Hidden Moth-Chapter 503 - 285: Winds and Blossoms Across the Four Seasons (Part 2)

The confrontation that Master Dan Qiu and his disciple faced turned into a battle with Gu Chun, who had taken control of the Array Core. Gu Chun wielded the Eight Wind Staff for magical combat from a distance. This way of fighting was indeed quite unfair, as Gu Chun could attack the opponent, but the opponent could not reach him.

The first choice for Master Dan Qiu and his disciple was still to forcefully break into the Ancestral Hall, and this was precisely the reason.

Master Dan Qiu found it hard to believe, yet had to face reality. If the opponent was indeed Elder Gu, they were probably being trapped like a dog in a cage today, making it nearly impossible to achieve their original plan.

But he still had a backup plan, at least ensuring his own safe retreat. Otherwise, how would he dare to come today?

While continuing the magical combat, Master Dan Qiu shouted loudly, "Don’t be overly pleased with yourselves. Let’s stop and talk properly, or do you not care about the lives of Li Xiuyuan and Mei Guyu?"

This statement was quite strange. From his words, it seemed that the Xiao Alliance’s target today wasn’t just the Immortal Pot Grotto Heaven but also Li Xiuyuan and Mei Guyu, far away in Qi Yuan.

At this moment, Jiang Daozhen spoke, "Oh, how come Li Xiuyuan is also your target?"

Master Dan Qiu: "Mei Guyu’s current state makes capturing her a trivial task. Our primary goal is Li Xiuyuan, who is secretly protecting her in Qi Yuan. After all, the threat posed by a Tier Six Illusion Master is too great.

If we stop and negotiate now, let’s see what you can offer to exchange for the lives of these two elders. Otherwise, it will be too late..."

Master Dan Qiu revealed a critical piece of intelligence, claiming to have control over the lives of Li Xiuyuan and Mei Guyu, and emphasizing that the primary target was Li Xiuyuan because his threat was too great?

What threat could Li Xiuyuan pose? In terms of magical combat, he wasn’t as useful as Guo Qianhuai. But in other situations, he could create a lot of trouble.

Whoever engages in nefarious activities fears encountering an Illusion Master the most.

The Xiao Alliance employs various tactics against the Magic Sect, such as rumor-spreading, brainwashing, bribery, and defections. Many things mustn’t be discovered, but if targeted by an Illusion Master, they are often easily exposed.

For example, someone might think they’re making contact with their superior, not knowing the other party is actually Li Xiuyuan, having fallen under the Illusion Master’s divine techniques... how can you remain hidden like this?

The methods of an Illusion Master, used against high-tier sorcerers, have many limitations but are still difficult to guard against. Low-tier sorcerers find it even harder to resist and often fall victim without realizing it.

According to the Xiao Alliance’s assessment, the most threatening person in the Magic Sect now is Jiang Daozhen, who has advanced to Tier Seven Grand Calculator, and the second is Li Xiuyuan. In some aspects, Li Xiuyuan’s threat is even greater.

Jiang Daozhen is too cunning, having returned to the Flower Shocking Grotto Heaven after being exposed. There’s no opportunity to target him, so taking down Li Xiuyuan counts as a significant breakthrough.

When Master Dan Qiu spoke these words, he also conducted a mental review. Before he entered the Immortal Pot Grotto Heaven today, he confirmed with his subordinates one last time—

Elder Zong was at the township government, Elder Kang and Elder Ye were drawn across the ocean, Li Xiuyuan and Mei Guyu were in Pugang Town, north of Qi Yuan, and Qi Nansheng was in seclusion, refining alchemy at Taihua Mountain.

The only surprise today was the variable of Gu Chun. It wasn’t due to inaccurate intelligence, but rather incomplete information. The last confirmation was that Gu Chun was at Mount Everest Base Camp, just before yesterday’s dusk.

Although no one saw Gu Chun after dusk yesterday, Master Dan Qiu judged he couldn’t possibly rush back to Phoenix Tail Town... yet the old man truly did make it back, probably receiving some information that drove him desperately back using a Flying Divine Artifact. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Indeed, Elder Gu’s cultivation is deep and his mana extensive, but his consumption should also be substantial. How long can he sustain full force magical combat under such circumstances?

The reason Gu Chun rushed back might have been because Jiang Daozhen calculated something. In Master Dan Qiu’s view, the Xiao Alliance lacks a figure like Jiang Daozhen in their high-end combat power line-up.

Not to mention a Tier Seven Grand Calculator, the Xiao Alliance doesn’t even have one Tier Six Calculator.

As for Jiang Daozhen and Guo Qianhuai, it’s not about underestimating them, as one hid in Flower Shocking Grotto Heaven and the other was in long-term seclusion in Book Observation Grotto Heaven, with no way to track their movements, yet they both showed up here...

These thoughts flashed through his mind as Master Dan Qiu heard a voice, "Well then, your target turns out to be me. May I ask how you plan to control my life and death?"

With the voice, a person emerged—it was Li Xiuyuan.

Li Xiuyuan appeared as if out of nowhere, with the archway and stone bridge behind him resembling a backdrop painting, while he exposed himself by pulling back this backdrop, revealing himself to everyone.

This wasn’t the Hidden Moth’s ability to traverse space, but an illusion crafted by a Tier Six Illusion Master. The most ingenious illusions blend seamlessly with the real scene, leaving no flaw detectable while concealing themselves within.

If Geng Yanxin controlled the Array Core, he could naturally see through it, but at this moment, it was Gu Chun who held the Array Core. Li Xiuyuan had quietly crept to Master Dan Qiu’s path after the magical combat began, then set up an Illusion Array and waited silently.

If Master Dan Qiu and his disciple had given up on breaking into the Ancestral Hall and broke towards the entrance of the Grotto Heaven instead, they would have stumbled right into the Illusion Array and suffered a harsh blow... Li Xiuyuan, no doubt, also understood the art of ambush very well.

In the arena of magical combat, an Illusion Master’s role is usually in support, but they can also deliver high damage.

Hearing that Master Dan Qiu was starting to negotiate, using him and Mei Guyu’s safety as leverage, Li Xiuyuan finally stepped out, dealing a heavy blow to Master Dan Qiu.