Chapter 1568: Detailed Intelligence on Mo You

From the dark clouds high above, a majestic heavenly might and a crushing, mountain-like pressure descended, striking Li Yan and Huo Ming with primal terror.

Fortunately, the thunderlight within the clouds remained coiled and unreleased, not striking again.

Just then, a figure rushed toward them from beneath the distant clouds.

“Fellow Daoist, it seems there’s been a misunderstanding…” Li Yan stammered, his eyes fixed on the newcomer.

The newcomer was Song Wen.

As he closed in, a streak of cold light materialized before him, hurtling toward the two men even faster than he was.

“No misunderstanding. I’m here to kill you both.”

Despair flashed in Li Yan’s eyes. Against such strength, he stood no chance.

But in the next instant, his despair twisted into ruthless desperation.

He threw Huo Ming forward with all his might, sending him directly into the path of the oncoming cold light.

Simultaneously, Li Yan used the momentum to retreat, his body gradually vanishing into a billowing blood mist.

“Hmph! The Blood Escape Technique!”

Song Wen’s voice, tinged with disdain, reached Huo Ming’s ears.

But Huo Ming heard nothing. His eyes were locked on the short blade now inches from his face.

The short blade, barely a foot long, hovered just before his forehead. Yet the sharp light it pulsed with stung his face, splitting his skin into bloody gashes.

“Young Master Huo, it seems you don’t have a very loyal guard after all.”

Huo Ming snapped awake at the words, only then realizing his attacker had already closed the distance to within ten feet.

“Senior… This junior…”

Before he could finish, Song Wen interrupted.

“I heard you have a Heavenly Astral Body Integration Pill?”

“Yes!” Huo Ming replied hastily. “Senior, you want the Heavenly Astral Body Integration Pill? This junior will offer it to you right away.”

As he spoke, he prepared to activate his storage ring.

“No need.”

The moment those three words reached his ears, a sharp claw pierced his face.

Immediately after, his consciousness plunged into endless darkness.

With a casual flick of his wrist, Song Wen tossed aside Huo Ming’s mummified corpse, which was still hanging from his hand.

Crimson flames suddenly erupted from Huo Ming’s body, swiftly incinerating it to ashes.

Meanwhile, a storage ring now rested in Song Wen’s hand.

Without a moment’s delay, he transformed into a streak of light and pursued Li Yan.

Li Yan’s use of the Blood Escape Technique had allowed him to slip beyond the range of Song Wen’s divine sense, but he couldn’t escape the shadow void’s perception.

Before long, Song Wen caught up to Li Yan, who was fleeing through the dense forest.

Unlike Song Wen, Li Yan could not replenish his depleted blood essence at will.

The Blood Escape Technique had come at a considerable cost.

Now, his Qi and Blood were unstable, his face as pale as paper, and his aura flickered like a candle in the wind, waxing and waning.

“Impossible! I used the Blood Escape Technique to travel over eight thousand li—far beyond the range of your divine sense! How could you have caught up so quickly?” Li Yan’s face was a mask of astonishment, tinged with deep resentment and fury.

Song Wen didn’t bother to reply. He simply unleashed the Soul Cleaving Blade once more.

Li Yan fought desperately, but after just two breaths, he was beheaded.

Song Wen pulled the corpse to his hand and devoured its blood essence and divine soul.

Notably, Li Yan and Huo Ming had cultivated the Corpse King Blood Refinement Art and the Corpse King’s Rebirth Art, respectively. Song Wen tried to devour their spiritual power, but the foreign energy simply couldn’t be refined.

It was like trying to pour water into a bucket that was already full—no matter how much he added, it only overflowed.

After dealing with Li Yan’s body, Song Wen took their storage rings, found the Heavenly Astral Body Integration Pill, and then quickly scanned all the other items inside.

In Huo Ming’s storage ring, Song Wen discovered two divine sense imprints from Great Ascension Stage cultivators—likely left by Huo Wuqi. After devouring them, he took the storage ring and swiftly departed.

Blood Brilliance City.

Inside a secret chamber of a teahouse, Song Wen held Mo You’s Communication Jade Slip and began sending a message.

[Huo Ming is dead. I have also obtained the Heavenly Astral Body Integration Pill.]

Mo You’s reply came quickly, as if he had been waiting somewhere in the city all along.

[Junior has already learned of Huo Ming’s death from the sect. Thank you for your efforts, Senior.]

[Regarding Lady Yugu, when do you think she will go to steal the Taiyin Netherfire?] Song Wen asked.

[Huo Wuqi has already left the sect to investigate Huo Ming’s death, taking two Body Integration Stage outer hall elders and ten Void Refinement Stage stewards from Yinghuo Hall with him. Lady Yugu will never miss such a golden opportunity and should act soon. Junior has bribed the guards of Taiyin Netherfire Cave. Once Lady Yugu enters the cave, Junior will receive word immediately,] Mo You replied.

[Well done. Remember to inform me of any developments immediately,] Song Wen said.

[Yes, Senior.]

Song Wen received another transmission from Mo You six hours later, during the yin hour of the next day.

[Senior, I just received word that Lady Yugu entered Taiyin Netherfire Cave during the second quarter of the chou hour last night. She remained inside for half an hour before leaving. It is highly likely she has succeeded.] Mo You reported.

[Do you know where she is now?] Song Wen asked.

[She has returned to her cultivation cave.] Mo You replied.

[Then she must be planning to refine the Taiyin Netherfire as soon as possible, right?] Song Wen said.

[No! In my opinion, she wouldn’t dare refine the spiritual fire inside her cultivation cave. No matter how strong the concealment formation is, it cannot withstand the scrutiny of a Tribulation Crossing Stage cultivator. If she were exposed, she would face utter ruin. She will likely find a secluded spot outside the sect to refine the Taiyin Netherfire.] Mo You explained.

[Your words make sense, little friend. Keep a close eye on her, then. The moment she leaves the Divine Blood Gate, inform me immediately.] Song Wen commanded.

In the blink of an eye, another half a month passed.

On this day, Song Wen received another message from Mo You.

[Senior Xing Chang, Huo Wuqi has returned to the sect.]

[Has he given up on investigating Huo Ming’s death?] Song Wen asked.

[Probably not. He returned alone, and none of the twelve who went out with him have returned. Huo Wuqi might suspect that the killer is someone within the sect. He has ordered the twelve to continue searching for clues outside, while he likely intends to start his investigation from within the sect. However…]

Mo You paused briefly before continuing the message.

[Now that Huo Wuqi is back, Lady Yugu no longer needs to manage Yinghuo Hall. She will likely leave the sect soon. She should refine the spiritual fire as quickly as possible to avoid any unforeseen complications.]

(End of the Chapter)