Overtime

In fact, Li Fan was also a bit stumped when faced with this unique blood shadow humanoid form of the cult.

These cultists are damn hard to kill. They can't be called humanoid, nor are they proper Non-Thing. Staring at them with your eyes has no effect, and bombs and plasma cannons are even less effective. They can also be suddenly possessed.

Starting with Lu Chai from Li Country, even a mere Golden Core altar master had to have his Dao Heart shattered to be killed. The Grand Eunuch of Xun Kingdom was theoretically dealt with by the Beast's Child. This Shi Zai Godly Monarch seems even more powerful, being both Divine Transformation and a Blood God Child. He endured three bombs that blasted his physical body to ashes, yet he still managed to hide within Yinian's Dao Body, waiting for an opportunity to possess it.

Aside from Ashiba, the legion apostle who was severely unbalanced in his studies and didn't even True Cultivator in another world, the one in front of him now was a demon who had seriously cultivated the divine sect's miraculous skills. He really didn't know how to deal with him.

It hasn't been many months since the time in Xun Kingdom, but Li Fan is once again encountering the problem of insufficient damage output from his primordial spirit attribute! And his weakness is having an impact again—no, it's not a weakness anymore, it's not a weakness at all! The mood system's 'calm down' means that the Divine Sect's primordial spirit techniques can't hurt him, but he also seems unable to do anything to his opponent, truly feeling a helpless and conflicted feeling.

How about firing two more shots to blast all the sacrificial bodies on site to smithereens and end it all?

But Li Fan is facing more than just this problem now. Besides not being entirely confident in killing the opposing demon, he is also somewhat worried about the mechanism of the Killing Rift.

In the past, during sword duels, it was said that killing three people in the Calamity would allow one to escape. However, he killed so many people in Changsi City that he couldn't get out, and since Crocodile God Island, he's simply used the Kun Leap. It's likely that the rules for killing in the Calamity are different each time.

The situation is now even more complicated. There are three more people trapped in the killing spree, forming a three-way standoff, with no clear winner. Although Li Fan can transform into a Kun (a mythical fish) and use a bug to jump in and out, he is not sure whether he is actually part of this killing spree.

If this old devil Shi Zai were to ruthlessly kill the remaining Penglai member and then break free from the killing tribulation, he might be able to use Blood Shadow Godly Movement Speed to escape! Li Fan has no way to restrict Blood Shadow, so if the opponent desperately tries to escape, he really won't be able to catch him! Alas, even that Profound Heaven Sword Intent is helpless against Blood Shadow Godly Movement...

Unexpectedly, Yuepo suddenly spoke up, "How can you say there's nothing you can do! My Northern Star Sword Intent is invincible! It's specifically designed to slay the primordial spirit! How can you say that sword intent can't handle Blood Shadow Godly Movement... Wait! What sword intent did you just say! Profound Heaven Sword Intent? Strange, I've never heard Sun Essence Sword mention it before. Sword Ancestor Xuantian also created his own sword intent..."

Huh? Moon Spirit, what do you mean by this?

Li Fan was momentarily confused. Wasn't the Profound Heaven Sword Intent just a manifestation of the primordial spirit or something similar to the Profound Heaven's materialization?

Well, he hadn't actually fully revealed everything to Yuepo, not because he didn't trust the rabbit. Li Fan just felt that the Profound Heaven Sword Intent had been missing for many years, and this guy himself was keeping many things to himself, so he didn't know how to explain it. Could he really say, "Your ancestor crawled over here himself, looked at me pitifully, and just picked me up" if the rabbit asked, "How did you obtain the Sword Ancestor's inheritance?"

Furthermore, if he were to explain everything clearly, it would inevitably involve the transmigrator and the system's secrets. Whether Yue Po would believe him, and how she would react if she did, was uncertain; it was simply too troublesome. Therefore, Li Fan thought he would simply wait until he reunited with Xuan Tian and then let Jian Yi handle all the trouble himself; he was too lazy to get involved...

Before Li Fan and Yue Po could finish communicating, the Penglai man suddenly interrupted, "Wait! Seniors of the Divine Sect, to be honest, I am Xu Chengyang. Before you attacked me, I had some unresolved questions and some heartfelt words to say. Please give me this chance to ask and understand, so that I can die in peace!"

Wow, he wasn't chosen even when given the choice between the two options. This guy surnamed Xu is really lucky...

Perfect timing! While we're getting through the plot, Moon Soul, you should focus on the key points and explain the method of severing the primordial spirit with sword intent. After we've dealt with this cult, we can discuss the issue of the Profound Heaven Sword Intent...

So, in order to keep the old devil in check, Li Fan also said, "Hehe, alright, alright. I hate fighting and killing the most. Let's talk things out and clear things up. Why resort to knives and guns? Hey you, do you have any last words?"

The Shi Zai Godly Monarch didn't immediately kill him, perhaps out of caution against Li Fan, or perhaps because he hadn't completely controlled Xin. He simply said calmly, "Xu Chengyang, things have come to this point, do you still have anything to say? You really have a lot to say, no wonder those juniors are all so easily fooled by you. Since the Protector has given you permission, then speak."

Xu Chengyang's mental state was surprisingly good. Despite the two demons in front of him having the upper hand and him lying dead on the ground, he still managed to launch into a verbal attack, even under the pressure of being instantly killed by the two demonic sect experts.

"Shi Zai Godly Monarch, you flatter me... But first of all, are you really the Shi Zai Godly Monarch has repeatedly rendered great service to my Penglai? Isn't Shi Zai Godly Monarch the chief elder of Lingzhen, the senior brother who guided Xianfa Daojun to the Dao, and the one who has always acted as the palace master? I really find it hard to believe that you are actually a member of the Divine Sect. Could it be that you were replaced at some point, and that one of your sect's Dharma Kings is actually here?"

Xu Chengyang truly lived up to his reputation as the number one Daoist disciple; his words struck at the heart of the matter. Li Fan also turned to look at the demon.

The other party seemed to agree in order to reveal his identity as a member of the cult to Li Fan, and nodded in agreement, saying, "Since things have come to this, I have nothing more to say. I am indeed Shi Zai of the Supreme Lingzhen Palace. However, due to my limited talent, and seeing that the calamity of heaven and man is approaching and my lifespan is about to end, I am truly unwilling to die before a junior, so I sought another way out."

Li Fan's eyes darted around, and he interjected, "Does the person I contacted have a red cockroach tattoo on their body?"

Shi Zai Godly Monarch was taken aback. "Why would someone get a cockroach tattoo? I've only ever seen someone get a scorpion tattoo..."

Li Fan smiled with satisfaction, "That's it then. Oh, just testing you out, don't mind it."

Shi Zai, "..."

Xu Chengyang had no time for Li Fan's banter and immediately began his reasoning based on the premise that "there's only one truth." "Then I understand. So, it was Shi Zai Godly Monarch, the chief elder of the Lingzhen Palace, the one whom even Xianfa Daojun, in order to obtain the Daoist teachings of the Divine Sect, personally revealed many of my Penglai's arrangements in Xun Kingdom to the Divine Sect, leading to the annihilation of all my fellow disciples in the Lingzhen Palace. Seeing that you have already mastered the Blood God Child Great Law, could it be that you have obtained the Divine Sect's Heavenly Book? Is this the reward you received for betraying your own disciples?"

Shi Zai remained silent.

Xu Chengyang continued in rapid succession, "The Yinian Lord Yinian just said that the person we sent to Fanghu was merely a mortal, but I did indeed deduce from that kid that he had some karmic connection with my Penglai, which is why I didn't get too involved and sent him directly to Xianfa Daojun for examination. Now I understand, it was actually Your Excellency who interfered and secretly used many methods to cause this clue to be broken! You even framed me for the murder!"

Because you know things have escalated to a huge level, even being brought to the forefront, alarming the entire Nine Truth Sect and drawing the attention of three Dao Lords, even you can only cover it up temporarily. So, you blew up the alchemy workshop in Penglai to attract everyone's attention with an even bigger event, and then instigated a conflict between me and Xia Chengming, using the pretext that Fang Hu was the most neutral among the Three Mountains to offer to personally escort us to Penglai to explain the cause and effect. In reality, you planned to take advantage of the situation to kill us en route! To eliminate everyone who knows your background! To cut off any future troubles!

Judging from the way you just exposed yourself, you were trying to fake your death, leaving no trace of your body, and then seize the body of the Yinian Divine Lord to escape while he was healing! If this protector hadn't arrived in time and exposed you with the God Lord Jade, you would have truly succeeded!

Heh, so it seems that the secret technique that caused the dragon boat to suddenly explode and severely injure us was probably also the work of your sect! I'm truly ashamed. Although I had taken precautions against my two grandmaster uncles and made many preparations, I really didn't expect the attack to come from inside the ship, especially in the form of a self-destruction! But now, looking back, it's clear that the spy you planted among us was probably Senior Brother Gu Chengjia from Zhenzhen Palace!

We, the members of the Cheng generation, have been fighting for so long that we know each other's strengths and weaknesses. Our cultivation levels are roughly equal, and everyone is managing to survive. Only he disappeared without a trace after the explosion. I'm afraid the explosion was related to him! It seems he was the mole you planted, and you took advantage of the situation to ambush him immediately!

Heh, actually, I once wondered why my two naive senior brothers would abandon Fanghu Benshan and instead support my Yingzhou lineage. But later I discovered that Senior Brother Gu's hidden strength was actually a notch above Senior Brother Zhang, the Daoist disciple of Lingzhen. Perhaps Lingzhen Palace was unfair, supporting its own disciple, which angered him. I shared his plight and was dissatisfied with the sect leader's bias, which is why I was quite close to Senior Brother Gu. Now it seems that you've figured out all my little schemes. He's the spy you deliberately placed in Yingzhou, lurking by my side!

Within the sect, many rumors circulate about spies from outside the sect in Yingzhou, and there are even pieces of evidence that make me unable to defend myself. These were all secretly spread by Senior Brother Gu! From the very beginning, you wanted to use this opportunity to frame me for the crimes of being an internal traitor and betraying the sect!

Even if people see through this, they'll only think your goal is to seize the position of Chief Daoist and try to bring me down! I'm afraid even Senior Brother Gu thinks I'm working for Fang Hu, otherwise why would I have been blown up without any explanation!

Heh, we've all been used by you. You've instigated this Inner Sect strife because you know that although the sect leader is powerful, he's too self-serving. He'll only be happy to see the conflict between the Fanghu Yingzhou and Lingzhen Xuanzhen lineages succeed! Not only will he not investigate further, but he'll also try to profit from it. By not getting involved, he can hide the Divine Sect's schemes right under the sect leader's nose and prevent your defection to the Divine Sect from being exposed!

But this time you've gone too far! The Daoist disciple of the Lingzhen Palace is dead, and I've also figured out the contact person of the Divine Sect. The entire sect has been alarmed! You know you can't defeat Manifestation and that you'll fail sooner or later, so you're trying to fake your death using this Golden Cicada Sheds its Shell technique! And it's definitely not just faking your death to escape!

With your cultivation level, Divine Lord, no one here is your match, yet you went to unnecessary lengths, even using the God Lord Jade to request reinforcements! This means you've also dragged the Divine Cult into your scheme! It seems you're worried about the Divine Cult spies lurking around you, not just the one I've captured, but also those with his support!

As expected! You lured this protector here. If it weren't for his extraordinary abilities and unparalleled power, which even you, Divine Lord, wouldn't be a match for, then surely everyone who knows your secrets would have been wiped out by you this time!

Li Fan was completely dumbfounded after hearing what Jun said.

This... it's half true, half false, but it sounds like there might actually be some truth to it!

If Li Fan hadn't personally experienced some of these things, he would have really thought that Xu Chengyang's guess was correct, and that Shi Zai was the one who did everything!

These so-called detectives and clever people really have an amazing ability to fill in the blanks...

Then Shi Zai Godly Monarch sighed, "Indeed, just as you said. He truly deserves to be the number one Daoist disciple of the 'Cheng' generation."

What?!

Li Fan was shocked. He glanced at Shi Zai, not understanding for a moment what it meant for this guy to take all the blame.

But Shi Zai Godly Monarch's face was covered in blood and mud, and Li Fan's face was also dark; neither of them could be read for the moment.

But Li Fan keenly sensed that something was amiss. Before he could react, Xu Chengyang suddenly turned his head. "This Protector of the Divine Sect! You saw it coming, didn't you? Shi Zai can betray Penglai, so he can betray the Divine Sect! He's the one who orchestrated everything today! He used the God Lord Jade to summon the Protector in the East Sea, all to wipe us out in one fell swoop! I'm doomed today, but you two are likely to have a fight too! Why don't we join forces and kill the traitor Shi Zai? Even if I, Xu Chengyang, die, it will be to avenge Penglai!"

Li Fan frowned as he looked at Xu Chengyang, then at the taxi driver who remained unresponsive and allowed him to shout. "Are you trying to incite us to kill each other so you can reap the benefits?"

"Hahaha!" Xu Chengyang burst into laughter, "Where is the fisherman! You've spoken frankly, yet the Protector is still hesitating—that's too petty! Can't you see why Shi Zai risked destroying his own body to fake his death?!"

His whereabouts have been exposed, and he will be discovered sooner or later! Penglai can no longer tolerate him, and he has lost his usefulness to your sect. Rather than be destroyed in body and soul, it is better to take a gamble!

Li Fan felt a chill run down his spine and his heart tighten. In that instant, he acted instinctively, dodging Shi Zai's thrust with his qi sword, but he was still hit!

Although Li Fan already sensed that something was wrong with the plot and was on guard, his primary concern was still Shi Zai, but it was Xu Chengyang who struck him!

This Daozi really used his "mouth" technique, opening his mouth and spitting out a Sword Light. It was as if he had anticipated that Li Fan would dodge Shi Zai's thrust, and the Sword Light shot out, directly piercing through Li Fan's chest!

The Nine Truth Profound Darkness Qi Sword truly lives up to its reputation as a masterpiece meticulously improved by Penglai! The sword, flashing with blue light, was actually able to pierce through Li Fan's Thousand-Faced Immortal Dao Body! If it had struck directly at his heart, it might have truly taken his life!

But this doesn't mean Xu Chengyang's sword missed; in fact, it hit the bullseye!

He aimed at the plasma cannon in Li Fan's hand! His newly acquired toy was destroyed in one strike!

Li Fan didn't even have time to yell to the sky, "Plasma Cannon--!"

Because Shi Zai had already formed a sword in his right hand, using his qi sword to protect his body, he launched a series of attacks! And every move he made was aimed at vital parts such as the head, heart, and Inner Landscape! Although Shi Zai was currently possessing the body of Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, and his cultivation level had been greatly reduced, he was ruthless and showed no mercy! Moreover, although his Dao Breath was weak at this moment, his swordsmanship was exquisite, as if he could unleash a rain of swords with a flick of his wrist, rushing straight at Li Fan. However, it was not just a random barrage of thrusts, but every move contained a hidden counter-attack, aiming directly at Li Mingmen's vital points and weaknesses! He was truly the strongest enemy Li Fan had ever encountered in his life!

When someone gets close and slashes at you rapidly with a sword, you don't even have the energy to control your sword, let alone make hand seals or chant incantations!

In this perilous moment where life and death hang in the balance, Li Fan no longer entertained any thoughts of concealing his identity. He immediately unleashed his most practiced moves, using his remaining Dao Breath to create a basic sword aura of Return to Dust. He held the real sword in his hand and unleashed the Profound Heaven Sword Method. The rapid, sweeping sword strikes clashed fiercely with his opponent! Close combat, rapid sword clashes, he withstood the opponent's rain of swords head-on! Swirl! Swirl up!

Surprisingly, the Dark Underworld Qi Sword Returning Dust Sword Qi and blocked each other like real swords! The sharp blue and green light collided, sometimes annihilating, sometimes knocking away, and sometimes overwhelming one side, with colorful light exploding like fireworks!

"Huh! You! Could it be that your move is...!"

Shi Zai, who had been silent and taciturn, suddenly cried out in surprise upon seeing Li Fan's swordplay and realizing he was no match for him.

"Sword duel! I'll fight you to the death!"

Taking advantage of the moment when Shi Zai was distracted, Li Fan created an opening in the sword rain, suddenly closing in and thrusting, changing from a flurry of attacks to a direct strike! A close-quarters kill! His sword slashed down towards Shi Zai's neck!

But the sword energy was dispersed!

It was Xu Chengyang again! A beam of Sword Light shot from his mouth, shattering the sword energy in Li Fan's hand!

"Fuck you!!!"

Enraged, Li Fan cursed and grabbed at the air with both hands, seizing a pair of powerful Returning Dust Sword Qi as bright as light. Like a mantis wielding a pair of swords amidst the mist, he aimed straight for Shi Zai's chest!

But at this moment, Shi Zai also snapped back to his senses, letting out a long howl like a monkey's cry. His hands suddenly moved in and out, no longer sweeping with sword energy, but instead, like Li Fan, creating two blue light swords. He thrust and parried, striking left and right, completely shattering Li Fan's chaotic sword attacks and counterattacking back! He almost scalped Li Fan!

"Holy crap?!"

Li Fan could also sense the shock of his opponent. He took a step back and then changed to a forward charge. Sure enough, the soldier opposite him also took a step back with almost the exact same movement, and then thrust forward with both swords!

The four swords, one blue and one green, were intertwined and blocked each other, like swords with a grid pattern!

"Where did you learn that 'Gu Yingshi?!" x2