"This is the western side of Xiangyang City. The most likely place for a confrontation is this mountain range spanning hundreds of miles."
Having said that, he cast a subtle glance at Kou Zhong.
Kou Zhong's expression remained unchanged, as if this wasn't something he and the Blood Saber Elder had thought of together, showing no intention of interjecting.
Li Daoqiang gazed out over the vast mountain range, nodding to himself.
Shi Feixuan and Wan Wan had traveled all the way from Shu. This was indeed a very likely place for their next clash.
Of course, whether it would actually happen here depended on fate.
He had to admit, the Yin Gui Sect and the Ci Jing Zhai were both deeply entrenched, long-established powers.
They excelled at intelligence and concealing their tracks.
As things stood, relying on the Black Dragon Village's current intelligence capabilities to accurately track down Shi Feixuan and Wan Wan was nearly impossible.
Even with Bian Bufu as an inside agent, Wan Wan's whereabouts remained elusive.
In this regard, Zhu Yuyan personally controlled everything, allowing no one else to interfere.
Of course, it was also possible that Bian Bufu was just going through the motions.
That possibility was quite high.
This would need to be addressed when the opportunity arose.
Find a spot and start waiting by the tree stump for the rabbit.
It might seem like a crude plan, but these were the two most suitable targets at the moment, a last resort.
Cultivate quietly, wait patiently.
In the blink of an eye, a few more days passed, leaving eight days until the Hero Conference.
With Xiangyang's Dasheng Pass as the center, more and more martial artists from all walks of life gathered.
Mainstream righteous sects dominated, with their numerous followers coordinating.
Wandering martial artists and those from neutral or minor sects made up the majority.
As the crowd converged, all kinds of news swirled more fiercely.
The clash between Shi Feixuan and Wan Wan was one of the hottest topics.
A flood of information spread—today they were here, tomorrow there.
Countless discussions about their martial arts, victories and defeats, beauty, temperament, and more.
Yet one seemingly overlooked point was that amidst this gathering of righteous forces, there was no call to help Shi Feixuan capture the demoness.
It felt more like a crowd watching the spectacle.
"With only a few days left until the Hero Conference, if they don't come soon, it means they won't pass through here," Li Daoqiang said calmly after reviewing the latest intelligence.
"Your subordinate has failed," Blood Saber Elder and Kou Zhong immediately apologized. This location was their deduction.
Regardless, admitting fault first was rarely wrong.
"Getting a deduction wrong is no big deal; there's always a next time. But some things can't be wrong, because there's no next time," Li Daoqiang said flatly, glancing at Kou Zhong, then at Blood Saber Elder.
Kou Zhong's heart tightened. Was this a warning to him?
No, he was just starting out; there was no need for a warning.
It was more likely a reminder.
"Your subordinate understands. I will be more cautious and thorough in the future," Kou Zhong said solemnly.
Blood Saber Elder quickly followed, "The same goes for me."
"Mm. Kou Zhong, what have you observed from this matter?" Li Daoqiang thought for a moment, showing some interest as if testing him.
At his words, a shadow of gloom passed through Blood Saber Elder's mind.
The boss really valued this kid, personally taking the time to mentor him.
Kou Zhong felt a surge of joy. It wasn't a problem for a superior to manage him; the real problem was being ignored or abandoned. That would be a sign of giving up or indifference.
Forcing himself to stay calm, the thoughts and reflections of the past few days surfaced. He quickly organized them and said thoughtfully, "Reporting to the boss, the more I've learned these days, the more I feel that the Ci Jing Zhai and the Yin Gui Sect seem to have reached some kind of unspoken agreement."
"Go on." Li Daoqiang's eyes showed a hint of approval.
"Yes." Kou Zhong's confidence grew. All the incredible ideas he'd had over the past few days surged to mind, and he said seriously, "Boss, Wan Wan is the saintess of the Yin Gui Sect, a demoness that righteous martial artists should all denounce. Yet during her clash with Shi Feixuan, no righteous stronghold made a move against her. It's mostly been a spectator affair. They say it's a tradition between the two sects, but there must be some unspoken understanding behind it. I believe it's precisely this kind of tacit confrontation that allows both women to use the Hero Conference to make a name for themselves. Moreover, the relationship between the righteous and demonic paths might involve something more ambiguous."
As he spoke, a complex sigh rose within him.
The more he knew, the more he felt the unfathomable depths of this world.
A Hero Conference, supposedly led by the righteous, could allow a demoness to gain fame.
Without much thought, one could just go along with the crowd and enjoy the show.
But with more understanding and deeper reflection, many things became chilling.
It almost made him grateful to have joined the Black Dragon Village.
Otherwise, charging headlong into the bottomless chaos of the world, the higher he climbed, the faster he might fall.
Beside him, Blood Saber Elder glanced at Kou Zhong, a flicker of approval in his eyes.
No wonder the boss valued him. At this age, to think of such things was impressive.
"Good. Young people should think and ponder more. Don't hesitate to seek advice from your seniors; it won't hurt," Li Daoqiang said with a satisfied smile, not elaborating further.
"Yes, your subordinate understands. Thank you for the guidance, boss." Kou Zhong quickly responded, casting a sidelong glance at the expressionless Blood Saber Elder, lost in thought.
"Contact Bian Bufu and find out their exact location." Li Daoqiang shifted the topic, issuing an order.
"Yes."
"Wait two more days. If they don't come, we head to Dasheng Pass."
One day later.
Just as Li Daoqiang had given up hope, his expression suddenly shifted, and a smile appeared.
"They're here. Let's go take a look."
With a tone of keen interest, Li Daoqiang stepped forward.
Ding Chunqiu and the others perked up, following suit.
Over a hundred miles away.
Amidst the towering mountains and dense forests, a layer of mist shrouded everything, exuding a refreshing yet unsettling stillness.
Suddenly, two figures flew one after another through the mist, slightly breaking the calm.
The one in front wore a thin white robe, with flowing black hair and a pair of perfectly delicate bare feet.
This alluring attire somehow gave off a very pure impression.
Within that purity lay a natural, seamless charm.
As if every smile, every slight gesture, held infinite, unimaginable grace and presence.
Like a spirit from the deepest darkness, ever-changing and unpredictable.
The one behind wore a light green gown that fluttered in the wind, exuding an indescribable ease and elegance. The breeze brushed her face as she entered the deep mountains, as if emphasizing that she was born of heaven and earth's very essence.
Like a landscape painting come to life—a mountain rain in an empty valley, both real and illusory, breathtakingly beautiful.
To an ordinary person, she might be mistaken for a celestial maiden.
The elegantly crafted longsword in her hand added a touch of heroic resolve.
These two stunning figures chased each other through the mountain mist, their union creating a scene of ultimate beauty.
Like a fairyland.
"Hehe~! Sister Shi, it seems your injuries have fully healed. Perfect. If I win this time, don't go back on your word."
A string of crisp, melodious laughter carried a tone that was gentle, playful, and slightly mocking.
It sounded like a naive, lively girl acting coy, enough to soften anyone's heart.
"Miss Wan Wan, evil cannot triumph over righteousness. You won't win."
Behind her, an ethereal voice replied unhurriedly, carrying a gentle yet unyielding resolve, not to be violated.
Like a refreshing breeze, it inspired goodwill.
"Then let me show Sister Shi how evil can defeat the Buddha."
In the midst of this girlishly tender voice, a sharp blade of light suddenly flashed, cutting through the sky and hurtling toward the rear.
Behind her, the ethereal, fairy-like Shi Feixuan moved her jade hand lightly, her longsword slashing out.
A beam of sword light flew forth to meet it.
"Boom!"
A thunderous roar shattered the mountain's stillness.
As if the moment had come, a series of violent explosions erupted.
The two stunning figures clashed mercilessly in the deep mountains.
The razor-thin demonic twin blades, sharp beyond measure, combined with the twisted, warping demonic force field.
The seemingly delicate, gentle figure launched the most vicious attacks.
It made Wan Wan all the more like a demoness.
Opposite her, Shi Feixuan wielded her longsword, its sword aura sharp and upright. Amidst the raging winds from all sides, she stood firm and unmoved.
As if she had chosen a path and would walk it to the end, with a resolve that nothing could hinder.
In the blink of an eye, dozens of breaths of combat passed.
Two completely different, opposing forces clashed repeatedly.
Neither gained the upper hand; the fight only grew fiercer.
The natural energy of the deep mountains was stirred more violently by them.
More and more of this energy was seized and hurled at each other.
Suddenly, both women's eyes flickered. They parted simultaneously, no longer fighting, and looked in the same direction.
One pair of clear, bottomless eyes showed vigilance and cold light.
The other revealed a hint of gravity.
"Haha, this village chief and his men have come uninvited, interrupting the two ladies' duel. Truly a grave offense."
Following that, a hearty laugh rang out. A man led the way, with several figures of varying temperaments following behind, slowly approaching from afar.
In an instant, the expressions of both Shi Feixuan and Wan Wan shifted slightly.
Li Daoqiang!
"Ladies, please continue. I guarantee we won't disturb you."
Li Daoqiang said earnestly, though inwardly he felt a bit regretful.
A fight between beautiful women was far more entertaining than one between men.
A rare opportunity.
Unfortunately, both women had keen senses. Once the natural energy they controlled reached a certain level, the small pocket of space he had fixed to conceal Kou Zhong and the others was inevitably detected by them.
This rare battle was thus interrupted.
"Could it be the great chief of the Black Dragon Village, Li Daoqiang?"
The next moment, a voice filled with surprise and admiration rang out.
Wan Wan's delicate, palm-sized face widened her eyes, looking at Li Daoqiang as if seeing an idol, her face beaming with delighted smiles.
Li Daoqiang inwardly praised her acting—flawless.
Immediately, he cooperated with a gentle smile, "Indeed, it is I. Does Miss Wan Wan know me?"
"Wan Wan often hears my master speak of the great chief's name. Your reputation shakes the world, the undisputed leader of the black path. Wan Wan admires you the most," Wan Wan said without blinking, like an excited young girl.
(Chapter 1, thank you for your support. Please subscribe. Trying to resume three chapters a day.)
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