Chapter 1402: Xu Kong Wang vs. Bai Xinlan (Part Two)

One day later.

A certain peak of the Mangshan Mountain Range.

Atop the peak, Bai Xinlan had just landed; her complexion changed, and she swiftly darted away.

Boom—.

The ground collapsed in an instant, the entire peak crumbling, with smoke and dust billowing.

Amid the countless dust clouds, a figure flew toward Bai Xinlan, moving so fast that in the blink of an eye it was before her; Bai Xinlan swiftly waved her hands, manipulating soul energy, and an arcane ripple spread outward, enveloping the scene.

Soul‑Severing Technique.

She pressed her palm down, the Soul‑Severing Technique descended, and the Xu Kong Wang before her vanished, its presence and everything about it gone.

For a moment, Bai Xinlan lost her bearings; she opened her hands, the Soul‑Severing Technique cloaking herself, then she rotated, sending the technique outward to assault the surroundings, instantly sweeping a thirty‑meter radius.

Within that area, everything was utterly controlled, unable to evade or free itself.

After Xu Kong Wang's body flickered a few times, he appeared a hundred meters away, staring at Bai Xinlan and praising, "Soul‑Severing Technique, not bad, Bai Xinlan, your strength has risen again."

"In just a few short years, you've crossed several realms consecutively—truly frightening. Pursuing the Seven Heavens, I never expected your power to be so formidable."

Xu Kong Wang's words were full of caution toward the Bai Xinlan before him; her strength had seemed unremarkable, and Xu Kong Wang had never regarded her seriously, not seeing her as a rival nor a threat to his safety. Now, Bai Xinlan has revealed her power, her cultivation nearing his own.

Pursuing the Seven Heavens—she had only been pursuing the Three Heavens before—such progress makes Xu Kong Wang's heart tremble with fear.

Staring at Bai Xinlan, he wanted to uncover her secret; if he obtained it, there was a seventy‑percent chance he could replace the Mangshan Demon Emperor. Bai Xinlan coldly fixed her gaze on Xu Kong Wang, disdainfully saying, "Xu Kong Wang, you are truly bold, daring to strike at our Holy Maiden—huh."

Xu Kong Wang clapped his hands, "Come out, Hei Hu."

A figure appeared beside him; Hei Hu, holding Holy Maiden Bai Meng aloft, confirmed to Bai Xinlan that Bai Meng was not dead and was still alive, allowing her to breathe a slight sigh of relief.

Her gaze, however, was extremely hostile toward Hei Hu, as if she already intended to kill him.

The two teamed up, targeting her scheme; Bai Xinlan knew the danger yet still fell for it.

"Hand over Bai Meng, or I will make you know what despair is," Bai Xinlan's aura erupted as she crushed the two and moved forward.

Hei Hu gave a cold smile, "Bai Xinlan Dharma Protector, I can give you Holy Maiden Bai Meng, but you must tell us your secret."

Hei Hu changed his mind; killing Bai Xinlan would bring him no benefit, whereas the secret on her body was far more worth his attention, capable of propelling her to a leap forward—certainly not ordinary. If he obtained it, he could replace both Xu Kong Wang and the Mangshan Demon Emperor.

Xu Kong Wang's expression was unkind, though he did not show it, instead staring at Bai Xinlan.

The secret on Bai Xinlan belongs to him; no one can snatch it away, yet for now they remain an alliance and cannot split.

"Hei Hu, Xu Kong Wang, both of you want to know my secret; whom should I tell?"

Bai Xinlan pointed at Hei Hu, "You?"

She then pointed at Xu Kong Wang, "Or perhaps you?"

"My secret can be told to only one of you; whoever releases Bai Meng, I will tell you."

"Hei Hu, what do you think?"

Holy Maiden Bai Meng was in Hei Hu's grasp; Bai Xinlan sought to divide the two, deeming it the best approach.

One peach kills two warriors.

Xu Kong Wang snorted coldly, "Bai Xinlan, put away that routine; it is useless to us."

"Hei Hu, up, kill her."

"If she dies, the secret on her body becomes ours as well."

Hei Hu advanced, Holy Maiden Bai Meng still in his hand; Xu Kong Wang hesitated a bit, yet did not act.

Hei Hu kept moving forward, but he continuously monitored Xu Kong Wang to prevent him from acting.

"Hei Hu, do you find Xu Kong Wang's words trustworthy?" Bai Xinlan spoke then, "The entire Mangshan Demon Palace knows that Xu Kong Wang likes to act erratically, has no integrity; everyone who cooperated with him has died."

"Hei Hu, do you want to become the next scapegoat?"

Hei Hu's steps halted; he did not move forward, for those words had entered his heart.

Indeed, Xu Kong Wang's character is not trustworthy.

This is a well‑known fact throughout the Mangshan Demon Palace; those who believed in him eventually died.

When Xu Kong Wang became ruthless, he even killed those he trusted most, such as Lan Tiansheng, who almost died at his hands; had luck not been on his side, he might have truly perished.

There are many prior lessons, all of which Hei Hu knows.

"Hmph, Bai Xinlan, stop spreading demonic rumors here," Xu Kong Wang urged anxiously, "Hei Hu, do not trust Bai Xinlan's words; she excels at the art of enchantment—do not fall for it."

Hei Hu turned back, glanced at Xu Kong Wang, then at Bai Xinlan, and suddenly he became clear‑headed.

His eyes grew vigilant, staring at Bai Xinlan while also guarding against Xu Kong Wang.

He almost fell for it.

"What a powerful enchantment, Bai Xinlan, I almost walked your path," Hei Hu said, not angry but admiring.

Bai Xinlan grew stronger, and her enchantment technique likewise intensified greatly, leaving him unable to react.

Had he been caught, he would have truly been controlled.

"Hei Hu, release Bai Meng; now I will not pursue further, otherwise you and I have no end."

Hei Hu heard this and laughed heartily, "Hahaha, Bai Xinlan, you truly are dangerous; no wonder Xu Kong Wang has always regarded you as a great enemy. I admit, I previously underestimated you; you, the left Dharma Protector, are indeed remarkable."

"I can give you Bai Meng, but you must tell me your secret."

Bai Xinlan stared at Hei Hu, then smiled, "No problem, I can tell you."

Her lips moved, transmitting words to Hei Hu, deliberately bypassing Xu Kong Wang.

After a while, Bai Xinlan smiled, "Now it's fine, Hei Hu; I've told you all my secret, you may release them."

Hei Hu stared intently at Bai Xinlan, not letting go; his eyes seemed to devour Bai Xinlan alive.

At that moment he realized he had been tricked.

Bai Xinlan said nothing yet pretended to have revealed all secrets; this woman was scheming against him, deliberately severing her ties with Xu Kong Wang.

Xu Kong Wang saw his gaze change, becoming different, no longer the suspicion of earlier.

But there was an added hint of murderous intent.

"Xu Kongwang, don't believe her nonsense; she didn't say anything," Hei Hu said, a little anxious, and she hurriedly explained.

Bai Xinlan said, "Hei Hu, I'm telling you in secret, you should release them. You won't be like Xu Kongwang, turning your back on your word, will you?"

Xu Kongwang: "……"

Hei Hu roared angrily, "Bai Xinlan, put away that routine. Bai Meng, I, the king, will not give you."

"How dare you scheme against me, Bai Xinlan, you're courting death."

"Since that's the case, then I will kill her, and you shall regret it."

Raising the Holy Maiden Bai Meng, Hei Hu, incensed and ashamed, moved to kill the Holy Maiden Bai Meng.