“Grand Elder!”
“Are we really powerless against him, letting him run rampant in our Heavens Starfield?”
Nangong Yifan asked with a distressed expression.
He naturally didn’t want such a menace existing in the Heavens Starfield.
With such a figure around, not only would he feel uneasy, but everyone in the Heavens Gate would too.
“If this Xiuluo is truly a genius from another starfield, backed by powerful forces or top experts, we might indeed be powerless against him,” Tuoba Cheng’an said.
“But the Heavens Starfield is our Heavens Gate’s territory, and we can’t let him act recklessly.”
“Grand Elder, what should we do?” an elder asked.
“At this point, there’s no other way but to take a risk and test him.”
With that, Tuoba Cheng’an produced a box.
Opening it revealed a seven-colored pill.
“Permanent Disguise Pill?”
Seeing the pill, many elders’ expressions shifted, as if realizing something.
Their eyes filled with shock—no, fear.
“We’re all part of the Heavens Gate. Your status today is thanks to the Gate,” Tuoba Cheng’an said, looking at the crowd. “Now’s the time to contribute. Are you going to back out?”
“Grand Elder, even if you want to test Xiuluo, we could hire outsiders. Why must it be us?” an elder protested.
“Yes, outsiders would do just fine,” others chimed in.
The one leading the objection was a Supreme Realm powerhouse, another Grand Elder of the Heavens Gate, named Cheng Hui, with First Rank Supreme cultivation.
“Elder Cheng, you’re a Grand Elder of the Heavens Gate,” Tuoba Cheng’an said. “Tell me, for such a sensitive matter, who’s more reliable—outsiders or our own people?”
“Naturally, our own people,” Cheng Hui replied, wiping sweat from his brow.
The room wasn’t hot, but he was drenched in cold sweat.
“Well said, Elder Cheng. For such matters, our own are more reliable,” Tuoba Cheng’an continued. “If I recall, you also attacked Xiuluo earlier, didn’t you? If not for Han Xiu’s timely arrival, you might have harmed him, causing a grave mistake.”
“I was foolish and nearly caused a disaster. Please punish me, Grand Elder,” Cheng Hui quickly admitted, his every move betraying his fear of Tuoba Cheng’an.
“Yes, you were foolish, and Xiuluo saw it all,” Tuoba Cheng’an said. “From what I can tell, Xiuluo isn’t the forgiving type. If he truly has powerful backers, you, Elder Cheng, might be in trouble sooner or later.”
“Instead, why don’t we entrust you with testing Xiuluo?”
Tuoba spoke with a smile, but his eyes glinted with a cold menace.
“Grand—”
*Buzz—*
Before Cheng Hui could finish, a powerful pressure enveloped the hall.
Everyone noticed Cheng Hui frozen, mouth open, bound by the pressure.
Seizing the moment, Tuoba Cheng’an stuffed the Permanent Disguise Pill into Cheng Hui’s mouth.
Then, he withdrew the pressure.
*Cough, cough—*
Regaining freedom, Cheng Hui frantically clawed at his mouth, coughing violently, trying to expel the pill.
But not only did he fail, seven-colored light began emanating from his body.
The faint glow radiated from within, carrying Cheng Hui’s exact aura, as if it were part of him.
“This…”
Cheng Hui was on the verge of tears.
He knew the pill’s effect had taken hold, and he couldn’t spit it out.
“Elder Cheng, you’re truly a pillar of the Heavens Gate. Only you are fit for such a critical task,” Tuoba Cheng’an said. “Go with confidence. After this, I’ll personally request merit for you from the Gate Master.”
“But the pill’s effect is time-limited, so you must change your appearance within that time, or it’ll be wasted.”
As he spoke, Tuoba’s eyes flashed with ruthlessness, and his pressure spread again, now laced with killing intent.
Cheng Hui knew he had no choice but to follow Tuoba’s orders.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t need to test Xiuluo—he’d die here and now.
In fact, not just Cheng Hui, everyone present understood.
Tuoba Cheng’an was a man who cared for no one, which was why even these elders feared him so.
“Grand Elder, whose appearance should I take?” Cheng Hui asked.
“Since we’re acting within the Red Robe Holy Land, naturally, you should disguise as one of their own,” Tuoba said. “Her.”
As he spoke, his barrier power formed an image in the air.
Seeing the portrait, everyone silently admired Tuoba’s cunning.
The woman was Song Yichen.
Song Yichen, a Grand Elder of the Red Robe Holy Land, with First Rank Supreme cultivation.
She had vanished days ago, her whereabouts unknown, and the Red Robe Holy Land was still searching for her.
But the Heavens Gate elders present knew the truth—Song Yichen hadn’t vanished.
She had learned of the Heavens Gate’s plot against the Red Robe Holy Land and had been secretly killed by them.
Using her identity to deal with Xiuluo was perfect.
