Chapter 523: I want to play a game with you |
The three sword lights caused quite a commotion, not only catching the attention of Du Ge and his companions but also that of the magistrate of Fancheng.
The constables were in a stir, wanting to enter the manor to check the situation, but the magistrate stopped them. Since the Qi Refiners ignored them and directly entered Longliu Manor, it was clear they didn't want any contact. Approaching them rashly would only invite trouble.
The magistrate was wise enough to never overstep his bounds.
...
Watching the three Qi Refiners head straight for the secret chamber where the Soul-Calming Bottle was initially placed, Du Ge felt conflicted. Should he act or not?
If there had been only one or two Qi Refiners, he would have acted without hesitation. But with three of them, if even one escaped, it would spell disaster for him.
The speed of their sword light wasn't much slower than the Dark God power, and that middle-aged Qi Refiner seemed quite capable.
The cultivators in the first Alien Star Battlefield were said to be practitioners, but their methods were only comparable to martial arts in a high-martial world. The Qi Refiners in this world could merge with their sword light at will, and Du Ge had no confidence in facing them.
Du Ge was actually more inclined to ambush the Qi Refiner from Prince Duan's mansion. That Qi Refiner had devised such a sinister Soul-Calming Bottle and surely wouldn't dare to come to Longliu Manor with just a few people to check the situation.
However, Du Ge quickly made up his mind.
Take them on.
Fortune favors the bold, and the timid starve.
What if the Qi Refiner from Prince Duan's mansion doesn't come?
Currently, he was ranked first in the Alien Star Battlefield. In about twenty days, once the rankings were announced, danger would follow. The sooner he could enhance his strength, the sooner he would be secure.
Moreover.
The night was his domain.
The celestial arts were merely a smokescreen; what he truly wanted was to use celestial techniques and treasures to openly wield the divine power.
Didn't a single Soul-Calming Bottle already boost his strength significantly?
...
"You all wait here, don't wander off. I'm going to capture those Qi Refiners," Du Ge instructed Long Yichen and the others as he turned around. "I've already planted the Hundred Ghost Tracking Technique on you. I can track you within a thousand miles. If I find you've run off, you'll be in trouble."
Once again, he concocted a spell to intimidate Long Yichen and the others.
Du Ge concealed himself within the Dark God power, inching closer to the three Qi Refiners, prioritizing caution when dealing with opponents of unknown strength.
500 meters, 400 meters... 200 meters, 100 meters... 50 meters, 20 meters... 8 meters, 5 meters...
Using the cover of the Dark God power, Du Ge hid within the shadow of the middle-aged Qi Refiner, who remained completely unaware.
At this point.
Du Ge felt completely at ease.
Even though Qi Refiners were feared by martial artists like tigers, it didn't change the fact that they were at the lowest end of the cultivation world.
He had overestimated them.
The Dark God power came from a ruler of another world, and even in small quantities, it was still divine power, capable of crushing these low-level Qi Refiners...
The Dark God should be comparable to the celestial beings of this world.
...
"Master, Prince Duan's association with evil cultivators is definitely unacceptable. Which of the remaining princes do you think has a chance to ascend the throne?" the young female disciple asked as they walked.
"Ziyun, focus more on your cultivation and worry less about worldly matters," the middle-aged Qi Refiner replied. "No matter who ascends, it won't shake the position of Dragon and Tiger Mountain. Concentrate on your cultivation, ascend to the celestial realm, and wouldn't that be more freeing than being a minor deity in the mortal world?"
People from Dragon and Tiger Mountain?
Du Ge was taken aback for a moment, instinctively glancing at the neck of the middle-aged Qi Refiner, contemplating whether to deliver a fatal blow and leave the two younger ones easier to handle...
Just as his gaze landed on the middle-aged Qi Refiner's neck.
The middle-aged Qi Refiner suddenly frowned, instinctively looking back, but saw nothing. "Ziming, Ziyun, stay alert. Something feels off here."
"Off?"
The male disciple named Ziming stopped to survey the surroundings, finally focusing on the direction of the constables. "Could there really be a demon hiding among them?"
"It doesn't seem like a demon, more like someone is watching us from the shadows," the middle-aged Qi Refiner finally stopped, bringing his fingers together. The sword on his back flew out, hovering in front of him. "Friend, why not show yourself?"
His two disciples followed suit, revealing their flying swords.
...
Truly perceptive!
Du Ge marveled at his keen intuition but remained hidden in his shadow, staying calm and collected.
He was an expert in such tactics; when unsure if there were enemies around, a little bluffing would suffice. If it worked, great; if not, no harm done.
If the Qi Refiner were to discover him, he would have done so already, not allowing him to hide in his shadow.
No response.
The middle-aged Qi Refiner frowned again.
"Master, should I scout the area?" the male disciple asked.
"No need. Anyone who can evade my senses isn't someone you can handle. Stay by my side," the middle-aged Qi Refiner said after sensing the surroundings again, shaking his head. "Let's go. Perhaps I sensed wrong. Let's retrieve the evil cultivator's treasure first, then investigate for any demons. If there are none, we'll leave this place and head to Fancheng."
"Yes, Master," the male disciple replied.
The middle-aged Qi Refiner quickened his pace, but his flying sword remained unsheathed, clearly not letting his guard down.
The two disciples guarded him, forming sword seals with their hands, maintaining vigilance.
Finally.
The three found the secret passage and followed the corridor to the secret chamber where the Soul-Calming Bottle was placed.
Seeing the empty chamber, the middle-aged Qi Refiner paused, then smiled wryly. "Let's go. I should have expected this."
"Expected what?" the female disciple asked.
"Longliu Manor has operated peacefully for so many years. For such a tragedy to suddenly occur, how could it happen without someone pulling the strings?" the middle-aged Qi Refiner explained. "It must be a demon descending, giving Prince Duan an opportunity to hasten the maturation of the treasure..."
"Maturation?" the female disciple was stunned, exclaiming, "Prince Duan is mad, using so many lives to mature a treasure. Isn't he afraid of being condemned?"
"Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't do this. But if there's a demon disturbing his mind, it's different," the middle-aged Qi Refiner said. "Demons have various supernatural powers. If a demon is by Prince Duan's side, disturbing his mind, he might act prematurely."
"Master, are you saying there's a demon by Prince Duan's side?" the male disciple asked.
"Very likely," the middle-aged Qi Refiner replied.
"Should we go find Prince Duan?" the female disciple asked.
"If there's a demon by Prince Duan's side, my status isn't enough," the middle-aged Qi Refiner said. "We'd need your grandmaster to intervene."
"But if we return to the mountain to request the grandmaster, the demon might cause chaos and grow stronger in the meantime," the female disciple worriedly asked. "For a single treasure, they're willing to kill so many. If they get involved in the struggle for the throne, who knows how many will die!"
"Die?" the middle-aged Qi Refiner glanced at his two disciples. "If provoking a mortal war can draw them out, it's a good thing. The real fear is them hiding and growing in the shadows, merging with the world. Those are the true threats."
"Why?" the female disciple asked.
"...The Celestial Masters have decreed that the chaotic demons disturb not just the mortal realm but the three realms. Only by eliminating them while they're weak can we save the three realms from disaster. So, even if the demons that emerge now are powerful, they're still manageable. The real fear is those that hide and grow in secret, becoming one with the world," the middle-aged Qi Refiner explained after a moment of silence.
"Master, if the demons are so dangerous, why doesn't the celestial realm send troops to eradicate them? Why rely on us Qi Refiners to search for them in the mortal realm?" the male disciple asked. "Can't the Dao Ancestor, with his vast supernatural powers, deduce their hiding places?"
"The Dao Ancestor's intentions are beyond our mortal comprehension," the middle-aged Qi Refiner shook his head. "We just follow orders. As for why the celestial realm doesn't send troops, why do you think the Eastern Emperor descended to the mortal realm recently? It's just that the demons are still weak, not yet requiring the Emperor's intervention!"
"I see," the two disciples nodded in understanding.
They're really on high alert, with a big shot stationed in the mortal realm, giving no time for the Alien Star warriors to grow!
Hiding in the shadow of the middle-aged Qi Refiner, Du Ge was filled with emotion, confirming once again that this was the most challenging Alien Star Battlefield. In Luo Shuang's battlefield, the imperial teacher could only vaguely foresee future disasters, but the celestial beings in this world were far more powerful, possibly even predicting the Pan-Universal Entertainment behind the Alien Star warriors.
However.
The stronger the world's natives, the happier Du Ge was, because it meant he could gain more powerful abilities. It also meant that Pan-Universal Entertainment was gradually increasing the difficulty of the Alien Star Battlefield to boost ratings.
As the difficulty continues to rise, there will come a day when Pan-Universal Entertainment loses control of the Alien Star Battlefield. That's when his opportunity will come.
...
"Let's go," the middle-aged Qi Refiner said, looking after his two disciples. "There's nothing more to investigate here. Let's return to Dragon and Tiger Mountain."
"Master, aren't we going to Fancheng to investigate the demons?" the male disciple asked.
"There are no cultivation sects around Fancheng. Demons can't learn cultivation methods and have no reason to target Longliu Manor suddenly. They also lack the ability to slaughter everyone in Longliu Manor. This is clearly the work of evil cultivators, unrelated to demons. Prince Duan's side is more important, and it's not worth wasting time in Fancheng," the middle-aged Qi Refiner asserted.
With that, he got up and walked out, noticeably quickening his pace, clearly not wanting to waste any more time here.
Now was the moment.
The investigation was complete, and they had even drawn conclusions and were preparing to leave, which meant he had let down all his guards.
Just as the three were about to exit the secret chamber, Du Ge suddenly launched his attack. The Dark God power spread abruptly, isolating them.
A series of negative curses like sluggishness, slowness, and corrosion were all infused into the three of them by Du Ge.
At the same time.
Du Ge's steel blade slashed fiercely at the back of the middle-aged Qi Refiner's neck.
Strike first.
Without knowing the Qi Refiner's supernatural powers, it's best to take down the strongest first. When both sides are at odds, survival takes precedence over right or wrong.
Thud!
Du Ge's steel blade struck the Qi Refiner's neck, but it didn't decapitate him as expected. Instead, it cut three inches deep before clanging and breaking.
Body as tough as iron!
Du Ge was momentarily stunned, then noticed a sword light breaking through the Dark God power, slashing towards him. But the sword light was obstructed by the Dark God power, like a bullet shot into water, starting fast but quickly slowing down, its trajectory even wavering.
As Du Ge manipulated the Dark God power to block the sword light, it was quickly suppressed back into the sword, a flying sword forcibly pinned in the divine power, trembling and unable to move forward.
"Scoundrel!"
The middle-aged Qi Refiner hadn't realized he couldn't even make a single move, filled with shock and fear, he tried to rush out, attempting to break free from the darkness.
But the Dark God power was like viscous tar. After a few steps, he had to stop, as resisting the Dark God power consumed too much spiritual power.
"Golden Elixir master, you're a Golden Elixir master," the middle-aged Qi Refiner's voice trembled. "What virtue does Prince Duan have to make a Golden Elixir master like you serve him?"
"I've lived a carefree life, helping whoever I wish. What right does a junior from Dragon and Tiger Mountain have to criticize me?" Du Ge sneered, suddenly not in a hurry to kill him. He manipulated the Dark God power, extracting items from his possession one by one, finding pills, talismans, and more, but no secret manuals.
"Old scoundrel, knowing that I'm a disciple of Dragon and Tiger Mountain, aren't you afraid of offending Master Xu?" the middle-aged Qi Refiner's voice was stern. "Master Xu is very protective. If he knows a disciple of Dragon and Tiger Mountain died by your hand, he'll tear you to pieces. If you're wise, let us go, and I can let bygones be bygones."
"Quite the let bygones be bygones. Someone who didn't know better might think you had me captured! Are Dragon and Tiger Mountain disciples so cowardly now, calling for their elders when they can't win?" Du Ge chuckled. "Let you go? What about Prince Duan's grand plans? I still want to earn some merit and become an imperial teacher!"
"Old scoundrel, the three realms are hunting demons now. If Prince Duan associates with demons, once exposed, he'll be condemned by all. Do you really think he can ascend to the throne?" the middle-aged Qi Refiner sneered. "He may not see it, but don't you, a Golden Elixir master, understand? Cultivating a Golden Elixir isn't easy. Why risk everything for a mere divine position?"
In this short time.
The wound on the back of the middle-aged Qi Refiner's neck had already healed.
It's undeniable that the healing speed of Qi Refiners, while not matching Alien Star warriors, wasn't far behind.
Du Ge sensed the changes in his body, smiling. "Junior from Dragon and Tiger Mountain, I don't kill nameless people. What's your name?"
"I am Liao Jiulong from Tianlan Peak of Dragon and Tiger Mountain," the middle-aged Qi Refiner replied.
"What about your two disciples?" Du Ge asked again.
"What do you want?" Liao Jiulong asked warily.
"Little Liao, I want to play a game with you," Du Ge smiled. "I wander the mortal world, and my only hobby is testing human nature. Anyone who passes my test, I let them go. If not, my Soul-Calming Bottle gains a few more main souls. Little Liao, are you willing to play this game with me?"
"Do what you will. I would rather die than make a deal with an evil cultivator like you," Liao Jiulong said. "Thinking you can use my soul to harm others is wishful thinking. I'd rather self-destruct than let you imprison my soul."
"Little Liao, you've worked hard to reach your current cultivation level, haven't you?" Du Ge smiled. "Ask yourself, are you really willing to give up all your cultivation? You just need to play a game with me. If you win, you can leave and continue being a disciple of Dragon and Tiger Mountain. Isn't that appealing?"
"Hmph!" Liao Jiulong snorted coldly, using his spiritual power to sense the darkness imprisoning him, trying to locate Du Ge and his two disciples.
"Refusing to play this game means certain death," Du Ge chuckled, continuing, "Playing this game gives you a fifty percent chance of survival. Are you really willing to give up? If you are, those two kids are still young. Are you willing to let them die with you?"
Liao Jiulong's expression changed.
"Liao Jiulong, do you know why I killed so many at Longliu Manor?" Du Ge sneered. "Was it really for Prince Duan? I used Longliu Manor as bait to lure in so-called Qi Refiners!
The souls of mortals are too low quality. Only by gathering the main souls of nine Qi Refiners can my Soul-Calming Bottle be perfected. Do you believe that after your death, Dragon and Tiger Mountain will send others to investigate your cause of death?"
"You..." Liao Jiulong's face changed dramatically. "Would you really let me go?"