Chapter 708: King Po's Dead Betrayal

The value of the items listed in the jade slip far exceeded Wang Qiupo's imagination. As a spy who had left home at a young age, there were some items he hadn't even heard of.

At this moment, Wang Qiupo began to believe Xu Bai's words to some extent. After a moment of contemplation, he gestured for Xu Bai to wait there. Then he quietly lay back on the rattan chair behind him, appearing to close his eyes and fall asleep.

From Xu Bai's perspective, Wang Qiupo's life force was dissipating at an astonishing rate. In just a blink of an eye, he seemed to have died of old age, indistinguishable from a corpse.

"As expected of a spy who remained hidden for eight hundred years without exposure, he certainly has some tricks," Xu Bai pondered to himself, watching him for a long time. The thatched hut where Wang Qiupo resided also seemed to possess some mysterious qualities. The disappearance of Wang Qiupo's life force did not attract the attention of those outside. They were still queuing outside, waiting patiently.

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, a gentle breeze seemed to stir within the room. Then, like a withered tree coming back to life in spring, Wang Qiupo regained his vitality. However, Xu Bai keenly noticed that this old man, who had lived for eight hundred years, seemed to have moved a step closer to death.

With a light cough, Wang Qiupo stood up again and approached Xu Bai.

"I have confirmed with the organization, young man, what you said is true. Our previous few transactions indeed demonstrate the credibility of your Heaven-Overturning Society. However..." Wang Qiupo's aged eyes stared intently at Xu Bai, "How can you prove that you are a member of the Heaven-Overturning Society? And not that the Myriad Immortal Alliance discovered my true identity and is now trying to trace me back and launch a counterattack? What were the contents of our last two transactions?"

Faced with Wang Qiupo's rapid-fire questions, Xu Bai showed no surprise. He smiled faintly and gave his answer.

"The first was the entrance examination questions for the Immortal Alliance. The second was the true identity of the ancient cultivator the Immortal Alliance was searching for..."

Upon hearing these two statements, Wang Qiupo's stiffened posture instantly slumped.

A moment later, he said in a deep voice, "The organization has indeed observed traces of the natural laws of heaven and earth being reversed. However, we have not yet pinpointed the true identity of this Celestial Venerable... The organization has agreed to this transaction. However, since it involves the Celestial Venerable of Longevity, if a contract were signed, it might be subtly perceived by them. Therefore, this transaction can only be an oral agreement, based on mutual trust."

Xu Bai's eyes flickered slightly. Then he shook his head and smiled, "It's fine. There will be plenty of opportunities for our two organizations to cooperate in the future. I trust you won't break your word. Since that's the case, I will inform you of this matter now."

Xu Bai's expression turned serious, and he whispered, "What this Celestial Venerable has reversed is the principle of life and death. Not long ago, we discovered some cultivators in the Devouring Mist who were neither truly alive nor truly dead. They were like living corpses. Connecting this with the recently observed traces of the natural laws of heaven and earth being reversed, after some investigation, we finally confirmed this matter. As for the true identity of this Celestial Venerable, we currently have no clue. However, there are some suspicious targets."

After speaking, Xu Bai used his hand as a brush, writing the names "Lan Yu" and "Tian Yi" in the air.

Wang Qiupo's eyes narrowed, and he firmly committed them to memory. Just as he was about to lie back on the rattan chair, Xu Bai suddenly asked the previous question again, "Old sir, do you wish to return to your hometown? If you use the information I've given you as leverage to negotiate with the Five Elders' Council, they should agree, I presume."

A glimmer of hope first ignited in Wang Qiupo's eyes, then quickly extinguished. He finally shook his head and said softly, "The fate of spies like us is for both body and soul to rot in a foreign land. As for my hometown... I've long forgotten what it looks like."

His voice was low; Wang Qiupo lay on the rattan chair, his life force slowly dissipating once more.

"The items on the list will be delivered to you as promised. You may leave now. This time, I will not wake up again." He said this before his life force completely vanished.

Xu Bai nodded. "If that's the case, how about I borrow your life for a moment?"

Wang Qiupo was startled at first, then seemed to understand something. Using his last ounce of strength, he slowly nodded. Before his life force completely disappeared, Xu Bai struck out with his palm. Wang Qiupo was instantly reduced to dust.

At the same time, Xu Bai roared angrily, "So it was a scoundrel from the Five Elders' Council, seeking death!"

With Wang Qiupo's death, the enchantment placed on the thatched hut also vanished. Xu Bai's voice could then be heard outside. Combined with the ominous celestial phenomenon of a falling star generated in the sky, the group of cultivators outside immediately understood what had happened. This very handsome young man had actually killed Wang Qiupo, the renowned figure of Tianliang Province!

A clamor immediately arose. Anger, shock, surprise... A multitude of emotions erupted in their hearts simultaneously.

"Seize him!" the cultivators said indignantly, surrounding Xu Bai, who was slowly walking out of the hut.

Xu Bai, however, remained completely calm. Facing the crowd about to act, he retorted angrily, "Are you also going to become accomplices of the Five Elders' Council's spy?!"

Upon hearing this, all the cultivators present stiffened. Although they had vaguely heard something about "scoundrels from the Five Elders' Council" just now, they had not connected it to Wang Qiupo. After all, this elder's reputation was simply too prominent. It was almost as if no one in Tianliang Province didn't know him. But this young man before them also didn't seem like someone who would speak wildly or irresponsibly.

"What exactly is going on?" The crowd exchanged glances, surprisingly intimidated by Xu Bai's single remark, standing frozen in place.

"Quick, report this to Lord Xiang!" After a moment, someone finally reacted. "You can't leave before the City Lord arrives!" They blocked Xu Bai.

"It's fine. It would be best to call everyone from the Martial Arts Hall and the Garrison Command as well. Investigate, and you'll know that what I said is true," Xu Bai did not resist, but spoke with great composure.

Seeing this, the crowd grew even more apprehensive. "If this person is telling the truth, and Wang Qiupo really is a spy for the Five Elders' Council..."

"Heaven is about to collapse." Thinking of the countless cultivators he had recommended over the years, the crowd gulped, and a chill suddenly ran through their hearts.

The crowd didn't wait long before a streak of orange light flew down from the sky. It was none other than the City Lord of Tianliang, Xiang Rongxin. After scanning the surroundings and fixing his gaze on Xu Bai, he surprisingly said nothing, didn't even ask questions, but condescendingly manifested a giant palm, about to kill Xu Bai on the spot!

"This is an attempt to silence him!" Seeing this, all the cultivators present were shocked inwardly, yet no one dared to intervene. Just as they thought this very handsome cultivator was about to meet a terrible end, they saw him calmly take out a folding fan and with a "swish," open it. Before the giant palm even landed on him, an invisible ripple appeared, dissolving the lethal attack.

"Hmm?" A look of bewilderment appeared on Xiang Rongxin's face. Seeing Xu Bai's seemingly mocking gaze, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. He was about to summon his full power, vowing to slay him, but then he suddenly heard a lazy voice drift from the horizon.

"City Lord Xiang, wait! I heard someone here reported killing a Five Elders' Council spy, is that true?"

Before the words finished, a black-clad cultivator appeared on the scene. Xiang Rongxin's expression instantly darkened, because the newcomer was none other than Nangong Shirong, the Commander of the Tianliang Province Garrison Command. With him here, trying to suppress this matter would be impossible.

This was troublesome. Looking at the ominous celestial phenomenon of a falling star still lingering above, Xiang Rongxin sighed inwardly. "Wang Qiupo, oh Wang Qiupo, you've certainly left me with a difficult problem."

After hearing the news from his subordinate, Xiang Rongxin immediately made a judgment. Regardless of whether the claim "Wang Qiupo is a Five Elders' Council spy" was true or not, he had to make this matter appear false. Otherwise... Looking at the smile on Nangong Shirong's face, Xiang Rongxin seemed to already foresee the coming storm of bloodshed that would engulf Tianling Province, and even the entire Myriad Immortal Alliance.

"Young friend, please come with me," Nangong Shirong said to Xu Bai in a gentle tone.

"That was my intention exactly," Xu Bai cupped his hands, showing no fear.

The subsequent events unfolded very quickly. Xu Bai firmly asserted that based on some subtle clues, he had discovered that Wang Qiupo might be a spy. Driven by the purpose of rooting out evil for the Myriad Immortal Alliance, he personally came to test him. Unexpectedly, this fellow openly admitted his true identity and even attempted to attack Xu Bai. Xu Bai was forced to retaliate and killed him. The matter was simple.

Nangong Shirong also didn't seem to delve into the truth or falsity of Xu Bai's words, but instead directly ordered his subordinates to begin investigating Wang Qiupo. Even if he weren't a spy, he couldn't withstand the Garrison Command's meticulous investigation. Every step leaves a trace. What's more, Wang Qiupo was indeed a spy for the Five Elders' Council.

Not long after, Nangong Shirong had gathered numerous conclusive "evidence."

"Hahahaha, young friend, you have rendered a great service to my Myriad Immortal Alliance this time!" Nangong Shirong patted Xu Bai's shoulder vigorously, a look of great satisfaction on his face. "Before the dust settles, just stay here and don't go out, to prevent malicious retaliation from some people. Rest assured, once everything is clear, you will receive all due rewards!"

Xu Bai said with a solemn expression, "It is our generation's mission to clear away evil for the Myriad Immortal Alliance."

Seeing Xu Bai's high level of awareness, Nangong Shirong was very pleased. He lightly patted Xu Bai's shoulder again as encouragement, then left in a hurry.

The final conclusion of this matter came even faster than Xu Bai had anticipated, because the Five Elders' Council had also exerted its influence. Faced with the Myriad Immortal Alliance's questioning and accusations, the Five Elders' Council claimed that no such thing occurred. Wang Qiupo had absolutely no connection to the Five Elders' Council. The Five Elders' Council always upheld the principle of peaceful coexistence between the two sides and would never proactively undermine their relationship. They hoped the Myriad Immortal Alliance would not fabricate accusations or cause trouble.

The more they denied, the deeper the suspicion grew. Although various signs indicated that this might have been a divisive ploy by Wang Qiupo the spy before his death, it was a case of "better to kill a thousand by mistake than to let one slip away."

Within a mere ten-odd days, those cultivators who had risen to power due to Wang Qiupo's recommendations were successively isolated and investigated. Even some who were exploring in the white mist were forcibly called back. The final outcome was also evident. A small portion who were genuinely found to have issues were directly apprehended. The majority, although not proven to have issues, were no longer entrusted with important tasks. They were assigned to mundane, insignificant positions where, if nothing unexpected happened, they would spend the rest of their lives.

Just as the entire Immortal Alliance plunged into turmoil, a cultivator from the Garrison Command, who had filled one of the many vacant positions left by the reassignment of other cultivators, came before Li Fan.

"These are the agreed-upon materials. The organization is very satisfied with this transaction. We look forward to our next cooperation."