txolops Chapter 64 A Stormy Era Begins, Withered Trees Transform into Shadows
Chapter 64 A Stormy Era Begins, Withered Trees Transform into Shadows
Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and Blackwind Valley was unusually quiet.
Apart from the occasional few reckless carrion crows circling low in the sky, making annoying noises, both the righteous and the demonic forces tacitly withdrew their claws.
This silence is like a taut bowstring, ready to snap at any moment.
Gu Yan had a very comfortable three days.
On the surface, he was still recovering from his injuries, but in reality, every night he would sneak out of the camp and wander around the edges of the battlefields where battles had just taken place, still lingering with a strong aura of bloodlust and scattered limbs.
Those uncollected corpses became his best nourishment.
Of course, Gu Yan never drinks human blood, as it would erode his sanity. He only drinks the half-withered spiritual plants from the battlefield.
These plants absorbed the blood of cultivators and contained violent spiritual power.
What is deadly poison to others is a great tonic to Gu Yan, who possesses the "Evergreen and Withering Technique".
"Slurp."
A blood-red ghost-face mushroom withered rapidly in Gu Yan's hand, turning into a clump of ashes.
A surge of pure spiritual energy flowed into the dantian through the meridians.
[Evergreen Skill Proficiency +2]
[Realm Progress: Qi Refining Level 8 (15/100)]
"These days of finding bargains are really addictive."
Gu Yan clapped his hands, still wanting more, and was just about to move to another place to continue eating when his keen senses suddenly detected a strange movement.
Behind a pile of rubble not far ahead, it seemed that some people were talking in hushed tones.
With a thought, Gu Yan immediately activated his newly acquired ability, "Withered Wood Transformation".
His body instantly blurred, turning into a faint shadow that slid silently along the ground before merging into the shadow behind a boulder.
Two people stood behind the pile of rubble.
One was Yun Canghai's trusted disciple, and the other was actually a female cultivator who worked for Shen Youwei.
"This is a special pill Elder Yun gave to Senior Sister Shen, saying it can stabilize her mind in the upcoming battle. Please make sure Senior Sister Shen takes it."
The trusted disciple handed over an exquisite jade bottle, his tone somewhat ingratiating.
The female cultivator took the jade bottle, her eyes flickered for a moment, and nodded: "I understand, I will pass it on to my senior sister."
Watching the two leave in different directions, Gu Yan emerged from the shadows, seemingly lost in thought.
"Specially made pills? They're probably mixed with some bad stuff."
That old bastard Yun Canghai really went to great lengths to prevent Shen Youwei from ruining things.
However, judging from the expression on the female cultivator's face when she turned her back to her trusted disciple, she didn't seem to intend to actually give it to Shen Youwei.
"It seems that Senior Sister Shen is not naive and innocent; she was prepared all along."
Gu Yan's lips curled up. The more complicated the situation became, the greater his chances of taking advantage of the chaos.
……
The third day at dusk.
The setting sun, like blood, dyed the entire Black Wind Valley a dark red.
The atmosphere inside the Liuyun Sect's camp suddenly turned tense and deadly.
"All disciples, heed my command! Assemble!"
At a command, thousands of Liuyun Sect disciples quickly formed ranks.
Yun Canghai, dressed in a purple robe, floated in mid-air, his clothes fluttering, like a celestial being.
"Today is the day of our decisive battle against the Blood River Sect! Those demonic fiends are right there on the other side. For the glory of our sect, follow me and kill!"
With a wave of his hand, Yun Canghai transformed into a streak of light and rushed into the depths of Black Wind Valley.
Meanwhile, behind the main force, a special squad of several dozen people was quietly breaking away from the main force and sneaking towards a hidden canyon on the flank.
This small team carried more than a dozen large boxes covered with talismans, and the leader was Gu Yan.
This was also Yun Canghai's arrangement.
The main force launched a feint attack from the front to draw enemy fire.
Gu Yan's logistics unit was responsible for delivering these soul-guiding talismans to the legendary Gate of Hell, which connects the realms of Yin and Yang.
"Senior Brother Gu, are we really going to that cursed place? I've heard that it's always filled with howling winds, and anyone who goes in never comes out..."
A team member asked in a trembling voice.
Ever since Gu Yan bravely protected the treasure and was promoted to the outer sect, this group of menial disciples have followed his lead and called him "Senior Brother" affectionately.
"What's there to be afraid of? Fortune favors the bold."
Gu Yan glanced back at everyone, a reassuringly honest smile on his face. "Elder Yun said that as long as this mission is completed, everyone will be rewarded with one hundred spirit stones, plus the right to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill."
The Foundation Establishment Pill was obviously something Gu Yan made up; how could that old geezer Yun Canghai be so generous?
But as soon as everyone heard the words "Foundation Building Pill," their breathing became heavy, and the fear in their eyes was replaced by greed.
"Let's go! Let's do it!"
Gu Yan nodded in satisfaction and turned to continue leading the way.
But no one saw the fleeting pity in his eyes.
This group of people is destined to be sacrifices in Yun Canghai's plan.
He firmly stated that he would never be a sacrifice.
Halfway there, Gu Yan suddenly stopped and his divine sense spread out instantly.
"arrive."
Ahead was a huge, funnel-shaped depression surrounded by jagged rocks that resembled the fangs of a demon.
In the center of the depression stands an ancient altar.
The area around the altar was already filled with members of the Blood River Sect.
The leader was dressed in a blood-red robe and wore a ferocious mask.
It was the Blood Swordsman.
"You're here?"
The Blood Swordsman looked at Gu Yan, his voice hoarse.
The disciples of the Flowing Cloud Sect behind Gu Yan immediately drew their swords, watching the group of demonic cultivators with tension.
"take it easy."
Gu Yan waved his hand, indicating that they were on his side, signaling everyone to put down their weapons. Then he stepped forward alone and cupped his hands in greeting to the Blood Swordsman.
"The goods have arrived."
The disciples behind him were dumbfounded by this scene.
Senior Brother Gu, why are you so close to the demonic cultivators?
Before they could react, countless blood-red vines suddenly burst forth from behind the surrounding rocks, binding the dozens of Liuyun Sect disciples tightly.
"Senior Brother Gu!"
The crowd screamed in terror.
Gu Yan turned around, the honest smile on his face gradually disappearing, leaving only an indifference he had never shown before.
"Sorry, this is also part of the plan," he said casually.
Now that things have come to this, Gu Yan no longer admits that he schemed against them. Instead, he blames everything on Yun Canghai to prevent any of these menial servants from having some kind of chosen one who survived the ordeal and seeks revenge on him.
This way, he can play the victim and say that he had no choice. He can then wait for the person to lose their compassion and launch a sneak attack to kill them.
Hmm, no, that was too hasty. Perhaps I should pretend to be one of the victims; that would be more effective in concealing my true intentions...
After summarizing his experience, Gu Yan snapped out of his thoughts and waved his hand.
The boxes opened automatically, and countless corrupted soul-guiding talismans flew out, like a swarm of black butterflies, covering the entire altar.
At the same time, a violent fluctuation of spiritual energy came from the sky.
Yun Canghai and Xuehe Zhenren appeared at the same time.
"Hahaha! We've finally waited for this moment!"
Blood River Master laughed wildly, holding the Netherworld Bone in his hand, and dropped it directly into the center of the altar.
Yun Canghai was not to be outdone. He summoned a small cyan cauldron, which floated in mid-air, his eyes greedily fixed on the altar.
Only Gu Yan and the Blood Swordsman remained unnoticed, silently retreating into the shadows at the edge.
Two gazes met in the air, as if to say:
"The show is about to begin."