Chapter 466: Cang Xu - Let Me Take a Good Look Before Death’s Door!

During their first exchange, Ku Feng had surpassed Cang Xu because Cang Xu harbored doubts about potential hidden dangers within Jian Gui's legacy and hadn't truly committed to cultivation. Thus, Cang Xu's progress was virtually nonexistent.

By their second exchange, Cang Xu had made significant strides, drastically narrowing the gap with Ku Feng.

Now, during their third exchange, Cang Xu was astonished to discover: the gap between him and Ku Feng had widened once more.

The noble steward instantly realized: Something fishy was going on!

He scanned the others. Xiao Wang Zi's gaze darted away, avoiding Cang Xu's eyes.

Qi Ling's expression remained calm.

Ku Feng, however, met Cang Xu's gaze without flinching, holding his stare for a full second.

He alone could never match Cang Xu.

But with Qi Ling and Xiao Wang Zi's assistance, he had once again gained the upper hand in progress.

“Though accepting others' help is unfair, at the brink of life and death, there's no other choice.”

“Truthfully, pitting a fighter like me against a magician to forge memories is inherently unfair.”

"It's a pity, Xu Jia. You were the last to join us. Though our shared experiences are rich, and I personally hold you in high regard, the time we've spent together is ultimately too brief."

Ku Feng felt a quiet regret for Cang Xu.

He harbored no confidence in his own conversion. The crucial assistance from Qi Ling and Xiao Wang Zi was his last lifeline.

He had every reason to cling to it desperately!

A single exchange of glances was all it took for Cang Xu to grasp: “I'm being targeted!”

“Someone is secretly aiding Ku Feng.”

Cang Xu deduced further: “It couldn't be Jian Gui. As the leader, based on what I know of him, he wouldn't stoop to getting personally involved.”

“As for the others... it must be Qi Ling.”

Cang Xu understood Xiao Wang Zi's nature well.

Xiao Wang Zi was rather innocent; he wouldn't resort to such scheming.

Qi Ling, however, was different.

Back at the undead gathering on Weeping Pine Island, Qi Ling's analysis of the world situation had already impressed Cang Xu.

Later, though constrained by Lady Sea Snake, Qi Ling deliberately revealed her traitor status, allowing Xiao Wang Zi and others to escape and preserving their bond. Ultimately, she waited for support from Jian Gui and the others. It could be said that within this small undead faction, Qi Ling's strategic acumen was truly exceptional.

“Zhou Zhang issued the rules, and Jian Gui devised countermeasures, forcing us to select the weakest candidate for memory forgery.”

"Analyzing from Qi Ling's perspective: she could never compete with Jian Gui. To maximize her chances of survival, she had to ensure she remained second only to Jian Gui."

“She must defeat everyone, including me.”

“In memory fabrication, Qi Ling holds a significant advantage as a soul aspect necromancer. Yet this edge isn't absolute, both Xiao Wang Zi and I pose threats to her.”

"Even Ku Feng, a fighter, masters stillness cultivation to tap into his spirit power. Thus Qi Ling dares not be the slightest bit careless."

"Xiao Wang Zi cultivates the bone aspect. In memory fabrication, he is clearly at a disadvantage compared to the soul aspect."

"As for me, I originally specialized in the soul aspect before switching to the Flying Head Spell. This legacy originates from Doctor Sui Shi, whom Qi Ling knows nothing about. It's only natural she views me as her greatest rival."

"Therefore, she will seek every means to eliminate me first. That's the most advantageous option for her!"

Cang Xu's thoughts raced like lightning, swiftly unraveling Qi Ling's intentions to their core.

Under normal circumstances, the undead ronin Ku Feng would be the first chosen.

The remaining contestants would then compete, increasing Qi Ling's pressure. Because Cang Xu and Xiao Wang Zi both remained.

But now, Qi Ling used friendship as an excuse, inciting Xiao Wang Zi to join her in aiding Ku Feng.

Ku Feng's progress surpassed Cang Xu's, making the latter the first to be selected.

Not only that, but Xiao Wang Zi's own progress was also hindered.

Qi Ling faced the same setback, yet her prior progress had already surpassed Xiao Wang Zi's. With both facing setbacks, Qi Ling actually solidified her advantage.

Her progress now ranks just below Jian Gui—second to none, above all others!

By doing this, Qi Ling could not only eliminate Cang Xu as a potential threat early on but also secure her own position.

Jian Gui appears generous on the surface but is secretly duplicitous, one face publicly, another behind closed doors. He has secretly deployed numerous means of control over others.

Qi Ling truly lived up to being summoned by him personally, having served as his alchemy assistant for quite some time. Their approaches to things were quite similar, often playing the sympathy card when scheming.

"If I'd been fighting alone, I'd be completely at a disadvantage right now. Fortunately, the commander is by my side!" Cang Xu remained composed and calm, still finding time for wistful sighs.

“So, what does Jian Gui think?” Cang Xu instinctively looked toward Jian Gui.

The next moment, he met Jian Gui's gaze, a look that was both complex and resigned.

In that instant, Cang Xu understood.

Jian Gui surely knew about Qi Ling's underhanded maneuvers below, yet he couldn't directly intervene.

Because any obstruction would make Ku Feng the first chosen one, essentially sending him to his death first.

Such an action would completely undermine the persona he'd meticulously crafted.

Though Qi Ling and Xiao Wang Zi had intervened to boost Ku Feng's progress, their actions had minimal negative impact on the overall process.

Had the impact been significant, Jian Gui would have intervened immediately.

“In that case, this is actually an opportunity!” Cang Xu's heart stirred.

After exchanging insights, the group wasted no time, each eager to seize every second to advance their progress.

The gathering concluded, and Xiao Wang Zi was the first to leave the shack. Feeling guilty toward Cang Xu, his departure carried a hint of escape.

Ku Feng passed by Cang Xu, gave him a slight nod, and murmured a quiet apology.

His straightforward demeanor earned Cang Xu's quiet approval. After all, employing some tactics to secure one's survival wasn't unreasonable.

Qi Ling remained silent throughout, as if unaware of everything.

Everyone else departed, yet Cang Xu alone stayed behind in Jian Gui's hut.

Seeing this, Jian Gui gave a bitter smile. "Xu Jia, I hope you understand my predicament. If I had stepped in to stop them, what would Ku Feng have thought?"

"Don't be too hasty now. Ku Feng is, after all, a fighter. You still have hope. Keep striving, and perhaps at the final moment, you could surpass him."

“Ah, this is all my fault!”

"I'm the one who led you all into this desperate situation. If only my strength had been greater, if only I could have seen through the divine spell and escaped with you all from Zhou Zhang's grasp..."

Jian Gui poured out his helplessness and regret to Cang Xu, emphasizing that Zhou Zhang, not himself, was the root of all this.

But Cang Xu sneered inwardly.

Cang Xu knew this performance was meant to prevent him from giving up entirely.

Faced with certain death, many would abandon effort and resign themselves to fate.

That was not what Jian Gui desired.

After all, if Cang Xu gave his all, significant progress could still be made during this time.

Jian Gui's act was compelling, but Cang Xu's response was equally compelling.

The noble butler sighed deeply, his voice hollow, tinged with the despair of facing death and the resignation of acceptance: “It seems I am the first to be chosen.”

“Truthfully, I have no complaints about this outcome or treatment. After all, you have all helped me greatly.”

“Had it not been for your intervention, Lord Jian Gui, I would have perished in the battle of the Underworld River.”

“But now, I am filled with profound regret.”

"Back on Weeping Pine Island, I approached you willingly, seeking the intermediate soul aspect inheritance. Little did I know it would lead to the Underworld River battle, where I barely escaped with my life. Yet in the end, I must still lose this life!"

"Perhaps this is simply my fate. It's destined to end here."

These words caused Jian Gui's gaze to flicker repeatedly.

Cang Xu's gloomy confession sent a chill down his spine, fearing Cang Xu might act irrationally.

Like voluntarily informing Zhou Zhang, exposing the plot Jian Gui and others were plotting, in exchange for his own survival.

Of course, Jian Gui had planted safeguards within Cang Xu and wasn't worried about his secrets being exposed.

But killing Cang Xu rashly would inevitably draw a thorough investigation from Zhou Zhang and the others.

Jian Gui's escape plan was already fraught with difficulty. Facing a rigorous investigation on top of that would have unimaginable consequences.

He still needed Cang Xu now!

“Don't give up hope. You might succeed in converting after all,” Jian Gui offered consolation.

Cang Xu shook his head slightly, his expression utterly hopeless.

Jian Gui pondered for a moment, then took a deep breath and said, "We undead are beings of negative energy. We possess advantages distinct from ordinary lifeforms, even if your conversion fails this time, death isn't necessarily guaranteed."

"If you don't trust me, surely you must trust Doctor Sui Shi. He is one of the Twelve Saints, a figure of saint level standing."

Cang Xu's expression immediately shifted, incredulity evident as he asked, “Are you suggesting, Lord Jian Gui, that I might still survive this time?”

As he spoke, a new spark of hope ignited in Cang Xu's eyes.

This was, of course, Jian Gui's deception!

Cang Xu understood this, and Jian Gui knew it too.

Jian Gui continued, "Since Doctor Sui Shi bestowed the Flying Head Spell upon you, he would never let you slip from his sight. He must have placed some arrangement upon you."

“I don't know the specifics myself, so unless absolutely necessary, you shouldn't give up so easily!”

“By the way, didn't you just mention wanting the intermediate soul aspect inheritance?”

“Once this crisis passes, I shall impart a portion of it to you.”

Jian Gui knew such vague lies wouldn't fool Cang Xu, so he had to offer some tangible benefit to bolster his persuasion.

Cang Xu froze slightly, “But wasn't the intermediate inheritance conditional?”

Jian Gui smiled. "We're sharing life and death this time, that fulfills part of the condition. Therefore, imparting a portion to you wouldn't be considered a violation."

Cang Xu sneered inwardly but outwardly wore an expression of surprise and delight.

Had Jian Gui not brought it up first, Cang Xu would have requested it in a more tactful manner.

Now that Jian Gui had spoken, Cang Xu felt not satisfied but instead pressed further.

He sighed deeply, “Lord Jian Gui, despite whatever methods Doctor Sui Shi has laid upon me, my fate this time seems grim indeed.”

“Among the intermediate soul aspect inheritances, what I most wish to see is the section concerning soul crystals.”

“I beg you, could I view it now?”

“Even a single glance would suffice!”

Seeing Cang Xu's sincerity, Jian Gui recalled their first meeting on Weeping Pine Island.

He uttered the same words of admiration as on Weeping Pine Island: “Cang Xu, you are a true magician, possessed of an intense thirst for knowledge.”

“I shall grant your request at once.”

“The section concerning soul crystals...”

“I'm sorry, I cannot give you more than this. It is a matter of principle.”

“Thank you, Lord Jian Gui!” Cang Xu made no attempt to conceal his excitement, immediately bowing in gratitude.

Returning to his quarters, Cang Xu studied the newly acquired soul aspect inheritance, marveling at the mysteries of fate.

Though he now found himself a captive, his life under grave threat, opportunity truly lurked within such peril.

This time, he had seized that chance firmly, achieving most of his objectives.

Had he followed the conventional path, the time and effort required would have been far more immense.