Chapter 968

But Cao Zhengchun could clearly feel that the advantage was his.

After fighting for a long time, Zhou Zhiruo's true energy expenditure gradually surpassed her recovery rate.

Only then did Cao Zhengchun rejoice immensely and unleash one of his ultimate techniques—Maha Wuliang.

Just at that moment, a brilliant golden light suddenly surged from Zhou Zhiruo's hand.

That golden light was blindingly radiant; even though Cao Zhengchun concentrated his true energy into his eyes, he could not penetrate it.

While he was still astonished, the golden light dispersed.

Immediately, he saw that the long sword in Zhou Zhiruo's hand had been replaced by an ancient, plain long sword emitting an aura of profound mystery.

While still bewildered, Zhou Zhiruo used that sword to unleash the Great Subduing Demon Universal Divine Sword.

One thrust, as if countless stars filled the sky.

Cao Zhengchun naturally refused to yield and countered again with Maha Wuliang.

This technique was truly one of his deepest, most guarded secrets.

In fact, it was specifically created by him to counter Zhu Tie Dan.

He had been utterly confident—yet Zhou Zhiruo's technique seemed to wield primordial, colossal force.

It shattered Cao Zhengchun's Maha Wuliang outright.

Then Cao Zhengchun was struck by the immense force, flung far away.

Regaining his composure, Cao Zhengchun realized the sudden appearance of that sword was undoubtedly a rare divine weapon.

He immediately spoke to Luo Jusheng,

"That sword must be recovered."

"Master, rest assured."

Luo Jusheng saw Cao Zhengchun's seriousness and nodded in acceptance.

He immediately used his lightness skill, following the Eastern Depot agents toward the mountain ridge now flattened to the ground.

Are the Emei Sect really this desperate?

After the Eastern Depot agents and the Wu Lin people had departed,

Cao Zhengchun finally dropped his facade and immediately sat in meditation to restore his energy.

In truth, his cultivation level was already formidable.

But that sudden appearing sword was simply too terrifying.

Not only had it shattered Cao Zhengchun's Maha Wuliang with one strike, it had also inflicted serious injuries upon him.

In front of his subordinates and the Wu Lin crowd, he could still maintain his composure.

Now that they were gone, he must properly restore himself.

Fortunately, the Heavenly Gang Boy Technique combined the doctrines of the Xuan Sect and the Buddhist Sect, so restoring energy and healing wounds was no problem.

After completing one full cycle of cultivation, his injuries had stabilized.

When he prepared to continue and fully heal his wounds,

Cao Zhengchun sensed someone approaching from afar.

He immediately abandoned his plan and opened his eyes.

Far off, he saw Tiezhua Feiying, Liao Fan, Luo Jusheng, and others rushing over.

"What is it?"

Cao Zhengchun sensed something amiss and asked immediately.

"Master, Zhou Zhiruo is gone…"

Tiezhua Feiying's face was as gloomy as if his parents had died.

After all, this was a monumental achievement!

"Hmm!"

Cao Zhengchun paused briefly, then shook his head and said,

"I didn't expect that after suffering such severe injuries, she could still escape. She truly is formidable."

Tiezhua Feiying listened, lips trembling, his expression as if saying:

Master, was she really injured?

Or are you just saying that to save face?

Even though he didn't speak, Cao Zhengchun needed only one glance to know his thoughts.

He merely let out a cold snort, causing Tiezhua Feiying to break into a cold sweat, then said,

"Zhou Zhiruo does not appear in our Eastern Depot's intelligence—she is clearly either newly entered into the Wu Lin or something else.

Yet her first appearance was alongside Shangguan Haitang and Benefactor Guihai.

Now, wounded and vanished,

to find her, we must start with Shangguan Haitang and Benefactor Guihai."

"Master, wise indeed."

Luo Jusheng's eyes lit up, nodded, and asked,

"Shall we head straight to Shuixue Nunnery?"

"Not so fast!"

Cao Zhengchun fell into thought again, and after a long while said,

"Benefactor Guihai killed Master Liao Kong—he is now the public enemy of the Wu Lin.

He is also the Number One Secret Agent of the Hulong Shanzhuang. Logically, shouldn't Yunzhou Shaolin demand an explanation from Zhuge Shenhou?"

"Amitabha, I have already gone to see Zhuge Shenhou."

At the mention of this, Le Fan felt a surge of anger.

After all, he was the abbot of Yunzhou Shaolin.

Guihai Yidao killed Le Kong of Yunzhou Shaolin — a direct challenge to the sect's authority.

He went to Zhu Tie Dan, but Zhu Tie Dan claimed that matters of the Jianghu should be settled by the Jianghu.

It seemed as if he was ignoring Guihai Yidao, but in truth, he was shielding him.

Otherwise, if Zhu Tie Dan had been willing to intervene, why would he need to beg such a eunuch…?

Cao Zhengchun knew nothing of Le Fan's thoughts; after Le Fan spoke, he smiled sweetly and said,

"I, the Director, possess divine martial arts unmatched — even Zhu Tie Dan may not surpass me."

"Yet I was defeated by a greenhorn girl wielding a sword of unknown origin."

"Exactly! Director, your wisdom is supreme!"

Before Le Fan and Tiezhua Feiying understood, Luo Jusheng was the first to grasp it.

"Perhaps Zhu Tie Dan would shield Guihai Yidao and deliberately stay out of sight."

"But he is no saint — if he learns of this sword, he'll surely be unable to sit still."

"Then he'll step forward to lead the charge, and after that, hehe..."

As he spoke, Luo Jusheng's smile widened.

Only then did Le Fan realize: Cao Zhengchun intended to use his mouth to "accidentally" leak the news to Zhu Tie Dan.

Then, upon hearing of such a sword, Zhu Tie Dan would surely be unable to sit still.

When Zhu Tie Dan acted, Cao Zhengchun would remain hidden behind the scenes.

A perfect case of the heron and the clam fighting, while the fisherman reaps the benefit!

"Brilliant! Director, you're brilliant! I'll go find Zhu Tie Dan at once."

After all, Zhu Tie Dan had already offended Le Fan — he no longer cared if he tricked this Shenhou as well.

"Good! Thank you, Master Le Fan."

Cao Zhengchun smiled and bowed to Le Fan.

After returning the bow, Le Fan walked away calmly.

After Le Fan left, Luo Jusheng asked again,

"Director, are we just to wait for Zhu Tie Dan to act first, then proceed?"

"Not yet — what of Chizu?"

Cao Zhengchun asked.

"Chizu?"