I Am Unaware That I Am the Peerless Martial God Chapter 1413: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity 03
Previously on I Am Unaware That I Am the Peerless Martial God...
The Fifth Squad moved with lightning speed, converging in the sky outside Shadow Island in a flash.
Mo Tianji's precise calculations had revealed the hiding spots of the five ancient sages, and Su Yunyun had already assigned opponents, ensuring the plan was watertight.
Still, even with such preparation.
As they prepared to split up, Wu Tao turned back, his gaze sweeping over them with care.
"Junior brothers."
"We are about to face separate battles. This mission is critical to the Demon Realm's grand scheme, and not a single detail can be overlooked. If your opponents show reason, then disengage. We are all human, after all, and a fight to the death is unnecessary unless absolutely forced."
"However, should any prove unreasonable, unleash your full strength. Even if they fall, strike them a few more times to be certain. Do you understand?"
A chorus of nods followed, their expressions grim.
"Second Senior Brother speaks wisely!"
"Indeed, as Second Senior Brother stated, while dealing with a few old fools might not be a monumental task, we cannot afford complacency!"
"We must proceed with utmost caution!"
"Yes! I shall demonstrate the pinnacle of martial artistry to them!"
Seeing his juniors were all in agreement and understood the gravity of the situation.
Wu Tao flicked the toothpick from his mouth and raised his hand expansibly.
"Very well, let us depart!"
With a resonant command, the Fifth Squad tore through the void, streaking towards their designated locations.
...
Far to the icy southern pole of Cloud Star.
An endless expanse of desert stretched out, the spiritual energy here was exceptionally scarce, and life was a rarity, with no sign of movement for thousands of miles.
Even passing cultivators would recoil in disgust and seek an alternative route.
Such a desolate terrain could only be described as a place utterly forsaken by all living things.
Yet.
Beneath its stark and barren exterior, another realm lay hidden.
Deep beneath the earth, at an unfathomable depth of tens of millions of feet.
A tranquil, deep valley unfurled, boasting exquisite scenery, adorned with exotic flora and rare herbs in full bloom. A rustic thatched hut rested within, resembling an idyllic paradise, a true Peach Blossom Spring.
Inside this humble dwelling.
The venerable Grand Sage Feng Jiuxiao sat by a tea table, leisurely pouring tea while conversing in a deep tone with the spectral phantom before him.
"Brother Lei."
"Since Elder Jiang has decreed our collective emergence, why the haste? Once we reveal ourselves in our true forms, resolving this matter will be effortless. What harm is there in allowing that malevolent demon a few more days of fleeting arrogance?"
The moment his words concluded.
The spiritual sense phantom before him stiffened, then dramatically swept his sleeve and turned.
"Hmph!"
"I, Lei Qianjue, have carved my path through the annals of time. When have I ever endured such indignity? That demon is merely a fledgling, fortunate enough to possess some talent. How can I permit him to revel in his fleeting superiority?"
"Let alone a few days, I cannot tolerate even a moment more!"
As he spoke, the phantom seemed to recall something, his head swiveling sharply to the side, a cynical glint in his eyes.
"Brother Feng."
"You repeatedly invoke Elder Jiang's name as a shield for your own inaction. Can you truly stomach this insult? To endure the presence of an ant time and time again… this is unlike you. Is it possible that since your awakening, your strength has yet to fully return to its zenith?"
These words caused a flicker of suspicion to cross Lei Qianjue's face.
Feng Jiuxiao, perceiving his companion’s thoughts instantly, offered a smile and set down his teacup.
"Heh heh..."
"Brother Lei, you possess too low an opinion of your junior brother."
"I do not boast when I say that while my cultivation may not be the highest amongst us, my comprehension of the Great Dao is certainly not inferior. I meticulously constructed this world back then to absorb the essence of heaven and earth for recuperation. As of yesterday, I have fully regained ninety-nine percent of my former cultivation."
Upon hearing this, Lei Qianjue's phantom was momentarily taken aback before offering praise in a seemingly strategic manner.
"This..."
"Brother Feng truly is exceptional. Even I perceived nothing amiss. Such skill is irrefutable proof that my judgment of you was indeed correct!"
Feng Jiuxiao inclined his head slightly, a faint smile gracing his lips.
"Brother Lei flatters me. It was merely a minor technique, hardly worth mentioning."
Though his words were humble, the subtle upward curve of his lips betrayed the quiet satisfaction blooming within.
Witnessing this display.
Lei Qianjue continued his effusive commendations.
"Brother Feng’s miraculous technique for absorbing the heaven and earth essence, concealing oneself, and recovering cultivation base in advance is truly eye-opening. Even Elder Jiang might not be able to see through it, right?"
Upon hearing the voice, Feng Jiuxiao’s smile widened, and his tone became somewhat more relaxed.
"Where, where…"
"This is merely a method for survival before deep slumber. All fellow Daoists possess their own secret arts. This particular technique is just a tad peculiar."
"However, what Brother Lei mentioned isn’t entirely false. I’m not boasting when I say this technique is indeed exceptionally hidden. Not to mention Elder Jiang finding it hard to discern, back in the day, even within the entire galaxy, very few individuals could sense it."
As he spoke of this, Feng Jiuxiao’s smile gradually disappeared.
"Brother Lei, you don’t need to use this opportunity to heap praise and beat around the bush any longer. If you have something to say, just say it."
Both individuals were ancient legends, their astuteness almost unfathomable.
Words that seemed casual were, in reality, brimming with probing intent. Even though they had once fought side-by-side, achieving true honesty and openness was difficult. Having traversed two eras, their self-interests had consequently grown stronger.
Upon reaching this point, Lei Qianjue finally let out a smile and nodded.
"Alright, Brother Feng is truly sagacious and remarkable, no less than in the past."
"In that case, I shall dispense with pleasantries and get straight to the point."
"Presently, Cloud Star has fallen to such a state. Once we reveal ourselves to the world, we will be the supreme rulers, and all other beings will be no more than ants. However, are you truly content to continue submitting to others, allowing thousands of brilliant lights to shine solely on Jiang Yuan?"
As his soft voice concluded, Feng Jiuxiao’s eyes widened in astonishment.
Looking up with surprise and a touch of doubt, he perceived a ruthless glint in Lei Qianjue’s eyes. Even as a mere blurry soul phantom, it was difficult to mask the ambition burning within his gaze, causing Feng Jiuxiao’s eyes to open even wider!
"This…"
"Brother Lei, what exactly do you mean?"
Before he could finish his sentence, Lei Qianjue had already nodded coldly.
"Precisely!"
"We followed Jiang Yuan for countless years, merely to evade a calamity. What tangible benefits have we truly gained?"
"Now, this is truly a once-in-a-millennium opportunity. As long as you and I step into the world ahead of the others, we can seize the initiative in presiding over the overall situation of Cloud Star. That insignificant brat is not even worth mentioning, and he would never imagine that we would manifest in our true forms so soon. Taking him down will be effortless."
"The other fellow Daoists have their own reservations and may not necessarily unite to contend for the position of Star Master. As long as you and I join forces, we will have already secured the advantage."
"As for Jiang Yuan, his arrogance will surely prevent him from making a move."
"At that time, you and I shall be the Star Masters of Cloud Star. With this, the resources and glory of the entire galaxy will rightfully belong to both of us. Would that not be splendid?"
"Brother Feng, we have known each other for many years. I have just divulged my grand ambition to you; you must not hesitate any longer!"
Hearing this, Feng Jiuxiao also stood up in shock.
He was aware of Lei Qianjue’s character; beneath his outwardly fierce and imposing demeanor, he harbored a hidden selfish ambition. He had never anticipated that this ambition would be so colossal.
To preemptively claim the title of Star Master and command the resources of the entire galaxy!
Pondering over these words, a flicker of unusual movement stirred within Feng Jiuxiao’s heart. After a few breaths of contemplation, he was poised to voice his agreement to everything.
But at this precise moment.
A terrifying tremor emanated from the ground!
"Bang!!!"
The two of them turned ashen simultaneously, their faces contorted in panicked expressions, betraying a guilty conscience!
"What is going on?"
"Your secret realm is supposed to be impervious to ordinary detection. How could an aura be emanating from it? Could it be that Jiang Yuan has sensed something!?"
In the face of Lei Qianjue’s urgent inquiry, Feng Jiuxiao also began to panic.
He hastily extended his spiritual sense and clearly observed that there were merely five unfamiliar figures on the ground. Then, he opened his eyes, offered a faint smile, and waved his hand dismissively.
"It’s nothing."
"They are merely a few insignificant ants, a false alarm."
"Brother Lei, there’s no need for alarm. Let us set this matter aside for the moment. Once I have dealt with these ants, I shall dispatch my divine soul to discuss this with you in greater detail."
After uttering these words.
Lei Qianjue’s phantom form dissolved into nothingness, and Feng Jiuxiao rippled the void and stepped through.
Upon his emergence, he found himself standing above an immense, unending desert.
He narrowed his eyes, gazing intently into the distance.
Across the distant desert expanse, a procession of shadowy cultivators advanced, bearing a coffin between them. Their journey suggested an interment, yet their peculiar, jig-like gait struck a bizarrely humorous chord.
These buffoons! To flaunt a coffin so brazenly above him, and to sabotage his meticulously crafted secret scheme! Their transgressions merited a fate far worse than a mere ten thousand deaths!
A chilling sternness settled into Feng Jiuxiao's gaze. With his left hand held regally behind his back, his right index finger shot out, puncturing the very air.
When the true manifestation of an Ancient Great Sage wielded its power, the resultant might was a spectacle of devastating proportions.
A simple flick of his finger alone was enough to warp the very hues of the world, a display utterly unmatched by previous encounters. Tangible spiritual energy coalesced, forming a surging torrent that churned the sandy ocean and hurled it forth in a violent deluge!
Boom!
A tempestuous wind roared, and the colossal waves of sand ascended, obscuring both the heavens and the sun.
In an instant, this cataclysmic surge of power was poised to subsume the five individuals carrying the coffin!