White-Robed Chief

“A few Elders are still discussing and arguing over this issue.” Zhe Ying revealed a charming smile. “You’re quite the people person, Brother Du. Elder Bai keeps defending you and is prepared to let you join the Heavenly Demonic Sect. Then, he will punish you according to the sect’s rules.”

Chu Li regarded Zhe Ying quietly. “I must thank Elder Bai then.”

Although he no longer had access to the Omniscient Mirror and was incapable of reading Zhe Ying’s mind, Chu Li was aware that the latter was just trying to dupe him. What he said next was the real thing.

“Elder Du and the rest insisted on killing you instead,” Zhe Ying spoke cheerily, “because you know something that you shouldn’t know. Plus, you’ve infiltrated our sect with cunning intentions in mind. They’d rather kill the wrong person than to let anyone go.”

“How about you? What do you plan to do?” Chu Li asked calmly.

Zhe Ying chuckled. “I heard that you have mastered the sixth level of the Heavenly Demon Power. Is that true, Brother Du?”

“Yes.” Chu Li nodded.

 Zhe Ying laughed. “I’m an official disciple of the Heavenly Demonic Sect and I’ve been cultivating the Heavenly Demonic Power ever since I was a child. Still, I’ve only mastered the fifth level. Furthermore, I was injured recently and my abilities might take a while to recover. I’ve always thought of myself as a genius, but when compared to you, Brother Du, I’m but a mere amateur!”

Chu Li looked at him with a frown. “Are you here to compliment me?”

Zhe Ying said, “I’m here to discuss something with you.”

“What is there to discuss?” Chu Li sensed that something was amiss. Zhe Ying was all smiles as if something good was about to happen to him, but not to Chu Li.

“I wish to borrow your Heavenly Demonic Orb.” Zhe Ying beamed with glee. “It’s to help improve my abilities.”

“How are you going to borrow my Heavenly Demonic Orb?” Chu Li scoffed.

Deep down, he was fully aware that nothing good was to occur to him.

What Zhe Ying meant by “borrow” was he would take the orb and not return it to Chu Li.

If Chu Li had failed to protect his own Heavenly Demonic Orb, he wondered about the method to remove the orb. Was Zhe Ying capable of devouring his orb, just like how Chu Li devoured the blood core of the Church of the Divine Blood’s expert?

As he thought of this, a chill ran down Chu Li’s spine. He frowned and looked at Zhe Ying. What he dreaded had come true!

Zhe Ying’s smile grew wider. “Have you heard of the Heavenly Demonic Spirit Devouring Technique, Brother Du?”

“Yes,” Chu Li replied. “I heard it can harm an Enlightened Master.”

“Haha…” Zhe Ying laughed. “The Heavenly Demonic Spirit Devouring Technique is impressive and it can harm an Enlightened Master. However, it’s only possible when one has mastered the seventh or eighth level of the Heavenly Demonic Power.”

A crease formed between Chu Li’s brows. “Do you know the Heavenly Demonic Spirit Devouring Technique?”

“Of course.” Zhe Ying smiled. “I’ve purposely spent two days learning it for you, Brother Du. Quite early, I must say. Theoretically, one can only cultivate the Heavenly Demonic Spirit Devouring Technique when he has reached the seventh level.”

Chu Li had an ominous feeling and so, he asked in a deep voice, “What do you intend to do with the Heavenly Demonic Spirit Devouring Technique?”

“The Heavenly Demonic Spirit Devouring Technique can devour your Heavenly Demonic Orb and help me progress to the sixth level.” Zhe Ying rubbed his hands and smiled. “This is such a benevolent deed and I am extremely grateful to you!”

Chu Li stared at him with a frown. He did not say a word.

Zhe Ying sighed. “If I am to cultivate on my own, I will take at least five years to reach the sixth level! You’ll save me five years of work and I’m so grateful for this, Brother Du!”

Chu Li spoke, “To make progress when cultivating the Heavenly Demonic Power, you must learn and sense everything with your inner state. Devouring countless Heavenly Demonic Orbs will be of no use!”

Zhe Ying shook his head and grinned. “You’re wrong, Brother Du. By devouring the Heavenly Demonic Orb, I’ll devour the sensibility as well. Hence, making progress is absolutely simple. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

Chu Li said, “The Elders haven’t even decided on how to deal with me, and you dare to treat me as such?”

“Hehe…” Zhe Ying let out a sigh and regarded him sympathetically. “Looks like you’re still being unrealistic, Brother Du. Do you really think you can get out of this alive?”

 “Are you going to kill me?” Chu Li frowned.

Zhe Ying nodded. “Your fate has been sealed and you must die! Too bad you aren’t a disciple of the Heavenly Demonic Sect, but rest assured, Brother Du. Do you have any friends and relatives in the Ji Dynasty?”

Chu Li asked, “So what if I do?”

“Why do you have to react this way, Brother Du?” Zhe Ying sighed. “I’m just trying to help you.”

Chu Li stared at him calmly. “I must thank you, then.”

Zhe Ying said, “Instead of dying in vain and leaving the Heavenly Demonic Orb to rot, why don’t you hand it over to me? I will live on your behalf. I’ll head to the Ji Dynasty and take care of your parents or your woman for you.”

An urge to kill Zhe Ying rose up within Chu Li, but he suppressed it so that he would not reveal his true emotion. He simply said, “Thank you. Unfortunately, my parents are dead and I don’t have a woman. I’m a lone man and I don’t need your help.”

“Why lie to me, Brother Du? You have a woman.” Zhe Ying chuckled slyly. “A disciple of Snow Lunar Pavilion, I believe? I heard that the disciples over there are particularly beautiful and I must see for myself. You can pass on peacefully, Brother Du. I’ll take good care of them.”

Chu Li laughed. “All of you did a fine job investigating me. How long have I been unconscious?”

“Five days and five nights,” Zhe Ying replied, “I admire your life greatly, Brother Du. If I borrow your Heavenly Demonic Orb, I’ll recover instantly and my mastery of the Heavenly Demonic Power will make huge progress. After that, I shall have my revenge, then I’ll head to the Ji Dynasty and continue with my life by adopting your identity.”

“Revenge?” Chu Li asked.

Zhe Ying explained, “I was wounded by a disciple of the Plain Maiden Palace. That girl is stunning but cruel. Once I’ve successfully achieved the sixth level of the Heavenly Demonic Power, I’ll teach her a lesson and show her who’s boss!”

Chu Li replied, “I wish you all the best!”

“Haha, thank you for your kind words, Brother Du!” Zhe Ying laughed loudly, then shook his head. “In that case, let’s get down to business.”

Chu Li regarded him with knitted eyebrows. “Are you really going to do it?”

“Certainly.” Zhe Ying smiled. “I have already mastered the Heavenly Demonic Spirit Devouring Technique. Relax, Brother Du. It’ll be quick and painless.”

When he was done speaking, he stretched his hand out and pressed it on Chu Li’s chest, right where the Heavenly Demonic Orb was located.

“Hold it!” Chu Li said firmly.

Zhe Ying looked at him but did not withdraw his palm. He smiled. “Anything else, Brother Du?”

Chu Li spoke, “I have a question. Why haven’t I met the sect leader?”

“Oh, the sect leader.” Zhe Ying smiled. “The sect leader has been cultivating in isolation and he ignores a lot of things. The Elders take care of matters within the sect and make decisions together. Therefore, you’re unlucky.”

“What do you mean by this?” Chu Li asked.

Zhe Ying said, “Last time, there was a disciple of the Heavenly Demonic Sect who was just like you. He had already learned from other masters before joining our sect, and he intended on going against our sect in the end. Luckily, he was stopped in time and didn’t cause any major trouble, or else the Heavenly Demonic Sect would have been in great danger!”

Chu Li frowned. “Wasn’t there a stage where he would’ve been questioned?”

“People often change. Questioning someone yields accurate results, but we can’t do it all the time.” Zhe Ying sighed. “I heard he was a man of rare talent as well. Too bad, you’re just like him. You remind the Four Elders of that man when they saw you, which is why they are hellbent on killing you.”

Chu Li inhaled a deep breath and nodded slowly.

Zhe Ying’s right palm was pressed on Chu Li’s chest. A strange force entered his body and his organs vibrated as if they were pushed by a wave. His body felt like it was floating.

He still could not feel the Heavenly Demonic Orb inside him, as if the orb was not his.

A crease formed between Zhe Ying’s elegant eyebrows. He smiled. “Your Heavenly Demonic Orb is exceptionally pure, Brother Du!”

A strong feeling of rage and an urge to kill rose up within Chu Li, but he did not make any move for he knew that his efforts would be in vain.

Still, it was insane for him to surrender his Heavenly Demonic Orb, which he had cultivated painstakingly, to someone else.