txolops Chapter 59 Amidst the Flames of War, a Secret Crossing of the Chencang Pass
Chapter 59 Amidst the Flames of War, a Secret Crossing of the Chencang Pass
The square of Liuyun Sect was already packed with people.
The deafening sound of war drums echoed through the valley like muffled thunder, sending shivers down people's spines.
Even the usually aloof inner disciples lined up solemnly, preparing to board those enormous cloud boats.
Meanwhile, menial servants and outer disciples like Gu Yan were like sheep being herded, crowding at the edge of the square waiting to be assigned logistical tasks.
An atmosphere of anxiety and unease permeated the air.
"I heard that the Blood River Sect has even sent out Golden Core Realm experts this time. Are we, the Qi Refining Realm cultivators, just going to our deaths?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down! Didn't you hear what the elders said? We're just transporting supplies, not going to the front lines."
"Not going online? What if the transport fleet gets hijacked?"
The whispers around me reached my ears.
Gu Yan mingled in the crowd, his expression unchanged, and he even had the leisure to observe the rune structure on the cloud boats.
He clutched the storage bag full of specially made talismans tightly in his hand, pondering how to deliver the goods to their intended destination.
Just then, a steward came over with a jade slip and began to call out names and assign tasks.
"First team, transport the spirit grain to the eastern front camp."
"Second team, transport healing pills to the central army."
……
Most of them are safe routes to the base camp; although the loot is less, they are the safest.
"Ninth Team, transporting special talismans to the Blackwind Valley mines at the front. We need to cross a buffer zone; the danger level is high, but the reward is triple contribution points. Who wants to go?"
As soon as the deacon finished speaking, the previously noisy crowd fell silent instantly, and everyone shrank back in unison.
Blackwind Valley? That's where the fighting is fiercest between the two sides. Forget triple contribution points, even if you got thirty times the amount, you wouldn't live to spend them.
The deacon looked at the group of cowards with a grim expression. Just as he was about to forcefully assign someone, a hand tremblingly rose up.
"Immortal Master, I am willing to go."
The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw a young man wearing a tattered gray robe with a sallow complexion raising his hand, his face showing a tragic determination to face death.
It was Gu Yan.
"you?"
The steward sized up Gu Yan. He was at the seventh level of Qi Refining; although his cultivation wasn't high, his courage was commendable. "What's your name?"
"Gu Changsheng".
"Good! That's a real man!"
The deacon nodded approvingly and casually tossed him a red command flag. "You lead the team, and I'll assign you ten men. Make sure you deliver this batch of talismans to Elder Yun."
Upon hearing the name Elder Yun, Gu Yan felt reassured.
Sure enough, this batch of supplies was sent to Yun Canghai.
"I will not fail in my mission!"
Gu Yan took the command flag, turned around and looked at the unlucky guys who had been forcibly assigned behind him, "Senior brothers, let's go, fortune favors the bold."
Those men looked dejected, staring at Gu Yan as if he were a madman.
……
Half an hour later, the transport team set off.
Gu Yan did not choose to take the conspicuous flying boat, but instead led the team on the ground, weaving through the mountain forest paths.
"Junior Brother Gu, why are we taking this godforsaken path? Wouldn't it be faster to take a flying boat?"
One of the outer disciples accompanying them couldn't help but complain.
Gu Yan stopped and pointed to the top of his head.
Just then, a loud roar came from the sky.
Everyone looked up and saw that a transport ship belonging to the Flowing Cloud Sect in the distance had just taken off when it was struck by a blood-red beam of light and exploded into a huge fireball in mid-air.
Fragments fell like a meteor shower, and screams could be faintly heard.
The disciple who had just complained instantly turned pale, his legs went weak, and he dared not utter another word.
"The Blood River Sect couldn't possibly be without an ambush; going up in the air would make them an easy target."
Gu Yan said calmly and continued to lead the way.
His consciousness remained highly alert, and he quietly activated the sensory network of the surrounding plants.
In this densely forested mountain wilderness, he is the absolute king.
When they reached a canyon called Broken Soul Pass, Gu Yan suddenly stopped.
"stop."
He raised his hand, signaling the group to stop.
"What's wrong?" Everyone gripped their weapons nervously.
"There's something dirty in the grass ahead."
Gu Yan squinted and pulled out several crumpled yellow talismans from his pocket.
These talismans weren't the traditional explosive talismans; they were smoke and fog talismans he made from discarded bamboo pulp with some added ingredients.
"go!"
He casually tossed the talisman into the grass ahead, and the talisman transformed into several streaks of light.
"Boom! Boom!"
A dull thud rang out, followed by a large cloud of grayish-white smoke that instantly enveloped the entire canyon entrance.
"Cough cough cough! What the hell is this stuff! It's so pungent!"
A series of violent coughing and cursing sounds came from the bushes.
Immediately afterwards, seven or eight demonic cultivators dressed in blood-red robes rushed out of the smoke in a disheveled state, each covering their mouths and noses, tears streaming down their faces.
They had been lying in ambush, ready to trap this small team from the Flowing Cloud Sect, but unexpectedly they were the ones who got smoked into curd instead.
"Kill! Leave no one alive!"
The leader of the demonic cultivators was a one-eyed man with a Qi Refining Level 9 cultivation. He roared and charged forward, brandishing his sword.
The disciples of the Flowing Cloud Sect were immediately thrown into chaos.
"Don't panic! Form a battle formation!"
Gu Yan shouted, his voice carrying a convincing calmness.
Instead of rushing in for hand-to-hand combat, he took a half step back and formed hand seals like a butterfly flitting among flowers.
"rise!"
With a low shout, the ground around him suddenly cracked open.
A dozen thick vines emerged like venomous snakes; they were the seeds of the Bloodthirsty Ironthorn that he had casually scattered earlier.
Driven by the "Evergreen and Withering Technique," these seeds sprouted and grew instantly, transforming into a barrier of death.
"Pfft! Pfft!"
Caught off guard, the two demonic cultivators at the forefront had their legs entangled by vines, the sharp thorns piercing their flesh and greedily sucking their blood.
"ah!!"
The screams were chilling.
The remaining demonic cultivators were startled by this bizarre scene and froze in their tracks.
Taking advantage of this opening, the disciples of the Flowing Cloud Sect behind Gu Yan finally reacted and unleashed their magical artifacts and talismans, launching a barrage of attacks.
This is Gu Yan's tactic: control the battlefield, provide support, and let teammates get the kills.
It showcases value without stealing the spotlight, and also conceals the real killer feature.
Moments later, the battle ended.
Seven or eight demonic cultivators were all turned into corpses, while only two people from the Flowing Cloud Sect suffered minor injuries.
"Junior Brother Gu, you're truly amazing! That spell to force the vines to grow is incredible!"
The disciple who had complained earlier was now looking at Gu Yan with admiration.
"It's just a trivial skill, a farming technique I learned from an old farmer in the mortal world. Please excuse my poor performance."
Gu Yan waved his hand modestly, skillfully searched the corpse, and casually took two storage bags that looked fairly bulging. He then generously distributed the rest to the others.
These things no longer bring him much benefit.
This action, however, wins everyone's favor, making them mistakenly believe that he is a kind-hearted person.
"Everyone, hurry up and pack up, we can't stay here any longer."
Gu Yan glanced at the sky, where crimson clouds were faintly gathering.
He knew this was just an appetizer.
The real battle will take place in Blackwind Valley.
His clone, Blood Swordsman, is leading the elite of the Blood River Sect on their way there.
"It's a two-way journey."
Gu Yan smiled slightly, picked up the box containing the specially made talismans, and led the greatly encouraged squad into the shadows of the jungle.