As the Sect Master, Yuan Buhuan was filled with a mixture of belief and doubt regarding the words of Master Wule. While he dared not question the conclusion of this eminent Buddhist master, he remained hesitant and apprehensive, worried about potential misunderstandings and uncertain of the proper course of action, appearing deeply indecisive.

Yuan Buhuan was hardly the ideal person for the role of Sect Master; he lacked the decisive fortitude required.

After all, Huo Zhongguang was the second, and currently the only, Foundation Establishment disciple among the third generation of the Bing School. With the disappearance of the first Foundation Establishment disciple, Liang Si’an, the reputation of the Bing School had already suffered a blow.

If anything were to happen to Huo Zhongguang now… a tremor of hesitation ran through his heart.

“Sect Master Yuan means that you wish us to spend more time investigating this matter—striving as much as possible to ensure the safety of the remaining disciples of the Bing School.”

Master Wule shook his head and sighed. He truly could not comprehend how the Bing School, always known for its swift and decisive action, could have ended up with such a wishy-washy figurehead as its Sect Master after General Lu.

How could this be investigated? The demonic nature was insidious and cunning; even if one watched Huo Zhongguang twenty-four hours a day, one might not catch any definitive evidence. Furthermore, among cultivators, who had the luxury of wasting so much time?

“Then what does the Zen Master suggest?”

Feng Zikang had grasped the purpose of Master Wule’s visit, yet he was puzzled as to why this Zen Master was placing his hope in him.

Judging by the monk’s tone, he seemed to maintain good relations with the elders and the leaders of the various branches. If he decided to bypass Yuan Buhuan to deal with Huo Zhongguang, it would not be difficult.

Although such an action would completely destroy the authority of the Bing School, if Huo Zhongguang was indeed demonically corrupted, Yuan Buhuan could only suffer in silence, swallowing the bitter pill himself.

Feng Zikang had no desire to become entangled in such an affair.

Master Wule smiled faintly but immediately began to deflect, speaking of tangential matters.

“Now, Benefactor Feng’s fame is at its zenith, drawing the attention of the entire world. Especially the matter of slaying Wuduya—even my own master and other seniors of the older generation were greatly astonished…”

This was the very point Feng Zikang had failed to understand. Wuduya, with his destiny of a rising flood dragon, should never have been killed—so why did his death cause such a massive stir? Especially since the Celestial Mechanism Diviners, observing the heavens at night, must have seen something unprecedented.

“This matter is a calamity woven into the fabric of Heaven and Earth, Benefactor Feng. Since you are already caught within this tribulation, I need not conceal the truth from you. Wuduya was a flood dragon deliberately nurtured by us Three Teachings, allowed to be fabricated by the Southern Barbarian demons, precisely to dilute the Dragon Qi of the Central Plains and avert the coming Great World Calamity!”

“The Great World Calamity!?”

Master Wule waved his hand. “We need not dwell on that now. Suffice it to say, the prelude to the Great World Calamity has begun, and the entrance to the Demonic Realm within the Dragon Tiger Mountain Secret Realm is stirring. The reason I sought you out tonight is precisely because of this matter.”

※※※

The moon was nearly full, its silver light pouring down like water, dyeing the pitch-black night a deep sapphire blue.

Feng Zikang smiled wryly as he sped toward Sunset Peak. He had returned to Dragon Tiger Mountain only a few hours ago, hailed as the new rising star of the righteous path, enjoying leisurely time drinking tea and wine with his beautiful, fairy-like Junior Aunt. Now, however, persuaded by Master Wule, he was sneaking out to act as bait.

What convinced him was the impending opening of the Demonic Realm entrance tonight.

According to Master Wule’s calculations, the demonic energy in the Dragon Tiger Mountain Secret Realm was currently dense, and the gateway to the Demonic Realm was set to open precisely at the Chou hour tonight.

If Huo Zhongguang had indeed succumbed to demonization, he would certainly sense the change in demonic energy and desire to enter the Demonic Realm to cultivate supreme demonic arts.

Once he went in and came out, having tempered his demonic essence and learned methods to conceal his demonic aura, it would likely be impossible to ever discover his flaws again.

A thought struck Feng Zikang: if Huo Zhongguang were to enter the Demonic Realm to refine his demonic essence, he would completely break free from Feng Zikang’s imprint and control. This could absolutely not be allowed. Though reluctant, Feng Zikang had no choice but to step forward bare-chested and serve as tonight’s lure.

Huo Zhongguang would surely use a blood sacrifice ritual to enter the Demonic Realm, and his seemingly weaker junior brother would naturally be an excellent candidate for that purpose.

“The old monk, along with three elders of your school, has laid out the Ten-Direction Ambush Array at the Demonic Realm entrance. As soon as he brings you in and reveals killing intent, we will capture him and hand him over to Sect Master Yuan for judgment!”

The statement sounded simple, yet the danger was extreme. Demonic energy corrodes the heart; even elders at the Core Formation stage would find their strength severely diminished when the Demonic Realm entrance opened. Conversely, Huo Zhongguang, driven by his demonic nature, might unleash ten times his normal power. While capturing him with the Bing School’s Ten-Direction Ambush Array would not be difficult, ensuring Feng Zikang’s life in that split second would be far from simple.

Fortunately, Master Wule did not treat him as mere cannon fodder, gifting him a Vajra Sarira instead.

“This is a Vajra Sarira dedicated to an ancient Patriarch of our Baima Temple. In his life, his Vajra Indestructible Divine Ability reached the fortieth layer. This Sarira can manifest the power of the twentieth layer of that divine ability—even Huo Zhongguang’s Irresistible One-Strike Splitting Slash will not be able to kill you in one blow.”

Of course, Master Wule did not know that Feng Zikang was himself an incarnation of a Celestial Demon, whose power would also be greatly amplified at the Demonic Realm entrance. Even if he was still not a match for Huo Zhongguang, preserving his life would not be difficult. Happily, Feng Zikang accepted the unsolicited gift of a potent protective artifact.

Feng Zikang’s Bell Guard Armor only possessed the first layer of the Vajra Body Protection Divine Ability, barely enough to handle ordinary attacks, making it hopelessly vulnerable against abilities. He had been intending to find a suit of armor or an artifact imbued with powerful defensive abilities anyway.

It was like receiving a pillow just when he was drowsy; gaining a Vajra Sarira for no reason filled him with joy.

The half-relic was shaped like a finger bone, pale gold in color, radiating an aura of sacred inviolability. This made him slightly uncomfortable, but considering its effectiveness, this minor psychological discomfort was worth enduring.

“Benefactor Feng, I know you share some camaraderie with Huo Zhongguang. However, you must remember that once a person enters the demonic path, their disposition changes drastically; they can no longer be compared to their former selves. He could decide to kill you at any moment. You must be cautious!”

Feng Zikang understood this far better than the monk. If his own cultivation were insufficient, and he lost control of his demonic heart, he would indeed become erratic and slaughter indiscriminately. If Huo Zhongguang reached that stage, Feng Zikang would have nothing to fear.

What worried him was if Huo Zhongguang acted with perfect clarity, completely suppressing his demonic heart—that would signify he had truly stepped onto the path of demonic cultivation. That prospect was far more terrifying. Like Feng Zikang himself, such a person would appear calm on the surface, but once they moved, their attack would be like thunder, overwhelming and unstoppable.

If that were the case, things would be quite thorny indeed!

He mused internally, vigilant and cautious, as he flew swiftly to the residence where Huo Zhongguang was staying.

“Senior Brother Huo, I have returned from the Southern Barbarians to visit you!”

The lights in Huo Zhongguang’s dwelling were extinguished, shrouded in darkness. A surprised voice drifted from within, “Brother, why have you come at this hour?”

After a brief pause, Huo Zhongguang’s loud laughter rang out.

“Brother, you have come at the perfect time!”