Chapter 754: Deities Can Die Too

Chapter 754: Even Gods Can Die

Zhao Changhe did not die a death, but rather went to wash himself, deceiving himself that it was like Ximen Chuixue bathing and changing clothes before going out to kill.

As for the real reason, those who understand, understand.

The Blind Woman, observing the three of them washing and scrubbing separately through her multi-core perception, was quite exasperated, finding it hard to imagine how they could possibly enter battle mode so quickly.

The result was quite the opposite—at least Huangfu Qing and Yue Hongling were now full of murderous intent, only wanting to cut people down. That stinking pig had ostensibly done nothing but help everyone with qi affinity; since they couldn't cut the pig, they naturally had to vent their anger on others' heads.

Three figures, each with a taut face, slipped out of the embassy in silence, heading straight for the Louguan Terrace.

The rift between Yuxu and the Dao Zun had been witnessed by all. But under normal circumstances, even with a rift, the Dao Zun would not likely kill Yuxu. If a banner-carrying figure like Yuxu died inexplicably, not only would the overall strength of the Dao sect plummet, but the blow to reputation alone would delight the Four Symbols Sect and the Buddhist sect. Moreover, if Yuxu died, the Chaos Chronicle would surely report it, and then a world announcement of "Dao Zun kills Yuxu" would make the Dao sect a laughingstock.

In the current situation where the Buddhist sect was collapsing, Yuxu had become Li Boping's primary pillar of support, and the status of "state religion" in Guanlong was within reach; the Dao Zun would be even less likely to spoil his own good fortune at this juncture.

Therefore, Yuxu's life and safety should be fine. And the Dao Zun was not the type to engage in soul control or the like; otherwise, he would have arranged it long ago, not waited until now.

So, was everything fine?

Obviously not!

Why should they only put themselves on the defensive? Why not take the offensive? Couldn't they instead help Yuxu kill the Dao Zun first?

Zhao Changhe had never been a passive person, nor were Huangfu Qing and Yue Hongling.

A dark, windy night for murder!

Yet more than ten li from the Louguan Terrace, Zhao Changhe suddenly slammed on the brakes, reaching out to stop Huangfu Qing and Yue Hongling: "Jiuyou is also at the Louguan Terrace. Conceal your aura, slow down and move cautiously."

Both women were startled. They were of the same level, with Huangfu Qing even higher; their perception was now very strong, but it was truly an outward expansion of soul fluctuations, more like radar than "seeing." And the opponent's cultivation greatly affected such perception results. When the opponent was a stronger cultivator like Jiuyou, they could not perceive her actions from a great distance, and it was even harder if she was still.

But Zhao Changhe not only "perceived" her but even knew it was Jiuyou... How could Jiuyou's movements be perceived by you? Did you see her? Since you could see Jiuyou, could she see you? Would concealing aura and moving slowly and cautiously be of any use?

As it turned out, it was indeed useful. Jiuyou also relied on perception; she wouldn't bother to perceive every nook and cranny over ten li away. For now, her ability was far inferior to the Blind Woman's, almost as if they were on different levels. Was it simply because the Blind Woman had recovered better, or because she had become different after merging with the Heavenly Book?

Did this ability to overlook everything belong to the original Night Emperor, or to the Heavenly Book?

The thought flashed by. Over there, Yuxu sat cross-legged in the hall, with Jiuyou standing beside him. Her cold, clear face was turned toward the statue behind him as she said blandly, "Of all the gods and buddhas I've seen, you are the biggest coward. With such a disposition, how can you contend for that thread of hope?"

The statue actually spoke: "Because only I have been personally struck by Ye Wuming. No one knows better than I how terrifying her strength is—it seems even greater than before. And we have not yet recovered our full power; we are no match for her. I don't know what she is wary of, otherwise, I think her ability would have already swept everything."

Jiuyou sneered: "Ye Wuming hasn't even appeared, and you're already scaring yourself. Truly a bird startled by the mere twang of a bowstring."

The statue said: "Whether she appears or not, I can be sure that Zhao Changhe is Ye Wuming's agent. If you want to beat a dog, you must consider its owner. Haven't you also endured again and again? You knew full well that Qin Jiu was Zhao Changhe, yet in your own territory you dared not make a move, even wanting to marry him. Now Chang'an is abuzz with the story of the young lady of the Li family chasing after a man and being rejected. You are far more ridiculous than I."

Jiuyou said coolly: "I was merely testing whether Ye Wuming was nearby, and testing the nature of her relationship with him—whether she had been bedded by a mortal of this age. I don't know who is more ridiculous. At worst, it's the face of the Li family's young lady that is lost; how many in the world know of Jiuyou?"

The Blind Woman's face was expressionless.

The statue said: "I think you overthink it. She most likely has no physical body, so how could she be bedded? For spiritual union, Zhao Changhe would need to have that level of cultivation."

Speaking of which, Daoism also discusses yin-yang harmony. The Dao Zun discussed these matters as an academic topic, but Jiuyou's tone was something else entirely.

Of course, Jiuyou wouldn't dwell on such topics with others. She quickly changed the subject: "From my probing, Ye Wuming should not be nearby. Otherwise, when I said things like helping others obtain her, she would have flown into a rage and fought me—that would be strange."

The statue's face actually showed a hint of expression, moving slightly, and after a long while it said: "Could it be divine descent?"

Jiuyou seemed to despise the Dao Zun's cowardly demeanor, somewhat irritably: "I've finally agreed to cooperate with you. If you dare not act because Ye Wuming is behind Zhao Changhe, then when will you ever obtain the Heavenly Book?"

The statue was silent.

Jiuyou said: "I can do without the Heavenly Book. Let's cooperate this once. If Ye Wuming descends, I will handle her. As for Zhao Changhe and his two women, can you deal with them? This is probably your only chance to obtain the Heavenly Book."

The statue said: "What are you after?"

Jiuyou sneered: "Anything that makes Ye Wuming uncomfortable, I will do. I don't need to be after anything. In short, you want the Heavenly Book. If you want it, you have to get it yourself. Don't expect me to find an opportunity to kill Zhao Changhe and then give you the Heavenly Book."

The statue's gaze finally fell on Yuxu, and Jiuyou also turned to look at Yuxu.

Yuxu sat cross-legged with eyes closed, saying nothing, but inwardly he found it quite amusing. What is the Dao? How could such a character be the Dao Zun? Calling him Mara would be more fitting.

He also knew why they were looking at him, and the reason was even more amusing. Because if Jiuyou had to deal with the Night Emperor, then relying solely on the Dao Zun—though he was already at the second level of the Imperial Realm—the trio of Zhao Changhe was no pushover. Defeating them might be possible, but killing them and seizing the book might not be achievable. To be safe, Yuxu would have to act as well.

Yuxu had been unwilling to act against Zhao Changhe before, let alone today.

The statue finally spoke: "Yuxu, you received my inheritance, cultivated to this day, and are revered throughout the world. Yet when I ask you to do something, you always make excuses. In your worldly terms, this is ingratitude and betrayal of your master. Can your Dao heart remain firm?"

Yuxu said calmly: "I have already done what the Dao sect's inheritance required, even when some things were against my will, I gritted my teeth and did them. The Han dynasty made the Four Symbols Sect the state religion, so I supported the Li family to oppose them, even at the cost of enmity with Zhao Changhe. As for other things in the Dao Zun's heart, they are demonic, not Daoic. Doing them would truly shake my Dao heart."

The statue said: "You should know that since you received the inheritance, you are not bound only by this karma."

"If the Dao Zun wants me dead, I can wither in soul and suffer the Five Signs of Decay at any moment—it's nothing." Yuxu saluted with one hand: "This poor Daoist is ready."

"You!" The statue was furious: "You would rather die than do a little something for me!"

"My Dao is eternal; what is my body to me?" Yuxu said calmly: "I would rather advise the Dao Zun: your heart is full of selfish desires, you have long lost your Dao heart. Even if you truly revive, you will be nothing but a demon, not the Dao Zun. When the time comes, the so-called shattering of the Dao heart and death of the body will likely befall you yourself."

Jiuyou watched the statue with a half-smile, saying nothing, as if she found this conflict quite interesting.

The statue seemed to take a deep breath, then slowly said: "I am not incapable of soul control and similar arts; I simply did not wish to use them on you before. If you remain obstinate, do not blame me for no longer considering that bond of incense."

Yuxu said calmly: "This poor Daoist awaits."

With these words, Yuxu's expression stiffened slightly, and his face began to twist in pain, as if a soul struggle was taking place deep in his sea of consciousness.

The next moment, the Milky Way seemed to hang upside down from the heavens, and a terrifying, unmatched murderous aura surged forth, as if the night sky had turned to blood.

The statue abruptly turned its head. A large man, wielding a broad blade, came slashing down in fury under the blood moon.

Zhao Changhe—gods and buddhas scatter!

Jiuyou's expression shifted slightly. Before she could do anything, the space around her twisted, the environment changed completely, and she was transported to an unknown place by a special spatial technique.

The Blind Woman walked slowly through the void: "Leave others' affairs alone. Didn't you want to occupy me? Then have it your way."

Two strikingly similar women, both in black, faced each other in the unknown void.

Jiuyou studied her for a long moment, then suddenly spoke: "Why are your eyes closed?"

The Blind Woman did not answer.

Jiuyou said slowly: "Why do I have the feeling that it's not Zhao Changhe helping you, but rather that you are cooperating with him?"

The Blind Woman replied calmly: "I am not only cooperating with him; in fact, I am also cooperating with Yuxu."

Jiuyou was taken aback, then heard the Blind Woman continue: "The battle with the Sea Emperor proved that even a god of the Sea Emperor's level can die. This planted a seed in the hearts of all who were paying attention. Gods and demons are lofty, but mortals are always in pursuit. If you ignore them and only focus on each other, you will surely taste the shock from mortals... They are constantly letting you know what it means for gods and buddhas to scatter."

As she spoke, over there, Longque struck heavily onto the statue, while behind it, Zhuque and Yue Hongling attacked simultaneously, instantly forming a formation to surround the statue.

And almost at the same time, a bronze-colored light burst in from outside the hall, slamming viciously into Yuxu.

Li Shentong! He had been hiding there all along, unnoticed by anyone—how he managed it was unknown.

With this impact, a shadowy figure on Yuxu's body flickered, almost knocked out of his body.

So the statue was not the true body; the Dao Zun's true body had always been hidden inside Yuxu! Zhao Changhe did not know, but Yuxu himself knew. He had been resisting in secret, and the conspiracy had long been conveyed.

A pot of clear wine, its meaning fully contained.

A rescue from thousands of li away; the world has its heroes.

"We dared not exchange a single word of planning, only relying on tacit understanding... When I learned that the Prince of Zhao was coming from Bashu, this old Daoist knew the game could be revealed." Yuxu opened his eyes: "Even gods can die."