Novel Full Chapter 261: A Conspiracy!
Chapter 261: A Conspiracy!
Li Yun was truly caught off guard by Mu Lan’s sudden attack, because even with his sharp perception, her timing had been flawless and her approach completely concealed until the very last moment, yet he was fortunate that he had not put his sword away when she closed the distance.
The instant she moved, Li Yun reacted without hesitation as his grip tightened and his blade rose sharply, and in that split second, forty percent Sword Intent surged violently into the sword, condensing into a sharp and defensive force as he swung upward to intercept her strike.
Clang!
The sound of metal colliding rang out clearly, followed immediately by a violent explosion as her scythe crashed into his sword, and the impact unleashed a terrifying shockwave that spread outward in all directions.
The ground beneath their feet could not withstand the force.
It shattered instantly as cracks spread outward, and the surrounding area was torn apart by the violent energy released from their collision.
However, that exchange was only the beginning.
A dark red demonic energy suddenly erupted from Mu Lan’s body, rising like a blazing tide as her aura surged to a higher level, and the pressure she exerted increased sharply in an instant.
Li Yun’s expression changed slightly.
Before he could fully adjust, Mu Lan’s strength climbed once again.
Bang!
A second wave of force crashed down upon him, and this time Li Yun was unable to fully hold his ground as the overwhelming power broke through his defense and sent his body flying backward.
This was the first time in a long while that he had been pushed back so forcefully since cultivating the World Bearing Devil Suppressing Physique.
His figure shot through the air before crashing heavily into the ground, and the impact created a massive crater as dust and debris surged upward, spreading outward from the point of collision.
Only after sliding across the shattered earth did Li Yun finally come to a stop but his eyes never left Mu Lan.
“You are not Mu Lan,” Li Yun said, his voice low and steady as his gaze remained fixed on her, because the demonic energy surging from her body was far too sinister and chaotic to belong to someone like Mu Lan.
A strange smile appeared on Mu Lan’s face, one that did not belong to her at all.
“Indeed, I am not Mu Lan,” she replied, her tone carrying a twisted amusement as her eyes glinted with an unnatural light. “I am the owner of this tomb.”
She paused briefly, as if savoring the moment, before continuing.
“Before my death, I left a fragment of my soul sealed within this tomb, hoping that one day, when someone opened it, I would have the chance to seize their body and return to life.”
A faint sigh escaped her lips, yet there was no regret in it, only a cold acceptance.
“But who would have thought it would take this long,” she continued, her voice soft yet filled with an eerie calm. “Even the fragments of my soul have gradually weakened over time, nearly scattering into nothingness, yet they were still enough to allow me to take over this body.”
Her gaze slowly shifted toward Li Yun.
“If my soul had been even a little stronger, the one standing there would not be you, but me wearing your body,” she added with a faint smile.
Li Yun’s expression turned solemn.
He had not expected that the owner of the tomb had planned so far ahead, nor had he imagined that everything within this place had been arranged with the sole purpose of reviving through possession.
The truth of it sent a chill through his mind.
“You demon! How dare you take over the body of Senior Sister Mu!”
Wu Lin’s furious voice suddenly rang out as his eyes burned with anger, his aura rising sharply as if he were about to charge forward without hesitation.
“Leave her body at once or I will kill you!”
Before he could take a step, Li Yun moved.
His figure flashed forward and appeared directly in front of Wu Lin, blocking his path with a calm yet firm presence.
“Do not act recklessly,” Li Yun said, his tone steady as he raised his hand slightly to stop him.
Wu Lin’s expression tightened, but he hesitated under Li Yun’s gaze.
“Her current strength has already reached around the second or even third level of the Essence Qi Realm,” Li Yun continued, his voice growing more serious as his eyes remained fixed on the figure of Mu Lan. “If you rush forward blindly, you will only be seeking death.”
Wu Lin clenched his fists tightly, his anger still evident, yet he did not move again.
“Stay behind me and wait for my signal,” Li Yun said calmly as he stepped forward once more, placing himself between Wu Lin and the possessed Mu Lan.
Wu Lin bit his lips as anger and helplessness surged within him, yet after a brief moment of struggle, he still nodded, because he clearly understood the reality of the situation.
He knew that he stood no chance against Mu Lan in her current state, let alone the demonic martial artist occupying her body, and if he chose to act recklessly, the only outcome would be his own death.
The only way to both survive and save her was to trust Li Yun.
“You think you can handle me?” Mu Lan laughed, her expression eerie and twisted as the demonic energy around her continued to surge. “You might be the most monstrous genius I have ever seen, but do you truly believe that someone at the first level of the Qi Sea Realm can match the strength of the third level of the Essence Qi Realm?”
Her gaze sharpened as she stared directly at Li Yun.
“I have been observing you from the moment you entered this tomb, and I know every single move of yours,” she continued, her tone filled with certainty. “At best, you can only rival those at the first level of the Essence Qi Realm, and even that is when you push yourself to your limits.”
Li Yun listened quietly as a faint smile appeared on his face, and instead of responding immediately, his gaze shifted slightly as he looked at the system notification that had just appeared before him.
[Quest Level: C]
– Objective: [Erase the soul of the owner of the tomb and save Mu Lan.]
– Reward: [Unlock the ability to level up Nine Tribulations Divine Eye.]
A subtle change occurred in Li Yun’s eyes.
He had never expected that the Nine Tribulations Divine Eye possessed stages of evolution, because unlike his comprehension or spirit soul, it had never displayed any indication of growth.
But now, seeing this mission, he finally understood.
It wasn’t that the evolution of the Nine Tribulations Divine Eye wasn’t possible before, but for reasons unknown, the evolution feature for the divine eye had been sealed since the very beginning.
And only through the mission that he got just now could he unlocked that seal.
A wider smile slowly appeared on Li Yun’s face as his gaze returned to Mu Lan, and a calm yet unshakable confidence filled his expression.
“Come,” Li Yun said lightly, his voice steady as his aura began to rise once more.
“I will break past my limits right here and now and kill you.”