Chapter 775 Mist Kill

Zhou Qianjun roared, attempting to overwhelm her with his momentum.

"Ridiculous!"

Qi Yu scoffed, not bothering to waste words. Her figure flickered, drifting toward Zhou Qianjun like a phantom as she sent a seemingly casual palm strike his way.

The wind from her palm was soft and insidious, yet it carried a bone-eroding, soul-stealing chill. The very air seemed to freeze in its path.

"Attack now! She’s distracted! This is the perfect chance!"

Li Muyun shouted at once.

Qi Yu was currently focused on wearing down the Profound Nether Black Ox, expending a great deal of her energy.

Facing Qi Yu’s seemingly casual yet perilous palm strike, Zhou Qianjun dared not be careless. His water-blue long sword instantly left its sheath, and he unleashed the Green Wave Breaking Sword Technique, sending a tide of sword light to meet her attack.

Meanwhile, Liu Hanyan activated her Body Technique. Like a butterfly flitting through flowers, she bypassed the battle and shot straight toward the Seven-leaf Golden Lotus!

Her objective was clear. As long as she obtained the Golden Lotus, their mission would be largely a success!

"You’re courting death!"

Lei Hong let out a furious roar, his voice like a clap of thunder.

He took a single step, making the ground tremble, and instantly appeared in front of Liu Hanyan, blocking her path.

His hand, as large as a cattail fan, slapped down from above, carrying an Evil Wind that tore through the air!

Before the palm even arrived, its incomparably fierce pressure made Liu Hanyan’s breath catch in her throat, and her forward momentum was abruptly halted.

In an instant, a massive battle was about to erupt.

...

「On the top floor of the Eight Treasures Tower, inside the study.」

Chu Nan stood with his hands by his sides, respectfully reporting the latest news to a middle-aged man seated in a large Zitan wood chair.

The man’s face bore some resemblance to Chu Nan’s, but his expression carried the authority of one long in power and an unfathomable cunning. He was none other than one of the three Vice City Lords of Black Water Giant City, Chu Jiang.

"The Demon Sect hasn’t left. It’s rumored they’ve discovered an incredible treasure deep within Smoke Wave Marsh. Many experts in the city have already caught wind of it and made their move. Three True Inheritance disciples from the Cloud Water Upper Sect were the first to arrive."

Chu Nan concisely relayed the information he had verified from multiple sources.

"A great treasure!?"

A sharp glint flashed through Chu Jiang’s eyes, gone in an instant.

Given his status, there were few things that could truly be called a "great treasure" and still stir his heart.

"It’s absolutely true."

Chu Nan nodded with certainty, his tone carrying a trace of suppressed excitement. "The Demon Sect is taking a huge risk by lingering here after Lü Hanyin was vanquished. The Celestial Treasure and Cloud Water Upper Sects are also secretly mobilizing their forces. This wouldn’t be happening unless there was an opportunity great enough to drive them all into a frenzy. Father, what should we do now?"

Chu Jiang leaned back slightly, his gaze seeming to pierce through the closed window lattice and fix upon the vast, smoke-shrouded marshlands.

Right now, Longze Lake had become a massive whirlpool. The Demon Sect, the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, the Cloud Water Upper Sect, and all the opportunistic vultures within Black Water Giant City, eager to stir at the first scent of blood... all the various powers had gathered, and the undercurrents were surging.

"The murkier the water, the easier it is to fish."

A cryptic smile touched Chu Jiang’s lips. "If we let the treasure be snatched from right under our noses, how could Black Water Giant City possibly save face?"

He mused for a moment. "You will personally lead a team of experts to investigate, under the pretext of ’maintaining regional peace.’"

Chu Nan’s heart stirred. He knew this meant his father intended to enter the fray. He bowed quickly. "Yes! I understand!"

Chu Jiang nodded slightly, his tone growing heavier with both warning and expectation. "Remember, your primary mission is to ascertain the truth of the situation: confirm what this ’great treasure’ actually is, and determine the exact movements of the Demon Sect and the two Upper Sects. As for seizing it... that will depend on the circumstances."

"If an opportunity presents itself, strike like lightning. Seize the treasure and retreat immediately; do not get drawn into a prolonged fight. If it proves impossible, then simply observe from the sidelines. Preserving our strength is paramount. The situation is delicate, and as a Vice City Lord, I cannot make a move personally. It would risk creating even greater complications."

His words were laden with meaning.

Black Water Giant City survived in the fissures between great powers not just through strength, but by balancing and exploiting those very powers.

If he personally entered the fray, the implications would be entirely different. It would likely provoke an overreaction from the Celestial Treasure and Cloud Water Upper Sects, perhaps even causing them to form a temporary alliance, which would be disastrous for Black Water Giant City.

"I understand," Chu Nan replied solemnly, a plan already forming in his mind.

’Father is giving me a great deal of autonomy.’

"Go on. Be careful," Chu Jiang said with a wave of his hand, closing his eyes once more.

"Yes, Father! I’ll go prepare at once!" Chu Nan said no more. He cupped his fist in a salute, then turned and strode quickly away.

...

Meanwhile, Chen Qing and his two companions soon learned from a message sent back by Shi Xuan that Zhou Qianjun’s group from the Cloud Water Upper Sect had already ventured deep into Smoke Wave Marsh.

"Just as expected, they couldn’t hold back," Chen Qing said, his gaze hardening.

Gong Nansong said slowly, "It’s not just the Cloud Water Upper Sect. Many experts can no longer restrain themselves."

As he said this, he looked at Chen Qing with a hint of admiration.

’Now that the news is spreading so rapidly, the waters of Longhu Marsh are growing murkier and murkier.’

After a moment of thought, Chen Qing said, "I think we should also go investigate."

’With all the major powers heading for Smoke Wave Marsh, it would be far too strange if the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect showed no reaction.’

Gong Nansong took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent energy still roiling within him. He said in a heavy voice, "Reinforcements from the Sect are already on their way and will arrive in a few days. Before then, we must get a firm grasp on the Demon Sect’s exact movements."

"Lingxiu, Chen Qing, you two will go on ahead and scout the outskirts of Smoke Wave Marsh. Remember, Concealment is your top priority."

Upon hearing this, Ruan Lingxiu was about to agree.

Just then, a glint appeared in Chen Qing’s eyes. "Elder Gong, I can handle the scouting mission alone. More people will only make us easier to spot. If I find anything unusual, I’ll immediately send a message with a Golden Feathered Eagle."

’Traveling together would make us a bigger target. Besides, Ruan Lingxiu doesn’t look like she’s in good shape. If we ran into trouble, she’d only be a liability.’