Chapter 160

Chapter 160

In a world like the cultivation realm, filled with spiritual energy, living for five hundred years might not be unusual.

But in this Dharma-ending world, being five hundred years old is akin to being an ancient monster.

"Is there any other news?" Shen Wang asked slowly, frowning.

Shi Yan shook his head, "That's all we know for now."

Shen Wang pondered for a few seconds, "This person is not simple. Dig as deep as possible."

He had an intuition that this mysterious elder might be related to the series of events he had encountered.

And the connection was likely profound.

"I've already arranged for it," Shi Yan also felt that the elder targeting Shen Wang and Gu Dongting was suspicious and had already sent someone to investigate.

After discussing this, Shi Yan brought up another important matter, "We're planning to close the net now."

In recent days, the Special Department had been conducting a covert investigation into the Xuanxue Association, Baiyun Temple, and the three major Xianshan, the intricate and extensive ties, and their connections with foreign entities...

After outlining the network of power, everyone gasped in shock, realizing that the domestic infiltration was far beyond their imagination.

Unbeknownst to all, a meticulously woven web had enshrouded nearly everyone in secrecy.

They had considered not startling the snake by hitting the grass, but now...

They couldn't bear it any longer.

"We need your help," Shi Yan earnestly looked at Shen Wang and Gu Dongting, pleading.

Those needing arrest were high in position and influence, ranging from sect leaders to elders, including the highly esteemed founder of the Metaphysical Association.

In such a situation, it was essential to have several powerful and respected leaders to oversee, or else, not only would the sect disciples resist, but what if they were counterattacked by these leaders and elders?

Shen Wang had no reason to refuse and agreed immediately, as did Gu Dongting.

The next day, Shen Wang and Gu Dongting led their teams to commence the arrest operation.

Shen Wang was in charge of apprehending the founder of the Metaphysical Association, Ji Wuheng.

As the founder of the metaphysical realm, Ji Wuheng's prestige was unmatched, even surpassing Gu Zankou, Gu Dongting's grandfather, who also established a special department.

Like the elder Gu, Ji Wuheng gradually faded from public view with age, becoming a living, iconic figure.

"I always thought he was an unambitious and free-spirited leader, but to think..." Shi Yan felt a complex mix of emotions.

Every young practitioner in the metaphysical realm once admired Ji Wuheng, who, unknown to them, was in collusion with a foreign island nation.

Hearing Shi Yan's words, another member of the special department couldn't help but spit out in disdain, "This man has lived through war; how could he collude with that island nation?"

The nation's deep-seated disdain for the island nation ran deep, especially considering Ji Wuheng's age and his experience with that war. His collusion with the island nation was particularly contemptible.

As they spoke, they had already arrived at Ji Wuheng's secluded residence.

This was a pastoral farm near the imperial capital, with neatly tended vegetable fields and chickens and ducks scurrying about, presenting a tranquil and serene scene.

Shen Wang glanced only once before diverting his gaze. He stepped forward and pushed open the courtyard door: "Is Chairman Ji here?"

The people behind him held their breath, involuntarily gripping their weapons tighter.

A few seconds passed before a slow response came from inside the room: "Who is it?"

Ji Wuheng then emerged.

This was Shen Wang's first encounter with Ji Wuheng. Contrary to the expected image of a sage-like figure, Ji Wuheng looked ordinary, with dark and lean features.

Rather than a mysterious and profound practitioner, his first impression was more akin to a farmer toiling in the fields, except for his eyes, which betrayed a sharpness incongruent with his simple appearance.

Upon seeing Shen Wang, Ji Wuheng narrowed his eyes: "Shen Wang."

When he saw the members of the special department behind Shen Wang, he instantly understood his predicament.

At this moment, Ji Wuheng surprisingly began to smile: "I had no idea that I, an old man, would warrant such a grand operation."

"You're no ordinary old man," Shen Wang also smiled slightly, "You're a cunning old man. Of course, we need to be cautious in dealing with you."

Ji Wuheng snorted coldly, the pretense of calm and smiles vanishing completely, leaving only a cold aura; "A bunch of green kids think they can catch me?"

Having founded the Metaphysical Association and subdued various discordant sect leaders and elders, Ji Wuheng's strength was undoubtedly formidable, his cultivation profound and inscrutable after decades of refinement.

Now, he no longer concealed his cultivation. His aura transformed repeatedly, eventually breaking through the foundation-building stage to reach the initial phase of the Bigu stage.

What was more shocking was that the spiritual energy of this leading figure in the metaphysical world contained an abundance of yin and evil energy!

"You've fallen into demonhood?!" Shi Yan exclaimed in shock, eyes wide.

No one had expected that Ji Wuheng, seemingly reclusive, had actually succumbed to the demonic path!

Ji Wuheng burst into laughter, with crimson nails floating around him: "Fallen into demonhood? In this era, with the decline of spiritual energy and the rise of yin energy, there's no such thing as falling into demonhood!"

"Evil energy is the true path!"

Before he could finish, those crimson nails tore through the air, fiercely targeting everyone.

Shen Wang narrowed his eyes slightly, his fingers twitching subtly. Pale yellow talismanic symbols met the nails mid-air, sparking a blinding white light, holding the nails at bay.

Shi Yan couldn't help but worry for Shen Wang: Ji Wuheng had reached the Bigu stage and wielded such sinister nails as weapons; it was uncertain if Shen Wang could cope.

Shen Wang observed the nails: "Such red Soul-Calming Nails... I wonder how many souls they have consumed."

Shen Wang remembered being pinned down by Soul-Calming Nails in the original text, trapped in the Tang family's old house, unable to transcend... He wondered if there was any connection between those nails and these red ones.

Ji Wuheng's attack was merciless, intending to kill everyone present before escaping, but unexpectedly someone blocked it.

His gaze darkened: "Somewhat capable, but it's a pity..."

Shen Wang, not even looking up: "I know you're jealous because I'm young and talented."

Shi Yan: "...It's this critical moment, stop joking, Brother Shen."

Enraged, Ji Wuheng intensified his assault with the crimson nails, each strike viciously aimed at Shen Wang's vital points.

Outclassing Shen Wang by a whole realm, Ji Wuheng's full-force attack overpowered Shen Wang's talismans, causing them to spontaneously combust into ashes in the air.

Shen Wang grunted, stepping back three paces.

Shi Yan panicked: "Brother Shen, are you alright?"

Shen Wang was the pillar of the group, the strongest leader among them. If he couldn't withstand, it was likely that everyone present would perish.

"I'm fine," Shen Wang said without looking back, his eyes more serious, "Form the array!"

As Ji Wuheng prepared to wipe everyone out, he saw the members of the special department suddenly start moving. When they stopped, they had formed an enigmatic and profound formation.

Ji Wuheng suddenly remembered, Shen Wang was not only skilled in talismanic arts but also in formation techniques.

Faint white lights emanated from the members of the special department, connecting with each other through barely visible white lines, all converging towards Shen Wang.

Shen Wang felt the spiritual energy coursing into his body, progressing from the mid-stage to the late-stage of foundation building... and then into the Bigu stage!

Watching Shen Wang's cultivation catch up to his own, Ji Wuheng felt a foreboding sense of doom. He glared fiercely at Shen Wang, redirecting the crimson nails towards the ordinary members of the special department.

Ji Wuheng realized that Shen Wang wouldn't be easily killed; it was better to first eliminate those setting up the formation. Clearly, they were the ones providing Shen Wang with the spiritual energy for his sudden breakthrough.

But before he could get close to those arranging the formation, a beam of white light flashed, and with several clinking sounds, the nails hit an invisible wall of energy and fell from mid-air.

Shen Wang gripped his sword: "If it's a formation, it would naturally have some defensive measures, right, Chairman Ji?"

When there was a major gap in their realms, Shen Wang could still spar evenly with Ji Wuheng, let alone now that his cultivation had risen.

Soon, Ji Wuheng lost his composure and could only defend himself in disarray: "Shen Wang! The heavens extinguish practitioners and mete out punishment. It’s the celestial will to eradicate all cultivators, unless one embraces evil and steps onto a different path. Otherwise, you too won't meet a good end!"

"The world is indifferent; no matter how talented, you're merely an ant in its eyes."

These words baffled everyone from the special department. Shen Wang's gaze shifted slightly, a thought flashing through his mind.

Thinking Shen Wang was hesitating, Ji Wuheng continued his persuasive tone: "There's no inherent good or evil in this world; it’s all just human bias..."

Before he could finish, a sharp sword light slashed across his neck.

Ji Wuheng's body, still in a defensive posture, stood with eyes wide open in disbelief. The next second, blood spurted out, and his lean body collapsed to the ground.

Shen Wang flicked the blood off his sword, his expression cold: "Don't villains die from talking too much? Haven't you learned?"

Seeing the matter resolved, Shi Yan instructed the others to release their jade talismans, causing the formation to dissipate. He quickly approached Shen Wang: "Brother Shen, how do you feel?"

As the formation vanished, the surge of spiritual energy inside Shen Wang ebbed away like a tide, leaving him momentarily weak and dizzy. Yet, he maintained his composure, feigning nonchalance: "I'm fine."

After learning about the existence of the Bigu stage, Shen Wang began devising methods to counter these advanced practitioners.

Thanks to Tang Jiu and his peculiar formation, Shen Wang had devised a way to temporarily boost cultivation: channeling the spiritual power from those in the formation to the one anchoring it.

However, due to the original formation's malevolent nature, prolonged use would drain everyone's spiritual energy within it. Thus, the effect could only last for fifteen minutes and carried certain side effects.

Therefore, Shen Wang wasted no time in dealing decisively with Ji Wuheng.

As Shen Wang coped with the aftermath of the sudden rise and loss of cultivation, Shi Yan led others to inspect Ji Wuheng's rooms. Shen Wang's gaze, meanwhile, drifted towards the crimson Soul-Calming Nails on the ground.

Someone quickly noticed his interest and obligingly gathered them: "Brother Shen, here you go."

Shen Wang paused for a moment, then gladly accepted this trophy of war.

Unnoticed by others, in Ji Wuheng's wide-open eyes, Shen Wang's face was firmly imprinted. A faint, nearly imperceptible trace of yin energy flashed by, and the image in Ji Wuheng's eyes gradually faded away.