; he is the best vessel for reincarnation I have prepared for the Beast God. He is indispensable for the Resurrection Ceremony."

...

A few days later, Xiao Yicai, dressed in black, appeared at the Ghost King Sect's main hall.

His face was pale, and a faint, hard-to-detect ferocity lingered between his brows; clearly, the Beast God's blood in his body was still subtly causing trouble.

Upon seeing Wan Wanwang, he bowed and saluted, his voice raspy: "This subordinate greets the Sect Master."

Wan Wanwang looked at him with satisfaction; this hidden pawn was finally going to be put to use.

"Yicai, you've worked hard." Wan Wanwang slowly walked down the steps and patted Xiao Yicai's shoulder: "Next, there is a major matter concerning the landscape of the world that requires us to complete together."

"I will follow all of the Sect Master's instructions," Xiao Yicai lowered his head and responded, though a complex and inscrutable light flashed in his downcast eyes.

...