Control

Although Bi Ji was famed for her healing abilities, that was only in comparison to her offensive power. Dealing with a Soul Douluo was more than easy for her.

Jade Swan's Sigh disrupted the normal flow of life force within its target through its cry, thereby injuring the opponent. The aged appearance was merely an effect of the chaotic life energy.

With just one strike, the utterly unprepared Gui Xiao bled from all seven orifices and collapsed limply to the ground. Half of his jet-black hair had already turned white.

"I've done what I promised you. What happens next is up to you." Bi Ji glanced at Gui Xiao, who lay on the ground with no ability to fight left. Leaving only those words behind, she turned and departed without lingering for even a moment.

From beginning to end, Black and White had failed to notice Bi Ji's presence. Only when she struck did they react, hastily stepping in front of Mu Feng.

That was truly effortless. Mu Feng could not help sighing inwardly. Gui Xiao, whom he had barely managed to handle even after giving it his all, had been crippled by a single strike from Bi Ji. Sure enough, having the biggest fist is what really matters!

Mu Feng pushed aside the two people in front of him and walked over to the barely breathing Gui Xiao. Just as agreed, Bi Ji had struck with enough force to leave Gui Xiao precisely on the brink of death.

Gui Xiao lay on the ground, bleeding from all seven orifices. His vision was so blurred that he could not even make out Mu Feng standing before him. His lips moved several times as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he could not muster the strength to speak.

"Elder Yi." Squatting before Gui Xiao, Mu Feng called out to Electrolux. "It's time for you to act."

Mu Feng then released control over his mind. His entire bearing abruptly changed, and Black and White beside him felt a powerful pressure descend upon them, their minds instantly tensing.

Mu Feng's eyes seemed to turn into two pools of stagnant water. Lifeless gray swallowed his pupils as he extended the index finger of his right hand and gently touched Gui Xiao's forehead.

The next instant, Gui Xiao, who had been lying limp on the ground, suddenly convulsed violently. It continued for several minutes before finally stopping. By then, Mu Feng had regained control of his body.

"This expenditure was too great. I shall recuperate for a time. I'll leave the rest to you," Electrolux said weakly after finishing everything.

"Thank you for your trouble, Elder Yi."

Mu Feng nodded. Electrolux fell silent within his mind, while Black and White, who had not understood anything from start to finish, watched in astonishment as Gui Xiao actually climbed back to his feet.

Just as they were preparing to act, Gui Xiao suddenly dropped to one knee before Mu Feng and respectfully said, "Master."

Accustomed to Gui Xiao's usual arrogant, high-and-mighty manner, Mu Feng had never seen him act so respectfully before. For a moment, he felt rather unaccustomed to it, and even got goosebumps.

Mu Feng waved his hand. "Just call me Your Highness."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Black and White behind him looked at each other, their eyes full of confusion. From the moment Bi Ji appeared, they had completely lost track of how things were developing. They did not understand why she had appeared here, nor why Gui Xiao seemed to have become a different person and miraculously recovered from the brink of death.

Mu Feng had no intention of explaining anything to them. He simply ordered, "Let's go back."

Little White said, "Your Highness, how should we deal with Zhu Man Cang?"

Mu Feng slapped his forehead. He had nearly forgotten about that fellow. He instructed Gui Xiao, "Kill him."

He suddenly thought of something and quickly added, "Remember to bring back that fellow's storage ring for me."

"Yes." With that, Gui Xiao's figure flashed away. Before long, he arrived before Zhu Man Cang. Zhu Man Cang, who had been unconscious for a long time, had already awakened and was wondering where Mu Feng had kidnapped him to when Gui Xiao suddenly appeared.

The instant he saw him, Zhu Man Cang, who had been trying to break free, exclaimed in delight, "My lord! Why are you here too? Did you come to save me?"

What puzzled Zhu Man Cang, however, was that he had only been unconscious for a few days at most. Why had half of Gui Xiao's hair already turned white, making him look much older?

But since Gui Xiao had appeared here, he must have dealt with Mu Feng. Thinking that Gui Xiao had not hesitated to fight Mu Feng for his sake, Zhu Man Cang was filled with excitement and gratitude.

If he had not still been tied to the tree, he would have wanted to prostrate himself and kowtow to Gui Xiao several times. He repeatedly shouted, "Thank you, my lord! Thank you, my lord!"

Suddenly, an Undead Bone Crow appeared behind Gui Xiao. Its entire body was rotten black, while eerie green ghostfire burned in its eye sockets. Gui Xiao released his martial soul. As his fifth soul ring lit up, dozens of bone crows appeared and flew toward Zhu Man Cang.

Only when the first bone crow tore away his flesh, and pain surged through him, did he seem to realize that Gui Xiao had not come to save him.

"Wh-why?!" Under the assault of the flock of bone crows, Zhu Man Cang was swiftly devoured until nothing remained but an empty shell. A small bone crow, carrying a ring in its beak, slowly landed on Gui Xiao's shoulder.

Poor Zhu Man Cang never learned why Gui Xiao, who had always valued him, had suddenly killed him. Gui Xiao did not even spare a second glance at Zhu Man Cang's remains before turning and heading toward Mu Feng.

"Your Highness, my lord." The guard at the basement entrance greeted Mu Feng and Gui Xiao, who had arrived together. Naturally, he had noticed that Gui Xiao's appearance had changed so drastically after going out, but he kept it to himself. Sometimes, the more questions one asked, the more trouble one invited.

Mu Feng stopped and asked, "Have all the altar masters arrived?"

The guard froze for a moment, not expecting Mu Feng to speak to him. He hurriedly replied, "Other than Lord Zhu, all the other altar masters have arrived."

Mu Feng nodded and then walked inside. The guard watched the two men's retreating backs in puzzlement, secretly thinking, Huh? Did I see that wrong? Why is Lord Gui walking one position behind the Holy Son?

Normally, didn't the two of them scheme against each other and trade blows because they were competing over who would be in charge?

He shook his head. "How strange. What's going on today? There have been so many strange things."

While Mu Feng had ordered Gui Xiao to deal with Zhu Man Cang, he had Little White return to the stronghold first and summon all the altar masters to a meeting in Gui Xiao's name.

Although everyone was puzzled as to why the Holy Son's personal guard had issued a summons in Lord Gui's name, they still arrived as requested.

Everyone was greatly startled when they saw Mu Feng and Gui Xiao arrive together. They all rose to their feet and greeted the two of them.

To everyone's jaw-dropping shock, Gui Xiao actually pulled one of the chairs forward before sitting down on it, while Mu Feng sat in the chair behind it.

Mu Feng ignored everyone's surprise and said calmly, "I have seen everyone's performance over the past month."

"I am not an arbitrary person either. I can understand that everyone has their own opinions."

Mu Feng's tone abruptly shifted. "But the development of the Holy Church is no trifling matter. I will never allow certain parasites to ruin the Church's grand plans."

With that, Mu Feng slammed his hand against the chair. Even a fool could tell that Mu Feng had come with ill intent today.

Everyone looked toward Gui Xiao, only to see him looking at his nose, his nose at his mouth, and his mouth at his heart, as though he had heard none of Mu Feng's words.

What was even stranger was that so much time had already passed since the meeting was supposed to begin, yet Zhu Man Cang, who usually ran about making a spectacle of himself, still had not arrived. Everyone sensed that something was amiss.