Chapter 321: Fires of War Ignite, A Shadowy Unease
Clang!
A cold light flashed, severing a few strands of hair.
A refined-looking scholar, his face pale, dodged the blade that had nearly grazed his cheek, his feet moving rapidly to regain his balance.
He closed his folding fan, a helpless look on his handsome face, and cupped his hands: “Brother, I’m not a demon or ghost from a large faction, just a wandering cultivator. There’s no need to be so ruthless, is there?”
“‘Scholar Ling’ Duan Chenglu, you have connections with many factions, what’s wrong with killing you?”
A sinister-looking man with a knife emerged from the smoke and dust, grinning coldly: “Besides, even if you die here today, which faction would bother to avenge you, or even find out who did it?”
Duan Chenglu’s expression turned serious:
“You… you’re not from the ancient realm!”
“Hmph!”
The sinister man sneered and charged forward, swinging his large knife, the blade seemingly carrying the screams of vengeful spirits, a surge of baleful energy erupting.
Duan Chenglu quickly dodged, swirling white mist, both real and illusory, surrounding him as he evaded the fierce attacks, but his heart grew heavy.
These insignificant villains were taking advantage of the chaos!
Fengtai County was truly in disarray!
…
—Boom!
Crashing through the wall behind him, Duan Chenglu landed gracefully in a dark and old woodshed, waving his fan to disperse the dust and smoke.
Looking down at his torn robes and sleeves, he couldn’t help but chuckle wryly.
“I haven’t been this disheveled in more than ten years.”
“Uh…”
A faint moan suddenly came from the corner of the room. Duan Chenglu’s heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively turned his head, surprised to find someone huddled in the woodshed, partially hidden by dry grass and firewood, their face and figure unclear.
“Brother, I apologize for intruding.”
He quickly cupped his hands: “But Fengtai County is in chaos right now, please forgive me. You should also leave this place quickly, brother, to avoid being caught in the crossfire.”
“Uh…”
“Hmm?”
The other person didn’t respond, still huddled in the corner, moaning softly.
Duan Chenglu paused slightly, wondering if this person was seriously injured and unable to speak.
He was about to approach and investigate, but a sudden thought made him stop, his extended fan freezing in mid-air.
Something wasn’t right.
He couldn’t sense any Yin energy fluctuations from this person, they didn’t seem to be a demon, ghost, or practitioner, but there was also no scent of blood or medicine in the woodshed, so they didn’t seem like a local civilian caught in the crossfire.
“This Fengtai area is affected by a mysterious formation and has already become a separate realm, there shouldn’t be any civilians here.”
As his thoughts raced, Duan Chenglu suddenly tilted his head back, dodging a blade that slashed out from the wall. He leaped backward and clicked his tongue softly: “Truly relentless.”
“Duan Chenglu, you’re going to die today!”
The sinister man casually swept aside the firewood blocking his path, stepped out of the rubble, and grinned ferociously: “You ruined my plans last time, today, I’ll make you regret it!”
“Although I don’t remember your identity, brother, I advise you to turn back now.”
Duan Chenglu patted his torn sleeves and chuckled wryly: “I rarely interfere in such matters, only when I see excessive cruelty and bloodshed. I believe you also—”
“You stopped me from killing those three remaining mothers and daughters to complete the blood sacrifice, almost ruining my plan and preventing me from reaching the Crimson Demon Realm.”
The sinister man raised his long knife, his eyes filled with hatred and rage: “Thankfully, I had some luck and received the Crimson Sun Essence from an expert, allowing me to reach the Crimson Demon Realm. Today, I will use your soul as a sacrifice for the birth of my blood blade!”
“Such excessive killing intent, brother, be careful of the consequences.”
Duan Chenglu sighed with emotion.
Just then, his eyes widened in shock: “Wh-What’s going on—”
The sinister man frowned and sneered: “The renowned Scholar Ling, you also have such a talent for making faces? Are you trying to win my sympathy because you can’t escape?”
“Quickly… get away!!”
Duan Chenglu suddenly shouted, waving his sleeves repeatedly: “There’s danger behind you!”
“—Hmm?”
The sinister man’s eyes widened, his senses spreading out, but he quickly sneered: “Trying to distract me with such a boring lie so you can escape— Pfft!
A pitch-black blade suddenly pierced through his chest from behind.
“Uh?”
The sinister man froze, staring down at his chest in disbelief.
“How…”
But Duan Chenglu, standing opposite him, was even more horrified.
He had seen the figure huddled in the corner stand up unsteadily, a black blade materializing on its shoulder, piercing through the man’s back and chest!
“Wh-What is this thing?!”
The sinister man was stunned for a moment, then his fury erupted as he was about to break the blade.
Did they think such a weak attack could—
“Aaargh!!”
The sinister man suddenly screamed in agony, countless black threads spreading from the wound, quickly burrowing into his body. As Duan Chenglu watched in horror, the practitioner, who was at the Crimson Demon Realm, his face and neck were quickly covered in black threads, wriggling like worms inside his body!
—This was bad!
Duan Chenglu reacted quickly, instantly realizing the danger. His folding fan transformed into a long and elegant sword, and with a serious expression, he leaped forward, about to force the strange figure back with his sword.
Clang!
The sinister man suddenly raised his knife and blocked the attack.
Duan Chenglu’s eyes widened, and he quickly dodged the black blade that slashed towards him, breaking out in a cold sweat.
“How can he still fight back… No!”
Looking closely, he was horrified to see that the sinister man was already dead, his eyes covered in black threads, his face twitching uncontrollably, his limbs twisted into grotesque shapes, his aura rapidly fading.
“—Heh!”
The unsteady figure stopped, its head turning to reveal the face of a young girl.
But seeing this, Duan Chenglu shuddered, a wave of revulsion washing over him:
“You’re… the ‘Possessor’!”
The young girl’s face was covered in creepy patterns, and she smiled sinisterly, clenching her hand. The man impaled on the black blade withered like a mummy, turning to dust, and a red light swirled around the blade before disappearing into her body.
“To be able to absorb Crimson Sun Essence so easily—”
Duan Chenglu’s eyes widened in shock, and he gritted his teeth, turning and fleeing.
He couldn’t stay here!
He had to escape… and spread the news about the Possessor!
…
Inside a luxurious pavilion.
Bai Shiyi sipped his tea, watching the distant battle with interest.
Even from more than ten miles away, he could still sense the surging clash of Yin energy, echoing like thunder.
“That King Li of the ancient realm is truly impressive, despite his old age, he still possesses such power, fighting evenly against several Savage Realm great demons from the Ji Red Workshop and the Chiyu Sect. He might even drag the Ci Hang Sect into this, creating an earth-shattering battle.”
“Heh, that old geezer still wants to make a name for himself and bring glory to the ancient realm before he dies. He has no regrets even if he dies here.”
A figure, seemingly sitting on a wooden chair in the shadows behind him, chuckled: “Those people of the ancient realm do have some courage.
However, there are many people from the ancient realm chasing after you now, and you still have the leisure to enjoy tea here?”
“Perhaps.”
Bai Shiyi smiled noncommittally: “Whether they truly want to kill me, or just put on a show, they themselves know best. Smart people won’t take unnecessary risks and bear heavy responsibilities until the very last moment.”
“So you already have a plan.”
The mysterious person casually played with a few beads in his hand: “But have you found Lin Tianlu yet?”
“…” Bai Shiyi frowned slightly.
“It seems you can’t predict everything, Lin Tianlu’s elusive movements are giving you quite the headache.”
“I should be asking you that. Li Heyuan, as a Luo Xing Soultaker, what are you secretly planning, traveling with us?” Bai Shiyi glanced back, his smile still on his face, but his gaze cold and mocking: “Are you coveting the treasures within the secret realm, planning to betray the Luo Xing and take them for yourself?”
The Soultaker, called Li Heyuan, shook his head and chuckled: “Bai Shiyi, you’ve become paranoid from all your scheming, seeing everyone as a threat? In terms of seniority, I am your elder among the Soultakers.”
“Hahaha! I didn’t expect you to make such a boring joke.”
Bai Shiyi sneered mockingly: “If you have so much free time, why not go and find Lin Tianlu and test his strength?”
“Although Lin Tianlu is a threat to our Luo Xing, he’s not our primary target.”
Li Heyuan casually crossed his legs and said lightly: “Let’s wait until the secret realm opens at the hour of the Dog(around 8pm), I have my own methods to deal with those kings of the ancient realm. The treasures of the eight clans and the secrets of ancient times are our most important targets. But if you can uncover more information about the ancient realm, that would also be a good thing.”
“I hope your methods are truly useful.”
Bai Shiyi regained his gentle and refined smile, formed a hand seal, and his figure instantly dispersed into smoke and dust.
“Now, I have to go and have a chat with our ‘guest’.”
“—Heh!”
Li Heyuan chuckled, his face hidden in the shadows, his expression unclear, and murmured: “The ancient realm… is truly a good pawn.”
…
“Stop!”
Tang Qianmen quickly reached out and stopped the young woman surnamed Mo, who was about to leave the courtyard: “If you leave this formation now, you’ll be caught in the crossfire and unable to escape!”
“But I—”
“Even if there’s a disaster coming to this county, it’s not something you can handle.”
Tang Qianmen softened her tone and said soothingly: “The battle is fierce now, with countless Savage Realm great demons. Even if there’s a terrifying monster, there will be someone to deal with it.
If even they can’t handle it, going alone would be suicide.”
The young woman surnamed Mo was silent for a moment, then murmured:
“If I die… then so be it.”
“Please calm down, Miss Mo, there’s no point in seeking death.”
Tang Qianmen’s heart stirred, and she stepped forward, placing her hand on the young woman’s shoulder, and said gently: “I don’t know what you’ve been through, but if you die here needlessly, there will be people who are heartbroken. Not only your parents and elders, but even that… Master Lin will be saddened.”
“…”
The young woman surnamed Mo lowered her head and remained silent.
Seeing her like this, Tang Qianmen’s heart eased slightly.
Although this girl was a bit cold, she wasn’t insane or reckless enough to do anything rash.
“Miss Mo, the disaster you mentioned just now, is it the ‘Possessor’?”
“…You know about it?”
“I’ve heard some rumors. I originally thought it was just nonsense, but seeing your expression, it seems it’s true.”
Tang Qianmen’s tone turned serious.
When she had arrived in Fengtai County injured, she had already heard some rumors about a strange and sinister curse appearing in several towns and villages, capable of corroding the body, twisting the soul, and turning people into bloodthirsty puppets who would fight until they completely collapsed, a terrifying and unsettling phenomenon.
But the most dangerous thing was the “poison” on the monster’s body, seemingly fatal upon contact, inescapable, turning anyone who touched it into another bloodthirsty puppet, spreading the terrifying curse endlessly.
“The Possessor is very dangerous.” The young woman surnamed Mo took a deep breath: “But you’re right, demons and the Possessor fighting each other isn’t a bad thing for me.”
Tang Qianmen smiled faintly, finding this girl quite docile and obedient.
“Since you have no objections, Miss Mo, let’s prepare to leave—”
“I didn’t expect two little mice to be hiding in this remote place.”
A soft and seductive voice suddenly drifted into the courtyard.
Tang Qianmen and the young woman surnamed Mo were startled and turned around to see a mature and alluring woman, dressed seductively, casually leaning against the wooden railing, a playful smile on her face: “It seems my trip here wasn’t in vain.”
“Who are you?”
The young woman surnamed Mo instinctively reached for the giant sword on her back.
But Tang Qianmen quickly stepped forward to protect her, her expression serious: “She’s from the Lingluo Valley, the previous generation’s Lingluo Woman, Qiu Shuihan.
Why are you here?”
She stared coldly at Qiu Shuihan.
Qiu Shuihan, however, just chuckled:
“You misunderstand, Incense Master Tang, I didn’t come here specifically to cause trouble for you two. I just saw those brutes fighting fiercely and didn’t want to get involved, so I came to this remote place to avoid the conflict.
But I didn’t expect to encounter you here first, Incense Master Tang. It seems we’re quite fated~”
“I wouldn’t say we’re fated.”
Tang Qianmen frowned, a displeased look on her face.
“We had quite a few conflicts when we were younger. Now that we’ve both survived to this day, wouldn’t you say we’re a pair of interesting rivals?” Qiu Shuihan stroked her hair and chuckled: “But looking at you now, Incense Master Tang, your cultivation is greatly diminished, your aura weakened, and even your usually flawless formations and secret techniques are full of flaws. I can easily break them with a single touch.”
“So? Do you want to take this opportunity to eliminate me completely?”
“That’s a tempting proposition, Incense Master Tang.”
Qiu Shuihan tapped her chin, a thoughtful look on her face: “To personally eliminate a long-time rival, to see you kneel and beg for mercy, it would be quite satisfying. However—”
She suddenly changed the subject, tilting her head and smiling: “I’ll spare your life for now, so you’ll owe me a favor. It would be more interesting to see you squirm awkwardly in the future.”
Tang Qianmen’s expression darkened: “You—”
She was about to raise her hand when she suddenly felt invisible threads wrapping around her arms. Glancing sideways, she saw that even the young woman surnamed Mo beside her, and almost the entire courtyard, were covered in a dense web of silver threads, shimmering like starlight.
“It’s best not to move, I don’t want to hurt you.”
Qiu Shuihan curled her fingers and smiled seductively: “You’re truly different from before, Incense Master Tang. This weak and sorrowful appearance of yours is quite endearing. I can’t bear to see you suffer and cry~”
Tang Qianmen looked away with a complex expression, remaining silent.
“It seems a lot has happened recently, you’re not even saying any harsh words.” Qiu Shuihan chuckled playfully: “Could it be that after hundreds of years of being alone, you’ve finally fallen in love with a mortal, found a lover you want to elope with, and this little girl beside you is your illegitimate daughter?”
“…You trapped us just to say these nonsensical things?”
Tang Qianmen raised her eyes slightly and sighed softly: “I haven’t fallen in love, it’s just that the person I’m involved with might be your enemy.”
“Oh?”
Qiu Shuihan raised an eyebrow, smiling charmingly: “Tell me, who is this enemy of mine?”
Tang Qianmen looked at her calmly: “Your disciple, Qiu Fei, died by his hand.”
“…”
Qiu Shuihan’s expression suddenly darkened, her eyes flickering for a moment: “I see, that strange scholar named Lin Tianlu. There are many strange rumors about him. It seems you also suffered a great loss at his hands.”
“…He also spared my life.”
“Giggle~ Did you fall for him because of that, Incense Master Tang?” Qiu Shuihan looked her up and down, as if teasing and mocking: “Looking at your resentful and sorrowful appearance, you look like a woman who’s been abandoned by a man.”
Tang Qianmen’s eyelashes trembled slightly. Hearing that there was no anger in her voice, she murmured: “You don’t hate Lin Tianlu?”
“My disciple was indeed foolish, her actions too reckless. Her fate was sealed. There’s no point in me being angry or resentful.”
Qiu Shuihan chuckled: “But after dealing with me for hundreds of years, don’t you know the rules of the Lingluo Valley, Incense Master Tang? Whoever has the ability is the Lingluo Woman and obtains more resources. Internal strife is common, and now that Qiu Fei is dead, it’s no big deal, there are other disciples to take her place. So—”
She gracefully jumped down from the railing, her high heels clicking as she walked towards Tang Qianmen with a graceful and seductive gait, a contemplative look on her face: “There’s no need to worry that I’ll hold a grudge against you because of Lin Tianlu. We’ve been fighting for so long, aren’t you tired of it? I’m certainly tired of it~”
Tang Qianmen pursed her lips: “Such words coming from you, the Lingluo Woman, are truly ironic.”
“Even Incense Master Tang can betray the Zhaoxiao Court and turn over a new leaf, why can’t I?”
Qiu Shuihan walked up to her seductively and chuckled, gently touching her chest: “We’re the same kind of people, you and I.”
“…Then you should untie us and let us go.”
“I truly don’t want to make things difficult for you.” The smile on Qiu Shuihan’s face vanished: “However, I never said I would let this little girl go.”
Tang Qianmen’s pupils constricted abruptly: “What do you want to do?!”
“Her aura is quite similar to the Possessor’s.”
Qiu Shuihan narrowed her eyes and sneered: “I have to take her with me, no matter what.”
Snap!
A series of snapping sounds echoed as the young woman surnamed Mo suddenly broke free from the silver threads, slapped the giant sword on her back, and launched a preemptive strike with a fierce and powerful aura!
“What a feisty girl!”
Qiu Shuihan stood her ground, unfazed by the wind, a joyful and seductive smile appearing on her face. Her slender hand blurred as she raised it: “Let me see… what secrets this so-called ‘Possessor’ possesses!”
…
Looking down at the sea of clouds and mist, Youluo sat casually on a cliff, her arms crossed, a mocking sneer on her face.
“Your eyesight is quite sharp, Miss Youluo, being able to see Fengtai County from dozens of miles away?”
A gentle female voice came from behind her, laced with curiosity.
Youluo’s expression softened slightly, and she turned around with a smile, seeing Mao Ruoyu carefully approaching, holding up her skirt.
“I just got a rough overview by following the flow of Yin energy. That county is currently in chaos, quite a lively scene.”
Mao Ruoyu’s face showed a hint of worry: “Will innocent civilians be caught in the crossfire?”
“A massive formation has already enveloped the county, turning it into the ancient realm’s territory. Even if they fight a bloody battle inside, it won’t affect the mortal civilians.”
“So, the ancient realm has done a good deed?”
“Perhaps.”
Youluo chuckled and glanced sideways towards the misty pond: “How are Master Lin and Miss Chi doing?”
“The eight clans’ secret realm is about to be sealed.”
Mao Ruoyu smiled faintly: “In about half an hour, the gate to the secret realm will be completely sealed, and there will be no way to open it again.”
“Although Miss Chi is straightforward and open-minded, she’s also quite meticulous, truly admirable.”
“Then have you completely given up on interfering, Miss Youluo?”
“…”
The smile on Youluo’s face didn’t change as she looked back at Mao Ruoyu, who had knelt down beside her: “What do you mean by that, Madam?”
“Just a hunch.”
Mao Ruoyu gazed into the distance with a gentle smile: “You’re a kind-hearted person, Miss Youluo, it would be a shame if you did something wrong and caused disappointment and sadness.”
Youluo smiled faintly: “You have such faith in me, Madam?”
“Naturally.”
Mao Ruoyu gathered her hair, which had been ruffled by the wind, and said calmly: “If I felt uneasy, I wouldn’t dare to come and sit beside you alone, Miss Youluo. One push, and I would fall into the abyss.”
Youluo smiled: “Even if I had ulterior motives, I wouldn’t harm such a beautiful woman like you, Madam.”
She was silent for a moment, then lowered her eyes and smiled faintly:
“…You’re quite perceptive for someone so young. Although you’re gentle and kind, your eyes are sharp, seeing everything clearly.”
Mao Ruoyu’s smile faded slightly, and she said softly: “If you like, Miss Youluo, come visit Changling County more often in the future, we would all welcome you.”
Tap~
A slender finger gently tapped her forehead.
Mao Ruoyu touched her forehead, murmuring blankly: “What was that for, Miss Youluo…?”
“You truly have the demeanor and aura of a main wife.”
Youluo smiled gently and indulgently, stroking Mao Ruoyu’s delicate and smooth face: “But your words are too naive and innocent. Be careful of being bullied and tricked by other women at home in the future.”
“Ah…”
Mao Ruoyu blushed slightly and nodded softly.
Only then did she truly realize that this seductive and alluring woman was actually an elder, her age unknown.
She felt a strange sense of closeness and comfort, as if she were talking to her master, and recalling her presumptuous words just now, she felt a bit embarrassed.
Youluo’s eyes flickered, and she chuckled: “I now understand why that scholar is so captivated by you, this…”
Boom!
A loud roar seemed to shake the entire mountain.
Mao Ruoyu’s expression changed drastically, and she stood up abruptly, looking towards the pond: “Wh-What happened?!”
Could it be that Miss Youluo was still trying to—
Glancing sideways, Mao Ruoyu’s breath hitched.
Youluo also had a look of shock and surprise on her face.
“What happened!?”
