These Black Thorns could destroy a person's consciousness...
That was Su Jiu's first thought.
She gave the man an indifferent glance, then pushed off lightly with her toes and rose into the air.
The black spikes gathered together, changed direction, and chased after Su Jiu again.
"Dao Lord Qing Ci, I trust you've been well." This time, Su Jiu did not move as she watched the spikes rush toward her.
The spikes came to an abrupt halt an inch from her cheek.
They dissolved into wisps of cloud, then gathered and condensed again, finally taking the shape of a familiar figure: the very Dao Lord Qing Ci Su Jiu had named.
But Dao Lord Qing Ci no longer had his former easygoing air. Even his demeanor had changed somewhat.
It was as though he were an entirely different person.
"How did you recognize me?"
"There aren't many people who could fool me this thoroughly in the Demon-Subduing Land without leaving a trace. Once I ruled out the others, you were the only one left."
"Are you so certain that after leaving the group, I stayed in the Demon-Subduing Land rather than returning to the sect?"
Su Jiu did not answer his question, but her gaze turned fierce. "Then can you tell me who you really are, Dao Lord Qing Ci? And what was your purpose in infiltrating my sect?"
"Oh? You already know? Did that brat Yun Huanling tell you?"
Su Jiu found that odd. Back when both men had been in the group, she had noticed that Yun Huanling paid far too much attention to Dao Lord Qing Ci.
Judging by Dao Lord Qing Ci's reaction now, that attention was probably no coincidence.
If Yun Huanling's knowledge of Dao Lord Qing Ci came from ancient texts, why did Dao