Chapter 625: Infernal Affairs

In the crowd, a graceful woman with a pleasingly full figure and delicate features, her cheeks as smooth as fresh lychees and a nose as refined as goose fat, dressed in a black gown, was conversing with several acquaintances. The corner of her eye was fixed on Zhao Mo, and a slight smile played on her lips. This kind of smile is usually interpreted as having achieved one's objective.

On the field, Wang Yu also stared coldly at Zhao Mo, realizing something was amiss. Someone who could cultivate to the peak of Soul Transformation, unlike Qing Qing, whose true potential had not yet been fully recognized by her sect. Zhao Mo, originating from the Xuanhuang Realm, had been known as the Xuanhuang Dao Son even before ascending and was ranked first in the passage sequence. His level of importance was entirely different. Could such a person be a fool? He didn't believe it!

So upon his return, he had never considered the issue of being targeted by Zhao Mo. The reason for not telling him was simple: being ranked first, the likelihood of him exchanging valuable resources for a boat ticket was small. After all, to achieve this ranking, Zhao Mo's sect, the Kunlun Dao Lineage, must have paid resources to the Oblivion Sect to grant him first place. If he were to follow Wang Yu's path, wouldn't it be a waste of effort? With no hope of success, why invite him? It would only stir up trouble unnecessarily. After returning, he would simply make the news public, trusting that any sane person wouldn't act as Zhao Mo was now, making him lose face in public. The World-Opening Divine Vessel was a prized treasure. Faced with a provocation from the Shanhai Realm's top cultivator, he could not back down, or it would invite endless trouble.

Therefore, even though he felt something was wrong, he still acted extremely assertively. However, secretly, his divine sense had already spread out, brazenly releasing his aura and sensory probes. It was precisely this confrontational situation that allowed so many Soul Transformation Venerables to not get angry despite being offended by him, as they knew his actions were aimed at Zhao Mo. They were merely close by and got "brushed" in passing.

Zhao Mo stood in mid-air. Angrily, he declared, "If you look down on me, then step into this Dao Son's pagoda!" With that, as he flicked his sleeve, a golden-yellow halo flew out, transforming into a nine-story pagoda. Xuanhuang Qi descended like a curtain, causing cracks to appear in the void wherever it passed. It then flew straight towards Wang Yu.

Among the cultivators who had retreated, someone exclaimed, "The Nine-Story Xuanhuang Pagoda, Zhao Mo's intrinsic spiritual treasure! I heard it was forged primarily from Xuanhuang Qi, and a single wisp of Xuanhuang Qi weighs as much as a mountain!" How many wisps of Xuanhuang Qi were used to forge this pagoda, no one knew.

The opponent's first move was a deadly one. Despite Zhao Mo's abnormal state, Wang Yu, though annoyed, could not deliver a fatal blow. The Kunlun Dao Lineage was a true hegemon-level power, stronger than the Demon Star Dao Lineage and even more formidable than the Oblivion Dao Lineage. It belonged to the absolute top tier. Even if Wang decided to join the Demon Realm, it didn't mean the Kunlun Dao Lineage's influence couldn't reach him. Therefore, he planned to extort a hefty sum from them.

"Zhao Mo? Merely a reputation without substance." Wang Yu raised his hand and threw a punch. His powerful physique was just a step away from breaking through to the sixth stage, making it not an exaggeration to call him "half-step sixth stage." The explosive power far surpassed that of the Xuanhuang Pagoda. Even though the area was reinforced by the formations of the Minor Polarity Palace, the space still shattered in large sections. The battlefield was directly pulled into a spatial layer where up, down, and all directions were inverted, and orientation was impossible to discern. Fighting here meant no worries about destroying the world.

Thus, a deafening crash resounded as the immeasurably heavy Xuanhuang Pagoda was sent flying by Wang Yu's iron fist, eliciting gasps from the onlookers. "This Ancestor Wei possesses such formidable physical strength! Even Goddess Qing Qing next door probably can't compare to him." "How truly exaggerated! Everyone, don't forget the desolate black mountain left by Wei Wuxian several years ago. Many fellow cultivators have been observing it recently, hoping to comprehend a technique or two." "They are both formidable dragons crossing the river; we just need to watch." "Indeed, indeed."

Among the Soul Transformation cultivators watching, the black-dressed woman was indeed present. However, seeing Wang Yu smash the pagoda away and then transform into a streak of light to approach Zhao Mo, with the two engaging in close-quarters combat, completely diverged from the methods he had displayed earlier. Her heart grew agitated, and a sense of anxiety arose simultaneously. Ever since she learned of Wang Yu's mastery in archery and ice techniques, and verified the lingering traces there, she realized that his killing move should be able to eliminate Zhao Mo. But she hadn't yet figured out how to incite conflict between the two when Wang Yu himself presented the opportunity, which was, of course, the matter of the boat ticket. As a chess piece planted by the Soul Demon Tribe in the Shanhai Realm, she possessed methods similar to those of Heavenly Demons: not only were her movements traceless, but her ability to obscure and deceive minds was exceptional. Zhao Mo was considered by the Demon Race to be a promising talent with the potential to break through to Immortality. Thus, this chess piece was activated, instructing her to spare no means. As long as she could kill Zhao Mo, she would become a key cultivation target for the Demon Race in the future. Even if she died here, she could be reborn in the Soul Demon Tribe's supreme treasure, the Soul River! Conversely, if the objective was not achieved, death was simply death, with no value in expending resources for resurrection.

Presently, Wang Yu displayed extraordinary physical strength, while Zhao Mo had cultivated one of the Kunlun Dao Lineage's core inheritances in advance: the "Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power!" Dual cultivation of Dharma and body, possessing divine power capable of shattering the heavens and collapsing the earth. Two blocks of indestructible flesh collided. Determining a winner wouldn't happen in a day or two, and Wang Yu had no intention of using his killing moves. She grew anxious.

"—Boom!"

After countless exhilarating collisions, Wang Yu shook his slightly sore wrist, his eyes narrowing at some point, making it impossible to discern the emotions within them. The battlefield between the two was like a beautiful landscape painting with a large, dark, infinitely extending hole torn in its center. At the edge of the large hole, countless ant-sized figures watched.

To be honest, he had absolutely not expected Zhao Mo's physical body to be comparable to his own. No, more accurately, Zhao Mo's physical strength was actually inferior to his, but there was some external force he didn't understand, which made them evenly matched. This external force was similar to a "Yin Emperor" like status blessing, mysterious and profound. Wang Yu had reason to suspect it was a method bestowed by the Kunlun Dao Lineage. He felt a certain thrill, like a hunter seeing good prey. One must know, a cultivator of the same realm who could force him to use his full power had never appeared before. He hadn't expected to encounter one even before ascending.

"He's got something."

Zhao Mo's angry eyes never changed, but his attention seemed divided, with about a third focused on the observing crowd. This state was very familiar to fishermen. There was an urgent feeling of "why haven't they bitten yet?" This urgency naturally stemmed from Wang Yu; the pressure from a mere unknown Ancestor Wei was simply too great for him. One wrong move and he'd be beaten black and blue. His physical prowess was unsurpassed among all those he had fought, even exceeding Yuanlong Lanfeng. It was like a fisherman watching others constantly reel in catches while he himself was still fumbling. Two "anxious kings."

'Two...'

Yes. Wang Yu had already discovered the source of the emotional turmoil. The Six Desires Heavenly Demon Scroll in his hand was a demonic treasure specifically designed to target emotions, and after being upgraded, it had reached the superior grade. Compared to Zhao Mo, he was far more interested in the owner of that emotion within the observing crowd—a feeling similar to a Heavenly Demon, yet entirely different. It was incredibly intriguing.

However, he had no intention of abandoning the fight halfway. Zhao Mo had to be defeated, as it concerned the benefits and safety of the Cosmic Sea Ferryman. Afterward, he could also extort a sum from the Kunlun Dao Lineage. Not a threat, but a request for recompense based on a favor. At this point, he had roughly understood Zhao Mo's intentions.

"Dharma Idol—Manifest!"

Being in the spatial layer, the effect of controlling spiritual energy in the Soul Transformation realm was passively weakened to its minimum. Although the opponent could fight him within the inverted spatial rules, he couldn't do it as smoothly as Wang Yu, who was proficient in the Myriad Laws of the Void Heaven. This slight disadvantage was enough for Wang Yu to subdue the opponent.

However, he would also have to use some real skill. So, the moment the Lunar Demon Dragon Dharma Idol rose from the ground, Wang Yu simultaneously unleashed a complementary amplification divine ability: the Eight-Armed Demon-Subduing Vajra Form! A secret transmission of the Ancient Heaven Sea Sect, a Buddhist divine ability! 'A demonic cultivator using Buddhist magic, kid, you won't be able to handle this mixed attack.'

Regardless of what Wang Yu was thinking, Zhao Mo was already greatly alarmed, clearly recognizing the origin of the Vajra Form, but he couldn't understand how Wang Yu possessed such profound mastery. Eight arms and three heads, divine light of Buddha and demon forming a black-gold halo, set in the moon-disc behind the Dharma Idol's head, giving the ferocious Dharma Idol an added sense of solemnity. This didn't conform to his stereotypical impression of demonic cultivators. However, due to his distraction, it was too late to cast the Heaven-and-Earth Dharma Idol. The Nine-Story Xuanhuang Pagoda, which he had already recalled, rapidly enlarged and enveloped him.

Immediately after, the eight arms struck down, but were very tightly defended by the Xuanhuang golden light; no cracks appeared, only continuous tremors. So, the two demonic dragons coiling around the shoulders spat out divine swords and stabbed downwards fiercely. The perfected intent of the Path of Slaughter, the twin swords of slaughter, Avici and Yuantu, using the divine ability of the Blood Slaughter Heart Sword as a guide, fiercely pierced Zhao Mo's Dao Heart. If one could see the opponent's heart-lake space, they would find that this pure white heart-lake, which originally easily suppressed a large amount of "black water" and maintained clarity, was now succumbing. The black water was clearly a method employed by the Soul Demon Tribe's spy. However, as sword marks appeared above, an endless sea of blood surged in, turning the pure white space crimson. The pool of black water transformed into a lotus, its roots tightly entwined around another Zhao Mo. It symbolized Zhao Mo's true self. There was nothing but struggle, struggle. Many of the black lotus roots snapped, yet more black lotus tendrils climbed on, until it completely merged with the black lotus.

Outside, countless golden chains pierced through the void, firmly locking down the eight arms of Wang Yu's Dharma Idol from all directions. The three angry heads were pulled backward by their necks, almost touching their backs, demonstrating considerable strength. This was another method to counter Dharma Idol divine abilities: Restraint! These chains were clearly not ordinary; they were a special spiritual treasure controlled through a specific secret art. They could not only augment the caster's own physical strength but also had a sealing effect. 'Extravagant one.'

"Demonic Scroll, go!" This was the nature of spiritual combat: when a quick victory was impossible, one had to dismantle the opponent's moves step by step until one side ran out of options. The Six Desires Heavenly Demon Scroll was the follow-up method after breaking Zhao Mo's Dao Heart. Although this guy was influenced by an unknown secret technique, that was only a remotely applied method. He was more significantly infected by Wang Yu's Slaughter Intent. What was currently erupting was pure killing intent. This allowed the Demonic Scroll's effect to be fully demonstrated. After being thrown by Wang Yu, it rapidly unfurled, forming a vast, sky-obscuring black curtain. Reflected in the sky were not only six Heavenly Demons, but also a cute little pink snake: the Artifact Spirit, Emotion-Devouring Beast! It opened its mouth and inhaled, and even the Xuanhuang Pagoda couldn't defend against this pure emotional suction force. A pink snake mark suddenly appeared on the forehead of Zhao Mo's body, which was protected by layers of defense. He stood up, swaying like a zombie. In his eyes, which were completely filled with crimson, clear signs of struggle and pain could be seen.

'Done.'

Wang Yu, still within his Dharma Idol, took a single step that instantly brought him among the observing crowd. He fiercely clutched the black-dressed woman's head, and an intense sense of danger made her entire body stiffen. Her close friend first quickly retreated, then angrily rebuked, "Wei Wuxian! What are you doing to Sister Mo? She is..." She didn't finish her sentence. She was silenced by Wang Yu's cold gaze. The artifact spirit, the Emotion-Devouring Beast, controlling the Demonic Scroll, came to Wang Yu's side and swiftly burrowed into the black-dressed woman's body. The latter shuddered, unable to utter a single word. A pink snake mark, identical to Zhao Mo's, appeared on her forehead. All sorts of thoughts uncontrollably surfaced in her mind. Wang Yu was extremely pleased, and he took a soft inhale. Thoughts triggered memories, and using the Soul-Searching Evil Curse, he absorbed all the hidden memories known to the opponent, turning them into runes that he swallowed.

This was the ability of the Emotion-Devouring Beast: absolute control over emotional power, further amplified by the Demonic Scroll. With Zhao Mo's Dao Heart infected by killing intent, and with Wang Yu's permission, the Emotion-Devouring Beast could use the authority granted by Wang Yu to indirectly control Zhao Mo, thus achieving the effect of capturing him alive. On the black-dressed woman, he used fear to induce her distracting thoughts, and then used those thoughts to stir up her memories. Although the steps seemed a bit troublesome, it could bypass all sorts of contracts, divine sense restrictions, and oaths, forcibly obtaining all the information Wang Yu desired. Although the Soul-Searching Curse was powerful, if the entity that set up the restriction was equally powerful, there was a high probability of not finding useful information. It was different when using the Emotion-Devouring Beast.

"Mo Lian, reincarnated Soul Demon Tribe demon soul, demon spy specializing in intelligence, from the Shanhai Mo family, backed by the Azure Cloud Dao Lineage, assassinating a True Immortal prodigy?" Wang Yu mused. The information was abundant but fragmented. This could barely be considered one of the drawbacks of the thought-induced memory method, but compared to finding nothing at all, having clues was always better. The benefits outweighed the drawbacks. He finally understood what kind of fish Zhao Mo was trying to catch. Too bad he provoked him. With so many third parties watching, he wouldn't kill Zhao Mo, but he wouldn't let him save face either. And the weakness of this demon spy, Mo Lian, also surprised him. With such a level of cultivation, she dared to attempt an assassination? She should have just stuck to intelligence work. He had reason to suspect that the Soul Demon Tribe had issued a hit list, and when the information reached her, she coincidentally learned Zhao Mo's identity, which is why she began plotting. Mo Lian was merely cannon fodder driven by a heavy reward. The Soul Demon Tribe probably never expected her to succeed from the start. Perhaps there were even spies hidden within the Kunlun Dao Lineage itself. Wang Yu had a lot of room for maneuver in this matter. Submitting these soul-searching results would implicate many people.

Just as he was contemplating, Li Chunyi suddenly appeared, chuckling awkwardly. "That's enough, that's enough! Brother Wei... please give me some face."

'You only show up after the fight is over, you sly devil.' 'But that's fine too.' He just happened to need Li Chunyi's communication channel to execute his next plan.