His own abilities were certainly far superior to Mo Li’s, yet with his trump cards still concealed, he was, in the eyes of outsiders, merely a military disciple at the introductory Qi-Refinement stage, meaning his advantage was ultimately limited.
The Thirty-Six Linked Peaks of Mangcang Mountain, and the unfathomable might of the White Bone Divine Monarch—even if these rogue sect masters possessed limited skill, Feng Zikang could not easily claim victory.
How, then, did it sound in Mo Fenghuang’s mouth as if only he could save Mo Li?
“Senior Sister Mo, please don’t be anxious. Tell me exactly what happened, detail by detail, so I can understand…”
Mo Fenghuang’s face was ashen, and she shook her head.
It turned out that when she reached the third peak of the Thirty-Six Linked Peaks, she spoke with Mo Li outside a cave. Mo Li adamantly refused to show himself, insisting he needed to recover from his injuries before moving.
Mo Fenghuang refused to believe him and was about to enter the cave to investigate when she ran directly into the White Bone Divine Monarch conducting his patrol. A fight immediately ensued.
“I never expected these unorthodox evil sects could reach the Foundation Establishment stage simply by absorbing souls. I am no match for him…”
The White Bone Divine Monarch, having practiced the Nine Nether Ten Dark Soul-Sifting Great Method, had absorbed countless souls, allowing him to spontaneously break through to the Foundation Establishment realm without relying on the Great Reincarnation Disk. Mo Fenghuang struggled to hold on, hanging by a thread.
At that critical juncture, Mo Li suddenly flew out of the cave and entangled the White Bone Divine Monarch.
Feng Zikang saw clearly: Mo Li was in a state of fusion with a mechanism beast!
“Mechanism Beast Fusion?”
Feng Zikang was startled. The marvelous arts of the Mo School allowed those who reached the Core Condensation stage to temporarily merge with summoned mechanism beasts or figures, enhancing their own cultivation.
But Mo Li was merely at the introductory Qi-Refinement stage; he couldn't even manufacture a mechanism beast. How could he leap forward to the realm of fusion?
“Although he forced the White Bone Demon Lord back, he lost his sanity and went on a rampage. I tried to stop him, but he bolted across the mountain, and I couldn't catch him…”
It was unclear which mechanism beast Mo Li had fused with, but its speed was terrifying. Mo Fenghuang lost track of him and realized that even if she found him, she might not be able to restrain him. Thus, she rushed back to find help.
“This… what assistance can I possibly offer?”
Feng Zikang was deeply bewildered. Such matters involving mechanism beast fusion and loss of sanity should surely require a senior figure from the Mo School to prescribe the antidote. Though he knew Mo Li, how could he be of use?
“Young Brother Feng, you are unaware…”
Mo Fenghuang’s expression darkened. “Ah Li lost his mind, and the mechanism beast is out of control, which is why he is running wild everywhere… The mechanisms of my Mo School all require self-creation and a spiritual connection based on one’s own heart. Even our seniors cannot assist, nor can they control a disciple’s mechanism beast.”
“Throughout the realm, aside from the individual themselves, the only person who can summon and control a mechanism beast is the holder of their Life Bamboo Token…”
“Life Bamboo Token?”
Feng Zikang suddenly recalled the Mo School disciple token Mo Li had gifted him when they parted ways. Disbelievingly, he pulled the token from his storage pouch and asked with astonishment, “This… is this Mo Li’s Life Bamboo Token?”
What kind of people were these Mo School disciples?
He and Mo Li had only met by chance, and he had barely saved Mo Li’s life once—if the duel against the Cold Golden Cicada counted, then perhaps twice in total.
And yet, Mo Li had handed him this Life Bamboo Token so casually? Wasn’t he afraid of his fiancée’s jealousy?
He remembered Mo Li presenting the token saying it was merely a sign of identification for Mo School disciples, usable to summon nearby members for aid. Mo Li had never mentioned anything about a Life Bamboo Token or the ability to control the mechanism figures and beasts Mo Li manufactured.
The Life Bamboo Token held extraordinary significance for a Mo School disciple. The holder could command the mechanism figures and beasts created by the disciple. Since at least half of a Mo School disciple’s cultivation rested in these mechanical arts, handing over the Life Token was akin to placing one's life in another's hands.
He truly was a dullard!
Upon seeing the token, a flicker of relief crossed Mo Fenghuang’s eyes.
“Precisely this item. I only ask that Young Brother Feng use the Life Bamboo Token to subdue him. Only then can I bring him back to the Mo Gate and devise a slow solution to the fusion state…”
Even as she spoke, she remained deeply worried. A fusion occurring at the Qi-Refinement stage was unprecedented within the Mo School. Whether a cure existed would depend on the research conducted by the elders.
However, without luring out and subduing Mo Li first, everything else was groundless speculation. This trip absolutely required Feng Zikang’s assistance.
“Then I shall just hand this token to you!”
Feng Zikang made no hesitation. Holding onto such an item was only inviting trouble; it was better to be generous and return it immediately.
Mo Fenghuang shook her head again. “Young Brother Feng, this token is only effective when delivered personally by Ah Li. Giving it to me again will be useless.”
Just what was Mo Li thinking! Feng Zikang cursed inwardly. Why give this to me instead of his own fiancée? He knew people of the Mo Gate possessed deep camaraderie, willing to sacrifice their lives for others at any moment, but he hadn't imagined their conduct could be so reckless!
One only had one head, and only one life. Did they discard them so casually?
If their Dao Heart was firm, but they had no life left, how could they achieve the Dao?
“So, you’re saying… I must go to the Southern Barbarians?”
After thinking it over, Feng Zikang could find no plausible excuse to decline. After all, they weren't asking him to confront the White Bone Divine Monarch head-on or achieve some ridiculous feat like slaying all Thirty-Six Linked Peaks. They merely needed him to use the Life Token to subdue Mo Li, who was fused with a mechanism beast.
Even within Mangcang Mountain, facing a Foundation Establishment cultivator like the White Bone Divine Monarch, he should be able to ensure his own safety.
Considering his acquaintance with Mo Li, helping him out now would be good for fostering goodwill with the Mo Gate. After all, this group was fearless, acting strangely yet passionately. Having some superficial connection was certainly better than becoming sworn enemies.
With this thought, Feng Zikang robustly agreed, patting his chest.
“Senior Sister Mo, rest assured. Since my Feng Zikang can be of service, and Ah Li and I share a bond of life and death friendship, I will naturally brave fire and water without hesitation! Let us head to the Southern Barbarians at once!”
“Young Brother is truly a man of great benevolence and courage!” Mo Fenghuang was overcome with gratitude, bowing deeply!
But as Feng Zikang spoke those words, he faintly sensed a subtle shift in the world's vital energy. He then remembered that before leaving, Gu Ya had sought him out and warned him strictly not to travel south.
Going south, Gu Ya had said, was the beginning of the Great Heavenly Tribulation, the root of chaos across the realm.
“Hahahaha!”
Feng Zikang sneered inwardly. “If I am already a demon, why fear the great chaos of the world? If I am the destined instrument of this tribulation, why fear the Heavenly Tribulation itself!”