Chapter 879: Dark Currents (1/2, Requesting Monthly Tickets)

The elders observed this reaction, exchanged glances, and essentially confirmed that Tian Ruichi was not the suspect.

But…

"We still don't know the details. We've sent people to investigate, but before that, you must tell us everything—every single thing—that happened to the Sect Master in Jingcheng. Also, what occurred when the Sect Master last parted from you? Did he encounter a formidable foe?"

Formidable foe?

Wait—could it be Brother Ye…?

No! Impossible!

Brother Ye's strength is indeed formidable, but only compared to someone at my level.

Against a being like my master, he had absolutely no chance of victory!

If there truly exists someone capable of killing my master, then there is only one person…

Tian Ruichi suddenly lifted his head, his eyes brimming with murderous intent!

"The Saintess of the Extreme Ice Sect… No! The Supreme Sect Master of the Extreme Ice Sect—Qi Ba Jiu!"

The violent murderous intent seemed to stir the 【Wood Soul Sword Embryo】 within him.

Suddenly, a resonant sword hum erupted from within his body.

Under the overwhelming grief and hatred that had consumed his mind after his master's death, Tian Ruichi broke through on the spot—the Sword Embryo exploded, sword intent flooded his mind, and he felt his brain split in two: one half consumed by rage, stripped of reason; the other half filled with sword intent, devoid of all external things.

In this bizarre state, his strength surged wildly, and his understanding of Sword Dao rose another level.

"What is this?!"

The elders present were stunned.

"No wonder the Sect Master took notice and personally took him as a disciple—this prodigy! His Sword Embryo shattered his body, directly connecting with the myriad sword intents of heaven and earth in the purest way!"

"Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant! Had the Sect Master not died so suddenly and it not been inappropriate to celebrate, we would have thrown a grand feast to announce to the world that the Heaven Sword Sect has such a phenomenal rising genius!"

"His mastery of Sword Dao has advanced rapidly. Though not as extraordinary as directly receiving the Heaven Sword Legacy, he has already reached roughly one-tenth of that level."

Unfortunately, Tian Ruichi's strength is still far too weak to shoulder great responsibilities.

Even so, this level of power already places him far above his peers.

Too bad the Sect Master died unexpectedly and the Heaven Sword has yet to be recovered. If Tian Ruichi could inherit the Heaven Sword and train for a few more decades, he would fully have the ability to surpass the Sect Master and become the backbone of our Heaven Sword Sect!"

At this moment, the Jianmu Laoren suddenly spoke, his voice deep: "Rest assured—I will retrieve the Heaven Sword."

The Jianmu Laoren clearly held high status in the Heaven Sword Sect; the five elders immediately bowed their heads. The Senior Elder respectfully said: "Jian Lao, we know your strength makes reclaiming the Heaven Sword no great challenge—but the problem is, we still don't know who currently holds it."

"No, Tian Ruichi has already said it—our Heaven Sword must be in the hands of Qi Ba Jiu of the Extreme Ice Sect. I've heard her name for a very, very long time; I just never imagined I'd one day have to face her."

At these words, the others exchanged uneasy glances.

"Jian Lao, is Qi Ba Jiu truly that strong?"

"Of course. That woman was a genuine monster in her era—a woman who shaped an age. But now, I wonder how much of her legendary power remains. I'd like to see it for myself."

If the Jianmu Laoren leaves, the Heaven Sword Sect will truly become an empty shell.

Thus, the five elders did not wish for the Jianmu Laoren to depart—but the Jianmu Laoren was an exceptionally unique presence in the Heaven Sword Sect, like the secret treasures each sect keeps hidden: the Extreme Ice Sect's sect-guarding array, or the Flame Sect's Flame Ox.

The Jianmu Laoren was the Heaven Sword Sect's hidden treasure.

Even the Sect Master had to bow his head respectfully and address him as "Jian Lao," showing full deference—let alone the five elders.

"Wait here for news. I'll be back soon."

Without caring for anyone else's reaction, the Jianmu Laoren stepped onto his sword and vanished into the distance.

…

Phoenix Organization, secret base.

"Lord Huang Er, latest news—the Heaven Sword Sect's Sect Master is dead."

Er Heiyu, who had been cracking sunflower seeds, froze upon hearing the report.

'Did he do it…? Or…?'

Huang Er's mind flashed to the man wearing the ox mask; a flicker of unease crossed her, but she quickly steadied herself.

'No—he promised me he would never again betray the Phoenix Organization, never again stir up trouble to worry me!'

After a moment's thought, she said sternly: "Suppress this news for one hour, then report it upward."

"Yes!"

The subordinate answered without hesitation.

Those who worked under Er Heiyu on such confidential intelligence operations were all her carefully selected trusted agents—there could be no issue.

On the other side.

In an underground palace, Niuzuo, seated on a stone throne, received the same news simultaneously.

Under circumstances where betrayal of the Phoenix Organization was always possible, maintaining an independent intelligence channel was fundamental.

"The situation has exceeded expectations… Has any word come from Shézuò?"

"Not yet," replied the subordinate below the steps.

"Stay on standby. Await his report. The Crown Prince is pressing hard—let's hope he doesn't make a wrong judgment."

Cold light flashed in Niuzuo's eyes.

To protect Huang Er, many collaborations are necessary!

I hope the Crown Prince doesn't play tricks—if he does, even the current Crown Prince will pay a price!

Niuzuo sneered a few times and pressed a hidden mechanism on the stone throne. A stone door immediately opened behind him.

"Guard the entrance."

"Yes!"

Two figures suddenly materialized from the shadows, becoming solid, standing at the entrance.

The subordinate below the steps broke into cold sweat—he could sense absolutely no aura from the two figures emerging from the shadows.

"Only a Spectre could have such powerful concealment methods... They're the 【Shadow Thorn】 that Lord Ox has been secretly researching!"

Setting aside his thoughts, he slowly retreated out.

At the same time, in the enormous room behind the stone door, Lord Ox was listening to the research personnel's situation report.

"Lord Ox, the research on the pseudo-Spectre Spirit Root has gradually stabilized. Through focused study and optimization, specializing in a single direction—the single-direction Shadow series—has achieved a stable conversion rate of around 20%. Do we need to continue increasing the resource tilt?"

"No need. The 【Shadow Thorn】's frontal combat power is lacking; to deal with true powerhouses, we still need that one's power."

The research personnel fell silent.

He knew exactly who Lord Ox was referring to—An Dong'er, the 【Yin-Deficient Physique】!

"But we have already..."

"I know, which is why we'll need a certain friend's help."

Lord Ox raised his head, looking toward the center of the laboratory, at the man imprisoned within the enormous cultivation tank.

That was the... Captain Wu, who had been captured by Lord Ox back in Chunuan City!

"The True Phoenix Bloodline—as long as we make even a little research progress, those fellows will definitely be tempted! That will be our chance!"

(End of this chapter)