Muster at the Lakeside

After refining the sword Sword Qi that had invaded his body, Fire Cloud Marquis rode over on his Dragon Elephant Corpse Marquis, only to be stunned.

That was a clear morning.

Aside from the Ancient Sect True Disciple in the third realm and the Son of Heaven's Disciple, who can defeat her?

Given Haruzao's skill in movement and Daoist arts, killing her would be doubly difficult.

Capturing her alive will be twice as difficult.

Seeing that the jade boat had been breached, Li Weiyi's eyes narrowed and his brows furrowed. He knew he had arrived too late, so he stopped a hundred feet away.

There's nothing we can do about it; plans inherently carry the risk of failure.

Jingzhen recovered from her shock and immediately lifted Qing Ziqin from the jade boat, releasing magical energy with her fingertips to seal her away.

Qing Ziqin's veil had long since fallen away, revealing a deathly pale face, blood streaming from her seven orifices. She slowly awoke, regaining consciousness. "Go! When you reach the third realm, avenge me... Waaah..."

Blood oozed from his mouth again, and he could no longer speak.

Dark clouds filled the surroundings, and more and more Departed Spirit Marquis arrived, roaring angrily as they surrounded Li Weiyi.

Holding the Purple Sky Lei Seal, Jingzhen exuded the noble and elegant air of Bai Chuan. She smiled and said, "You deliberately let Qingzao lure you away, making me think you had fallen into a trap, so I focused all my energy on attacking the Jade Boat. You first injured Fire Cloud Marquis, keeping him busy with self-defense, thus creating an opportunity for you to fight Qingzao one-on-one."

"Furthermore, it exhausted your magical energy, activated your dragon soul, and unleashed Major Technique, causing Qingzao to completely underestimate you and see an opportunity to deplete your magical energy."

"If Qing Ziqin had held out a little longer until you arrived, I'm afraid I would have truly been at your mercy. After all, Qingzao is a woman of true virtue; if anything were to happen to her, I really couldn't bear the responsibility."

"But there are no 'what ifs,' and it seems like I've won now!"

Li Weiyi surveyed the assembled formidable enemies with unwavering confidence. "Do you think I would be controlled by you?"

Jingzhen said confidently, "You're a member of the Sentinel Spirit Army, you have a responsibility, and you certainly wouldn't bear to see Qing Ziqin suffer. Actually, there's no need to make a scene like that, it's too ungentlemanly. How about you release Qingzao, I release Qing Ziqin, and then we'll have a fair duel. If you win, I'll let you leave."

"If you're so naive, or if you think too little of me, then there's no point in continuing this negotiation."

Li Weiyi said, "Captain, my magical energy is exhausted. I'm sorry, I can't save you. To prevent you from falling into the hands of evil people and being humiliated, I can only use the killing talisman given to me by the Great Palace Master to kill Jingzhen. You will most likely die under the talisman as well. Don't blame me. I will avenge you in the future!"

Jingzhen didn't believe Li Weiyi's words were just threats. Holding Qing Ziqin in front of her, she said, "Li Weiyi, do you think the true disciple didn't come in person? If you dare to use your trump card, I guarantee you won't escape."

"I have Qingzao in my grasp, who dares to stop me?"

Li Weiyi simply did not believe that Jingzhen would Qing Ziqin and could figure out his mentality, thus gaining a slight advantage in this negotiation.

Previously, on the mountain ridge, Jingzhen expressed her love to Qing Ziqin; she must have had ulterior motives. How could she possibly kill her so easily?

Qingzao had more than a dozen broken bones in her body, and her magical energy had been sealed by Li Weiyi, leaving her extremely weak. "You two... stop bluffing... Li Weiyi, name your terms!"

"Sister Qing is so straightforward, but I'm afraid Jingzhen won't agree to the conditions I propose. And what if he doesn't care about your life and death and goes back on his word?" Li Weiyi said.

Although Qingzao hated Li Weiyi to the core, she could only save her own life for now. "If I die because of him, someone will naturally not let him go. I'm not just referring to True Disciple Chu."

Li Weiyi looked at Jingzhen opposite her. "Did you hear that?"

Jingzhen stared at Li Weiyi, wanting to see what tricks he would pull.

Li Weiyi condensed Death Spirit Fire at his fingertips and injected them into Qingzao's body. "Now, we can exchange hostages! In addition, this also includes the Purple Sky Lei Seal Jade Boat and the thirteen Battle Corpse Puppet."

Jingzhen sneered, "You planted the Death Spirit Fire within Chen Shi's body; you could kill her with a single thought. What's the point of exchanging them?"

"I think you've underestimated Sister Qing's cultivation level! With my current mental power, the Death Spirit Fire I planted can withstand a portion of it once she breaks the seal. If you give her a helping hand, she can refine it within a quarter of an hour. That's exactly the time I need to escape your encirclement," Li Weiyi said.

Qingzao, sensing the intensity of the Death Spirit Fire within her, weakly said, "Promise him."

Jingzhen said, "This child has already become a force to be reckoned with. If he escapes now, there will be endless trouble in the future."

"You're pushing him to the brink of despair, which is putting me to death. If I die, you won't have a good life either." Qingzao was very worried that Jingzhen would disregard her life or death.

After all, the Myriad-character Artifact and Qing Ziqin were both things he wanted to obtain. If we add the credit for killing Li Weiyi, it wouldn't be surprising if Jingzhen made any choice.

Jingzhen pondered for a moment, "Because Chenshi underestimated the enemy, we failed at the last minute. You, Chenshi, must bear all the responsibility. Li Weiyi, let's release the prisoners together!"

"Bang!"

He threw Qing Ziqin several feet away.

Qing Ziqin fell to the ground with a miserable cry.

Li Weiyi also threw Qingzao out heavily, then fixed his gaze on Jingzhen: "Place the Purple Sky Lei Seal on the jade boat, and retreat three miles."

Jingzhen placed the Purple Sky Lei Seal on the bow of the boat, jumped off the jade boat, but did not retreat three miles away, only taking three steps back. With his left hand behind his back, he secretly mobilized his magical energy and poured it into the Yin Yang Gong.

Li Weiyi released a burst of spiritual light, enveloping Yu Zhou and Qing Ziqin, and suddenly pulled them back.

Even Jingzhen exude a powerful aura, sweeping across the clear morning.

After storing the jade boat and all the Battle Corpse Puppet into his spatial bag, Li Weiyi immediately activated the Divine Speed Talisman that had been affixed to his inner robe, transforming into a beam of Talisman Light and rushing out.

At the same time, Li Weiyi had a thought and immediately activated the Death Spirit Fire within Qingzao's body.

"Splash! Splash..."

With Jingzhen, her right hand transformed into a phantom, unleashing a series of attacks on Qingzao's entire body, breaking the seal on her.

However, instead of helping Qingzao refine the Death Spirit Fire within her body as Li Weiyi had expected, he immediately struck out the Yin Yang Gong at Li Weiyi, who was fleeing in the distance.

"Envoy Chen, Li Weiyi only wants to use the Death Spirit Fire within you to restrain me. If I fall for his trick, the Taiyin Sect will truly suffer a crushing defeat today and become a laughingstock to the world."

Jingzhen used her movement techniques to chase after Li Weiyi.

All the Departed Spirit Marquis also unleashed their magical artifacts and spells at the two who were fleeing into the distance.

"Whoosh!"

Li Weiyi activated his Provincial Governor's Official Robe, carrying Qing Ziqin on his back, and disappeared into the Purple Mist Light Cluster, teleporting more than ten miles away.

The Immortal Mist Pure Radiance and magical energy had indeed been completely exhausted.

However, there is also the liquid magic power within Shenque.

"Boom!"

The Yin Yang Gong struck the location of the Purple Mist Light Cluster, shattering the ground and leveling the hills.

"Is there still magical energy available?"

With the complete release of Jingzhen 'Dao Heart Manifestation, covering Li Weiyi, who was several miles away, he roared, "Spread out and pursue! Use Intent Attack Qing Ziqin! Don't give him another chance to teleport!"

Li Weiyi released the Fusang Divine Tree Projection, enveloping him and Qing Ziqin to resist the Intent Attack coming from behind.

Qing Ziqin lay on his back, her eyes glazed, and whispered, "Are you stupid? Do you really think Jingzhen cares about Qingzao's life or death? All he cares about is clearing himself of any wrongdoing. As long as he breaks Qingzao's seal, even if Qingzao dies under the Death Spirit Fire, it will be because you killed her, and it will have nothing to do with him."

"As long as the captain sees the selfishness of the Taiyin Sect, and your Sentinel Spirit Army comrades are willing to risk their lives to save you, then it will all be worth it," Li Weiyi said.

Qing Ziqin was furious. She stretched out her limp hand, clenched it into a fist, and gently patted him. "I was so moved I almost cried just now... and you're still doubting me... do I have to rip my heart out for you to see...?"

Where Li Weiyi couldn't see, Qing Ziqin rested her face against his neck, her eyes lost in a deep, melancholy gaze.

"Jingzhen is catching up again. Try activating the Psychic Power Stars on your wrist; it might scare him," Li Weiyi said.

"It's too far, and he has a physical body now... I'll give it a try..."

Qing Ziqin's brows flickered, and before she could release her spiritual light, Black Robe figure wearing a mask suddenly emerged from the ground beside her and Li Weiyi with a loud bang.

His voice was hoarse. "You all go first, leave everything to me."

The figure in Black Robe robes was tall and imposing, with a broad chest and long arms. Beneath the mask, a pair of fierce, tiger-like eyes stared at the Yin Yang Gong, which was attacking from several miles away.

Around the Yin Yang Gong, tens of thousands of scriptures condensed into clouds, creating a powerful and imposing sight.

The air within a radius of several miles was trembling violently.

The figure in Black Robe neither dodged nor evaded, but crouched slightly with his arms outstretched. From his ancestral field, violent Longevity Scriptures and magical energy surged forth, condensing into a fifth-level protective Dao technique, and a bright and dazzling divine tower light enveloped his body.

"Boom!"

The Yin Yang Gong struck the divine tower, causing the earth to tremble and energy ripples to spread in all directions.

The divine tower's light and shadow shattered, unable to stop the Myriad-character Artifact from unleashing its primal power.

However, the power of the Myriad-character Artifact was largely neutralized.

The figure in Black Robe reached out with his hand, which was covered by a metal gauntlet, and grabbed the Yin Yang Gong. After being thrown back dozens of feet, he stopped and caught sight of "Bai Chuan" who was riding on thousands of Sword Qi.

Tears of unbearable pain welled up in his eyes. He clenched his left fist and punched the surrounding air, causing it to explode like thunder, annihilating all the Sword Qi.

"Bai Chuan" was also sent flying backwards.

"You've only just possessed this body and haven't even become familiar with it yet. Your combat strength is far from sufficient. Do you think the Taixu Race can do whatever they want? You're courting death!"

"Void Breaking Profound Light"

The figure in Black Robe released Battle Intent Battle Intent, which contained a black mystical light that was specifically designed to counter the Taixu Race and could melt their souls.

In an instant, the surrounding world became so dark that one could not see their own hand in front of their face.

Upon seeing this mysterious black light, Bai Chuan's expression changed drastically, and he immediately fled. "You are...?"

"Boom!"

The figure in Black Robe strode after them, slamming his hands down on the ground.

Instantly, the entire earth churned, and countless blade energies flew out.

The sword energy combined with the mud and dust, condensing into Stone Blade blades that sent Bai Chuan and the dozen or so Departed Spirit Marquis chasing behind him flying backward.

Li Weiyi carried Qing Ziqin on his back and quickly fled to a place a hundred miles away.

Qing Ziqin found it hard to believe. "Who is this person who could single-handedly stop all the pursuers?"

Enveloped in the Talisman Light, Li Weiyi continued his frantic run, wryly saying, "Below the Great Longevity, there are only a handful of experts of this caliber. Besides Mo Duanfeng, who else could it be?"

Qing Ziqin asked in surprise, "Why did he conceal his face, change his voice, and even alter his magical energy attributes?"

"In this world, there are people who value face and dignity more than their own lives. Before killing Chu Yutian, he probably felt that he had no face to see the people of Lesser Yang Division, and even more so, he was ashamed of the praise he received from the Emperor of the Holy Capital."

Li Weiyi added, "Those who can join the Sentinel Spirit Army, apart from spies from the Taiyin Sect, may have various flaws in their character, but they certainly possess a strong sense of righteousness and responsibility."

After traveling a thousand miles, the Divine Speed Talisman's energy was exhausted, and it shattered.

Standing on the grassy hillside, Li Weiyi looked down and saw a vast lake, as large as the sea, appear before him.

Under the moonlight of time, the lake water is covered with a layer of milky white mist.

Amidst the vast expanse of misty waves, a colossal magical vessel, a hundred meters long, sailed in with the speed of an arrow.

Wenren Tinghai, the top scholar of the Demon Kingdom, stood elegantly on the deck, gazing at Li Weiyi on the shore, and smiled wickedly, "Brother Weiyi, Tinghai has been waiting for a long time. Since we parted at the East Sea, I never expected you to have risen to such a height. Would you dare to board the ship, reminisce, and share a drink?"

Li Weiyi's heart sank to the bottom in an instant.

At this moment, both his internal magical energy and liquid magical power were completely depleted.

Just as he was about to take out the second Divine Speed Talisman to escape, he saw a group of heavily armored Demon Kingdom Longevity Realm experts emerge from the soil and surround him and Qing Ziqin.

Li Weiyi laughed heartily, "I heard that Brother Tinghai is loyal to the Demon Country Crown Prince. I wonder if you carry any of His Crown Prince's heaven-defying magical techniques?"

Wenren Tinghai's smile faded, "If you can unleash Yu Yaozi's ultimate techniques, then I can unleash His Highness the Crown Prince's divine abilities. Whether to fight to the death or sit down and enjoy a cup of warm wine is entirely up to Brother Weiyi."

"Since we have fine wine, why don't we invite the entire Lesser Yang Division to drink together?" Tang Wanzhou's voice drifted over from afar.

"Whoosh!"

A sword light pierced through the boundless lake, landing atop the mast of the magical artifact ship, transforming into Tang Wanzhou's extraordinary, upright figure, clad in black robes, his eyes like lightning.

Her aura, representing the third stage of the Longevity Realm, pressed down powerfully on Wenren Tinghai below.

All the martial artists from the Demon Kingdom on the ship felt as if a huge boulder was pressing down on their heads, making it difficult to even breathe.

On the lake, Nangong rode on the back of a strange beast with a dragon's head and a deer's body, holding a jade bamboo in his hand. His whole body shone with holy light, and countless white birds flew around him, as if he were a fairy descending from the misty waves.

"The wine that the third-ranked scholar drinks is definitely different from everyone else's."

Zhao Tang and Yan Zhiruo appeared on the shore with smiles on their faces. They walked through the group of Longevity Realm Martial Cultivator from the Demon Kingdom and went to greet Li Weiyi and Qing Ziqin.

(There was a mistake in the previous text; I wrote Bai Chuan as Taixu Camp. It should be Mo Duanfeng from Taixu Camp. Today, 8,000 words!)