Cao Xing walked up and slapped each of them.

To his surprise, his wife and child charged back at him, and the three of them began to brawl.

As their rage surged, so did their resentment.

On the ground, the shadows of the three were constantly twisting and merging.

A sinister, cold aura began to coalesce above the shadows, causing the temperature in the house to plummet.

Strands of straw materialized and gathered on the shadows.

Gradually, the shadows eerily rose upright and lunged toward the three of them.

But just then, a dark light suddenly appeared on Cao Xing and the others.

The dark light flashed, and a giant mouth materialized in mid-air, swallowing the shadow creature in a single gulp.

The eyes of Cao Xing and his family rolled back, and they collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

...

Similar scenes were unfolding in houses all across Fenglin State.

Meanwhile, far from Fenglin State, within Qingyun Cloud Temple, Changbai Temple Master sat cross-legged.

Layers of dark light flickered continuously across his body.

A closer look would reveal that Changbai Temple Master’s aura had changed.

His previous scholarly, transcendent air was gone. Changbai Temple Master had become gloomy and cold.

At the same time, his aura was strengthening at a visible rate.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Changbai Temple Master opened his eyes.

A complicated look flashed in his eyes.

’No wonder the Wild Taoist Sect and the Wild Buddha Sect are so deeply entrenched.’

’Even I can’t resist the temptation of a shortcut like this.’

’In such a short time, my cultivation level, which has been stagnant for years, is already showing signs of new growth.’

Changbai Temple Master waved his hand. ’I’ll mix the items of accumulated resentment they gave me into the Three Spirits Powder, and then leave behind the aura of the Devouring Deceit Skill.’

’The moment a deceit is discovered, the Devouring Deceit Skill will swallow it immediately.’

’And with a deceit like "shadow clothing," the trigger is almost guaranteed.’

’But it’s impossible to say there are no side effects.’

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Changbai Temple Master extended his right hand and pulled up the sleeve on his right arm.

Near the elbow of his upper right arm, a dark black line was spreading toward his chest.

’Loss of emotional control, influence from the deceits... It seems I’ll have to study the Daoist Scriptures more diligently in my daily life,’ Changbai Temple Master thought.

The side effect of the Devouring Deceit Skill was that one’s disposition could be easily influenced by the deceits.

The cold and tyrannical aura now emanating from Changbai Temple Master was a result of this.

He could even feel himself becoming a volcano on the verge of eruption, only holding back through the self-discipline he had cultivated over many years in the Daoist Sect.

Just then, the door to the room was pushed open.

The man in black walked in. Seeing Changbai Temple Master’s state, he chuckled and said, "Compared to other Wild Daoist Techniques, this one has the mildest price to pay. After all, you still need to keep your identity hidden for now."

Changbai Temple Master shot him a cold glance. "You said that after I cultivated the Devouring Deceit Skill, there would be a way to kill Shen Bai. What is this way?"

He had cultivated the Devouring Deceit Skill for two reasons: one, to join the Wild Taoist Sect, and two, to kill Shen Bai.

He had cultivated it now, but as for how to kill Shen Bai, Changbai Temple Master was still completely in the dark.

The man in black shook his head. "We cannot make a move ourselves."

Changbai Temple Master’s gaze grew even colder.

The man in black sat down, leaning back in his chair. "The Sect Leader of the Upper Evil Sect possessed two abilities and was no ordinary Meridian Realm cultivator, yet Shen Bai still killed him. Do you think we can just send some ordinary person?"

"If we were to send someone stronger, I’m afraid Liu Wufeng would detect them in an instant."

"After all, both the Wild Taoist Sect and the Wild Buddha Sect are marked organizations. We can’t take that risk."

Changbai Temple Master slowly stood up. "Then what is it you’re suggesting?"

’Even sending a Meridian Realm expert isn’t enough to handle Shen Bai, but they don’t dare send anyone stronger. So how can he be killed?’

At this moment, the tyrannical aura around Changbai Temple Master was gradually intensifying.

The man in black waved his hand dismissively. "Control your emotions. This is your first time using a Wild Daoist Technique. If you don’t keep it in check, it will be very dangerous."

Hearing this, Changbai Temple Master took two deep breaths, and the aura around him subsided slightly.

The man in black continued, "If you want to kill Shen Bai, it still has to be you."

Changbai Temple Master was taken aback. "If I could make a move myself, what would I need you for?"

He understood the implication.

But if he were really to be the one to act, he would have done so long ago.

Given Shen Bai’s current status, even he didn’t dare to act recklessly.

The man in black shook his head. "You still don’t understand what I mean."

"Within the Devouring Deceit Skill, there is a Secret Technique called the Reverse Nourishing Method. Do you understand now?"

Comprehension dawned on Changbai Temple Master. He frowned. "You mean, use the Devouring Deceit Skill to create a powerful deceit... Hehehe, I see. You’ve really killed two birds with one stone."

"No, three birds with one stone."

"You get me to join the Wild Taoist Sect, you get Shen Bai killed, and you cause massive destruction during the state celebration."

The man in black shrugged. "What can I say? We’re being pursued too closely. We can’t act ourselves."

The Reverse Nourishing Method could feed all the devoured deceits back into a single one.

This Secret Technique could only be used once in a lifetime. The purpose was to devour and instantly refine that single deceit after it had been nourished.

Changbai Temple Master understood the man in black’s meaning and said slowly, "But once the deceit appears, it will kill indiscriminately. If Liu Wufeng finds out, he will surely rush over immediately."

"And I don’t believe the deceit I nourish will be able to withstand Liu Wufeng’s Weapons."

The man in black smiled. "What if you have this?"

A Talisman materialized in the man in black’s hand, floating in mid-air and rotating slightly.

Changbai Temple Master’s eyes widened. "This is... a Death Talisman! How can you bear to part with it?"