Chapter 649

Chapter 649

I Can See Through Everything

“Hahahahaha…”

“To think there really exists someone this foolish—believing the words of a mortal enemy even in the face of life and death!”

“Weren’t humans said to be cunning and sly? Yet in my eyes, you are even more idiotic than swine, hahahaha…”

Cang Jue pointed at the Dao Heir of Dao Xu Temple, laughing madly. His body bent forward from laughter, tears forming at the corners of his eyes.

“Lord Cang Jue is invincible! Invincible!”

From a distance, the watching demons roared their cheers, showering him with frantic flattery.

Cang Jue’s heart swelled with satisfaction.

This was exactly why he had brought these demons along—for this very moment.

Pfft!

The Dao Heir of Dao Xu Temple, his aura frail, still retained a shred of consciousness. Hearing Cang Jue’s vicious mockery, he could no longer suppress his fury and spat out another mouthful of blood. The demonic energy in his body surged wildly again.

“Calm your mind! He is deliberately provoking you—do not fall for his ploy!” The Holy Maiden of Bilu Palace spoke in a low voice.

She was forced to take out another Ice Soul Talisman, pressing it onto the Dao Heir’s chest. Then she crushed a pill with her spiritual power, sprinkling its essence over him.

In his current state, he no longer had the strength to refine the medicine. She could only assist him.

The Dao Heir of Dao Xu Temple understood the severity of the situation. Gritting his willpower, he restrained his fury, not allowing the demonic energy to invade his soul.

In a weak voice, he said, “Forgive me, Fairy Luo. I was careless. I didn’t expect this fiend to be so treacherous. He never intended a fair duel—he was plotting against us from the very beginning.”

“You were indeed careless. Fiends are cunning, their words never trustworthy. His earlier speech was only a deception.” The Holy Maiden sighed softly.

She had already warned him, yet he had not remained vigilant. Now he was grievously wounded by Cang Jue’s scheme.

Shame clouded the Dao Heir’s expression.

Meanwhile, Cang Jue merely watched as the Holy Maiden treated him. He did not intervene.

No pill or talisman could instantly restore such injuries. At best, the boy would cling to life.

In truth, the Dao Heir’s survival was intentional. Had Cang Jue unleashed the full might of his demonic artifact, how could the fragile body of a mere Golden Core cultivator have endured?

He spared him for one reason—Cang Jue had not yet finished his game.

He wanted to torment these two prodigies of the human race slowly, relishing their despair and helplessness.

Only then would his grand play be worth the effort.

“Who would’ve thought Cang Jue was this calculating? I thought he really intended to face that Dao Heir in a contest of techniques.”

“So his arrogance earlier was all an act, just to lure the Dao Heir into his trap.”

“Though his strength is overwhelming, he still chose to cripple one of them first, preventing them from joining forces. His mind runs deep—he’s nothing like the reckless arrogance he shows.”

“It was the Dao Heir’s naivety. Facing a demon he had never encountered, he still dared to trust his words—and was struck down in turn.”

The outcome of the duel surprised even the mysterious figures observing from the Trial Space.

Some among them had truly believed Cang Jue would fight fair, without artifacts, to crush the Dao Heir head-on.

Yet it had all been a ruse.

Even they hadn’t foreseen this twist. Their opinion of Cang Jue shifted greatly.

To be cautious and ruthless despite holding every advantage—such a foe was the most terrifying of all.

“With this, those two have no hope left,” one figure murmured.

Had the Dao Heir and the Holy Maiden joined forces, they might still have stood a chance.

Cang Jue’s artifact was terrifying—likely a superior-grade demonic artifact—but his cultivation limited the power he could draw from it.

Against two wielders of spiritual artifacts, his victory was not guaranteed.

But now, with the Dao Heir gravely injured, the Holy Maiden was left alone. She could not possibly stand against Cang Jue.

Their fates were sealed.

Some watchers lost interest in this battle and turned their eyes elsewhere—to Lu Qing and the Dao Heir of the Shangguan Clan.

But what they saw stunned them.

Kneeling before Lu Qing, Shangguan Menghe was drenched in cold sweat, trembling in pain.

“What happened? Why is Shangguan Menghe suffering so terribly?” one asked in disbelief.

Moments ago, the two hadn’t even clashed. How had things changed so quickly?

“It’s backlash!” another spoke gravely. “Shangguan Menghe must have been struck by his own illusion technique.”

“The heir of the Shangguan Clan… defeated by his own illusion?”

The watchers could hardly believe it.

But the one who had been observing closely explained, “The instant Shangguan Menghe confronted the ghost-masked youth, he unleashed his proudest illusion technique.

Yet somehow, either that youth’s soul power is abnormally strong, or he carries a soul-protecting treasure.

Not only did the illusion fail, it rebounded—casting Shangguan Menghe into his own illusion.”

The others stared in shock.

If it was truly the boy’s soul power, then his spirit surpassed even that of most ninth-transformation Golden Core cultivators.

More acceptable was the possibility of a protective treasure.

But either way, the ghost-masked youth’s reputation only grew. His swordsmanship was already superb. Now it was revealed he also had formidable defenses against spiritual attacks.

His strength placed him firmly among the top three of all trial participants.

“Such a pity. Were it not for Cang Jue, he might have taken first place,” one figure sighed.

The others fell silent, gazing at Lu Qing with regret.

Indeed, his ability was enough for the top.

But with Cang Jue wielding a superior-grade demonic artifact, none in the Golden Core Realm could contend.

Lu Qing looked upon Shangguan Menghe, who had already sunk deep into illusion.

The man had sought to drag Lu Qing’s soul into a dreamscape.

But Lu Qing’s soul had already reached the realm of Perfection for the Golden Core.

Not only had he condensed a Soul Talisman, but within his brow acupoint rested the Five Elements Pearls.

He had even cultivated the Celestial Garment of Merit, a secret technique for soul defense.

And most crucial of all—his own divine ability, Phantasm, was a true illusion-type technique.

Shangguan Menghe’s illusion never stood a chance. Unable to shake Lu Qing’s soul, he was instead consumed by backlash.

Lu Qing saw his aura withering. If left to drown in illusion, he would eventually lose his soul entirely, perishing in silence.

Illusion—manipulating the will and spirit—was often more dreadful than direct techniques.

After a moment’s thought, Lu Qing merely took Shangguan Menghe’s Trial Jade Token and storage artifact, then turned to leave.

But before departing, he sent a ripple of soul power into Shangguan Menghe, shattering the illusion that bound him.

Ten breaths later, Shangguan Menghe awoke. At first dazed, then horrified, he looked around wildly.

But Lu Qing was gone.

And when he discovered his Trial Jade Token and storage artifact missing, his face turned pale.

“He spared Shangguan Menghe?”

The mysterious observers were stunned once more.

“This ghost-masked youth is peculiar. His sword intent carries the essence of slaughter, yet since the start of the trial, he hasn’t killed a single opponent.”

“Indeed. He only claims their tokens. Though before entering the trial, he slew three Golden Core cultivators who tried to rob him.”

“It seems this youth has principles of his own.”

“Hmph, nothing but weakness of heart. These rules were set to force bloodshed. Does he think himself above them?”

“Not so. To walk the path of cultivation and still uphold one’s principles—that is strength. Such resolve allows one to go further on this road.”

“Look—he’s heading toward Cang Jue’s battlefield.”

“Oh? That will be interesting. Will he arrive before the Holy Maiden is slain?”

“And not just him—the youth of the Elephant Clan is heading there too.”

“Now this will be a show. Two of the top three trialists converging against Cang Jue. Could they stand against him?”

“Hard to say. That demonic artifact is too fearsome.”

“Perhaps. Yet artifacts are not omnipotent. Cang Jue’s realm limits his control—there are flaws to exploit.”

“Too late. He’s about to strike at the Holy Maiden.”

All eyes in the Trial Space fixed on the glowing screen.

“Fairy Luo, don’t worry about me. Escape! Throw away your Trial Jade Tokens, and he cannot track you,” the Dao Heir of Dao Xu Temple whispered weakly.

“It’s too late,” the Holy Maiden shook her head. “This fiend won’t give me the chance. All that remains is to fight him to the death.”

If earlier they had discarded their tokens, they might have fled.

But they had hesitated, thinking of surviving the trial. Now they were trapped.

“But Fairy Luo, you are not his match!”

Desperation filled the Dao Heir’s heart, but his injuries left him powerless.

“At worst, it is only death. Walking the path of cultivation, should we not have embraced this long ago?”

She slowly rose, sending the Dao Heir gently to the ground with a wave of power.

Cang Jue watched without stopping her.

He had already marked the Dao Heir with demonic qi. Whether he lay wounded or at full strength, escape was impossible.

Better to let him live—to despair as his companion was humiliated before his eyes.

Staring at the veiled Holy Maiden, cold aura swirling around her, a trace of appreciation lit Cang Jue’s gaze.

“Not bad. You’re stronger than that waste. Even after witnessing my might, you still dare fight. Among humans, you are the only one I’ve seen with a shred of backbone.

I’ll give you a choice. Kneel. Crawl to my feet and beg, and perhaps I’ll let you live—as my concubine.”

The Dao Heir on the ground roared in rage.

But the Holy Maiden’s expression did not change. “Fiend, spare your words. Between us, there is only battle. If I win, I live. If I lose, I die.”

“Is that so? But once you fall into my hands, life and death won’t be yours to decide. Always hiding behind that veil—surely your beauty is unmatched. I’ve changed my mind. When I defeat you, I’ll hand you to my demons. Let their ugliness defile you. I imagine you’ll enjoy it, hahahaha!”

The surrounding demons erupted in laughter, their eyes filled with lust as they gazed upon the Holy Maiden.

“Fiend! Meet your death!”

For the first time, fury flared across her face.

She pulled the white jade hairpin from her bun, black hair tumbling free as she flung the pin into the air.

The heavens themselves changed color.