Chapter 487: Chapter 484: Successor

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“These guys…” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

If you cannot deliver a fatal blow, then this is the result, jade and stone burning.

Their movement techniques are fast; if it were an ordinary Martial Arts expert, they could not dodge this strike.

The speed of the red mist explosion is too fast.

“This array is indeed different now.” Shen Hanyue’s bright eyes sparkled.

The power of this array has increased, and the killing effect is extremely astonishing.

She shook her head and said, “It’s a shame, we won’t encounter these guys again.”

She really wanted to face another group of Evil Sect members to see the array’s power properly.

“There’s no need to worry about not having Evil Sect members,” Chu Zhiyuan said, “There will be more and more. If you only have these people, it might be a bit dangerous.”

“Several elders will be coming over soon. Rest assured, we are also careful about our lives and would not let Sister Xiao get hurt.” Shen Hanyue snorted.

Only then did Chu Zhiyuan put his mind at ease.

Xiao Ruoling waved her hand, signaling the twelve white-clothed young women behind them to go about their tasks and not stay behind.

They relaxed immediately, looking at the wafting red mist, discussing eagerly.

Most were discussing the sword array just now, curious why just changing one sword could cause such a dramatic change in power.

Suddenly, the power increased significantly, comparable to years of hard practice.

This kind of improvement they could not fathom; this was the difference in perception.

The Princely Heir’s eyes and comprehension are truly rare in this world, surpassing imagination.

Qu Ying looked on with a resentful gaze.

When she asked him for guidance on the sword technique, he just perfunctorily said it was good, showing no intention to instruct.

But with Yao Yue Palace, he would give direct guidance without Xiao Ruoling even needing to ask.

This difference in treatment was too apparent, and he made no effort to disguise it.

It truly hurt one’s feelings.

Shao Feng, on the other hand, was pondering on the side why just changing one sword resulted in such a massive improvement.

Could it be that the sword array is related to the longsword?

This was something never thought of before, as there seemed to be no such record in various Martial Arts Secrets and records within the sect.

More importantly, it turned out the Treasure Sword was inferior to the longsword, as the Treasure Sword actually hindered the array’s power.

This was truly mind-boggling and eye-opening.

The twelve white-clothed young women went off to different places, either to observe the deep pit or to discuss the sword array.

Or to study some strange flowers and plants.

“Ding Zhenling, Sister Ding, come over here.” Shen Hanyue called out loudly.

A girl with an oval face came over lightly, with bright eyes, beautiful teeth, red lips, and charming looks.

She curiously looked at Chu Zhiyuan, clasped her fists in salute, and then turned to Shen Hanyue, “Holy Daughter, what’s wrong?”

“You need to properly treat the injury on your foot.”

“The spirit pill doesn’t work, and it’s usually not a big deal.”

“It’s not a big deal usually, but it shows signs during fighting, especially when deploying the sword array, which affects its operation.”

“Then…” Ding Zhenlong hesitated.

She also wanted to heal the injury on her foot, but that strange snake was peculiar, and no spirit pills or miracle medicines worked.

She gave up after a few treatments, letting it ache if it wanted but it was only mild pain anyway.

Shen Hanyue looked at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan said, “This is an injury to the membrane. Try a body refining method.”

“Membrane…” Shen Hanyue didn’t understand.

Ding Zhenlong also looked puzzled, glancing at Shen Hanyue and then at Xiao Ruoling.

Xiao Ruoling said, “How do you refine the membrane?”

“Bring your body refining methods here for me to take a look, and I’ll choose one.”

Shen Hanyue said, “That would be great.”

Ding Zhenlong withdrew and ran off to play with the other girls.

…

“Holy Daughter, Princely Heir, come sit, it’s all ready.” A white-clothed young woman came over lightly, smiling sweetly.

Chu Zhiyuan and the others came to a wooden table with several wooden stumps neatly placed around it.

On the square wooden table were cups and a small red clay stove, from which white steam rose, and the aroma of tea lingered in the air.

Chu Zhiyuan and the others sat down.

Xiao Ruoling sat next to Chu Zhiyuan, with Shen Hanyue beside her.

Qu Ying sat next to Chu Zhiyuan, with Shao Feng next to her.

Xiao Ruoling handed a teacup to Chu Zhiyuan, smiling, “How is it now?”

Chu Zhiyuan took it with a smile, “We’re on the second step; we’ve just found the Evil Emperor Cave Mansion.”

He took a light sip of the tea.

Drinking this hot tea in the dusk brought a unique feeling of vastness.

“The third step hasn’t started yet?”

“Not quite ready, wait a bit.”

“I just received a piece of news and rushed over because of it.”

“Li Hongzhao becoming the Emperor of Da Meng?”

“Not that, it’s about the Evil Emperor still having a legacy, with a successor in the world.”

“The legacy is unbroken?”

“It shouldn’t be fake news.”

“Where is this person?”

“Reportedly in Da Meng.”

“In Da Meng? … Why in Da Meng? Wasn’t the Evil Emperor ours in Da Jing?”

“That’s unclear. The palace has limited reach in Da Meng, unable to go further.”

“Da Meng…” Chu Zhiyuan pondered.

Only the Inspection Department could extend its reach to Da Meng.

Having the Inspection Department investigate the Evil Emperor’s successor might not be easy.

“Are there any other clues?”

“The Evil Emperor’s path is different from typical Evil Sects,” Xiao Ruoling said, “It doesn’t seem to involve consuming essence blood, so it may be hard to trace.”

“What does it consume?”

“It seems to be cultivation.”

Chu Zhiyuan pondered, “Cultivation is harder to devour, but there are fewer impurities, and the upper limit is higher.”

He thought for a moment, “Consuming essence blood can take a person’s life, but consuming cultivation probably won’t, leaving room.”

“Exactly.” Xiao Ruoling nodded slightly, “That’s why the Evil Emperor’s sect looks down on various other Evil Sects, considering them unworthy peers.”

“If that’s true, the Evil Emperor’s lineage is indeed on a higher level, making it reasonable to disdain associating with other Evil Sects. … These Evil Sects may covet the Evil Emperor’s mental method; who wouldn’t want to become the Evil Emperor?”

He was increasingly understanding of Evil Sects now.

The repercussions of consuming essence blood are too great, and one’s power cannot entirely counteract these consequences.

Thus, prayers are needed, requiring Outer Heaven Power to refine the backlash from consuming essence blood.

It’s highly likely the Evil Emperor’s lineage does not need to rely on Outer Heaven Power.

If so, the Evil Emperor’s sect might not be classed with other Evil Sects.

Benefiting without harming others, though anger-inducing, wouldn’t be as grievous a sin.

While the two talked, others quietly listened without interjecting.

Chu Zhiyuan suddenly turned his head southward, sighed, “Here they come again.”

Shen Hanyue immediately brightened up, “More Evil Sect members?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, “There are fewer this time, but their cultivation is stronger; you must be careful.”

“How many?”

“Four, estimated to be at least Eighth Layer Heaven in mastery, possibly Ninth Layer Heaven or Perfection.”

“… Let’s try.” Shen Hanyue gritted her teeth and shouted, “Prepare for combat, four Grandmaster Perfection!”

“Yes.” The twelve white-clothed young women, busy not far away, immediately gathered and came to Chu Zhiyuan and the others.

Shen Hanyue said, “Princely Heir, do you want to avoid this?”

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, “They shouldn’t recognize me.”

Due to the Yin Yang Return to Void Technique’s influence, his cultivation was becoming increasingly unobtrusive, appearing unfit as a martial arts practitioner, let alone a Great Grandmaster.

“Here they come!” Shen Hanyue exclaimed excitedly.

All eyes turned to the four middle-aged men in green robes drifting toward them.

When they spotted Chu Zhiyuan and his group, their gazes immediately fixed on Xiao Ruoling and Shen Hanyue.

Their eyes seemed to pierce the white veils covering their faces, wanting to see clearly.

Greedy expressions flickered across their eyes as if they hadn’t even noticed the twelve white-clothed girls, directly floating towards Chu Zhiyuan’s table.

“Move.” Shen Hanyue snorted.

The twelve white-clothed girls immediately sprang into action, advancing toward the four green-robed men, enshrouding them in an instant.

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