Chapter 117: The Mastermind

Across the barren wilderness, a caravan forged ahead, pulling carts laden with precious materials using domesticated spirit-spotted horses. Trailing secretly behind them were two figures.

This procession consisted of disciples from the Azure Eagle Gang who had just departed the Heavenly Sword Sect’s marketplace after acquiring their supplies. The two individuals shadowing them were none other than Yang Xiao and Chen Tong.

"Junior Brother Yang, we owe this entirely to your treasure, the Soul-Concealing Bead. Without it, bypassing the spiritual sense of Jia San, the Azure Eagle Gang leader, would not have been easy. Although his cultivation is inferior to ours, he should be near the mid-stage of the Qi Condensation realm. If we continue to track him successfully, we should be able to identify the mastermind behind this," Chen Tong remarked, communicating via spiritual sense as they moved forward.

"I obtained the Soul-Concealing Bead by chance; I never expected it to be so useful here. However, following Jia San should indeed reveal who is pulling the strings," Yang Xiao replied, also using his spiritual sense.

After traveling another hundred miles and taking several circuitous detours, Jia San’s group reached their destination and met the person behind the plot. To their surprise, it was a young man with a handsome yet sinister countenance.

"I recognize him. He must be Tang Bi, one of the three Lesser Kings of the Demonic Path," Chen Tong communicated to Yang Xiao.

"Tang Bi, one of the three Lesser Kings?" Yang Xiao echoed, surprised. He had not expected to encounter another member of that infamous trio. He knew them well; they were the elite of the younger generation in the Demonic Path. He had previously encountered Wang Hai, a formidable opponent whom Yang Xiao could only defeat due to the unique environment of the desolate Thunder Plains. This Tang Bi was a rising expert of the Vast Evil Sect. Observing him, Yang Xiao realized his cultivation was indeed profound, standing on par with Wang Hai at the late stage of the Qi Condensation realm.

"Jia San, how did you fare?" Tang Bi asked.

"Reporting to the Young Master, everything went according to your plan. As soon as we received the materials from the Heavenly Sword Sect, I secretly used the Heavenly Poison Water to corrupt a portion of them. This has caused the sect to suffer a significant loss of resources," Jia San replied respectfully.

"Well done, Jia San. Now, hand over the remaining materials. I will provide you with more Heavenly Poison Water so you can continue to sabotage them. Find others to keep purchasing and destroying their supplies. Eventually, the Heavenly Sword Sect’s marketplace will collapse, weakening the righteous path and preparing the way for our Demonic invasion," Tang Bi said with a laugh.

"So it was Tang Bi’s Heavenly Poison Water that ruined our supplies. I wondered how they managed to do it so stealthily. Only such an odorless, colorless poison could achieve this. Why didn't I think of that earlier?" Chen Tong remarked to Yang Xiao.

"It seems the Demonic Path is fully prepared and planning a major move," Yang Xiao noted.

"Regardless, we cannot let these people go. Junior Brother Yang, you handle Jia San; I will deal with Tang Bi. We must show them the might of the Heavenly Sword Sect!" Chen Tong shouted, revealing himself and blocking the path of Tang Bi and his men.

Yang Xiao also revealed himself, immediately engaging Jia San in battle. Jia San was far weaker than Yang Xiao, who made quick work of him. Since Chen Tong and Tang Bi were both at the late stage of Qi Condensation, it was only natural for Chen Tong to confront the leader.

The two sides clashed with the intensity of fire and water, leaving no room for negotiation. They both unleashed their ultimate techniques from the start. Tang Bi’s abilities were formidable; his spiritual energy was laced with lethal toxins. A momentary lapse caused Chen Tong to be struck by the poisonous aura, forcing him onto the defensive.

Meanwhile, Yang Xiao effortlessly dispatched Jia San. "Senior Brother Chen, leave Tang Bi to me!" Seeing Chen Tong struggling, Yang Xiao stepped in to intercept Tang Bi after finishing off the gang leader.

"Arrogant fool! You shall both die! You are lucky to have uncovered my plot, but your lives end here. Consider it a blow to your Heavenly Sword Sect," Tang Bi spat venomously.

He slapped his spiritual beast pouch, releasing four massive creatures. These were mid-level spirit beasts, rare in the Ya Kingdom, each possessing the strength of the Qi Condensation realm.

"These Grim-Faced Lions cost me a fortune to acquire and nurture. Each is at the early stage of Qi Condensation. While their individual cultivation is not high, their bodies are incredibly resilient. Combined, they can contend with a late-stage Qi Condensation master. Since you are wounded by my poison, and this boy is only at the mid-stage, you are both finished!" Tang Bi laughed.

"Junior Brother Yang, flee! I did not realize Tang Bi had such resources. The title of one of the 'Three Lesser Kings' is well-earned. You are no match for these beasts. I will hold them back; return to the sect and inform our Master so he may avenge me," Chen Tong said, bordering on despair, yet still determined to sacrifice himself to secure Yang Xiao’s escape.

"Do not speak like that, Senior Brother. These beasts are nothing to me. Just watch and tend to your wounds; I will handle the rest," Yang Xiao replied, brushing off his concern.

As the four lion-bodied, ghost-faced beasts charged, Yang Xiao sneered. With his recent breakthrough, his techniques had been significantly bolstered, giving him more than enough power to handle a late-stage master. He unleashed two techniques simultaneously: the Thunder Dragon and the Sword Soul Domain. Each strike flew toward the two beasts charging from opposite sides.