Wu Tangge lay on Yun Ling'er's lap, blood seeping from the corners of his lips, painting a grotesque contrast against her white robes. His voice trembled with pain and betrayal.
"Yang Xuanyuan... why did you do this? Are you the Evil Successor... or just his lackey?"
Yang Xuanyuan's eyes widened in disbelief. "You bastard!" he roared. "You're framing me! You're the real Evil Successor!"
More blood poured from Wu Tangge's mouth, but he turned to the gathered disciples and shouted weakly, "We must kill Yang Xuanyuan... and the one aiding him in the shadows. They're a threat to us all!"
In the chaos, Wu Tangge sent a spiritual transmission to his loyal puppet.
"Lucid, when the disciples attack, protect Yang Xuanyuan... but don't kill too many. Only one or two. If it seems you're losing, take him away. Make him unconscious afterward."
The disciples, full of righteous indignation, rallied at once.
"Senior Wu is hurt!" one shouted. "He must be avenged!"
Yun Ling'er helped Wu Tangge sit upright. "I'll guard you while you heal," she said, standing tall. But inwardly, she frowned.
That poor fool Yang Xuanyuan... he doesn't even realize this bastard Wu Tangge is playing him like a pawn.
As the disciples charged, Lucid engaged them with ferocious might. Blood splattered. One disciple fell lifeless, the others wounded.
Yang Xuanyuan stumbled back, eyes wide. "Stop! I don't want to hurt anyone!"
But no one listened. The accusations stuck deeper than any blade.
Wu Tangge, sitting in meditation, smiled inwardly.
Time to seal the deception.
From within his sleeve, he drew a single strand of Yang Xuanyuan's hair, gleaming with spiritual energy. He muttered a forbidden chant and activated the dark technique:
[Thousand Faces of Deceit – Evil God Technique]
A sinister aura erupted from Yang Xuanyuan's body. His eyes flickered black, his aura twisted and demonic.
"No..." Yang Xuanyuan muttered, trembling. "What's happening to me?"
The disciples recoiled. "He's the Evil Successor!"
Their hesitation vanished. They attacked with killing intent.
Lucid's eyes narrowed. He threw back his opponent with a mighty strike and rushed to Yang Xuanyuan's side.
"Master, I'm coming!" he shouted, scooping him up.
With a blur of shadow, the two vanished.
—
Elsewhere in the secret realm – a hidden cave
Lucid reappeared, carrying the limp form of Yang Xuanyuan. He set him down gently and then struck him at a precise meridian, knocking him unconscious.
—
Back at the Wu Tangge and Others
Wu Tangge rose from meditation, wiping the last trace of blood from his lips.
"Where are they?" he asked.
"They ran," Yun Ling'er answered coolly.
"Senior Wu, are you okay?" a disciple asked. "I have a healing pill!"
"I'm fine," he said, waving them off. "Just a headache."
Suddenly, a deep voice echoed through the realm.
"Thirty minutes remain. The secret realm will soon close."
Wu Tangge's eyes gleamed.
Still time to take what I came for...
"Has everyone found their treasures?" he asked.
"Yes, Senior Wu!"
He nodded. "Good. Now listen—stay here. Do not leave this place until I return or the realm ends. Understood?"
"Yes, Senior!"
Yun Ling'er narrowed her eyes as he walked away.
What's this bastard up to now...?
—
Wu Tangge retraced his steps, returning to the place he had first entered. Before him stood the ancient altar.
"Lucid," he whispered through spiritual transmission. "Where are you? And where's the core?"
Lucid replied quickly. "I'm in a cave not far. But the core is near you. I'm coming."
Wu Tangge grinned wickedly.
"So it's here..."
He raised his palm and struck the altar with divine force. Dust exploded in all directions. When it cleared, a radiant sphere hovered in the center.
"The core..."
He grasped it.
DING!
Mission Complete. Rewards Granted:
Forbidden Technique: Demon Devourer Art
Evil Artifact Location: Blood Lust Halberd Location
Evil God Power Increase: +3%
Current Evil God Power: 18%
Cultivation Level: Evil God Path – Immortal, 3rd Layer
DING!
Side Mission Complete: Phantom Clone Art Acquired
Wu Tangge laughed under his breath.
"Perfect... Everything is falling into place."
He put core inside the spritual ring.