Chapter 602: Multi-point Strikes, Fishing Enforcement

"Senior!"

"Senior Wuyue!"

In Ba Gong, at the entrance of the large white tent, Chang Yi called out loudly.

"Enter."

A voice came from inside the tent.

Chang Yi immediately lifted the door flap and stepped in.

Inside the main tent, the pure white tables, chairs, and wooden decorations exuded a magical aura, as if they could completely soothe any inner restlessness.

On the high seat in the center, the middle-aged swordsman in a light blue robe was wiping the famous sword Nu Lan Zhi Sheng with a sword cloth.

Gou Wuyue looked up and asked, "What is it?"

"It's like this."

Chang Yi felt his heartbeat steadying, letting out a breath as he said, "The scouting unit earlier detected that Jin Zhao power."

"If things go as expected, Wu Xiu, the second-in-command of Sheng Nu, might be nearby to provide support."

"Then, they detected a surge of pure water element energy. Theoretically, Yu Ling Di, the head of the Ling Department, could have already arrived."

"But he's gone missing!"

"Gone missing?" Gou Wuyue paused in his sword-wiping. "What happened?"

"I don't know."

Chang Yi shook his head. "The scouting unit didn't sense another person's presence, but the water element energy vanished without a trace. That can only mean Yu Ling Di, the head of the Ling Department, has been trapped by someone."

"Is there a possibility..."

"No."

Before Chang Yi could finish, Gou Wuyue interrupted firmly, "Wu Xiu isn't skilled in concealment. If you sensed him, then it's real."

"Just keep tracking his trail. If he's supporting Sheng Nu, he won't get far."

"As for that kid Yu Ling Di disappearing..."

Gou Wuyue lowered his eyes in thought, then pointed his finger. "It's probably someone else."

"Anything else?"

Chang Yi didn't dare voice the question aloud.

But his face showed clear shock and uncertainty, revealing everything.

Gou Wuyue smiled. "What, are you scared?"

"No, no..."

Chang Yi quickly denied it. "I just didn't expect that a mere Bai Ku could attract so many people. No one could have foreseen that at the beginning, right?"

Gou Wuyue nodded in agreement.

"It's unexpected."

"The spark that started it all was just a storyteller happening to come here, and the Sheng Nu leader happening to enter Bai Ku."

"Everything that followed unfolded through layers of calculations."

"I blocked the entrance, so they couldn't get out and had to find a way, calling for reinforcements being the most direct method."

"But using Bai Ku as the node to draw out the snakes and ideally wipe out Sheng Nu completely... I bet the Sheng Nu leader had already guessed that."

"Unfortunately..."

Gou Wuyue smiled as he sheathed the now gleaming famous sword. "Even if he guessed it, I still want to do it."

Chang Yi listened, his heart pounding with unease.

This targeted strike combined with entrapment could turn a small incident in Bai Ku into a continent-shaking event!

The question was, could they handle it?

If Sheng Nu really called everyone in...

Could Senior Wuyue handle it all alone?

Impossible!

If he could, a single Wu Xiu wouldn't have severely wounded the Bai Yi forces that came from Zhong Yu.

"Don't overthink it."

Gou Wuyue could see the worry in Xiao Yi's expression.

He waved his hand, slung Nu Lan Zhi Sheng over his back, and stood up. "Trapping that kid Yu Ling Di won't be easy."

"Though he's only at the Wang Zuo level and hasn't broken through to Zhan Dao, even the strongest Zhan Dao expert would eventually be worn down by his strange water element abilities in a fight."

"He's not simple—the little guy who sits as the head of the Ling Department among the six departments and is hailed as the pinnacle of refining masters on the continent."

"So..."

Gou Wuyue slowly descended the steps, his brows furrowing slightly. "Who could trap him right as he appeared?"

"Sheng Nu's people?" Chang Yi suggested.

"Let's say so, but who in Sheng Nu has that capability?" Gou Wuyue asked in return.

"It seems... no one?"

Chang Yi was a bit unsure.

After all, among Sheng Nu's ten chairs, only a few had made major moves on the continent.

If they all exposed themselves, they probably couldn't have kept the ten chairs intact for so many years without losing a single one.

"There is!"

"There really is someone like that!"

Gou Wuyue paced to Chang Yi's side, then stopped as if remembering something, his voice turning serious. "Immediately! Send a message to Bei Yu, notify the people at Qi Duan Jin's 'Hua Xiang Gu Li,' and push forward with full force!"

"If the obstacles in Qi Duan Jin exploration lessen, that means Hai Tang Er's true self is no longer there."

"And if the obstacles grow..."

Gou Wuyue smirked. "Then she's really not there!"

"Hai Tang Er?"

Chang Yi had no information on this person in his mind; he was completely baffled.

"Bei Yu matters aren't in your jurisdiction. Just follow the order." Gou Wuyue's tone grew stern.

"Yes!"

Chang Yi nodded quickly and turned to leave.

"Wait."

Gou Wuyue called him back.

"And... oh, yes."

"Have people hit the suspected Xu Yue Hui Gong strongholds in Nan Yu, at least to keep them from sending reinforcements."

Gou Wuyue paused.

"And Nan Yu's 'Ban Yue Ju,' Xi Yu's 'Da Mo Ling,' Zhong Yu's 'Si Fu Tu Zhi Cheng'... get people to watch them all closely!"

"These are the biggest suspected strongholds of Sheng Nu right now."

"Especially 'Si Fu Tu Zhi Cheng'!"

Gou Wuyue's tone sharpened, his voice turning cold. "Absolutely, do not let those inside get out!"

"Yes!"

Chang Yi responded loudly, feeling a chill in his heart.

Though he had only heard of Zhong Yu's "Si Fu Tu Zhi Cheng" among these places, and knew nothing about the others since they weren't in his operational scope, that didn't stop him from upgrading the danger level of this mission in his mind—to high.

That was Si Fu Tu Zhi Cheng!

Sheng Fu Tu Zhi Cheng was known as the holy land for alchemists, craftsmen, and spirit array masters.

Si Fu Tu Zhi Cheng... that was a true den of death and slaughter, where even saying "bones stretching for miles and corpses floating by the millions" couldn't do it justice!

It was said that the Bai Yi guards stationed there either died or went mad within a year.

It was a place only the true elites of Bai Yi could endure, a realm of terror that required constant oversight, where not even a moment's respite was possible—not even for someone as high as Lord Cang Sheng!

"Shi Zi Jie Jiao."

Gou Wuyue seemed to recall something and said sternly, "Especially Shi Zi Jie Jiao—best to have someone stir up a big commotion there, but don't make it too obvious. Consult with Ai Cang Sheng for the details."

"In short, don't let that person get out."

Chang Yi's steps faltered.

Shi Zi Jie Jiao?

The "Shi Zi Jie Jiao," known as the "Bloody Pope's Cross" in Si Fu Tu Zhi Cheng?

"Are we guarding against that one called 'Gui Men Guan, Shen Cheng Shen'—the Sha Po Hong Chen Zhan Gui Guan... getting out?" Chang Yi swallowed hard.

Gou Wuyue nodded silently.

Then, he chuckled and patted Chang Yi on the back.

"What's there to fear?"

"It's not like I'm sending you to guard it personally."

"Besides, with Ai Cang Sheng watching, as long as you relay my words, they won't cause any waves and definitely won't get out." Gou Wuyue reassured him.

"Yes!"

Chang Yi's voice rose a notch, almost cracking, as if he were steeling himself.

"Don't go yet, there's more."

Gou Wuyue grabbed hold of the flustered young man and asked directly, "How's that matter I assigned you last time going?"

"What..."

Chang Yi was momentarily stunned, then quickly realized. "Are you referring to the Can Yue Xian Cheng matter, Senior?"

" Mm."

Gou Wuyue nodded.

Last time, during the battle with Sheng Nu's Wu Xiu in Qing Long Jun, an Eighth Sword Immortal had appeared midway, but he had determined it wasn't the real one.

So, Gou Wuyue had ordered an investigation and raid on the two major ancient sword cultivator forces in Dong Yu.

Chang Yi couldn't possibly forget that.

"No results."

He shook his head first to summarize, then explained in detail, "Based on intelligence from their branches, Zang Jian Zhong is still the same as always—not even getting close is possible."

"The semi-saint sword intent inside is still brewing. Wen Ting Jian Xian is likely at the final stage and wouldn't have time to wander the continent."

"So, we can rule out the possibility of someone from Zang Jian Zhong impersonating him."

Gou Wuyue's breath grew heavier.

"Wen Ting... so he's already reached that step?"

He murmured, somewhat envious.

The gold-powdered Nu Lan Zhi Sheng on his back trembled, as if unwilling to be outdone.

"Sorry."

Gou Wuyue patted the famous sword, his voice tinged with regret. "It's not your fault; it's mine. I've wasted so much time these years."

Chang Yi broke into a sweat, not daring to respond.

He knew that ever since joining Sheng Shen Dian Tang, Wuyue Jian Xian had been constantly fighting on all fronts.

His path of killing had indeed advanced, but true swordsmanship wasn't forged through killing alone.

Now, the former Wen Ting Jian Xian, who couldn't even secure a spot among the ten venerables behind the Eighth Sword Immortal, had already touched that realm first...

Of course, Chang Yi only dared to think these thoughts.

Saying them aloud would be impossible, whether from Sheng Shen Dian Tang's perspective or Senior Wuyue's.

He wiped away the sweat and continued, "Additionally, we checked Can Yue Xian Cheng. At first, no one was willing to step forward."

"It could be that there really was no one, but more likely... those guys were trained by the Eighth Sword Immortal's nominal disciples, so they're stubborn and wouldn't show themselves."

"It wasn't until we were about to raid them that Kong Dong, the senior brother, finally appeared."

"But as soon as he did, the conclusion fell apart."

"After all, only this nominal disciple of the Eighth Sword Immortal has the qualifications to imitate the original; no one else has the strength." Chang Yi shrugged helplessly.

Gou Wuyue's thoughts returned.

"Kong Dong..."

"He's still calling himself the senior brother?"

"Yes," Chang Yi said with a hint of reverence, "after all, on this continent, the one who least believes the Eighth Sword Immortal has fallen is this senior disciple who built the new generation of ancient sword cultivators—Xiao Kong Dong!"

"Heh, little Kong Dong..."

Gou Wuyue snorted, not taking it seriously. "It's probably him. He's been dragging his feet, likely on his way back."

"Uh."

Chang Yi's expression stiffened. How was that statement so biased?

"Don't believe it?" Gou Wuyue asked with interest. "If you don't, let's make a bet?"

"What kind of bet?"

"As long as you keep people blocking the gates of Can Yue Xian Cheng, I can guarantee that in this Bai Ku battle, your so-called 'Eighth Sword Immortal' won't show up. Dare to bet?"

Chang Yi was stunned.

This method could actually work!

If it was really Kong Dong who saved Sheng Nu's Wu Xiu in Qing Long Jun last time, then blocking Can Yue Xian Cheng would make it hard for him to escape.

Thinking of that...

"I won't bet." Chang Yi shook his head firmly.

"I can't afford to lose." He rolled his eyes slightly and adjusted his waistband.

"Heh, if you won't bet, forget it."

Gou Wuyue's rare good mood faded, leaving him a bit disinterested.

"Go on!"

He waved his hand. "Don't forget all the tasks I assigned earlier."

"Yes!"

Chang Yi responded loudly and strode out.

"Scoff."

Just as he reached the tent flap, a soft sound ripped through the void.

Chang Yi's pupils shrank, and he whipped around.

"Who!"

He glared, only to see a fine spatial rift opening in the empty center of the tent.

"A stowaway?!"

In that instant, Chang Yi's heart leaped to his throat.

Had Bai Ku been breached?

Had someone from Sheng Nu escaped from inside?

"What are you all doing!" he roared.

For a moment, noises erupted outside the tent—clattering and shuffling.

"How could someone teleport directly into the main tent with so many layers of defenses?" Chang Yi's anger boiled; he was ready to run a sword through those incompetents outside.

Were the defensive arrays just for show?

"Senior!"

"Senior, don't panic—we're on standby!"

"Senior Wuyue, I'll come to your aid—who dares to stowaway?!"

Voices shouted from outside, a mix of fear and excitement, like pent-up energy finally bursting free.

But despite the chaos outside, not a single person dared to lift the tent flap.

Even that unguarded flap—stirred by the slightest breeze—could let outsiders glimpse inside.

"Quiet!"

Chang Yi shouted.

Outside fell silent instantly, as if everyone had vanished.

Gou Wuyue looked up at the spatial rift, somewhat surprised.

Others might not see it, but he could clearly feel the aura emanating from it—the same one that had been secretly observing him since he entered the Ba Gong area.

He slowly extended his hand, stopping Chang Yi from expanding his domain.

"It's not Bai Ku being breached; it's someone else?"

Chang Yi realized at once, feeling a chill, then even more shocked.

If not Sheng Nu, who could break through Bai Ku's spirit array defenses and reach the main tent directly?

"Cough, cough?"

A tentative cough came from the rift.

Then, a muffled voice followed:

"Elder Qiao, aren't you going out first? Why push me?"

"That's Senior Wuyue Jian Xian! Jian Xian, do you get it?!"

"What if I go out first and he cuts me down as an enemy without a word? My new girlfriend is still waiting in bed..."

"You little brat!" An exasperated voice cut off the nonsense.

Then,

"Smack!"

"Ow!"

From the spatial rift, a young man tumbled out, rubbing his backside as he stumbled into the main tent, nearly falling over.

"Damn old Qiao..."

"Cough, cough!"

As soon as Zhao Xi Dong appeared, he felt two gazes that could kill him on the spot. His hairs stood on end.

"Good, Senior."

He bowed to Gou Wuyue, then immediately turned and bent over ninety degrees to Chang Yi, saying loudly, "I've long admired Senior Wuyue! Your name is like thunder to my ears, and I hold you in the highest regard..."

"Huh?"

He seemed to notice something wrong.

Oh, right!

The one with the sword on his back was the first one he bowed to?

Frozen in place, Zhao Xi Dong sweated profusely. He didn't dare straighten up and shuffled his feet to redirect his bow toward the sword-bearing middle-aged man.

"Good, Senior Wuyue, uh, good..."

Chang Yi was stunned.

Staring at this unexpected intruder, he was truly shocked.

This young man!

What a joke—was he emerging unscathed from a spatial rift?

Treating the Bai Yi defenses and spirit arrays as nothing?

Most terrifying of all, how could he only be a...

"Grandmaster level expert?!"

"You're a grandmaster?!"