At this moment, not only was [Ang Xiao] stunned.
Other True Lords also revealed expressions of astonishment, clearly unprepared, with only [Zengcai Qiluo True Lord] from the Sacred Sect remaining calm.
However, how could Qingcheng Feixue True Lord offer him an explanation?
An unparalleled force surged into the [Netherworld], shaking the cycle of reincarnation with the power of the present world, almost immediately provoking resistance from the entire [Netherworld].
"Rumble!"
In the next second, Qingcheng Feixue True Lord let out a muffled groan, evidently suffering backlash from the [Netherworld], and the radiance of her fruit position dimmed instantly.
On the other hand, [Ang Xiao]'s condition was even worse; as the [Netherworld] rampaged, his vital energy plummeted, and his entire body suddenly burst into blood blossoms—not ordinary blood, but the essence of a True Lord's Dharma body, a significant loss even in small amounts.
Yet now, [Ang Xiao] was bleeding profusely!
"Hahaha!"
Seeing this, Qingcheng Feixue True Lord laughed wildly again: "I knew it! I knew you hadn't mastered the [Netherworld]; you were just hiding inside!"
Using the barrier of knowledge!
The [Netherworld] does not interfere with the present world; if [Ang Xiao] had truly mastered the Netherworld, he shouldn't have the ability to manipulate the present world's [Chen Earth].
Previously, he told the Dragon Lord to let Tian Qiu enter the Netherworld and told Lu Yang and Suo Huan that he had a place for them in the Netherworld. Essentially, he was making grand promises and exploiting information gaps, as even he himself had "smuggled" in and was far from being able to control the Netherworld!
And now, the [Netherworld] was rampaging.
Qingcheng Feixue True Lord's strike caused the Netherworld to riot, initiating a comprehensive purge of "foreign entities," and [Ang Xiao] was immediately identified!
His injuries at this moment were caused by the [Netherworld]!
"So that's how it is... I was wondering why, despite [Changliu Water] falling, not many Foundation Establishment cultivators of [Changliu Water] died."
"The proclaimed closed-door cultivation was just a facade?"
At this moment, even [Ang Xiao] showed a look of amazement: "But disguising [Jianxia Water] as [Changliu Water]... how did you do it?"
"How did I do it? What a joke!"
Qingcheng Feixue True Lord sneered: "What is your level of cultivation? A practitioner of [Great Forest Wood], how could your understanding of water-based fruit positions compare to mine?"
"Water has no fixed form; it takes the shape of its container."
"Jianxia Water, Changliu Water, Sea Water, Heavenly River Water are essentially just variations of water. With sufficient cultivation, disguising them is not difficult."
"What? Only you are allowed to manipulate things in secret, and I'm not allowed to play along?"
"Do you really think you're the Dao Master?"
As her words fell, [Ang Xiao] could only shake his head helplessly and smile wryly: "Heroes of the world are indeed as numerous as carp crossing the river. I underestimated you, shrew."
Qingcheng Feixue True Lord made it sound simple.
But was [Ang Xiao] someone with no discernment? To deceive his eyes indicated that Qingcheng Feixue True Lord's own cultivation was incredibly profound!
"Could it be that you've cultivated a second-grade true skill?"
"Did you seize the fruit position of a certain realm and fill it into [Jianxia Water]?"
[Ang Xiao] stroked his chin with interest: "If not, how could a mere [Jianxia Water] allow you to progress so rapidly?"
"Moreover, how did you know about my plan?"
This was also a point of confusion for [Ang Xiao]. He thought his move involving Suo Huan was unknown to anyone, yet Qingcheng Feixue True Lord struck directly at the critical point.
If she hadn't known in advance that he intended to use Suo Huan to seek gold and draw [Changliu Water] into the Netherworld, she couldn't have schemed so precisely.
"Want to know? Come over and take a punch from me, and I'll tell you."
Qingcheng Feixue True Lord laughed heartily, [Jianxia Water] rose again, and her graceful figure emerged, though her punching motion was rather crude.
This was a trap she had meticulously set.
She had always been vengeful and not magnanimous. Being tricked by [Ang Xiao] into causing Chong Guang's death and hindering her path, how could she just retreat into closed-door cultivation?
Of course, she had to retaliate!
As for Suo Huan's plan, she was actually unaware. She set this trap simply because she believed that [Changliu Water] was inevitably [Ang Xiao]'s target.
Other True Lords didn't dare make such a judgment because they weren't sure of [Ang Xiao]'s true identity. So when [Ang Xiao] pretended to target [Heavenly River Water] earlier, they tried to stop him. But Qingcheng Feixue True Lord was different; from the beginning, she was certain:
This beast was definitely [Ang Xiao]!
She knew the Sacred Sect couldn't have any good people; if there were, they were surely in disguise! Qingcheng Feixue True Lord made her judgment based on this point.
And she held firm in her belief.
As expected, after all his scheming, [Ang Xiao] still chose [Changliu Water] and fell into her prepared trap.
"Come out of the Netherworld!"
"You obstructed my path; I will make sure your path is hopeless!"
Qingcheng Feixue True Lord laughed wildly while fiercely attacking the Netherworld's gate. Naturally, the other True Lords wouldn't mind beating a drowning dog.
However, at this moment.
"What a pity."
Suddenly, from within the Dragon Palace, the Chong Guang Dao Sin, refined into a clone by [Ang Xiao], stepped forward and, with a sigh, took out a thick talisman book.
As this book appeared, a layer of illusion was lifted.
"[Fate-Exchange Talisman Book]!"
This treasure, once taken from the fruit position of [Overturning Lamp Fire], had also been taken by [Ang Xiao] and hidden using the barrier of knowledge!
In the next second, the talisman book flipped open, revealing the words:
[Lu Yang is regarded as an abandoned pawn by the Sacred Sect, trapped in a deadly situation. I assist him in reversing the situation and regaining vitality.]
Boom!
Almost simultaneously, Lu Yang, who had been watching the battle, felt a cause and effect fall upon him. This sensation was akin to a ritual attracting the attention of a fruit position!
Above the sky, a fruit position star shone brightly.
[Overturning Lamp Fire]!
"We of the Sacred Sect never put all our eggs in one basket. If [Changliu Water] fails, we'll use [Overturning Lamp Fire] as a substitute."
Though he said this, [Ang Xiao] still sighed inwardly.
According to his plan, the ideal development would be to simultaneously activate [Changliu Water] and [Overturning Lamp Fire], drawing them into the Netherworld.
In this way, at worst, he could take one, and with luck, he could take both, making a huge profit. But after being schemed against by Qingcheng Feixue True Lord, not only was he seriously injured, but [Changliu Water] was hopeless, and even [Overturning Lamp Fire] was a hasty move without sufficient assurance.
'Fortunately, I have preparations.'
Even now, being purged by the [Netherworld], his Dharma body damaged, and under pressure from multiple True Lords, [Ang Xiao] still maintained a calm expression.
'That shrew directly attacked the Netherworld and was supposed to suffer backlash.'
'But the backlash she suffered was much less than mine, partly because I was in the Netherworld, making the situation more severe, and partly because of Suo Huan!'
'Previously, I arranged for Suo Huan to sacrifice himself to [Changliu Water], but he was instead used, sacrificed to that shrew's [Jianxia Water], and used as a shield. Part of the Netherworld's backlash was borne by Suo Huan, falling on that [Lingxu Blessed Land].'
'If I want to break the situation...'
At this point, [Ang Xiao] finally shifted his gaze downward.
He saw that amidst the battle of True Lords, a solitary figure stood trembling, seemingly sensing something, and looked up as well.
Suo Huan.
This great cultivator from beyond the heavens, who had been manipulated all his life, suddenly smiled: "Is the lord going to use me again? What else do I have that's useful?"
"Of course, you do."
[Ang Xiao] spoke calmly, his gaze as if looking at an ant: "Your life!"
"Clang clang!"
In the next second, a brilliant sword light pierced the sky, directly stabbing through Suo Huan. Coughing up blood, Suo Huan turned to see a familiar figure.
Then he gave a bitter smile: "Fellow Daoist, you and I are truly in the same boat."
The sword's name—[Tribulation Wave]!
The one who killed Suo Huan was Lu Yang!