An hour later.
Xu Changping returned to the outpost with a solemn expression.
Pushing open the hall door, the hall was dim, and Bi Haitian's figure could be seen standing at the top of the hall, with his back to him.
"Sect Master, I've already contacted the Dark Star in the Imperial City. There's nothing unusual in the Imperial City, they've only sent experts to Dongzhou to meet Lingyu Princess. Besides that, it's confirmed that the Grandmaster experts in the Imperial City, except for Shi Po, were not in Dongzhou before."
"Also, no abnormalities were found in the military. All the experts are either in Jushi City or in the military camp outside the city."
At this point, Xu Changping paused, glanced at the unresponsive Bi Haitian, and continued.
"In my opinion, it's highly likely that the attackers who ambushed Elder Hai and the Young Lord were not experts from the Imperial City or the military."
At this moment, Bi Haitian, who was at the top of the hall, slowly turned around, his expression gloomy with a hint of surprise.
"It wasn't the military or the Imperial Family who acted!?"
He frowned tightly.
Although Hai He's strength was that of a One Realm Grandmaster, he had been a Grandmaster for many years and possessed extremely rich combat experience.
To kill him, only top-tier experts among Two Realm Grandmasters, or even Three Realms Grandmasters, would be capable.
Most of the individuals with such strength in Southern Qi were gathered in Jushi City and military camps.
Besides them, there were only a handful of two or three people left in the Imperial City.
And now these people have been in the Imperial City all along, making it impossible for them to travel to Dongzhou. Moreover, if it were someone from the Imperial City who acted, they would naturally recognize Hai He's identity, and the Imperial Family would not have remained silent until now.
So, who could have been the one to act?
For a moment, Bi Haitian was at a loss.
It was Xu Changping below who spoke at this moment.
"According to intelligence, Lingyu Princess's trip to Dongzhou was for cooperation with Dark Star. Could it be that there were Grandmaster experts from Dark Star secretly accompanying her, and they were the ones who killed Elder Hai and the others?"
Xu Changping's words made Bi Haitian pause.
He quickly recalled the intelligence he had gathered from the Imperial Family earlier, learning that Jing Emperor intended to marry Lingyu Princess to someone from Dark Star.
He naturally knew about Dark Star, and now connecting the dots, it was indeed a possibility.
"Dark Star!?"
Thinking of this, Bi Haitian's eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing within them.
If Dark Star hadn't suddenly interfered, they wouldn't have had to take such a risky move, and they wouldn't have ended up in this situation.
"I want all information on that group from Dark Star."
He spoke slowly, his words already carrying a chilling killing intent.
Regardless of whether Dark Star was involved or not, Moyunzi's death was greatly related to these people.
He had already decided to exterminate all of them.
"Also, contact Elder Meng immediately and have him send over the batch of refined Crimson Crystal Ore from the School's warehouse. I want to see the goods within three days."
"This..."
Hearing this, Xu Changping was taken aback and spoke with some hesitation.
"But that batch of Crimson Crystal Ore cost a lot. If it's all sent over, the process of simulating the Fire God Cannon might be greatly delayed."
They were quite envious of the power of the military's Fire God Cannon.
Using the Dark Star within the military, Sea King Sect had already begun to simulate it.
For this, they had prepared a large batch of refined Crimson Crystal Ore, intending to secretly produce the Fire God Cannon.
He knew very well how much effort the Sect had put into this batch of Crimson Crystal Ore. Now, to suddenly pull it out and give it to the military, he naturally couldn't help but ask.
Bi Haitian, however, remained calm and said coldly.
"Although there are no abnormalities in the military and the Imperial Family right now, this matter might still be exposed. Use these Crimson Crystal Ore to preemptively block the military to avoid further trouble."
As he said this, Bi Haitian's heart was bleeding.
He naturally knew the value of that batch of refined Crimson Crystal Ore.
But compared to the entire Sea King Sect, what did these Crimson Crystal Ore amount to?
"This subordinate understands."
Hearing this, Xu Changping also reacted. Although unwilling, he still nodded helplessly.
"Also, didn't Northern Yan send someone to contact us before? Send someone to inform them that I will meet them in three days."
Hearing this, Xu Changping was startled and looked at the expressionless Bi Haitian with a face full of surprise, but still nodded.
"Alright, I'll go arrange it now."
With that, Xu Changping turned and hurried away, quickly disappearing.
As the heavy hall door closed, the deep hall once again plunged into darkness.
*
*
At nightfall.
Dozens of miles outside Wanghai City.
A figure abruptly appeared in the forest.
The figure was tall and strong, with messy, scattered hair draped over his shoulders, and sharp, distinct features, faintly exuding a dangerous aura.
It was Lin Sheng, who had snuck out of the city.
"The aura is getting fainter and fainter."
Lin Sheng frowned, closed his eyes, and amplified his perception to its limit.
After a long while, he finally confirmed something.
"In the west."
After a murmur, his figure shot away like lightning, and in a few leaps, he had already vanished into the jungle.
He had come out this time for nothing else but Moyunzi's mount, the Vatican Red Fire Bull.
He had a deep impression of this Yao Beast.
When he first saw it, he was quite moved.
He originally thought he had no chance, as it belonged to Sea King Sect, and he couldn't lay his hands on it.
Unexpectedly, things were unpredictable. Many times, what was meant to be yours couldn't escape.
Lin Sheng could only express his joyful acceptance of this.
He couldn't help but regret that when he killed Moyunzi at sea, he should have first asked for the location of the Red Fire Bull.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have to go through so much trouble now, having to come out and search over a large area himself.
It was only because he had remembered the Red Fire Bull's aura beforehand, and coupled with his current perception, which had reached an extremely exaggerated level after incorporating a high-perception Strange Beast, that he could faintly detect the Red Fire Bull's aura and direction.
However, even so, it took a lot of time.
Half an hour later.
Lin Sheng had already crossed over a thousand miles.
At this point, the Red Fire Bull's aura was extremely strong.
He could feel that it was not far from his current location.
A smile appeared on Lin Sheng's face.
"Good thing I didn't get it wrong."
Without further hesitation, he quickly sped towards the location.
At the same time, about a hundred miles from Lin Sheng, in a sprawling estate.
Moo—
A deep Bull Roar sounded from within the estate.
"Quick, prepare the food! That ancestor is throwing a tantrum again."
This estate was an external property of Sea King Sect. More precisely, it should be Moyunzi's private property.
As the Bull Roar sounded, Sea King Sect Disciples quickly rushed to drive the Yao Beasts, sending fresh blood and flesh.
These Yao Beasts were mostly Spirit Beasts. To feed on Spirit Beasts, given the Red Fire Bull's size, it would consume an unknown number of Spirit Beasts daily, which showed how much Moyunzi valued this Red Fire Bull.
In the backyard of the estate, a massive, crimson-bodied giant bull snorted, exhaling flames, and bit off nearly half of a thousand-pound deer in one mouthful, swallowing it clean in two or three bites.
Only after continuously devouring the flesh and blood of three Spirit Beasts did the Red Fire Bull shake its head, its two bright yellow giant eyes showing satisfaction.
A Sea King Sect Disciple carefully stepped forward to clean up the Yao Beast skeletons in the yard.
Just as he squatted down, a huge bull's head appeared right in front of him, scaring the Disciple into a cold sweat.
He quickly took out Sea King Sect's token from his Huai and waved it, but before he could sigh in relief.
The Red Fire Bull had already opened its massive mouth and swallowed him whole in one gulp.
Crack, crack, crack...
The sound of bones breaking, which made one's teeth ache, constantly echoed, causing the several Sea King Sect Disciples at the courtyard gate to feel a surge of fear.
"This is the third one in the past few days. I don't know when the Young Lord will return. If this continues, this Red Fire Bull might eat us all one day!"
"Alright, news has already come from above. An Elder will come tomorrow to take the Red Fire Bull away."
"Really? That's great! We can finally send this living ancestor away."
Hearing this, the several Sea King Sect Disciples were all excited.
Heaven knew how terrified they had been facing this bloodthirsty Yao Beast these past few days.
And just then, the Red Fire Bull, which had just been enjoying the Sea King Sect Disciple, suddenly let out an irritable roar.
Its two massive eyes were fixed on the eaves on one side of the estate.
The several Sea King Sect Disciples followed its gaze and were surprised to find that a figure had appeared on the eaves at some point.
"Will it be sent away tomorrow? Good thing I made it!"
On the eaves, Lin Sheng heard what the others said and secretly rejoiced.
If he had delayed for another night, he might have missed this Red Fire Bull tomorrow.
Moo—
As another Bull Roar sounded, the Red Fire Bull seemed provoked, its entire body ignited with crimson flames, and it charged directly at Lin Sheng like a chariot of fire.
"Already so impatient?"
Seeing this, Lin Sheng's figure instantly expanded.
Golden-yellow flames surged, and in an instant, a massive figure engulfed in flames landed in the courtyard.
However, the Red Fire Bull, which had been wildly aggressive just a second ago, suddenly stopped.
Its bull eyes were filled with apprehension and hesitation as it looked at Lin Sheng, not daring to take another step forward.
"What, are you scared already?"
Lin Sheng's lips curled, revealing a mouthful of stark white fangs.
Without any delay, his figure, like a cannonball, crashed into the Red Fire Bull in the next moment.
Moo—
The Red Fire Bull seemed provoked, the raging flames on its body grew even more intense, and the apprehension in its eyes was replaced by aggression.
Seeing Lin Sheng charging towards it, it lowered its head and charged straight back.
Its size was many times larger than Lin Sheng's.
"Is this person looking for death!!"
In the eyes of the several Sea King Sect Disciples, Lin Sheng's actions were simply suicidal.
Everything happened too fast; they didn't even have time to sound the alarm for an intruder.
The two vastly different figures had already collided solidly in their sight.
As a dull explosion sounded from the center, the several Sea King Sect Disciples instantly widened their eyes to the extreme, their faces filled with disbelief and unimaginable shock.
"This... how is this possible!!"
As the dust settled in their vision, the massive human figure stood motionless, while the Red Fire Bull's entire head was pressed into the ground by a large hand.
One could see the Red Fire Bull struggling frantically to pull its head out of the ground, but that large hand was pressing down on it like a Wanjun mountain, making it impossible to break free.
"Enemy attack... quickly inform the Sect!!!"
After a long while, the several Sea King Sect Disciples finally reacted, watching and then turning to flee.
However, as soon as they turned around, the ground beneath their feet exploded, directly engulfing them.
"Quite strong, and tough skin too! It's a waste in Sea King Sect."
Ignoring the small fry, Lin Sheng looked at the huge bull's head under his feet, his face full of joy.
He had to admit that the strength displayed by this Red Fire Bull was quite satisfying.
If it weren't for its massive size and the fact that it was a Yao Beast of Sea King Sect, making it difficult to conceal, he might have chosen to keep it.
"What a pity, rest in peace."
He murmured, and in the next moment, Lin Sheng's crimson-black hand instantly swelled into a fist.
Pfft—
It directly plunged into the Red Fire Bull's skull.
As the terrifying power fully erupted, the Red Fire Bull's massive head instantly shattered into pieces.
The Red Fire Bull's huge body twitched a few times, then quickly became still, completely dead.
"Incorporate Vatican Red Fire Bull."
With a thought, a terrifying suction force emanated from his palm.
The Red Fire Bull's massive body rapidly shrank at a visible speed.
In just a few breaths, it had clearly shrunk by several circles, its massive and robust body appearing like skin and bones, highlighting the skeleton beneath.
"Done!"
Lin Sheng exhaled, looked at the Red Fire Bull's flesh, and then struck several more palms, shattering its body.
He pulled out the heart from the body, then his figure flickered and disappeared from the spot.
A while later, amidst a commotion, dozens of Sea King Sect Disciples had arrived in the backyard. Seeing the messy scene in the backyard, especially the unrecognizable massive bull carcass, they all stood stunned.
The perpetrator had already left the estate a hundred miles away. After traveling several hundred more miles, he finally revealed his figure on top of an uninhabited low mountain.
"This operation was much smoother than I imagined."
Lin Sheng looked far towards the estate, muttering softly to himself.
He had originally thought that there would be a Sea King Sect Grandmaster expert where the Red Fire Bull was.
According to his plan, he would naturally strike decisively, kill the Red Fire Bull before the Grandmaster could react, complete the incorporation, and then leave.
Or simply kill the Grandmaster as well.
After all, there was another Sea King Sect Grandmaster on Sea King Island at that time.
Unexpectedly, after a period of perception, there were no Grandmaster experts in the estate, except for a few Divine Transformation Realm.
However, with a little thought, this situation was normal. Sea King Sect had lost a Grandmaster and the Young Lord, so the remaining Grandmaster would definitely return to the School immediately. Why would he still be guarding a Yao Beast here?
Shaking his head slightly, Lin Sheng suppressed his thoughts and brought up the Red Fire Bull's information.
"Beast Name: Vatican Red Fire Bull (Yao Beast)"
"Long red scales, three horns on its head, massive in size, powerful Physique, known for its strength, capable of controlling flames; originally a fierce and easily irritable low-level Yao Beast, its strength improved after consuming a large amount of spiritual materials in its Acquired stage..."
"Incorporation Requirements: Physique 13, Strength 13"
"Incorporation Effects: Strength Boost 16, Physique Enhancement 16"
"Talent: Giant Strength (Level 5)"
"Talent: Vatican Red Fire"