Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao

Chapter 1403 - 143: Deceit and Betrayal

Guang Shu, speaking, glanced at a certain position on the platform and said: "We have agreed to first break through all resistance, then search for the Soul-devouring Pearl. Once we find it, we compete, and whoever has the ability takes it, and we won’t trouble each other further, allowing the other a way to live."

The man finished speaking, his gaze fixed on the Mantis Woman.

The Mantis Woman let out a bitter laugh and said: "I’ve always thought this way, it’s just you like to doubt, so I have to be more cautious. Besides, I am ultimately a woman, in many aspects inherently at a disadvantage, not as capable as you.

What’s more, my Realm is about two levels lower than yours, what is there to worry about?"

After she said this, the woman proactively began decoding the mysterious Rune Array on the platform, though she occasionally glanced at Guang Shu.

The man, however, did not constantly watch the woman, instead focusing more on the traces on the platform.

The situation persisted, the scene falling temporarily into a rare state of tranquility.

The man occasionally observed changes on the platform, then looked up at the changes inside the sand tower, his face showing slight signs of confusion, evidently facing some unsolvable key problem.

The woman began concentrating on deciphering the Array Patterns, which in her hands quickly started to unravel, dissolving bit by bit.

Her face also gradually paled a few shades, then she would rest for a few minutes after every breakdown.

The man, seemingly unnoticed, paced back and forth on the platform, occasionally sensing changes inside the sand tower, seemingly very afraid of a collapse or sudden eruption of flames.

This vigilance is very necessary.

Because Zhou Yan also sensed this possibility, though it didn’t seem as severe as the man portrayed, being only somewhat possible.

The likelihood is low, at most a very small probability, and even if there were no precautions, there would be time to react when necessary, so the man’s behavior really seemed quite odd.

Of course, those who don’t understand the key points can’t see this flaw.

Zhou Yan’s research on the Emperor Pattern lies in the complete Tai Chu Rune, a true Grandmaster in this area; otherwise, even Jiang Xinli couldn’t decipher the Array Patterns, Zhou Yan wouldn’t be able to do so easily.

Thus, the man’s actions, seen by Zhou Yan, had many flaws that the woman might not be able to discern.

And the woman?

Zhou Yan had been observing her for a long time; she certainly wasn’t of a benevolent nature, as Zhou Yan had long seen her ruthlessly devouring Eternal Life Beings. This Mantis Woman was certainly not of good character.

The woman seemed to be significantly depleting energy, but in reality, the depletion exceeded normal conditions only as a guise, a false state of being bound, whereas she had no restrictions.

Deciphering those simple Array Patterns on the platform truly didn’t require much energy consumption, nor were those unique Secret Techniques difficult.

Therefore, the man is deceiving, numbing the woman, and the woman isn’t any good either, equally deceiving him.

The key is who strikes first.

This kind of calculation, Zhou Yan saw for the first time in the Eternal Life Domain, causing some heart-racing feelings.

Of course, when he had seen Qian Luoshui and been calculated by her, it wasn’t really calculation, at most just a tactic, because neither Qian Luoshui nor the splendid Fairy truly intended to take Zhou Yan’s life.

But this Mantis Woman and the man named ’Guang Shu’ were definitely toxic scorpion-hearted beings.

While Zhou Yan was observing, the woman suddenly let out a dull hum, spitting out a mouthful of black blood.

"What’s happening? How could I be afflicted with Soul Poison—you, Guang Shu, did you plot against me?"

The woman’s face suddenly changed drastically, turning pale as she looked at the man named Guang Shu.

Guang Shu, surprised, regained his composure, staring dazedly at the Mantis Woman, somewhat puzzled and said: "One Autumn, what are you saying? I plotted against you? If Guang Shu were to plot against you, we would have already taken you down with Feng Li as soon as I agreed, why bother with such complexity?"

Guang Shu frowned, seemingly infuriated by the suspicion from the woman named One Autumn.

One Autumn coldly said: "No need to explain, I’ve been guarding against you all along, didn’t expect to still fall into your trap. I just don’t know how you inflicted this unique Soul Poison without me noticing."

One Autumn’s face was cold, her body trembled as she spat out another mouthful of blood.

This time, her brow even twitched as if a rat was struggling and moving around inside, twitching.

Guang Shu did not speak, yet continued to stare intently at One Autumn.

Until her Eternal Spirit suddenly shook, detaching from her Soul Body, flying out from her forehead and growing exceptionally old, Guang Shu revealed a relaxed expression.

"How was the poison inflicted? Previously, I planted slave natured Soul Poison in Feng Li’s Eternal Spirit; now the poison has truly entered your Eternal Spirit, just waiting for me to control Feng Li’s conscious will, you will be at my command."

"Now, open your Eternal Spirit’s legs well, then serve me well! As long as I’m satisfied, treating you well isn’t a problem. As for the Soul-devouring Pearl here, I’ll also grant you the cultivation qualification, rest assured!"

Guang Shu suddenly laughed coldly, his smile revealing extreme cruelty and indecency.

One Autumn’s face was deathly pale. She glared at Guang Shu with humiliation and anger, unwilling to submit.

At this moment, Guang Shu approached her carelessly, but the Array Patterns and unique Secret Technique rules around her suddenly burst forth violently.

Simultaneously, the Eternal Spirit within One Autumn, which had been parched, suddenly became completely whole, and her twin blades emitted a ferocious killing intent.

At this moment, her abilities erupted to their peak. Her formidable Strength shook the Heavenly Vault, and the unique Array Patterns and Secret Technique exploded, locking onto the man named Guang Shu.

However, Guang Shu twisted suddenly and dodged this deadly strike.

"I knew from the start you were no ordinary woman! Submit to me!"

He also unleashed a terrifying killing intent as the two Lifeforms erupted into a fierce battle.

However, Zhou Yan discerned that the woman named One Autumn was not poisoned at all. The supposed poisoning was merely a ruse. Guang Shu was unaware of this and believed that the woman’s explosive combat power was a desperate attempt at a swift victory.

This misjudgment alone was enough to determine the final outcome.

Yet Zhou Yan remained still, continuing to observe the unfolding changes.

The mental and strategic maneuvering here was truly formidable, with each move exceptionally deft.

While watching, Zhou Yan saw the woman indeed begin to falter, and just when Guang Shu thought he could finally capture her, she unleashed an even more terrifying power, sweeping through with overwhelming force, completely obliterating him.

After destroying him, One Autumn again devoured and refined his Eternal Spirit in the same manner.

Yet, in Zhou Yan’s eyes, the woman had obviously recovered more than half, but she still feigned a state of severe injury, even acting as if her poisoning hadn’t been alleviated.

Why would this woman act like this?

Zhou Yan felt puzzled, but immediately considered that she might be concerned there were others lurking around, waiting to take advantage of her hard-earned gains.

Such cautiousness and calculation were indeed formidable.

Zhou Yan remained calm and continued to watch.

Sure enough, as the chaos at the scene gradually dissipated and the woman didn’t sense any particular danger, she finally stood up in relief.

Then, she began to continue her deciphering, but at a certain moment, she suddenly looked up, scanning the surroundings before lowering her head and assuming a highly guarded stance.

"Come out, you’ve been hiding for so long, I sensed you ages ago!"

"What, still too afraid to show yourself even now, fearing a woman who’s been severely injured?"

"Hmph, if you don’t come out, I won’t continue to unlock the treasures here, and I’ll keep recovering my injuries. If you don’t seize the moment now, you won’t have any advantage later!"

The woman spoke coldly.

Yet, nothing unusual happened following her words.

And so, she sat down, concentrating and holding breath, beginning to Cultivate and recover just as she had declared.

Zhou Yan showed no interest in responding to her words, as her so-called detection was mere deception. He had used such tricks himself countless times; how could he fall for it?

The woman continued her recovery, though she hadn’t really suffered much; she portrayed her injuries as unhealed, even worsening by degrees.

If not possessing a powerful Soul to see through it all, perhaps even with the Thunder Seal in his possession, Zhou Yan might have been fooled by such appearances.

This alone was enough to show how remarkable her mindset was.

Zhou Yan cared little and didn’t concern himself with the killing intent left when she unlocked those unknown Array Patterns.

He kept waiting.

Waiting for an opportunity to arise.

Indeed, after the woman resumed a portion of her recovery, she continued to unseal.

This time, the process went smoothly, and in less than an hour, a unique Space was opened—a small square Space.

The Space wasn’t large, about a hundred square feet.

Inside, there was an ancient tomb, and hanging in the center of the tomb was a blood-colored orb.

This blood-colored orb resembled an eyeball.