Chapter 706: Invitation

Han Li was not entirely at ease with Mo Guang and was fully focused on probing the movements on the stone platform to prevent any unexpected actions. When he heard the words "Xuhe Clan," his heart stirred slightly.

Among the intelligence gathered previously, the Xuhe Clan had appeared more than once, but each time the information was vague and ambiguous. This was not because the clan was too secretive or because the Gray Lizard Clan was inefficient, but because the Xuhe Clan was a noble race of high status among all the races of the Gray Realm.

A lowly race like the Gray Lizard Clan was already at the bottom within a single Black Tooth Domain, let alone in the entire Gray Realm. The layers separating them were too many, so the information they could obtain was pitifully scarce.

Han Li only knew that the Xuhe Clan was the ruling family of the Shaohao Domain, and their affiliated forces belonged to the Samsara Domain side, hostile to the native Gray Realm forces of the Nizhituo Domain.

Beyond that, there was no further news about the Xuhe Clan. He had not expected that the Gray Immortal corpse occupied by Mo Guang had belonged to a member of this clan in life.

Although a mishap had occurred on the stone platform, the green-skinned ape, in his terror, had not bothered to halt the army, so the bloody slaughter by Boleng Lake continued unabated. Many Gray Lizard Clan members were caught up and slain under the blades.

"Mo Guang, stop these people immediately," Han Li transmitted his voice with a thought.

On the stone platform, Mo Guang heard this but did not act immediately. Instead, he turned back and glanced toward Han Li.

This movement caused confusion among the others on the platform, who all looked up in their direction. Han Li cursed inwardly and quickly concealed his aura, pretending to be unconscious.

Inside his body, the Heavenly Demon Contract signed with Mo Guang began to manifest in his sea of consciousness.

Fortunately, Mo Guang only glanced over and made no unusual moves. He then turned to face the green-skinned ape, put away his black folding fan, interlaced his fingers and cracked his wrists, then grinned, revealing a row of neat, white teeth.

The black-clad girl looked at the handsome young man before her, and all her panic vanished. Her heart stirred with ripples from his smile.

In stark contrast to Miao Xiu's feelings, the green-skinned ape found the man's smile terrifying. Those gleaming white teeth seemed ready to suck his blood and devour his flesh, sending chills down his spine as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

He clenched his jaw and regripped the black conch shell, hoping to use this secret treasure bestowed by the lord himself to secure a slim chance of survival.

But no sooner had the thought crossed his mind than a voice like a demon's whisper sounded in his ear: "What are you plotting?"

Mo Guang's body had somehow turned into a stream of gray mist, coiling around him like a python without his notice, with only his head retaining human form, hovering beside the ape's cheek.

"Ah..." The green-skinned ape screamed in terror, feeling as if his soul had fled to the heavens.

The moment his mouth opened, Mo Guang transformed entirely into wisps of gray mist, pouring into his body through his seven orifices—eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.

The green-skinned ape's face contorted in agony. He dropped his wolf-tooth club and the black conch, clutching his throat as he staggered backward. After a few steps, he fell backward with a thud.

Only when his body lay completely still did the gray mist seep out from his seven orifices, recondensing into human form, once again becoming the elegant young gentleman.

But as he fanned himself, he couldn't help but let out a burp, somewhat spoiling the scene.

Miao Xiu and the others watched this eerie scene in shock, their mouths slightly agape, unable to speak for a long time.

Mo Guang bent down to pick up the black conch, examined it for a moment, then fell into a brief trance. Soon, dense strands of baleful qi emerged from his palm, enveloping and refining it.

After a moment, he held the conch in one hand and flicked it with a finger. A black light rippled out, sweeping in all directions, stirring up tiny ripples on the surface of Boleng Lake.

Struck by this halo, all the people of the Black Tooth Domain felt their minds relax. The previous feeling of chaos and weakness vanished, and they rose to their feet, joining the battle against the Nizhituo Domain forces.

Han Li and the others also stood up but did not join the slaughter; instead, they hurried toward the stone platform.

On the stone platform, Mu Qiu, seeing the green-skinned ape easily killed, turned deathly pale. The gills on his cheeks fluttered constantly, and he turned to flee toward Boleng Lake.

But before he could move, the chieftain of the Thornbone Clan had already leaped forward, blocking his path.

Another tall, gray-skinned, pointy-eared woman and Miao Kui also darted out from left and right, surrounding him in the center.

"Kill him," Miao Xiu ordered, her eyes devoid of any emotion.

Without a moment's hesitation, the three immediately launched attacks against Mu Qiu.

"Mountain Ghost Clan, Wind Weasel Clan, Gray Sickle Clan, heed my command, organize your people, and launch an immediate counterattack..."

"Green Carp Clan, Mud Ox Clan, Earth Ball Clan, circle around to the flanks of Boling Lake and pursue. We don't have the advantage in numbers, so there's no need to completely seal them off; just kill as many of the enemy as possible..."

"Miao Zong, you and a few others command the remaining tribes, ambush the enemy chieftains, and hunt down scattered fleeing enemies..."

A series of commands issued from Miao Xiu's mouth. The chieftains of the various tribes in Black Tooth Domain accepted their orders one after another, flying off the stone platform to organize their remaining clansmen for a counterattack against the Nituo Domain army.

Seeing their commander slain, the army of Nituo Domain's tribes immediately lost morale, while the tribes of Black Tooth Domain, burning with revenge, pursued with exceptional ferocity, driving the Nituo army back in defeat into Boling Lake.

After making a single move, Mo Guang stopped killing and leisurely walked to the edge of the stone platform, gently waving a black folding fan in one hand, watching the chaotic battle among the tribes below with interest, a faint smile on his lips.

Han Li and Shi Chuankong, weaving through the chaotic battlefield, dodging flashes of blades and swords, also landed on the stone platform.

Shi Chuankong looked at Mo Guang before him; his expression showed little change, but his heart churned like stormy waves. When his gaze fell on Han Li, it grew even deeper.

"Brother Li, this is..." After hesitating repeatedly, he finally asked in a low voice.

"You may call him Fellow Daoist Mo Guang. His identity is somewhat special; he is something like a contracted ally of mine. Previously, for certain reasons, it was inconvenient for him to appear, but that's no longer an issue." Han Li explained succinctly.

Mo Guang said nothing, merely nodding to Shi Chuankong with a smile. The latter, with a complex expression, returned a bow.

"I've seen in some notes of the Gray Lizard Clan that the Xuhe Clan has three major surnames: Tu Su, Dong Ling, and Jiang. From now on, you will call yourself Jiang Gu, and we two will be your retainers." Han Li transmitted his voice.

"I am Shi Chuankong." Shi Chuankong hesitated briefly, then cupped his hands.

Mo Guang nodded in acknowledgment, then curled his lips and said, "The name Jiang Gu doesn't sound very pleasant; it always feels like it means 'about to become ancient.'"

Han Li frowned, about to speak, when he saw Miao Xiu, dressed in black, approaching.

Stopping a few steps away, she bowed respectfully and said, "This junior is Miao Xiu, daughter of the chieftain of the Sanmiao Clan in Black Tooth Domain. May I ask your esteemed name, Senior?"

Mo Guang turned around, a smile spreading across his face as he unabashedly looked the black-clad girl up and down. Just as he was about to speak, Han Li's voice rang in his mind: "Fellow Daoist Mo Guang, in a foreign realm, please be cautious in word and deed."

"Heh, so you're the young mistress of the Sanmiao Clan. My name is Jiang Gu, and these two are my retainers, Li Han and Shi Chuankong." Mo Guang paused briefly, then said with a smile.

Han Li and the other stepped forward and bowed to Miao Xiu.

"Thanks to Senior's intervention today, otherwise the tribes of Black Tooth Domain would surely have been severely weakened by the Nituo Domain army." Miao Xiu dared not be negligent and returned the bow.

"Miss Miao, you flatter me. I just happened to pass through your Black Tooth Domain and hadn't planned to get involved, but that green-skinned monkey was simply too annoying." Mo Guang said casually, gently waving his fan.

"The Nituo Domain tribes launched a surprise attack, which is already an act of war against Black Tooth Domain. I need to return to my clan as soon as possible to report everything to my father. As our savior in Black Tooth Domain, Senior must give us the chance to fulfill our duties as hosts." Miao Xiu's expression turned serious as she spoke solemnly.

Mo Guang did not answer immediately, instead putting on a thoughtful and hesitant expression, but in truth, he was asking Han Li through telepathy how to respond.

"It's fine. We don't have a clear goal at the moment anyway. Settling in a safe place is not a bad idea, and besides, there will be more information we need there." Han Li transmitted to Mo Guang.

"Since Miss Miao sincerely invites us, we wouldn't want to refuse your kindness, so we'll trouble you. However, I wish to keep a low profile on this trip, so please keep my whereabouts confidential, and it's best not to mention it even to your father for now." Mo Guang looked at Miao Xiu and said with feigned seriousness.

"Rest assured, Senior. I won't reveal a word until we reach Youhe City. But after we arrive, I will report truthfully to my father... Of course, I will also ask him to keep it secret for Senior." Miao Xiu's face lit up with joy as she replied immediately.

"That's good." Mo Guang nodded.

"Then allow this junior to first deal with the aftermath here before arranging the trip to Youhe City." Miao Xiu cupped her hands toward Mo Guang and the two of them.

Mo Guang said nothing more, merely waving his hand to indicate she could go.

After Miao Xiu left, Mo Guang looked at the bloody slaughter below the stone platform, took a deep breath of the air, and wore a look of satisfaction, surrounded by thick, rich killing intent.

"Brother Li, isn't it too risky to go so deep into the capital of a Gray Realm lord?" Shi Chuankong glanced at the departing Miao Xiu, a trace of worry in his eyes.

"It's fine. With Fellow Daoist Mo Guang and his Xuhe Clan identity, the Sanmiao Clan won't dare to, nor will they, scrutinize us too closely. What we need to do is be extra careful to avoid revealing any flaws." Han Li said slowly.

Shi Chuankong said no more, but the worry in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest.