65: Chapter 65 The Outer Heavens, the Demonic Cult's Headquarters!

Hearing this, the crowd all cast envious glances.

However, the two City Lords of Snow Moon City could only offer bitter smiles.

It sounded glorious, but with such a figure stationed in the city, one had to act with utmost caution in every matter, fearing to provoke him.

"This Hall Master's temperament is relatively mild."

Xie Xuan scanned the room and spoke slowly.

"As long as he isn't provoked, he isn't the type to act on whims or run wild."

This was both a reminder and a warning.

If such a master were angered, no one could bear the consequences.

Everyone in the pavilion nodded, agreeing with Xie Xuan's words.

"For this competition, the Hall Master is likely the biggest winner.

In my opinion, Li Hanyi should be the champion this time."

"Brother Jin speaks wisely.

That Li Hanyi is clearly on a different level than the others. Even though she's young, who among us here dares say they could defeat her with certainty?"

A man dressed as a Taoist priest chimed in.

"Old ox-nose, that goes without saying. Anyone with eyes can see it."

"It's a pity about that white-robed maiden who wielded the flying sword. I didn't realize earlier she had such talent."

Someone was filled with regret, almost slapping the table in lament.

"Enough, regret is useless.

If we want that white-robed maiden to truly grow, I'm afraid only this Hall Master can achieve it.

As for us, we couldn't even recognize her talent. Even if we had taken her as a Disciple early on, we might have held back a Genius."

The words carried a note of self-deprecation, yet everyone deeply agreed, nodding in unison.

Baili Dongjun listened to everyone praising Su Rui one after another, exchanged a look with Sikong Changfeng, and both wore helpless, bitter smiles.

"Everyone, discussing this isn't of great significance."

Sikong Changfeng spoke up, interrupting.

"That person isn't here. No matter how much you say, he can't hear it."

As his words fell, expressions of slight embarrassment appeared on several faces.

"Regarding the matter of the Demon Sect's eastern campaign, let's conclude our discussion here for now."

Baili Dongjun stood up, cupped his fists, and looked around at everyone.

"The Demon Sect's army is already stirring, and they will likely make their move soon."

"Indeed, let me add something."

"Many traces of the Demon Sect have also been discovered within Snow Moon City recently, and we have already captured several of their members."

But either they reveal no useful information, or they are fiercely loyal death warriors who will take their own lives at the slightest carelessness."

"How does Snow Moon City plan to respond?"

Someone couldn't help but ask.

"Naturally, we must investigate the Demon Sect's layout in Snow Moon City as quickly as possible, uncover the mastermind behind it, and eradicate them!"

Sikong Changfeng answered in a deep voice.

The surrounding crowd nodded one after another, showing their understanding.

"That approach is indeed appropriate, but the Demon Sect has been lying low until now, likely planning a major operation!"

Snow Moon City, as one of the four major cities of Northern Li, is filled with countless masters, no less impressive than the Northern Li imperial capital, Tianqi.

If the Demon Sect has designs on all of Northern Li, Snow Moon City naturally becomes a key area for their control.

However, what these Demon Sect members in the city are currently plotting remains unknown to anyone.

"We have already launched an investigation and have grasped some clues!"

Sikong Changfeng continued.

"Moreover, didn't that Hall Master also say? If the situation changes, he will intervene personally!"

As soon as these words were spoken, it was as if a weight had been lifted from everyone's hearts.

This was the sense of security brought by a top-tier master.

Like a pillar stabilizing the ocean, it steadied everyone's spirits.

Heaven Beyond Heaven, the Demon Sect's Headquarters.

A falcon descended from the sky like an arrow shot from a bow.

Spreading its wings, it slowed its descent.

Tied to its sharp talons was a slender bamboo tube.

Two Demon Sect Disciples hurried over, offered the falcon a piece of meat, then carefully untied the bamboo tube and turned to leave swiftly.

At this moment, the Demon Sect's army was already assembled and ready, tens of thousands of troops prepared to march at any time.

Although they could not match Northern Li in numbers,

the people of Heaven Beyond Heaven were fierce and bold by nature, their soldiers each valiant and skilled in battle, fearless of death.

Their combat strength was astonishingly formidable.

The Wuxiang Envoy was deploying various matters for the eastern campaign when a Demon Sect Disciple hurried in, presenting the bamboo tube with both hands.

Seeing the mark on the tube, he immediately recognized it as a message from the White-Haired Immortal.

"Strange. Could the mission already be complete?"

The Wuxiang Envoy wore a puzzled expression.

The White-Haired Immortal's mission this time was to disrupt the situation in Snow Moon City.

Everyone knew the strength of Snow Moon City.

It was a variable in this plan.

When the White-Haired Immortal set out, he took many elite Disciples, all capable warriors from the sect.

But when he opened the secret letter and read it, his expression instantly turned grave, a flicker of shock flashing in his eyes.

In the letter, Mo Qixuan, the White-Haired Immortal, described in detail his encounter with a peerless master in Snow Moon City.

He even mentioned being injured by a mere wisp of the other's Sword Intent.

This made the Wuxiang Envoy frown deeply.

Mo Qixuan had long since stepped into the Carefree Heaven Realm; his strength was unquestionable.

Even within the entire Holy Sect, he ranked among the top-tier experts.

Due to the urgency of the situation, the letter was sent before it was fully written, its contents somewhat vague.

Coupled with Mo Qixuan's focus on healing his injuries at the time, the wording was slightly disjointed.

But the meaning was crystal clear:

There is a peerless expert in Snow Moon City. I alone cannot handle it. Request reinforcements.

"This is clearly a failure in duty!"

The Wuxiang Envoy snorted coldly.

But with the Sect Leader currently absent, he had to make the decision.

"Someone!"

He barked sternly.

"At your command, my lord!"

A person from outside the door hurried in, knelt, and saluted.

"Send someone to inform the two Venerable Envoys, Cannot Be Bound, that I have important matters to discuss."

"Yes!"

That person received the order and left.

The White-Haired Immortal's failed operation this time not only left the task unaccomplished but also resulted in his own injury.

By rights, he should be punished.

But the Holy Sect was currently at a critical juncture.

Snow Moon City was originally filled with numerous masters, a convergence of various forces.

If they joined forces, it would create a significant variable.

This plan aimed to stir up internal discord within the city, at the very least causing internal strife to reduce the pressure on the Holy Sect's eastern campaign.

Therefore, even if Mo Qixuan was derelict in his duty, judgment would have to wait until everything was settled.

Fortunately, the situation hadn't yet developed beyond control.

Moreover, the Wuxiang Envoy was somewhat skeptical about the claim that someone in Snow Moon City could injure a Carefree Heaven Realm expert with just a wisp of Sword Qi.

Although Mo Qixuan hadn't reached the Great Carefree level, he had attained the Soaring stage of the Carefree Heaven Realm, his swordsmanship was divine, earning him the title 'White-Haired Sword Immortal.'

Thus, the Wuxiang Envoy suspected Mo Qixuan might be exaggerating.

Otherwise, the strength of the person who injured him would be almost unimaginable, perhaps even comparable to the Sect Leader's.

The Sect Leader was likely already half a step into the Divine Roaming Profound Realm.

If Snow Moon City had such an expert, how could there have been no rumors before?

They originally had sleeper agents in Snow Moon City. How could such a figure have never revealed the slightest trace?

Just as the Wuxiang Envoy was deep in thought, Cannot Be Bound had already arrived.

"Why have you called us here?"

The two pushed the door open and entered, getting straight to the point.

Their words held no particular reverence, as if in ordinary conversation.

The Wuxiang Envoy didn't mind.

"Mo Qixuan has run into trouble in Snow Moon City. Someone injured him with just a single strand of Sword Qi.

You two are to proceed to Snow Moon City immediately and complete this mission."

"Mo Qixuan is injured?"

Both were startled.

"Correct. This is the secret letter he sent!"

The Wuxiang Envoy flung the letter out, sharp as a flying blade, but it was caught steadily by a palm.

The two read the letter together, their expressions gradually turning grave.

"An unknown master? We accept the mission."

As soon as the words were spoken, they turned and left, decisive and without hesitation.

"Ensure this person is eliminated. The Holy Sect's grand plan for the eastern campaign cannot afford any mistakes. You understand the consequences."

"When we brothers make a move, we leave no survivors."

The voice rolled in from the distance, but the figures were already gone.

These two, Cannot Be Bound, were also masters of the Carefree Heaven Realm.

At this moment, Yue Qing's figure stood quietly outside the hall.

She had heard every word of the previous conversation.

"Interesting."

A flicker of excitement passed through her eyes.

Although Yue Qing and Yue Yao were twin sisters, their temperaments were completely different, and thus their relationship was not close.

Mo Qixuan was Yue Yao's trusted subordinate. Now that he had failed in his mission, it gave Yue Qing a perfect reason to intervene, allowing her to punish Mo Qixuan and indirectly weaken Yue Yao's influence.

"This unexpected individual... I'll handle it personally."

The corner of Yue Qing's lips lifted slightly, her eyes revealing a hint ofcold and satisfaction.

Outside Snow Moon City.

Dozens of miles away, grave mounds appeared one after another, emerging quietly.

A hundred-mile graveyard, laying down the Gu Xu Formation.

This Formation covered an extremely wide area, yet concentrated its power on a single point: Snow Moon City.

The power of such an arrangement wasIt is conceivable.

Within the Formation, demonic shadows wandered, skeletons surfaced, andPeople are filled with anxiety.

Anyone entering this Formation would see what they feared most in their hearts.

Even a peerless master had things they feared.

Once disturbed by the Gu Xu Formation, one's combat power would naturally be greatly reduced.

It could not only trap and kill enemies but even cause enemy forces to turn on each other, or allow the Formation's caster to strike at an opportune moment.

Only with the Demon Sect's current gathering of numerous experts could they deploy such a massive Formation, concentrating immense force upon Snow Moon City.

Snow Moon City was in imminent peril.

Another night passed.

Morning arrived in Snow Moon City. Small groups of three or five people were already whispering and slowly making their way towards the Jingwu Platform.

Their conversations wereNothing more than about the previous day's sky-obscuring giant bird phantom.

When Su Rui executed the Kunpeng Dragon Wrestling Technique, that earth-shattering scene was witnessed by countless people.

However, most didn't understand its deeper meaning; only a few guessed it was Su Rui's doing.

Beyond shock, there was more curiosity.

They wondered what kind of martial art could trigger such a phenomenon.

Inside the martial hall.

The young women were ready to depart.

Today might very well be the final act of this grand competition.

The gazes of several fell upon Li Hanyi.

In their hearts, they had long since decided the winner could be none other than Li Hanyi.

"Teacher."

As soon as Su Rui appeared, the several immediately bowed in greeting.

Su Rui nodded in acknowledgment, then his gaze settled on Xu Weixiong.

"When do you plan to return to Northern Liang?"

Xu Weixiong: ...

So blunt now?

This was explicitly telling her to leave.

Her expression darkened slightly, but remembering the scene from yesterday where Su Rui had struck her with a peach branch, she decided discretion was the better part of valor.

She had no desire to taste that again.

"Teacher, once the competition concludes and I have fully comprehended this Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique, I will naturally return."

"Very well."

Su Rui nodded, then led the young women out of the martial hall. They boarded the carriage sent by Snow Moon City and headed towards the Jingwu Platform.