“Mm, for the greater good,” Xuanyang nodded.
“I understand. Immortal, rest assured, I am human. I would never do anything to betray my own. As for those who would try to incite war between the two races, manipulate monarchs, and throw the world into chaos—I, Xuanyang, will never tolerate them!”
“Very good, the young are indeed teachable.” Lord Zuo was thoroughly pleased with Xuanyang’s attitude.
“Now tell me, do you know where Jiang Ke’er is?”
“I really haven’t heard of anyone named Jiang Ke’er,” Xuanyang replied.
“But Fox Demons know they’re universally reviled, so of course she wouldn’t show herself under her real name… Immortal, do you have any other clues? Why are you so certain someone from the Taiming Sect would know where Jiang Ke’er is?”
Lord Zuo’s gaze turned cold. “Are you trying to get information out of me?”
“No,” Xuanyang hurried to defend himself.
“Even if you want my help, I need to understand the situation first! My Taiming Sect is clearly a victim here, and we’ve never even heard of the name Jiang Ke’er! If you won’t tell us anything, how are we supposed to even start looking?”
“I’m asking you: has your Taiming Sect taken in any members of the demon race recently?” Lord Zuo didn’t answer, only shot back impatiently.
“We often have members of the demon race join the Taiming Sect,” Xuanyang answered frankly.
“Our Taiming Sect has always preached the doctrine of teaching all without discrimination, using enlightenment instead of force. So almost every day, demons come to join us. How could I possibly know which one you’re talking about… Do you know her alias?”
“Enough nonsense! What about those two women who entered the Secret Realm with you?” Lord Zuo’s patience was nearly worn through.
After all this, not only had he failed to get anything useful out of Xuanyang, but he’d exposed his own situation instead.
Because his answers were so vague, it revealed the Tribulation Immortal Hall’s lack of intelligence—they didn’t know who the Fox Demon was, didn’t know what alias she used, only that the Fox Demon was hiding within the Taiming Sect.
The reason they were staking out the Secret Realm’s entrance was simply because they didn’t want to let any suspects slip by—they were here to try their luck.
Jiang Ke’er realized—even more so—that they probably hadn’t conquered the Taiming Sect yet, maybe hadn’t even captured a single living member, which is why they were interrogating Xuanyang so urgently, hoping to extract information from him.
“Are you asking about Qian Yue and Qing Yi, my junior sisters?” Xuanyang’s expression turned sorrowful.
“You’ve seen for yourself, they didn’t make it out. They’re already… sigh—”
Lord Zuo’s veins throbbed in anger.
He’d spent all this time questioning, only to find that the two female suspects—either of whom could have been Jiang Ke’er—had died inside the Secret Realm?!
This bastard! Talking in circles, wasting his time!
“Your Taiming Sect will pay for its treachery.” Lord Zuo flicked his sleeve in fury and turned away. “Take them, back to Taiming Sect—I want to see how long Yuan Shouyi can hold out!”
All around, the mighty army of cultivators soared into the sky, flying toward Taiming Sect.
Dai Tian bowed deeply and said respectfully, “Immortal, since we don’t know who it is, why not just kill everyone in the Taiming Sect?”
“Exactly my intention,” Lord Zuo said grimly, “but it’s up to you. I cannot intervene.”
“Why?” Dai Tian was surprised.
“The Tribulation Immortal Hall made a pact with someone—we cannot use Tribulation Immortals or greater power against the Taiming Sect,” Lord Zuo said, annoyed.
“Go on. With the Dan Sect Alliance’s strength, you’re more than enough.”
“That’s true.” Dai Tian smiled.
Whether or not Lord Zuo acted didn’t matter—so long as he was there holding the line as their backer, that was enough.
Dai Tian’s mood couldn’t be better.
The Taiming Sect was finished, that infuriating Lingdan Lucky Bag Customer Service was dead, everything was looking up.
All that was left was for the army to surround the sect, slowly break through that Sect Protecting Array like cracking open a turtle shell, then rush inside and slaughter every last one of them—mission accomplished!
At this moment, Jiang Ke’er had been sent to the Hall of the Wild Dragon.
She was left to recuperate in a room, with only a single healer standing watch.
“Bang—”
Jiang Ke’er knocked the healer out with a single punch, then pulled out the Underworld Province Cauldron and concealed her form.
She hadn’t dared use the Underworld Province Cauldron to evade Immortals before, because she’d never used it so close to one before and feared she’d be discovered.
What’s more, since they knew she possessed the Underworld Province Cauldron, they’d probably set precautions against it.
But now, it was safe to use.
She slipped out of the Hall of the Wild Dragon’s headquarters all the way, but felt lost.
She didn’t know how to break this impasse.
Should she go back to Taiming Sect or not?
She wasn’t afraid of dying.
If she could, she’d willingly give her life for the Taiming Sect that had dared to shelter her.
But she feared her death would be in vain, and the Taiming Sect would still be wiped out.
Even if Lord Zuo didn’t make a move, the massive army of the Dan Sect Alliance was more than enough to annihilate the Taiming Sect, and clearly, that’s exactly what they intended.
Right now, there was only one solution.
Force the Dan Sect Alliance to abandon their assault on the Taiming Sect—make them retreat.
But with over a dozen powerful clans, and seven Venerables, could the Dan Sect Alliance really be driven off so easily?
Threatening to release the pill recipes might work, but…
“The Sect Protecting Array has fallen!”
Suddenly, a cheer erupted from afar, as the Disciples of the Mad Dragon Hall, keeping an eye on the front lines, spread the word.
Jiang Ke’er’s heart skipped a beat.
There was no time left.
She had to rush to Taiming Sect at once—before everyone there was slaughtered!
She’d have to take it one step at a time.
Li Residence Main Hall.
“You unfilial son! Do you know what you’re saying?!”
Li Yuan leaped to his feet, his black armor rattling. His face was ashen as he glared at Emperor Taizong of Tang.
Yet Emperor Taizong of Tang showed not a trace of fear before Li Yuan’s mountain-crushing presence.
He dropped to one knee and declared with unshakable resolve, “Jiang Ke’er is worth it.”
“What about her makes her worth it?” Li Yuan’s fists cracked with anger. “Worth… this traitorous, foolish notion?”
“Father, we’re out of time,” Emperor Taizong of Tang looked up, eyes bright and unwavering.
“You know this—Lord Yang Xuangan and many of our demon race brethren have already had their entire clans exterminated. How much longer can we keep clinging on? Perhaps, as we speak, the Grand Historian with the imperial decree and imperial guards is already riding this way…”
“Impossible! Our Li family has toiled loyally for the Great Sima Nation for so many years, winning victories far and wide!” Li Yuan’s reply was forceful and final.
“The others who were exterminated, their achievements were no less than ours.”
Li Yuan fell silent.
Emperor Taizong of Tang sighed softly.
“The world is already in chaos. If we don’t act, there will be no chance left. The fate of the demon race now rests on your decision, Father… This is our last chance—the last chance for the demon race everywhere.”
Li Yuan felt the pressure building in his chest, the long-suppressed frustration and unease finally erupting, impossible to ignore.
He waved his hand. “Enough, do not speak of this again…”
Before he could finish, a commotion sounded outside the window.
“The Grand Historian has arrived—Li Yuan, receive the decree—”
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