Phantom Shadow's body remained frozen in that grotesque half-dissolved state under the green lotus phantom'srestraint. His eyes, visible through the cracked mask, held terror and despair that he could no longer conceal. Tang Xiaoqi knelt on one knee beside him, his right hand pressing on Phantom Shadow's forehead, the purification power from his palm continuously probing the assassin's mind sea. "You... what are you doing..." Phantom Shadow's voice was weak and hoarse, his body occasionally twitching under the green lotus's suppression.
"Imparting a small gift," Tang Xiaoqi said calmly. "A mark of purification. As long as you're within a certain range, I can sense your position at any time. If you attempt to harm yourself or others, this mark will activate, purifying... everything within your body." Phantom Shadow's face changed dramatically.
This was more terrifying than any restraint technique he knew—completely stripping away his freedom and self-determination! "Don't waste effort." Liu Yun walked over, having already bound the five heavily injured assassins with special spirit-binding ropes, "These Shadow Snake Pavilion people are trained to have absolutely no fear of death. Their souls contain restriction seals—forcibly searching their memories will only trigger the seals and destroy their souls." Tang Xiaoqi withdrew his hand, standing up: "I know. I didn't intend to forcibly search his soul.
But keeping him alive is still useful." He looked at Phantom Shadow: "You should know your current situation. Self-destruction has been blocked, escape is impossible. Your only choice is to answer some questions, and perhaps I'll give you a swift end." Phantom Shadow laughed bitterly, blood foam appearing at his mouth: "Ask... I don't know much anyway.
I'm just a tool, a blade..." "Who ordered this assassination?" Tang Xiaoqi asked directly. "The Pavilion Master." Phantom Shadow didn't resist, "Your existence has become an obstacle. The Purification Origin within you is a crucial component for a certain ritual. They... they need it." "What ritual?" "I don't know the specifics." Phantom Shadow shook his head with difficulty, "I only know it's related to the 'Seed' and the 'Place of Void.' The ritual's preparatory phase has already begun.
Even if I fail, others will come." Tang Xiaoqi's heart tightened. This information confirmed what Aunt Su had said—the demonic entity's scheme was still ongoing. "What is the 'Seed'?" "I don't know... truly don't know." Phantom Shadow's gaze grew increasingly unfocused, "Only core members know these things... I'm just a killer..." "Who is the 'Diviner'?" Tang Xiaoqi asked the most crucial question.
Phantom Shadow's body suddenly trembled violently! Even under the green lotis phantom's suppression, his soul showed signs of agitation. "I... cannot say... restriction..." His voice became intermittent, as if great force was preventing him from speaking. Tang Xiaoqi pressed his palm harder, the purification power soothing the soul restriction's agitation: "Try." Phantom Shadow's face distorted, his mouth opening and closing as if fighting something.
Finally, he managed to squeeze out a few words: "Divination... cultivator... fate... calculation..." Then he violently convulsed, black blood spouting from his mouth, his soul showing signs of collapse. Tang Xiaoqi immediately withdrew his power, allowing Phantom Shadow to stabilize. He had obtained enough. This mysterious "Diviner" seemed to be an even more terrifying existence than the Shadow Snake Pavilion itself, able to calculate fate and orchestrate everything from behind the scenes.
"Take them back." Tang Xiaoqi said to Liu Yun, "The sect's interrogation experts may be able to extract more information. And these people..." He glanced at the five immobilized assassins, "keep them under strict guard." Liu Yun nodded, about to signal the surrounding disciples who had rushed over. Suddenly, the silver light curtain in the sky violently fluctuated, then rapidly contracted and disappeared. The Zhou Tian Star Ten Thousand Phenomena Array's local activation had ended.
Mu Qingfeng descended from the sky, his expression grave: "The array's spiritual energy is insufficient. I had to withdraw it. But don't worry, all entrances and exits to Qingxu Temple are under blockade. No one can escape." He walked to Tang Xiaoqi's side, seeing his blood-stained green robes and the faint red mark at his temple, concern appearing on his face: "Xiaoqi, are you injured?" "Minor injuries, already stabilized." Tang Xiaoqi shook his head, "But tonight's events prove that the enemy's infiltration is deeper than we imagined.
We need a thorough internal investigation." Mu Qingfeng nodded solemnly: "I understand. I'll immediately convene the elders. This time, we must dig out all the nails they've planted." The rain gradually lightened, and the thunder in the distance grew fainter. The spiritual bamboo grove returned to its usual tranquility, but everyone knew this was only the calm before the storm.
The battle with the Shadow Snake Pavilion had truly begun.