The Excited White-Robed King

“How audacious,” muttered the white-robed king, eyes fixed on the receding form of the king corpse. Fury bubbled within him. He had intended to spare these two interlopers from the six clans and three sects. Yet, they doggedly pursued him.

“Do you really think that I, a king realm expert, am weak?” he shouted. His roar sent the surrounding wildlife fleeing in fear.

As the echoes faded and tranquility returned, the fierce expression on the white-robed king’s face vanished. Wiping away the blood at his mouth’s corner, he pondered deeply. “Are they just buying time?”

His gaze fell upon the late Sacred Heart Sect disciples from the five major sects who approached him anxiously. “King, are you alright?” they enquired, kneeling reverently.

“I’m fine,” he reassured them, dismissing them with a wave. As he had expected, their ambush had failed to be effective. The prowess of his adversaries was beyond their capabilities.

But just as they were about to depart, a blood-colored falcon dove from the skies, crashing into the white-robed king and merging with him. After a brief moment of shock, he beckoned his disciples, “Gather around. There’s something I need to discuss.”

…

Meanwhile, Qin Huai and Zhang Youji continued their meal at the restaurant. As they savored the dishes, they reflected upon their recent confrontation with the white-robed king.

“Did you spot any flaws in him earlier?” Zhang Youji inquired, munching on a peanut.

Qin Huai sighed. “I couldn’t find an opening. However, Brother Wang might have some insights.” He nodded towards the king corpse, which responded with a flurry of hand signs.

Qin Huai translated, “Brother Wang believes that the white-robed king’s domain divine power is formidable, only counterable by those at the king realm. Furthermore, the blood-based attack he uses might not be derived solely from blood. It could come from the earth or even plants.”

Zhang Youji pondered this. “So, are you suggesting that neutralizing his domain divine power is possible if we engage him mid-air?”

“Possibly,” Qin Huai confirmed. “The question is whether Daozi possesses the means to take to the skies.”action

“Indeed, there are ways,” Zhang Youji began. “Any martial artist in the visceral prefecture realm will always be on the lookout for a spirit item that grants the ability to fly. Such an item isn’t just for transportation. It’s a symbol of status and power.”

Zhang Youji cast a fleeting glance at the king corpse, then turned to Qin Huai, suggesting, “Shall we make our move tomorrow?”

Both Qin Huai and the king corpse nodded in agreement. Qin Huai wasn’t inclined to face the white-robed king without fully understanding the latter’s capabilities. The stakes were high.

Suddenly, Zhang Youji’s eyes captured a glint of blue, spelling out the word ‘sound’. The momentary flash of surprise in his eyes gave way to a playful look as he gazed at Qin Huai. “Brother Qin, you’re really impressive,” he said with a hint of admiration.

Puzzled, Qin Huai asked, “Why do you say so?”

“The Spirit Dragon Duo Demons,” Zhang Youji began, recounting their deeds, “were responsible for obliterating six races in the spirit bone level. It caused a huge uproar. And the turn of events in the eastern battlefield? That was your doing, wasn’t it?”

Qin Huai responded humbly, “Fortune favored me. The six clans underestimated their opponent.”

Zhang Youji chuckled, not quite buying Qin Huai’s modesty. “Regardless, the eastern battlefield of Pingwang county has shifted dramatically due to your intervention against the six clans. The three sects have pushed forward significantly, causing quite the damage to the opposing forces.”

“I was just lucky. The fellows from the six clans are too arrogant,” Qin Huai said humbly.

Naturally, Zhang Youji did not believe him. He chuckled and said, “No matter what, it’s all thanks to Brother Qin this time.

“On the eastern front, in Pingwang county… After Brother Qin’s decimation of the six clans, the combined forces of the three sects progressed a hundred miles.

“Twelve visceral prefecture realm experts have been defeated, and three elders from the Qiong Qi clan of Barren State have met their end. This marks the most significant loss of the six races’ top combatants since the onset of the war.

“Additionally, about three hundred remain in the bone pattern realm. As for those in the blood refinement realm, their numbers are uncertain.”

Qin Huai, listening intently, couldn’t hide his grin. The fallout from his skirmish at the King Bone Holy Altar seemed to have longer-lasting effects than he initially realized.

However, something didn’t add up. Qin Huai suddenly recalled that it had been nearly ten days since the battle at the King Bone Holy Altar. Zhang Youji’s expression just now was clearly similar to Gou Jie’s thousand mile sound transmission technique. This was probably first-hand news.

“Hasn’t it been almost ten days since the clash at the altar? Weren’t the three sects a bit too sluggish in their response?”

Zhang Youji, realizing what Qin Huai was driving at, gave a sheepish smile. “This news was already ten days ago. Just now, I wanted to see if anyone in the sect was looking for me, so I dispelled the technique.

“I’ve always erred on the side of caution. My concealment techniques make it difficult even for our sect members to find me. And the news you heard is a bit outdated. I’ve just now disabled my concealment to check for any messages.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Huai couldn’t help but marvel at Zhang Youji’s skills. “Your talents are truly unparalleled, Daozi. Not only have you mastered the True Path Sect’s Lightning Law Daoist Scripture, but your stealth abilities are nearly unrivaled, comparable to kings.”