NOVEL NEXT Chapter 264: Leaving_2
However, just as he had prepared himself to fight to the death to carve out a slim chance of survival for Alkaid, a Divine Sense reached him, unheard and unnoticed: "My attack will devour tens of thousands of miles of the starry skies around us. Take this chance to twist the Void and send Alkaid away. If you're quick, you might escape from Jiang Heavenly Venerable's pursuit."
"Master!?"
This sudden transmission made Li Hanqiu's heart jolt.
But Wan Liugui had already ceased responding to him; instead, he slowly raised his hand, and a terrifying devouring force began to brew at his fingertips: "A breath's time has passed, it seems you've truly chosen a path of death..."
"Master, actually, it might not be too late... What if Alkaid's talents match those of Jiang Heavenly Venerable not only in cultivation but also exceed in other areas, such as Artifact Refining and array setting!?"
Li Hanqiu, meeting Wan Liugui's gaze, also made up his mind.
He knew very well, even if his master spared them mercy, they might not be able to survive Jiang Heavenly Venerable.
After all...
That's a Deep Blue Golden Core, whose combat power is likely no less than that of a Hollow Void War Immortal!
Therefore...
Only with Wan Liugui's help could they wrestle a sliver of survival from this sure-death crisis.
As the transmission occurred, a nearly imperceptible fluctuation emanated from his body.
This is...
When he sensed this peculiar fluctuation, the nearby Wan Liugui suddenly widened his eyes.
"Dao Charm! The Dao Charm of a Dao Artifact!?"
Even the indifferent Jiang Heavenly Venerable, as if sensing something, quickly donned a grave expression.
In his eyes, there was a hint of bewildered suspicion.
"Yes, the Dao Charm of a Dao Artifact!"
Li Hanqiu's Divine Sense responded to Wan Liugui's shock: "I have a Dao Artifact in my possession."
"Impossible!"
Wan Liugui immediately denied it: "How could there be a Dao Artifact in the Cangwu Great World!?"
A Dao Artifact, what an invaluable existence.
Even strong elders of Taiyi Immortal Sect, one of the ten great Immortal Sects, might not possess such a treasure!? Read latest stories on My Virtual Library Empire
How could such a treasure appear in the hands of a new Hollow Void War Immortal!?
"What if I said, this Dao Artifact was refined by Alkaid? Then, would his weight compare with Jiang Heavenly Venerable's?"
Li Hanqiu said.
"Alkaid, refining a Dao Artifact!? Impossible! One cannot refine a Dao Artifact without reaching the Hollow Void Realm!"
Wan Liugui stated emphatically.
"Don't judge the truly peerless geniuses with our shallow understanding; they have many godlike aspects that we simply cannot comprehend."
Li Hanqiu said, "Now, Master, do you think Alkaid's value is worth us going all out to protect him?"
Wan Liugui looked at Li Hanqiu.
He glanced again at Alkaid...
Although he truly did not believe that Alkaid could refine a Dao Artifact, yet...
The fact that Li Hanqiu had a Dao Artifact was almost certain.
And a Dao Artifact, such a strategic resource, was personally overseen by the Hall Masters and other powerful leaders of the Taiyi Immortal Sect!
Nobody knew how powerful such a treasure could be in the hands of a Hollow Void War Immortal.
Especially...
Since this Hollow Void War Immortal had decided to risk everything in a desperate attempt.
Upon this thought, Wan Liugui seemed to recall something, suddenly stepping back while swiftly transmitting a message to Jiang Heavenly Venerable: "Jiang True Transmission, a Hollow Void War Immortal, a talent with decent potential, dying like this would truly be a pity."
"So..."
Jiang Heavenly Venerable looked at Wan Liugui: "Are you planning to betray me?"
"I have no such intention."
Wan Liugui quickly said: "Rather, our Cangwu lineage is in urgent need of talents now. Why not allow Li Hanqiu to atone for his sins through merit? He's after all a Hollow Void War Immortal, and such strong individuals are few in our lineage... Besides, Alkaid, blessed with not lesser talents, if nurtured well, could also become a powerful aid for our Cangwu lineage..."
"What are you suggesting?"
"No matter what, they are ultimately from the Cangwu lineage. Heavenly Venerable, you have always valued loyalty and righteousness. Coming here to pay homage to ancestors, yet wreaking such slaughter in the Cangwu Great World - if the Jade Emperor Supreme were to know, he might think that you are leveraging his power... and have become arrogant beyond measure..."
Wan Liugui said.
This rhetoric, however, made Jiang Heavenly Venerable furrow his brows.
His persona, engaging in a massacre within the Cangwu Realm, equivalent to his own homeland, was indeed somewhat inappropriate.
Even if he had to kill...
He could not personally do the deed.
"This is what I'm thinking, Li Hanqiu has offended Jiang Zhanchuan, he should naturally enter the Immortal Slaying Hall and go to the front lines, wear his sins and seek achievements, as for Alkaid..."
Wan Liugui weighed his words,"Alkaid has committed such a serious crime, if Heavenly Venerable you could overlook it given his talent, what a generous capacity for tolerance that would be, praised by anyone who hears of it? Of course, this is all based on him indeed having good talent."
The Hollow Void War Immortal added,"If within ten years Alkaid can cultivate a Sunburst Golden Core, this would prove his truly exceptional talent, then it wouldn't hurt to have him work by your side, Heavenly Venerable. Of course, if you don't want him, he could be sent to Taiyi Immortal Sect to make his own way. If he cannot cultivate a Sunburst Golden Core within ten years... A person without value, disposing of him won't raise any objections."
Jiang Heavenly Venerable seemed to listen to Wan Liugui's advice.
His expression unchanged, but his heart was filled with coldness.
"He should truly die!"
The protector he had chosen openly spoke everything for his consideration, but his rebellious heart was glaringly obvious.
Continuing to pressure him to kill Li Hanqiu and Alkaid...
Overt obedience coupled with covert resistance was the least of it.
If not careful...
They could turn against him on the spot.
Besides, he thought of the fluctuation he perceived a while ago...
That fluctuation, it felt like the charm of a Dao Artifact.
But in Cangwu Great World, there couldn't possibly be a Dao Artifact.
Compared to a Dao Artifact, the possibility of some kind of one-time Fatal Kill treasure was greater.
After all, in the past, the Cangwu Realm was invaded by the Moon Demon Empire, and behind the Moon Demon Empire stood the Yin Moon Sect from the Six Sects of the Demonic Dao, specializing in plundering the resources of surrounding worlds for Yin Moon Sect's use, who knew if anything was left behind.
Although these were only his speculations, and even the likelihood was very low.
But with Wan Liugui's shift in attitude,
and possessing something foreign, Li Hanqiu with a desperate heart...
If he truly suffered any harm, relying on these lower-status War Immortals who might lose their lives any day, dying a thousand times, ten thousand times, wouldn't make up for a single hair's worth of his loss.
"It was I who chose this traitor as a protector, mistaking his loyalty!"
Jiang Heavenly Venerable thought to himself.
A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall.
Li Hanqiu, Alkaid, once he's back at Taiyi Immortal Sect, with one command, there will be plenty who can clean up for him.
Then, Li Hanqiu must die, Alkaid must die, Wan Liugui must also die.
Already sensing the crisis, Jiang Heavenly Venerable dared not continue to pressure them, and his expression slightly eased,"Since Elder Wan has pleaded for them several times, in consideration of Elder Wan's face, I will give them a chance."
He glanced at Alkaid,"In ten years, cultivate a Sunburst Golden Core, and I permit you to serve me; if not... just end yourself."
Upon saying this, he waved his hand, and a Flying Boat appeared before him.
At the same time, a majestic energy spread from this Flying Boat, quickly forming a space distortion around it.
"Let's go, Elder Wan, there's nothing interesting left in the Cangwu Great World, let's return to the Northern Sea,"
Jiang Heavenly Venerable ordered indifferently.
"Jiang Zhanchuan truly is incomparably just and righteous, Elder Wan thanks here,"
Wan Liugui bowed his thanks somewhat emotionally.
But he knew well, this matter was not that simple.
He could only wait to return and immediately begin glorifying Jiang Heavenly Venerable's righteous and open-minded actions, elevating his status, forcing him to maintain his public persona and not overtly target Alkaid and Li Hanqiu, thus securing a relatively safe growth period for Alkaid.
Only hoping...
He truly possessed the talent Li Hanqiu spoke of.
He secretly glanced at Li Hanqiu and Alkaid, sending out a message, but outwardly, he actively began to manipulate the Flying Boat.
As the space distortion became more evident, the Starry Sky Boat also gradually powered up.
In less than ten breaths, the Starry Sky Boat suddenly accelerated, diving into the distorted Void.
Like a droplet hitting the lake's surface, spreading ripples, it instantly vanished from sight.