Chapter 1636
Chapter 1636. Fate of the Marquis’ Blade
In the beginning of the great chaos in the Xianchu Hao soil, the hopeless and powerless deadlock gradually showed signs of dying down over the past few days.
The royal family of Xianchu Hao soil, although still investigating, seemed to be less concerned than before. This has made Chu Bai feel somewhat anxious, as he senses that some invisible, terrifying force was controlling everything behind the scenes.
Behind the murder of the Marquis’ wife, there may be some unknown truth hidden. The forces and figures involved are likely far beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
It is for this reason that Chu Bai, upon being reminded by the Spirit of the Shooting Sun Bow, suddenly remembered that this force that is targeting the Marquis may actually originate from within the imperial capital.
This meant that this power would never allow the Marquis’ trusted subordinates to return to the capital safely. After all, such an incident had never occurred before, and it just so happens that it happened when the Xianchu Hao soil faced a great disaster and the Marquis was leading his army on a campaign. How can one not speculate?
“Brother Chu Bai is right, why didn’t I think of this earlier? It seems that the situation in the imperial capital is far more chaotic than we imagined.”
“I wonder who is so bold as to target the Marquis? Could it be that after the fall of the Heavenly God General, His Majesty intends to support the Marquis, and someone is jealous?”
The black-faced man with a purple-gold dragon’s whisker hammer stared at the gradually darkening night sky and frowned, guessing aloud. His name was Chu Kui, one of the top experts in the Ability Masters’ Mansion, and his strength was no less than that of Chu Bai.
These words caused the faces of everyone present to change slightly. Although they were all talented experts cultivated by Xianchu Hao soil, they dared not speak recklessly about such matters.
In the Ability Masters’ Mansion, there were several factions, and one of these factions was close to the Heavenly God General and other divine generals, while they were close to the Marquis.
What Chu Kui said earlier was almost implying that it was the faction of the Divine Generals who were targeting the Marquis.
“Chu Kui, you must be cautious with your words. Do not speak carelessly. If others hear this, it will bring no benefit to us. Until the truth of the Marquis’ wife’s death is uncovered, we should avoid making enemies prematurely.”
A tall woman in a purple dress, with skin as white as snow and a full chest, spoke. Her hair was like clouds, her eyebrows like green jade, and most striking were her eyes, which had a lake-like emerald green hue, seeming to sparkle with a mesmerizing glow.
Her name is Bi Xin, also a top expert in the Ability Masters’ Mansion, naturally attuned to the Dao of Wood and Water, with unpredictable powers. She is also one of the most likely among Chu Bai and others to break through into the Dao realm.
“Let’s not discuss this further. Our purpose here is to protect the Marquis’ subordinates, not to speculate recklessly or make unnecessary enemies on his behalf.”
A deep, rich voice echoed, and the Daoist expert hidden in the shadows spoke without revealing his true form.
However, whether it was Chu Kui, Bi Xin, or Chu Bai, all of them showed great respect for him and immediately fell silent.
“Chu Bai, are you certain that Han Feng will pass through here?”
The deep voice asked again, and at the same time, a profound gaze descended from the void, looking directly at Chu Bai.
“This place is the fastest route from the front-line border to the imperial capital. Han Feng is highly valued by the Marquis and has also refined the blood of the Ancient Emperor Kun, granting him the world’s fastest speed. If he is returning secretly from the front line, it would take him at most a few days, and he will certainly pass through this route,” Chu Bai said in a deep voice.
Han Feng, whom Chu Bai mentioned, is also a highly talented individual, and he is the Marquis’ trusted subordinate. He is familiar to them all.
When they were under the Marquis’ command, they had interacted with Han Feng. Thus, Chu Bai knew that at this moment, the Marquis must have dispatched Han Feng to return.
To avoid the enemy finding out and intercepting him, Han Feng would never openly return through the Broken Domain Transmission Array. He would instead take an alternate, less obvious route, possibly cutting through shortcuts.
This place will be a necessary path for Han Feng.
Chu Bai could deduce this, but the mysterious force within the imperial capital would surely have predicted it as well. Therefore, it was likely that this mysterious force would send experts here to intercept and kill Han Feng, preventing him from returning safely to the capital.
The hills there were incredibly tall, like the spine of the world, stretching across the land. In fact, they were made up of many shattered stars. The surrounding sky was inscribed with magical formations, and a vast, mysterious aura flows. Anyone daring to traverse the void there would be struck by thunder. The consequences could range from severe injury to complete annihilation of both body and soul.
As Chu Bai and the others waited in silence, a yellow sandstorm suddenly swept through the dark sky from the distance. A blurred figure appeared, seemingly vanishing in an instant. One moment it was at the horizon, and the next, it had already reached this spot, moving at lightning speed, as if light and thunder were bending around him, distorting time and space.
“It’s Han Feng.”
Chu Bai, who had been intently watching the figure, felt his breath quicken. But he suppressed the urge to reveal himself.
The others in the Ability Masters’ Mansion also stayed hidden, not revealing any presence.
“There’s the smell of blood. Han Feng’s aura is unstable. It seems he has encountered many dangers along the way.” Chu Bai’s heart sank.
“The waters of Xianchu Hao soil are murkier than I imagined. Who did the Marquis offended to have such a powerful force chasing his subordinate, leaving him so severely wounded?” The Spirit of the Shooting Sun Bow’s voice echoed in Chu Bai’s mind with intrigue.
This made Chu Bai’s heart grow heavier.
Aside from the imperial capital, this mysterious force also has spies and agents in other regions of Xianchu Hao soil.
“Do you think the royal family of Xianchu Hao soil might be involved in this?”
The Spirit of the Shooting Sun Bow’s voice rang out again, still full of curiosity.If it were the old Chu Bai, he would never have suspected this. But ever since he was schemed against by Chu Gucheng some time ago, who left his own mark on the Shooting Sun Bow and attempted to quietly take it from him, Chu Bai had come to see through Chu Gucheng’s hypocritical façade.
Therefore, at that moment, he had some doubts about the words of the Spirit of the Shooting Sun Bow.
“If it really is the people of the Divine General faction behind this, even if the King finds out, he will certainly try to cover it up for them. After all, Xianchu Hao soil is facing foreign enemies right now, and if there’s internal chaos, the consequences would be unimaginable,” Chu Bai whispered, believing this was highly likely.
Whether it was the Divine General faction or the Marquis faction, both were right-hand men cultivated by Chu Gucheng and have been greatly trusted by him.
However, in order to maintain a balance in the imperial court, Chu Gucheng had also made these two factions check each other to prevent one faction from becoming too dominant.
But if this is the case, then Chu Gucheng’s approach is truly disheartening.
“Are you not going to show yourselves after following me all this way?”
Suddenly, a cold laugh rang out, pulling Chu Bai’s attention. He turned to look.
There, on a mountain peak, stood Han Feng, with the stars and moon dimming around him. The energy from the vast heavens and the starry sky seemed to surge towards him like boiling water.
Every pore on his body was glowing, as if he had turned into a vortex, devouring the starlight that fell from the sky. From a distance, the silver light was rushing like a long river, brilliant rays of light evaporating, with chaotic mist splashing out.
Han Feng was trying to heal his injuries. He had attained a half-step Daoist realm cultivation and had long sensed someone was approaching.
As he entered this area, the feeling grew stronger, and the killing intent became nearly tangible, seeping into every corner. Many distant stars collapsed and shattered.
The journey from the border back to the imperial capital had been far from peaceful, and he had encountered various assassination attempts.
Han Feng didn’t know who the Marquis, Chu Heng, had offended, but the enemy had such power that they kept obstructing his return to the capital.
Luckily, among the attackers, the strongest was only in the Dao realm. Although Han Feng’s strength was not as great, he managed to escape quickly, relying on the world’s fastest speed, and did not lose his life. He believed the enemy wouldn’t dare to be too arrogant and send out those powerful Daoist experts who had survived multiple Heavenly Calamities.
After all, such beings were extremely rare in Xianchu Hao soil. Just from their aura and methods, it would be easy to guess their identities.
“You are not simple. You’ve escaped all the way here, but unfortunately, this will be your final stop. The imperial capital is just ahead, but you will never return,” a cold, indifferent voice echoed.
In front of Han Feng, the void twisted, and the rules of the Dao trembled.Then, a blurry figure stepped forward, wearing a mask that obscured their face. Their robe was large and plain, without any patterns, appearing quite unremarkable. However, their hands were unnaturally long, and between their fingers flowed a terrifying Daoist aura, as if capable of destroying the heavens and the earth.
Behind this blurry figure, several more figures followed, their auras equally remarkable. It was as if they had merged with the entire void, with the surrounding space-time warping along with them.
Han Feng stared intently at this figure, as if he had already suspected someone was waiting for him here.
His voice was hoarse as he spoke, “Who are you? The Marquis is bravely fighting on the front lines, protecting Xianchu Hao soil, and you people are backstabbing and committing atrocities. Not only have you caused the Marquis’ wife to be insulted and take her own life, but you are also trying to restrain the Marquis, disrupt his army’s morale, and destabilize Xianchu Hao soil. What are your true intentions?”
The masked figure only glanced coldly at Han Feng, showing no interest in his words.
The figures behind the masked person were equally unmoved, staring at Han Feng as if looking at a dead man.
“To speak such useless words when death is imminent. If someone wants the Marquis dead, then he must die. You are no exception,” the figure said coldly, before vanishing suddenly and launching an attack.
A terrifying wave of energy surged, like a vast sea sweeping across the heavens. Billions of stars trembled, and the entire world seemed to shudder. The Daoist rules in the figure’s hand turned into a tangible force, becoming a massive seal capable of destroying heaven and earth, descending toward Han Feng.
The void cracked open, revealing countless terrifying chasms that obliterated all tangible matter.
This was undoubtedly a Daoist expert, and one who had at least survived two Heavenly Calamities. As soon as they made their move, the power they displayed made Han Feng feel utter despair.
At the same time, the figures behind the masked man sat cross-legged around the area, muttering incantations. Faint chaotic mist spread, and Daoist energy permeated, as if they had arrived at the beginning of creation itself.
In their hands, they held a string of crystal-clear prayer beads, which emitted a soft glow, radiating seven colors that blasted outward, covering the heavens and the earth.
The entire domain became blurred and chaotic in an instant, completely obscured as if it had disappeared from any space-time, unreachable and untraceable…
“They sent a Daoist expert who has survived two Heavenly Calamities to deal with me… Truly generous,” Han Feng thought, filled with despair and unwillingness.
If it had only been a Daoist expert who had survived one Heavenly Calamity, he might have had a chance to escape. But with a Daoist expert who had survived two Heavenly Calamities attacking him, there was absolutely no chance of survival.
Han Feng was unwilling to accept this and could not understand who was targeting the Marquis.
A being who had survived two Heavenly Calamities was not an ordinary figure in Xianchu Hao soil. After all, even those who had survived just one Heavenly Calamity were well-known and had significant backgrounds, let alone someone who had survived two.
For such a prominent figure to personally strike and erase him from existence was unfathomable.
“What is happening in the imperial capital? How could they send someone who has survived two Heavenly Calamities to act?”
“What terrifying force is behind this?”
At that moment, not only was Han Feng filled with despair and disbelief, but Chu Bai, Chu Kui, Bi Xin, and the others, who had been secretly waiting for their chance to act, were also stunned and unable to believe it.
The ancient families of Xianchu Hao soil don’t necessarily have Daoist ancestors presiding over them.
The appearance of someone who had survived two Heavenly Calamities was enough to send a chill down everyone’s spine.
“Please, Senior Wu Xuan, make your move…”
There was no time to think, and Chu Bai could only call upon the Daoist expert hidden in the shadows for help.
“I’m no match for this person, but I can only try to hold him off as much as possible. You all need to go and break through with Han Feng. The enemy is well-prepared, sealing the heavens and locking the earth, hiding everything. They must intend to completely erase Han Feng here, leaving no trace.”
The voice of the previous deep-voiced man sounded again. At the same time, a middle-aged man dressed in a scholar’s robe stepped out from the void. He wore a scholar’s cap and held a feathered fan, looking like a cultured scholar, but his aura was vast, like boundless space itself.
He was undoubtedly a Daoist expert, but compared to the masked figure, his strength was much weaker, having only survived one Heavenly Calamity.
“As a major figure, personally coming down to deal with the Marquis in this manner, don’t you think it’s a bit excessive?”
Wu Xuan said coldly, waving his sleeve, causing millions of rays of light to burst forth, forming a stone inkstone to counter the massive seal coming from the masked man.
As Wu Xuan appeared, Chu Bai and the others also moved, turning into divine light as they charged towards Han Feng, whose face was full of despair.
“Han Feng, hurry up, we’re here to help you!”
The tall Chu Kui, holding a Dragon Whisker Purple Lightning Hammer, swung it into the air, immediately creating a boundless sea of thunder, unleashing terrifying power to tear apart the blockade around them.
Chu Bai, Bi Xin, and the others also acted, using various divine techniques to try and break the seal in place.
Han Feng never expected that at such a crucial moment, someone would come to his rescue. He was overjoyed.
Seeing Chu Bai and the others, he was even more grateful, saying, “Thank you, fellow Daoists, for your help. The Marquis will surely reward you greatly in the future.”
“Wu Xuan of the Ability Masters’ Mansion? So it’s you. Heh, I knew someone would intervene to save this guy.”
The masked man looked at Wu Xuan, who had just appeared, with no sign of surprise. His expression remained cold, tinged with a hint of mockery.
“You recognize me? It seems you’re not an ordinary person in the imperial capital. Why bother hiding your identity and not showing your true face?”
Wu Xuan stepped forward, but he couldn’t block the incoming attack. His expression grew more solemn.
As he spoke, he waved his fan, and the boundless Daoist order surged forward like a boiling tide, with five-colored divine light rising. There were billions of Daoist rays, spreading across the sky, shattering the surrounding time and space, attempting to block the masked man’s attack.
“Don’t waste your energy. All the fluctuations here have already been covered up. Even if you are a Daoist expert, you won’t be able to escape. This person cannot be allowed to return to the imperial capital. At least for now, he must quietly die here, away from the capital.”
The masked man’s gaze was indifferent, and his tone was mocking. With a simple gesture of his hand, the massive tide of Daoist rules coming towards him immediately ceased, completely suppressed and unable to advance even an inch.
Wu Xuan’s expression turned ugly. He hadn’t expected the gap between their strengths to be so immense. Even though they were both Daoist experts, the difference between having survived one Heavenly Calamity and two was so vast that it felt like crossing a chasm.
He even felt that the other party had murderous intentions and would bury and erase everyone who knew the truth right here.
At that moment, Chu Bai and the others also noticed the blockade around them. Their faces were filled with shock, and some even turned pale. The prayer beads clearly had some sort of power infused into them, making it impossible for them to break free.
“There are truly powerful figures in the imperial capital who want to deal with the Marquis…”
Han Feng’s expression was filled with despair. He thought of the Marquis, who was still bravely fighting at the border.
As his trusted subordinate, Han Feng was just one step away from the imperial capital, yet he was ambushed like this, not even allowed to return. This was clearly a hopeless and powerless deadlock.