After Hao Zhengyi spoke, everyone wore a puzzled expression—everyone except Lin Feng and me. We both realized the truth in that instant. "Wu Rendi" chuckled coldly. His entire body began to tremble, and as the spasms intensified, his facial features started to shift. When the shaking finally ceased, the appearance of "Wu Rendi" had vanished completely, replaced by the baby-faced man—Yang Xiao.
Once revealed, Yang Xiao slowly shook his head and turned to Hao Zhengyi. "Seems luck really hasn't been on my side lately. That's the third disguise in a row that got seen through. Tell me, Hao—how'd you figure it out was me?"
Facing him with a faint smile, Hao Zhengyi replied, "Because I knew Wu Rendi couldn't possibly be here right now." Seeing Yang Xiao's startled expression, he continued, "The trap in Nanjing was set by me. After being startled by the Crow, Shao Yiyi's 3 Celestial Souls and 7 Earthly Spirits got scattered and hidden in separate places. Even if Wu Rendi were there himself, he'd have to track down each soul fragment one by one. I did the math for your Director Wu—no way he'd finish in less than three days. The only one with the gall to impersonate Wu Rendi and 'come to the rescue' would be you, Yang Xiao. No one else came to mind."
After hearing this, Yang Xiao sneered. "Even your Director Wu—daring to set him up like that…" Before he could finish, Lin Feng cut him off with a snarl, "So it is you, Yang Xiao. In that case, let's settle both old and new scores today. This won't be a one-on-one fight—I want to see how many of us it takes to drive a few nails into your iron skin! Whoever takes down Yang Xiao gets the Heavenly Principle Diagram for a whole month!"
As he spoke, the people around him had already begun closing in on Yang Xiao. Even Xiao Siyang crept back into position. On a normal day, Yang Xiao was a figure who could strike terror just by his name. But now, with the promise of immortality hidden within the Heavenly Principle Diagram, no one cared who stood before them—unless it was Wu Rendi himself.
Watching the expressions of greed and resolve on their faces, Yang Xiao smiled strangely. He gently laid the unconscious YinBai on the ground and said to Lin Feng, "I never intended to fight solo…"
Just as he finished speaking, a loud BOOM erupted from a nearby wall. Amid the swirling dust and rubble, another snow-white figure slowly walked into view.
This person, also dressed in white from head to toe, was flanked on one side by a pitch-black cat. The stark contrast between the two—light and shadow—was chilling. One human, one Arcanobeast. They walked side by side and stopped at Yang Xiao's side. It was none other than Yang Jun and the black cat, Nyeh.
Yang Jun came to a halt and stared directly at Lin Feng. "Are you done talking? Then let's go. Let's see whether it's us who are doomed—or you bastards."
With Yang Jun's arrival, the situation shifted once more. The sight of the "Two Yangs" appearing together had a powerful effect—even those already circling in hesitated and slowed their pace. Only Lin Feng, Xiao Siyang, and Hao Zhengyi stepped up front. But before Lin Feng could say anything, Hao Zhengyi suddenly raised his voice toward the air and called out, "Director Sun, we're just missing you. What do you say—time to make your entrance?"
Right on cue, a familiar voice echoed from behind the hole Yang Jun had blasted open, laughing as it said, "I was planning to show up once all of you were dead anyway—as the supervising officer to inspect the disaster scene. But since we're jumping the gun… Director Hao, my good man, if you're so determined to wade into this mess, don't blame the Two Yangs and me for being rude."
As Sun Fatty spoke, Xiao Siyang turned and gave Lin Feng a cold look. "You didn't say the 'Two Yangs' were involved. This isn't anything like the plan you laid out. With the Heavenly Principle Diagram in hand, how confident are you we can still make it out?"
Lin Feng blinked a few times, then bared his teeth in a grim smile. "Ninety percent. Yang Xiao is weak against Underworld Agents, and the Crow restrains him. As for Yang Jun, he'll be up against the three of us—me, you, and Hao Zhengyi. The others can handle that kid Shen and Gao Fox. Even if they can't finish them off, just buy us half an hour. Once we take out the Two Yangs, the other two won't be a problem."
"And what about that Sun guy?" Though they hadn't met, Sun Fatty's reputation preceded him. Xiao Siyang glanced toward where the voice had come from. "You think he'll just sit there and watch?"
But to his surprise, Lin Feng burst out laughing. "Sun Desheng? What's he going to do? Other than pulling some cheap tricks to scam people, I honestly can't think of any skill he has."
Lin Feng's laughter had barely faded when another laugh echoed from behind the wall where Sun Fatty had been hiding. His voice rang out: "Go ahead and try me, then. We'll see what I've got."
All the while the others spoke, the Two Yangs had stood silently. When Sun Fatty finished, they both gave a simultaneous sneer and exchanged a glance. Then Yang Jun said, "You all forgot something, didn't you?"
Before his voice had even faded, a dark blur leapt up onto Yang Jun's shoulder. Nyeh. Its jet-black eyes gleamed like pearls as it stared menacingly at the crowd.
Lin Feng and Xiao Siyang remained composed—but the rest, including Hao Zhengyi, visibly stiffened. Their eyes locked in horror onto the black cat perched silently on Yang Jun's shoulder, as if they'd seen a ghost. The sudden appearance of the Two Yangs had drawn everyone's attention so thoroughly that they'd completely forgotten about this particular monster.
After the black cat settled in place, Yang Jun's lips moved silently—but not a single sound came out. As if triggered by something unseen, the black cat suddenly puffed up, every strand of fur bristling like a black ball of spikes. Then it let out a piercing, shrieking cry toward Lin Feng and his men: "Nyeh…"
This shriek was many times louder than any of its previous cries—like a spiritual whip lashing straight through flesh and into the soul. My heart convulsed involuntarily for a brief instant, but just as quickly, everything returned to normal. I felt no lingering discomfort. But Lin Feng's side wasn't so lucky. In the blink of an eye, his followers collapsed like scattered dominoes. Even Hao Zhengyi fell flat on his back. The only ones still standing were the Soul Husk, Lin Feng, and Xiao Siyang.
Noticing I was still standing without issue, Yang Xiao gave me a faint smile. Then he leaned toward me and whispered, "Director Wu really does think highly of you. Those two short swords with the Prohibition Spell above? They're yours, right? I've dispelled the restriction—take them whenever you want. But for now, step back. You don't need to lift a finger. Just enjoy the show."
As Yang Xiao spoke to me, Yang Jun was already coldly addressing Lin Feng. "Still think you've got a chance? Take your time—use everything you've got. But if you're thinking of running, I'd advise against it. Here's a little secret for you: this place has a no-escape restriction. You can enter, but you can't leave. Wu Mian designed it years ago for someone ten times stronger than any of you. That guy couldn't escape—so don't kid yourselves."
With that said, Yang Xiao locked eyes with Lin Feng. "Lin, I didn't expect someone infested with bone maggots could still swagger around like this. But I think it's time we settled our personal accounts."
At this point, even Xiao Siyang's face was corpse-like. Lin Feng hadn't moved yet, but Xiao Siyang had already taken a half-step back. He drew in a deep breath—but didn't exhale. Instead, from every pore on his body, wisps of faint mist began to drift outward, slowly wrapping around him in a thin veil.
Xiao Siyang continued backing up, and with each step, the mist grew denser. Yang Jun squinted at him, then glanced toward Yang Xiao and said with a half-smile, "Looks like this one walked right into your trap. This old bastard's yours. I'll repay your grudge for you." As he spoke, his gaze shifted back to Lin Feng.
Yang Xiao gave Lin Feng a reluctant glance. "Just leave him alive for me."
Yang Jun chuckled. "I'll try."As his words fell, both he and Yang Xiao began moving toward Lin Feng and Xiao Siyang.
With every step they took, Lin Feng and Xiao Siyang retreated further. Their expressions were twisted with dread. The Two Yangs were now nearly where Lin and Xiao had just been standing. It seemed like the outcome was decided. But just then, the man I'd been supporting—Gao Liang—suddenly shouted, "Fall back! Retreat now!"
Though no one knew what prompted the warning, the Two Yangs both instinctively moved to withdraw. But it was too late.
At that exact instant, Hao Zhengyi, who had been playing dead at their feet, suddenly opened his eyes. At the same moment, a white shadow surged out of his body like lightning and reached for Yang Xiao's leg. Their proximity left Yang Xiao no time to dodge—the white figure grabbed him squarely.
In the instant of contact, a thin frost spread from Yang Xiao's calf, rapidly engulfing his entire body.
Yang Xiao trembled violently. A bronze spike suddenly appeared in his hand, and he hurled it at the white figure with gritted teeth. But the white shadow was faster—just as the spike was released, it twisted and vanished into mist. By the time it reformed, it was over ten meters away. Meanwhile, Yang Xiao dropped to one knee, his legs buckling.
"Wah!"He vomited a mouthful of bright red blood. As it splattered to the ground, it emitted visible white vapor, carrying a piercing chill. But after spitting up that blood, the frost covering him quickly receded. He stood up again as if nothing had happened. Still, I knew better—Yang Xiao's spells were powered by his own blood. That one mouthful likely cost him a significant portion of his strength.
The movement had been too fast. Only after Yang Xiao was hit did I realize the white figure that had split from Hao Zhengyi was none other than the Crow. But it was nothing like its earlier feeble self. I had no idea how it had recovered so thoroughly inside Hao Zhengyi in such a short time.
Seeing Yang Xiao injured, Lin Feng and Xiao Siyang sprang into action, charging straight at Yang Jun. But the distance was too great. Before they could reach him, Yang Jun pivoted and launched a savage kick at Hao Zhengyi, who was still sprawled on the ground.
It looked like Hao Zhengyi was about to be shattered by the blow—but the Crow suddenly appeared again, intercepting the kick.
The blow landed silently, but it struck with terrifying force. The Crow's body instantly dissolved into a swirl of white mist under Yang Jun's foot. The mist quickly darted away, reforming into its original shape over ten meters away.
The distraction was enough—Hao Zhengyi leapt to his feet and fell back rapidly, retreating more than ten meters to rejoin the Crow.