Absolute Death Game

Thinking of the reward he was about to receive, Xiao Buli couldn’t help but hum a tune, and in a blink of an eye, he arrived at the great hall. Unlike what he had seen on the screen, standing in front of the hall in person, he felt a sense of solemn grandeur. Standing at the entrance, he carefully examined the carvings on the doors and pillars, truly works of gods and spirits. They appeared even more complex and beautiful than what he had seen at the Imperial Palace Mausoleum on his first visit.

After a long while, Xiao Buli stepped inside. Xuanxu Zi sat upright in the center, still exuding an aura of natural authority, holding a horsetail whisk in his hand and looking every bit the part of an ethereal Taoist sage. However, because of Xiao Buli’s different thoughts, no matter how he looked at Xuanxu Zi, he felt something exceedingly strange about him.

"Disciple, you’ve returned?" Xuanxu Zi didn’t open his eyes, but spoke with an inscrutable air.

Feeling an inexplicable nervousness, Xiao Buli cleared his throat and bowed respectfully, answering, "Master, your disciple has returned."

"Hmm." Xuanxu Zi gave a grunt of acknowledgment, and after a few seconds, slowly opened his eyes before speaking in a deep voice, "How did the mission go? Did you manage to investigate the reality of that place?"

"Reporting to Master, the matter has been thoroughly investigated. It turns out that beneath Wangliang Mountain, there lies a Gathering Yin Pool that attracts countless ghouls and demons. It might have been discovered today by a Protection Elder of the Taiyin Sect, who used the pool to control the Undead, and has also amassed a large number of Corpse Soldiers. It seems they have some scheme in mind. Thankfully, Master is wise and astute, sending your disciple there just in time to eliminate him before he could gather sufficient Strength. This action has spared countless lives from disaster and saved many souls. Truly, it is a deed of great virtue." These flatteries were quite pleasing to Xuanxu Zi, who slightly curled the corners of his mouth, smiling contentedly and benignly.

"Good, you’ve worked hard." Xuanxu Zi said, giving his horsetail whisk a flick.

In front of Xiao Buli’s eyes, a row of small characters appeared, system prompt: Quest ’The Conspiracy of the Taiyin Sect’ completed, 1000 Contribution Value awarded.

With a thousand Contribution Value in his pocket, Xiao Buli was quite thrilled. Now he could exchange them for even more powerful Spells. However, he wasn’t in a hurry to do so as he still had two of Xuan Zhenzi’s heads in his bag. He decided to claim his reward first.

"Master, I have made another important discovery on this trip, please take a look." As Xiao Buli spoke, he opened his inventory, reaching in to take out what he initially intended to be two heads, but upon second thought, decided to present only one.

"Master, this is the head of the defector Xuan Zhenzi, please review it." After speaking, he respectfully handed it over.

"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Xuanxu Zi was overjoyed, almost unable to contain himself, but as he had been in Disguise for a long time, it was merely a momentary lapse.

He took the package from Xiao Buli’s hands and scrutinized it, nodding his head and then shaking it, "Indeed, this is Xuan Zhenzi’s head, but unfortunately, it’s fake. However, you’ve worked hard, disciple."

System prompt: Quest ’Hunt the Defector’ completed, award received: 500 Contribution Value.

"It’s no trouble at all, serving Master is naturally my utmost effort." Seeing the Contribution Value added, Xiao Buli was overjoyed and quickly added, thinking to himself that soon he’d work hard once more to give his Master another big surprise.

"Master, should I continue to pursue this defector?" Your next journey awaits at NovelBin.Côm

Xuanxu Zi nodded: "Of course you should."

System prompt: Quest ’Hunt the Defector’ triggered, accept Yes/No?

Xiao Buli selected yes and was about to rise to leave.

"No hurry." Just as Xiao Buli was about to move, Xuanxu Zi suddenly spoke up to stop him: "Disciple, let me ask you, who did you go with to Wangliang Mountain this time?"

At this question, Xiao Buli’s heart skipped a beat, his initial instinct was to lie, but as he opened his mouth, he thought better of it. Knowing that his master would be well-informed about the affairs of the Mystic Hollow Palace, he changed his words before speaking: "Master, it was the Eldest Senior Brother who accompanied your disciple. The discovery of this secret owes much to his great merit. Shouldn’t Master reward him? Shall I go call him?" Xiao Buli quipped.

"Ha ha, rewards are naturally in order, but there’s no rush. I have another question for you, did your Eldest Senior Brother discuss anything with you during your trip?" Xuanxu Zi’s face wore a benign smile, as if he were Xiao Buli’s own kindly grandfather.

"Uh, the matter...?" Pretending to ponder, Xiao Buli was inwardly churning with anxiety. Finished, listening to Master’s words, he feared he had become suspicious of his Eldest Senior Brother, "Oh, I remember now, Senior Brother urged your disciple, mentioning that my progress in martial arts is too slow, unworthy of being Master’s disciple, and instructed me to intensify my training so that I might mature faster and alleviate Master’s worries."

"Oh! Is that so?" Xuanxu Zi didn’t seem displeased and after thinking for a moment, he asked, "Did he act strangely when he saw Xuan Zhenzi?" It seemed that Xuanxu Zi indeed harbored doubts about Gu Yuexuan, but only at the level of suspicion.

"Act strangely?" Xiao Buli again pretended to think hard, but he knew the more he said, the greater the chance of arousing Master’s suspicions; since he himself had no suspicions, it would be normal not to find any behavior strange. With this in mind, Xiao Buli shook his head, "No, but Eldest Senior Brother’s Swordsmanship is really exceptional. Along the way, I hardly had to lift a finger, he single-handedly slew all the Minor Monsters." Xiao Buli spoke of these insignificant matters.

Xuanxu Zi nodded, his expression inscrutable, revealing nothing of his thoughts, "Alright, your Eldest Senior Brother is a rather reclusive person and doesn’t communicate much with me. If you have the opportunity, keep an extra eye on him. If you discover that he is in any danger, let me know at once." Xuanxu Zi said solemnly.