Chapter 695: The Nine-Character Mantra Seal

Xu Ziling practiced many diverse martial arts, which was somewhat similar to Kai Xin. However, while Kai Xin’s masterful skills were all active-type, Xu Ziling’s martial arts were rather unique: first, the “Eternal Life Art,” then Fu Junchuo’s “Nine Mysterious Great Art,” also a mental technique. Later, he obtained the “Evil Emperor’s Relic,” and combined it with the supernatural powers of the He Shi Bi to develop his own peculiar “Three-One Vital Energy Art.” No one in the world could replicate or master this art. Even its successors would likely fail to inherit it!
Xu Ziling explained…
To deceive others, one must master at least one of his martial arts. Kai Xin’s “Nine Yang Divine Art” happened to meet this requirement—it could be remembered after just one glance and replicated quickly.
However, many things couldn’t be replicated, such as the “Three-One Vital Energy Art,” as well as his own techniques like “Backward Flight Art” and “Clarity of the Sword Heart.” The “Immortal Seal Art” taught by the Evil King Shi Zhixuan was also of immense significance. Thus, Xu Ziling decided to practice the “Nine-Character Mantra Seal” he had mastered.
This martial art was also a masterwork, with powerful effects comparable to the “True Dragon Ten Styles.” After just one practice, Kai Xin successfully obtained all the seals of the Nine-Character Mantra Seal. The only thing that disappointed him was that, despite being at the Liberation realm, he could only unleash 80% of its power. But still, it was quite good.
This mantra seal possessed infinite power and could be used to enhance martial skills. In battle, it was equivalent to advancing a realm—extremely terrifying. Even though it was just a copy, Kai Xin felt this mission was already a great success!
Wearing the clothes Xu Ziling handed him, Kai Xin changed without hesitation, then put on the leather mask crafted based on Xu Ziling’s face.
Speaking of which…
Xu Ziling and Kai Xin had similar heights and temperaments. The former was very gentle and calm, quiet, and tolerant toward everything, while Kai Xin had long developed his own unique demeanor and grace. When he calmed down, he quickly merged into Xu Ziling’s hard-to-imitate serenity. Turning around in front of Xu Ziling, the latter couldn’t help but exclaim in amazement:
“Now even I doubt whether I’m looking at a mirror.”
“…”
The fake Xu Ziling smiled awkwardly, revealing Xu Ziling’s shy side vividly.
“Brother Kai Xin, I’ll leave this place to you to watch over.”
Xu Ziling stopped talking nonsense and grew serious.

Nodding, Happy accepted the task gladly. He had to ensure Shi Qingxuan’s safety on the pleasure boat for at least two hours and find ways to repel anyone attempting to board it.
“…”
For Happy, as long as no abnormally powerful beings from the Mythical Realm showed up, his current strength would guarantee the boat’s safety.
Xu Ziling gave one more instruction before leading the unidentified player away.
Without hesitation, Happy chose a seat by the window, activated the spiritual senses of the Nine Yang Divine Skill to cover the entire boat, and took on the role of guard while drinking.
Whoosh…
With a faint sound of water breaking, two dark figures entered the water from the bottom of the boat and silently slipped out of Happy’s detection range.
Although Xu Ziling claimed he was worried about Kou Zhong’s safety, Happy knew the two must have gone to search for the real Yang Gong Treasure House…
If he wasn’t mistaken, Kou Zhong remaining in Yangzhou was merely a decoy to draw everyone’s attention and create an opportunity for Xu Ziling!
Of course, it was also possible he was a fake wearing a human mask, just like Happy.
The real Kou Zhong had already gone to the Yang Gong Treasure House long ago, with Xu Ziling leading others to join him.
Anyway!
The truth would be revealed, and the boat would become unstable.
Those who realized they had been deceived would think of Xu Ziling and this boat floating on the river, and then… things would get busy.
…
Inside Yangzhou City.
The uninhabited courtyard purchased by Kou Zhong was now completely surrounded by a sea of people, blocking all exits.
The courtyard had been searched thoroughly, and everyone was gathered around the back yard, near a dry well with no water.
The sound of clothes rustling in the wind came continuously, followed by a group of people descending from the sky and landing at the front of the crowd. The leader was none other than the Master of Ji Yin Sect:
“Is it here?”
His sinister voice clearly indicated nothing good.
A few disciples from the demonic sect nodded in agreement: “That’s right! None of the brothers who went in earlier have returned. We feared an ambush, so we sent a signal.”
“Good.”
The Master of Ji Yin Sect sneered:
“If this is the entrance to the Yang Gong Treasure House, those inside won’t be able to escape…”
He then changed his tone:
“You few, come with me.”
He selected a few elders from the demonic sect, and together they surrounded the dry well before jumping in one after another.
About half an hour passed…

A few people emerged from the dry well with grim expressions. The leader of the Ji Yin Sect and another elder from the Demon Sect each held a corpse, their faces pale and twisted in anger.
“What so-called Yang Gong Treasury? It’s just a messy maze!”
The Yin Queen, Li Shimin, and others who had rushed over upon hearing the news changed expressions upon seeing the corpses thrown on the ground.
“What a clever trick to lure us away! That bastard deceived us all with a decoy!”
“Who else is on the painted boat?” Li Shimin asked behind him.
“Shi Qingxuan’s performance should have ended already. His painted boat wouldn’t leave anyone behind.”
“In that case, Xu Ziling might have disappeared too.” Someone from the Song Clan spoke up.
“Hmph!” The Yin Queen’s expression darkened as she gave a cold order: “Search the entire city immediately! Look for Xu Ziling, Kou Zhong, and all members of the Twin Dragon Gang!”
“You few, go back to the painted boat right away and investigate to see if Xu Ziling is still there.”
“You too, go.”
Apart from the male and female demons from the Demon Sect who were sent to the painted boat, people from Li Shimin’s faction, the Song Clan, the Yuwen Clan, and Du Fuwei’s group also sent people there. Some from the Lingxiao Palace and Yipin Hall volunteered to go as well.
A large group surged toward the riverside of Yangzhou City. On the vast river surface, numerous painted boats were already docked, except for Shi Qingxuan’s giant boat, which remained in the middle of the river, brightly lit.
“Boatman! Set sail!” Faced with waves of martial artists forcing their way aboard, the people on the painted boat became panicked.
But some were even more direct—masters from the Demon Sect channeled their inner energy and strode across the water toward the boat…
“Shi Qingxuan is tired today and has gone to rest. Please go back, everyone.” Before they could get close, a cold, deep voice came from the river toward the shore: “I have matters to discuss with Xu Ziling tonight and do not wish to be disturbed by anyone.”
The martial artists crowding on the shore froze at these words. Those from the Lingxiao Palace and Yipin Hall stopped first.