Liang sneered inwardly as he pondered over Han Zhi’s intentions. He knew that Han Zhi was trying to uncover his true motives, hoping to exploit any vulnerabilities he might find. But the question still lingered in his mind, Why?
Maintaining a neutral expression, Liang carefully chose his words, masking his true intentions with an air of sincerity he said calmly. "I will follow the same path as Brother Han."
Han Zhi’s eyes flickered with surprise for a brief moment, but he quickly masked it with a facade of friendliness, hiding any hint of coldness beneath.
Meanwhile, the other three cultivators, Jiang Yan, Gu Hong, and Xue Ren, though taken aback by Liang’s decision, did not dwell on it for too long.
Jiang Yan, with a warm smile, stepped forward to reassure Liang. "Good junior brother Liang, don’t worry. This senior sister will take care of you."
Liang’s lips curved in a knowing smile and nodded gratefully.
Gu Hong shook his head, a tinge of disappointment evident in his expression, as he stepped forward towards the exit of the sanctum. Followed by Xue Ren.
"Junior brother Liang and junior brother Han, let’s go too," Jiang Yan declared, leading the way towards the exit.
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Ji Fang, wearing a fake smile, extended his hand towards Liang, his eyes gleaming with an underlying malice, he said, the insincerity in his voice apparent. "After you, brother Liang,"
Liang returned the smile, a flicker of amusement in his eyes, as he nodded in acknowledgement. And followed behind Jiang Yan.
Unbeknownst to Liang, Ji Fang’s gaze lingered on his back, filled with coldness and hatred.
"Smelly little brat, I will kill you sooner or later and take my mirror back. Just wait," Ji Fang thought to himself as he followed suit.
As the group made their way back through the grand hall of the sanctum, their footsteps echoed against the marble floors, creating a symphony of sound. The air felt heavy with a mixture of relief and anticipation as they approached the exit.
Stepping outside, sunlight greeted them, casting a hot glow on their faces.
Jiang Yan looked around before directing his gaze toward Gu Hong," You have connected them, right? Why hasn’t the portal appeared yet,"
Gu Hong furrowed his brow, deep in thought. "I followed the precise instructions, and the coordinates should have aligned perfectly," he replied, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "There must be something else that delays them."
Just as Gu Hong was about to reach for his badge, a sudden and astonishing sight unfolded right before them. A portal, sparkling and shimmering with otherworldly energy, materialized in their midst, swirling with a captivating allure.
At that moment, Gu Hong and Jiang Yan exchanged a glance, a mix of astonishment and relief appeared in their eyes.
Without hesitation, the group stepped through the portal, and they were engulfed in a vortex of swirling colors and luminous energy. Their bodies felt weightless as they traversed through space and time, carried by the ebb and flow of the void currents.
Stars streaked past them in brilliant trails, their radiance weaving a tapestry of breathtaking hues. Nebulas formed vast landscapes, swirling with vibrant colors that defied earthly comprehension. The group found themselves suspended in a cosmic ballet, witnessing celestial phenomena that would leave even the most seasoned stargazers breathless.
Intangible boundaries separated moments, blurring the concept of time. Days melted into nights and back again, the rhythm of the universe intertwining seamlessly. Weeks and months became abstract notions as they journeyed through the void.
After what felt like an eternity, the vortex slowly began to weaken, and a gate materialized in front of them. The group crossed the gate and found themselves once again beside the astral gate.
Liang let out a chuckle, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "We’re back here again."
Taking a step forward, Liang raised his cupped hands and spoke, "It has been an incredibly fruitful journey. Until we meet again."
With one more step, Liang’s figure distorted, blending seamlessly with the surroundings until he vanished, leaving no trace behind.
Ji Fang wasted no time and swiftly followed suit, his departure punctuated by a sense of urgency, eager to not delay any longer.
Just as their figures vanished from sight, another silhouette emerged gracefully from the depths of the shadows. It was none other than Zhuo Li.
Upon laying eyes on Zhuo, the group instinctively bowed with reverence and greeted him in unison, "Greetings, Senior Brother Zhuo."
Zhuo Li nodded in acknowledgement, his gaze filled with a silent curiosity. Taking a moment to assess the situation, he calmly inquired, "How was the journey,?"
Jiang Yan flashed a warm smile, her eyes shining with satisfaction. "Truly fruitful," she replied, with a sense of accomplishment coloring her words.
Zhuo Li nodded again and asked calmly, "And what about the two of them?"
Xue Ren replied first, his tone cautious and guarded. "We cannot place our trust in them. Both Liang and Han Zhi likely harbor ulterior motives."
Zhuo Li’s brows furrowed slightly, he turned to Gu Hong and Jiang Yan. "And the two of you, what are your opinions?"
Jiang Yan responded, her voice charming, "Junior Brother speaks the truth. Both of them cannot be trusted. Our investigations on Han Zhi indicate that he is most likely possessed. However, we are still uncertain about the method used. His body, soul, and nascent divinity all originate from the same source."
Zhuo Li’s frown deepened, his concern evident. "And what do the esteemed Hall Lords think?"
Gu Hong shook his head, a somber expression on his face. "Han Zhi has only entered the Enlightenment Hall."
Zhou Li nodded, his curiosity piqued. "Then what does the Enlightenment Lord say about him?"
Gu Hong hesitated, his uncertainty palpable. His gaze met Zhuo Li’s, and he slowly uttered his response, his voice tinged with awe. "He... he said he couldn’t see through him."
Zhuo Li’s previously concerned expression twisted into an ugly one. A chill ran down his spine. If even the Hall Lord couldn’t unravel Han Zhi’s true identity, it could only mean one thing - the person was extremely powerful.
His eyes narrowed, focusing on the next crucial question. "And what about Liang Yifei?"
Jiang Yan chimed in, her tone grave. "The three Hall Lords have unanimously agreed that if we cannot secure his complete loyalty, we must swiftly eliminate him."
Upon hearing this, Zhuo Li let out a heavy sigh. "Very well," he said determinedly. "Once we reach the devil’s realm, we will get rid of them." He paused for a moment, his voice filled with finality. "They are nothing more than mere pawns to fill the quota."
With a swift movement, Zhuo Li turned and quietly made his way out, disappearing as quickly as he had appeared.
Jiang Yan surveyed her surroundings with a heavy heart, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "It seems like I will return empty-handed," she muttered to herself.
Gu Hong shook his head sympathetically. "It can’t be helped," he replied. "As the senior brother said, once we reach the devil realm, we won’t need them anymore. Killing them might be the safest option."
Jiang Yan furrowed her brows, concern evident in her eyes. "But what about the Sutras Hall Lord’s orders?"
A mischievous smile played on Gu Hong’s lips as he responded, "The lord stated that he only needs Liang Yifei’s body. Whether he is alive or not wouldn’t make any difference."
Jiang Yan nodded, understanding the situation better now. "I guess you’re right,"
Gu Hong glanced at Jiang Yan and spoke gently, "We will take our leave first, Sister Jiang." With a nod, he turned to leave, Accompanied by Xue Ren who followed closely behind him.
Jiang Yan remained still for a moment, deep in thought. After a brief pause, she made up her mind and began to walk away, stealing one final pensive glance over her shoulder.
Immediately following their departure, a mischievous chuckle reverberated from the depths of the void, piercing the silence before it swiftly returned, shrouding the surroundings once more.
Of course, this chuckle belonged to none other than Liang Yifei, who had left one of his shadows concealed in the void before he left earlier.
********
A sly smile curled upon Liang’s lips as he watched Han Zhi’s figure disappear into the distance. His decision to leave first had been a calculated move, aiming to make the other lower their guard against him.
With a flick of his wrist, Liang summoned another one of his shadows from the depths of the void. The shadow seamlessly melded with the darkness, silently trailing Han Zhi’s every move, unnoticed and undetected.
"Get rid of me ?Do they truly think I am so easy to deal with?" Liang muttered, a smirk playing across his face, fueled by a mixture of confidence and amusement.
"Now the real game begins," Liang murmured to himself, his voice laced with a sinister edge. With a smirk playing on his lips, he faded into the darkness, disappearing without a trace.