Chapter 87

Previously, Dugu Ming's betrayal resulted in the deaths of thirteen disciples at the Qiuti stage, and the equipment was all collected by Zhuge Xiang. Among this equipment, the Substitute Cloak was already destroyed, but there was one that Zhuge Xiang could use now.

Shadow Cloak (Two-star Magic Tool): Defense 25-28, Passive: MP recovery speed +5, Durability 28/33, Weight 5.

At this critical moment, why did Zhuge Xiang take out and wear such an ordinary magic tool? Could it be that by wearing this cloak, Zhuge Xiang would have the ability to deal with Dugu Jue, who was at the Pikkong stage? Of course not. What Zhuge Xiang truly valued about this cloak was its concealment, which could cover his entire body, making it impossible for anyone to recognize him.

After putting on the Shadow Cloak, Zhuge Xiang quickly took out the Sky Charm from his storage space, which he had never used before, and tore it open.

With his long sword in hand, Dugu Jue's expression was calm. To him, a group of Qiuti stage disciples were easy to kill. However, just as Dugu Jue was about to make his move, a slightly hoarse voice suddenly rang out: "Stop!"

Turning his head, Dugu Jue was shocked to see a figure in a cloak floating in the air nearby. He had not sensed anything at all, as if the figure would vanish into thin air if he closed his eyes.

Disciples at the Huashen stage could fly using their magic tools, but to float in the air using only their physical bodies? What kind of cultivation was this? Dugu Jue was greatly alarmed.

This was at least a Huashen stage powerhouse. Looking at the figure floating in the air, Dugu Jue instinctively thought this. He quickly sheathed his sword and bowed respectfully: "I am Dugu Jue of the Dugu Family. Greetings, Senior Brother."

"Dugu Family? Facing a Huashen stage disciple, you reveal your Dugu Family identity? Could it be that the Dugu Family itself is not simple?" Floating in the air, hidden under the cloak, Zhuge Xiang was secretly surprised. However, with the cloak covering him, no one could see his expression. He spoke in a hoarse, calm voice: "Among these people, one has a deep connection with me. You may leave."

A Huashen stage powerhouse, who had survived the heavenly tribulation, letting him go just like that? A more timid person would have left with gratitude, but Dugu Jue was still uneasy. The figure was just floating in the air without making a move. Could it be some special ability that allowed him to do this? With this doubt in mind, Dugu Jue did not intend to leave immediately.

"Which one has a connection with Senior Brother? These people are related to the death of my younger brother. I hope Senior Brother can point out the one, and let me take the others for questioning," Dugu Jue said cautiously, still respectful.

This guy was indeed not easy to deal with. Floating in the air was not enough to scare him away. Zhuge Xiang, being wise, could see that Dugu Jue was not completely intimidated. Pointing out one person and letting him take the others? Zhuge Xiang was certain that if he really did that, he would completely expose his bluff.

After all, a Huashen stage powerhouse has the dignity of a Huashen stage powerhouse and would not compromise with a Lianqi stage disciple.

Just floating in the air was not enough to scare him away. Zhuge Xiang did not expect him to be so easily dealt with. Slowly raising his hand, he said calmly: "So, you want to negotiate with me?"

The calm words gave a sense of impending doom. Dugu Jue stared intently at Zhuge Xiang's raised hand. Was he really at the Huashen stage? Just floating in the air was not convincing enough.

The space distorted, and then Zhuge Xiang's hand grabbed a sword from the air, not from a storage magic tool, but from the air itself. This was a skill only a Huashen stage disciple could have, creating their own personal storage space.

Seeing this, Dugu Jue's doubts immediately vanished. Floating in the air was one thing, but creating a personal storage space was something only a Huashen stage disciple could do.

Before Dugu Jue could speak, the magic sword in his hand suddenly let out a joyful cry, almost flying out of his grasp...

His face pale with shock, Dugu Jue tightly gripped his sword, staring at Zhuge Xiang in horror. "Sword Intent!?"

"Dugu Family? I wonder if anyone can prove that I was the one who acted," Zhuge Xiang slowly raised his sword and said calmly.

Just floating in the air could not prove he was really at the Huashen stage. After all, certain special magic tools or items could also achieve this. However, having an independent storage space and possessing Sword Intent were not something magic tools or items could do. Seeing Zhuge Xiang raise his sword, Dugu Jue knew he could not possibly withstand a strike from a Huashen stage powerhouse.

"Senior Brother, please wait. I was too hasty. I will leave now..." Dugu Jue hastily put his magic sword back into his storage tool, turned around, and quickly disappeared into the forest, his panicked escape a stark contrast to his initial demeanor.

Zhuge Xiang and Dugu Jue's conversation left Niu Geng and the others as mere spectators. After Dugu Jue fled, they finally spoke up: "Thank you, Senior Brother, for your help. May I know your name?"

Looking down at Niu Geng and the others with a sense of superiority, Zhuge Xiang waved his hand dismissively, not revealing his identity: "You may leave."

Lu Yuling stared at Zhuge Xiang with a peculiar look in her eyes, as if she had some doubts. Niu Geng, seeing that Zhuge Xiang did not intend to answer, did not leave but walked over to the wolf pack, thinking that although Zhuge Xiang was dead, he could not leave his body in the wilderness.

Feeling Lu Yuling's gaze, Zhuge Xiang felt a bit uncomfortable, as if she suspected something. Seeing Niu Geng going to look for his body, Zhuge Xiang said: "Zhuge Xiang is a good match for me. Don't worry, he's not dead. I've taken him in and will heal his injuries. He will return to the sect once he recovers. You may leave."

"Thank you, Senior Brother..." Niu Geng was overjoyed to hear that Zhuge Xiang was not dead. With a Huashen stage disciple's help, he was much more at ease. The group did not say much more and left.

The Sky Charm's effect lasted only 100 seconds. On the ground, watching Lu Yuling and the others leave, Zhuge Xiang let out a long sigh of relief. The ancient Moon Swallowing Divine Dog also jumped off his shoulder, baring its teeth: "That guy was a jerk. He made me fall and almost got me trampled by the wolf pack."

"Enough, stop complaining. Let's go," Zhuge Xiang shook his head, picked up the dog, and quickly left.

Dugu Jue at the Pikkong stage made Zhuge Xiang feel an unprecedented sense of danger. The gap in strength was too great. Today, he barely managed to scare him away, but if he knew Zhuge Xiang was still alive, he would not let it go. Next time, could he find another Sky Charm to scare him away? That was not a solution. The most important thing was to improve his own strength.

Looking at the Moon Swallowing Divine Dog in his hand, Zhuge Xiang smiled. It was fortunate to have it. The illusion it created would surely help him quickly improve his cultivation.

The rebellion of the three major demon races in the Endless Mountains naturally drew the attention of the sect. Over a hundred core inner disciples were dispatched to suppress them, and after a fierce battle, the three demon races were finally subdued, leaving only a few thousand demon beasts to continue their lineage.

The inner disciples' suppression of the three demon races made the Moon Swallowing Divine Dog feel heartache, but it also confirmed that Zhuge Xiang's words were true: these demon races were indeed raised by human cultivators.

A few days passed, and as the large sect mission gradually calmed down, Zhuge Xiang secretly returned to the sect and gathered Niu Geng and the others in his living room.

All the spoils were laid out: the hearts of the demon wolves, which could be exchanged for sect contribution points and spirit stones; the equipment, which could be sold for a large amount of spirit stones; and the 108 spirit stones from the wolf clan's altar. The rewards from this mission were indeed abundant.

After dividing the spoils, Zhuge Xiang offered to give up the demon wolf hearts and equipment in exchange for an equivalent amount of spirit stones.

Although they did not understand why Zhuge Xiang needed the spirit stones, everyone was reasonable. Considering Zhuge Xiang's outstanding performance in the sect mission, Niu Geng and the others gave up their share of the spirit stones. In the end, although Zhuge Xiang did not get the demon wolf hearts or equipment, he received 108 spirit stones.

Niu Geng was not surprising, and Zhang Kuang and Lu Yuling were understandable, but even Zixiang was so generous, which made Zhuge Xiang look at her in surprise.

"I understand. The illusion in the altar gave everyone time to save me. Compared to life, losing a few spirit stones is worth it. Besides, sect contribution points cannot be measured by spirit stones," Zixiang said, meeting Zhuge Xiang's surprised gaze.

Reaching the Sixth Stage of Illusion and Annihilation was a great struggle for Zhuge Xiang. If it were someone else, they would have died inside. Naturally, if Zhang Kuang and the others died, Zixiang and Niu Geng would also be dead. The illusion in the altar was a turning point that saved everyone's life, so they were generous to him.

Regardless, receiving 108 spirit stones made Zhuge Xiang very happy. After putting the spirit stones away, he was about to leave when Lu Yuling called him.

"I have something I want to talk to you alone," Lu Yuling said to Zhuge Xiang, with a hint of ambiguity in her eyes, and then walked out first.