These black energies, to everyone's eyes, were utterly repulsive. The writhing black masses resembled a myriad of hideous, grinning demon faces, sending shivers down their spines.
"The seal cannot hold for much longer; it must be repaired immediately."
"Mu Qingqing, hand over the Eternal Inkstone to me."
Xuan Qingming glanced at the sealing wall before him and then turned to Mu Qingqing, speaking to her.
"Alright."
Mu Qingqing passed the Eternal Inkstone in her hands to him.
With the help of this Eternal Inkstone, the seal in the Dusk Land could be mended, and the Eternal Continent would be spared from this calamity.
The other four Holy Lords, unable to suppress their excitement, watched the handover of the Eternal Inkstone with unwavering attention.
However, just as Xuan Qingming was about to touch the Eternal Inkstone, Mu Qingqing withdrew it.
Xuan Qingming's expression froze. The other four Holy Lords and Xin Ci looked at Mu Qingqing with confusion, all asking in unison, "What's wrong?"
Mu Qingqing stared calmly at Xuan Qingming, her eyes unblinking.
Unfazed by her gaze, Xuan Qingming spoke with a placid tone, "Mu Qingqing, is there a problem?"
"Holy Lord Xuan, may I repair the seal?"
"Why?"
"Because... I don't trust you."
Her words stunned everyone present.
"Qingqing, what is it?" Xin Ci asked, somewhat taken aback, stepping forward.
Mu Qingqing couldn't explain why, but as she had extended the Eternal Inkstone, a sense of foreboding had intensified.
Ever since the events at the Eternal Divine Palace had shifted, Mu Qingqing had become exceptionally cautious.
The fact that Xuan Qi had disappeared after emerging from the Eternal Divine Palace made her all the more vigilant.
Furthermore, for some inexplicable reason, Mu Qingqing felt a familiar sense of disgust emanating from the Xuan Qingming before her.
The other four Holy Lords, failing to comprehend Mu Qingqing's actions, spoke in succession.
"Mu Qingqing, what are you spacing out for? Hurry and hand the Eternal Inkstone to Holy Lord Xuan."
"Don't waste time. You can see this sealing wall won't hold much longer."
"Repairing the seal is paramount. Mu Qingqing, stop causing trouble at a time like this."
...
Wan Guimang, known for his temper, was about to scold Mu Qingqing for her hesitation when—
*Puff!*
A hand shot through his chest from behind, piercing it completely. Dark red blood erupted like a spray.
Wan Guimang's eyes widened. He coughed up a few mouthfuls of blood and turned his head shakily, his eyes filled with horror and disbelief!
Xin Ci, Mu Qingqing, and the other three Holy Lords also looked on in astonishment.
"Xuan Qingming... why..."
Wan Guimang looked at Xuan Qingming, who had attacked him from behind, his eyes burning with rage and shock.
Xuan Qingming's face was like frost. Without a word, he coldly withdrew his hand from Wan Guimang's chest.
Blood gushed out again. Before Wan Guimang could react, Xuan Qingming kicked him away.
Fortunately, Holy Lords Ling Qinghan and Ji Juekong caught the injured Wan Guimang in time.
As Wan Guimang circulated his true essence to heal himself, he coughed up blood and glared at Xuan Qingming, demanding, "Xuan Qingming, what do you mean by this!"
Xin Ci and the other three Holy Lords were also incensed by Xuan Qingming's sudden attack.
At this moment, Mu Qingqing stepped forward, coldly facing Xuan Qingming, and stated in a deep voice, "You are not Xuan Qingming!"
Her words once again surprised Xin Ci and the others.
Xuan Qingming narrowed his eyes, a cold sneer playing on his lips, his voice subtly changing.
"Mu Qingqing, as expected, you are the one who can bring me surprises."
Hearing this familiar voice, everyone's hearts jolted, and their eyes widened in horror.
"You are Xuan Qi!!!"
Xin Ci and the others exclaimed this in unison.
Realizing that the person before them was Xuan Qi, Mu Qingqing and the others immediately attacked, intending to subdue him.
But they suddenly found themselves unable to move.
It was as if something had frozen the space around them.
With a mere wave of Xuan Qi's hand, everyone except Mu Qingqing, including Xin Ci, suffered severe injuries and were sent flying back, spitting blood.
He had defeated Xin Ci and the others with a single blow.
They instantly realized that Xuan Qi's strength had improved again; he was likely at the Pseudo-Eternal realm.
This terrifying true essence and overwhelming pressure were something Mu Qingqing had only felt from the Dragon Ancestor.
Mu Qingqing subconsciously turned to check on Xin Ci's injuries, but in that instant, Xuan Qi seized the opportunity to snatch the Eternal Inkstone.
Holding the Eternal Inkstone, Xuan Qi flew into the void, a wicked smile spreading across his lips as he mockingly taunted Mu Qingqing and the others below.
"Mu Qingqing, Xin Ci, you both finally fell into my trap."
"Xuan Qi, hand over the Eternal Inkstone immediately!"
The four Holy Lords, disregarding their own injuries, roared at Xuan Qi in the sky.
"Hahahaha! Xuan Qi? You are all so naive and laughable."
"What do you mean?"
Xuan Qi ignored the four Holy Lords and turned his gaze to Mu Qingqing and Xin Ci, a demonic smile on his face. "Mu Qingqing, Xin Ci, do you remember the first time you met me?"
Upon hearing his words, Mu Qingqing and Xin Ci's expressions changed slightly.
Xuan Kong, Xuan Qi, Xuan Qingming!
"Xuan Kong was a fake name. Does that mean Xuan Qi is also one!"
"That's right, there was never a Xuan Qi. I have always been Xuan Qingming! Hahahahaha..."
Xuan Qingming let out a wild laugh, reveling in his victory.
Mu Qingqing and the others' faces turned extremely grim.
At this moment, they all realized they had been toyed with by Xuan Qingming from beginning to end.
Xuan Qi was merely a clone of Xuan Qingming.
To deceive the five great Holy Lands, Xuan Qingming had created a clone, adopted the alias Xuan Qi, and pretended to be an ordinary disciple of Xuan Kong Mountain.
He had even orchestrated his supposed expulsion from the Holy Land. Whether it was the slaughter of the Undying Golden Dragons or the disruption of the Dusk Land's seal, all of it was Xuan Qingming's doing.
Recalling the scene of Xuan Qi attacking Xuan Kong Mountain back then, it must have been a meticulously planned scheme by Xuan Qingming.
They had all been thoroughly tricked by Xuan Qingming.
Thinking of this, the four Holy Lords, Mu Qingqing, and Xin Ci were consumed by rage.
"You had me and Xin Ci search for the Eternal Dao Seal. Was that also your deliberate guidance?"
"Precisely. It's all thanks to you that I obtained the Eternal Inkstone."
"Despicable scoundrel!"
Mu Qingqing and Xin Ci's expressions turned exceedingly somber, tinged with regret.
Past memories flooded their minds. They should have realized something was amiss long ago.
When Mu Qingqing had seen the brocade box containing the two Eternal Dao Seals that Xuan Qingming possessed, she should have sensed something was wrong.
That was clearly the same brocade box Xuan Qi had obtained in the Star Realm.
The chaotic events during the Eastern Continent Grand Competition, when the Underworld God Demonic creatures had wreaked havoc, were also deliberately orchestrated by Xuan Qingming.
His sole aim was to obtain the Eternal Dao Seal.
Recalling this now was truly horrifying.
It turned out that every step they had taken since the Eastern Continent had been under Xuan Qingming's control.
Resentment and fury churned within them, but Mu Qingqing and Xin Ci now realized it was far too late.