Volume 1 Volume 5 Chapter 127

Volume 5 Chapter 127: Changes From All Sides (Part 3)

While Little Black was absorbing the death energy from the green skeleton to heal, the black mist spread around, filled with death energy. Although "Ri" knew very well that the mist surrounding Little Black was dangerous to the world’s creatures, he reached his hand into the black mist without any concern.

If one looked closely, they would find that "Ri’s" hand was glowing with an unknown light, as if he was very confident that this glow would protect him, making even death energy unable to harm him.

But just as "Ri" was about to reach into the black death energy, a sudden change occurred.

Before "Ri," the black dead energy suddenly roared and exploded, scattering the once concentrated dead energy, rushing towards "Ri" in great amounts.

"Ri" was shocked and quickly moved backward. Besides being skilled at controlling his mind, "Ri" was also extremely fast. Even among Golden Core Stage cultivators, such speed was rare. But the explosion of dead energy came so suddenly that it was still difficult to avoid the terrifying dead energy rushing at him.

However, the "Beast Madness cultivators" around "Ri," who had quietly protected him, did not have the same speed and reaction as "Ri." They were caught by the explosion of dead energy, becoming entangled in the black mist. In moments of their cries, they turned into dozens of stark white bones, with no sound left.

Seeing the black dead energy with such power, "Ri," even after dodging the sudden attack, could not help but feel a shiver of fear. He was somewhat relieved that he did not carelessly reach into the dead energy just moments ago. The shimmering light he had gained years ago from a secret technique was usually very mysterious. However, at this moment, "Ri" was unsure if that light could help him resist the dead energy’s consuming force.

In his relief, "Ri" looked up in surprise at the once boiling black energy, wondering why it had suddenly exploded.

When he looked up, he saw that Little Black, who had been severely injured and close to death, was now completely healed. It was quietly hovering in mid-air, next to a green skeleton that still emitted wisps of black dead energy, which kept seeping into Little Black’s body.

On closer inspection, it appeared that Little Black had recovered, but the wounds were still present, just much lighter. The shallow wounds on its wings and chest were still bleeding, but as the green skeleton continued to send dead energy into Little Black, these wounds were slowly healing, visibly closing.

It was unclear why Little Black had stopped healing and suddenly appeared. Normally, at this point, Xu Qingfan would have become a "Beast Madness cultivator" under "Ri’s" control. As Xu Qingfan’s spirit pet, Little Black’s every action should have been under "Ri’s" awareness and control. However, when looking at Little Black, "Ri" was surprised to find that he could not control Little Black through Xu Qingfan.

"I can only rely on myself to deal with this creature. After taking control of it, I will slowly investigate the reason."

"Ri" secretly thought to himself, and at the same time, his eyes changed. One eye was as red as blazing flames, while the other seemed to hold endless ice and snow, completely white.

After the change in his eyes, "Ri" looked at Little Black with his strange gaze, intending to control Little Black’s mind. However, he didn’t expect that while his eyes transformed, Little Black also underwent a change. A blood mark on Little Black’s forehead suddenly cracked open, and a frightening red light began to shine from the crack, looking as if Little Black had a third eye from a distance.

When "Ri" looked at Little Black, Little Black also looked back at him. As their eyes met, "Ri" had not yet managed to control Little Black’s mind when he felt the life force within him suddenly lose balance. The life energy quickly faded while the death energy swelled, causing his body to weaken rapidly, filling him with alarm. He even felt a sense of panic.

The "Dark Crow", a type of demon beast, was already little known, and to have it accepted as a spirit pet and evolve to use the "Eye of the Death God" was less than one percent. Moreover, even though "Ri" had been secluded in the Western Desert, he knew very little about "Dark Crow" because he had not wanted to stir up trouble due to not being within its activity area.

In that moment of realizing that his life force was rapidly dissipating, "Ri" remembered the legends about "Dark Crow" being able to use the "Eye of the Death God" after reaching a certain level. His fear grew as he recalled the various descriptions of the "Eye of the Death God". He became so alarmed that he couldn’t care about the possible backlash from abruptly stopping his attempt to control. He forcefully averted his gaze from Little Black.

Little did "Ri" know that while his life force dwindled, Little Black was also emotionally unstable and was nearly controlled by him. If he had held on for a bit longer, Little Black would have become his servant. However, even if "Ri" knew this, he wouldn’t continue to persist, as he had many ways to kill Little Black. For him to use up his life force and age years in the process would not be worth it.

After averting his gaze, his body finally stopped losing life energy, but "Ri" found himself in a daze. The emotions he had kept stable for years began to fluctuate, and under this emotional influence, the Spirit Qi inside him showed signs of instability.

"Ri" understood that this was due to forcibly interrupting the spell, which caused the backlash. Fortunately, since the opponent was just a spirit pet, he had only used a third of his strength. If he had used half, he might have become fool at this moment due to the backlash of his spell.

Nevertheless, even so, under the backlash, "Ri" would not be able to use the spell to control someone’s mind for quite some time.

When he looked down, "Ri" found that his hands had lost their former shine and had gained some wrinkles. Although he had no mirror to check his face, he knew that he must look much older now.

Thinking of this, "Ri" felt a wave of anger in his heart. He resented himself for being careful all his life, yet still tripping because he underestimated this spirit pet. He also felt angry that Little Black had caused him so much harm.

With many thoughts swirling in his heart, in the next moment, "Ri" looked at Little Black with eyes full of deep hatred and killing intent.

At the same time, Little Black had not fully recovered and was too weak to continue using "Eye of the Death God." The third eye on its forehead had disappeared, yet it did not pursue further. It just floated quietly in place, its eyes as indifferent as ever, calmly watching "Ri" in front of it.

Although the ability to control the heart’s mind could not be used for now, "Ri" was not worried at all. His methods were not limited to controlling people’s minds.

"Ri’s" eyes turned cold, and he raised his right hand as if he was holding something, but it seemed transparent, making it impossible to see.

Suddenly, "Ri’s" figure disappeared, and in the next moment, he appeared next to Little Black, raising his hand to make a slicing motion and attacking Little Black. His speed was so fast and his movements so ghostly, combined with the unknown invisible weapon in his hand, that it made defense impossible.

However, as he attacked, a sudden feeling of unease flashed through "Ri’s" heart.

Little Black’s sudden loss of control… After delivering a heavy blow to him, it still remained in place, ignoring its master, Xu Qingfan. Unforeseen events began to happen just when "Ri" thought the situation was settled.

"No matter what, I must kill this beast that dared to hurt me!"

Though thinking this in his heart, when "Ri" attacked Little Black, he still held back a bit of his strength, just in case something unexpected happened. After several surprises, "Ri" returned to his cautious nature.

Sure enough, Little Black remained quietly hovering in place, as if it couldn’t move when that green skeleton sent dark energy into it.

But just as the seemingly invisible weapon in "Ri’s" hand was about to slice Little Black in half, "Ri" suddenly felt a warning in his heart.

At the same time, a strange event occurred again.

Suddenly, countless flames, ice, rocks, and golden blades appeared beside "Ri," rushing towards him. Just as Little Black was about to be cut in half by "Ri," a clashing sound echoed, as if a mountain had appeared in front of Little Black, not only stopping "Ri’s" weapon but also causing pain in "Ri’s" hands.

Even though his attack was blocked and he was suddenly ambushed, leaving "Ri" even more confused, he did not hesitate at all in his movements. He suddenly disappeared, reappearing several dozen feet away, narrowly avoiding the incoming fire and ice.

After retreating to a distance, "Ri" focused and saw that Xu Ying and Xu Zhiyuan, who had been beside Xu Qingfan, had mysteriously appeared in front of Little Black, and it was Xu Zhiyuan who had just attacked while Xu Ying blocked "Ri’s" lethal strike against Little Black.

As Xu Ying and Xu Zhiyuan were Xu Qingfan’s avatars, shouldn’t they be controlled by Xu Qingfan just like Little Black? After Xu Qingfan became the "Beast Madness cultivator" controlled by "Ri," shouldn’t they also be under "Ri’s" control? How could they suddenly go out of control? Did something happen to Xu Qingfan?

Thinking this, "Ri" suddenly turned his head and looked at Xu Qingfan, but was shocked to find that although Xu Qingfan was still standing in the same place, his eyes no longer glowed with a bloody light; instead, they had returned to their usual clarity.

Before "Ri" could speak, Xu Qingfan was the first to speak.

"Three years ago, I killed a member of the ‘Underworld’ organization, code name ‘Ying.’ What is your relationship with him? You both are skilled at influencing and controlling the mind, but you are much more talented than he is. I didn’t connect this before, but just now, the strange movements you showed were exactly like those of ‘Ying.’"

Seeing that Xu Qingfan had regained his clarity, "Ri" felt shocked and as if it were unreal, but after a moment, he calmed down and looked at Xu Qingfan quietly. As he was observing, Xu Ying and Xu Zhiyuan quickly moved to protect Xu Qingfan behind them, a hint of a smile on their lips, and "Ri" retorted, "I don’t know how you regained control of your mind without turning into a ‘Beast Madness cultivator,’ but your body is still filled with ‘Beast Madness’ energy. Besides your head, you can’t control the rest of your body, can you?"

Xu Qingfan cursed the old fox quietly, but he saw through his current state only from his subconscious command of the two clones. However, he had already anticipated this situation and felt no panic; he simply nodded calmly and said, "The powerful mind control technique you have is also ineffective now, right? We’re just even."

Saying this, Xu Qingfan smiled slightly and continued, "To be honest, my original plan was not to let Little Black heavily injure you, but to think of another way to escape. I didn’t expect to overestimate you, and I was surprised you would be foolish enough to face Little Black. While I had to hurriedly come up with a new plan, if I can capture you in this fight, that would balance the losses."

"You are too overconfident."

Hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, a flash of anger crossed "Ri"’s eyes but quickly faded, and he calmly said.

"The original plan has not been discarded. In the current situation, at least I can still escape," Xu Qingfan said slowly, seeming to have great confidence.

"Oh? What is the plan that makes you so confident?"

"You still haven’t answered my first question."

"’Ying’ is my younger brother, my real brother. All the cultivation methods he practices were taught to him by me."

"I see," Xu Qingfan nodded and said.

But just as Xu Qingfan was nodding, "Ri" suddenly disappeared again, and the next time he appeared, he was right in front of Little Black, once again waving the seemingly invisible weapon he held, stabbing towards Little Black.

Seeing "Ri" suddenly attack during the conversation, Xu Qingfan was taken aback despite being somewhat prepared. He quickly called Xu Ying and Xu Zhiyuan to rush to support Little Black, but just as Xu Ying and Xu Zhiyuan reached Little Black, "Ri" vanished again, appearing in front of Xu Qingfan and stabbing towards him.

Up close, Xu Qingfan finally saw that "Ri" was holding a dagger, which changed color with the environment, making it seem almost invisible like a chameleon.

However, Xu Qingfan seemed to have anticipated this. Just before "Ri" suddenly flashed beside him, Xu Ying and Xu Zhiyuan had quickly returned to Xu Qingfan’s side, blocking "Ri"’s surprise attack.

It seemed that "Ri" was just saying hello; he touched and vanished, reappearing in his previous spot.

After returning to the original place, "Ri" seemed to understand something. He smiled in a strange way and slowly said, "I see now. I found it odd that you talked to me like this, clearly to buy time. But with just a few words, you could not regain control of your body to remove the ‘Beast Madness’ energy. Seeing how tense you are about that creature that harmed me, I assume you are stalling to let this ‘Dark Crow’ recover, right? Will this feathered beast be useful in your next plan?"

Hearing "Ri’s" words, Xu Qingfan was secretly shocked. Just a glance and a single test revealed all his flaws and plans. He realized he could not underestimate him; even though this person’s biggest threat was temporarily unavailable, he was still someone to take seriously.

Thinking this, Xu Qingfan couldn’t help but replay his plan in his mind, finding no flaws in it. He felt slightly more at ease and coldly said, "Aren’t you also buying time? That last encounter with Little Black didn’t harm you much, and you’ve been talking to me likely to delay and regain your strength, right?"

A hint of surprise flashed in "Ri’s" eyes, and he nodded, saying, "I underestimated you before."

Then he smiled slightly and said, "Since both of us want to buy time to bring the other to their downfall, let’s have a good talk. You ask me a question, I ask you a question, and we keep going like this to see who recovers their strength first, or who finishes their preparation first. What do you think?"

"Okay, you are the senior expert, I’ll ask first. How about that?" Xu Qingfan nodded and asked.

"You ask."

"Ri" said with a smile, as if he were a kind elder brother answering his younger disciple’s questions.

"You have the ability to control the mind, but I am confident my heart is as strong as anyone’s. So why is your mind control so much more effective against me compared to Bo Guangyan and Junior Brother Jin?"

Xu Qingfan expressed the questions that had confused him for a long time, asking sincerely.

"Ri" paused for a moment and slowly said, "Your nature is indeed good, and your mind is stable, but your psychological cracks are too obvious. My understanding of you is limited to various materials and rumors; I only noticed your psychological flaws. In truth, I know nothing of your experiences, but from your flaws, it appears you have a deep-rooted fear. This fear, perhaps unknown to you, is a constant worry about becoming a person of the dark path. This fear is much stronger than what ordinary people of the righteous path feel about falling from grace, yet I cannot understand how it formed."

After a pause, "Ri" continued, "Also, you carry too much pressure, facing too many expectations. You are so afraid of disappointing others that you are bearing the stress, while also fearing the weight of that stress. This creates a greater psychological crack than you realize."

Hearing "Ri"’s words, Xu Qingfan felt indifferent. He knew "Ri" spoke the truth, and from there, he could guess the cause of his psychological cracks.

Since he began cultivating, Xu Qingfan had unknowingly encountered far more dark path artifacts and methods than righteous ones. The World Defying Sword, Death Energy, "Beast Madness" energy, the "God-Slaying Technique," the "Spirit Purging Sutra," and Zhang Xusheng’s secret methods seemed to guide him towards the dark path. Yet, his friends, mentors, and disciples were all from the righteous path. If he ever truly became a person of the dark path, he honestly didn’t know how to face these people.

At the same time, Xu Qingfan yearned for a free and easy life of cultivation, but the pressure on him grew heavier. The training of his disciples, the survival of their team, and the fate of Jiuhua all made him feel as if he couldn’t catch his breath. Although he was already named the Master of Jiuhua, witnessing the sacrifices Zhang Hualing made for Jiuhua deepened the conflict between his sense of responsibility and his desire to resist.

Sometimes, in a daze, Xu Qingfan found himself transformed into another person, experiencing their exhaustion and helplessness. However, that person was not Zhang Hualing, but Liu Huaxiang, who had died many years ago.

All of this created the psychological cracks in Xu Qingfan, which "Ri" easily controlled.

Seeing Xu Qingfan in thought, "Ri" smiled slightly but didn’t allow him to dwell too much, saying, "Now it’s my turn to ask questions. How did you manage to break free from the control of ‘Beast Madness’ energy?"