Chapter 186: On-the-Way Underground Palace (Seeking Subscriptions)

Listening to Du En's reply, Meng Changqing nodded subconsciously, then suddenly froze.

Hm?

Wait, that is to say, he actually isn't even sure he can lure It over?

What if It doesn't come? Wouldn't that mean a total loss?

"You are taking a huge risk!"

"No, the moment I set off, It had actually already locked onto me. That increasingly obvious feeling of hair-raising dread is very clear, but also very uncomfortable."

Although Du En said this, his expression was very calm, giving one the feeling that he was completely making it up.

However, Meng Changqing nodded with quite a bit of understanding, then suddenly paused.

It was mainly because he was thinking about his own performance just now; realizing it, he couldn't help but feel a bit of self-mockery in his heart.

Although he had acted magnanimous and unbothered, facing Du En's lack of cooperation last time and his subsequent departure to act independently, there was actually still a bit of a knot, breeding a sense of distrust.

That was why, before talking to him just now, he had subconsciously probed his bottom line, learned that the spiritual body had already been formed, and then subtly pointed out the origin of the Hundred Controls Art, wanting to get an explanation.

Heh, it had been quite a while since he encountered such a thing, making him feel a bit unaccustomed to it. This won't do; one must guard against arrogance and impetuosity, and keep one's original heart...

Meng Changqing couldn't help but rub his temples and began to reorganize his mood and attitude.

Seeing this behavior of his, the others, who had not heard the divine sense conversation and were unaware of his psychological fluctuations, felt heavy-hearted for a moment, thinking that something very unfavorable to their trip had occurred in the communication between the two!

As the captain of the guards, and also the one who had the most opinions about Du En before, Fu Yong was even more conflicted at this moment, his gaze toward him quite varied.

"Now that the Resentful Evil is blocked and hindered by the High Envoy and is still far away, why don't we go by the way to see the evil cultivators' sacrificial ritual site? Judging from the performance of you two, it seems you didn't think they could summon the Resentful Evil from the start. But what I find strange is, they were clearly able to do such things before, so why do you think it's impossible?"

Du En continued to transmit his voice via divine sense to Meng Changqing at this time, instigating while also inquiring.

During the previous chaos of the evil cultivators, the evil cultivators had once summoned the Resentful Evil, breaking a corner of the boundary and allowing a large number of Foundation Establishment evil cultivators to drive straight in and slaughter their way into the Nanmo Border City.

There were also individual evil cultivators like those of the Blood Eulogy, who, according to Li Jian, had a full fifty percent probability of being able to summon that Resentful Evil before dying.

Meng Changqing had just finished organizing half of his attitude and emotions when he couldn't help but glance over strangely upon hearing this, sensing the slight probing hidden in Du En's words.

"What else did Li Jian tell you... Forget it, let's not talk about that for now. Listening to you, it is indeed worth a look. As for why we think they couldn't possibly do it, that's actually very simple: because we are inside these Nancang Ruins."

Meng Changqing replied, then thought thoughtfully, "Looking at it now, it might be because your battle with Li Jian stimulated the evil energy adhering to him, thereby using that as a bridge to lure It into wanting to manifest voluntarily."

"It's not that It can't manifest at all, but that It doesn't want to. So, this piece of meat that is you now looks unexpectedly attractive to It!"

Regarding such vague insinuations and counter-probing, Du En only responded vaguely: "Indeed, I think so too. It is still chasing and closing in on me."

While answering, he switched to another magic tool for flight, while ten others flew up beside him as backups, and he intentionally glanced at a certain place in the distance behind him.

The Resentful Evil had indeed not given up; It was determined to eat this piece of meat It had locked onto!

"... Just how 'on the way' is your 'on the way'?"

"The dilapidated palace in front, the underground palace beneath it is the place."

"Fine, it really is on the way."

Meng Changqing felt a vague sense of relief, because this way they wouldn't have to delay too much time.

If they were really caught up to by the Resentful Evil, it would be a very terrible and troublesome matter.

Seeing his performance, as he began to lower his altitude to land, Du En spoke very directly: "It seems the High Envoy repelled It very easily; at least I didn't hear any big commotion. But looking at your performance, Brother Meng, could it be that you would need to expend a great deal of effort to do the same thing?"

"Hahaha, it's fine if you just say straight out that I can't compare to him; I don't mind at all."

Meng Changqing chuckled, then explained on his own: "Although this surprise attack failed and we were nearly wiped out, since we managed to escape in the end, then we achieved our strategic goal!"

"Oh? You originally intended to strike and then retreat?"

"Yes, I just needed to pinpoint the specific person, and then I could prepare methods to target him, making up for the current gap in cultivation realm between the two sides. That way, in the next encounter, it won't just be a hundred rounds, but a stalemate."

"Is it really that simple? Does he not have any countermeasures?"

"Du En, you seem to still be somewhat limited by your vision. Simply put, it's like the top-tier elites among geniuses; they actually already start to be subdivided into types. Like that Tang Yiping, he is top-tier in cultivation, while other aspects are basically second or third-tier. And like you, top-tier in cultivation, top-tier in combat, and barely top-tier in technique research; other aspects are hard to evaluate, quite blurry."

Speaking of this, Meng Changqing couldn't help but smile confidently: "As for me, even among the upper echelons, except for my Senior Brother, no one is as comprehensive as I am. I am a truly all-around, top-tier person; I can be called a Peerless Heaven's Pride!"

So, as long as he pinpoints a specific target, he can effectively target their weaknesses, thereby narrowing the gap between them, or even surpassing them.

Both cultivating the same art, both knowing each other's roots... this is the fundamental reason why the High Envoy only wanted to hide behind the scenes at first, and why he immediately developed murderous intent after being found.

Because if Meng Changqing were allowed to run away and complete his strategic goal, he could truly make up for the gap!

"Above top-tier elites are geniuses, above geniuses are Heaven's Prides, and then comes Peerless Heaven's Pride?"

As they landed in front of the underground palace, Du En basically ignored Meng Changqing's confidence and just kept asking about this matter.

What time is it now, and you still have the mood to ask about this?

You are truly not afraid of the Resentful Evil still chasing behind you!

Now, quickly finishing the inspection of the evil cultivators' sacrificial site and going back to set up a solid stronghold that can barely hold out for a while is the normal choice, right!

Meng Changqing muttered in his heart, mainly because he didn't capture any emotional fluctuations of surprise from Du En, which made it seem like he had just been bragging.

However, he didn't actually feel bad about this kind of behavior that was so different from ordinary people; rather, the more it was like this, the better!

Therefore, he didn't mind, and while organizing his words, he waved his hand to those behind him, letting his subordinates get into a defensive posture ready to move at any time, while only he and Du En walked into the tunnel of the underground palace.

(End of chapter)