Chapter 697 - 697: Zhou Yongyang's Plot

Following the direction of his trembling Devouring Martial Soul, Chu Qingyun advanced cautiously, trying his best not to make a sound.

Soon, deep within the dense forest, he discovered the people from the Martial Soul Hall.

And these were the very same people he had met on Ju Yang Ridge while impersonating Jiang Gaofeng—the ones who wanted to seize his "blood-colored orb" and obtain the Blood Origin!

But that wasn't what surprised Chu Qingyun the most.

What surprised him the most was that with them was another Inner Sect Disciple of the Saint Extreme Sect, one who had entered the Inner Sect at the same time as him: Zhou Yongyang!

'Zhou Yongyang, how did he get mixed up with people from the Martial Soul Hall?'

After his initial shock, Chu Qingyun silently crept up a large tree near them.

Stepping on a branch, he inevitably made a faint sound.

"Who's there!?"

A Level 6 Martial King from the Martial Soul Hall, who was extremely vigilant, immediately noticed the anomaly.

Instantly, the members of the Martial Soul Hall, along with Zhou Yongyang, all grew alert. They looked around, scanning their surroundings and focusing their senses.

Having drawn their attention, Chu Qingyun immediately froze, squatting motionless on the branch. At the same time, he pushed his Hidden Qi Technique to its absolute limit, completely concealing his Qi.

Two members of the Martial Soul Hall split off to investigate the immediate vicinity.

After returning, they both shook their heads at the Special Envoy.

"Xiu Hui, you're being too jumpy. There's no one there," the Special Envoy said, glancing at the Level 6 Martial King.

The Level 6 Martial King opened his mouth but said nothing.

He also felt that perhaps he had been overly nervous and too cautious.

After all, basically no one could have evaded a search of that intensity.

Anyone with the power to do so would have to be an expert at the Level 9 Martial King Realm, at least. And why would an expert of that caliber need to hide from them?

Seeing them stop their search, Chu Qingyun quietly breathed a sigh of relief. If he had actually been discovered, facing the pursuit of several Level 5 and Level 6 Martial Kings would have been another major hassle.

"Zhou Yongyang, are you certain that Zhou Jianxiong and his group can find Chu Qingyun's whereabouts?"

"The seven of you, plus my men, have been searching for him for ten days without a single clue!"

The Martial Soul Hall's Special Envoy turned and continued speaking to Zhou Yongyang.

Apparently, Zhou Yongyang had already told the people from the Martial Soul Hall that Zhou Jianxiong's group was tracking Chu Qingyun.

"Your Excellency, rest assured," Zhou Yongyang said with a fawning expression. "Zhou Jianxiong's group happened to run into one of Chu Qingyun's enemies. That person marked Chu Qingyun with a scent, and now they're using an insect Demon Beast to follow it."

"Is that so..."

A thoughtful look appeared on the Special Envoy's face. He then said, "Zhou Yongyang, since you're confident you can find Chu Qingyun, we don't need to search anymore. The plan... should be changed slightly."

"Once Zhou Jianxiong and his men find Chu Qingyun, they'll have outlived their usefulness. You can make your move after they find him and wipe them all out."

"That will save us the trouble. After all, Zhou Jianxiong's group does have some strength."

At the mention of Zhou Jianxiong, a flash of hatred crossed Zhou Yongyang's face.

However, he was still a bit uneasy and asked, "Your Excellency, are you sure this thing... really works?"

As Zhou Yongyang spoke, he revealed the palm of his right hand.

By the faint moonlight, Chu Qingyun could just barely make out something slowly squirming in the center of Zhou Yongyang's palm.

"Heh heh, don't worry. I brought this all the way from the Central State."

"Forget a mere Chu Qingyun and Zhou Jianxiong. Even a Level 8 or Level 9 Martial King would be completely powerless to resist after falling for this!"

The Special Envoy from the Martial Soul Hall chuckled, appearing extremely confident.

"Good! Sir, in that case, you don't need to search for Chu Qingyun anymore. Just follow the trail I leave behind. Follow us, and we will definitely be able to capture him!"

"However, Your Excellency, I have one small request. When the time comes, can you let me personally kill Chu Qingyun and Zhou Jianxiong!?"

Zhou Yongyang said with a vicious expression.

"Oh? You're from the same sect, after all, and you and Zhou Jianxiong are even from the same dynasty. Do you really hate them both that much?"

A seven-colored light flashed in the Special Envoy's eyes, and he gave an odd smile.

This was the biggest reason the people from the Martial Soul Hall were suspicious of Zhou Yongyang.

They had run into Zhou Yongyang by chance in the ruins of the Blood Sect. Because they shared a common goal, they formed an alliance to search for Chu Qingyun together.

Zhou Yongyang, for his part, wanted to use the Martial Soul Hall to get rid of both Chu Qingyun and Zhou Jianxiong!

"That Chu Qingyun caused me to break through hastily, causing severe damage to my Martial King Essence Pill. Now my Primordial Pill has set, and my path on the Martial Dao is half-ruined!"

"And Zhou Jianxiong is even worse! He used to treat me like a brother, but it was all just to use me. The moment I lost my value, he kicked me away like a dog!"

"They both deserve to die!"

Zhou Yongyang's words were filled with hatred.

"Fine! As long as you do as we say and cooperate with us, the lives of Chu Qingyun and Zhou Jianxiong are yours for the taking!"

"Furthermore, after this is done, all of Zhou Jianxiong's and his men's Storage Rings will be yours. We can even become friends and cooperate more in the future!"

The Martial Soul Hall's Special Envoy smiled and agreed to Zhou Yongyang's request.

"Good! In that case, it's settled!"

"Your Excellency, everyone, I'll head back now. If I'm gone too long, Zhou Jianxiong and the others might get suspicious."

After speaking, Zhou Yongyang turned and left, quickly disappearing into the darkness.

After he was long gone, one of the Martial Soul Hall members suddenly asked, "Your Excellency, are we really going to give all of Zhou Jianxiong's group's Storage Rings to that Zhou Yongyang?"

The people of the Martial Soul Hall also needed resources like Primordial Spirit Liquid for their cultivation.

Therefore, these members of the Martial Soul Hall were very covetous of the Storage Rings belonging to wealthy Inner Sect Disciples from a major sect like Zhou Jianxiong.

"Haha, I was just saying that. Only a fool would believe it."

"That idiot Zhou Yongyang is completely blinded by hatred. To be stupid enough to cooperate with us from the Martial Soul Hall... he's simply courting death."

"As for being friends... heh heh, when the time comes, we'll just 'turn' him into one of us. Then we'll be friends, won't we? Hahaha..."

After speaking, the Special Envoy couldn't help but laugh triumphantly.

Finding Chu Qingyun's trail within the ruins of the Blood Sect... Nothing could be more perfect!

The other members of the Martial Soul Hall also burst into laughter.