hòu zhòng de shí mén dǎ kāi ， liǎng wèi lǎo zhě de shēn yǐng xiǎn xiàn le chū lái ， xū fà jiē bái ， què háo wú lǎo tài ， fǎn ér yǒu yī zhǒng piāo rán chū chén zhī gǎn ， jiù xiàng shì chuán shuō zhōng de shén xiān yì bān 。
厚重的石门打开，两位老者的身影显现了出来，须发皆白，却毫无老态，反而有一种飘然出尘之感，就像是传说中的神仙一般。
The heavy stone door opened, revealing the figures of two elders. Their beards and hair were all white, yet they showed no signs of age; instead, they exuded a transcendent aura, much like deities from legends.
wéi yī bù tóng de shì ， zuǒ biān zhī rén zuò dào shì dǎ bàn ， yòu biān de lǎo zhě zé chuān zhe qīng shān 。
唯一不同的是，左边之人做道士打扮，右边的老者则穿着青衫。
The only difference was that the elder on the left wore Taoist robes while the one on the right wore a green robe.
“ dì zǐ cān jiàn shī bó 。” tài bái jiàn xiān hé ōu yáng qín xīn tóng shí gōng jìng de xíng le yī lǐ 。
“弟子参见师伯。”太白剑仙和欧阳琴心同时恭敬的行了一礼。
"Disciple pays respects to Senior Uncle," Great White Sword Immortal and Ouyang Qinxin simultaneously performed a respectful bow.
lǎo zhě què huǎng rú wèi jué 。
老者却恍如未觉。
However, the elder seemed not to notice them at all.
liǎng wèi níng dān qī gāo shǒu liǎn shàng sī háo méi yǒu bù nài fán de biǎo qíng ， jiù zhè me gōng jìng de zhàn zài yī biān 。
两位凝丹期高手脸上丝毫没有不耐烦的表情，就这么恭敬的站在一边。
The two Condensation Core experts did not show any signs of impatience as they stood respectfully by their side.
liáng jiǔ 。
良久。
After a long while, the elder on the left drew in the mist surrounding his body and slowly opened his eyes. "Did you two fail to bring back the Heavenly Dust Pill?"
zuǒ shǒu biān de lǎo zhě jiāng yíng rào zài shēn tǐ zhōu wéi de wù qì xī rù dù lǐ ， huǎn huǎn zhēng kāi le yǎn ：“ nǐ men liǎ méi yǒu jiāng tiān chén dān dài huí lái ？”
左手边的老者将萦绕在身体周围的雾气吸入肚里，缓缓睁开了眼：“你们俩没有将天尘丹带回来？”
"Senior Uncle's forgiveness is requested. That Malevolent Tyrant Demon was cornered and destroyed the spirit pill," Ouyang Qinxin replied.
“ shī bó shù zuì ， nà tiān shā mó jūn zǒu tóu wú lù ， huǐ qù le líng dān 。\\\\\”
“师伯恕罪，那天煞魔君走投无路，毁去了灵丹。\\\\\”
"Hmm, recount the events that transpired in detail."
“ ń ， nǐ jiāng dāng shí de qíng jǐng xì xì jiǎng lái 。”
“嗯，你将当时的情景细细讲来。”
"Yes, Senior Uncle." Compared to the cold-hearted Ouyang Qinxin, Great White Sword Immortal was more skilled with words, so he immediately narrated the events that occurred in Kuinyan Mountain Range to the elder.
“ shì ， shī bó 。” yǔ xìng gé lěng ào de ōu yáng qín xīn xiāng bǐ ， tài bái jiàn xiān gèng shàn cháng yán cí ， dāng jí yóu tā jiāng fā shēng zài kuí yīn shān mài de yí mù ， xiàng lǎo zhě xiáng xì xù shù 。
“是，师伯。”与性格冷傲的欧阳琴心相比，太白剑仙更擅长言辞，当即由他将发生在奎阴山脉的一幕，像老者详细叙述。
"What, did that Extreme Evil Sovereign also go there?" Although the earlier part of their story involved many dangers, the elder's expression remained calm until they mentioned the Extreme Evil Sovereign. At this point, the婴期 (Incubation Stage) old monster was visibly moved: "Truly that old monster. Did you not make a mistake?"
“ shén me ， jí è mó zūn nà jiā huo yě qù le ？” qián miàn bù fèn suī rán yě pǒ duō xiōng xiǎn ， dàn lǎo zhě de biǎo qíng què yì zhí shì hěn píng dàn ， zhí dào tīng shuō jí è mó zūn ， zhè yuán yīng qī lǎo guài cái sǒng rán dòng róng ：“ zhēn shì nà lǎo guài wù ， nǐ méi yǒu nòng cuò ？”
“什么，极恶魔尊那家伙也去了？”前面部分虽然也颇多凶险，但老者的表情却一直是很平淡，直到听说极恶魔尊，这元婴期老怪才耸然动容：“真是那老怪物，你没有弄错？”
"Report to Senior Uncle, the Demon Sovereign's appearance differs from his portrait, and his cultivation is only at the middle stage of Condensation Core. The Malevolent Tyrant Demon said so, and the Blood Demon Ancestor follows him as well," Ouyang Qinxin reported.
“ qǐ bǐng shī bó ， mó zūn de róng mào yǔ huà xiàng bù tóng ， ér qiě xiū wèi zhǐ yǒu níng dān zhōng qī zuǒ yòu ， dàn tiān shā mó jūn shì zhè me shuō de ， ér qiě xuè yāo lǎo zǔ yě wéi tā mǎ shǒu shì zhān ， tā hái néng shǐ yòng wàn hún fān “ néng shǐ yòng wàn hún fān ？” lǎo dào shì chén yín le yī xià ：“ zhè me kàn lái ， zhēn shì jí è le ， bì jìng yuán yīng qī xiū shì de běn mìng fǎ bǎo ， chú le běn rén 。\\\\\ qí tā rén shì bù néng gòu shǐ yòng de ， nǐ jiē zhe shuō ……”
“启禀师伯，魔尊的容貌与画像不同，而且修为只有凝丹中期左右，但天煞魔君是这么说的，而且血妖老祖也唯他马首是瞻，他还能使用万魂幡“能使用万魂幡？”老道士沉吟了一下：“这么看来，真是极恶了，毕竟元婴期修士的本命法宝，除了本人。\\\\\其他人是不能够使用的，你接着说……”
"Can he use the Ten Thousand Souls Banner?" The old Taoist pondered for a moment. "Based on this, it is indeed Extreme Evil. After all, no one other than the Incubation Stage cultivator can use their own命宝 (Life-Bearing Treasure). Continue,"
dà yuē bàn gè shí chén hòu 。
大约半个时辰后。
---
“ shì qíng jiù shì zhè yàng ， wǒ yǔ shī mèi wèi néng qǔ huí tiān chén dān ， qǐng shī bó zé fá 。”
“事情就是这样，我与师妹未能取回天尘丹，请师伯责罚。”
About half an hour later.
“ bà le ， jì rán jí è nà lǎo jiā huǒ qīn lín ， jiù suàn jǐn jǐn shì yuán shén fù tǐ ， yě bú shì nǐ men néng gòu kàng héng de ， cǐ nǎi wǒ dì shū hū ， nǐ men bù bì zì zé 。” lǎo zhě tàn le kǒu qì 。 biǎo qíng cí hé 。
“罢了，既然极恶那老家伙亲临，就算仅仅是元神附体，也不是你们能够抗衡的，此乃我地疏忽，你们不必自责。”老者叹了口气。表情慈和。
"Such was the matter. We were unable to retrieve the Heavenly Dust Pill and ask for your punishment."
“ xiè shī bó ！”
“谢师伯！”
"Never mind. Since that old monster personally came, even if it's just his soul possessing a body, you two couldn't have resisted him. This is my oversight; there's no need for self-blame," the elder sighed with a gentle expression.
“ nǐ men tuì xià ba ！”
“你们退下吧！”
"Thank Senior Uncle!"
“ shì ！”
“是！”
"You may retire now!"
tài bái jiàn xiān hé ōu yáng qín xīn xíng le yī lǐ ， gōng jìng de tuì le xià qù 。
太白剑仙和欧阳琴心行了一礼，恭敬的退了下去。
"Yes!"
“ zhào shī dì ， nǐ kàn cǐ shì jiū jìng yǒu hé xuán jī ， wǒ men jǐ gè lǎo jiā huǒ dìng xià mì yì ， jiē bù chā shǒu tiān chén dān de qiǎng duó 。 wèi le hù xiāng qiān zhì ， dāng shí míng míng zài wèn xiān gé xià qí ， jí è zěn me néng gòu fēn shēn zài dào kuí yīn shān mài qù le ？”
“赵师弟，你看此事究竟有何玄机，我们几个老家伙定下密议，皆不插手天尘丹的抢夺。为了互相牵制，当时明明在问仙阁下棋，极恶怎么能够分身再到奎阴山脉去了？”
Great White Sword Immortal and Ouyang Qinxin performed a respectful bow before retreating.
“ zhè ge ……” qīng shān lǎo zhě zhēng kāi yǎn jīng ， méi tóu jǐn suǒ ， yě kāi shǐ le chén yín ， tū rán ， tā liǎn sè yī biàn ， yǐn yǐn jìng tòu chū yī sī jīng kǒng 。
“这个……”青衫老者睁开眼睛，眉头紧锁，也开始了沉吟，突然，他脸色一变，隐隐竟透出一丝惊恐。
"S Brother, what do you think of the underlying implications in this matter? We old fellows have secretly decided not to interfere in the Heavenly Dust Pill's acquisition. How could Extreme Evil be able to split his body and go to Kuinyan Mountain Range when he was clearly playing chess with us?"
zhè fān biǎo qíng chū xiàn zài yuán yīng qī xiū shì shēn shàng 。 zhe shí yǒu xiē bù kě sī yì ， lǎo dào shì yě shí fēn jīng yí ：“ zěn me le ， shī dì ， nǐ xiǎng qǐ le hé shì ？”
这番表情出现在元婴期修士身上。着实有些不可思议，老道士也十分惊疑：“怎么了，师弟，你想起了何事？”
"This…" The elder in green robes opened his eyes, furrowing his brows as he began to ponder. Suddenly, his expression changed, revealing a hint of fear.
“ shī xiōng ， yǔ wǒ men duì yì de jí è mó zūn ， jué bù kě néng shì rén mào míng dǐng tì 。\\\”
“师兄，与我们对弈的极恶魔尊，绝不可能是人冒名顶替。\\\”
This kind of expression on an Incubation Stage cultivator was truly inconceivable. The old Taoist was also greatly surprised: "What is it, Brother? Did you recall something?"
“ fèi huà ， nǐ wǒ èr rén ， zài jiā shàng léi yún shān zhuāng yǔ yī xiàn xiá de liǎng gè lǎo guài wù 。 dōu shì yuán yīng qī de cún zài ， shì zhēn shì jiǎ ， nán dào hái huì kàn bù chū lái ？” lǎo dào shì fú rán bù yuè 。
“废话，你我二人，再加上雷云山庄与一线峡的两个老怪物。都是元婴期的存在，是真是假，难道还会看不出来？”老道士怫然不悦。
"Senior Brother, the Extreme Evil Sovereign we played against could not have been someone pretending to be him,"
“ shī xiōng ， xiǎo dì bú shì zhè ge yì si 。” qīng shān lǎo zhě tàn le kǒu qì ：“ nǐ xiǎng ， yǔ wǒ men duì yì de mó zūn shì zhēn rén ， kě zhāng tài bái nà xiǎo zi què shuō hái yǒu yí gè jí è mó zūn chū xiàn zài kuí yīn shān mài ， xiàng mào suī rán bù tóng ， què kě yǐ shǐ yòng wàn hún fān zhè lèi běn mìng fǎ bǎo 。 cǐ yì wèi zhe shén me ， shī xiōng nán dào hái xiǎng bù chū lái me ？”
“师兄，小弟不是这个意思。”青衫老者叹了口气：“你想，与我们对弈的魔尊是真人，可张太白那小子却说还有一个极恶魔尊出现在奎阴山脉，相貌虽然不同，却可以使用万魂幡这类本命法宝。此意味着什么，师兄难道还想不出来么？”
"Of course not. You and I, along with the two old monsters from Thunder Cloud Manor and One-Line Gorge, are all Incubation Stage beings. How could it be a fake?" The old Taoist was clearly displeased.
“ nǐ shì shuō ……” lǎo dào shì zhāng kǒu jié shé ， sì hū yě bèi zì jǐ de cāi cè xià le yī tiào ， suí jí shēng yīn tí dé lǎo gāo ：“ bù kě néng ， nǐ shì shuō nà lǎo mó liàn jiù le dì èr yuán shén ？”
“你是说……”老道士张口结舌，似乎也被自己的猜测吓了一跳，随即声音提得老高：“不可能，你是说那老魔练就了第二元神？”
"But Senior Brother, that's not what I meant." The elder in green sighed: "Think about it, the Demon Sovereign we played against is real, but Zhang Taibai said another Extreme Evil Sovereign appeared in Kuinyan Mountain Range. Although their appearances differ, they can use life-bearing treasures like the Ten Thousand Souls Banner. What does this mean? Can't Senior Brother figure it out?"
“ méi shén me bù kě néng 。****” qīng shān lǎo zhě de biǎo qíng zé yào píng jìng dé duō ；“ yǔ wǒ men zhèng dào dì jǐ gè lǎo jiā huǒ jǐn jǐn zài yuán yīng chū qī pái huái bù tóng ， nà lǎo mó kě shì jìn rù zhōng qī le ， xiū mó zhě de gōng fǎ běn jiù guǐ yì 。 lǎo guài wù jiù suàn shì liàn chéng le dì èr yuán shén yě zài qíng lǐ zhī zhōng 。”
“没什么不可能。****”青衫老者的表情则要平静得多；“与我们正道地几个老家伙仅仅在元婴初期徘徊不同，那老魔可是进入中期了，修魔者的功法本就诡异。老怪物就算是练成了第二元神也在情理之中。”
"You're saying…" The old Taoist was speechless, seemingly shocked by his own guess. He then raised his voice: "Impossible! You're saying that old monster cultivated a second Incarnation Soul?"
lǎo dào shì mò rán 。 suī rán xīn yǒu bù gān ， dàn bù dé bù chéng rèn 。 jí è nà jiā huo de tiān fèn què shí chāo guò zì jǐ zhè xiē rén 。
老道士默然。虽然心有不甘，但不得不承认。极恶那家伙的天分确实超过自己这些人。
"There's nothing impossible about it." The elder in green remained calm: "Unlike us, who are only at the early stages of Incubation Stage, that old monster has entered the middle stage. As magic cultivators' techniques are inherently strange, it is within reason for an old monster to cultivate a second Incarnation Soul."
tā de biǎo qíng biàn dé níng zhòng qǐ lái ：“ rú guǒ shì zhēn de huà ， nà kě jiù hěn má fán ， dì èr yuán shén ， wǒ men yōu zhōu dì xiū zhēn jiè ， zhì shǎo yǒu qiān nián méi yǒu rén liàn chéng zhè zhǒng shén tōng ， nán dào zhēn de shì dào xiāo mó zhǎng ？”
他的表情变得凝重起来：“如果是真的话，那可就很麻烦，第二元神，我们幽州地修真界，至少有千年没有人练成这种神通，难道真的是道消魔涨？”
The old Taoist fell silent. Although he was unwilling to accept this, he had to admit that Extreme Evil's talent indeed surpassed theirs.
“ shī xiōng dào yě bù bì guò yú dān xīn 。” qīng shān lǎo zhě wēi wēi yī xiào ：“ cóng zhāng tài bái de miáo shù lái kàn ， jí è mó zūn de dì èr yuán shén yě jiù gāng gāng níng dān ， xiū wèi bìng bú shì hěn gāo ， shī xiōng nǐ zhī dào ， dì èr yuán shén jié yīng ， yào bǐ chū cì jié yīng nán shàng shù bèi ， ér qiě yí dàn shī bài ， lián dì yī yuán shén yě huì dà wèi shòu sǔn ， lǎo mó bù yí dìng gǎn jìn xíng zhè zhǒng cháng shì ， tā tiān fèn suī gāo ， dàn xiǎng yào jiāng liǎng gè yuán shén de xiū wèi liàn dé yī yàng ， jié chū liǎng gè yuán yīng ， dá dào shuāng yīng hé yī de jìng jiè yīng gāi shì méi yǒu xī wàng 。”
“师兄倒也不必过于担心。”青衫老者微微一笑：“从张太白的描述来看，极恶魔尊的第二元神也就刚刚凝丹，修为并不是很高，师兄你知道，第二元神结婴，要比初次结婴难上数倍，而且一旦失败，连第一元神也会大为受损，老魔不一定敢进行这种尝试，他天分虽高，但想要将两个元神的修为练得一样，结出两个元婴，达到双婴合一的境界应该是没有希望。”
His expression became grave: "If true, then things will be quite troublesome. Second Incarnation Souls have not been cultivated in our cultivation world for at least a thousand years. Could it really be the decline of Dao and rise of magic?"
“ kě jiù suàn shì zhè yàng ， yǒu le dì èr yuán shén fǔ zhù ， lǎo mó de xiū wèi yě huì dà zhǎng 。” lǎo dào shì hái shì xiǎn de yōu xīn chōng chōng ：“ suī rán tā de dì èr yuán shén jǐn jǐn shì níng dān ， dàn lǎo mó dì shí lì jué bú shì yí gè yuán yīng qī jiā yí gè níng dān qī zhè me jiǎn dān 。”
“可就算是这样，有了第二元神辅助，老魔的修为也会大涨。”老道士还是显得忧心忡忡：“虽然他的第二元神仅仅是凝丹，但老魔地实力绝不是一个元婴期加一个凝丹期这么简单。”
"You needn't worry too much," the elder in green smiled slightly: "From Zhang Taibai's description, Extreme Evil Sovereign's second Incarnation Soul is only just forming its Condensation Core, so his cultivation isn't very high. You know that cultivating a second Incarnation Soul after the first one is ten times harder, and if it fails, even the primary Incarnation Soul will be greatly damaged. The old monster might not dare to attempt this; although he has great talent, achieving two Incarnation Souls with equal cultivation and merging them into a dual Incarnation Realm should be impossible."
“ zhè wǒ dāng rán qīng chǔ ， yào bù rán xiū liàn dì èr yuán shén yě bú huì shì yuán yīng xiū shì wēi lì zuì dà de jǐ zhǒng shén tōng zhī yī ， bù guò nà yòu rú hé ， mó dào xiàn zài yě yǒu tā yí gè yuán yīng qī de lǎo guài wù ， wǒ men zhè biān tóng jiē de cún zài què yǒu sì gè zhī duō ， zú gòu yā zhì tā le ， zhǐ shì ……” shuō dào zhè lǐ ， qīng shān lǎo zhě de liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī yí hàn de shén sè ：“ yuán běn xiǎo dì shàng cì jiǎo xìng jié yīng chéng gōng ， jiā shàng shī xiōng ， wǒ men bì yún shān yōng yǒu le liǎng gè yuán yīng qī de xiū shì ， suī rán hái yǔ yī xiàn xiá hé léi yún shān zhuāng bìng liè sān jù tóu ， qí shí shí lì yǐ jīng yuǎn yuǎn chāo guò le tā men ， rú guǒ zài gěi wǒ men bǎi zài …… bù ， wǔ shí nián de shí jiān jiù gòu le ， wǒ men bì yún shān yí dìng néng gòu yī tǒng zhèng dào ， chēng bà yōu zhōu ， kě xiàn zài ……”
“这我当然清楚，要不然修炼第二元神也不会是元婴修士威力最大的几种神通之一，不过那又如何，魔道现在也有他一个元婴期的老怪物，我们这边同阶的存在却有四个之多，足够压制他了，只是……”说到这里，青衫老者的脸上露出一丝遗憾的神色：“原本小弟上次侥幸结婴成功，加上师兄，我们碧云山拥有了两个元婴期的修士，虽然还与一线峡和雷云山庄并列三巨头，其实实力已经远远超过了他们，如果再给我们百载……不，五十年的时间就够了，我们碧云山一定能够一统正道，称霸幽州，可现在……”
"Still, having a second Incarnation Soul would significantly boost his power," the old Taoist still seemed worried: "Even if his second Incarnation Soul is only at the Condensation Core stage, the old monster's strength isn't just that of an Incubation Stage plus a Condensation Core."
“ què shí shì shí bù dài wǒ a 。” lǎo dào shì yě tóng yàng tàn qì ：“ rú jīn mó dào shì lì dà zhǎng ， xiū mó zhě chǔn chǔn yù dòng ， zài jiā shàng jí è mó zūn zhè yě xīn bó bó dì lǎo guài wù ， wǒ men yě zhǐ néng zàn shí fàng xià kuò zhāng de jì huà ， yǔ tā men qí tā shì lì hé zuò 。”
“确实是时不待我啊。”老道士也同样叹气：“如今魔道势力大涨，修魔者蠢蠢欲动，再加上极恶魔尊这野心勃勃地老怪物，我们也只能暂时放下扩张的计划，与他们其他势力合作。”
"I understand this. Otherwise, cultivating a second Incarnation Soul wouldn't be one of the most powerful techniques for Incubation Stage cultivators. But what does it matter? The Daoist sect now has another Incubation Stage old monster, but we have four at the same stage, enough to suppress him. However…" At this point, the elder in green's face showed a hint of regret: "Originally, I successfully formed my Condensation Core last time and with Senior Brother, Mount Bieyun had two Incubation Stage cultivators. Although we are still on par with One-Line Gorge and Thunder Cloud Manor as the three major powers, our strength far exceeds theirs. If given another… no, fifty years, Mount Bieyun would surely dominate the Daoist sect and become the dominant force in Youzhou. But now…"
“ hēng ， yǒu yě xīn de yòu qǐ zhǐ shì mó zūn yī rén ， shī xiōng nǐ nán dào jiù méi yǒu xiǎng guò líng yào shān me ？” qīng shān lǎo zhě de liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī lěng xiào de shén sè 。
“哼，有野心的又岂止是魔尊一人，师兄你难道就没有想过灵药山么？”青衫老者的脸上露出一丝冷笑的神色。
"Indeed, time is against us," the old Taoist sighed: "With the rise of magic sects and their eager movements, along with that ambitious Extreme Evil Sovereign, we can only temporarily put aside our expansion plans and cooperate with other forces."
"Hmph, isn't it just the Demon Sovereign who has such ambitions? Have you not thought about Lingyao Mountain?" The elder in green's face showed a hint of cold laughter.
The heavy stone door opened, revealing the figures of two elders. Their beards and hair were all white, yet they showed no signs of age; instead, they exuded a transcendent aura, much like deities from legends.
The only difference was that the elder on the left wore Taoist robes while the one on the right wore a green robe.
"Disciple pays respects to Senior Uncle," Great White Sword Immortal and Ouyang Qinxin simultaneously performed a respectful bow.
However, the elder seemed not to notice them at all.
The two Condensation Core experts did not show any signs of impatience as they stood respectfully by their side.
After a long while, the elder on the left drew in the mist surrounding his body and slowly opened his eyes. "Did you two fail to bring back the Heavenly Dust Pill?"
"Senior Uncle's forgiveness is requested. That Malevolent Tyrant Demon was cornered and destroyed the spirit pill," Ouyang Qinxin replied.
"Hmm, recount the events that transpired in detail."
"Yes, Senior Uncle." Compared to the cold-hearted Ouyang Qinxin, Great White Sword Immortal was more skilled with words, so he immediately narrated the events that occurred in Kuinyan Mountain Range to the elder.
"What, did that Extreme Evil Sovereign also go there?" Although the earlier part of their story involved many dangers, the elder's expression remained calm until they mentioned the Extreme Evil Sovereign. At this point, the婴期 (Incubation Stage) old monster was visibly moved: "Truly that old monster. Did you not make a mistake?"
"Report to Senior Uncle, the Demon Sovereign's appearance differs from his portrait, and his cultivation is only at the middle stage of Condensation Core. The Malevolent Tyrant Demon said so, and the Blood Demon Ancestor follows him as well," Ouyang Qinxin reported.
"Can he use the Ten Thousand Souls Banner?" The old Taoist pondered for a moment. "Based on this, it is indeed Extreme Evil. After all, no one other than the Incubation Stage cultivator can use their own命宝 (Life-Bearing Treasure). Continue,"
---
About half an hour later.
"Such was the matter. We were unable to retrieve the Heavenly Dust Pill and ask for your punishment."
"Never mind. Since that old monster personally came, even if it's just his soul possessing a body, you two couldn't have resisted him. This is my oversight; there's no need for self-blame," the elder sighed with a gentle expression.
"Thank Senior Uncle!"
"You may retire now!"
"Yes!"
Great White Sword Immortal and Ouyang Qinxin performed a respectful bow before retreating.
"S Brother, what do you think of the underlying implications in this matter? We old fellows have secretly decided not to interfere in the Heavenly Dust Pill's acquisition. How could Extreme Evil be able to split his body and go to Kuinyan Mountain Range when he was clearly playing chess with us?"
"This…" The elder in green robes opened his eyes, furrowing his brows as he began to ponder. Suddenly, his expression changed, revealing a hint of fear.
This kind of expression on an Incubation Stage cultivator was truly inconceivable. The old Taoist was also greatly surprised: "What is it, Brother? Did you recall something?"
"Senior Brother, the Extreme Evil Sovereign we played against could not have been someone pretending to be him,"
"Of course not. You and I, along with the two old monsters from Thunder Cloud Manor and One-Line Gorge, are all Incubation Stage beings. How could it be a fake?" The old Taoist was clearly displeased.
"But Senior Brother, that's not what I meant." The elder in green sighed: "Think about it, the Demon Sovereign we played against is real, but Zhang Taibai said another Extreme Evil Sovereign appeared in Kuinyan Mountain Range. Although their appearances differ, they can use life-bearing treasures like the Ten Thousand Souls Banner. What does this mean? Can't Senior Brother figure it out?"
"You're saying…" The old Taoist was speechless, seemingly shocked by his own guess. He then raised his voice: "Impossible! You're saying that old monster cultivated a second Incarnation Soul?"
"There's nothing impossible about it." The elder in green remained calm: "Unlike us, who are only at the early stages of Incubation Stage, that old monster has entered the middle stage. As magic cultivators' techniques are inherently strange, it is within reason for an old monster to cultivate a second Incarnation Soul."
The old Taoist fell silent. Although he was unwilling to accept this, he had to admit that Extreme Evil's talent indeed surpassed theirs.
His expression became grave: "If true, then things will be quite troublesome. Second Incarnation Souls have not been cultivated in our cultivation world for at least a thousand years. Could it really be the decline of Dao and rise of magic?"
"You needn't worry too much," the elder in green smiled slightly: "From Zhang Taibai's description, Extreme Evil Sovereign's second Incarnation Soul is only just forming its Condensation Core, so his cultivation isn't very high. You know that cultivating a second Incarnation Soul after the first one is ten times harder, and if it fails, even the primary Incarnation Soul will be greatly damaged. The old monster might not dare to attempt this; although he has great talent, achieving two Incarnation Souls with equal cultivation and merging them into a dual Incarnation Realm should be impossible."
"Still, having a second Incarnation Soul would significantly boost his power," the old Taoist still seemed worried: "Even if his second Incarnation Soul is only at the Condensation Core stage, the old monster's strength isn't just that of an Incubation Stage plus a Condensation Core."
"I understand this. Otherwise, cultivating a second Incarnation Soul wouldn't be one of the most powerful techniques for Incubation Stage cultivators. But what does it matter? The Daoist sect now has another Incubation Stage old monster, but we have four at the same stage, enough to suppress him. However…" At this point, the elder in green's face showed a hint of regret: "Originally, I successfully formed my Condensation Core last time and with Senior Brother, Mount Bieyun had two Incubation Stage cultivators. Although we are still on par with One-Line Gorge and Thunder Cloud Manor as the three major powers, our strength far exceeds theirs. If given another… no, fifty years, Mount Bieyun would surely dominate the Daoist sect and become the dominant force in Youzhou. But now…"
"Indeed, time is against us," the old Taoist sighed: "With the rise of magic sects and their eager movements, along with that ambitious Extreme Evil Sovereign, we can only temporarily put aside our expansion plans and cooperate with other forces."
"Hmph, isn't it just the Demon Sovereign who has such ambitions? Have you not thought about Lingyao Mountain?" The elder in green's face showed a hint of cold laughter.