13. Crisis
Of course, Yin Wuzong didn’t just sever his own arm to look cool.
Within seconds, it transformed into something horrific.
Gong Yiling couldn’t imagine what kind of drug could make a human hand grow tentacles and writhing appendages.
The arm even split open, revealing writhing flesh, and blood that seemed to have a life of its own, circling the “artwork.”
It was a truly grotesque sight.
“What is this!?” she couldn’t help but ask Gu Falie. “Do you know, old man?”
Gu Falie’s expression was grim. “It’s said that the Mingjue Sect has an ancient technique to transform one’s own body into Gu. This technique is a perversion of nature, but its effects are quite remarkable.”
“If he succeeds, his body will have ten times the life force of a normal person, and any part of his body can regenerate. Even a small piece of flesh can regrow. And by transforming himself into a Gu, he can also use some spiritual arts that are only available to Gu insects.”
This Mingjue Sect was truly evil. What kind of bizarre techniques were these?
“So now…?”
Gong Yiling looked at Yin Wuzong again.
His body transformation was clearly incomplete, or perhaps he had only just begun.
After severing his arm, he didn’t grow a new one. Instead, he quickly cauterized the wound with fire, a truly hardcore form of healing.
Then, he began chanting something strange and incomprehensible, not even sounding like human language.
“Oh no!”
Old Gu immediately realized what he was doing, but the puppets rushed forward, seemingly oblivious to the danger.
These puppets were still academy disciples, and he didn’t know if they could be saved. He couldn’t bring himself to kill them.
This momentary hesitation gave Yin Wuzong the opening he needed. His spiritual art was complete.
“I… haven’t lost yet! Not yet!”
A fanatical resolve flashed in the man’s eyes.
“Ancient Gu Art: Sha Ming Gu!”
A sinister aura emanated from him.
This power was neither Daoist nor demonic, but something else entirely.
The air filled with a sweet, cloying scent, like blood, but without the metallic tang.
The next moment, a resonance erupted from all the puppets. Their spiritual and nascent soul energy was sucked into the grotesque arm, which swelled to the size of a small hill.
And its aura continued to climb, from Soul Origin to the peak of Heavenly Soul.
Although he was still a step away from Immortal Mansion, Old Gu’s face was grim.
“Miss Lü, please inform Yin Wuyai of this.” Gu Falie said grimly, channeling his energy. “I believe that old fool has nothing to do with this, and he won’t allow his family to associate with the Mingjue Sect. Whatever happens, he will take care of it.”
“Elder, you…?”
“I don’t know if this evil creature’s true strength is what it appears to be. If we both die here, can your friends handle these guys?”
Gong Yiling shook her head. “Probably… not.”
“Then do as I say.” Gu Falie said, “It’s not wise for both of us to die here.”
But… would Miss Gong really be willing to see this happen?
Although she was afraid of trouble, a liar, and had many strange quirks, she…
Was not a coward. Or rather, she didn’t want to be a coward anymore.
She had blindly followed her father’s arrangements, not standing by her sister, which almost tore their family apart. And although she regretted it, she had never been able to apologize.
Looking back, she had been like a deserter.
Now, the last thing she wanted to be was a deserter, especially when it wasn’t a matter of sacrificing one person for the greater good.
Gong Yiling had always been reckless and impulsive.
She truly wanted to be… that Gong Yiling.
“You take the big one. The one with the severed arm is mine.” Miss Gong walked to Gu Falie’s side, her eyes fixed on the man hiding behind the massive creature.
Theoretically, with any technique, if the caster was killed, the technique would be rendered useless.
—That was what she was thinking.
If she could deal with Yin Wuzong, the big thing wouldn’t last long.
“Miss Lü, you…?”
“I was the one who brought you here with my letter. If I abandon you now, I can’t do it.” Gong Yiling turned her head and looked at him. “Besides, I could have killed him before. I can do it again.”
A fiery determination shone in the girl’s eyes.
It was the same look her disciple had given her years ago, when he defied her.
—”No matter what, she’s my wife, and it’s my fault she’s in this situation. I have to… save her!”
“Disciple…”
For some reason, these two words escaped Gu Falie’s lips.
“Huh? I’m not…”
“I know you’re not.” Gu Falie quickly smiled. “You just reminded me of an old friend. Your eyes are seven parts similar to his.”
“Friend?” Gong Yiling found this strange.
“It doesn’t matter. Let’s do as you say.” Gu Falie turned around, the girl’s words and demeanor reigniting the fighting spirit that had long since died within him.
A single spark could ignite a prairie fire. The fire spread instantly, and he even felt the bottleneck of his cultivation loosening.
“Demons and evil spirits, how dare you exist in this world!”
With a roar, a powerful wave of energy erupted from him, drawing the attention of the massive creature, its dozens of eyes now fixed on him.
“Roar!!!!”
Provoked, the giant creature charged towards him.
And with that, Yin Wuzong was exposed.
She seized the opportunity, instantly appearing beside the unprepared Yin Wuzong, her blade already drawn, aiming for his neck.
But—”Clang—!”
A sound echoed, and the blade in her hand shattered.
What… this power!?
