208: Chapter 208 Turning Against Each Other! Controlling Nangong Hai! The Fake Infant Servant!

Inside the secret room, Spiritual Qi swirled like mist. The spirit eye spring flowed with a gurgling sound; the spring water was crystal clear, and one could faintly see a few translucent Spirit Stones at the bottom, emitting a soft glow.

Nangong Hai sat upright on the main seat, a luxurious deep purple robe accentuating his extraordinary Aura.

His face was square, with sword-like eyebrows and star-bright eyes, and he sported a neatly groomed three-stranded beard. The Aura around his body was as calm as water, yet it faintly carried a sense of oppression.

"I presume you have already learned of my information from Gu Yuan."

Nangong Hai's deep eyes stared at Lu Qiu like a hawk, his gaze filled with scrutiny, probing, and a condescending arrogance. That gaze swept from the top of Lu Qiu's head to his feet, then back up, missing nothing.

He spoke slowly, his voice low and dignified, echoing in the secret room: "Although I am the Deputy Hall Master of the Liulian Hall, in terms of power and strength, I am in no way inferior to that old fellow, the Hall Master."

He paused, a cold sneer curling the corners of his lips, his smile full of confidence and disdain: "Within the Liulian Hall, there are currently two factions. One is that old thing's faction; they are conservative, clinging to old rules, knowing only how to conduct business safely and without any desire for progress; the other is my faction, which is ambitious and has its sights set on the world. Over these years, I have been operating in the shadows, winning over nearly half of the Elders and guest Cultivators of the Liulian Hall, and my influence has long since surpassed that old thing."

Lu Qiu listened quietly, his face impassive, but he was sneering repeatedly in his heart.

This Nangong Hai was indeed just like in the original story, ambitious and unwilling to be subordinate to others.

He was saying all this merely to show off his strength and to apply pressure.

It meant that he didn't even care about the Hall Master, so how could Lu Qiu, a mere Core Formation Cultivator, not obediently submit?

Nangong Hai stared at Lu Qiu with burning eyes: "I summoned you here for one purpose only, and that is to have you join my ranks."

He said this bluntly, without any concealment.

After all, Lu Qiu, a mere Middle Core Formation Stage Cultivator, really couldn't stir up any trouble in front of a False Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator.

Lu Qiu remained silent for a moment, as if thinking or weighing his options.

His brows furrowed slightly, his eyes flickering, as if he were struggling.

A moment later, he raised his head to meet Nangong Hai's gaze, his expression respectful and sincere:

"Thanks to the Hall Master's care, I have been able to Cultivate peacefully on Kuixing Island all these years. I will keep the Hall Master's great kindness in my heart. Since the Hall Master has summoned me personally today, I will naturally follow the Hall Master to the death, with no second thoughts."

His voice was sincere, his expression genuine, revealing no flaws.

Upon hearing this, a satisfied smile appeared on Nangong Hai's face.

He nodded, his tone softening a bit, even carrying a hint of appreciation:

"Good! I knew you were a smart man. Those who recognize the current trend are the heroes; if you can understand this principle, your future will be limitless."

He stood up, stood with his hands behind his back, a flash of sharpness appearing in his eyes.

That sharpness was like a drawn sword, fierce and overbearing:

"To tell you the truth, I am determined to obtain the position of Liulian Hall Master. Sooner or later, I will kill that old thing and take his place."

He turned to look at Lu Qiu, his eyes filled with ambition and desire: "By then, I will be the master of the Liulian Hall, and the entire Liulian Hall will obey my orders. If you follow me, you will be a great contributor in the future, and your status will be far beyond what it is today."

Lu Qiu heard this and sneered inwardly, but on the surface, he showed an appropriate amount of shock and reverence.

He widened his eyes, his mouth slightly agape, as if stunned by Nangong Hai's ambition.

A moment later, he took a deep breath and bowed:

"The Hall Master has great talent and bold vision; you will surely accomplish great things. I am willing to work like a dog or horse for the Hall Master, and I will not hesitate to go through fire and water."

Nangong Hai laughed aloud, the laughter echoing in the secret room, filled with a bit of triumph and satisfaction.

He patted Lu Qiu's shoulder, the force neither light nor heavy, but carrying the air of a superior:

"Good! I did not misjudge you. Rest assured, following me, I will not treat you unfairly."

He paused, looking directly at Lu Qiu, a glint of deep meaning flashing in his eyes.

That gaze carried a bit of probing and calculation.

"Lu Qiu, are you wondering in your heart where I get such great confidence to challenge that old thing, the Hall Master?"

Here it comes!

Lu Qiu's heart stirred, but he displayed an appropriate amount of confusion and anticipation on his face.

He widened his eyes slightly, his expression respectful: "I am all ears."

Nangong Hai stood with his hands behind his back, pacing slowly.

His steps were steady and powerful, each one carrying the demeanor of someone in complete control.

His silhouette was stretched long under the light of the moonstones, appearing exceptionally tall.

"Actually, behind me stands an extremely massive organization."

He spoke slowly, his voice filled with a bit of pride and triumph: "This organization is called the Nixing Alliance."

Nixing Alliance!

Lu Qiu sneered in his heart, but displayed the perfect amount of shock on his face.

His eyes widened further, his mouth slightly agape, his face filled with disbelief.

Nangong Hai turned to look at him, satisfied as he admired the shock on his face. He continued:

"The leader of the Nixing Alliance is the number one person of the Righteous Path's Myriad Laws Sect and the Demonic Path, the Six Paths Extreme Sage.

In terms of strength, the Nixing Alliance is in no way inferior to the Star Palace.

One day in the future, my Nixing Alliance might be able to overthrow the entire rule of the Star Palace and take its place!"

His eyes flashed with fanaticism, as if he had already seen that day arrive: "By then, I will have the merit of supporting the dragon, and my status will be far beyond what it is today. If you follow me, your future will be limitless; perhaps you might even manage to become an Island Master, and it is not impossible to go even further."

Lu Qiu listened, his face showing a look of extreme "shock."

That shock was just right; neither overly exaggerated nor appearing indifferent.

He opened his mouth, as if stunned by this information, and only came back to his senses after a long while.

Immediately, he "expressed his stance," his expression excited and sincere, even carrying a hint of being "flattered":

"From now on, I swear to be loyal to the Hall Master and the Nixing Alliance until death! If the Hall Master has any orders, I will not hesitate even if it costs me my life! I am willing to serve the Hall Master, even if it means going through fire and water!"

Nangong Hai looked at his appearance, a glint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

It was the amusement of a cat playing with a mouse, a satisfaction of having everything under control.

A smile curled at the corners of his lips, a smile filled with a bit of mockery and triumph.

"You are quite smart."

He said blandly, his tone carrying a hint of appreciation.

Lu Qiu lowered his head, his attitude extremely respectful, even carrying a hint of sycophancy: "The Hall Master praises me too much. I am just a person who knows the current trend. In this Chaotic Star Sea, the strong are respected; being able to follow a figure like the Hall Master is my good fortune."

Nangong Hai nodded, walked back to the main seat with his hands behind his back, and sat down again.

He picked up the spirit tea on the table and took a sip, but his gaze never left Lu Qiu.

That gaze was like a physical weight pressing down on Lu Qiu.

"However."

He spoke slowly, his tone suddenly turning cold, the temperature seemingly dropping to freezing point: "I told you so much, not just to get a verbal pledge of loyalty from you."

Lu Qiu felt a chill in his heart, but his face remained impassive.

He raised his head to meet Nangong Hai's gaze, his expression sincere, even carrying a hint of trepidation:

"Whatever the Hall Master orders, I will not hesitate to die for it. Please speak, Hall Master, and I will have no objections."

Nangong Hai laughed aloud, the laughter echoing in the secret room, filled with a bit of triumph and arrogance.

He put down the teacup, looked directly at Lu Qiu, and revealed his true intentions:

"How about this: hand over one-third of your Primordial Spirit. From now on, you will be my trusted aide, and you can walk sideways in the Liulian Hall."

His voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable dignity.

It was a command, not a negotiation.

He had already figured out Lu Qiu's information very clearly over these years.

Young and already at the Middle Core Formation Stage, and also a Genius of the formation path.

If such a person were brought under his command, he would surely be a great help in the future.

But such people are also the hardest to control and most likely to harbor ulterior motives.

Only by handing over the Primordial Spirit could he ensure his loyalty and ensure he would not betray him.

After all, the Nixing Alliance is currently in a dormant period and must not be exposed under the eyes of the Star Palace.

Now that Lu Qiu knew of the existence of the Nixing Alliance, there must be a means to control him.

"Hand over my Primordial Spirit?"

Lu Qiu's expression changed, showing obvious "hesitation."

His brows furrowed tightly, his eyes flickering, his face filled with struggle and hesitation.

Lu Qiu opened his mouth, as if wanting to say something, but couldn't get the words out.

A moment later, he said with difficulty, his voice carrying a bit of pleading and unease: "Hall Master, is this... a bit inappropriate?"

His voice was very low, with obvious lack of confidence, as if a person forced into a dead end was making a final struggle.

Lu Qiu's attitude was within Nangong Hai's expectations.

After all, no Cultivator wants to hand over their own Primordial Spirit.

That means handing one's life over to someone else, from then on life and death are not in one's own hands, and everything is under the control of others.

Whoever it were, they would hesitate, struggle, and be unwilling.

Nangong Hai sneered, stood up, and looked down at him.

His figure appeared exceptionally tall under the light of the moonstones, casting a shadow that enveloped Lu Qiu.

"If you do not hand over your Primordial Spirit, how can I fully trust you?"

He took a step forward, the Aura around his body surging violently, and the pressure of the False Nascent Soul Realm pressed down on Lu Qiu like a physical force!

That pressure was so strong that the surrounding air stagnated, and the water of the spirit eye spring trembled slightly!

"Lu Qiu, you are a smart man, and now you know of the existence of my Nixing Alliance. If you obediently hand over your Primordial Spirit today, I will definitely Cultivate you with all my might. You have outstanding talent; if you are cultivated by me, you may have a chance to ascend to the Nascent Soul Stage in the future."

He paused, his tone suddenly turning cold, carrying a naked threat, his voice like ice from the Nine Netherworlds:

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"If you don't know what's good for you, then don't blame me, this Hall Master, for being merciless."

As soon as he finished speaking, that powerful Spiritual Pressure intensified a bit more, pressing down until it was hard to breathe.

Lu Qiu only felt a massive force pressing on his body, making even breathing somewhat difficult.

"Don't even think about escaping."

Nangong Hai sneered and pointed around, "This is my secluded cultivation place, and a grand formation has been set up outside. Even a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator would find it hard to probe. You cannot escape. Even if you scream until your throat is hoarse, no one will hear you."

Hearing this, Lu Qiu's face turned "deathly pale," as if all his strength had been drained away.

His body trembled slightly, and fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead.

He lowered his head and remained silent for a moment, as if "struggling" or "resigning himself to fate."

A moment later, he raised his head, a look of "resignation" appearing on his face. His voice was raspy and weak, like a prisoner sentenced to death:

"The Hall Master is right... This subordinate... is willing to hand over my Primordial Spirit."

Upon hearing this, a brilliant smile immediately bloomed on Nangong Hai's face.

That smile was full of pride and satisfaction, as if everything was under his control.

"Hahaha, that's more like it!"

He laughed loudly, his laughter echoing in the secret chamber: "This Hall Master knew you were a smart person. Rest assured, following me, you won't regret it. In the future, you'll have endless wealth and glory."

Before the smile could fade from his face—

In that very instant!

An extremely obscure and silent sword light suddenly attacked from behind him!

That sword light was incredibly fast and perfectly hidden; it didn't cause any spiritual fluctuations, as if it had merged into the Void Realm!

It was silent, formless, and substanceless, like the scythe of the Grim Reaper, arriving quietly!

yinming sword!

Nangong Hai was, after all, a Pseudo-Nascent Soul Cultivator. He was battle-hardened and reacted extremely quickly.

The moment the sword light approached his body, his expression changed drastically, and a flash of horror appeared in his eyes!

He didn't have time to think and subconsciously tried to sacrifice a defensive Magic Treasure!

It was a small bronze shield that had been nurtured in his Dantian and could be summoned at any time!

However—

At the moment his mind stirred!

An incredibly terrifying sharp pain suddenly exploded in his Sea of Consciousness!

Spirit Shocking Thorn!

Seven Spirit Shocking Thorns pierced into his Sea of Consciousness simultaneously!

Those were Divine Sense spikes condensed by Lu Qiu using his powerful Divine Sense, which was comparable to the Early Stage of the Nascent Soul!

Each one was enough to heavily injure the Primordial Spirit of a Late Core Formation Stage Cultivator!

With seven released at once, even a true Early Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator would suffer heavy injuries!

Furthermore, Nangong Hai was only a Pseudo-Nascent Soul Cultivator and was completely defenseless!

All his attention was on Lu Qiu and the "one-third of a Primordial Spirit" he was about to obtain. He never imagined that this lamb led to the slaughter would suddenly attack!

"Ah—!!!"

Nangong Hai let out a shrill scream!

The scream was so piercing that it echoed in the secret chamber for a long time!

He clutched his head with both hands, fell from his seat, and rolled frantically on the ground!

Blood gushed out from his seven orifices!

His face was distorted, his veins bulged, his eyeballs protruded, and he looked like a malevolent ghost!

That terrifying pain in his Primordial Spirit instantly stripped him of all power to resist!

His consciousness went blank, leaving only endless pain!

At the same time—

*Puchi!*

The yinming sword stabbed fiercely into his chest!

Just as the tip of the sword was about to pierce his heart, a green jade tablet on Nangong Hai's body suddenly erupted with a dazzling green light!

The green light was so strong that it instantly illuminated the entire secret chamber!

The green light formed a protective barrier, enveloping Nangong Hai completely and forcibly blocking the fatal blow!

*Crack!*

The jade tablet was instantly covered with dense cracks, spreading like a spiderweb!

It trembled violently, its light flickering uncertainly, but it ultimately blocked the sword strike.

Lu Qiu had long been prepared.

How could a Vice Hall Master of the Liulian Hall, a powerhouse of the False Nascent Soul Realm, not have life-saving items?

Without a few protective ancient treasures, he wouldn't have lived until today.

He didn't expect this sword strike to kill Nangong Hai. What he wanted was this moment of vulnerability, this moment of chaos, this moment of powerlessness to resist!

The next moment—

With a thought!

Over ten thousand Illusion Spirit Butterflies swarmed out from his sleeves!

In an instant, the entire secret chamber was enveloped in that colorful and blurred light!

The light was dreamlike and illusory, breathtakingly beautiful, as if one were in a fairyland!

However, within this fairyland was a terrifying illusion capable of plunging one into eternal damnation!

Over ten thousand Illusion Spirit Butterflies flapped their wings simultaneously, and the power of the illusion surged out like a tide, frantically battering Nangong Hai's already heavily injured Primordial Spirit!

This illusion power was enough to shake the Primordial Spirit of a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator!

Moreover, Nangong Hai's Primordial Spirit was already severely damaged, and he was completely unable to resist!

His eyes instantly became vacant, and he stood dazed on the spot, trapped in an endless illusion!

Lu Qiu did not hesitate in the slightest. He waved his hands repeatedly, and several Talismans shot out!

A "Dragon Trapping Talisman" transformed into a net of light, firmly binding Nangong Hai!

The light net tightened further, cutting into his flesh and making him unable to move!

An "Intermediate spirit calming talisman" was stuck to his forehead. The runes on the Talisman flashed, pinning his Primordial Spirit and making it impossible for him to resist!

At this point, this Vice Hall Master of the Liulian Hall in the False Nascent Soul Realm had completely lost all ability to resist.

From the yinming sword's strike to the Spirit Shocking Thorn's heavy injury, to the activation of the Illusion Spirit Butterflies, and finally the Talismans trapping the enemy—the entire process took only a few breaths.

Nangong Hai was now bound by the Immortal Trapping Talisman and had his Primordial Spirit pinned by the spirit calming talisman. He was like a statue, standing rigidly in place without moving.

But in those eyes, there was endless pain and fear.

It was a fear that went deep into the bone, a despair from the depths of the Soul.

Tears slid down from the corners of his eyes.

Lu Qiu walked forward, looking down at him with a faint smile on his lips.

That smile was calm and indifferent, yet it made the fear in Nangong Hai's heart even deeper.

There were three reasons why Nangong Hai was defeated so quickly.

First, the power of Lu Qiu's Spirit Shocking Thorn was too astonishing. Driven by a Divine Sense at the Early Stage of the Nascent Soul, seven thorns released together were enough to heavily injure a true Nascent Soul Cultivator. Nangong Hai, a mere Pseudo-Nascent Soul, was completely unable to resist. The False Nascent Soul Realm he was so proud of was like paper in front of Lu Qiu.

Second, Nangong Hai was completely unguarded. He thought he controlled everything and didn't take Lu Qiu seriously at all. In his eyes, Lu Qiu was just a pawn to be manipulated, a lamb to be slaughtered, a fool who came to deliver his Primordial Spirit. He never expected this "lamb" would suddenly turn into a fierce tiger—a tiger that could kill him in one bite.

Third, Lu Qiu's methods were endless. The yinming sword, Spirit Shocking Thorn, Illusion Spirit Butterflies, Immortal Trapping Talisman, spirit calming talisman... one after another, they were all linked together, giving him no chance to catch his breath. Before he could recover from the first strike, the second and third strikes had already arrived.

Nangong Hai's defeat was not undeserved.

Lu Qiu took a jade box from his Storage Pouch and opened the lid.

Inside the box lay a small, pitch-black insect with silver patterns on its back.

The insect was only the size of a fingernail, yet it emitted an eerie glow under the light of the Moonlight Stone.

It lay there quietly, as if sleeping, yet also as if waiting for something.

god-controlling gu.

The previous god-controlling gu had already been used on Island Master Mu Long.

This god-controlling gu was a new one refined over the past two years.

Specifically prepared for this Vice Hall Master Nangong.

He had originally wanted to kill Nangong Hai directly.

But this was the territory of the Liulian Hall.

If Nangong Hai died here, the Liulian Hall would never let him leave easily.

Therefore, using the god-controlling gu to control Nangong Hai was the best choice.

He flicked his finger, and the god-controlling gu turned into a streak of black light, burrowing into Nangong Hai's forehead!

Nangong Hai's entire body trembled violently!

His eyes suddenly widened, bulging like copper bells!

His eyes were filled with pain and fear!

It was an unspeakable pain, a fear that reached into his very bones!

He wanted to scream, to struggle, to resist!

But the spirit calming talisman pinned his Primordial Spirit, and the Immortal Trapping Talisman bound his body, making it impossible for him to even let out a scream!

His body was shaking violently, his veins were bulging, his face was distorted, and his whole being seemed to be enduring unimaginable torture!

His eyeballs quivered intensely, the corners of his mouth twitched, and his fingers unconsciously clawed at the ground!

That god-controlling gu was rampaging in his Sea of Consciousness, devouring his Primordial Spirit and eroding Nangong Hai's consciousness, bringing everything under control!

Time passed minute by minute.

The secret chamber was deathly silent, except for Nangong Hai's suppressed panting and occasional twitching.

Lu Qiu stood with his hands behind his back, waiting quietly. His gaze was as calm as water, as if he were merely watching a play.

Half an hour later—

Nangong Hai's trembling finally stopped.

His body slumped limply on the ground, gasping for breath.

His gaze gradually became calm, soft, and... submissive.

The god-controlling gu had completely taken control of his consciousness.

He slowly raised his head and looked at Lu Qiu.

Those eyes no longer held the previous arrogance and majesty, only deep awe and submission.

He crawled up, knelt before Lu Qiu, lowered his head, and spoke in a raspy, respectful voice:

"Greetings, Master."

In that voice, there was not a hint of unwillingness or resentment, only pure submission.

Lu Qiu looked at Nangong Hai kneeling at his feet, and a satisfied smile appeared on his lips.

He had gained another Pseudo-Nascent Soul servant.

Along with Wood Dragon, True Person Yuan Jun, Immortal Master Kan Qin, as well as Black Fiend and Zhao Wen, the power in his hands was growing stronger and stronger.