Chapter 407

Chapter 407: The Ten Deaths of the Body

The room fell into utter silence.

Jin Zhihong, Jin Zhihu, and Jin Liuli felt as if they were suffocating.

The Black Cloaked Strategist, the very one who had struck fear across the Western Desert and stood as a match for the Three Hundred Saints, had just opened his eyes, despite his soul being destroyed and his body long dead.

What were those wisps of soul light?

The three were at a loss, unable to make sense of the situation.

After opening his eyes, the Black Cloaked Strategist closed them again. The surface of his body shimmered with strands of soul light, now gathering inward. The last trace of vitality began to pulse from within him, accompanied by a heartbeat that grew stronger with every beat.

He opened his eyes again, staring at the ceiling for a long moment before slowly sitting up.

His legs folded beneath him, his back straightened.

His gaze locked onto the three siblings like a bolt of lightning, and the atmosphere in the darkened room turned strange and chilling.

“You are not the Strategist,” Jin Zhihong suddenly said.

The Black Cloaked Strategist had been a martial arts failure, incapable of such piercing eyes, eyes that now radiated brilliance, clarity, and an ability to see straight into people’s hearts. They sent a shiver down his spine.

Jin Zhihu and Jin Liuli also grew wary.

The corner of the Strategist’s mouth twitched, revealing a sinister smile. “I am Jigui Wu.”

A jolt struck the hearts of all three.

It was the immortal soul. He hadn’t truly died.

“Don’t be surprised,” Jigui Wu said calmly. “I’ve said it before—no one can kill me. Even if Zhang Yang overthrows Eternal Night, he cannot kill me.”

He chuckled slyly, now completely occupying the Strategist’s body.

“But I must admit, I’m surprised. The Black Cloaked Strategist? Ten years of planning, dominating the Western Desert, eyeing the vast world, what a grand scheme, what far-reaching designs, what intricate manipulation of human nature! His obsession ran deep. Even in death, his memories remained intact, allowing me to inherit them. Fascinating. Truly fascinating.”

Jin Zhihong, Jin Zhihu, and Jin Liuli exchanged glances, their expressions lighting up with joy.

The Black Cloaked Strategist’s decade of efforts across the Western Desert, and even beyond had involved countless individuals. But the only one who truly understood the entirety of the plan, down to the smallest detail, had been the Strategist himself.

His death had nearly spelled the collapse of those ten years of work, and the Taixu Dynasty’s ambition to absorb the Western Desert had seemed doomed.

But now, with Jigui Wu having inherited the Strategist’s memories, could that grand plan be revived?

“I am very interested in completing the Black Cloaked Strategist’s vision for Taixu’s supremacy,” Jigui Wu said lightly.

Their excitement grew even more.

Jin Zhihong exclaimed, “Liuli, contact His Majesty!”

Jin Liuli immediately activated the ancient teleportation array and returned to the Taixu Dynasty.

In moments, Jin Shengtian arrived.

He no longer carried the arrogance he once did. His expression had darkened, his presence grown more sinister. There was now a ruthless edge to him that hadn’t been there before.

A chosen one who once stood at the peak.

A young emperor with unmatched potential.

A martial genius of awe-inspiring talent.

After suffering repeated setbacks, Jin Shengtian was quietly undergoing a transformation—becoming something far more dangerous.

“How interesting. So there are talents like this in the Western Desert?” Jigui Wu mused. “You are the third person, after the Seventh Prince and Zhang Yang, to make me feel that you’re worthy of possession.”

Jin Zhihong and the others’ expressions shifted dramatically.

Only Jin Shengtian remained calm, his hands clasped behind his back. He now bore a new left arm, a super arm, the foundation of his future combat strength. He spoke lightly:

“In the past, the immortal tested my patience. That will not serve you well. The Seventh Prince can scheme against you. Zhang Yang can kill you. And I can do the same.”

Jigui Wu laughed heartily. “This generation of the vast world truly is remarkable. Very well, go ahead. Ask your questions.”

“Do you know the grand plan for Taixu’s supremacy that the Strategist spent ten years devising? I need to verify it,” Jin Shengtian said. “Answer correctly, and you’ll have my full support. If not, I’ll erase you completely, ensuring the Strategist’s body remains untainted.”

Jigui Wu simply smiled.

Jin Shengtian fixed him with a piercing gaze. “Among the agents my Taixu Dynasty has planted in the Crimson Flame Dynasty over the centuries, how many have reached the highest echelons?”

“The highest echelons? You mean the saints? How amusing, even ants dare to call themselves elite,” Jigui Wu mocked, then answered, “Two.”

This revelation shocked Jin Zhihong, Jin Zhihu, and Jin Liuli.

That was the Crimson Flame Dynasty.

The most formidable force in the Western Desert today.

And considering the timeline, this hadn’t been the Black Cloaked Strategist’s doing.

Jin Shengtian nodded. “One more question. The Taixu Supremacy Plan consists of dozens of major and minor strategies, including the Moon Extinguishing Plan targeting the Cold Moon Dynasty. Who is the linchpin of that plan?”

A sly smile played on Jigui Wu’s lips. “Someone with the surname Chi.”

He gave no full name.

Jin Zhihong, Jin Zhihu, and Jin Liuli all turned toward Jin Shengtian.

Jin Shengtian declared calmly, “From now on, you are the new Black Cloaked Strategist.”

Jigui Wu tilted his head, a crack sounding from his neck, and grinned. “I like this role. But remember—I am myself. I am the new Black Cloaked Strategist. I won’t be a mere figurehead; I intend to be a strategist with unmatched martial prowess.”

Now it was Jin Shengtian’s turn to be shocked.

“This Strategist’s body may seem like a failure to you, untrainable. But to me, it’s the exceptionally rare Ten Deaths of the Body, unparalleled in all the heavens,” Jigui Wu declared.

Jin Shengtian frowned. He had never heard of such a thing.

Jin Liuli couldn’t help but ask, “Is it powerful?”

“Powerful? No,” Jigui Wu shook his head. “It is extraordinarily powerful. Awakened by a single drop of Yellow Spring Water, it becomes one of the strongest physiques in all of existence.”

They were all stunned.

Did this not mean that the new Black Cloaked Strategist would wield not only invincible wisdom but also peerless martial strength? Such a strategist would be truly unstoppable.

“Fetch me a drop of Yellow Spring Water. I know it’s in the Southern Region. Support my cultivation fully, and I’ll detail the Taixu Supremacy Plan crafted by the former Strategist, and personally aid in its execution,” Jigui Wu proposed. “Fair, isn’t it?”

Jin Shengtian agreed. “Fair.”

Jigui Wu added, “I await your good news.”

Then he closed his eyes and fell silent.

Jin Shengtian departed using the ancient teleportation array.

Jin Zhihong and the others returned to the living room, their hearts racing with excitement, unable to contain their joy.

The Black Cloaked Strategist had returned.

With an invincible physique.

And insights at the immortal level.

Was the Taixu Dynasty finally poised for reversal and resurgence?

In stark contrast to their elation, Jigui Wu’s chamber remained calm. Once they left, he opened his eyes and muttered to himself, “Jin Shengtian, you’re far too green to match wits with me. You don’t even know the true linchpin of the Moon Extinguishing Plan. I gave you only a surname, hinting that cooperation is key. Yet that name carries weight, Chi is indeed quite significant in the Cold Moon Dynasty.”

Knock. Knock.

A knock interrupted his thoughts.

Jigui Wu frowned. His residual soul light had merged fully into the Black Cloaked Strategist’s body, leaving him unable to sense the presence outside. Normally, he would have detected the visitor’s identity instantly.

“Enter.”

He now occupied the Strategist’s body, and the royal siblings of Taixu already knew of him. It was strange for someone to return so quickly, surely they hadn’t secured Yellow Spring Water already.

The door creaked open, and a figure slipped inside.

“Who?!”

The Black Cloaked Strategist instinctively went on alert.

In the darkness, the visitor looked up and smiled.

Jigui Wu’s expression changed drastically.