185: Chapter 185: The two sides engaged in a fierce battle, with blood flowing like a river!

Right now, only she could barely withstand that extreme cold Qi and hold out inside for a while.

Although she couldn't stay for long each time, at the thought of searching for items for Su Rui, she didn't hesitate at all, making more than ten trips back and forth over several days.

Finally, some hidden items were taken out one after another—

There were hand-written notes of Di Shitian deducing Cultivation Techniques, several bottles of Medicinal Pills of unknown use, and most crucially, the records he had left behind over many years.

Perhaps fearing that his memory would blur over the long years, he had written down many past events and secrets in their entirety.

As Zhu Yuyan flipped through the ancient texts, the others also gathered around.

From a pile of yellowed scrolls, they pulled out a bamboo slip from the bottom layer.

This bamboo slip was well-preserved, with ancient and simple characters that ordinary people could not read.

Fortunately, Luo Xian had studied ancient texts and translated the content word by word.

"Di Shitian... was actually not born in this world?"

Shi Feixuan's eyes trembled slightly, unable to hide her shock.

"If that's the case, no wonder he was so obsessed with these clues."

Zhu Yuyan sighed softly, already understanding in her heart—this was exactly what Su Rui was looking for.

Wang Yuyan suddenly remembered the scene in the Shaolin Temple: Su Rui had personally killed that burly man who claimed to be of the God Race. At that time, everyone was confused, but thinking about it now, there might have been foreshadowing long ago.

She spoke of this in a low voice, and everyone's hearts sank.

"It seems the Pavilion Master has hidden quite a few things."

Wanwan's lips curled up slightly, her tone meaningful.

"If Teacher doesn't say anything, it must be for our own good!"

Sikong Qianluo immediately retorted, her expression solemn.

"I didn't mean anything else; we're all in the same boat now."

Wanwan waved her hand with a beaming smile, seemingly without malice.

After a moment of silence, several pairs of eyes looked toward Zhu Yuyan in unison.

But she was already calm and did not shy away from it.

The word 'love' follows the laws of nature; why hide it?

"This bamboo slip must be kept safely and brought back to the Pavilion Master."

Luo Xian carefully rolled it up and put it away solemnly.

"But before that, let the Net of Heaven pay the price!"

With an order, the forces of Tianmen, which were originally scattered and hidden, quickly assembled.

Although the orders were not detailed, once the Foundation rooted along the East Sea coast for many years was activated, it was like a giant net tightening.

Having been repeatedly hunted by the Net of Heaven before, grievances had long turned into anger.

Now that they were ordered to attack, various groups appeared one after another, dealing a heavy blow to the opponent.

The Net of Heaven was indeed elite, but compared to Tianmen, which had been entrenched here for a long time, they were ultimately a notch below.

Even many hidden agents in the Song and Tang dynasties had not been deployed, and the battle situation was already one-sided.

The situation Zhao Gao feared most finally happened—both sides fell into a tragic slaughter, and blood flowed like a river.

He had once personally led the Six Sword Slaves to the battlefield, but almost died at the hands of Zhu Yuyan.

If not for Heavenly Sword Wuming arriving in time to rescue them, all seven would likely have fallen.

And Zhu Yuyan's anger was at its peak, and she actually severely injured Wuming to the brink of death.

Surprisingly, Wuming was initially no match, but after being injured, he instead stimulated amazing potential, his Sword Intent surged, and his combat power soared.

In the end, Zhu Yuyan had to retreat temporarily, failing to complete the task in one go.

Hearing of the turmoil in the Jianghu, Tyrant immediately ordered the World Association to fully contract after weighing the pros and cons, pretending to be completely unaware.

The Sword Saint was originally at the Zhonghua Pavilion discussing sword arts with Wuming, often using duels to realize higher realms.

Unexpectedly, Wuming suddenly said he had important matters and left. After not being seen for just two days, he returned critically injured and on the verge of death, his breath faint.

"Brother Dugu, do not intervene this time... I underestimated my opponent; I didn't expect there to be such a strong person."

Wuming's face was ashen, and his speech was intermittent and weak.

"Do you know who the person is?"

"Most likely... related to that person from Northern Li."

Wuming pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.

The Sword Saint was startled upon hearing this, and then a sharp light flashed in his eyes.

Seeing this, Wuming's heart tightened: "You're not... really planning to take a trip to Northern Li, are you?"

"I originally planned to go test my sword after I fully comprehended Sword Twenty-Three, but right now I can't seem to make a Breakthrough in this final stage. Perhaps Northern Li will have the answers I want!" the Sword Saint said in a deep voice.

Wuming was stunned for a moment.

There were very few people in the world who could provide guidance to the Sword Saint at a time like this.

But on the other hand, there were certainly many people in Northern Li who could restrain the Sword Saint.

Insisting on going in such a situation, wasn't that just walking into a trap?

But no matter how he tried to dissuade him, the Sword Saint became more and more excited. Before he finished speaking, he had already turned and left, as if even a moment's stay was too long.

Wuming reached out to stop him, but in the end, he only caught a wisp of wind, left behind to shake his head with a bitter smile.

...

By the East Sea, the battle between Tianmen and the Net of Heaven was raging.

On the Northern Li side, the Dark River had not stopped either.

The Patriarch had suddenly died a violent death, and the Su Family instantly became the target of public criticism.

The one who acted was precisely Su Changhe—he was already at the top of the Su Family in terms of strength, and he had the secret support of Su Muyu, the strongest person in the clan.

Although he spoke plausibly, claiming that the Patriarch had colluded with the imperial court and intervened in the Demonic Cult's struggles, breaking the rules of the Dark River, and that his actions were merely cleaning out the house.

However, except for the Su Family members, the Xie Family and Mu Family did not buy it, and the other small clans were even more silent out of fear.

Even the Patriarch who led the entire river could be plotted against; the ruthlessness of the methods was chilling.

Although the Dark River acted coldly, it was ultimately based on carrying out orders.

Now that this precedent had been set, if a new leader took over in the future and someone else followed suit with an assassination, wouldn't the Dark River fall apart?

"Brother Su, you didn't do this quite properly. Why don't you just commit suicide and let Brother Muyu succeed as the head of the family and then take the position of Patriarch? I would have no objection then~"

A young girl dressed in a short shirt with a slender waist chuckled while covering her mouth, her tone as melodious as a bell.

"Sister Yumo, the Patriarch colluded with the imperial court, meddled in the Demonic Cult's disputes, and ruined the Foundation of our Dark River. I acted to clean out the house; what was wrong with that? Why does it seem as if I've committed a heavenly crime?"

Su Changhe stroked the short beard under his chin with a gentle smile, but his tone was as sharp as a knife.

Su Muyu stood quietly by his side, not saying a word, but his stance was already clear.

Hearing these words, Mu Yumo's gaze swept over Su Muyu beside Su Changhe, and then across the rows of Su Family experts behind them, her heart sinking slightly.

"It seems the head of the Xie Family hasn't come? Could it be that he thinks you are right, so he is simply standing by and watching?"

Su Changhe looked around and did not see Xie Seven Blades' figure, only a few Xie Family Elders standing there.

"The whereabouts of our family head are not for you to question."

An Elder replied coldly, but a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes—Xie Seven Blades had been delayed in returning and there was no news; what exactly happened?

"No need to wait."

Suddenly, a soft and charming voice drifted down from the Void Realm.

Everyone shuddered, and the people of the Xie Family had their pupils shrink suddenly.

"Who is playing tricks?"

However, those who recognized where the voice came from already felt a chill in their hearts.

As the voice fell, three slender figures slowly emerged.

It was Mu Liangyue, along with the Su Sisters—Hongxi and Ziyi.

"Liangyue?" Mu Yumo was stunned, and then a look of pleasant surprise flashed in her eyes.

"Is Sister Yumo well?"

"You've come back just in time!"

She was worried about being isolated and weak, and her younger sister, who had joined the martial arts pavilion, returned at this moment, which was like sending charcoal in the snow.

But when her gaze fell on the two Su Sisters, her expression immediately tightened.

"Hongxi and Ziyi's return is truly a blessing from heaven! It is the perfect time to help me ascend to the position of Patriarch!"

Su Changhe's eyes lit up, unable to hide his joy.

However, even as the two of them spoke at the same time, the three women did not move at all.

"About that... sorry."

Mu Liangyue lowered her head slightly, her fingertips lightly stroking a strand of black hair falling across her chest, her expression shy, like a young girl in her boudoir.

The next moment, she looked up, her gaze as clear and cold as a winter pool:

"I want the position of Patriarch."

As soon as these words came out, there was dead silence throughout the field.

The two sides, which were originally at each other's throats, actually froze at the same sentence.

"Liangyue, you want to fight for the position of Patriarch?"

Mu Yumo blurted out in shock.

"Any of the three of us will do."

Mu Liangyue shook her head gently, her tone flat but beyond doubt.

"Hongxi?"

Su Muyu finally spoke, his voice deep.

"Xie Seven Blades led people to besiege the martial arts pavilion Disciples outside Snow Moon City, and happened to be bumped into by Teacher." Su Hongxi looked straight ahead, "Teacher is very angry."

"Teacher said we should decide for ourselves." Su Ziyi took a step forward, her voice cold, "But the Dark River cannot be without a leader for a single day."

The three women stood side by side, seemingly advancing and retreating together, but in fact, they were showing their sharpness with a clear goal.

Su Changhe and Su Muyu looked at each other, both seeing solemnity in the other's eyes.

The other Dark River experts also felt their breath hitch.

In the battle of Qingyun Terrace, not many from the Dark River had been sent out, and those who survived were only these few people before them.

But everyone had seen the power Su Rui displayed.

Everyone cursed in their hearts that Xie Seven Blades was truly crazy, actually daring to go to Snow Moon City to cause trouble?

Now it's great, the situation is completely out of control.

The stance of Mu Liangyue and the other two was clearly aimed at the position of Patriarch.

What was even more daunting was that they didn't dare to act rashly.

Not only because of the oppressive Aura on the three women,

But more importantly, the person standing behind them—

Xie Seven Blades had attacked the people from the martial arts pavilion outside the city and vanished in the blink of an eye.

If they acted now and happened to hurt someone, would the Dark River be wiped out because of it?

Mu Liangyue took in everyone's hesitation and curled her lips slightly.

"This time Teacher let us solve it ourselves. Since the Patriarch has always been held by the strongest, why not have a competition? The winner shall be the leader."

In the past, to compete for this position, one not only needed superior strength but also sufficient prestige.

But since Su Changhe took action, these rules had long become a mere formality.

After all, the Jianghu never talks about sentiment, only recognizes the strong.

After hearing this, Su Changhe exchanged a look with Su Muyu and nodded slightly.

This result was already the most stable way out for now.

"But Sister Liangyue, you are... no longer a member of the Dark River, right?"

Mu Yumo suddenly spoke.

"Oh, Sister Yumo, how can it be that easy to leave the Dark River?"

Mu Liangyue replied with a beaming smile.

As soon as these words came out, there was a sudden silence all around.

How utterly ironic!

In the past, such words were only heard when hunting down traitors—

Born as a person of the Dark River, die as a soul of the Dark River.

Wanting to escape alive? Not a chance.

But now, the three women were personally ordered to be expelled from the organization by the Patriarch.

Such a thing had never happened since Mu Yumo could remember.

Yet this sentence was actually used by Mu Liangyue to shut others' mouths.

Not to mention, it was truly seamless.

With one sentence, she blocked all doubts.

On the contrary, the Xie Family side was in disarray.

The family head had gone out and not returned, and contact had already been lost.

Xie Jiucheng, who had the most combat power besides Xie Seven Blades, had been sent to assassinate Old Man Tianquan and had not yet returned.

Right now, the Xie Family was simply unable to speak up.

It could only be said that Xie Seven Blades died at a very inopportune time.