Why is my Treasure Hunting instinct activating now? There might be Night Rose members lying in ambush nearby! Zhang Yuanqing hurriedly bid farewell to the convenience store clerk and rushed out.
The Night Rose must have Nightwalkers among them. If Little Goofball runs into one, he's done for.
On the empty, silent street, cars occasionally sped past, seemingly oblivious to the fierce battle raging at the school. In nearby residential buildings, many windows glowed with light.
The city's night owls are countless, yet none seem drawn to the school's conflict.
After leaving the convenience store, Zhang Yuanqing followed Little Goofball from a distance, keeping to the shadows along the street.
The Infant Spirit crawled to an intersection, raised its sparsely haired head, looked left and right, sniffed the air, and finally locked onto a direction. Lowering its head, it scurried forward with surprising speed.
Zhang Yuanqing had to quicken his pace to keep up, maintaining a safe distance.
The Grand Protector, cloaked in black robes, surveyed the dense surrounding forest, his voice hoarse:
"Zoo Projection, you old bastard! So you've finally resorted to using that Rule Item."
Perched atop a towering tree, the Curly-Haired Poodle sat regally, its deep gaze sweeping down:
"A Level 7 Daywalker is rare even within the Taiyi Sect. I've already memorized your aura. If you're not one of us, so be it. But if you are... heh, your end is near."
As they spoke, Fu Qingyang left a white afterimage in his wake, using pure physical strength to close the dozens of meters between them and appear behind the Black Guard of Impermanence.
The Fu Family Young Master's face was cold and emotionless, like that of a seasoned assassin, as he raised the Bronze Eight Directions Sword.
At that moment, extreme terror flooded the Black Guard of Impermanence's face. His limbs convulsed violently, paralyzed by indecision—should he dodge left or right? His mind seemed to freeze, unable to send commands to his body.
Even a Peak Saint-level Evil Class practitioner felt utterly powerless before Fu Qingyang's sword.
I can't dodge it. I can't dodge it.
The Black Guard of Impermanence made a split-second decision. His skin hardened, becoming keratinous, as he dropped to his knees and shouted:
"Accept my obeisance!"
Thud! His forehead slammed heavily against the ground, cracking the concrete.
Fu Qingyang's descending sword froze mid-strike. His face turned ashen, as if tainted by an invisible force.
Witchcraft—Fortune Reduction!
Witchcraft Masters, as their name suggests, wield both Gu Magic and Witchcraft, both renowned for their sinister and malevolent nature.
Fortune Reduction is an active skill learned by 6th-tier Witchcraft Masters. It allows them to diminish a target's fortune through acts of obeisance, rituals, formations, and other methods.
Kneeling in obeisance is the simplest method to trigger the effect, but also the weakest. Given enough time, the Black Guard of Impermanence could have cursed Fu Qingyang with endless misfortune: choking on cold water, suffering explosive diarrhea, and enduring his women's incessant nagging.
The sword froze mid-air. Black guard of Impermanence's limbs ceased trembling, and he rolled sideways from his kneeling position.
Suddenly, hair-thin crimson threads snaked around his ankles. More and more threads extended, forming clusters and sheets like countless writhing tentacles.
The Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter floated in mid-air, her crimson robes billowing like those of a bewitching demoness.
She remained silent throughout, yet her attacks were ruthlessly precise.
Crack, crack, crack...
The red threads tightened relentlessly, shattering the hardened keratin armor covering Black guard of Impermanence's body.
Yet he seemed oblivious to his predicament, his gaze fixed on the Palace Master's peerless crimson figure, his expression rapturous, as if she were his beloved.
A radiant golden light descended upon Black guard of Impermanence, its purifying force causing the Witchcraft Master to roar in agony.
The light severed the red threads and shattered the mental control.
Whoosh!
A torrent of flames surged toward the Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter. The Fire Master of Night Rose unleashed Fire Walk, unleashing a rapid barrage of strikes against her.
Explosions erupted continuously, sending crimson threads flying in all directions.
Meanwhile, Black guard of Impermanence, having just broken free from the "enchantment," found himself surrounded by a menagerie of creatures: snarling baboons, majestic striped tigers, towering elephants, and a host of other animals—lions, leopards, dogs, cattle, bears, and more.
Their eyes were hollow and cold, mere projections yet brimming with immense power.
Suddenly, Black guard of Impermanence felt a chill between his legs, followed by a searing pain.
A hyena had ambushed him from behind, tearing at his scrotum. Fortunately, his keratinized skin held, cracking but preventing a humiliating situation.
The hyena's attack served as a signal, and the other animals swarmed forward.
"Hmph!"
The Black Robe Grand Protector snorted coldly. The Hundred Flowers Association's objective was clear: kill Black guard of Impermanence and return the Fallen Holy Grail from his Inventory to the Spirit Realm.
No one would claim it.
He took a deep breath and exhaled torrents of yin energy.
Within the frost-laden yin energy, Vengeful Spirits swirled through the air, their claws bared as they plunged into the animal horde.
Chaos erupted instantly as the phantom beasts clashed with the spectral entities.
Seeing this, the Gu King recalled his blood mist, reforming into his fleshy humanoid form. Then, his body exploded into chunks of flesh that scattered across the "forest."
The fragments melted, flowing like oil to coat the trees, the flowers, the grass, and the ground.
The entire campus and forest were now tainted, radiating an aura of corruption.
This was the Witchcraft Master's Sovereign Stage skill, capable of corrupting and defiling all things in the world.
The phantom beasts instantly lost their power source and dissipated in unwilling defeat.
At that moment, a mass of flesh and blood materialized behind the Black guard of Impermanence, coalescing into a humanoid form.
But in the next instant, golden light descended, annihilating the Gu King's avatar.
The high-level Walkers clashed in a chaotic free-for-all, a complete mess.
The Black guard of Impermanence collapsed to the ground, his left leg and right hand gnawed raw and dripping with blood. His clothes were torn to shreds, his carapace cracked and bleeding profusely.
He let out a low, sinister chuckle. "Want the Holy Grail, do you? Fine, take it. I'm done playing with you fools."
With a clawing motion into the Void, he produced a exquisitely crafted crystal goblet. Cracks spiderwebbed across its surface, and the liquid within glowed crimson like blood. Suspended within the crimson wine was a golden halo, pulsating like a miniature sun.
The golden radiance refracted through the crystal, casting a rose-tinted glow.
The chaotic battle ground to a halt as all eyes turned to the crystal goblet, utterly captivated.
High in the towering tree, the Curly-Haired Poodle gazed at the crystal goblet and sighed.
"So that's it... So that's it! I never imagined the demon lord would obtain this artifact. He's now just one step away from claiming the throne."
A mass of shredded flesh coalesced into a humanoid form, and the Gu King's eyes burned with avarice. "Eerie Eye Judge didn't die in vain! Hahaha, he didn't die in vain!"
The Black Guard of Impermanence hurled the Holy Grail into the night sky, shouting, "Fight for it! Whoever grabs it first keeps it!"
The crystal cup, refracting a rose-gold light, soared higher and higher, every gaze fixed on its ascent.
From the treetop, the Curly-Haired Poodle leaped, transforming mid-air into an Immortal Crane with a two-meter wingspan, and swooped toward the Holy Grail.
Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! Clumps of shredded flesh erupted from the undergrowth below, coalescing into a colossal hand that reached for the Grail as it continued to rise.
But even before them, the Black Robe Grand Protector had silently materialized before the Holy Grail, extending a hand to seize it.
At that very moment, a piercing, clear whistle cut through the air, its sonic waves reverberating with overwhelming force.
The Black Robe Grand Protector, the Immortal Crane, and the colossal hand all froze in place.
No one could resist the Musician's voice.
The Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter stood atop the teaching building, her crimson robes billowing as she tilted her head back and let out a sky-rending howl. Behind her, a swarm of crimson threads erupted into the air, their tendrils writhing like claws as they surged toward their target: the Night Rose Grand Protector.
She had no interest in the Holy Grail.
The crimson threads coiled around the Grand Protector, instantly binding him into a cocoon.
In the next moment, golden light erupted from the gaps in the threads as the Black Robe Grand Protector shattered his restraints.
The Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter raised her hand, her sleeve sliding down to reveal a jade-like arm, its skin as pale as frost and as smooth as snow. With a sharp snap of her fingers, the melted crimson threads, as if granted a second life, instantly reformed and coiled around the Grand Protector once more.
Simultaneously, a white shadow and a crimson streak shot skyward, intertwining as they raced toward the Holy Grail.
Boom! Flames erupted, accelerating past the white shadow.
Fu Qingyang's expression remained unchanged. Gripping his sword in one hand, he reached into the Void with the other. Immediately, five beams of light—black, white, blue, red, and yellow—flew forth and attached themselves behind him.
Whoosh!
The five beams of light billowed in the wind, transforming into five banners embroidered with images of blue wood, a white tiger, fiery mountains, and swirling water patterns.
In an instant, Fu Qingyang resembled an old general on a stage, his entire body draped in banners.
Roar!
The five banners shimmered with light as a five-colored tiger sprang forth, its paws treading on gale-force winds as it lunged to devour the flames overhead.
Man and tiger plummeted together, locked in a desperate struggle.
Fu Qingyang, seizing the advantage, surged ahead of everyone else and snatched the crystal goblet.
"Excellent!" the Immortal Crane declared in human speech. "Quickly store it in your Inventory!"
The colossal hand formed from the Gu King roared in fury, lunging to crush Fu Qingyang.
At that moment, the Grand Protector severed the crimson thread once more. Yet, witnessing this, he merely smirked coldly, refraining from intervening.
Suddenly, a bizarre phenomenon occurred: the crystal goblet in Fu Qingyang's hand lost its luster, transforming into an ordinary glass cup.
The fleshy giant hand froze mid-strike.
The Immortal Crane tumbled, reverting to its Curly-Haired Poodle form, its expression one of utter bewilderment.
"Hahahaha..."
The Fire Master, pinned beneath the five-colored tiger, erupted in maniacal laughter.
The Black guard of Impermanence, who had collapsed to the ground, joined in the laughter before asking, "What are you laughing at?"
The Fire Master sneered, "I'm laughing at Fu Qingyang's lack of foresight and the Gu King's stupidity. What are you laughing at?"
The Black guard of Impermanence retorted mockingly, "I'm laughing at the Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter's lack of foresight and Miao's stupidity."
The Curly-Haired Poodle returned to the treetop, its face grim. "Charm Magic?"
The Grand Protector's voice rasped with amusement.
"Exactly. This was merely a trick to toy with you all," the Gu King said, clicking his tongue. "What a pity. If Fu Qingyang were at the Sovereign Realm, his Scout's Fiery Golden Eyes would have pierced through my illusion in an instant."
The Gu King retracted all the flesh and blood, condensing back into his true form. His crimson eyes glowed as he declared, "Black guard of Impermanence, if you refuse to hand over the Fallen Holy Grail, then die! I'd rather it return to the Spirit Realm."
Black guard of Impermanence sneered. "This proves your foolishness. Do you truly believe killing me will return the Fallen Holy Grail to the Spirit Realm? Do you really think this current form is my true body?"
The Gu King paused, scrutinizing him intently for a moment before realization dawned. He growled, "Gu Clone."
A Gu Clone was a secret technique of Witchcraft Masters, where they mixed their own blood with their Life Gu to forge a physical shell. This shell, including its aura and soul, was indistinguishable from the original body.
For most Witchcraft Masters, this technique was impractical. Creating a clone came at the cost of their own power, leaving them unable to recover to their peak strength for months.
With his imminent deal with Night Rose, how could Black guard of Impermanence dare to cripple himself?
Fu Qingyang's gaze flickered, as if struck by a sudden realization. He said calmly, "Your method of trading with Night Rose differs from what we anticipated."
Black guard of Impermanence laughed heartily, his voice dripping with arrogance. "As expected of a Scout. You're right. Today's transaction involves this Gu Clone signing a covenant with the Grand Protector. Only after the covenant is sealed will my true body bring the Holy Grail here."
"After all, the martial world is treacherous. I had to take precautions. I never imagined you'd find this place, but your blunder has allowed me to make fools of you."
"Losing this Gu Clone will significantly weaken my true body's combat power. However, Night Rose has already obtained the Book of Covenant, so the trade can proceed at any time, even outside Songhai."
"Next time, any attempt to ambush me in advance will be as futile as trying to climb the heavens. No one can stop me from seizing the Holy Grail and becoming the second Eerie Eye Judge."
Fu Qingyang pondered for a moment, then fell silent.
The Book of Covenant had bridged the trust gap between Night Rose and Black guard of Impermanence. They could now conduct their secret transaction at any future time and location.
Having missed tonight's opportunity, it would be nearly impossible to intervene in this matter again.
All efforts had come to naught.
"The Book of Covenant..." The Hundred Flowers Association elder murmured to himself, his voice tinged with resignation. "Very well, Gu King, Palace Master. This matter cannot be stopped. Let us join forces to kill them and deal a severe blow to the Night Rose."
One kilometer from Songhai Third Primary School, in a secluded alleyway, a dark figure wearing a baseball cap and mask lurked in the shadows, leaning against the wall with his eyes closed in meditation.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes and held out his palm, revealing an exquisitely crafted crystal goblet. Cracks spiderwebbed across its surface, and within the crimson wine, a miniature sun rose and fell in slow, hypnotic rhythm.
Two opposing forces intertwined and mutually annihilated each other, maintaining a delicate balance.
A rose-colored glow illuminated his face—long, narrow eyes and a distinctly ugly visage—revealing him to be none other than the Black guard of Impermanence.
"I can only wait for the next transaction," he exhaled, his emotions complex.
He hadn't anticipated being ambushed by the Officials. Though the deal had been disrupted and he'd lost a Gu Clone, the Holy Grail remained intact, rendering these losses insignificant.
Therefore, caution is useful. With enough prudence, one can avoid risks without even realizing it.
As for whether the Night Rose Grand Protector would survive, that was no longer his concern.
"What a pity," he murmured, staring greedily at the "little sun" swirling in his cup. "Such a divine artifact wasted on the Night Rose."
Having witnessed its terrifying power firsthand, Black guard of Impermanence was certain that if he could wield both artifacts simultaneously, he would become the strongest figure in the Spiritual Energy Association's three major branches.
But now, he had to relinquish one, or risk losing everything.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, Black guard of Impermanence tore his gaze from the Holy Grail and looked toward the alley entrance.
Under the soft, downy-yellow lamplight, the alley appeared empty. Yet, in his spiritual perception, he faintly discerned a Little Vengeful Spirit crouched nearby, its dark, beady eyes fixed on him.
The two stared at each other.
Black guard of Impermanence: "???"