In his later years, he was backstabbed by his third wife, and he awakened the Wei Xiaobao system

The secret "Hidden Dragon Cave" in Zhenlong Valley is deep and quiet.

The stalactites hanging from the cave ceiling look like ferocious fangs, casting eerie shadows under the flickering candlelight.

The pool at the bottom of the cave was dark and deep. The candlelight swayed gently on the water, twisting and stretching Wang Tong's shadow to the top of the cave, like a twisted giant snake ready to attack and bite its prey.

Li Qingfeng's clone sat steadily on the stone bench, holding a teacup. The Moonlight Baihao Tea in the cup rippled in circles, reflecting the ancient and vigorous stone carving of "Sixteen Secrets to Suppress the Dragon" on the cave wall.

Each sword mark seemed to hold a hidden secret, faintly emitting a sinister aura that devoured spiritual energy, as if silently revealing the hidden ambitions of Zhenlong Valley.

"The 'spiritual power test' that Mr. Wang mentioned a few days ago was actually intended to identify the demon spies among the numerous cultivators, so as to prevent them from ruining the Northern Wilderness's great cause."

As Wang Tong spoke, he tapped the stone table rhythmically with his fingertips, his eyes flickering as he deliberately avoided the gaze of Li Qingfeng's clone. "Fellow Daoist Li, you don't really think that I, Zhenlong Valley, want to control your sect's disciples, do you?"

The clone blew lightly on the tea foam, and the hot steam rose up, blurring his face.

In an instant, his gaze, like lightning, fixed on the faintly visible chain tattoo on Wang Tong's sleeve. His tone was calm yet pointed, "If I agree to unite the seven kingdoms, can Zhenlong Valley promise—" He paused, as if weighing his words, "never to covet the 'Heavenly Spirit Spring' of Dayu Kingdom?"

When Wang Tong heard this, his pupils suddenly shrank and a trace of panic flashed in his eyes.

Tianling Spring is the foundation of the Dayu Kingdom. Legend has it that it is closely connected to the spiritual veins of the Demon Emperor's tomb and is an extremely critical core secret.

He forced himself to remain calm, cleared his throat, and said, "All we, Zhenlonggu, want is the right to coordinate the spiritual veins. As for the other details, we can discuss them."

A slight smile suddenly appeared on the corner of the clone's mouth, like a shooting star across the night sky, disappearing in a flash.

He calmly pulled out the "Demon-Slaying Pill" from the Imperial Heaven Sect from his sleeve and held it before his eyes, examining it as if he were appreciating a rare treasure. "The recipe for the pill made by Yao Qingmeng actually contains the Spirit-Attracting Grass, and the black crystal Su Zhan sent is engraved with a tracking symbol. Why drag Li into the feud between Guigu and the Imperial Heaven Sect?"

These words were like a heavy hammer, hitting Wang Tong's heart hard.

Only then did he suddenly realize that Li Qingfeng had already seen through the calculations of the two major forces, but had been pretending not to know.

At this moment, the underground river deep in the cave suddenly emitted a dull roar, like the roar of an ancient beast, as if the hidden power of the Dragon Valley was issuing a silent warning.

......

The atmosphere in the vast "Heaven-shaking Martial Arts Arena" of the Yutian Divine Sect was heated and tense.

The sun was high in the sky, and the sunlight poured down unhindered, casting a dazzling light on the ground.

Zhao Bolu gripped the black iron sword tightly in both hands and exerted force suddenly, splitting the three-meter-high wooden stake in front of him in half. Wood chips fluttered in the air like snowflakes.

Li Qingfeng's clone stood tall and straight, hands behind his back, his clothes fluttering, unstained by a speck of dust, like an immortal who had withdrawn from the world.

"Sect Master Su claimed that Zhenlong Valley intends to build a Spirit Gathering Tower in an attempt to devour spiritual energy from all sides."

As his clone, Li Qingfeng, spoke, he casually kicked away the fragments of black crystal at his feet. The action seemed careless, but it actually held a deeper meaning. "But as far as I know, your sect's 'God-killing Crossbow' also needs to consume the spiritual energy of cultivators to unleash its power."

When Zhao Bolu heard this, the sword in his hand fell to the ground with a clang, splashing a string of sparks.

His face was filled with astonishment, and he hurriedly defended himself, "Senior Li, please don't believe the rumors in Zhenlong Valley! My Zhenyutian Divine Sect's God-killing Crossbow has always been powered by demon beast crystal cores—"

"is it?"

The clone Li Qingfeng curled up the corner of his mouth with a sneer, like a sharp dagger, stabbing straight at the opponent's vitals.

He casually tossed out the "Soul Gathering Formation Diagram" he had found at the bottom of the bronze chest. It clearly depicted a brutal image of a cultivator chained tightly to a crossbow. "Zhao, do you know that the method used in this diagram is identical to the Soul Devouring Formation in the Dragon Suppression Valley—both involve the evil 'Soul Extraction Technique'?"

For a moment, the wind in the martial arts field seemed to be cast under a spell, and it froze in an instant. Then it suddenly became bitingly cold, as if it came from the Nine Nether Hell.

A dull sound of gears turning came from the Zhentian Pavilion in the distance. It was the signal for the third level mechanism of the God-killing Crossbow to be activated.

Beads of sweat formed on Zhao Polu's forehead. He finally woke up, realizing that the clone before him was no ordinary negotiator, but a formidable enemy, armed with intelligence as precise as a scalpel, who was dismantling the Imperial Heaven Sect's disguises layer by layer.

"Our town can suspend the development of the crossbow," Zhao Bolu said with difficulty, gritting his teeth. "But senior, please promise not to sign that blood pact with Zhenlong Valley."

The clone, Li Qingfeng, shook his head calmly, his gaze as firm as a rock. "I don't ask for much. I simply ask that your sect share the 'Northern Wilderness Spiritual Vein Distribution Map' with our town. As for other requests, we can discuss them later."

......

While the two clones were skillfully engaging in power struggles in Zhenlong Valley and Yutian Divine Sect respectively, Li Qingfeng's third clone had already quietly sneaked into the bottom of the Black Abyss.

This place seems like a forgotten world of death. The rocks appear a strange dark red, as if they have been soaked in blood for a long time.

A sticky liquid slowly seeped from the cracks in the rocks, emitting a pungent, sickening smell of rust and rotting grass. The clone carefully stepped over each skeleton, surprised to find that all of them remained in a kneeling position, their skulls, without exception, pointed toward a massive bronze door at the deepest point of the abyss.

"Anyone who trespasses will die!"?

A sharp and piercing sound suddenly came from behind the bronze door, like sharp nails scratching metal, giving people goose bumps all over their bodies.

The clone Li Qingfeng became alert instantly and quickly gripped the demon-slaying sword. He saw wisps of gray mist slowly seeping out from the crack in the door, like the vengeful spirit spit out by an evil ghost.

A hunched figure gradually emerged from the gray mist. He wore a black robe embroidered with ancient runes that shimmered with a mysterious light. Nine copper bells hung from his waist. With every step he took, the bells emitted a dull clang, echoing through the deadly black abyss, striking fear into everyone's heart.

"I am Li Qingfeng from Luoyun Sect. I would like to ask you for your advice, Senior—"

The clone tried to make its intentions clear and break the suffocating deadlock.

"No need to say more!" The gravekeeper interrupted him rudely, raising his hand and waving his sleeves.

In an instant, the diffuse gray fog condensed into nine thick chains, each chain was engraved with densely packed, glowing soul-calming spells.

Upon seeing this, the clone swung his sword without hesitation. However, strangely, the sword light was like a drop in the ocean, passing through the chain as if passing through nothingness, while the chain actually wrapped around his ankle, icy cold and piercing, like a soul-binding rope from the underworld.

"This is the Yin and Ming chains, specifically designed to lock the soul."

The gravekeeper spoke as he approached with slow, heavy steps, revealing half of his rotting face. Maggots wriggled among the rotting flesh, emitting a foul stench. "After so many years, someone finally dares to venture into this dark abyss."

The clone used the "Beidou Tiangang Steps" to try to break free from the restraints and break out of the siege.

But every time he moved, a rune would light up on the bones under his feet. The runes connected with each other and gradually formed the long-lost and extremely powerful "Immortal Trapping Formation".

Upon seeing this, the gravekeeper raised his hand and offered a bronze lamp, the lamp oil of which was actually black blood as thick as ink.

As the flames flickered, the clone's shadow suddenly split into three on the wall, each twisting and struggling in agony, as if enduring endless torture.

"The place you are guarding is the Demon Emperor's tomb?"

The clone endured the excruciating pain of its soul being torn apart and threw out a "Spirit Clearing Talisman" with difficulty, trying to stay awake. "Li, I mean no offense, I just want to clarify—"

"Don't talk nonsense, you ignorant young man!" The gravekeeper was furious, and the bronze lamp in his hand suddenly burst out with a dazzling red light, like a scorching sun, illuminating the entire bottom of the abyss.

The clone's sea of ​​consciousness was instantly blanked by the intense light. When he slowly opened his eyes again, he found himself being pushed to the entrance of the abyss by a mysterious force. From the depths of the abyss, the gravekeeper's voice drifted: "Take your mark and leave! Don't come here to die again!"

......

In the quiet meditation room of Luoyun Sect, Li Qingfeng's real body was closing his eyes and concentrating on practicing.

Suddenly, he spat out a mouthful of blood, and the blood mist spread in the air, like a strange red flower in full bloom.

He looked at the gray-black curse mark that slowly emerged on his palm. It was the "Soul-Chasing Mark" planted by the gravekeeper. At this moment, it was like a greedy poisonous snake, rapidly spreading along the meridians towards the heart.

Han Yinyue, who was watching this scene from the side, couldn't help but cry out in surprise. She wanted to rush over to check, but Li Qingfeng raised his hand to stop her: "Quickly take the Seven Treasures Universe Bag and use the 'Demon Suppression Ashes' to set up the barrier!"

The curse mark slowly outlined ancient and mysterious runes on the skin. Li Qingfeng felt as if his whole body was pierced by thousands of needles, and countless insects and ants were gnawing frantically in his bone marrow, causing him excruciating pain.

He endured the excruciating pain and quickly sat cross-legged in the center of the Demon-Suppressing Ashes, trying to calm his mind. At this moment, the shadow of the gravekeeper suddenly emerged from the depths of his sea of ​​consciousness. The figure had directly invaded his soul space, attempting to control his consciousness.

"Youngster, do you think you can escape?" The gravekeeper's voice was like a huge bell, booming in the sea of ​​consciousness.

Immediately afterwards, nine copper bells fell from the sky. Every crisp sound of the bell made Li Qingfeng's soul tremble violently, as if to shatter his soul.

He watched in horror as his memories flew around like shattered mirrors, and the gravekeeper was greedily peeping at his cards and secrets through these fragments.

"Who exactly are you? Why are you guarding the Black Abyss?" Li Qingfeng gritted his teeth, concentrating his soul with all his might, summoning the soul image of the Demon Slayer Sword in an attempt to defend his sea of ​​consciousness.

The gravekeeper ignored his questioning and suddenly a dark chain flew out of his sleeve, like a black lightning, directly piercing through Li Qingfeng's soul.

Instantly, the intense pain nearly ripped him apart. But at this critical moment, he suddenly remembered the bronze bell on the gravekeeper's waist—the tone of that bell resonated surprisingly similarly to the Dragon Suppression Valley's "Dragon Imperial Order."

"Dragon Suppression Valley sent you?" Li Qingfeng suddenly had an idea and took advantage of the situation, deliberately expressing strong hostility towards the Dragon Suppression Valley. "What benefit did they give you? The key to the Demon Emperor's tomb?"

The chain's attack suddenly faltered. For the first time, the gravekeeper's shadow showed a noticeable tremor, as if Li Qingfeng's words had struck a chord: "Zhenlong Valley? Those rats are worthy of negotiating terms with me?"

Taking advantage of this excellent opportunity, Li Qingfeng quickly mobilized the power of the Big Dipper in his sea of ​​consciousness and set up a miniature spirit gathering array around the soul body.

Starlight stabbed at the gravekeeper like sharp swords. The gravekeeper roared in anger, and his body, made of gray mist, quickly retreated. "Next time you come, I will take your soul!"

When the gravekeeper's breath completely disappeared, Li Qingfeng was already covered in cold sweat, and his clothes were soaked with sweat, as if he had just been pulled out of the water.

Han Yinyue hurriedly handed him a cup of warm spiritual tea, trying to replenish his spiritual power, but he was too anxious to drink it.

He quickly took out the communication jade slip and gave instructions to the two clones respectively:

To the Zhenlong Valley clone: ​​"The humidity in Guigu's 'Hidden Dragon Cave' is too high, and my clone is having trouble acclimatizing. How about we discuss this at noon tomorrow at the 'Wangxian Terrace' in Dayu Kingdom?"

To the Imperial Heavenly Divine Sect's clone: ​​"I heard your sect's 'God-Slaying Crossbow' is missing a crucial ingredient, the 'Dragon Blood Grass.' I happen to know where it is—but I need your sect to exchange it for the 'Northern Wasteland Topographic Map.'"

Han Yinyue stood aside, watching him methodically lay out his plan, her eyes filled with worry and admiration. "Are you planning to trick the two major factions into thinking the gravekeeper is an assassin sent by the other side?"

Li Qingfeng nodded slightly, his fingertips gently stroking the curse mark on his palm that had not yet dissipated. His eyes were as deep as the abyss. "Zhenlong Valley wants to use me to open the Demon Emperor's tomb, and the Yutian Divine Sect is doing everything possible to prevent any changes. And this mysterious gravekeeper..."

He paused briefly, as if pondering, "I'm afraid it's inextricably linked to the Demon Emperor's fall."

Late at night, Wangxiantai was shrouded in thick clouds and fog, like a fairyland on earth, but it was also fraught with danger.

Two melodious bell sounds pierced through the clouds and mist, and the envoys from Zhenlong Valley and Yutian Sect arrived almost at the same time.

They were surprised to discover that Li Qingfeng's clone had already brewed fragrant tea on the stage, the aroma filling the air. Moonlight, like water, sprinkled on the clone's cuffs. The curse mark loomed, like a mysterious talisman, emitting an eerie aura.

"Please look at this, both of you."

The clone slowly spread out his hands, revealing the blood-red marks on his palms. "This is the gift from the 'gravekeeper' sent by your clan. I, Li, am not talented enough, but I would like to ask a question—"

His eyes were as sharp as torches as he scanned Wang Tong and Zhao Polu in turn. "When did your clan acquire such a peerless master capable of attacking the soul?"

Wang Tong and Zhao Bolu's faces turned pale in an instant, as if they had seen a ghost, and they both denied it almost at the same time.

However, the flash of suspicion in their eyes betrayed them—the "Blood Pact" of Zhenlong Valley was completely incapable of practicing Yinhun magic, and the "Zhentian Jue" of the Yutian Divine Sect was a purely yang and extremely strong technique. No one could explain the origin of this strange curse.

"Since neither of you admits it," the clone slowly stood up, his Seven Treasures Universe Bag radiating a brilliant light that enveloped him, as if a deity had descended upon the earth. "I, Li, can only assume this is a warning from a mysterious and powerful being in the Northern Wilderness to our town. From today on, Luoyun Sect will close all teleportation arrays until the truth is revealed."

......

After watching the two envoys leave, Li Qingfeng's real body slowly opened his eyes in the quiet room, his eyes revealing fatigue and determination.

He took out the gray mist he had rubbed off the gravekeeper's chain and carefully placed it under the "magic mirror" for careful observation.

Mixed in the mist were fragments of the Dragon Control rune, unique to the Dragon Valley, gleaming faintly.

"I see." He muttered to himself in a low voice, as if trying to solve a puzzle that had troubled him for a long time.

"Although the gravekeepers were not sent by Zhenlong Valley, they are inextricably linked to their background."

Han Yinyue brought a bowl of steaming hot porridge and placed it on the table. She looked at the rune fragment in the mirror and asked with concern, "How do you plan to use this discovery?"

Li Qingfeng took a sip of the porridge, feeling the warmth coursing through his body as his strength gradually returned. He set the bowl down, his gaze as resolute as a torch. "Tomorrow, I'll have my clone inform Zhenlong Valley that the gravekeeper has their runes on him. At the same time, I'll try to have the Yutian Divine Sect 'accidentally' learn of this news."

He narrowed his eyes slightly, a sly glint in them. "When the two major forces are suspicious of each other, we have enough time to uncover the mysterious truth of the Black Abyss."

Outside the window, dark clouds gathered rapidly again, as if a storm was about to come.

Li Qingfeng looked at the sky, and the angry roar of the gravekeeper before he left emerged in his mind. He suddenly realized that the situation in the Northern Wilderness was far more complicated than he had imagined.

Behind the Demon Emperor's tomb, the hidden treasures of the Dragon Suppression Valley, and the secret weapon of the Imperial Heavenly Divine Sect, perhaps there is an even more ancient and mysterious force lurking in the darkness—and he is already deeply caught up in this shocking conspiracy spanning a century.

"Yinyue," he gently held his lover's hand, his palm conveying warmth and strength, "Starting tomorrow, we must accelerate our pace. The true ruler of the Northern Wasteland may not be the current four major forces, but the gravekeeper hidden deep in the abyss."