"That bastard Helinta... Nothing but his death will satisfy me."
Shi Xiaoâs expression was so grim, it could have dripped water.
Only Li Xianyu, sitting opposite him, could hear his words.
To any other observer, Shi Xiao and Li Xianyu appeared to be making simple small talk.
This was an application of the Power of the Heart, capable of deceiving the five senses of ordinary people. It was impossible to see through unless one was on the same level of power.
At this, he glanced at Li Xianyu opposite him, whose expression remained placid.
"Li Xianyu, youâre so calm. Donât tell me you donât plan on moving against him?"
As if she hadnât heard the displeasure in Shi Xiaoâs tone,
Li Xianyuâs expression remained neutral. She lifted her teacup and took a delicate sip.
"Donât want to? How could I not? I could tolerate compensating him with Spiritual Materials and Treasure Medicine, but to make me hand over a disciple from my own School... For a humiliation like that, I want to rip his sinews from his bones! I want to peel his skin and plant grass on him!"
Her tone was glacial, filled with a murderous intent so potent it was colder and more piercing than the wind howling outside.
She paused, and her tone shifted.
"But heâs no simple foe. Heâs already reached the Dharma Realm.
If we attack him rashly, even if we succeed, the commotion would be too great. It would likely attract the attention of the Food Masters in this realm, which would be a major disadvantage for us.
An ambush is our only option, but heâs undoubtedly on guard against us. A successful sneak attack is all but impossible..."
Shi Xiaoâs brow furrowed at her words, but then quickly relaxed.
He looked at Li Xianyu. "If you have an idea, just say it."
Knowing her, he was sure she had more to say. Otherwise, she never would have arranged this meeting.
Just as he expected, Li Xianyu paused. Her gaze drifted to the snow-filled sky outside the window, a frosty glint in her eyes.
"We canât do this ourselves. Itâs not a viable option. Forget whether weâd even succeedâeven if we did, Xuanqing might come after us when we return to the surface!"
Shi Xiao was taken aback.
"Impossible. How would he dare?"
"Why wouldnât he? Havenât you noticed? Xuanqingâs attitude toward him is different. It was obvious he was intentionally siding with him.
And if not for him, I never would have given up Han Luan."
Li Xianyuâs tone was frigid, and when she spoke of Xuanqing, it was laced with a hint of hatred.
She was clearly still furious about what had happened.
Back on the surface, she would never dare speak this way. Xuanqingâs power was unfathomable; if he were to somehow sense her words, the trouble would be immense.
But things were different now. This was the Earth Core. No matter how powerful he was, what could he do from so far away?
She had no need to mince her words.
"So, what are you suggesting?"
Shi Xiao asked, his voice low.
"I suggest we leak his location and let the Food Masters kill him for us,"
said Li Xianyu.
"The Earth Core Passage he took leads to either the Cangmo Realm or the Lake Realm. We can find him, then leak the news. Once the Food Masters besiege him, there will be no escape!"
Shi Xiaoâs eyes narrowed at her words.
Secret Martial Artists and the Black Blood Species hated each other to the bone.
To a Food Master, a Secret Martial Artist of the Refining God Realm was a walking, humanoid Treasure Medicine.
If they knew a Secret Martial Artist of the Refining God Realm had arrived in the Earth Core, they would move heaven and earth to find him.
"But if we do that, we wonât be able to stay in the Earth Core and search for the Spirit Realm Sea Eye either."
"Which is why we must choose the right moment,"
Li Xianyu said calmly.
As much as she wanted to kill Hu Qi, it couldnât interfere with their own search for an escape route.
As the two conspired, they failed to notice something several streets away.
Atop a pavilion roof,
two black-robed figures stood side-by-side, their gazes fixed on the restaurant.
Eerily, though their boots rested on the snow-covered tiles, the snow beneath them barely compressed, as if the two figures were weightless.
Wisps of black mist coiled around their bodies. To the eyes of an ordinary person, there was nothing thereâonly the swirling snow against an empty sky.
"Sha Kong, are those the two Refining God Realm Secret Martial Artists from the surface you were talking about?"
One of the black-robed figures turned its head, the movement revealing a face covered in white fur from beneath its hood.
The being was bizarre, possessing only a single, sapphire-blue eye in its face and a mouth filled with a row of fine, sharp teeth.
"Correct. I killed a Refining God from the surface earlier and extracted some information. I learned there were two more in this area and rushed to tell you, Leng Ji!"
"The flesh of a Refining God Realm Secret Martial Artist is a true delicacy. It gave my power a slight boost. If I can devour these two, my strength will surely take another step forward."
The one who answered him was a middle-aged man with a rugged face, a robust build, and yellow, vertical pupils.
He said this with a hint of regret in his voice.
"Heh, if you were confident you could take them down yourself, you never would have told me about them!"
The one-eyed being, Leng Ji, gave a noncommittal sneer.
He paused.
"Still, my thanks. Iâll let you have first pick of these two blood-meals!"
Hu Qi, disguised as Sha Kong, chuckled and pointed casually.
"In that case, Iâll choose the one with the sword on his back. As for the woman, Iâll leave her for you. A womanâs flesh is more tender."
After killing Sha Kong, Hu Qi had immediately thought of Shi Xiao and Li Xianyu, who had also come here.
Since they were already his enemies, it was best to strike first. Dealing with them now would prevent them from scheming behind his back later.
They had noted the Earth Core Passage he used, and he, in turn, had secretly noted theirs.
While heading to one of the realms, he happened to run into Shi Xiao, and then followed him to the Cold Ring Realm.
Just as heâd expected, the two of them had teamed up.
However, instead of attacking them immediately, he had taken the information to this realmâs Food Master.
Possessing all of Sha Kongâs memories, and aided by his Disguise from the Twisted Light, he had carried out his plan without a single flaw.
Just as heâd predicted, the allure of a Secret Martial Artist from the Refining God Realm was a temptation that not even a Food Master could resist.
Leng Ji was easily persuaded.
Leng Ji had no intention of sharing the news with other Food Masters.
Two Secret Martial Artists from the Refining God Realm were the perfect numberâone for each of them. The more Food Masters involved, the smaller each oneâs share would be.
After this simple division of spoils, Leng Ji didnât hesitate for a moment. He struck directly at the pair eating inside the restaurant.
Leng Ji couldnât care less whether the restaurant or anyone else on the street would get caught in the crossfire.
Inside the restaurant, the pair, who had been drinking together, suddenly froze.
As Secret Martial Artists who had achieved Punching Brain Transformation and broken through the Divine Barrier, their premonition for danger was extremely strong.
Just a moment ago, an intense premonition of danger had seized them.
In the very next moment,
A deafening BOOM erupted, as if the sky were falling and the earth were splitting asunder.