Black Myth: The Legend of Tianpeng Seeking Demons

The capital of the Women's Kingdom was shrouded in a thin mist at dawn, the air thick with the pungent smell of disinfectant, mixed with a nauseating stench of decay. This was no ordinary sunrise, but a harbinger of a rampant plague.

Grand Tutor Shangguan Yanran, dressed in magnificent palace attire, wore a sinister smile. Standing in the palace's council hall, she looked at the gloomy faces of the officials below, her heart filled with smugness.

"My beloved ministers," Shangguan Yanran's voice, as cold as ice, echoed in the spacious hall, "this drought is not a natural disaster, but a man-made one! It is the fault of those foolish people who do not know how to follow the will of Heaven!"

No sooner had she finished speaking than a female official stepped forward and questioned, "Grand Tutor, what do you mean by this? Are you deliberately sabotaging water conservancy facilities to cause a drought?"

"Hmph, when have I ever done such a thing?" The Grand Tutor sneered. "I only wish for the Women's Kingdom to become stronger! This plague is a punishment sent down by Heaven, the sin of those who disrespect Heaven!"

"Absurd!" Zhu Xiaoxiao's voice boomed like thunder throughout the hall. He stood up abruptly, his eyes blazing as he stared directly at Grand Tutor Shangguan Yanran.

"Grand Tutor, you say the plague is a punishment sent down by Heaven, but now the city is filled with wailing, and people are displaced. Isn't this the sin you created?" Zhu Xiaoxiao retorted sharply. "You colluded with the Illusion Moon Sect, using their evil Illusion Moon Heart Technique to spread the plague, plotting something sinister! Your ambition has exceeded everyone's imagination!"

"Zhu Xiaoxiao, you're slandering me!" Shangguan Yanran roared, her eyes flashing with cold light. "I'm acting under orders for the safety of the Women's Kingdom!"

"Safety and security? You keep saying you're doing this for the good of the Women's Kingdom, but what about those dead people, their families, their future?" Zhu Xiaoxiao pressed aggressively, her sharp eyes sending a chill down the Grand Tutor's spine.

"You're talking nonsense!" the Grand Tutor roared. "You're just an outsider, what right do you have to question my intentions?"

"My intentions? I won't let you tarnish this country!" Zhu Xiaoxiao retorted. He continued, "I've investigated thoroughly. Those suspicious letters point to spies planted by the Illusion Moon Sect in the Women's Kingdom. Grand Tutor, you're colluding with them, attempting to overthrow the rule of the Women's Kingdom!"

"Hmph!" The Grand Tutor sneered, "You think you're qualified to judge me?"

Just as the Grand Tutor was about to cast his spell, Zhu Xiaoxiao fearlessly took a step forward and activated the "recording" function in her Moonlight Ring.

"Grand Tutor," Zhu Xiaoxiao's voice resounded throughout the hall, "now, the evidence is right here. Are you willing to tell me the truth?"

Grand Tutor Shangguan Yanran's face showed disbelief when she heard about the appearance of the "recording" function.

A flicker of panic crossed her eyes, but she quickly regained her coldness. "You won't be able to slander me!"

Zhu Xiaoxiao, with a firm gaze and calm expression, continued, "Grand Tutor, everything you have done will be exposed! Today, you must pay the price for your crimes!"

Seeing that her plan was about to fail, Grand Tutor Shangguan Yanran snorted coldly, drew the sword from her waist, and with a flash of purple light, unleashed the Illusionary Moon Heart Technique!

"You're courting death!" The Grand Tutor roared, unleashing a powerful surge of profound energy. A burst of purple light flashed across the sky, forming a massive purple light shield that enveloped the entire hall.

Instead of retreating, Zhu Xiaoxiao advanced, his internal energy exploding as he unleashed all the supernatural powers within his nine-bead bracelet. His entire body shone with golden light, like a deity descending to earth, as he launched a rapid attack.

Zhu Xiaoxiao wielded her nine-toothed rake with lightning speed, transforming it into a golden streak that slammed heavily into the light barrier. "Bang!" A deafening roar erupted, energy surged, and the entire council hall trembled. Although the light barrier was sturdy, cracks appeared under Zhu Xiaoxiao's ferocious attack.

Grand Tutor Shangguan Yanran's expression changed. She hadn't expected Zhu Xiaoxiao to be so powerful, and seemingly so knowledgeable about the secret techniques of the Illusion Moon Sect. She knew she was likely doomed this time.

With a sharp cry, she flashed into a streak of purple light, lunging towards Zhu Xiaoxiao. Her speed was astonishing, like lightning, closing in on Zhu Xiaoxiao in an instant. "Overestimating yourself!" A cold glint flashed in her eyes, and a claw, carrying an astonishing chill, reached for Zhu Xiaoxiao's throat.

Zhu Xiaoxiao knew something was wrong and quickly dodged to the side. At the same time, he used the "Swift Wind Step" supernatural power on his nine-bead bracelet, his figure flickering in the air like a ghost, dodging the Grand Tutor's attack.

With a heavy blow, Zhu Xiaoxiao was sent flying by the Grand Tutor's palm, crashing heavily to the ground and spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"Damn it!" Zhu Xiaoxiao cursed inwardly. He felt as if his body was being crushed by a boulder, and a sharp pain spread from his chest. He endured the excruciating pain, forcing himself to stay awake. He knew he couldn't collapse now, or all his efforts would be in vain.

He quickly regained his balance and struggled to his feet. His gaze locked onto the Grand Tutor, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He knew he had to do everything in his power to end this battle as quickly as possible.

"You...you actually..." The Grand Tutor's face showed an expression of disbelief, "You actually managed to break the Illusionary Moon Heart Technique?"

Zhu Xiaoxiao, enduring the excruciating pain, said sternly, "Your conspiracy has reached its end!"

Just then, Dongfang Yu suddenly appeared behind the Grand Tutor, holding a sharp dagger, and thrust it straight at the Grand Tutor's back.

"Stop!" Zhu Xiaoxiao roared, unleashing the "Great Strength Divine Power" of the nine-bead bracelet, kicking aside the Grand Tutor's guard blocking her way, and standing in front of Dongfang Yu.

"Dongfang Yu, what are you doing?" Zhu Xiaoxiao's tone was slightly displeased. At the same time, he used the "sensing emotions" supernatural power of the nine-bead bracelet to probe Dongfang Yu's inner world.

"I...I don't want to be controlled by them anymore," Dongfang Yu's voice trembled slightly, "I...I want freedom..."

Zhu Xiaoxiao sighed inwardly; this woman was truly pitiful. He once again used his unique method to persuade her, demonstrating his formidable abilities.

"Don't worry, I will help you leave the Illusion Moon Sect. But you must help me expose the Grand Tutor's conspiracy and cooperate with him to fight against external enemies," Zhu Xiaoxiao said firmly.

Dongfang Yu looked at Zhu Xiaoxiao with firm eyes and nodded heavily, "I do!"

Grand Tutor Shangguan Yanran's expression changed drastically upon seeing this; she had never expected that Dongfang Yu would betray the "Illusion Moon Sect."

"You...you actually betrayed me?" the Grand Tutor roared.

"You are the real traitor!" Dongfang Yu replied coldly. "You used the Illusion Moon Sect only to achieve your own ambitions! I can no longer be controlled by you!"