Chapter 74: Where Has the Primal Purple Qi Gone?

“Has the Guide arrived yet?”
After flying for another two or three days, Hongyun, unable to contain his impatience, asked once more.
“Almost,” the Guide replied without turning his head, his tone increasingly uneasy.
He now wished only to lure Hongyun further away before making his move, but as time passed, his anxiety grew. It was as if a pair of eyes, hidden in the darkness, watched him constantly, yet he could never discover their source.
“Oh,” Hongyun nodded again.
This time, though, he grew suspicious, for he noticed that the Guide was acting strangely.
He had claimed to be taking Hongyun to a wonderful place, yet all along he had been focused solely on rushing forward, never once turning back, and when he spoke, his tone seemed odd.
What was the Guide planning?
Hongyun was deeply puzzled, though even now, he had not thought to suspect anything sinister.
…
Meanwhile, not far behind them, Kunpeng watched their every move.
The moment the Guide had taken Hongyun away from the Celestial Court, Kunpeng had begun trailing them, intending to expose the Guide’s crime after he killed Hongyun, thereby earning great merit.
His cultivation was superior to both the Guide and Hongyun, so he was not worried about being discovered, though he dared not get too close, just in case...
As the journey went on, Kunpeng grew increasingly anxious seeing the Guide hesitate to make his move.
Hurry up! Every passing moment brings more uncertainty!
“Lord Kunpeng?”
Suddenly, Kunpeng heard someone call his name from behind, startling him. He turned to see the Eastern Prince.
“Lord Kunpeng, what brings you here?”
Descending, the Eastern Prince smiled as he greeted Kunpeng.
“So it’s you, Eastern Prince.” Kunpeng forced a smile and stepped forward to meet him, his mind awash with panic.
Why is he here?
No, he must be delayed! If he finds Hongyun before the Guide acts, everything will be ruined!
“Indeed, what a coincidence to meet you here,” the Eastern Prince said with a smile.
For some reason, he always felt a peculiar satisfaction calling Kunpeng ‘Lord Kunpeng’.
Despite Kunpeng’s profound cultivation and deep roots, in the end, he still ranked below the Eastern Prince.
“I’m just out for a stroll,” Kunpeng replied, feigning ease.
“Oh, I see.” The Eastern Prince nodded, finding Kunpeng a bit odd, though he thought nothing more of it.
“Have you seen King Hongyun?”
Kunpeng grew more anxious, quickly shaking his head, “No.”

“Not seen him?” The Eastern Prince frowned, then looked ahead, saying, “In that case, I won’t trouble you further.”
With that, he prepared to ride his cloud forward.
Seeing this, Kunpeng was alarmed and called out, “Wait, Eastern Prince!”
He knew Hongyun was not far ahead—if the Eastern Prince caught up, his plans would be ruined.
“Is there something you need, Lord Kunpeng?” The Eastern Prince turned back, frowning in puzzlement.
Kunpeng realized his own agitation, quickly forced a smile, adjusted his demeanor, and replied with feigned casualness, “Nothing, I was just wondering what business you have with King Hongyun. Perhaps I can be of assistance?”
“It’s nothing pressing, your help is unnecessary,” the Eastern Prince replied, relaxing a little at Kunpeng’s conciliatory tone and feeling quite pleased.
“It’s just that I feel uneasy, worried that King Hongyun might encounter trouble, so I came to look for him.”
“Oh, that’s all?”
Kunpeng smiled casually, “I think your worries are unwarranted. The entire Wilderness is now the territory of the Celestial Court, and King Hongyun is one of its rulers—how could anything happen to him?”
“That’s true.” The Eastern Prince nodded, his anxiety easing.
Sensing this, Kunpeng seized the moment and produced a jar of his treasured spirit wine, smiling. “This is Myriad Fruit Wine, brewed over ten thousand years with more than a hundred thousand spirit fruits. Only one jar remains—let’s share it together.”
“In that case, I gratefully accept.”
Hesitating for a moment, the Eastern Prince was drawn in by the fragrance of the wine. He realized his worries were excessive and abandoned his plan to search for Hongyun, taking a seat.
Kunpeng was delighted to see this, though he kept his composure and poured a cup for the Eastern Prince with a smile.
“Please.”
“Thank you, Lord Kunpeng.” The Eastern Prince smiled, accepting the wine and drinking it in one gulp.
Being so flattered by Kunpeng, he felt quite proud.
The two sat and discussed the Dao, and under Kunpeng’s deliberate hospitality, the Eastern Prince lost track of time. Thus, they sat together for two or three days.
“I wonder if the Guide has acted yet,” Kunpeng mused in frustration.
He had remained in place for two days, and the Guide and Hongyun had already moved far beyond his sight.
…
“Guide, why have you stopped here?”
Hongyun scanned the desolate valley with his divine sense, puzzled. He doubted the Guide had traveled so many days just to bring him to this barren place.
“Hm? Fellow Daoist Burning Lamp, why are you here?”
Just then, Hongyun sensed Burning Lamp’s presence and asked in confusion.
The Guide’s heart tensed at these words, fearing Hongyun might suspect something. Fortunately, his expression remained impassive, betraying nothing.

“Fellow Daoist Hongyun, it’s been a while,”
Realizing Hongyun had discovered him, Burning Lamp came out, forcing a smile.
“We just met a few days ago,” Hongyun smiled and walked towards Burning Lamp, completely unsuspecting.
Seeing this, the Guide’s eyes flashed, and he exchanged a furtive glance with Burning Lamp. Without hesitation, he summoned his treasure and pressed it towards Hongyun.
At the same time, Hongyun felt a wave of dread from behind. He turned and was startled.
“Guide, what are you doing…”
He could never have imagined that the Guide would attack him!
“Die, Hongyun!”
Burning Lamp laughed and summoned his treasure, joining the Guide in pressing down on Hongyun.
“Why are you doing this!”
In terror, Hongyun hurriedly summoned his Nine-Nine Soul-Dispersing Gourd, but it was too late…
With a thunderous crash, Hongyun’s body was shattered in an instant beneath the suppression of the two spiritual treasures. Luckily, he managed to summon the Nine-Nine Soul-Dispersing Gourd in time, preserving a sliver of his soul.
“Hmph!”
The Guide snorted, swiftly snatching the Nine-Nine Soul-Dispersing Gourd and scanning Hongyun’s body with his divine sense.
But his expression soon changed.
“No, impossible! Where has the Primal Chaos Purple Qi gone?”
Burning Lamp, standing by, was baffled by the Guide’s strange behavior. “What Primal Chaos Purple Qi?”
“You!” The Guide’s eyes widened, and he lunged at Burning Lamp, grabbing him by the hand.
“What do you mean, me?”
Burning Lamp was utterly confused, unable to understand the Guide’s sudden madness, and for a moment forgot to resist, allowing himself to be seized.
“Where is the Primal Chaos Purple Qi? Speak!” The Guide’s eyes blazed red.
By now, he had lost all reason.
“What Primal Chaos Purple Qi? Didn’t Hongyun already offer it to the Celestial Court?” Burning Lamp exclaimed, his anxiety mounting, for he sensed murderous intent in the Guide’s gaze.
…