Chapter 290 – The Situation Reverses, Triggering the Fuse

For a moment, Artificer Venerable couldn’t help but feel greatly alarmed.

The mere fact that Ye Kuang had previously launched a surprise attack was enough to demonstrate how dangerous he was. Moreover, with his thunderous methods, he not only intimidated the gathered heroes but also gradually brought the atmosphere of the scene under his control.

It was thus easy to imagine that the words of the two Venerables of Kunlun were not false—Ye Kuang was both a variable and a constant.

Thinking of this, Artificer Venerable couldn’t help but narrow his eyes, secretly recovering from his injuries and restoring his strength.

The scene fell into dead silence, with only Ye Kuang pacing back and forth. Then, he pressed his sword against Dao Venerable’s forehead and said, “Four years ago, I was deeply indebted to your kindness. For that, I thank you. However, the past is like fleeting clouds, now vanished like mist and rain. All I want to know now is how to break my seal and reclaim my former self!”

Upon hearing this, Old Taoist’s lips twitched for a moment before he suddenly laughed and said, “Restoring your true self is not impossible. But you must first master an Ultimate Skill to gradually break the shackles of the seal.”

Old Alchemist, hearing this, couldn’t help but feel desolate and resigned. He coldly added, “However, given our current state, it will be difficult for you to recover. Whether you kill or torture us, do as you please!”

Hearing these words, Ye Kuang’s sword flickered ominously, sending chills down everyone’s spines.

He pressed his sword against Pill Venerable’s forehead, his ferocious expression barely concealing his murderous intent as he roared, “Do you think I wouldn’t dare?”

As he spoke, Ye Kuang trembled with overwhelming agitation, as if he might thrust his sword at any moment.

Seeing this, Pill Venerable closed his eyes.

But then, Pill Venerable suddenly widened his eyes, as if in disbelief, and couldn’t help but demand, “Kid, what exactly are you trying to do?”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang raised an eyebrow, clearly avoiding the question: “I’m telling you that no matter how powerful your strength is, if you lack a heart to match it, you will eventually be devoured by your own power!”

Unbeknownst to him, Artificer Venerable heard these words and, contrary to his usual demeanor, burst into laughter: “Kid, you’re quite something. These words indeed suit Old Pill. In the past, his aptitude was mediocre. It was only by stumbling upon a fortuitous opportunity that he forged a unique path, relying on the power of Medicinal Pills to break through one cultivation barrier after another.”

But as soon as he finished speaking, Artificer Venerable continued, “His path of breakthroughs may seem smooth, but in reality, his foundation is unstable. The slightest misstep could lead him to lose control and succumb to demonic energy!”

Pill Venerable: “…”

Hearing this, Dao Venerable couldn’t help but sigh, as if he had long been aware of this matter.

Artificer Venerable: “Kid, consider joining the Demon Sect under my guidance. With your ruthless methods, I believe that under my tutelage, you will surely surpass your master…”

But before he could finish, light laughter suddenly echoed through the scene.

Artificer Venerable’s words abruptly stopped, and he couldn’t help but narrow his eyes to see who it was.

It was none other than Ye Kuang!

Artificer Venerable: “What are you laughing at?”

“Laughing at what?” As he spoke, Ye Kuang cast a sidelong glance of disdain at the former and said mockingly, “You are no longer what you once were. Where is the brilliance of the master you speak of? Besides, under your guidance, aren’t you afraid that I might eventually turn against you?”

“Heh.” Artificer Venerable also laughed upon hearing this and said, “As the saying goes, if you employ someone, do not doubt them. If you doubt them, do not employ them.”

Hearing these words, regardless of whether they were friend or foe, everyone’s expressions shifted differently.One could say that had they not witnessed with their own eyes the ruthlessness of Artificer Venerable, they might have mistakenly believed his character to be as he claimed.

Seeing this, the smile on Ye Kuang’s face gradually faded, replaced by a cold, stern expression as he sneered, “But do you know what follows the saying ‘If you use a person, do not suspect them; if you suspect them, do not use them’?”

He continued indifferently, “One act of disloyalty, a hundred acts of rejection. Your integrity has shattered into pieces. Do not use such crude methods to conceal the fact that you are secretly healing your wounds. I might as well tell you—since I dare to delay like this, I naturally have no fear of the power you might recover after healing a bit!”

With these words, Ye Kuang tilted his sword, pointing it directly ahead.

And that direction was, once again, toward Artificer Venerable!

“Do not be so arrogant!”

“I have the capital to be arrogant, don’t I?”

“Heh, well said, and very blunt. However, this Venerable would also like to impart a piece of common sense to you: When you do not understand a powerful enemy, do not boast recklessly, for a strong wind can easily make one bite their tongue!”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but laugh wildly, “Then I might as well tell you a principle as well: Do not use your presumptuous way of thinking to interpret what you see before you. Sometimes, the things you perceive with your eyes are not necessarily real…”

As his voice faded, the crowd couldn’t help but grow alert.

At that moment, Artificer Venerable was even more startled than anyone!

At this very instant, Artificer Venerable’s expression shifted uncontrollably, his face contorting with extreme fury.

The reason for this was the sudden rise of two figures, who positioned themselves on either side of that madman.

It was none other than Dao Venerable and Pill Venerable!

Only at this moment did Artificer Venerable realize the terrifying cunning of this young man.

Ye Kuang had appeared murderous earlier, but in reality, he was secretly executing a covert plan. Had he not channeled his vast Qi Sea through the tip of his sword, how could Dao Venerable and Pill Venerable have recovered so quickly?

Thinking of this, Artificer Venerable couldn’t help but mutter to himself: After playing with eagles all my life, I never expected to be blinded by one!

In an instant, Ye Kuang’s laughter ceased abruptly. Without turning his head, he asked, “How much have the two elders recovered?”

“Sixty percent!”

“Fifty percent!”

Ye Kuang responded immediately, his voice clear and resonant, “I will take the lead. I ask the two elders to cover the flanks.”

Tap, tap, tap!

For a moment, the crowd was still in a daze. Who would have thought that after darkness comes dawn, the situation could shift so dramatically, with twists and turns unfolding in such rapid succession?

This, in turn, ignited the fury of the Demon Sect members. One after another, they leaped to their feet, rushing forward to block the way, using their own flesh and blood to form an insurmountable barrier.

“For Artificer Venerable, fight them with everything we have!”

“Artificer Venerable is the future of Kunlun—we cannot afford to lose him! Charge with me!”

“For Kunlun, charge!”

It must be said that, with conflicting ideals, the two sides had naturally become adversaries.

Regardless of whether they shared the same Kunlun lineage, the situation had now exploded into full-blown conflict.

Seeing this, Ye Kuang’s expression shifted, but his reaction was swift.

“If even your initial convictions can change, what right do you have to speak of acting for Kunlun? Break!”

Whoosh—

In an instant, before the front rows of Demon Sect disciples could even react, they found themselves unable to hear or see anything. One by one, they collapsed to the ground, like moths drawn helplessly into a flame.This scene indirectly became the spark that ignited the entire conflict, successively provoking dozens of Dao Inquiry experts into a chaotic battle.

Ye Kuang was no exception to this.

He too transformed into a moth flying into the flames, audaciously confronting the combined assault of dozens of masters with nothing but his mortal body!