Chapter 1361: Chapter 1350: Netherguards
Listening to Wick’s boastful words, Ning Fan finally resolved the doubt that had been lingering in his heart.
In the temple, Ning Fan calculated that Tielei’s cultivation was at most at the Peak of Aerial Mastery.
The Pharaoh King, without showing himself, managed to force the old man into retreat.
Comparatively speaking, Tielei is definitely not a match for the Pharaoh King.
Yet the Pharaoh King remains indifferent and free-reined in the face of the Muto Family’s interference in worldly power.
It seems now, it’s not that he doesn’t want to act, but he doesn’t dare.
Both have Divine Artifacts, and neither can do anything to the other. They must maintain this bizarre balance.
“Then can we…?”
A bold idea flashed through his mind, and Ning Fan pondered the possibility of inciting Tielei and the Pharaoh King to war.
“It’s tough! These two have been keeping a low profile, it seems they’ve reached some kind of tacit understanding, not easily provoked.”
Soon, a name surfaced in Ning Fan’s mind, “If I were to kill Nakta II, would the Pharaoh King intervene, given that he’s his only son?”
“Ning, what do you think?” Wick continued, “Once I become the High Priest, this temple will be ours, brother.”
Ning Fan smiled ruefully, “Wick, my dear brother, you’ve said so much, how could I continue to decline?”
Wick excitedly replied, “That’s settled then. I’m going to inform grandfather right away.”
At that moment, Ning Fan’s pupils contracted; he distinctly detected a trace of True Qi fluctuation, but in the private room, there were clearly only him and Wick.
Ning Fan’s mind raced and he said directly, “It seems someone is following us.”
“Following?”
Wick’s eyes flashed with confusion, then he laughed, “No worries, Ning, that’s my grandfather’s Umbral Guard, usually responsible for protecting me and delivering messages.”
“Oh!”
Ning Fan’s face showed a trace of seriousness; if not for the Umbral Guard revealing their aura during their movement, he would have still been in the dark.
“In Ancient Sky City where everyone practices martial cultivation, developing all kinds of peculiar martial techniques is not surprising.”
Through constant probing, Wick inadvertently revealed his family’s secrets to Ning Fan.
The Umbral Guards are the core trump card of the Muto Family. Each member has a cultivation at the Peak of Aerial Mastery.
Though their strength comes from sacrifices, the Muto Family regards them as Death Warriors, handling all clandestine operations.
This grand gesture shocked Ning Fan.
The weapon of the Umbral Guards is the Nether Spike, specializing in stealth assassinations.
Even when encountering opponents of the same realm (sacrificed strength), as long as the timing is right, they can execute perfect assassinations.
Perfect, meaning they strike without the opponent even sensing it, dying without knowing how or why—a genuine invisible kill.
Thinking of these ghost-like assassins, Ning Fan couldn’t help but feel his scalp tingle, confident that he could perceive traces of the Umbral Guard’s moves.
But if there were ten, twenty of them…
So many Umbral Guards silently getting close and then launching a sudden strike.
If Ning Fan were to be careless for even a moment, he might die resentfully on the spot.
The fact is that the Muto Family indeed views the Umbral Guard as Death Warriors, and when they assassinate, it’s with the belief of mutual destruction.
The only relief for Ning Fan.
Although Wick doesn’t know the exact number of Umbral Guards, Ning Fan is certain there aren’t many.
While the Muto Family can use their position to elevate countless people to the Peak of Aerial Mastery,
The mental method practiced by the Umbral Guards requires a very high natural talent, one in a million, one might say.
“The technique to hide one’s aura in shadows to achieve a form of Invisibility Technique. The Muto Family truly has profound foundations.”
This reminded Ning Fan of Tielei this morning, “It seems both have a similar nature. That means the Umbral Guards’ only loophole is the shadow.”
Realizing this, Ning Fan relaxed considerably; knowing this, one can usually guard against the shadow.
Then another idea surfaced in Ning Fan’s mind,
“Is Tielei using this foolish boy to intentionally warn me?”
Such a possibility isn’t absent and is indeed high.
“Then I’ll see what plan you’re cooking up.”
Ning Fan inwardly sneered, as he had already decided to join the Muto Family, ensuring safety for at least the current period.
Seemingly thinking that Ning Fan, in long solitary cultivation, isn’t well-versed in the outside world, Wick kept introducing the local customs of Ancient Sky City.
Of course, with this prodigal young master, what he introduced naturally wasn’t any proper local culture.
And Ning Fan, a romantic wanderer, naturally excelled at such topics.
Their heads leaned together, occasionally emitting sleazy laughter, exchanging their insights.
In this manner, the two became genuine staunch brothers, at least that’s what Wick believed.
“Ning, so you’re a man of our craft,” Wick showed a knowing smile, then sleazily said, “Next time, I really must try out those moves.”
“Hehe, I guarantee you’ll be delighted and won’t want to leave.”
“Why wait? How about our brother duo start comparing right now, and see who’s better.”
Ning Fan replied disdainfully, “Who’s afraid of whom!”
“Then little brother will lead the way ahead.”
Seeing Wick’s face full of excitement, Ning Fan shook his head inwardly, “Tielei is as cunning as a fox, how does he have such a lecherous, foolish grandson. Truly a hero father, a bear cub son.”
At this moment, Ning Fan’s mind moved, “If this hotheaded youngster becomes the High Priest, wouldn’t he be completely under my control?”
This was only Ning Fan’s thought.
If progress remains elusive on the Pharaoh King’s side, he could coordinate with the old man internally and externally, attempt to assassinate Tielei, and then push Wick to ascend.
With Wick’s mind, controlling him would be much easier for Ning Fan, who could entirely frame the Pharaoh King, inciting the two to war.
The reason the Muto Family can inherit the High Priest role is due to controlling the Thousand Year Eye Totem.
After each Family Head’s death, the next eldest son automatically accepts the soul inheritance, gaining control over the Thousand Year Eye Totem.
It’s said this is the glory bestowed by the Sun God to the Muto Family.
Wick’s father, having been sick in his early years, with Tielei’s death, naturally leaves the heir to this family.
Unless the Muto Family voluntarily abandons it or their descendants perish, the inheritance will continue indefinitely.
“This can be a backup plan.”
Ever since knowing the Pharaoh King holds a Divine Artifact, Ning Fan settled down, preparing for the long term.
Upon reaching the street, watching the bustling residents, Ning Fan secretly marveled, “The temple moves so quickly.”
Wick excitedly exclaimed, “Ning, three days later, you’ll be a famous figure in Ancient Sky City.”
Ning Fan joked, “What if I don’t go?”
“Ning, you’re not kidding me, right?” Wick pulled a gloomy face, “Otherwise, I’ll be miserable.”
“How could elder brother harm you, just a little joke.”
Ning Fan laughed secretly, “If I were to trick Tielei, I wonder if those Umbral Guards would pierce me into a sieve.”
Widely spread in Ancient Sky City, Master Ning, who practiced bitterly in the west suburb landfill, will officially receive the High Priest’s blessing three days from now, becoming a servant of the divine spirits.