Volume 12, Chapter 786 – I Will Gather Three Immortal Steles to Suppress Her (Part 3)

The people of Zhizun Peak also understood that they and the Lü Clan were now like grasshoppers tied to the same rope, so they received their guests with great enthusiasm.

“Peak Master, I’m sure you’ve already heard. The one named Qi Huang has declared that she’ll come next month to uproot our Lü Clan’s Immortal Stele.”

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Lü Dao could no longer hold back and cut straight to the matter.

“Of course I’ve heard. Such an outrageous claim has already spread throughout the cultivation world.”

Zhizun Peak’s Peak Master, Zheng Qian, shook his head with a smile.

“If such words came from an ordinary mouth, then yes, they would sound utterly ridiculous. But don’t forget, that demoness is the Holy Maiden of Huarong Sect, and she too carries the protection of an Immortal Stele.”

Lü Dao reminded him.

“But Huarong Sect’s Immortal Stele was once suppressed by the Cao Clan, that much is well known. Even if it still exists, it shouldn’t be stronger than the Lü Clan’s, right?”

Zheng Qian asked knowingly, clearly testing the waters.

“The problem is that six years ago, our Lü Clan’s Immortal Stele expended a vast amount of its power to suppress that demoness. To this day, it hasn’t fully recovered to its peak state. As to which is stronger or weaker, that’s still uncertain.”

Lü Dao stated the truth, not hiding anything.

“So what Brother Lü means is…”

Zheng Qian probed further.

“Brother Zheng, the Immortal Alliance was wiped out, and your sect also lost experts at the demoness’s hands. Do you mean to tell me you feel no urge for revenge?”

Lü Dao countered with a question instead of answering.

“Of course I want revenge! I dream of it! But everyone saw what happened that day. That demoness could block the strikes of an Immortal Stele. What could I do? Relying only on our own cultivation, even if we gathered everyone in Zhizun Peak, we wouldn’t be enough to fill the gaps between her teeth.”

Zheng Qian laughed bitterly at himself.

“Brother Zheng, at this point there’s no need for pretense. Was it really that demoness who could block the might of an Immortal Stele, or was it that Zhizun Peak’s Immortal Stele failed to release its power that day?”

Lü Dao asked with doubt.

“Brother Lü, what you’re implying is too much. If you think I’m lying, then why don’t you strike me right now and see for yourself?”

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Zheng Qian, a little displeased, issued the challenge.

“Brother Zheng, you take it too seriously. We bear no grudges, and now we’re both in the same boat. Why would I attack you?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Lü Dao covered his doubt with a laugh. He wasn’t foolish enough to actually test it.

“Hehe…”

Zheng Qian smiled ambiguously before explaining: “That day, Zhizun Peak’s Immortal Stele did indeed activate. Our disciples and even the mortals here all witnessed it with their own eyes. If you don’t believe me, you can ask them yourself.”

“No need, I believe Peak Master Zheng. But if it truly activated, why didn’t it suppress her? Huarong Sect’s Immortal Stele couldn’t possibly shield her from it. And where was the commotion it should have caused?”

Lü Dao fired off question after question.

“It was swallowed by a spatial rift.”

Zheng Qian provided an answer.

“A spatial rift?”

Lü Dao hadn’t expected that reply.

“Yes. After Elder Zheng died that day, I couldn’t make sense of it. So I carefully inspected the path between Wuye City and Zhizun Peak. Midway, I discovered a rift over a hundred zhang long. I believe the Immortal Stele’s might was swallowed by that thing.”

Zheng Qian speculated.

“A rift that long? How could such a thing appear?”

Shock appeared on Lü Dao’s face.

“Who knows? Perhaps it was coincidence. Or perhaps Qi Huang’s doing.”

Zheng Qian shook his head helplessly.

“Impossible! The speed of an Immortal Stele’s strike is unimaginably fast. How could she possibly create a spatial rift on the spot to swallow it? Even immortals couldn’t manage that.”

Lü Dao retorted in disbelief.

“Of course not on the spot. But what if it was prepared in advance?”

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Zheng Qian hinted.

“You mean she opened up a spatial rift beforehand along the line between the two sites, waiting to swallow the strike?”

Lü Dao’s face showed shock again.

“Exactly. You should know that every Immortal Stele strikes along a straight path, and its height is fixed. If she had already learned Zhizun Peak’s Immortal Stele’s patterns, then yes, it would have been entirely possible.”

Zheng Qian laid out his theory.

“Yes… if her Divine Sense truly had reached the late Heavenly Tribulation Realm, and with that unfathomably powerful main body of hers, spending a month or two could indeed open such a rift. Now I finally understand.”

After some thought, Lü Dao nodded in agreement.

“As for this matter, I’ll be posting an official notice with explanations, and I’ll personally verify the supreme power of Zhizun Peak’s Immortal Stele.”

Zheng Qian declared solemnly. His greatest fear now was for people to suspect their Immortal Stele was faulty; if so, Zhizun Peak’s prestige would be gravely damaged.

“Since Zhizun Peak’s Immortal Stele is intact, I can rest easy.”

Lü Dao exhaled in relief, then returned to his main point: “My visit today is actually to request Peak Master Zheng’s assistance.”

“And what kind of assistance does Brother Lü mean?”

Zheng Qian asked curiously.

“As I said earlier, relying on Lü Clan’s Immortal Stele alone doesn’t guarantee suppression of that little demoness. But if Zhizun Peak’s Immortal Stele is added, that changes everything.”

Lü Dao sneered.

“You mean… to have your name inscribed on our Immortal Stele?”

Zheng Qian immediately realized.

“Yes. Zhizun Peak also bears a grudge against her. I trust Peak Master Zheng won’t refuse? Once she’s dealt with, you can simply erase my name.”

Lü Dao revealed his plan.

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Zheng Qian’s eyes lit up. “A clever strategy! But Brother Lü, after all, you are not of Zhizun Peak. To inscribe your name on our Stele would break the rules. Could I at least consult with the elders of the Peak first?”

“Absolutely not! If too many people know, once word leaks, that little demoness will use her same trick again, perhaps opening another spatial rift midway to intercept it.”

Lü Dao hurriedly stopped him.

“Brother Lü speaks the truth.”

Zheng Qian realized, then said: “In that case, I’ll secretly inscribe Brother Lü’s name without letting anyone know.”

“Then I’ll trouble Peak Master Zheng for this favor.”

Lü Dao thanked him, excited.

Having secured Zhizun Peak, Lü Dao then made his way to Jingtian Sect.

Before long, he had persuaded Jingtian Sect’s Sect Master, Xiao Xi. When he returned home, he had already gathered three Immortal Steles for protection. His whole being radiated sharpness and fighting spirit, waiting eagerly for Qi Huang to come and deliver herself.

Meanwhile, Qi Huang and her companions had already arrived at the treasure land of Kapok Valley. Looking at the Giant Image Vine, with its massive, thick tendrils, she was utterly delighted. If it could be subdued, it would naturally be best. For that would avoid unnecessary upheaval among people.

“Elder Kang, go negotiate with the person in charge here. Tell them the Immortal Alliance has been destroyed, Lu Lin is dead, and they should submit to the Dao Alliance. Understand?”

Qi Huang instructed.

“Understood. Just watch me!”

Elder Kang rubbed his fists eagerly and strode forward. But soon he came running back with a troubled look: “Alliance Master, I don’t fear much else, but this Giant Image Vine was Lord Lu’s pet. Its strength has reached the early stage of Heavenly Tribulation Realm. If it goes berserk, what then?”

“Enough nonsense. Even if the sky falls, I’ll hold it up for you.”

Qi Huang urged impatiently.

“With your assurance, I can rest easy.”

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Elder Kang exhaled, then ran off happily to negotiate with the guards, saying he wanted to see Elder Bian, the one in charge here.

The guards knew Elder Kang, so they didn’t dare be negligent. Soon they brought out Elder Bian.

“Elder Kang, what brings you here? Has the Alliance Master given new instructions?”

Elder Bian greeted warmly. He had dark hair and beard, pale skin, and outwardly looked like a man in his fifties.

“Indeed, the Alliance Master sent me. But not Lord Lu, rather, Alliance Master Cheng and Alliance Master Qi.”

Elder Kang explained.

“Alliance Master Cheng and Alliance Master Qi? I’ve never heard of them. Which alliance do they hail from, and what business do they have here?”

Suspicion crept onto Elder Bian’s face.

“Elder Bian, I’ll tell you the truth. The Immortal Alliance was destroyed not long ago. The Dao Alliance now rules the cultivation world, and those two are its leaders. Today we’re here to bring you into the fold.”

Elder Kang spoke plainly.

“The Immortal Alliance… destroyed? Elder Kang, surely you’re not joking with me?”

Elder Bian instinctively backed away.

“If you don’t believe me, Elder Bian, you can use a Thousand-Mile Communication Tube to ask someone in Wuye City for confirmation.”

Elder Kang suggested.

Half doubtful, Elder Bian took out his communication tube and asked a friend. Moments later, trembling, he ended the conversation, his face stricken: “I can’t believe it… The Immortal Alliance truly has been destroyed. Even Lord Lu is dead!”

ROAR!

At those words, the terrifying Giant Image Vine awoke like a hibernating python, its body twisting and shuddering violently.

“Ah! Help!”

The houses built upon the vine collapsed one after another, and countless cultivators fled in a panic.