Netherworld Retrograde

Judging from the angle of the tear in the wound, it appears that Furnace Heart Venerable was ambushed from behind.

He immediately launched a counterattack.

This resulted in his back leaving behind scars that formed a bizarre crescent-shaped black pattern. It's clearly a tear wound, yet it seems to be branded with some kind of sinister symbol.

Even the divinity of a Supreme cannot suppress the force entrenched within. The Holy Healing Potion, known as the divine medicine, is equally helpless against it.

The last time Li Ye saw a similar situation was on the thigh of Hong Lan, the Hong Family Master.

That was divine contamination from the Blood Knight civilization, almost paralyzing Hong Lan's legs.

And Furnace Heart Venerable's wound, while somewhat similar in form, was starkly different in color.

Li Ye looked at this wound, his mind racing. Furnace Heart was indeed targeted for assassination.

If it wasn't self-directed, then he's certainly not Zi Shu.

But it could also be a deliberate wound left to mask being counteracted by causality.

If it's the latter, healing him would mean exposing his territory, incarnated as the Divine Calamity.

"Even for you, could you not detect the assassin?" Li Ye asked.

"Indeed..." Furnace Heart Venerable sighed: "No one would expect an attack in the core district of Giant City. It happened suddenly, and although I struck back after being injured, I failed to retain the assassin."

"Did you see what the assassin looked like?" Li Ye asked again.

"I saw a fleeting shadow..." Furnace Heart Venerable, with his back to Li Ye, turned his head to look at him. "Seemed to be a woman."

Is this why No.1 Border City suspects Little Mad King?

A powerful female assassin...combined with Little Mad King's curse, is this a deliberate guidance by a Heavenly Destiny Walker?

"This isn't necessarily so, as there are countless Secret Treasures and Taboo Items in the world. Many can change form, even gender, so you can't be sure it's a woman," Li Ye suggested.

For instance, the Reversal Mirror in Li Ye's reserve space can invert physique and spiritual energy strength.

Like Captain Yang Chen, someone with immense strength, once used, spiritual power strength would likely reach Supreme Level.

And the cost of the Reversal Mirror is the change of gender.

Thus, this assassin might not be a woman.

"I understand. But suspicion is inevitable...especially for the Judgment Team," Furnace Heart Venerable nodded, turning his head away. "Now, I entrust it to you."

Li Ye nodded, activated his Face, the Heavy Eyes Appear!

Then, Reverse Demon Tablet.

As Li Ye's curse was fortified, a baleful power spread.

Furnace Heart Venerable's face subtly shifted: "My divinity is shackled, by divinity...is it a Divine Calamity? Such information must not be disclosed externally."

Li Ye nodded, extending his palm to press on Furnace Heart Venerable's wound.

The moment his fingertips touched, the black pattern on the wound crazily writhed, with the malicious power contained within shrieking and churning like a living entity.

The originally distinct black pattern became blurred and distorted, like a pebble thrown into water.

Eventually, after a sharp shriek, the pattern completely collapsed and disappeared.

With the disappearance of the sinister pattern, Furnace Heart Venerable's surging vitality was no longer obstructed, rushing forth, with the wound healing visibly fast.

Furnace Heart Venerable's complexion also quickly improved.

"Thank you, Champion," Furnace Heart Venerable said in a deep voice, putting on his robe: "You've been a great help."

He continued, "Regarding the Judgment Team matters, I will give you a full account. And provide that strongest assassin with the best proof of trust."

Li Ye carefully sensed Furnace Heart Venerable's complexion and spiritual energy fluctuations, though not fully restored, he was indeed unscathed by causality backlash.

Thus, he nodded in response: "You overstate, Lord Furnace Heart. However, what exactly is this proof of trust?'

"You'll know when you go outside," Furnace Heart Venerable replied. "Rest assured, if all goes well, she will not only have no issues but will become our most trusted comrade."

"Ultimately, you still don't trust us," Li Ye said solemnly. "During that time, we were trapped in a ghost realm, over a hundred kilometers from No.1 Border City, even further."

"But as the strongest assassin, during your encounter with the Returning Soul, she could leave mid-way without you noticing, correct?" Furnace Heart Venerable asked. "It's possible, right?"

"Are you suggesting that while fighting alongside us, she left the ghost tour midway, then sprinted over a hundred kilometers to No.1 Border City?

Then, she infiltrated the heavily guarded headquarters building, without alarming anyone, including a Supreme like you, and carried out the assassination?

And then managed to evade your counterattack unscathed, ran another hundred kilometers, and returned to us?"

Li Ye shook his head helplessly, even the Little Mad King couldn't accomplish that.

He somewhat understands the Little Mad King's usual plight, the damned curse making her the scapegoat for all misfortunes.

Even the slightest possibility would spark suspicion.

"To slander a human hero as a renegade. This is the true blasphemy!" Li Ye said: "Even with the whole Champion Team One vouching, can't you trust her?"

"You've misunderstood, Ninth Generation Champion," Furnace Heart Venerable looked at Li Ye. "I've never doubted the Champion. I merely provided her with an opportunity formidable enough to prove herself. A proving! If all is in order, she'll never be questioned again. She'll be on our No.1 Border City's permanently trusted list of strong individuals! We'll choose to trust her, irrespective of the curse's impact!"

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