Chapter 385 - 137: The Fate of a Tool Indeed, Everything Is Ready, So Many Coincidences?

’At least his attitude is good for now. As for anything else, I shouldn’t think about it.’

"Did you receive the Demon Crystals and the tomes related to the Demon Race that I had someone deliver to you two days ago?" Jiang Lan asked.

Ye Shiyin nodded. "I did. This is enough to last my cultivation for quite some time."

Jiang Lan gave a slight nod and prepared to leave. Tonight’s grand performance was far from over; he still had one more thing to do.

Ye Shiyin seemed to have a faint inkling of what was to come.

’Xiao Teng... he probably won’t be making it back to Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion tonight...’

’Since Jiang Lan intentionally let Xiao Teng leak Emperor Xia’s plan to the Blood Immortal Sect, there was no way he’d let Xiao Teng return to Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion unscathed.’

「Meanwhile.」

Not long after leaving the Garden of Osmanthus, Xiao Teng’s expression was incomparably dark. A tempest of thoughts raged in his mind, finally settling on a single, resolute face.

’Zhang Yuan, you had better not be deceiving me...’

’Or the consequences will be more than you can bear.’

He clenched his fists, his thoughts turning to "Zhang Yuan" from the banquet. Aside from that group, almost no one knew he was coming to meet Xie Jianjia in secret.

A few days ago, "Zhang Yuan" had even teased him about it on purpose.

He hadn’t thought much of it then, but recalling it now, it seemed that when "Zhang Yuan" asked, he was trying to confirm if the person Xiao Teng had been contacting was, in fact, Xie Jianjia.

After confirming it, he could follow him in secret to the Garden of Osmanthus, using the opportunity to launch a surprise attack, capture Xie Jianjia, and use her as leverage.

After all, who would have ever suspected that a proper Inner Sect Disciple of Yijian Palace was a remnant of the Blood Immortal Sect? He had hidden himself so deeply.

Of course, this was only Xiao Teng’s speculation. He wasn’t certain it was true and hoped he was wrong about his suspicions.

In their interactions over the last few days, he had genuinely treated "Zhang Yuan" as a brother and a fellow cultivator, not as a retainer or Tributor to be nurtured.

Yet now, the more he thought about it, the more suspicious "Zhang Yuan" seemed.

’Could an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple of Yijian Palace so easily produce a Life-extending Divine Medicine? Could he so easily defeat a Celestial Pride from the Red Bright Ancient Sect despite being the weaker combatant? Could he trigger that mysterious Heaven and Earth Wonder back in Qianyuan Prefecture?’

Just as Xiao Teng’s mind was reeling with suspicion, he suddenly felt a strange presence.

The Garden of Osmanthus was in a remote area near the outer city. The place was desolate, and the surrounding buildings and mansions were all dark, with very few lights lit.

Such a scene was exceptionally rare in the bustling, prosperous Imperial Capital.

’What’s happening?’

Xiao Teng immediately grew wary. A Jade Talisman, shimmering with a soft glow, materialized in his palm, and he gripped it tightly.

’Is it the Blood Immortal Sect? Do they really dare to ambush and kill me so late at night, right under the Emperor’s nose?’ His heart sank at the thought.

Other than the Blood Immortal Sect, he couldn’t think of anyone else who would be so brazen and unscrupulous.

Xiao Teng dared not hesitate. A brilliant golden light flared in his eyes as his Pupil of Truth radiated a dazzling glow. Though he couldn’t sense anyone’s presence, a dire premonition washed over him.

CRACK...

Without a moment’s hesitation, he crushed the Jade Talisman in his hand, alerting the experts at Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion to his predicament so they would come to his aid.

However, the very instant he crushed the Jade Talisman, a strange, stagnating pressure emanated from every inch of the Void around him.

He felt as if a terrifying, invisible hand had seized him, making it hard to even breathe. His very soul felt on the verge of shattering.

PUFF...

The next moment, a faint, blood-red glow appeared in the Void. It was a blurry, blood-colored humanoid figure, no bigger than a palm, cradling an Ancient Sword wreathed in bloody light. It seemed to let out a soft cry.

In that instant, the sound of countless trembling sword-shadows seemed to echo before a deafening BOOM detonated within Xiao Teng’s Sea of Consciousness.

It was a terrifying, tidal hum that violently shook his Divine Soul, causing his consciousness to blur instantly.

Then, a moment later, the spot between his eyebrows split open silently, oozing foul, black blood. With a SWISH, the Ancient Sword cradled by the blood-colored figure shot from its sheath and, in the instant Xiao Teng’s mind went blank, plunged right in.

Xiao Teng’s vision went black as he violently spewed blood, his consciousness fading completely.

As he collapsed, he faintly heard a series of shocked gasps. People were rushing toward him.

「The next day.」

News that the third young master of Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion had been assassinated the previous night, leaving him severely injured and comatose, spread throughout the Imperial Capital, causing a massive uproar.

Taverns and pavilions, shops and teahouses—all were abuzz with shocked and astonished whispers.

Even the various Immortal Sect Lineages were shaken, finding the news utterly unbelievable.

After all, Xiao Teng was no ordinary person. He was a renowned young aristocrat in the Imperial Capital, hailing from an illustrious family and possessing exceptional talent.

His father, Prince Zhenbei, was highly regarded by Emperor Xia and commanded a powerful army. His master was the current National Master, Ge Qixing, a man of revered status.

Among his peers, there were few young Celestial Prides who could hold their own against him.

For such a brilliant and celebrated young man to be attacked by a mysterious assailant, grievously wounded, and left comatose—all right here in the Imperial Capital, under the Emperor’s very nose...

It was simply incredible.

This was a blatant slap in the face to the current Emperor of Great Xia.

Even several of the Imperial Capital’s most renowned physicians were helpless. After prescribing a few doses of medicine to nourish his Divine Soul, they could only withdraw in defeat.