"Boy, it's you!"
At this moment, someone from the Lihuo Sect seemed to finally recognize Ming Qi and said through gritted teeth.
"Oh?"
Ming Qi turned and looked at this person, but he didn't recognize him. During the previous battle on Yanshan Mountain against the Lihuo Sect, there had indeed been many Lihuo Sect masters. Since this person recognized Ming Qi, he must have been there during the Yanshan battle, but Ming Qi had no recollection of him.
"You know me?"
Ming Qi looked at him coldly. He had no good feelings towards the Lihuo Sect.
"Hmph! What a scheming and vicious person! If it weren't for your collusion with the Biyou Sect, our Lihuo Sect wouldn't be in this state today! Now that you've come to my door today, not even the gods in heaven and earth can save you!"
This man was a middle-aged man in his forties. His words were like knives, and it was clear that he hated Ming Qi to the core.
"All Lihuo disciples, this man is the culprit who murdered Sect Master Feihuo. Today, we will avenge our Sect Master!"
The middle-aged man pointed at Ming Qi in front of him and shouted fiercely. Behind him, a dozen or so Lihuo disciples looked sideways, staring at Ming Qi with ferocious fury. Some even mobilized their energy to unleash their magical powers.
"Protector Jihuo, don't forget your identity. I'm after the medicinal ingredients and the virgin soul! If you ruin my plans, I'll use you as the centerpiece of the Yinfeng Formation!"
Seeing Protector Jihuo's impulsiveness, the black-robed man rebuked him coldly.
Ming Qi had also seen through it, and from his words, he had guessed that the Lihuo Sect might be interested in the Biyou Sect's conspiracy to seize the Wonderful Sword Arsenal. However, he hadn't anticipated Biyou Sect's thorough considerations, resulting in heavy losses for the Lihuo Sect and the death of Sect Master Feihuo Daoren. No wonder Protector Jihuo was so impulsive when he recognized Ming Qi.
It then became even more apparent that the Lihuo Sect had completely lost its ability to compete with the Biyou Sect. It seemed they had become dependent on the black-robed figure's faction, becoming their lackey.
"Don't worry, Bishop Tianming. I'm only settling some personal grievances. I won't interfere with your plans."
Faced with the black-robed figure's rebuke, the Jihuo Dharma Protector immediately became respectful, his reassurance silencing the black-robed figure known as Bishop Tianming.
Divine Cult, Black Clothes?
Instantly, these two words popped into Ming Qi's mind, and he couldn't help but connect the black-robed figures before him with the Tianwu Divine Cult, of which he had heard several times.
As soon as the connection was made, Ming Qi had a bad feeling. Could it be that the Tianwu Divine Cult, previously hidden in the shadows, had finally surfaced? Had it begun its open and honest revival plan?
The appearance of the black-robed figure, the rise of the Tianwu, was this truly the fulfillment of the prophecy?
However, at this moment, Ming Qi had a bold idea.
He thought of the Heavenly Witch Order. If his guess was correct, these people were followers of the Heavenly Witch Cult, then they must know the legend of the Order. Anyone who obtained the Order had almost no choice but to take on the mission of reviving the Heavenly Witch Cult. Moreover, due to the curse of the Heavenly Witch gods, loyalty was no longer a concern. Now that he held the Order, didn't that mean he had truly become one of the thirty-six Dharma Kings who protected the Heavenly Witch Cult?
Thinking of this, a faint sneer crossed Ming Qi's lips. His left hand gently stroked the ring on his right, and he looked at Bishop Tian Tianming before him with a look of deep amusement.
While it was still unclear whether the Dharma King or the Bishop was superior in the Heavenly Witch Cult's hierarchy, if Ming Qi appeared as the Dharma King, this conflict would surely be resolved.
"Bishop Tianming, is that so? Very good!"
Suddenly, Ming Qi's voice rang out without warning, his eyes like razor blades as he glared at the black-robed Bishop Tianming.
"Hmm? How dare you..."
The black-robed Tianming was instantly enraged, his voice becoming even sharper.
"Raise your head and see what this is!"
The ring in Ming Qi's hand flashed, a flash of black light flashing as he grasped the Great Order of the Heavenly Witch, raising it high in his hand towards Tianming, who was not far away.
Ming Qi was now certain that if the opponent was truly a member of the Tianwu Cult, the Great Order would undoubtedly intimidate them completely. After all, it was a relic left behind by the gods of the Tianwu Cult.
If the opponent was not a Tianwu Cultist, then they would naturally be unaware of its existence, but the chances of that happening were slim.
Sure enough, after hearing Ming Qi's words, Tianming raised his head, revealing a pale face, his gray eyes gleaming with a chilling sharpness.
His gaze didn't glance at Ming Qi, but instead fell directly on the Heavenly Witch Token in Ming Qi's hand.
"What is this...?"
Seeing the jet-black diamond-shaped token, Tian Ming initially showed a hint of confusion, but then his expression changed drastically!
"You, where did you get it from?"
Tian Ming's lips trembled slightly, and even his words trembled.
Seeing Tian Ming's unusual behavior, Ming Qi sneered. Clearly, he recognized it. If he knew the Heavenly Witch Token, then everything would be easy!
"You have to understand, I'm asking you again! I'll say it again: do you recognize this token?"
Ming Qi now had a clear vision. With the Heavenly Witch Token, and Tian Ming being a member of the Heavenly Witch Cult, he could completely silence this man from even thinking anything.
After a moment's silence, Tian Ming finally lowered his head and uttered two words.
"I know him."
"Since you know him, then I don't need to explain my identity. You should know it better than I do!"
Ming Qi's tone was aggressive, not giving Tian Ming any chance to refute.
"Now that you know my identity, you know exactly what to do now. You don't need my instruction!"
"Yes, I understand."
Tian Ming said timidly.
The Great Order of the Heavenly Witch Cult was a top secret within the Heavenly Witch Cult. Naturally, even the lowest-ranking members were unaware of it, let alone Ji Huo. Although he held the title of Dharma Protector, he wasn't even a member of the Heavenly Witch Cult and had no right to know the secrets of the higher echelons of the Cult. Seeing Tian Ming's sudden change of attitude, his face was filled with astonishment. He was about to step forward to ask a question, but was stopped by Tian Ming's rebuke.
"Ji Huo, why don't you apologize to the Dharma Protector King!"
Dharma Protector King?
Ji Huo was momentarily bewildered. Just as he paused, he saw Tian Ming's black robes fluttering in the wind, waves of black energy emanating from them. Then, a massive black ancient bell emerged, hurtling towards him!
Tian Ming's magical weapon, the Soul-Falling Bell!
Seeing Tian Ming summon the Soul-Falling Bell, Ji Huo panicked. This was clearly a sign that he was seriously planning to use his power to cultivate the core of the Yinfeng Great Formation!
No longer daring to hesitate, he hurried over, bowing his head and begging for mercy.
"Ji Huo has failed to recognize a great man. Your Majesty, please spare my life..."
Seeing Ji Huo's sudden loss of integrity, Ming Qi was genuinely amused, but a hint of gloom remained on his face.
"Forget it. Ignorance is not a crime. Tianming, just spare his life."
"As you command, Lord Dharma King."
Tianming seemed quite wary of Mingqi's position as Dharma King of the Heavenly Witch Sect. After hearing Mingqi's words, he unhesitatingly withdrew the Soul-Falling Bell and stood quietly aside.
Ji Huo and a group of Lihuo Sect disciples stood dejectedly at a distance.
"Tianming, come here."
Now that Mingqi had assumed the title of Dharma King of the Heavenly Witch Sect, he naturally wanted to take this opportunity to learn more about the Heavenly Witch Sect's revival.
"What are your instructions, Lord Dharma King?"
Tianming took a few respectful steps forward and stood before Mingqi, head lowered, awaiting Mingqi's questions.
"What important matter have you come out on this trip?"
Mingqi wasn't sure exactly why Tianming had appeared, but he was certain it was related to the Heavenly Witch Sect's revival.
"I am following the orders of the other Dharma Kings who protect the religion and have been ordered to collect nine hundred and ninety-nine virgin souls to serve as a medicine to awaken the Divine Son of the Divine Cult."
"Other Dharma Kings?"
Ming Qi's heart trembled. It seemed several Dharma Kings who protect the religion had already surfaced, and it seemed they were planning to summon a Divine Son, and even more so, to find the souls of nine hundred and ninety-nine virgin girls. This was truly the work of the demonic path.
"Yes, eight of the thirty-six Dharma Kings who protect the religion recorded in the Divine Cult's secret text have appeared. Including you, my lord, there are nine. The other eight Dharma Kings all agree that it is time to awaken the Divine Son and revive the Divine Cult."
Tian Ming answered carefully and respectfully.
"So, how is the collection progress?"
Ming Qi asked casually, but deep down, he was deeply disgusted by the Tianwu Divine Cult's actions.
"It's basically complete, just a few missing."
Tian Ming's answer startled Ming Qi. It seemed they had already taken over nine hundred lives.
"Where are these people?"
"To answer your Majesty, I have extracted their spirits and stored them in a safe place. Once they are complete, we can perform the awakening ceremony."
…
Hearing this, Ming Qi really wanted to slap him. Clearly, the innocent girls who were captured had already died, and now even their remaining spirits were resting in turmoil.
"Excellent, excellent!"
Ming Qi praised Tian Ming generously, then asked, "So, where will the awakening ceremony be held?"
"I don't know the exact location either. I think only the eight Dharma Kings who protect the religion know."
"Oh."
"It's all right. You can leave."
Ming Qi stopped asking after a few more questions and waved Tian Ming away.
Upon receiving the instructions, Tian Ming swiftly and decisively led a group of Tianwu followers, along with members of the Lihuo Sect, out of Tianyuan Town.
"That was a close call..."
Watching the group leave, Mo Changli breathed a sigh of relief, patting his chest with a look of fear.
"What should we do next?"
Wei Silong was unlike Mo Changli; she was more experienced and knew now was not the time for idle chatter.
"Leave now, lest they figure out something and return. It would be difficult to escape then."
Ming Qi didn't mention a single word about the Tianwu Order, and quickly left with a few others under cover of darkness.