Seizing the Mandate of Heaven

Outside Yu City.

Xu Linglong followed behind the somewhat dejected Zhao Wanqing with a leisurely expression, speaking in a calm tone.

"There's no need to be so disheartened. The essence of being an evil cultivator is to be fast and cunning. If they were so easy to catch, they wouldn't be called evil cultivators."

Zhao Wanqing glanced sideways.

"What would they be called then?"

"They'd be called fools." A smile appeared on Xu Linglong's face. "Being an evil cultivator has its own threshold. Ruthlessness and sharpness are the most crucial. It's also unwise to underestimate them."

Zhao Wanqing didn't respond to this.

What Xu Linglong said actually made sense, though it sounded somewhat like making excuses for evil cultivators, almost praising them indirectly.

Perhaps she meant to comfort her, but...

Evil cultivators were ultimately filthy vermin who deserved to drown in cesspits.

Xu Linglong followed behind Zhao Wanqing, watching her fall silent again, and spoke up once more.

"That young monk from Chanlin Temple lately, seems to be called... Yuan Kong, has been quite formidable recently. It's said he also has some connection with Chu Xingchen."

"His Golden Core cultivation is truly impressive, though it seems he's suffered quite a bit lately. The evil cultivators have indeed become increasingly rampant recently."

Zhao Wanqing rested one hand on the sword at her waist. Hearing this, she pondered for a moment before finally speaking.

"In the past, a Golden Core cultivator would indeed be considered a mighty figure in Yu City. It's just that the world is becoming harder and harder to understand... So many evil cultivators have suddenly emerged, and their cultivation seems profound."

"But the Golden Core realm alone probably won't be enough to settle the matters here."

Xu Linglong nodded emphatically and sighed softly.

"It's just that the surrounding sects are even more infuriating. Clearly, they have more resources to spare, yet most just put on a show, unwilling to truly exert themselves. If evil cultivators were to truly run rampant in Yu City, it's not certain they'd gain any advantage either."

Zhao Wanqing shook her head slightly. "Just focus on doing good. The severe insularity within the sects isn't a new development in a day or two. They're always afraid that losing a couple of elders would cost them their voice in this region."

"What about Chu Xingchen, Senior Chu?" Xu Linglong steered the conversation. "Senior Chu seems to have left a legacy in Yu City as well. I went to see the site of that sect; it was incredibly imposing."

"Senior Chu's cultivation is profound. Why not invite him? If he came, those evil cultivators would be dealt with in the blink of an eye."

"Even if we're not that familiar with him, Monk Yuan Kong surely is."

"Even if Senior Chu is busy with important matters, it wouldn't hurt to ask. The common folk outside Yu City might not have to die in such numbers then."

"Or is Senior Chu also like those sects?"

Zhao Wanqing remained silent for a while before slowly replying.

"Yu City is merely the starting point for a genius like him. The places he is destined for are far greater than Yu City, where even more legendary tales will be left behind."

"He isn't from Yu City either. If he comes, it's because he values old ties. If he doesn't, we can't really blame him too much."

"As for whether Yuan Kong is willing to call for Senior Chu... that's not something we can force."

"The matter of 'favors and bonds' emphasizes letting things take their natural course. Forcing it only ruins the relationship, making it reek of calculation."

"Anyone would be angered by treating bonds as bargaining chips."

"As for me, a native born and rooted in Yu City, risking my life for this land is what I must do."

"Isn't Monk Yuan Kong the same?"

"It's enough that the people of Yu City won't abandon Yu City."

Having said her piece, Zhao Wanqing seemed to have also dispelled the doubts in her heart.

The slightly dispirited look on her face completely vanished. She quickened her pace and headed towards the Demon-Suppression Division.

Xu Linglong did not speed up. Instead, she watched Zhao Wanqing's gradually receding figure with a calm gaze, murmuring softly.

"People from small places... have the backbone of small places too."

It was just a pity that their intelligence network was far from capable of probing the top-secret information at Chu Xingchen's level.

However, Xu Linglong had indeed received news that foreign cultivators had recently been secretly investigating the situation in Yu City.

Chu Xingchen had likely already turned his gaze here.

Perhaps he was already planning how to resolve it.

Xu Linglong's eyes lifted slightly. Indeed, not enough people had died, and it hadn't been cruel enough, not enough to make one's heart ache.

That's why Chu Xingchen had the leisure to ponder the problem.

The people of Yu City won't abandon Yu City?

Then first eliminate most of the people right in front of you.

First, take apart this Zhao Wanqing with her backbone, see if she still has that backbone once her bones are gone.

Turn A'Nian, who likes refining swill, into swill herself. If she likes refining, then refine her too.

Take all these people connected to Chu Xingchen, turn them over one by one, and see if they all have that kind of backbone.

Xu Linglong thought lightly, finally feeling much more pleased.

If Chu Xingchen prefers to take things slow, then slow it shall be.

But the next moment.

Xu Linglong's expression instantly turned serious, her gaze shifting to the north.

She saw two streaks of light vanish extremely quickly, after which no more spiritual energy fluctuations emanated.

In the next moment, the emergency communication token at her waist vibrated rapidly.

This token signaled... the fish had taken the bait.

Xu Linglong had also caught the identities of the two auras—one was Bai Xuanling, who owed her an arm, and the other was the target this time, Chu Xingchen.

The news from Central Province indicated only the Tianyan Sect and the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect were mobilizing cultivators, though their target remained unclear.

Xu Linglong had thought Chu Xingchen intended to send people.

She never expected Chu Xingchen to still be so bold, favoring swift in-and-out strikes. He had actually concealed his movements and, bringing Bai Xuanling with him, headed straight for this place.

Truly, those blessed by heavenly fortune, whose path has been too smooth, grow fond of gambling, of taking risks, of chasing greater profits.

Just like that True Dragon that was slain.

So reckless. Did he truly think she was made of clay, incapable of anger?

Xu Linglong struggled to suppress the smile on her face and the excitement in her heart. She lightly pinched the jade slip in her hand and sent a message: —Confirm first!

Chu Xingchen had always been cunning. If, due to haste and carelessness, they allowed him to escape this killing move,

then such a perfect opportunity would truly never come again.

Xu Linglong gently raised her hand. A drop of her origin essence flowed out, transforming into an image of herself, which then sped towards Zhao Wanqing.

Her true self turned and headed for the main camp.

Xu Linglong did her utmost to suppress her spiritual energy fluctuations, traveling at a slightly slower pace.

What kind of person was Bai Xuanling? A cultivator forged in life-and-death struggles, exceptionally sensitive to the slightest ripple in spiritual energy.

Xu Linglong had never before felt her heart pound so rapidly as it did now. The path, which wasn't actually long, suddenly felt as distant as a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers.

It felt like an eternity before she finally arrived at the place—a somewhat crude wooden hut, surrounded only by a very simple spiritual energy barrier to block probing.

Xu Linglong pushed the door open heavily.

She saw the other three Great Heavenly Demons already seated inside, their gazes all turning towards her as she entered.

"Has only Chu Xingchen and Bai Xuanling come?"

Xu Linglong tried her hardest to contain the joy in her heart, but her tone still betrayed a hint of it.

Bai Bo shook his head slightly.

Before Bai Bo could speak, Xu Linglong frowned and asked:

"Have other Tribulation Transcension cultivators come? Huang Miao should still be on the Pudu River, right?"

This time, Bai Bo made no further gestures and spoke directly:

"Don't let your heart grow impatient. No other Tribulation Transcension cultivators have come. There are merely seven Nascent Soul and Unity Realm cultivators from the Tianyan Sect stationed outside. They cannot affect the overall situation."

Hearing this, Xu Linglong shot a sharp glance at the other Heavenly Demons. She asked no further questions, instead declaring excitedly:

"If this succeeds, it should be our turn to seize the Heavenly Mandate!

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