Chapter 95: The True Face of Daofan

"Fellow Daoist, if you want to laugh, just laugh. Holding it in is bad for your health," Zhou Qi suggested.

Hearing this, Dao Fan suddenly straightened his expression and offered an apology with a bow: "My apologies, please forgive me. Even though you took his trousers, you also saved his life. It was truly wrong of me to mock you."

"I should actually thank you for not suppressing me as a brigand," Zhou Qi replied with a smile. Upholding justice and protecting the weak were core tenets of the Daoist sects. The Daoist heir would likely be even more committed to this; others might not insist on it, but Dao Fan might be different.

"You jest, Fellow Daoist. I never expected your physical body to be so formidable; you are completely unaffected by this place. Why don't we travel together?" Dao Fan suggested.

Zhou Qi was deeply reluctant. He still needed to venture deeper into the Dragon Burial Valley to retrieve the Dragon Pearl. If he were with Dao Fan, how could he shake him off?

However, there was only one path leading further in. It would be suspicious to refuse unless he stayed behind, but he figured he would just have to find a way to avoid him later. "I can already feel significant pressure here," Zhou Qi said. "I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany you much further."

"No matter, go as far as you can," Dao Fan said with a wave of his hand, completely unconcerned.

Zhou Qi had no choice but to follow. Dao Fan moved exceptionally quickly, as if the malevolent energy had no effect on him at all. Zhou Qi was forced to refine the killing intent while trying to keep pace.

Along the way, they caught glimpses of other cultivators who bowed to Dao Fan from afar. Dao Fan stared straight ahead, as if he hadn't noticed them. To this point, Dao Fan had not explained his identity to Zhou Qi, and Zhou Qi had not asked, nor would he dream of revealing his own true identity.

The deeper they ventured, the thicker the malevolent energy became, and the more intense the intent of destruction grew. Zhou Qi finally began to feel the pressure, and cracks began to appear on his skin. Dao Fan had long since removed his robes, revealing a torso like white jade to better absorb the erosion of the destructive intent; small fissures were now appearing on his skin as well.

The two stopped, silently enduring the sensation of their bodies being torn apart, only to have them rapidly recover under the influence of their own vital functions. With every cycle of tearing and healing, they could clearly feel their bodies growing stronger and their defenses becoming more formidable.

After staying for half a day, the malevolent energy in this area could no longer inflict damage, and the killing intent was silently absorbed. The two moved on, searching further ahead. There was still no sign of the Spirit Burial Sea the giant dragon had spoken of; they had no idea how much further it lay.

Zhou Qi had no idea how much further Dao Fan intended to go. With no way to shake him off, he had to focus on refining his body. If Dao Fan stayed here for months, Huangfu Xiu would surely perish.

After traveling another few thousand meters, the malevolent energy here reached an overwhelming level. The intense destructive intent seeped into everything; Zhou Qi’s flesh and blood were constantly dissolving inside and out, leaving him drenched in his own blood. He silently channeled the second transformation of the Heavenly Mystery technique, finally reaching a precarious balance with the destructive intent.

The killing intent here was even more concentrated, assailing him from all sides as if it could extinguish his existence at any moment. Zhou Qi divided his focus, simultaneously channeling his technique and slowly refining this boundless hostility. If he could fully refine this intent, he could repel enemies with it alone, leaving them in such terror that they would be unable to summon the will to resist.

Dao Fan’s situation was similar; his entire body was covered in blood as he struggled to endure.

Zhou Qi, preoccupied, did not pay much attention to Dao Fan. After an unknown amount of time, he felt a tremendous force strike him in the back.

"Boom!" Zhou Qi was sent flying dozens of meters forward. The flow of his second transformation was instantly disrupted, and he felt the destructive intent rage even more violently, causing blood to spray from his entire body.

"You..." Zhou Qi spat out a mouthful of blood and looked back. The blood-soaked Dao Fan was gone, replaced by a figure completely shrouded in heavy Daoist robes.

"Fellow Daoist, I should call you Zhou Qi, shouldn't I?" Dao Fan smiled.

"I treated you as a fellow traveler, why would you do this?" Zhou Qi coughed up another mouthful of blood. Hearing his true name, he realized his identity had been exposed.

"When I met you that day, I noticed you were with two members of the demon race. I have possessed a Heavenly Eye since childhood, capable of seeing through all illusions; I know the race of any being at a glance. I was merely curious and chose not to expose you," Dao Fan said smugly.

"Afterward, I had someone investigate your background. I never expected you to come from the Huangfu clan under the name Zhou Qi. I happened to capture a seventh-level Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Heavenly Dao Sect who was secretly hunting a man named Zhou Qi. Through soul-searching, I discovered that this Zhou Qi might have obtained the Medicine Immortal's Holy Mansion. Fellow Daoist, are you that Zhou Qi?"

"Since you knew my identity, why wait until now to act?" Zhou Qi asked bitterly. He felt he had misjudged the man; he had thought Dao Fan was decent, but this was his true face.

"If I had acted outside, the Daoist sects would have known, and the Holy Mansion would likely not have ended up with me. I am a very cautious man. I just didn't expect your body to be so tough that you made it this far. That's fine, though—now, no one will know."

"If you are sensible, hand over the Medicine Immortal's Holy Mansion immediately. It is a pity that spiritual energy cannot be used here, or soul-searching would be much easier. But that matters little. Those two foxes are your lovers, aren't they? If you want them to remain unharmed, I suggest you cooperate," Dao Fan said with a sinister smile.

"What? You laid hands on them? Dao Fan, as a Daoist heir, how can you act this way? Are you not afraid of the world's contempt?" Zhou Qi said in shock and fury, spitting out more blood.

"Rest assured, they are merely being entertained as guests. Do not lose your temper; I would hate for you to be killed by this destructive intent by mistake. Talk, and talk well. With this Heavenly Silk protecting me, I have all the time in the world. The sooner you confess, the less you will suffer," Dao Fan said, watching Zhou Qi triumphantly.

"Dao Fan, were your concerns for the human race and your views on the world's situation that day all lies?" Zhou Qi asked, unable to accept the betrayal.

"Of course they were true. That is why I must seize every opportunity to grow stronger. I am only at the early Golden Core stage; it is too slow. Only by becoming strong quickly can I have a voice and reverse the plight of the human race. Brother Zhou, this is my ideal and my conviction. If no one wakes up, the human race will eventually perish. If you still have the heart of a human, why not help me? If you agree to hand over the Holy Mansion, I will let you go, and those two foxes will be fine. Wherever I go in the future, there will be a place for you!" Dao Fan said, his voice trembling with excitement.

"Hahaha..." Zhou Qi laughed uncontrollably, blood continuing to pour from his wounds.

"What are you laughing at?"

"I laugh because you are too naive, too arrogant, and too shameless. With your character, to preach about the 'human race'—it is nothing more than your own selfish greed. That someone like you would dream of changing the world is simply laughable!" Zhou Qi shouted.

"There are a thousand paths, but it is a pity you chose the most miserable one," Dao Fan said, flushed with anger.