"Does Master know already?" Zhao Lingyi asked, his expression solemn.
Li Qingtíng replied, "Sect master has already rushed over. But according to news from Suohong Tower, Hao Yinqin has gathered nine Yin Fiend Blood Soul Beads and is attempting to break through to Divine Transformation!"
"Another Divine Transformation?" Zhao Lingyi frowned deeply. "Master cannot be Hao Yinqin's match. In this matter, we can only trouble Fairy Ranran."
…
A transmission talisman cut through the clouds like a spear of light, landing into slender hands.
"Is that a message from Yun Gu Sect?" Lu Ziqian asked, glancing at the jade talisman.
Yao Ranran opened it and nodded. "That's right."
"Fairy Ranran, Hao Yinqin of You Yan Gate is advancing into Divine Transformation. Our sect master has gone to stop him, but I fear Master is not his equal, so I must beseech Fairy Ranran for help…"
When the message ended, Yao Ranran let the talisman disperse into smoke.
"Master, are we going to Dongman City now?" Lu Ziqian asked.
Yao Ranran gave him a quick look, then immediately shifted the flying boat's course.
"Let's go. To Dongman City!"
…
Dongman City, lying at the edge of the Eastern Wilderness, had become a refuge for countless cultivators and mortals fleeing the war between righteous and demonic sects.
But an even greater disaster was already waiting for them.
Hao Yinqin walked out from the City Lord's Mansion, a blood-red aura of murderous energy rolling from him like a tide, enough to engulf the entire city.
And engulf it he did.
When Yun Dehe of Yun Gu Sect arrived, this was the sight he beheld.
The skies above Dongman City were blotted out, corpses littered the streets by the millions, blood mist suffused the heavens, an unspeakable carnage.
And Hao Yinqin had truly stepped into Divine Transformation.
"For a mere breakthrough, you sacrificed millions of cultivators and mortals to forge Yin Fiend Blood Soul Beads. Hao Yinqin, you defy the Heavenly Dao. Sooner or later you will be destroyed by Tribulation!"
Yun Dehe's eyes shone with grief. These innocents only wanted to live.
High above, Hao Yinqin floated in his crimson robes, wild laughter etched across his face.
"Yun Dehe, don't think I don't see through you. This is jealousy! Divine Transformation, a realm you've sought your whole life and never touched. And today… it belongs to me! Hahaha!"
Yun Dehe's eyes were filled with pity. "Hao Yinqin, a Divine Transformation gained this way, I would rather never touch at all."
"Hmph. You still talk too much nonsense. Why is it you who came here? Have you sworn allegiance to Li Luoqi's side?"
Hao Yinqin's divine sense spread like an unbreakable net, covering the entirety of Dongman City.
He had expected Li Luoqi's armies. Instead, only Yun Dehe came, this man already close to death.…Wait. There were several unfamiliar auras approaching!
Hao Yinqin's eyes sharpened like an eagle's as he swept the surroundings.
Yun Dehe paid no mind to his probing.
"Li Luoqi has fled. The demon army is broken and routed. You are next."
Hao Yinqin's expression flickered, his divine sense scouring Yun Dehe from head to toe, before curling into a strange smile. "If we hadn't known each other for so many years, I might almost believe your lies!
If your Yun Gu Sect had truly defeated Li Luoqi's army, then You Yan Gate could unify the Central Domain immediately!" His laughter rang harshly across the sky.
Yun Dehe remained calm.
"There is always a higher heaven, always someone stronger. Sect master Hao, you've plotted in the Eastern Wilderness for so long. Do you still not understand that hidden masters exist in this world?"
Hao Yinqin's laughter slowed, doubt flashing in his eyes.
"These so-called hidden masters… you mean them?"
He lifted a finger, and five cultivators in matching robes flew to stand near Yun Dehe.
Yun Dehe's heart leapt. Could it be Fairy Ranran?
But when he turned to see them clearly, he froze.
"Who are you?"
Hao Yinqin raised a brow. "Still pretending? You've been stalling me for so long, just waiting for them, haven't you?"
Yun Dehe was dumbfounded. He was stalling, but not for them!
From the group, an elder stepped forward.
"Many thanks for your assistance, Sect Master Yun. I am Xiao Fengyi, Grand Elder of Miao Yun Sect. You may call me Elder Xiao."
Realization dawned on Yun Dehe.
"Yes… this is indeed the Dao robe of Miao Yun Sect!"
Hao Yinqin tapped his temple. "Now that you mention it, I remember. A hundred years ago, Miao Yun Sect's Dao robes looked exactly like this!"
Xiao Fengyi and his companions: "…"
"Bold demon sect master!" Elder Lin Fang, the second elder of Miao Yun Sect, stepped forward with fury. "To dare slaughter the mortals of more than a dozen cities—our Miao Yun Sect has come this day to subdue You Yan Gate and bring order to the Eastern Wilderness once more!"
Yun Dehe's heart shook at her words. To think Hao Yinqin had committed so many atrocities in secret. And for Miao Yun Sect to know them in such detail—surely they had long since infiltrated You Yan Gate.
On the surface they came under the pretense of restoring order. In truth, they sought to swallow the Eastern Wilderness whole.
Hao Yinqin thought the same, though he dismissed it lightly.
"So these are your hidden masters? Miao Yun Sect, crushed under Wuxiang Sect for thousands of years, nearly erased from the Central Domain. After hiding like turtles for so long, you do resemble 'hidden masters' just crawling down the mountain."
Yun Dehe: "…"
"You dare!" Lin Fang shouted, her face red with rage. "You, You Yan Gate, a mere backwater sect of the Eastern Wilderness, dare mock Miao Yun Sect, ranked second across the entire Central Domain?!"
"If being ranked second forever made me like you, I'd be too ashamed to even admit it," Hao Yinqin sneered lazily.
Lin Fang trembled with fury.
Xiao Fengyi stopped her, raising a hand with a mild smile. "I had long heard of Sect Master Yun's reputation. To call us hidden masters… interesting indeed."
He gave Yun Dehe a friendly smile.
Yun Dehe blinked, baffled.
Still, courtesy demanded a smile in return.
Xiao Fengyi smoothed his sleeves, chuckling lightly.
"Since Sect Master Yun acknowledges us, then you need not worry further. Leave Hao Yinqin to us."
Yun Dehe's eyes widened. "Truly? You can handle him?"
He had been waiting for Fairy Ranran, but if they could defeat Hao Yinqin, then Fairy Ranran would not need to fight at all.
The thought filled him with hope.
Xiao Fengyi drew his sword, its polished blade reflecting his confident smile.
"A mere demon cultivator forcing his way into Divine Transformation with external aids—five of us are more than enough."
Lin Fang cupped her hands. "Sect Master Yun, please fall back."
Yun Dehe eagerly stepped aside, watching as the five Miao Yun Sect cultivators formed a Five Elements Formation.
"Hao Yinqin, your death has come!"
He shouted in excitement, then quickly tossed a transmission talisman back toward Yun Gu Sect to inform them.