Suddenly, an angry and shocked voice of inquiry echoed in the hall. Looking over, he saw the White-robed Celestial Master had already made his move. A green Soul-Catching Talisman sent ripples of Taoist Qi across the great hall, trapping the three n within an Astral Shield.
The mature Daoist Nun’s snow-white duster bound the three, while a Golden Dao Seal materialized, preventing their escape.
Before anyone knew it, the three National Preceptors of Yunhu Country had been restrained.
"I wonder what you mbers of the Demon Race are plotting," Xu Changqing interrogated them coldly.
"What Demon Race? I have no idea what you’re talking about, Daoist! Even if our Yunhu Country doesn’t revere the Taoist Sect, there’s no need to be so aggressive!" one of the National Preceptors, a man with a goatee, said in a disappointed tone.
The second National Preceptor, a man with sideburns and a fleshy face, looked toward Chief Minister Yuan Xuangang on the main seat, his gaze pleading for help.
"Pri Minister, you must see this. A Cultivator from your esteed country has been so rude as to capture guests without any cause. Yunhu Country is deeply disappointed by this."
"Celestial Master Xu, what is the aning of this?" Yuan Xuangang frowned, looking at the White-robed Celestial Master as he asked.
Xu Changqing cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to the Chief Minister, these three National Preceptors from Yunhu Country are highly suspicious. I can confirm that they are manifestations of the Demon Race."
’They’re from the Demon Race?’ Lu Mingyuan was shocked to hear this conclusion, but not surprised.
He had noticed sothing strange about the three n.
However, with his own level of perception, he couldn’t yet tell if they were human or demon.
’The two seniors from the Celestial Master’s Mansion must have seen it as clear as day. They’ve probably figured out most of it, so there shouldn’t be any mistake.’
Others, however, were not so convinced.
As expected, the third National Preceptor—a fierce-looking man with a gaunt, bony face—snorted coldly. He crossed his arms in displeasure and said, "You claim we’re from the Demon Race without a shred of evidence. By that logic, couldn’t you treat anyone this way, accuse them of being demons, and then deal with them as such? Is this how Great Yan ca to dominate the Central Divine Continent? It’s truly been an eye-opener!"
His words sparked a discussion among the many envoys.
"They’re from the Demon Race? Why can’t I see it at all?"
"The Demon Qi on a mber of the Demon Race is extrely heavy and generally difficult to hide. Even a Demon King who can shapeshift would need Celestial and Earthly Treasures to conceal their Demon Qi. The only ones who can achieve such fine control over their aura are Great Demons over eight hundred years old. Don’t tell all three of them are Great Demons?"
"That seems unlikely. It’s harder than ascending to the heavens for a Great Demon to enter the Human Race’s territory. Countless human experts are watching. Yunhu Country is just a small, recently risen nation. With the Taoist Sect backing them, they’re not to be trifled with."
"Why would the Celestial Master’s Mansion worry about a small country like that? They could crush it whenever they please."
Xu Changqing’s five senses were sharp, so he could naturally hear these secret conversations. He explained earnestly to the Cabinet:
"Their disguise magic is very sophisticated. It’s not a Disguise Skill. I don’t know what Demon Technique they used, but it replaced the Divine Souls of these three n. It’s not Possession, either. This thod is quite advanced. It’s normal for the Pri Minister, who is not well-versed in this Dao, to be unable to see it."
The Taoist Sect specializes in capturing demons.
Since the Ancient Era, those who pursued Cultivation were the first in the world to co into contact with Magical Treasures. They beca Cultivators and officially began a struggle against the ancient Demon Race overlords that has lasted for tens of thousands of years.
The Taoist Family’s Celestial Eye can see many things other Cultivators cannot, such as the Divine Soul.
There are many other such thods, for example: Divination, Observing Qi, Changing Destiny, and so on.
Beside them, the graceful and dignified Sui Yuqing stepped forward. Holding her duster, she said lightly, "It should be a Taoist Forbidden Technique, the Soul Exchange Skill. This technique doesn’t require Possession or the devouring of the original host. Instead, it places the original host’s soul into another vessel, so there are no withdrawal symptoms or backlash that would alter the soul."
After she spoke, Lu Mingyuan noticed the expressions of the three National Preceptors indeed grew imperceptibly more solemn.
"Don’t force to use the Soul Searching Skill! Confess now!"
Xu Changqing showed the three National Preceptors no courtesy, roaring with a voice that bood like a thunderous bell, threatening to shatter their eardrums.
Chief Minister Yuan Xuangang pondered for a mont, seemingly lost in thought.
In the end, he chose to trust his own people and said softly, "In that case, I will have to trouble you both."
With the verdict all but decided, the envoys from the various nations were utterly shocked.
"The three National Preceptors of Yunhu Country are all demons?!"
"Is there no way to prove it?"
"Is it true or false?"
Lu Mingyuan watched the three being brought under control. It didn’t seem like this grand banquet of nations would descend into chaos after all.
WHOOSH!
WHOOSH!
Just then, a number of heavily injured prodigies from various nations were teleported back.
None of them looked happy. They were clearly resentful about being defeated by the supposedly weak Demon Race.
"Damn it! How is the Demon Race so strong?!"
"I am a Prince, and it’s not like I’ve never been to a battlefield! Why has the Demon Race’s strength increased so much this year? Weren’t they supposed to only let in so Little Demons from the border?"
The main purpose of this conference was entertainnt and spectacle—to watch the Demon Race be slaughtered and admire the heroic prowess of the Human Race’s prodigies.
But now, the tables had turned.
Many discovered they couldn’t even defeat the Little Demons, which was deeply humiliating.
Watching more and more people being teleported back, Xu Changqing thought to himself, ’The Demon Slaying Conference is about to enter its second phase. I need to resolve this trouble quickly.’
It was too late to call an ergency stop to the Demon Slaying Conference now.
Without another word, he prepared to perform the Soul Search.
Just then, Lu Mingyuan saw the expressions of the three cursing National Preceptors change as they gave each other a subtle, coordinated nod.
He imdiately sent a sound transmission to Xu Changqing: "Daoist Xu, be careful!"
Unfortunately, he was a step too late.
As Xu Changqing examined the first National Preceptor’s Divine Soul, he discovered a strange restriction placed upon it, though he couldn’t tell who had set it.
Acting on instinct and for his own safety, he didn’t touch it.
But the restriction flashed and—playing dirty—erupted with a destructive force all on its own.
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