586 The Sects’ Discussions
Qin Huai darted through the spirit bone level, with the King Bone Holy Altar as his destination. It was easy to find, as it was located atop the highest mountain range within sight.
Suddenly, Qin Huai came to a halt. With a swift motion, he flung a droplet of blood from his hand. With a ‘whoosh’ sound, the ground exploded two meters away.
Turning sharply, he found himself mere inches from another face. He managed to suppress the explosive power that was on the brink of bursting from his body.
“Zhang Daozi.” Qin Huai’s aura receded. “Your concealment technique is formidable. It was only when I was two meters away that I became aware of your presence, something I haven’t experienced in my life before,” he expressed, a hint of emotion in his voice.
“Haha… Brother Qin, you are too modest. If you discovered me only two meters away, it means that you and my master are on the same level,” Zhang Youji replied, laughing heartily.
But beneath his jovial exterior, his mind was in turmoil. Not because Qin Huai had discovered him from two meters away, but the near-death sensation he’d experienced as he tried to approach further. He had a growing feeling that this person standing before him could obliterate him in a single blow.
“What brings you here, Zhang Daozi?” Qin Huai got straight to the point.
“The Great Spirit Dragon of the Spirit Dragon Duo Demons, that’s you too, isn’t it, Brother Qin?”
“Yes, that’s correct,” Qin Huai confirmed without hesitation.
“Brother Qin, you’re heading to the King Bone Holy Altar, aren’t you?” Zhang Youji inquired further.
“Indeed, I have to go and take a look. After all, death isn’t permanent in the spirit world. It’s a rare opportunity to challenge the six clans, so why not seize it,” Qin Huai replied nonchalantly, disclosing his intentions.
“Do you have any brilliant strategies, Brother Qin?”
“Actually, I don’t.”
Zhang Youji was at a loss for words.
“How long do you reckon you can hold off the group, Brother Qin?” Zhang Youji opted for a more pragmatic question. Recalling the pressure he’d felt from Qin Huai earlier, he realized that Qin Huai’s combat strength was far beyond his imagination. He probably wouldn’t last a second against him in the spirit world.
“I’m not sure. It could be a short while, or it could be a bit longer,” Qin Huai contemplated. As per the little girl…or rather, the little emperor’s description, emperors were invincible, and only time could defeat them.
In the spirit bone level, the emperor’s force could obliterate anything, including the bones of the kings from the king’s altar. However, that would require some time. As for how long, Qin Huai honestly didn’t know.
“A quarter of an hour?”
“An hour!” Qin Huai made a rough estimation. If the six royal clans didn’t escape, he should be able to vanquish them all.
“Do the three sects have a plan?” Qin Huai regained his focus.
“Well, you could say we do. However, this plan is highly risky. I suppose I’ll have to count on my persuasion skills,” Zhang Youji answered, flashing a mischievous grin. It was impossible to tell if he was being truthful or not.
“The Gratitude of the World”
Qin Huai spoke in hushed tones, “What news?”
This time, Zhang Youji was the one caught off guard. Qin Huai’s words were enigmatic.
“As long as Zhang Daozi keeps a watchful eye on the King Bone Holy Altar, he should be aware,” Qin Huai stated, not planning to probe into the plans of the three sects.
He could discern from Zhang Youji’s demeanor that he likely wasn’t getting the full story. He understood the necessity of caution in a matter of such grave importance for the human race.
“Alright, then I’ll await Brother Qin’s positive news!” Zhang Daozi cupped his fists at Qin Huai and watched him depart.
“So, Master, what is your impression of Brother Qin?” Zhang Daozi produced a jade bottle from his sleeve.
“I can’t quite read him.” The water inside the jade bottle stirred, and the voice of the True Path Sect’s master echoed from within.
“Are you old men still undecided?” Zhang Youji asked.
“The risk is too great. If we lose, we lose everything… We, as humans, cannot afford to gamble.”
Zhang Youji couldn’t help but sigh. “Let’s wait and see what kind of surprise Brother Qin brings us. The heir of the Qingzhou Emperor… Tsk, tsk…”
…
King Bone Holy Altar.
Nestled amongst mountains, swirling clouds enveloped the region like turbulent waves. Verdant forests stretched upward, their sharp aura subtly rippling from the branches and treetops.
Near the restricted area, numerous figures began to gather, rushing towards this location with great speed. Their auras were imposing, their eyes bright, and their forms robust. Their chiseled figures appeared as though they’d been refined thousands of times, inspiring a sense of awe and admiration.
However, subtle tensions pulsed beneath the surface. Each of them made discrete defensive gestures, on guard against the others. A single misstep could lead to conflict.
Surveying the scene, there were over a thousand individuals, each of them at least in the visceral prefecture realm, with some having achieved remarkable expertise in this domain. This was because typical visceral prefecture realm martial artists lacked access to precious resources like spirit stones.
Regrettably, these numerous experts were merely supporting actors and spectators on this day. They were all gathered to potentially witness a historic moment.
“Sect Master Wang! You’ve emerged from your seclusion?” A wave of astonishment swept across the crowd.
Everyone respectfully greeted an elderly man with a bow, their faces adorned with ingratiating smiles, regardless of their actual relationship with him.
“Good heavens, Old Master Wang is already five hundred years old… We thought he’d perished in his seclusion, but here he is, looking hale and hearty.”
“Three hundred years ago, Old Master had already achieved the fifth-level visceral prefecture realm. I wonder if he’s made further progress after coming back this time…”
“Those who appear in the spirit world are naturally not at the king realm. If a martial arts expert who has entered the king realm wants to re-enter the spirit world, it would be fatal.”
“Regardless, it seems like the Invincible Divine Leg Gang can continue for at least another decade without declining.”