184: Chapter 184 This turmoil is far from over!

Now, although its Master is dead, the organization's Foundation remains, and its internal structure is even more confusing.

As for the Net of Heaven, it is the Empire's sharp blade, decisive in killing, and filled with experts. They simply do not care for Jianghu rules, nor would they be wary just because he is Wuming.

Regarding the newcomer from Northern Li—he didn't even know the other party's name.

He only knew that even a figure like the Master of the Heavenly Gate had died at his hands, which was what triggered this monstrous upheaval.

“Master, how should we respond next?”

Seeing Wuming remain silent for a long time, Sword Morning spoke softly.

“For now, we will hold our ground and watch the situation change.

First, we see when the Disciple of that Northern Li expert appears, then we judge whether there will be a great catastrophe sweeping the East Sea.

If there is, it won't be too late to act then.”

Just as he finished speaking, Wuming suddenly felt something and looked up toward the door.

“Since Brother Dugu has come, why stand outside?”

Before his voice faded, a figure had already quietly entered the room.

“Are you still here living a life of leisure?” the Sword Saint stepped inside, his tone slightly dissatisfied. “Back then, if you hadn't blocked my move, Tyrant would have already been executed. How could the situation have deteriorated to this point today!”

Years ago, Tyrant had crushed many Schools and held sole power over the Martial Forest. If he had suddenly died, the Jianghu would have surely fallen into a chaotic brawl, and at that time, blood would have flowed like a river, with no telling how many people would lose their lives!

Wuming said slowly.

“Hypocrite! Is the Jianghu peaceful now? Are the people dying few in number?”

The Sword Saint responded coldly.

Wuming gave a silent sigh.

“If Brother Dugu has something on his mind, feel free to speak plainly.”

“Fight me!” The Sword Saint's gaze was like lightning.

“Very well.” Wuming knew this battle was unavoidable; moreover, by blocking him from killing Tyrant before, he was already in the wrong.

Before the words finished, the two had already leaped away, with Sword Morning following closely behind—a confrontation between two peerless swordsmen was an Opportunity that, for him, was truly once in a thousand years.

...

World Association Headquarters.

Tyrant had just returned and was about to mobilize his Disciples to fully investigate the traces of the Heavenly Gate when Misty Wind hurried over to report Su Rui's words before his departure exactly as they were.

Tyrant's face suddenly darkened.

“So, he wants to swallow the Heavenly Gate?”

“Master's estimation is correct,” Misty Wind replied with a nod.

Tyrant's expression shifted for a moment before he suddenly waved his sleeve.

“Send word to the Net of Heaven: my World Association no longer has any interest in the Heavenly Gate. Whatever they want to fight for, let them be.”

“Yes!” Misty Wind took the order and withdrew.

Although Tyrant had long coveted the secret methods of the Heavenly Gate, that was, after all, a flower in a mirror or the moon in the water.

What truly made him wary was the Net of Heaven.

That power acted ruthlessly and without mercy. If he provoked that Master because of the Heavenly Gate's affairs, he would likely suffer the consequences.

Thinking of this, a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

...

Luo Xian had already returned, but this time she was not alone.

Sikong Qianluo, Shi Feixuan, Wanwan, and Wang Yuyan all returned with her, along with Zhu Yuyan, who was now the strongest aside from Su Rui.

Originally, she had felt quite lonely in the martial arts hall, but upon hearing the instructions Su Rui had Wang Yuyan bring back, her interest was immediately piqued.

Since the Gentleman had spoken, she naturally had to step in and help.

If Su Rui were still in the hall, she might not have been willing to travel far.

Led by Luo Xian, the group arrived directly at the general headquarters of the Heavenly Gate.

At this moment, the Heavenly Gate was already in a state of panic.

The root cause was the sudden death of Di Shitian, which caused the sect to split instantly.

The center was fighting for power, while outside, they were being hunted and besieged; it was a precarious situation.

As soon as Luo Xian appeared, she immediately drew the wary encirclement of many experts.

“Sacred Mother? You're still alive?”

“Does my being alive disappoint you?”

She was gentle and humble in front of Su Rui, but within the Heavenly Gate, her former prestige still remained.

As soon as she appeared, some people quietly leaned toward her side.

However, several Elders still glared at her with fury.

“As soon as the Old Ancestor died, you were all eager for internal strife, while outside the Net of Heaven is hunting our fellow Disciples everywhere, yet you turn a blind eye!” Luo Xian spoke coldly.

“Hmph! When Di Shitian was here, you were the Sacred Mother. Now that he is dead, what kind of thing are you!” one Elder's eyes burned with rage.

Di Shitian had a perverse temperament; those in the sect were respectful on the surface but actually felt fear and resentment.

“You think because he died, you can touch me?” Luo Xian chuckled, her face covered by a mask, with only the mockery in her eyes visible.

“Words are useless, everyone attack together!” that Elder roared.

Before his voice fell, the experts who had sided with Luo Xian stepped forward to meet the challenge.

On the contrary, almost no one paid attention to the several women beside her.

“These people are quite hardworking for you.” Sikong Qianluo held her phoenix blood spear, lazily watching the battle with a hint of disdain in her tone.

“This isn't loyalty; they're just being smart.” Zhu Yuyan imitated a movement Su Rui often made, gently stroking her hair.

“Is the Queen of Yin saying they have guessed that Luo Xian now serves the Gentleman?” Shi Feixuan's eyes flickered slightly as she asked softly.

“What else? If they didn't see a backer behind her, who would be willing to stick their neck out for her at this critical juncture?”

Luo Xian's face under the mask appeared slightly embarrassed.

“The Gentleman wouldn't happen to be near the East Sea too, would he?” Wang Yuyan asked in a low voice.

“We'll know in a bit once we ask.” Wanwan's eyes rippled as she spoke with her crimson lips.

“The Gentleman only let you come back after finishing business in the Great Song. This place is closest to the Great Song, so maybe he really has come.”

“Exactly, with the Gentleman's style of doing things, there will definitely be a huge commotion; we'll know as soon as we ask around.”

Sikong Qianluo had not seen Su Rui for a long time, and longing had already welled up in her heart. At this moment, she simply urged:

“Then let's finish up the business here quickly!”

Hearing this, Zhu Yuyan no longer hesitated. Her figure flashed, sweeping out like a phantom, and in an instant, shadows layered upon shadows, stirring up a sky full of killing intent.

The nineteenth level of the Demonic Technique erupted to its Peak.

In an instant, the surroundings fell into a deathly silence; the battle had already concluded.

“Master's move this time was a bit too rushed, wasn't it? Using full strength right from the start.”

Wanwan's expression was slightly strange.

“Tch, isn't it because she's always thinking about seeing the Teacher!”

Sikong Qianluo tidied her hair bun and let out a soft hmph.

This woman always sneaks into the Teacher's room at night; it's annoying to death.

With Zhu Yuyan exhausting her cultivation, those Heavenly Gate members who possessed the Sacred Heart Art Incomplete Manual were naturally unable to withstand a single blow.

The internal trouble was quickly settled, and Luo Xian immediately took control of the situation, then promptly inquired about Su Rui's whereabouts.

But during this time, the Heavenly Gate had been in constant internal strife and busy avoiding the Net of Heaven's pursuit; who would have the mind to pay attention to anyone else's tracks?

Fortunately, Luo Xian knew what Zhu Yuyan and the others sought in their hearts.

After stabilizing the Heavenly Gate's situation in a short time, she immediately set about two things: one was organizing forces to counterattack the Net of Heaven assassins; the second was secretly investigating Su Rui's whereabouts.

And on the side of the Net of Heaven—

“You say someone saw a person suspected to be Northern Li's Su Rui appear near Lingyun Cave and take away the Fire Qilin?”

As a seasoned assassin organization, the Net of Heaven deeply understood the value of intelligence.

Now, their intelligence network along the East Sea coast had already taken shape.

The commotion at Lingyun Cave that time was massive. When Su Rui performed the Kunpeng Dragon Wrestling Technique, he transformed into a giant bird and soared into the sky, not deliberately hiding his tracks. With a bit of deduction, one could reach a conclusion.

“Reporting to My Lord, it is indeed so!”

A small leader bowed and reported.

“Strange... that Fire Qilin has always been violent and bloodthirsty, with no intelligence to speak of.

Rumor has it that its blood touching one's body will make them go mad, and it has no great use itself. Why would he personally step in to take it away?”

Zhao Gao's brow furrowed slightly, full of doubt.

“Have people been sent to investigate Lingyun Cave?”

“It has been checked, My Lord.

No traces of True Qi were left in the cave, but deep inside, signs were found that blood bodhi once grew there, but the fruits had long since been completely picked.”

blood bodhi?

Zhao Gao nodded thoughtfully.

Perhaps that is the true value of that Qilin.

However, using Qilin blood to nourish such a miraculous item as the blood bodhi would likely take years and months to form.

“Can it be confirmed now that he has left?”

“Yes, My Lord.

Our informants at the border of the Great Song and the East Sea sent word that the person has indeed set off and left, and the direction is exactly Northern Li!”

“That is for the best.” Zhao Gao felt slightly relieved. “Immediately issue the order to speed up the pace of the encirclement of the Heavenly Gate.

At the same time, notify the World Association to have them also step up and send people for support.”

He breathed a small sigh of relief.

As long as that person does not intervene, there is still room for maneuver.

Otherwise, this game might be difficult to conclude.

However, not long after, a sentence brought by the messenger sent by Tyrant caused Zhao Gao's face to suddenly darken.

“Tyrant has decided to no longer participate in this matter?”

“Yes, My Lord.

The other party said it personally; it is truly out of necessity.

Because that person from Northern Li had already issued a warning to him before leaving.”

Zhao Gao's heart tightened, feeling a faint sense of unease.

“From now on, all actions regarding the Heavenly Gate must be reported immediately!”

He already had a premonition in his heart—Su Rui would absolutely not let it go at this.

Once this person appears, there will surely be a follow-up move.

Sure enough, this storm is far from over.

Thinking of this, Zhao Gao's expression was complex.

The sense of pressure Su Rui gave him was too heavy.

He knew the details of the battle at Qingyun Terrace very well, and thus understood the other party's strength better than anyone—

That was no longer something human strength could contend with.

Even Di Shitian, who surpassed the Land Immortal realm, fell at his hands. He himself had only just barely stepped onto the threshold of this realm; in front of Su Rui, he feared he wouldn't even last one move.

The most urgent thing now was how to find a line of balance between Su Rui and the Qin Emperor's orders.

After his subordinate withdrew, Zhao Gao sat alone in deep thought for a long time.

After repeated weighing, only by seizing enough benefits from the Heavenly Gate could he move forward or retreat freely.

He thought that if he could really fish out enough results to account for, even if Su Rui intervened, he could simply pull away and return to the Great Qin.

He wouldn't go as far as to enrage the Northern Li expert, and he could have something to show the Qin Emperor.

Killing two birds with one stone.

In fact, there were already gains.

Through extremely cruel means, the Net of Heaven had already pried some of the Sacred Heart Art cultivation methods from the mouths of several Heavenly Gate high-level members.

Although the technique was exquisite, it seemed unable to extend life, and still required further deep digging.

...

Deep within the Heavenly Gate Forbidden Ground, the cold air was like a knife.

Luo Xian, bringing Zhu Yuyan and the others, had just approached Di Shitian's place of secluded Cultivation when they were forced to stop by that bone-piercing cold.

Di Shitian had the Bloodline of the Undying Bird flowing in his body and would often suffer from the pain of heat toxin eruptions. This icy place was exactly the secret location he used to suppress the parching heat in his body.

Luo Xian explained her conjectures in detail.

“This place is bone-chillingly cold; there's no way to get close...”

Sikong Qianluo's brow was tightly furrowed, her tone full of hesitation.

Just standing on the outskirts, she felt as if her Divine Soul were about to be frozen and cracked.

It was no wonder that although internal strife was constant within the Heavenly Gate, no one dared to easily step into Di Shitian's place of seclusion.

Everyone knew there must be heavy treasures inside, but looking at those few corpses in front that were already stiff with broken limbs, one knew how dangerous this place was.

“I'll go in for a bit; you all stay outside and guard.”

Zhu Yuyan volunteered, and Luo Xian nodded silently.