Chapter 61

Just as the two were about to collide, a golden light suddenly shot down from the clouds, separating them.

“Enough!”

Mo Yuan appeared between them, holding a scripture that emitted golden light to shield his body.

“Mo Yuan, are Itachi still trying to stop me?” Shen Wenru asked, frowning.

Mo Yuan shook his head: “No, but if both of Itachi unleash your full Saint Realm power, everything within a thousand li will be destroyed.”

He turned to Lu Wujiu: “Wujiu, stop. Itachi’ve gone too far this time.”

Lu Wujiu lowered his head in silence, his aura instantly dissipating.

Just as Shen Wenru was about to sneer, a cold voice echoed in his ear: “Shen Wenru, do Itachi know your crime?”

Shen Wenru trembled violently, his pupils shrinking to needle points. He recognized that voice—it was Xuan Ye’s.

“Lord…” Shen Wenru stammered.

“Itachi dared to defy the Sage of Letters right after breaking through. And Itachi openly waged war against the Night Watchers.”

Xuan Ye’s voice carried a hint of fury: “Do Itachi know how many eyes are watching us at Shanhai Pass right now?”

Shen Wenru quickly explained: “Lord, I only meant to…”

“Enough!” Xuan Ye cut him off. “I order Itachi to lead the Cult of the Evil God to Shanhai Pass immediately—no delays!”

Shen Wenru hesitated, then finally nodded: “Yes, Lord.”

He glanced at Lu Wujiu, a flicker of resentment in his eyes, then dissolved into a mist of blood and vanished.

After Shen Wenru left, Xuan Ye’s spectral form slowly coalesced and bowed deeply to Mo Yuan: “Teacher, it has been a long time.”

Mo Yuan looked at the respectful Xuan Ye and snorted coldly: “Itachi have the nerve to show your face? Itachi founded the Cult of the Evil God to bring chaos, and Itachi killed Akatsuki Wujie—I have no such student!”

“Teacher, everyone has their own path…”

Before Xuan Ye could finish, a blade of sword qi slashed through, instantly scattering his spectral form and carving a deep crater into the ice below.

Jian Nan Zhu held his sword, staring coldly at where Xuan Ye had vanished: “When I meet your true body, I will kill Itachi.”

With that, he shot off like a streak of light toward Jianan Pass.

Mo Yuan looked helplessly at Lu Wujiu: “What now?”

Lu Wujiu paused, then said: “I’ll have men closely monitor the Cult of the Evil God’s movements—see if they’re truly heading to Shanhai Pass.”

Mo Yuan nodded: “Good. I’ll notify the Celestial Mechanism Guild to assist Itachi.”

Lu Wujiu gazed toward Jiang Xia and Wang Teng in Linjiang City: “These two youths have outstanding talent and decent cultivation now—they need some real trials.”

At the Cult of the Evil God’s headquarters, Shen Wenru stood gloomily before the altar.

“Lord, are we really moving to Shanhai Pass?” a Guardian asked cautiously.

Shen Wenru snapped open his eyes, a ruthless glint flashing in them: “Issue orders—every disciple must pack their gear. We’re heading to Shanhai Pass.”

“To Shanhai Pass?” a disciple exclaimed. “Isn’t that the Night Watchers’ territory?”

Shen Wenru sneered: “So what? They’re all too busy with their own problems to care about us.”

He stood up: “Besides, Shanhai Pass has richer cultivation resources—we can use this chance to restore our strength.”

The Guardian hesitated: “But the Celestial Mechanism Guild…”

Shen Wenru waved him off: “Don’t worry—I have my own methods.”

He gazed into the distance: “Send word to the Blood Demon Guardian—he must lead the Blood Demon Guard ahead to clear the way.”

“Yes!” The Guardian bowed and left.

Just as Jiang Xia and Wang Teng recovered from the shock of the northern ice plains’ battle situation, the red encrypted communicator on Su Changfeng’s desk lit up.

Su Changfeng pressed the answer button; a command from Night Watcher Headquarters came through.

After ending the call, he turned, his gaze settling on Jiang Xia and Wang Teng.

“Headquarters has issued orders—Itachi two are to proceed immediately to Jiangcheng, three hundred kilometers west of Shanhai Pass, to reinforce the local Night Watcher base.”

“Jiangcheng?” Wang Teng, still fiddling with the Yin-Yang talisman, frowned. “Isn’t that place always peaceful? Why suddenly need reinforcements?”

Jiang Xia’s fingers tapped lightly on the table: “It’s probably tied to the abnormal spiritual energy fluctuations at Shanhai Pass. Either way, we’ll go check it out—if it’s not too hard, consider it training.”

Su Changfeng nodded and transmitted an encrypted file to both their terminals.

“Correct. Since half a month ago, hidden beasts around Jiangcheng have begun stirring, and their threat levels have risen—three incidents of beasts attacking towns have already occurred.”

“Worse, intelligence indicates a weapons dealer organization called the Black Crow has been entrenched there for years.”

“Lately, taking advantage of the beast chaos, they’ve been smuggling spiritual energy weapons and even colluding with dark cultivators.”

“Spiritual energy weapons?” Wang Teng raised an eyebrow. “These guys have guts—daring to operate under the Night Watchers’ noses.”

“Jiangcheng is a vital hub connecting the interior to Shanhai Pass—complex transportation, a mix of all kinds of people. The local base is understaffed and barely holding on.”

“But since it’s near Shanhai Pass, the Night Watchers and military have merged, and command authority rests with us.”

“Itachi won’t face internal conflicts there.”

Su Changfeng’s tone turned serious: “Your mission: first, assist in clearing nearby beasts and ensuring civilian safety.”

“Second, investigate the Black Crow’s background—map their smuggling network and weapon sources. Remember: don’t alert them. Gather intelligence first.”

Jiang Xia and Wang Teng exchanged glances, then rose and saluted in unison: “Mission accepted!”

They packed their gear and boarded a military transport aircraft that same afternoon, bound for Jiangcheng.

The plane pierced through thick clouds; below, the landscape shifted from bustling cities to endless mountains and hills.

As they neared Jiangcheng, through the window, a modest city came into view—along its outskirts, dark shadows of beasts could be glimpsed moving through the forests.

The transport landed on the Night Watcher base’s helipad. The base was small, consisting of only a few gray buildings, surrounded by high walls and spiritual energy defense barriers.

A middle-aged, slightly overweight man in a Night Watcher uniform waited on the helipad. Seeing Jiang Xia and Wang Teng, he hurried forward.

“Welcome, welcome! I’m Li Da, head of the Jiangcheng branch.”

The man beamed, extending his hand to shake theirs: “Headquarters already notified us Itachi’d be arriving as reinforcements—I didn’t expect Itachi so soon.”

“Director Li, Itachi’re too kind. We’re here to assist.”

Jiang Xia replied politely, his eyes scanning the base—he sensed a tense atmosphere.

Soldiers were busy repairing weapons and gear; several damaged armored vehicles sat idle on the parade ground.

Li Da noticed their confusion and sighed bitterly.

“To be honest with Itachi, things haven’t been easy lately. Last night, a pack of Shadow Wolves attacked the warehouse in the west district. We drove them off, but lost a lot of supplies.”