CHAPTER 92: CHAPTER 90 ’ESTEEMED’ GUEST VISITS

Once a Transcendent made a move, you knew if they had substance.

This Old Lady Meng swept through the crowd with the formidable strength of the Transcendent Realm. She ’directly’ confronted this group of True Immortals and Yuanxian Realm villains. While capturing them, she didn’t damage a single table or bowl in Guantao Tower, nor did she give these villains any chance to fight back.

Wu Wang felt quite pleased with this.

However, after subduing the Ten Evils Hall villains ambushing nearby, Old Lady Meng didn’t return. Instead, she directly vanished into the void, leaving only a message: "I will take this sphere back to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion. As for what follows, Sect Master Wuwang, please decide for yourself."

Wu Wang rose, and along with Lin Suqing and the four burly guards, performed a Daoist bow.

Such masters usually cared about their reputation. Personally dealing with a group of True Immortal Realm and Yuanxian Realm villains from Ten Evils Hall was indeed a bit beneath her. Her intervention this time was purely out of respect for a senior member of Ji Mo’s family.

The fake military family stalwarts: Lin Nuhao and other military experts. The real military family stalwarts: the women of the Ji Family.

Outside Floating Jade City, the experts who had been lurking underground rushed over.

But to avoid disturbing the cultivators and mortals in Floating Jade City, Wu Wang offered an "immature little suggestion": have the experts take the Ten Evils Hall members outside the city for interrogation.

This was certainly not because he was afraid of affecting the business of Guantao Tower and the other two stores!

「An hour later,」

Outside Floating Jade City, in an inconspicuous thicket.

Dozens of men and women in various colored robes hung from tree branches, their bodies bound by shackles of immortal power, sealing them completely from their Primordial Spirits to their physical forms.

In the nearby grass, several burly men were punching and stomping, occasionally sending blood splattering, accompanied by shouts:

"Are you going to talk or not! Damn it, are you going to talk!"

Wu Wang sat cross-legged under a small tree, looking at the more than two hundred Storage magic treasures before him. He opened them one by one for a thorough search, took out anything useful, and tossed them to Lin Suqing for sorting.

He also casually pocketed the bottles and jars containing the blood of Evil Gods.

TSK TSK, not bad at all. This blood of Evil Gods from Ten Evils Hall was truly not bad.

The only problem was...

Why were the Ten Evils Hall villains so impoverished?

The Spirit Stones and Elixirs they carried were fewer than those of Annihilation Sect disciples who had yet to become immortals. Precious materials and Spiritual Medicines were even scarcer, both low in quantity and poor in quality. Their Cultivation Techniques weren’t anything special either.

Isn’t carrying all one’s belongings when leaving home basic etiquette in the Great Wilderness?

"Sect Master!"

Yang Wudi, drenched in blood, ran over in two steps, cursing breathlessly, "These bastards from Ten Evils Hall are so stubborn! I’ve nearly beaten them to death, and they still won’t talk!"

Mao Aowu also leaped down from mid-air, adding, "It’s just like before. Even if only their Primordial Spirits remain, these guys refuse to say a single word."

Not far away, Ji Mo and Lin Qi also floated over, shaking their heads slightly at Wu Wang.

Wu Wang: ...

We must get Saintess Xiaolan!

Mao Aowu asked, puzzled, "Sect Master, how did we interrogate them last time?"

Wu Wang tried hard to recall interrogating that True Immortal’s Primordial Spirit with Ling Xiaolan. He only remembered that the Fairy Immortal had a very cold expression, particularly frightening eyes, and had formed several special hand seals.

Yes, was it the eyes?

Wu Wang muttered under his breath, "Could it be that last time we encountered a rare, cowardly type of villain?"

Ji Mo said, "I’ve heard from my family elders that Ten Evils Hall has a secret art that keeps their members tight-lipped."

"I’ll do it."

A familiar voice came from the side. As everyone looked towards the source, the Annihilation Sect members quickly turned their heads back.

Under a nearby tree, Elder Miao, who had arrived at some unknown point, was approaching with elegant steps.

She raised her hand to remove her hairpin, lightly pursed her cool, smooth red lips, and walked towards the nearest Ten Evils Hall fiend.

A soft glow emanated from Elder Miao’s body.

"Everyone, don’t look," Mao Aowu reminded softly. Ji Mo and Lin Qi immediately closed their eyes and turned away.

Wu Wang also closed his eyes and focused his mind, not daring to look at Miao Cuijiao at that moment.

Dark Desire’s Seductive Art specialized in shattering the spiritual mind.

A few soft, gentle whispers were heard as Elder Miao asked the man his name. He answered as if in a dream and, in his daze, revealed all the information he knew.

Before long, Elder Miao, somewhat impatiently, patted the man’s cheek. He had already fainted, his body trembling uncontrollably.

She turned and asked, "Do we need to interrogate the next one?"

Everyone opened their eyes and shook their heads in unison.

"How dull."

Elder Miao snorted, walked into the nearby woods, and vanished in an instant.

Lin Suqing’s eyes shone brightly, much like when Wu Wang had first taken her to see the world and she had seen the room full of top-quality treasure mine collections.

Apart from Lin Suqing, everyone else looked somewhat solemn.

The information extracted wasn’t very valuable, nor did it include the locations of Ten Evils Hall strongholds.

Before setting out for Floating Jade City, they had already destroyed their previous gathering point, and their memories related to Ten Evils Hall gathering spots had been erased.

The only valuable item was a set of contact codes, which involved deciphering ’ghostly symbols’ from one side. With these fiends captured, Ten Evils Hall would surely cut off communication.

Clearly, having recently lost multiple lairs, Ten Evils Hall had already implemented strict countermeasures.

"We’ve been duped," Mao Aowu sighed lightly, chuckling bitterly. "No wonder these fellows were just sent to probe; not a single Heavenly Immortal Realm expert was among them."

Ji Mo offered comfort, "Ten Evils Hall has lurked in the Human Domain for so long and deceived so many followers. They’re not without skill. How could they be completely wiped out in one go?"

Lin Qi also said, "Even if we had a magic treasure capable of identifying Ten Evils Hall fiends, finding them in the vast sea of people would be like searching for a needle in an ocean."

"No matter, today still counts as a gain," Wu Wang smiled. "Don’t be disheartened. This is just the beginning. We’ll simply fight Ten Evils Hall again."

Cultivators from far and near looked over.

Wu Wang sat under the tree, tossing a storage bracelet in his hand, and smiled.

"What is Ten Evils Hall’s mission? To cause chaos behind our lines in the Human Domain. With the Beast Tide surging in the north, they surely can’t stay hidden for long. This time, I was somewhat hasty and made the wrong decisions. This had nothing to do with any of you."

Having said this, Wu Wang stood up and bowed to the cultivators.

Ji Mo hurriedly said, "Brother Wuwang, you mustn’t belittle yourself. We achieved a great victory this time, capturing so many Ten Evils Hall fiends."

"Brother Ji," Wu Wang looked at Ji Mo seriously and said, "If the operation didn’t achieve the expected results, it’s a mistake, and there’s no shirking responsibility. Besides, I underestimated the enemy’s methods, allowing them to get close to me without my knowledge. Thinking back, the planning and arrangements for this operation were indeed somewhat sloppy. From now on, I will not underestimate the Ten Evils Hall. I will ensure we have thorough contingency plans."

Wu Wang continued, "Thankfully, our side suffered no casualties today. Otherwise, one or two apologies from me wouldn’t have been enough to resolve the matter. These Ten Evils Hall fiends captured this time should be handed over to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion. It would be best to execute them publicly as a warning to others."

The cultivators all agreed.

The experts from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion looked at Wu Wang with a newfound appreciation.

Half an hour later, on the lavish ship returning to the sect.

Wu Wang flipped through the account books from the Floating Jade City shops for the past few months, nodding with satisfaction. This was already enough to support everyone in the Annihilation Sect.

Lin Suqing quietly asked, "Young Master, do you have other plans?"

She only called him Young Master when she was sure no one was nearby.

"What other plans?"

"Then, your self-criticism in front of so many experts just now, was it to... win people’s hearts?"

Wu Wang chuckled and said, "Why would I need to win people’s hearts? What for? To secure a minor position at the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion?"

"Then..."

"It was simply admitting a mistake, no ulterior motive."

Wu Wang transmitted his voice, "The Northern Wilderness may not have as many complex formalities, but its principles of conduct are no less stringent than those in the Human Domain. If a leader makes a wrong decision, they should stand up, admit their mistake, and reflect on themselves. This way, if they are about to err again, those around them can offer a reminder. This time was indeed somewhat perilous. I was actually outmaneuvered by Ten Evils Hall. If not for the presence of a Transcendent expert, I fear a bloody battle would have been unavoidable. I suppose I’ve grown accustomed to smooth sailing and underestimated the cunning old foxes... ahem, the heroes of this world."

Lin Suqing nodded slightly, though she didn’t seem particularly interested in such matters.

She said, "That Elder Miao is very formidable."

"The Black Desire Door’s seduction arts are somewhat extreme," Wu Wang said. "Don’t you get any ideas about learning them."

"Of course not," Lin Suqing huffed. "I just think Elder Miao is very cool and unrestrained. I have no desire to learn seduction arts!"

Wu Wang smiled, not arguing further. He looked at the account books in his hands, his expression thoughtful.

The inspection immortal envoys had taken the Ten Evils Hall fiends away, but the ’supervisory team’ from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion had not left.

Not only them, but the two Heavenly Immortals sent by the Lin Family had also voluntarily stayed behind.

These dozen or so experts were currently on the great ship. They would remain stationed at the Annihilation Sect until the Beast Tide in the north receded and peace returned to the Human Domain.

For now, he would consider this a grand gift from Pavilion Master Liu Baiyi of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion.

The number of Heavenly Immortal Realm experts within the Annihilation Sect had rapidly swelled, putting them on par with the top twenty major powers of both the Immortal and Demon Paths.

Thus, the Annihilation Sect Mountain Gate was largely secure.

However, disciples sent out to manage the sect’s businesses were vulnerable to retaliation from Ten Evils Hall.

’Try to keep them within Floating Jade City as much as possible.’

With this thought, Wu Wang took out several communication Jade Talismans. After some consideration, he inscribed a few orders into them and sent them back to Floating Jade City.

Although this operation didn’t achieve the expected results, it wasn’t merely about catching a few small fry.

Startling the snake had caused it to flee this area for now.

Given the caution displayed by Ten Evils Hall, they were unlikely to approach Floating Jade City or the Annihilation Sect anytime soon, lest they suffer further losses.

But his side couldn’t afford to be complacent either.

As that grandfather he’d never met had aptly put it: the more complacent and unaware of danger one is, the more likely danger is to strike.

Ultimately, it boiled down to the Annihilation Sect’s insufficient strength. If the sect had three to five Transcendent experts, why would they worry? They would have been hunting Ten Evils Hall across the entire Human Domain long ago.

Three to five Transcendent experts—that would be like one of the top ten major Demon Path sects.

Most Transcendent experts needed to cultivate in seclusion; such powerful individuals couldn’t be used so trivially, even against Evil Gods.

"Wudi?"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Please ask the Elders to come. We’ll have a small meeting."

"Yes!"

In a certain subterranean palace, over a dozen figures were concealed in various corners. The atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.

"Shen Nong places such importance on that Lin Qi that he even assigned a Transcendent expert to protect him. The men we sent were captured before they could even activate the bloodline."

"They can’t reveal anything significant. This loss isn’t substantial."

"This Lin Qi will be the primary target for our Ten Evils Hall to eliminate. However, we cannot act rashly now. Instruct all branches to go underground and remain hidden."

One person pondered for a few moments, then said, "Although this may anger you, I still must say: that Lin Qi is actually Wu Wangzi, the Sect Master of Annihilation Sect, not Lin Qi of the Lin Family."

A silence fell over the great hall.

"We must not question Father."

"Names are merely designations. We only need to know whom Father wants us to eliminate; that is sufficient."

"For now, stay away from Annihilation Sect and Floating Jade City; the enemy likely has more traps set. Over the next few years, we will accumulate power and expand our followers. Let our fathers’ glory shine upon this evil Human Domain."

"This Beast Tide was merely an appetizer to lull the Human Domain. Father Qiong Qi wants the Human Domain to become complacent, to make them believe the great gods no longer pose a threat, and then guide them into destroying each other."

"Before the Beast Tide ends, a few Divine Children will descend upon the Human Domain. We must be prepared to receive them."

The hall fell silent again for a long while, followed by a few low murmurs, making the atmosphere even heavier.

As soon as the Annihilation Sect’s great ship reached the sect’s Rift Valley, more than a hundred figures emerged from below to welcome them, beating gongs and drums in a lively celebration.

The Grand Elder had received a communication Jade Talisman from Mao Aowu in advance, informing him that Wu Wang was ’in a bad mood.’ He had specifically ordered these preparations to celebrate the victorious return of the Annihilation Sect members.

Wu Wang gave the Grand Elder a few instructions, asking him to properly accommodate the experts from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion and the Lin Family, then returned to his own small cabin with Lin Suqing.

Several Elders called out.

"Sect Master, please rest well! Don’t take it too hard; we returned victorious this time!"

"Sect Master, what would you like to eat tonight? This old woman hasn’t cooked in years, but my culinary skills were once unparalleled!"

"Shall we have some female disciples perform a dance for you?"

Wu Wang waved his hand dismissively and floated away.

Once they had landed within the protective formation near his residence, Lin Suqing smiled. "Everyone is very concerned about you, Young Master."

Wu Wang shrugged. "Well, I am, at the very least, a diligent and responsible Sect Master, leading our Annihilation Sect towards a comfortable life."

Lin Suqing asked, puzzled, "What does ’a comfortable life’ mean?"

"It means... a stable life, with no shortage of Spirit Stones."

Suddenly, Wu Wang made a gesture. Lin Suqing immediately stopped and held her breath.

Something wasn’t right.

The door seemed to have been tampered with; it wasn’t in the state he had left it. The strands of spider silk wrapped around the wooden door handles were now broken.

Had someone entered his attic?

Just then, a voice transmission entered Wu Wang’s ear.

"Young Master Xiong, no need for alarm. I am the Pavilion Master of the Four Seas Pavilion. I’ve taken the liberty of this unannounced visit; I hope Young Master Xiong will not take offense."

Four!

Wu Wang nearly bolted, but his composure held—actually, it was because Lin Suqing was standing behind him, making a quick escape rather inconvenient.

He took a shallow breath and whispered, "The current one, or a former one?"

The lean old man in the attic was stumped by the question, momentarily unsure how to reply.