Chapter 81: Convinced

 

“Master Fenglin, the two spiritual-root cultivators from Yun Cang Yun family have arrived at the camp gates.”

 

A burly middle-aged man wearing black armor and carrying a blade at his waist entered, lifting the curtain of the tent.

 

This man was Xiao Shan, the county captain of Lanlin County, tasked with leading a thousand elite soldiers to assist Sun Fenglin in the search and capture of the Gu Master Cult followers hiding in the Chuyun Mountains.

 

“Let’s go welcome them,” Sun Fenglin said, standing up. With his two brothers and Xiao Shan accompanying him, he made his way to the camp entrance.

 

In the distance, a column of troops slowly approached along the road, led by Chang Yuan.

 

The procession halted outside the camp gates, where Chang Yuan dismounted and strode forward to greet Xiao Shan with a respectful bow.

 

“Captain Xiao, it’s been a long time.”

 

“Haha, Captain Chang, it’s good to see you again!” Xiao Shan replied, clasping his hands in return.

 

“These three are the spiritual-root cultivators of the Lanlin Sun family. They’ll be joining us in our mission to locate and capture the Gu Master Cultists,” Xiao Shan said, introducing Sun Fenglin and his brothers after a brief exchange of pleasantries.

 

“Chang Yuan greets Master Fenglin,” Chang Yuan said, bowing politely.

 

“Where are Brother Yantian and Sister Yanshuang?” Sun Fenglin asked, returning the gesture.

 

“They’re in the carriage. I’ll bring the two young masters over to meet you,” Chang Yuan replied before heading toward the carriage, which was surrounded by the thousand-strong escort.

 

A moment later, Yun Yanshuang and Yun Yantian emerged from the carriage and approached the camp.

 

“Brother Fenglin, it’s been a while!” Yun Yantian called out with a warm smile.

 

“Brother Yantian,” Sun Fenglin replied, nodding. “Come, let’s head to the command tent and discuss how to proceed from here.”

 

Once inside the command tent, the group sat down to discuss their plans.

 

“The Chuyun Mountains cover a vast area,” Yun Yantian began. “Even with Captain Xiao and Captain Chang leading two thousand soldiers, locating the Gu Master Cultists hiding in the mountains won’t be an easy task.

 

“Do you have a specific plan, Brother Fenglin?”

 

“We don’t have much of a strategy,” Sun Fenglin admitted after a moment’s thought. “Before you arrived, Captain Xiao and I discussed sending the soldiers into the mountains to search. Meanwhile, we’d remain here at the base to provide support.

 

“If the soldiers discover the cultists’ hideout, they’ll signal us, and we’ll join them to capture the Gu Master Cultists together.”

 

“That approach may not work,” Yun Yantian said thoughtfully. “If the cultists are hiding deep in the mountains, even with a signal, it will take time for us to reach the location.

 

“In that case, the cultists may notice the disturbance and escape before we can act. Captain Xiao and Captain Chang might struggle to detain them.”

 

“What do you suggest, then?” Sun Fenglin asked with a smile.

 

“Actually…” Yun Yantian began, only to be interrupted by Sun Fengli, who stood abruptly from his seat.

 

“Fengli, what are you doing?” Sun Fenglin asked, frowning at his brother’s behavior.

 

“I think we should split up,” Sun Fengli said, ignoring his brother’s displeasure. He turned to Yun Yantian, his expression playful yet challenging.

 

“Splitting up would leave us vulnerable to being picked off one by one,” Yun Yantian replied evenly.

 

“Oh, don’t give me that nonsense about being picked off. Your Yun Cang Yun family has a thousand soldiers, and so does our Lanlin Sun family.

 

“Whoever finds and captures the Gu Master Cultists first gets the credit.”

 

“Otherwise, if we all work together to take down the cultists, there’s bound to be disputes over who deserves the recognition. Don’t you agree, Brother Yantian?” Sun Fengli said, grinning.

 

“Fengli, that’s enough!” Sun Fenglin snapped, his tone darkening.

 

“Brother Fenglin, I’m only speaking the truth. How is that disrespectful?” Sun Fengli retorted before turning back to Yun Yantian. “Of course, if Brother Yantian disagrees, we can settle this another way.

 

“If you can defeat me, I’ll follow your lead without question.”

 

His eyes gleamed with amusement as he looked at Yun Yantian, clearly eager to test the strength of the Yun family’s cultivators.

 

In both the secular and cultivation worlds, strength was king. Sun Fengli wanted to see for himself if the two spiritual-root cultivators from Yun Cang Yun truly lived up to their reputation.

 

Why should the Sun family’s cultivators follow Yun Yantian’s plan unless he could prove his strength?

 

“Sun Fengli, don’t take this too far!” Sun Fenglin warned, gripping the armrests of his chair tightly to suppress the urge to discipline his brother on the spot.

 

Despite his earlier warnings, Sun Fengli had clearly disregarded him completely.

 

“Brother Fenglin, it’s fine,” Yun Yantian said with a faint smile.

 

“My apologies, Brother Yantian. My younger brother has a brash mouth and speaks without thinking. Please don’t take offense,” Sun Fenglin said quickly, hoping to ease any tension.

 

Little did he know, Yun Yantian didn’t even consider Sun Fengli worth his attention.

 

To him, Sun Fengli was no different from a barking stray dog—one that might unknowingly offend someone important in the cultivation world and not even realize how it had brought about its own demise.

 

“No need to apologize; I didn’t take it to heart,” Yun Yantian said lightly.

 

“Did you hear that, Brother Fenglin? He didn’t take it to heart,” Sun Fengli chimed in smugly, a cocky grin spreading across his face.

 

“Brother Yantian is magnanimous and doesn’t hold grudges,” Sun Fenglin replied, his tone turning sharp as he shot his brother a warning glance.

 

“Since he’s magnanimous, he should at least listen to what I have to say, right? Brother Yantian, how about a sparring match? Let me see what you’re made of,” Sun Fengli said, his grin widening.

 

“Sure,” Yun Yantian replied, still smiling.

 

“Ha! Excellent! Brother Yantian, you’d better be careful!” Sun Fengli laughed loudly, immediately activating the spiritual energy within his body as he prepared to make his move.

 

But before he could even lift a finger, a terrifying pressure crashed down on him like a tidal wave.

 

The immense spiritual force pinned him to the ground, his body trembling under the weight of it. Veins bulged on his forehead as he struggled, but he couldn’t move an inch.

 

The sheer force stunned everyone in the tent.

 

Sun Fenglin, Sun Fengxuan, Chang Yuan, and Xiao Shan all watched in disbelief, their faces reflecting the same astonishment. None of them had anticipated that Yun Yantian’s mere presence could utterly suppress Sun Fengli without lifting a hand.

 

“This… this can’t be happening!”

 

Sun Fengli’s face was pale with shock and fear as he lay pressed to the ground.

 

He had doubted the strength of the newly established Yun Cang Yun family, convinced they couldn’t produce cultivators of any real caliber.

 

But this brief exchange had shattered his assumptions. He now realized the vast gap between himself and Yun Yantian—a gulf far larger than he could have imagined.

 

“Brother Yantian, please have mercy and don’t harm my brother,” Sun Fenglin said, rising from his seat and bowing respectfully to Yun Yantian.

 

“Release,” Yun Yantian commanded, his voice low.

 

The oppressive aura vanished in an instant.

 

Sun Fengli let out a long, relieved breath as he pushed himself up. His back was drenched in cold sweat, and his body felt weak.

 

“Thank you, Brother Yantian,” Sun Fenglin said gratefully.

 

“No need to thank me,” Yun Yantian replied calmly.

 

“Sun Fengli, thank Brother Yantian and apologize for your behavior,” Sun Fenglin ordered sternly.

 

“Brother Yantian, you are indeed formidable. I am completely convinced of your strength. I will honor my word—whatever you decide, I will follow without complaint,” Sun Fengli said, bowing deeply to Yun Yantian.

 

Though a trace of resentment lingered in his heart, Sun Fengli understood the overwhelming disparity between their abilities. For now, he could only swallow his pride and plan to work harder to surpass Yun Yantian someday.

 

“Brother Fenglin,” Yun Yantian said, turning his attention back to Sun Fenglin. “My sister, Shuang’er, has a method to locate the Gu Master Cultists.

 

“But before we proceed, could you bring in the corpse you discovered earlier?”

 

“You mean Shuang’er has a way to track them? I didn’t expect this!” Sun Fenglin exclaimed, equal parts surprised and delighted.

 

Without delay, Sun Fenglin gave the order, and the restrained corpse—still intact and unburned—was carried into the command tent.

 

Yun Yanshuang rose from her seat and approached the corpse, which lay bound tightly to a stretcher.

 

She removed a talisman-like coin tied to her waist and placed it gently on the corpse’s forehead.

 

Chapter 82: Thousands of People, Thousands of Faces

 

“Shuang’er Sister, what sort of method is this?”

 

Sun Fenglin stepped forward, curiosity evident in his voice.

 

“This is a warding coin. It can absorb the malevolent energy lingering on this wandering corpse, allowing us to trace its origin. Once we discover where this corpse came from, we should be able to find the hidden cultists of the Gu God Sect in Mount Chuyun.”

 

Yun Yanshuang replied with a calm demeanor as she deftly retrieved the coin and reattached it to her waist.

 

Hearing this, Sun Fenglin nodded silently, a flicker of envy crossing his heart. He couldn’t help but admire the Yun Cang Yun clan for possessing such a marvelous treasure capable of tracking and tracing.

 

“Let’s move!”

 

Yun Yanshuang, securing the warding coin, smiled sweetly.

 

Chang Yuan and Xiao Shan, understanding her intent, quickly went to mobilize the troops, preparing to follow her lead into the mountains. Yun Yanshuang and her elder brother, Yun Yantian, also departed from the tent.

 

“Fenglin Brother, that little girl’s coin…”

 

Watching Yun Yanshuang leave, Sun Fengli’s eyes glimmered with a greedy light.

 

“Didn’t you learn your lesson earlier?”

 

Hearing his younger brother’s words, Sun Fenglin’s brow furrowed, and his tone turned icy.

 

Embarrassed, Sun Fengli fell silent, forced to abandon his impulsive thoughts of snatching the treasure.

 

“That said, Yantian’s strength has grown immensely compared to before,” Sun Fenglin muttered, his expression serious.

 

The memory of Yun Yantian effortlessly suppressing his younger brother earlier still sent a shiver through his heart.

 

“One day, I will surpass him!”

 

Nearby, Sun Fengli gritted his teeth, declaring his ambition.

 

“Enough of that. Pack your things. We’ll prepare to enter the mountain shortly.”

 

Outside the camp, Yun Yanshuang puffed her cheeks in irritation as she spoke to her brother.

 

“Yantian Brother, that Sun Fengli was so annoying!”

 

“Youthful arrogance often leads to an unrelenting desire to prove oneself,” Yun Yantian replied with a gentle smile.

 

“But you’re not like that, Yantian Brother!”

 

“People are all different, Shuang’er.” He chuckled softly.

 

“Also, when I mentioned the warding coin and explained its use, I saw greed in Sun Fengli’s eyes. He suppressed it, but Shuang’er saw it clearly.”

 

“I noticed that as well.”

 

“Once we’re in the mountains, we must avoid charging ahead recklessly. If we sustain injuries and lose our combat strength, others may take advantage.”

 

“Mm-hmm! I understand,” Yun Yanshuang nodded obediently.

 

In the sprawling camp, Chang Yuan and Xiao Shan had organized two thousand elite soldiers. After confirming everyone was equipped with shields, crossbows, sabers, and halberds, they gave the order to proceed into the depths of Mount Chuyun as per Yun Yanshuang’s guidance.

 

Mount Chuyun lay on the border between Yuncang County and Lan Lin County. Its vast expanse and winding peaks stretched endlessly, resembling a colossal dragon lying dormant.

 

The mountain was shrouded in thick mist and toxic miasma, teeming with venomous insects and ferocious beasts.

 

Legends spoke of demons and spirits lurking in its depths, preying on woodcutters and hunters who dared venture too far.

 

Among the tales most often recounted by the elders of Yun Cang and Lan Lin Counties was the legend of an ancient battlefield hidden deep within Mount Chuyun.

 

It was said that a hundred years ago, two tribes waged war for control of the mountain’s resources. The battle raged for five years, leaving both tribes decimated and their warriors’ bones buried within that accursed land.

 

Over time, the site became a place of intense malevolence, its air thick with poison miasma. Few dared to approach, for the miasma would seep into their bodies, causing severe illness, draining vitality, or even leading to death as organs failed.

 

“An ancient battlefield?”

 

Yun Yantian’s expression flickered with surprise as he listened to Chang Yuan’s account. It was his first time hearing of such a tale.

 

“Indeed, it’s a story passed down through generations in Yun Cang. But whether the ancient battlefield truly exists remains a mystery—it could just be an old wives’ tale,” Chang Yuan replied, a faint smile softening his rugged features.

 

“If such a battlefield does exist, it would mean countless corpses lie buried there. Considering that the Gu God Sect cultivates corpse gu, such a yin-infused land would be an ideal place for their sinister practices,” Yun Yantian reasoned inwardly.

 

“Your analysis is reasonable, Little Immortal Master, but it’s still uncertain if the battlefield actually exists,” Chang Yuan said ingratiatingly.

 

Yun Yantian said no more. Everything would become clear once Shuang’er’s warding coin located the wandering corpse’s origin.

 

“After two days of trekking through the mountains, how much further must we go? Little girl, are you sure that magical coin of yours even works?”

 

Sun Fengli, marching in the column behind Yun Yanshuang, voiced his impatience with a tone dripping with skepticism.

 

“Silence!”

 

Sun Fenglin immediately hissed at his younger cousin, his voice low but sharp. He couldn’t afford to let Sun Fengli’s antics sour their tenuous relationship with Yun Yantian and Yun Yanshuang.

 

Chastised, Sun Fengli reluctantly bit his tongue, his earlier impatience giving way to silent obedience.

 

“Brother, the miasma!”

 

At that moment, Sun Fengxuan, typically reserved and taciturn, pointed ahead toward the thick forest. His sharp gaze lingered on the swirling, dense fog that veiled the path ahead, issuing a soft warning.

 

Both Yun Yanshuang and Yun Yantian had already stopped in their tracks, their sharp senses alerting them to the presence of the miasma well before Sun Fengxuan’s observation.

 

Though they were cultivators and the toxic mist posed little immediate danger to them, prolonged exposure could subtly disrupt the flow of their spiritual energy.

 

In a life-or-death battle, even the slightest disruption in power could tip the scales fatally. A cultivator needed to remain in peak condition at all times to survive such encounters.

 

“Lord Chang, distribute the herbs to everyone. Let them hold it in their mouths to ward off the miasma ahead,” Yun Yantian commanded with a calm but firm tone.

 

“Yes, Little Immortal Master, I understand!”

 

Chang Yuan bowed slightly before relaying the order to his thousand elite soldiers. The men quickly retrieved sprigs of the Three-Leaf Herb and placed them in their mouths.

 

The Three-Leaf Herb was a special plant known for its invigorating and cleansing properties. When held in the mouth, its refreshing essence shielded the body from the toxic miasma that permeated deep mountain forests.

 

“Lord Xiao, let’s ensure our troops are prepared as well.”

 

Sun Fenglin swiftly issued his own commands.

 

Xiao Shan, his subordinate, nodded and directed the soldiers under his command to take the herb. Only then did the group resume their cautious advance into the mist-laden forest.

 

“Yantian Brother, can you feel it?”

 

Yun Yanshuang whispered softly as they stepped into the dense fog.

 

“Mm. Malevolent energy… heavy, chilling yin energy. It’s not far ahead,” Yun Yantian murmured, his divine sense sweeping outward as he remained vigilant of their surroundings.

 

His spiritual perception detected faint traces of yin energy drifting from the depths of the fog. The oppressive aura grew more pronounced with each step.

 

Yun Yanshuang, too, felt the bone-chilling presence. The warding coin at her waist began to quiver violently, confirming her suspicions.

 

It was clear now—the source of the wandering corpse that had slaughtered over a dozen members of the Sun clan of Lan Lin lay just ahead.

 

“Fengxuan, Fengli, be ready. We’re approaching the location,” Sun Fenglin warned his brothers, his tone resolute.

 

He, too, had detected the sinister energy emanating from the heart of the mist.

 

Chang Yuan and Xiao Shan exchanged grim looks as they tightened their grip on their weapons. The elite soldiers behind them followed suit, some clutching sabers, others shields, and a few preparing arrows on taut bowstrings, ready to unleash them at a moment’s notice.

 

As they pressed forward, the dense veil of miasma gradually thinned, and the scene before them came into focus.

 

Emerging onto a sloped clearing, they gazed down into a vast and desolate expanse.

 

What lay before them was a colossal pit, stretching endlessly in every direction. The pit was filled with broken and scattered skeletons, piled haphazardly in grotesque heaps.

 

Among the bones were rusted and decayed weapons—blades, spears, swords, and halberds—along with shields shattered into fragments.

 

At the far end of the pit rose two towering mountain ridges, framing a wide gorge between them. The gorge was vast enough to allow six carriages to travel side by side.

 

Within the gorge, a harrowing sight awaited. Countless corpses lay in chaotic disarray. Some had long since decayed into bare white bones, while others remained covered in shriveled, bark-like flesh.

 

The endless sea of corpses and the remnants of ancient, broken weapons spoke volumes. They painted a silent, haunting picture of a battlefield lost to time—an ancient war whose echoes lingered in every decayed fragment.

 

The air seemed heavy with the cries of a forgotten era, as if the battlefield itself mourned the merciless brutality and cold-bloodedness of the conflict that had taken place here.

 

Chapter 83: Hesitation

“Brother Yantian, we’ve arrived!”

Feeling the talisman at her waist fall still, Yun Yanshuang turned to her brother, Yun Yantian, her expression calm but alert.

“Who would’ve thought there really was an ancient battlefield deep in the Chuyun Mountains?”

Chang Yuan’s voice carried a mix of awe and unease as he surveyed the vast expanse of skeletal remains, broken weapons, shattered armor, and discarded shields that stretched as far as the eye could see.

He had always dismissed the stories of an ancient battlefield in the Chuyun Mountains as mere folklore passed down by the people of Yuncang County. But now, standing amidst the grim evidence, he realized the tales were true.

The sight before him was both shocking and sobering, a stark reminder of the brutal tribal wars that had unfolded here centuries ago.

“Captain Chang, deploy your troops to search the area. Proceed with extreme caution. If you find anything, signal us immediately. My sister and I will respond without delay,” Yun Yantian instructed.

“Understood,” Chang Yuan replied, bowing respectfully before turning to his men.

He ordered the thousand soldiers under his command to divide into groups of one hundred and begin searching the massive battlefield for signs of the Gu God Cultists.

On the other side, Xiao Shan issued similar commands, splitting his forces into groups to conduct a coordinated search.

“Shuang’er, you truly have a remarkable gift, finding the source of the corpse puppets so quickly,” Sun Fenglin said as he approached Yun Yanshuang, unable to hide his admiration. He marveled at the young girl, who appeared to be no more than eight years old, and her uncanny ability to track the cultists using the talisman.

At the same time, he couldn’t help but envy the talisman that had enabled her to trace the cultists’ movements.

“Hehe, it’s nothing special,” Yun Yanshuang said, her sweet smile lighting up her youthful face.

“Finding the source of the corpse puppets is one thing. We haven’t located the Gu God Cultists yet—what’s there to celebrate? The real test will be capturing them. That’s what takes real skill,” Sun Fengli interjected, his tone dripping with disdain.

Yun Yanshuang huffed lightly, unwilling to dignify his remark with a response.

In her eyes, Sun Fengli was not only annoying but petty. He always seemed eager to belittle others to elevate himself. People like him, narrow-minded and self-serving, were hardly worth befriending.

“Fengli, enough!” Sun Fenglin snapped, his voice cold.

“Yes, Brother Fenglin. I understand,” Sun Fengli replied, his tone laced with irritation as he moved to sit off to the side.

Inwardly, he resolved that once the soldiers found the cultists, he would personally capture them to prove his worth and show the Yun siblings his capabilities.

“Apologies, Sister Shuang’er, for my younger cousin’s behavior…” Sun Fenglin began, but Yun Yanshuang waved him off with a smile.

“It’s fine. My brother and I are used to it.”

With that, she sat cross-legged and began meditating, silently reciting the Three Pure Observations Sutra to adjust her state of mind and prepare for any sudden developments.

Yun Yantian followed suit, closing his eyes to rest and conserve energy.

Seeing this, Sun Fenglin refrained from further conversation. He led his brother Sun Fengxuan to a quieter corner, where they meditated using a fragmented cultivation technique passed down by their elders to maintain peak condition.

Meanwhile, Sun Fengli had no such patience. His focus remained solely on the soldiers combing the battlefield. He was eager to seize any opportunity to act, determined to secure the glory of capturing the cultists himself.

The ancient battlefield was a place of pervasive death and malice. Bones littered the ground, and an eerie aura cut through the air like a blade, sending shivers through the soldiers conducting the search.

The combined forces of Yuncang County and Lanlin County moved cautiously, their nerves taut. Every shadow, every sound seemed a potential threat.

No one dared let their guard down, fearful that some hidden corner of the battlefield might harbor a lurking corpse puppet, waiting to tear into their flesh and claim their lives.

“This place is cursed—it’s freezing, like the dead of winter,” muttered a young soldier from Yuncang County. Clad in armor and clutching a halberd tightly, he glanced uneasily at his companions as they advanced deeper into the battlefield.

Unknowingly, they had reached the mouth of an endless canyon. The cold wind howling from its depths carried a chilling malice, making the soldier shudder.

His face turned pale, his eyes wide with fear.

“Stay quiet,” the squad leader ordered in a hushed voice. “Remain vigilant and watch for anything unusual.

“If we alert the cultists lurking in the shadows, none of us will leave here alive.”

The squad leader lowered his voice, his expression grave as he issued a stern warning.

His words immediately heightened the tension among the soldiers. They moved cautiously, muffling their steps and suppressing their breathing to avoid alerting any lurking Gu God Cultists.

“Captain, that canyon looks incredibly eerie. Do we really need to go deeper?”

“Yeah, maybe we should search somewhere else first? Let the Lanlin County soldiers handle the canyon,” another soldier suggested hesitantly.

The soldiers’ unease was palpable. The mere thought of venturing into the canyon filled them with dread, as though stepping into its depths would seal their fate.

It felt as though something terrifying lay hidden there, waiting to pounce.

“A team from Lanlin County is already heading this way,” the captain murmured, glancing around uncertainly.

Just as he wavered on whether to proceed, his gaze landed on a group of Lanlin County soldiers advancing in their direction.

“Captain Li,” the Yuncang County leader called out, raising his hand in greeting.

“Captain Qi, what’s holding you back here?” Qi Yuanwu of Lanlin County asked with a grin.

“Well… my men are a bit scared, so…” Li Feizhang replied sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.

“Perfect timing. I was just about to lead my team into the canyon for a search. Since we’ve crossed paths, why not join forces?” Qi Yuanwu suggested.

“Exactly what I was thinking,” Li Feizhang agreed without hesitation.

With their forces combined, the two teams—now numbering two hundred soldiers—prepared to enter the canyon.

Even with the Gu God Cultists’ notorious cunning, it seemed impossible that they could eliminate such a large force in one fell swoop.

The teams moved in unison, their shields leading the way.

Archers brought up the rear, ready to provide cover and keep watch for any threats, while soldiers armed with halberds flanked the formation to guard against ambushes.

Qi Yuanwu and Li Feizhang remained at the center, surrounded by their most experienced soldiers for protection.

Inside the Canyon.

Deep within the gorge, hidden in a damp, cold cave, the girl in the blue dress crouched over several corpses scavenged from the battlefield.

She was using the sinister, lingering energy from the bodies to nourish her remaining thirty corpse gu.

Suddenly, her heightened spiritual senses detected the faint presence of living humans approaching the canyon entrance.

The group was sizable.

“Perfect,” she murmured, her crimson eyes gleaming with a chilling bloodlust.

“The corpses here are running low. Let Little Yellow and the others kill a few more. Fresh blood will make them stronger.”

Smiling faintly, she reached into her storage pouch and retrieved thirty golden corpse gu, carefully placing one into the mouth of each of the thirty rotting corpses before her.

As the gu worms burrowed into their new hosts, the lifeless bodies suddenly twitched. Moments later, their eyes snapped open, their pupils clouded over in a pale, eerie blue.

Their mouths gaped, revealing sharp, beast-like fangs.

Their fingernails elongated into razor-like claws, gleaming in the dim light.

Roar!

Low, guttural growls emanated from the thirty reanimated corpses, sending a chill through the air.

“Go on now. The feast has come to you—don’t waste it. Eat your fill,” the girl said, patting the head of one corpse like a doting parent.

With her command, the thirty corpse puppets vanished into the darkness, moving with an uncanny, ghostly swiftness as they left the cold, damp cave.

Chapter 84 Canyon Crisis

 

“Hold!”

 

Qi Yuanwu raised his hand sharply, his voice commanding.

 

“What’s wrong, Brother Qi?” Li Feizhang asked, noticing the grave expression on Qi Yuanwu’s face.

 

“Do you hear that?” Qi Yuanwu replied, his brows furrowed.

 

“Hear what?” Li Feizhang looked confused, as did many of the soldiers from Yuncang and Lanlin Counties.

 

It wasn’t until Li Feizhang silenced himself and focused that he caught the faint, rustling sound emanating from the depths of the canyon.

 

There was something—or someone—approaching, fast.

 

As the sound grew louder, more soldiers began to notice it too. It wasn’t just rustling; faint, guttural growls accompanied it. The noises carried a cold, eerie quality that set them apart from the sounds of ordinary mountain predators.

 

“L-Leader Li… look over there! What’s that?”

 

A soldier from Yuncang County, gripping his shield tightly, pointed toward the darkness ahead.

 

Everyone turned to look, their eyes straining to pierce the shadows. In the faint sunlight streaming through the canyon, they saw them—figures moving at an inhuman speed toward their position.

 

As the shapes drew nearer, the grotesque details became clear.

 

They were corpses. Decayed, horrifying corpses with greenish faces, rotting flesh, and maggots writhing through the open wounds on their decomposed features. Sharp fangs jutted from their mouths, and their dead eyes gleamed with a chilling light.

 

“Corpse puppets! They’re corpse puppets!” Li Feizhang shouted, his voice cracking.

 

“Send up the signal!” Qi Yuanwu ordered immediately.

 

A soldier from Lanlin County quickly released the signal flare. A trail of smoke shot skyward before erupting into a brilliant explosion above the canyon, a warning beacon visible from miles away.

 

“They’re so fast!” Qi Yuanwu gasped, his pupils shrinking in shock.

 

In the brief moment it took to release the signal, the corpse puppets—once over a hundred meters away—had already closed the distance.

 

Their speed and strength were horrifying.

 

The shield wall formed by the Yuncang and Lanlin soldiers at the front was shattered almost instantly as the thirty corpse puppets crashed into them like a tidal wave.

 

Screams filled the air. Soldiers were thrown to the ground, their shields and armor torn apart like paper.

 

One soldier’s neck was snapped by a corpse puppet’s fangs, blood spurting in all directions. Another was impaled through the chest by razor-sharp claws, his organs shredded as if by a blender.

 

The sight was horrifying. Panic swept through the rear ranks as more soldiers began to falter.

 

Some screamed and turned to flee, desperate to escape the ravenous claws and fangs of the undead.

 

“Hold your ground! Do not panic!” Li Feizhang and Qi Yuanwu roared, trying to steady the troops.

 

Even as fear gripped their own hearts, they knew that losing control of the situation would only accelerate their demise.

 

“Archers! Where are the archers?!” Li Feizhang bellowed.

 

At his command, Yuncang’s archers unleashed a hail of arrows.

 

Dozens of shafts rained down on the corpse puppets, striking their decayed bodies with wet, sickening thuds.

 

Thwack. Thwack.

 

Though many arrows found their mark, they only managed to slow the creatures’ advance slightly. None could deal a killing blow.

 

“These things are already dead! Arrows won’t work on them!” Qi Yuanwu shouted, his face grim as he observed the situation.

 

Even with arrows embedded in their bodies, the corpse puppets continued their relentless assault, their movements barely hindered.

 

“What do we do, then?!” Li Feizhang shouted back, his voice laced with desperation.

 

“We retreat!” Qi Yuanwu commanded. “Everyone, fall back! These corpse puppets are beyond our ability to handle.

 

“Archers, cover our retreat! Slow them down while we fight and withdraw!”

 

“Everyone, stay alert! If you don’t want to die, grip your weapons tightly and don’t let those corpse puppets get close!”

 

Under the leadership of Li Feizhang and Qi Yuanwu, the disorganized soldiers quickly regained their composure, forming a unified front.

 

Archers at the rear launched volleys of arrows to slow the advancing corpse puppets, while halberdiers on the flanks guarded against attacks from the sides.

 

At the front, the shield wall—now bolstered by reinforcements—held the line, filling gaps left by the fallen.

 

Through coordinated efforts, the group resisted the relentless onslaught of the thirty corpse puppets, inching their way back toward the canyon’s exit.

 

The signal flare had already been sent.

 

The soldiers knew reinforcements from both Yuncang and Lanlin Counties would be on their way, including the five spiritual-root cultivators from the Yun and Sun families.

 

Li Feizhang and Qi Yuanwu focused on holding the line and delaying the puppets long enough for reinforcements to arrive.

 

Outside the Canyon.

 

“What’s that…?”

 

Soldiers searching elsewhere noticed the signal flare exploding in the sky above the canyon.

 

“Move! Head to the canyon immediately!”

 

“Full speed! We need to provide support!”

 

From all directions, Yuncang and Lanlin soldiers converged on the canyon, their movements swift and urgent.

 

“So, they’ve finally found them?”

 

Sun Fengli spotted the flare as well. A smirk crossed his lips, and his eyes gleamed with excitement.

 

In a flash, he disappeared from where he stood, heading directly for the canyon.

 

“Fengli!”

 

Sun Fenglin, meditating nearby, opened his eyes in alarm and shouted after his reckless cousin.

 

But it was too late—the fool was already gone.

 

“Brother, should we…?” Sun Fengxuan hesitated, looking to his older brother for guidance.

 

“Follow him. Watch over Fengli—I’m worried he’ll get himself killed.”

 

“Understood!”

 

Sun Fengxuan nodded and quickly took off in pursuit.

 

Sun Fenglin sighed and stood, making his way to Yun Yantian and Yun Yanshuang. He bowed respectfully.

 

“Brother Yantian, the soldiers have located the Gu God Cultists. My brothers are already on their way. I ask that you and Sister Shuang’er join us to capture the cultists.”

 

This joint mission was a collaboration between the Lanlin Sun family and the Yuncang Yun family. Sun Fenglin didn’t want his family members charging ahead recklessly while the Yun siblings hung back, waiting to take credit.

 

“Understood.”

 

Yun Yantian rose calmly, his sister following close behind as they headed for the canyon.

 

Sun Fenglin quickly followed.

 

Inside the Canyon.

 

“Captain Li, we can’t hold out much longer!”

 

“Where are the reinforcements?”

 

“We’re running out of arrows!”

 

“We’ve already lost nearly a hundred men!”

 

Despite their efforts, Li Feizhang and Qi Yuanwu couldn’t prevent mounting casualties.

 

The thirty corpse puppets were too fast, too strong, and too relentless. Each clash with them left the soldiers more battered and broken, pushing them closer to despair.

 

“If the reinforcements and those spiritual-root cultivators don’t arrive soon, we’ll all die here!” Qi Yuanwu thought grimly.

 

“Hold the line! You must hold the line!” Li Feizhang roared, his bloodshot eyes sweeping over the battlefield. “If we break now, none of us will make it out alive!”

 

Wielding his blade with practiced precision, Li Feizhang lunged at a corpse puppet that had nearly claimed a Yuncang soldier.

 

Through years of battlefield experience, he managed to drive the creature back, saving the soldier from certain death.

 

“C-Captain Li… th-thank you…”

 

The soldier stammered, his face pale with terror.

 

But before he could finish his sentence, another corpse puppet appeared like a ghost, swiping its claws across his neck and decapitating him in an instant.

 

Blood sprayed from the soldier’s neck, drenching Li Feizhang in a crimson mist.

 

“I can’t do this anymore! I’m done! I want out of here!”

 

One soldier, his will broken, dropped his halberd and screamed.

 

“I want to go home! My mother only has me—if I die, what will happen to her? I can’t die here!”

 

Panic consumed him as he turned to flee, sprinting toward the canyon’s entrance in a desperate bid to escape.

 

But he hadn’t taken more than a single step before a corpse puppet lunged at him, its claw piercing through his chest with terrifying force.

 

The soldier collapsed, lifeless, his blood pooling beneath him.

 

Chapter 85 Arrogant self-sufficiency

 

“Li, fall back!”

 

Qi Yuanwu grabbed Li Feizhang’s arm firmly, his voice filled with urgency.

 

“The men are in complete disarray! They can’t hold back those corpse puppets anymore!”

 

“Damn it!”

 

Li Feizhang’s bloodshot eyes locked onto the scene before him—the grotesque creatures feasting on the bodies of his fallen soldiers. Rage boiled within him, an overwhelming desire to rush in and take down at least one of those monsters, even if it cost him his life.

 

But Qi Yuanwu’s firm grip and desperate words brought him back to reality.

 

He clenched his teeth, fists trembling with frustration as he realized the truth: he was no hero. He couldn’t muster the courage to face these horrors head-on or die a futile death.

 

With a guttural growl of resignation, he turned and joined the fleeing soldiers, making a desperate dash toward the canyon’s exit.

 

“Captain Li! Help me! Please, help me!”

 

A heart-wrenching scream pierced the chaos. Li Feizhang glanced back to see one of his men caught by a corpse puppet, its claw-like fingers digging into the soldier’s ankle as he struggled and screamed for his life.

 

“Save yourself!” Qi Yuanwu called out, his voice cold and resolute.

 

Li Feizhang hesitated, guilt stabbing at his heart as he turned away.

 

Clenching his jaw, he forced himself to keep running. He knew he lacked the power to save the soldier, and attempting to do so would only cost him his own life.

 

Behind them, the thirty corpse puppets were relentless, their mouths dripping with blood and gore. With guttural snarls, they lunged after the fleeing soldiers, moving with terrifying speed.

 

Boom!

 

One of the leading puppets was sent flying backward, its decayed body crashing into the canyon wall with a sickening thud.

 

A figure stepped into view, his expression disdainful.

 

“Corpse puppets? What’s there to fear?”

 

Sun Fengli smirked at the retreating soldiers, their faces pale with terror. Some, too scared to control themselves, had soiled their armor during the earlier slaughter.

 

The sight only deepened Sun Fengli’s contempt. He sneered coldly, looking at the group as though they were little more than frightened sheep.

 

The remaining corpse puppets turned their attention to Sun Fengli, sensing the immense blood vitality emanating from him—a stark contrast to the weaker mortals around him.

 

With a collective roar, they rushed at him from all directions.

 

“You dare roar at me, you beasts?”

 

Having swallowed his pride after his earlier encounter with Yun Yantian, Sun Fengli had been simmering with frustration. Now, these mindless puppets presented the perfect outlet for his fury.

 

With a scoff, he charged forward to meet them head-on.

 

Spiritual energy surged within him, condensing in his right palm.

 

Boom!

 

A single strike shattered the chest of a corpse puppet, its body exploding into a shower of decayed flesh.

 

Pivoting smoothly, Sun Fengli evaded another puppet’s attack. With a swift backhand slash, he severed its head, sending it tumbling to the ground.

 

“A cultivator… truly extraordinary!”

 

From the safety of the canyon’s exit, Li Feizhang looked back, awestruck by Sun Fengli’s effortless battle against the thirty corpse puppets.

 

He couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer gap between mortals and cultivators, his respect and fear for such beings growing ever deeper.

 

“So, this is the power of immortals… What a pity people like us will never share that fate,” Qi Yuanwu murmured, his gaze filled with both admiration and envy.

 

As the two officers spoke, reinforcements from Yuncang and Lanlin Counties arrived at the canyon’s mouth.

 

Soldiers watched in astonishment as Sun Fengli single-handedly fought the horde of corpse puppets, suppressing them with ease. Reverence and awe filled their faces.

 

“Archers, ready!”

 

A commander’s voice cut through the murmurs.

 

“Master Fengli, fall back! Let us assist you!” Qi Yuanwu shouted toward the battlefield.

 

“Stay where you are! No one is to interfere and mess up my rhythm!” Sun Fengli barked in response.

 

He had no intention of sharing his glory with a bunch of mortals.

 

These were merely thirty corpse puppets—a trivial challenge he could handle effortlessly.

 

“This…” Qi Yuanwu hesitated, momentarily taken aback by Sun Fengli’s confidence.

 

“Well, if he insists he doesn’t need help, we won’t intervene,” Li Feizhang said, his tone practical.

 

He was more than happy to let Sun Fengli bear the burden of this battle alone. If the cultivator could handle it, they wouldn’t need to risk more lives.

 

“Agreed,” Qi Yuanwu replied, signaling his men to stand down.

 

Qi Yuanwu nodded, letting out a sigh. He gestured for the Lanlin County soldiers behind him to hold their positions at the canyon’s entrance.

 

“Fengli!”

 

A figure darted into the fray, grabbing Sun Fengli by the arm. The newcomer was none other than Sun Fengxuan.

 

“Fengxuan, what are you doing?” Sun Fengli asked, startled.

 

“What do you think you’re doing, acting on your own without orders?”

 

Sun Fengxuan’s face was cold and stern, his demeanor a sharp contrast to his eldest brother Sun Fenglin’s more calculated and amicable nature.

 

If there was one person Sun Fengli feared more than Sun Fenglin, it was this second brother of his.

 

“I just didn’t want those two spiritual-root cultivators from Yuncang Yun to steal the spotlight and take all the credit!” Sun Fengli muttered, his defiance barely concealed.

 

“Foolishness!” Sun Fengxuan snapped, his voice like a whip.

 

“Fengxuan, those corpse puppets are nearly all dead, and I’ve handled them alone! This glory belongs solely to our Lanlin Sun family. Stop trying to interfere!”

 

Sun Fengli broke free of Sun Fengxuan’s grip, his rebellious streak flaring up. Ignoring his brother’s warning, he charged at the remaining three corpse puppets.

 

“This idiot!” Sun Fengxuan cursed under his breath, watching his impetuous younger brother disregard common sense.

 

Boom!

 

A loud explosion filled the canyon, a plume of smoke rising where Sun Fengli had engaged the last puppets.

 

As the smoke cleared, Sun Fengli stood in the center of the battlefield, his chest heaving but his expression triumphant.

 

“See that, Fengxuan? These corpse puppets are nothing to fear! Why would we need those two from the Yun family when the Sun family is more than capable?”

 

Having defeated all thirty corpse puppets single-handedly, Sun Fengli basked in his accomplishment.

 

The awe-filled gazes of Li Feizhang, Qi Yuanwu, and the surrounding Yuncang and Lanlin soldiers only fed his ego. Their respect and astonishment made him feel invincible, as though he had conquered the world.

 

Sun Fengxuan, however, remained silent, his cold eyes fixed on his younger brother.

 

“You think this is over just because you killed these corpse puppets? Don’t forget the true purpose of our mission!” he said after a long pause, his voice icy.

 

“Capturing the Gu God Cultist? Come on, I just wiped out their corpse puppets with ease. Capturing the cultist will be even easier!” Sun Fengli replied, his tone dripping with arrogance.

 

“You’d better stop underestimating the enemy. Arrogance like yours will get you killed,” Sun Fengxuan warned.

 

“Me? Fail? Impossible!” Sun Fengli dismissed his brother’s words with a scoff.

 

His resolve only strengthened—he was determined to capture the Gu God Cultist himself and prove his worth, even if it meant defying his brothers.

 

Sun Fengxuan’s face darkened. His younger brother’s impulsive and reckless nature was a constant source of frustration.

 

Sun Fengli never thought things through, always rushing headlong into danger without a plan.

 

As Sun Fengxuan opened his mouth to deliver another reprimand, something stirred within the canyon.

 

Among the pile of mangled corpses lay a Lanlin County soldier, his body half-devoured. Slowly, the lifeless form began to rise.

 

A guttural roar escaped the soldier’s throat as his pale, bloodied face twisted into something monstrous.

 

The soldier had become a corpse puppet.

 

With a feral snarl, it lunged toward Sun Fengli like a rabid beast.

 

“Behind you!” Sun Fengxuan shouted in alarm.

 

Sun Fengli turned just in time to see the reanimated soldier bearing down on him.

 

Its razor-sharp claws slashed through the air with brutal speed and force, aimed squarely at Sun Fengli’s back.

 

Before he could react, the claws tore through his robes and raked across his back, leaving five deep, bloody gashes. Blackened blood seeped from the wounds.

 

The force of the blow sent Sun Fengli hurtling forward. His body slammed into the canyon wall with a resounding thud.

 

Chapter 86: Standing by and watching

 

Roar!

 

The corpse puppet that had grievously injured Sun Fengli let out another feral snarl. With relentless fury, it lunged forward, aiming to deliver a fatal strike.

 

Just as the beast closed in, Sun Fengxuan stepped in, positioning himself between his injured brother and the assailant. With a thunderous punch, he sent the corpse puppet hurtling backward, crashing into the ground.

 

“Fengxuan!”

 

“You fool! You’ve only been killing the puppets, not the source! The family’s intelligence clearly stated that these creatures are controlled by corpse gu. Unless you destroy the gu, these things won’t stay down!”

 

Sun Fengxuan’s voice was cold and sharp, each word lashing like a whip.

 

Hearing this, Sun Fengli lowered his head in shame.

 

Moments ago, he had been so full of himself, boasting that these corpse puppets were nothing. Now, after falling victim to his own arrogance, he felt the sting of humiliation burn his face. His earlier pride seemed laughable—a complete mockery in the eyes of others.

 

Sun Fengxuan ignored his brother’s embarrassment, his piercing gaze sweeping the battlefield.

 

Amidst the mangled remains of Yuncang and Lanlin soldiers, broken bodies began to stir. Slowly, one after another, thirty more corpse puppets clawed their way out of the heaps.

 

These were new hosts, reanimated by the corpse gu fleeing their destroyed hosts to find fresh bodies.

 

“Brother Yantian, why are we waiting? Those corpse puppets—”

 

Sun Fenglin’s voice was tight with frustration. Watching from above, he could see his younger brother, Sun Fengli, injured due to his recklessness. His concern turned into impatience as he glanced at Yun Yantian and Yun Yanshuang, who remained seated, observing the scene calmly.

 

His displeasure grew. This was supposed to be a joint operation between the Sun and Yun families. Yet, here were the Yun siblings, watching idly as his family members faced danger.

 

“Those corpse puppets aren’t the real threat,” Yun Yantian said, his tone measured.

 

“The real enemy is the Gu Master Cultist controlling them. Remember, the cultist remains hidden, their numbers unknown. If we all charge in recklessly, we risk walking straight into a trap and getting wiped out.”

 

His calm explanation caught Sun Fenglin off guard. Though he wanted to argue, he couldn’t deny the logic in Yun Yantian’s words.

 

“Then let’s act now,” Sun Fenglin suggested. “The three of us should join forces and root out the cultist.”

 

“Brother Fenglin, the enemy hides in the shadows while we are exposed. If we move openly, we’ll only be making ourselves easy targets,” Yun Yantian replied with a faint smile.

 

He had no intention of recklessly charging in with his sister. Without knowing the number or strength of their enemies, doing so would be sheer folly—a dangerous gamble he wasn’t willing to take.

 

“What’s your plan, then?” Sun Fenglin asked, his brows furrowed.

 

“Wait.”

 

“Wait?”

 

“Yes. We stay hidden and let the cultist reveal themselves. Only then can we strike when they least expect it,” Yun Yantian said, his expression calm.

 

“But will the cultist even show themselves?” Sun Fenglin pressed, worry for his brothers gnawing at him. Waiting wasn’t something he had the patience for, not when his siblings were in danger.

 

“With Fengxuan and Fengli drawing their attention, the cultist will have to appear,” Yun Yantian said confidently.

 

“Are you using my brothers as bait?” Sun Fenglin’s voice grew cold.

 

“In matters like this, sacrifices are inevitable. But if you’re so concerned, feel free to join them and lend them your aid,” Yun Yantian replied with a faint smile, his tone indifferent.

 

His father, Yun Yunshan, had made it clear: the priority of this mission was the safety of himself and his sister, Yanshuang. The lives of others, including the Sun family, were secondary.

 

Sun Fenglin clenched his fists, his knuckles white with suppressed rage. After a long pause, he exhaled and sat back down, forcing himself to stay calm.

 

He knew Yun Yantian was right—acting impulsively would only make things worse. Still, resentment brewed in his heart as he silently cursed Sun Fengli for ruining their plans and putting them in this precarious position.

 

Boom!

 

A deafening explosion shattered the silence, sending blood and viscera splattering across the canyon walls. One of the corpse puppets had detonated, its fragmented remains painting the stone with gore.

 

From the mess, a gold-colored corpse gu wriggled free, scuttling rapidly in search of a new host.

 

Smack!

 

Sun Fengxuan’s eyes locked onto the gu. With a swift stomp, he crushed it beneath his heel, leaving behind a puddle of black ichor.

 

“Two more left!” he muttered, his voice cold and resolute.

 

A chilling roar echoed through the canyon.

 

The transformed corpse puppet—once a Lanlin County soldier—howled with fury as it charged again, intent on finishing off Sun Fengli.

 

At the critical moment, Sun Fengxuan stepped in, unleashing a powerful punch that sent the monstrous creature hurtling backward.

 

“Fengxuan!” Sun Fengli called weakly.

 

“You fool! You’ve only been killing the puppets. Didn’t the family’s intelligence tell us? These things are controlled by corpse gu! Until the gu is destroyed, the puppets won’t stay dead!”

 

Sun Fengxuan’s voice was cold and cutting, his rebuke laced with frustration.

 

Shame burned across Sun Fengli’s face. His earlier arrogance seemed laughable now—a self-inflicted humiliation that stung worse than the gashes on his back.

 

Sun Fengxuan ignored his brother’s embarrassment, turning his attention to the battlefield.

 

Among the lifeless remains of fallen soldiers, broken bodies stirred. One by one, thirty more corpses rose, animated by the relentless corpse gu that had escaped their former hosts.

 

Above the canyon, Yun Yantian and Yun Yanshuang watched the scene unfold with calm precision.

 

“Brother Yantian, why are we just sitting here? Fengli’s injured, and the corpse puppets—” Sun Fenglin began, his tone sharp with impatience.

 

“Those puppets aren’t the real threat,” Yun Yantian interrupted.

 

He gestured toward the battlefield below, his gaze fixed.

 

“Our concern is the Gu Master Cultist controlling them. Don’t forget, the cultist hasn’t shown themselves yet. If the three of us reveal ourselves now, we risk walking straight into their trap.”

 

Sun Fenglin froze, the truth of Yun Yantian’s words sinking in.

 

“Then what’s the plan? Sit here while my brothers fight alone?” Sun Fenglin asked, his frustration barely concealed.

 

“Exactly,” Yun Yantian replied with a faint smile.

 

“We wait. The cultist will reveal themselves when the time is right. That’s when we’ll strike—swift and deadly.”

 

Sun Fenglin clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening with suppressed anger. Yet, he couldn’t deny the logic in Yun Yantian’s reasoning. For now, he remained seated, though his heart burned with worry for his brothers.

 

In the canyon, Sun Fengxuan’s sharp gaze tracked the battlefield.

 

Two of the remaining corpse puppets suddenly fell to their knees, their jaws opening wide. From within, golden corpse gu buzzed to life, their wings carrying them deeper into the canyon.

 

Before Sun Fengxuan could pursue, a faint sound reached his ears—footsteps, deliberate and measured.

 

A wave of foreboding washed over him as an oppressive aura filled the air.

 

“They’re finally here,” Yun Yantian murmured from above, his eyes narrowing as he spotted a figure emerging from the shadows.

 

A young girl stepped into view.

 

Her delicate features, framed by a blue embroidered dress and silver hair ornaments, gave her the appearance of a porcelain doll. Yet there was a cold, unsettling edge to her presence.

 

“Just one person?” Sun Fenglin muttered in disbelief.

 

He had expected multiple cultists to be lurking in the ancient battlefield, but only a single girl had appeared.

 

“Don’t be fooled,” Yun Yantian warned.

 

“There could be others hiding in the shadows, waiting for us to take the bait.”

 

Sun Fenglin fell silent, his instincts urging caution despite his rising frustration.

 

“Well, well, how impressive,” the girl said, her voice light and melodic as she gazed at Sun Fengxuan.

 

“You managed to kill twenty-eight of my corpse gu. Tell me, which family do you hail from?”

 

“You’re the Gu Master Cultist?” Sun Fengli growled, forcing himself to stand despite the pain searing across his back.

 

“That’s me,” the girl replied with a sweet smile. “But I have a name—Lan Caire.”

 

“Lan Caire or whatever you call yourself! You’ve killed over a dozen of my Sun family’s people. You’re a damned cultist, and you deserve to die!”

 

Fueled by rage and grief—especially for his late second uncle—Sun Fengli charged forward, ignoring the sharp protests of his wounds.

 

With a roar, he unleashed a powerful strike, his palm glowing with spiritual energy as it aimed for Lan Caire’s chest.

 

Lan Caire didn’t move.

 

She merely smiled, her aura flaring to life. In an instant, her overwhelming pressure nullified Sun Fengli’s attack and sent him crashing to the ground, pinned by an invisible force.

 

“This aura…”

 

Both Sun Fengxuan and Sun Fenglin were stunned.

 

Even Yun Yantian, observing from above, furrowed his brows.

 

“Brother Yantian, she’s at least at the fifth level of the Breath Embryo realm!” Yun Yanshuang whispered.

 

“Far stronger than either of us. If we engage her alone, we won’t stand a chance,” Yun Yantian replied gravely.

 

“Should we act now?”

 

“Not yet. We don’t know if she has backup waiting in the wings. We’ll wait for the right moment.”

 

Yun Yanshuang nodded, her expression tense.

 

Lan Caire looked down at Sun Fengli, who lay trembling beneath her aura.

 

“Breath Embryo, first level, near the peak. Not bad, but not nearly good enough,” she said, her tone condescending yet eerily pleasant.

 

Her words, paired with her unnerving smile, sent a chill down Sun Fengli’s spine.

 

Taking advantage of her lowered gaze, Sun Fengxuan struck.

 

With a roar, he unleashed his family’s prized Yellow-Tier spiritual weapon, swinging it with deadly precision toward Lan Caire’s neck.

 

But Lan Caire had been watching him all along.

 

Her delicate hand shot out, catching the blade mid-swing. Her fingers closed around the weapon like an iron vice, halting its momentum entirely.

 

Chapter 87 No Comments

 

“Brother！” Yun Yanshuang tugged at her brother’s sleeve, her tone urgent.

 

Beneath them, Sun Fenglin lay pinned under Blue Caire’s oppressive aura, his struggle futile against her overwhelming strength. The golden corpse gu was mere inches from its target.

 

“I know,” Yun Yantian said, his voice calm yet laced with steel.

 

His gaze sharpened as he watched the scene below. Despite his earlier composure, he couldn’t deny that the situation had grown precarious.

 

Blue Caire’s laughter rang out, sweet yet sinister.

 

“You’re right to call for help,” she said, her scarlet eyes gleaming with amusement as she glanced up at the ridge.

 

“Come on, little hiding rats. Show yourselves. Let me see what other treasures you’ve brought me to play with.”

 

Her words, paired with her mocking smile, were calculated to provoke.

 

With a sigh, Yun Yantian stood, his movements deliberate.

 

“Stay here,” he instructed Yun Yanshuang softly.

 

“Brother—!”

 

“Your safety is the priority,” he interrupted, his tone firm.

 

Yun Yanshuang hesitated, her fists clenched in frustration. She understood her brother’s reasoning, but it didn’t quell the guilt and helplessness churning in her chest.

 

Yun Yantian stepped off the ridge, his figure descending with graceful precision.

 

In one fluid motion, he drew a sleek spiritual sword from his back, its blade humming faintly with spiritual energy.

 

The moment his feet touched the canyon floor, his presence exploded outward—a wave of immense spiritual power that rippled through the air, scattering dust and stone.

 

Blue Caire’s gaze snapped toward him, her expression shifting slightly.

 

“Well, well. It seems the rats have fangs after all,” she remarked, her tone still light but tinged with wariness.

 

Unlike Sun Fenglin and his brothers, Yun Yantian’s aura was polished, refined—a sign of both natural talent and disciplined cultivation.

 

“I was wondering when you’d stop cowering in the shadows,” she added with a smirk.

 

“I prefer to choose my battles wisely,” Yun Yantian replied evenly, his sword raised.

 

With a flick of his wrist, Yun Yantian unleashed a wave of energy from his blade.

 

The golden corpse gu veering toward Sun Fenglin was intercepted mid-flight, obliterated in a burst of light and spiritual force.

 

Sun Fenglin gasped, the oppressive weight on his body easing slightly as Blue Caire redirected her focus.

 

“Get up and help your brothers,” Yun Yantian ordered without turning his head.

 

Sun Fenglin gritted his teeth and nodded, staggering to his feet.

 

“Impressive,” Blue Caire admitted, her playful smile fading into something colder.

 

“But skill alone won’t save you.”

 

Her aura surged, a vortex of malevolent energy that darkened the canyon’s atmosphere.

 

From her waist, another swarm of corpse gu emerged, their wings buzzing ominously as they filled the air around her.

 

“You’ll join your friends soon enough,” she hissed, her sweet voice now carrying a venomous edge.

 

Yun Yantian’s eyes narrowed.

 

“Let’s see if your tricks match your arrogance,” he replied, his tone steady.

 

He surged forward, his blade meeting her summoned swarm with calculated precision. Each slash of his sword emitted waves of light, cutting through the golden gu with swift, lethal efficiency.

 

Blue Caire countered with sharp, fluid movements, her hands weaving spells that sent waves of dark energy crashing toward him.

 

The clash of their powers shook the canyon, each strike illuminating the battlefield with bursts of light and shadow.

 

Above, Yun Yanshuang watched anxiously, her fists clenched as she struggled to remain still.

 

“Be careful, brother,” she murmured, her heart pounding as the battle raged below.

 

Meanwhile, Sun Fenglin had regrouped with his brothers, their expressions grim as they took in the scale of the fight.

 

“Fenglin,” Sun Fengxuan said, his voice tight. “What now?”

 

“We wait for an opening,” Sun Fenglin replied, his jaw set.

 

“For now, we trust Yun Yantian to hold her off.”

 

The canyon trembled as the fight escalated, the once-deafening cries of the corpse puppets now silenced in the wake of the duel’s raw power.

 

For the first time, Blue Caire’s smirk faltered as Yun Yantian’s relentless precision forced her onto the defensive.

 

But she wasn’t done yet.

 

“You’re good,” she admitted, her voice strained.

 

“But let’s see how you handle this!”

 

Her hands came together in a sharp motion, summoning a shadowy figure from the depths of the canyon—a hulking monstrosity cobbled together from countless corpses, its form radiating overwhelming malice.

 

Yun Yantian’s grip on his sword tightened.

 

“Of course it wouldn’t be that simple,” he muttered under his breath.

 

The final round was about to begin.

 

But now, there was no room for hesitation. He had to make a move.

 

“Stay here, Shuang’er,” Yun Yantian instructed, his voice steady but firm. “Keep an eye on the surroundings. If there are any other Gu Sect disciples lurking in the shadows, wait for the right moment to act.”

 

“Got it, Brother Yantian. Be careful,” Yun Yanshuang responded, her delicate features etched with concern.

 

“I will,” he assured her with a faint nod before gripping his black short spear tightly. In a flash, his figure disappeared, descending into the canyon like a streak of lightning.

 

“Oh, there’s more of you?” Lan Cai’er, who had been standing nonchalantly in the shadows, arched a brow as her crimson eyes landed on the incoming figure. “Perfect. I’ll refine all of you so-called spiritual cultivators into corpse puppets to nourish my Gu worms.”

 

She smirked, her tone dripping with mockery. But as the approaching figure came into clearer view, her expression subtly shifted. The spiritual energy emanating from Yun Yantian was far more solid and refined than that of Sun Fenglin or his brothers. Moreover, his cultivation had already reached the fourth stage of the Embryonic Breath Realm, significantly higher than she had anticipated.

 

What surprised her even more was his agility, his movements sharp and precise, an unmistakable sign of mastery in movement techniques.

 

“Break!” Yun Yantian bellowed as he activated Treading Snow Without a Trace, propelling himself with incredible speed toward Lan Cai’er. The black spear in his hand gleamed ominously, radiating spiritual energy. Silver Dragon Spear Technique, a Yellow-Grade Tier 3 skill, came roaring to life, transforming his strike into a ferocious silver dragon hurtling toward Lan Cai’er.

 

The sheer power of the attack forced her to abandon her hold on Sun Fengxuan and retreat swiftly. A direct hit from this strike would be catastrophic, even for her.

 

Boom!

 

The spear’s force collided with the canyon wall behind her, sending tremors through the entire gorge. Massive rocks dislodged from above, crashing down like a deadly downpour.

 

Lan Cai’er darted between the falling boulders, her movements as fluid and elusive as a ghost. But Yun Yantian was relentless, his spear trailing her every move. His next strike shot toward her brow with unerring precision.

 

At the last moment, Lan Cai’er tilted her head, narrowly avoiding the lethal blow. Her eyes flickered with both alarm and intrigue.

 

“This man’s movement technique… it’s remarkably nimble. Though he’s only at the fourth stage of the Embryonic Breath Realm, he’s managing to keep up with me.”

 

She darted back, creating a wide gap between them. Her mind raced as she analyzed him.

 

“That technique… and that spear skill. They’re clearly of high grade, likely Tier 3 or above. Is he a direct descendant of one of the Three Great Clans or Seven Major Houses? Or perhaps he belongs to another influential cultivation family within Yue Nation?”

 

Lan Cai’er wasn’t one for close combat. Her true expertise lay in controlling corpse worms and practicing corpse refinement techniques. The only reason she was holding her ground was because of her higher cultivation level. If they were on equal footing, she might have already fallen to his relentless assault.

 

Recognizing the disadvantage, she swiftly retreated further.

 

“Your movement and spear techniques are impressive,” she admitted with a faint smile, her gaze fixed on Yun Yantian. “Clearly, you’ve studied under a high-level master. But maintaining such advanced techniques must consume a significant amount of spiritual energy. Surely, you can’t keep this up for long.”

 

Her smile deepened, an air of smugness creeping into her tone. “So no, you can’t kill me. Of course, I can’t kill you either. Let’s just say I’m not fond of close combat.”

 

Yun Yantian stood tall, his black spear leveled at her, his expression unwavering. “Are you done talking?”

 

“Not yet,” she teased, her tone lilting. “I’m curious—where exactly are you from? With skills like yours, you can’t be from some no-name family.”

 

“That’s none of your concern,” Yun Yantian replied curtly, his voice cold as steel.

 

Without giving her a chance to respond, he surged forward once more, his spear slicing through the air with deadly intent.

 

The battle between them continued, the clash of their skills sending shockwaves through the gorge.

 

Meanwhile, Sun Fenglin rushed to his younger brother’s side, his heart pounding as he knelt beside the pale and battered Sun Fengxuan.

 

“Are you all right?” he asked urgently.

 

“Just a scratch… nothing too serious,” Sun Fengxuan rasped, his voice weak but resolute.

 

His gaze shifted to the duel between Yun Yantian and Lan Cai’er, his eyes reflecting both awe and despair. “The Yun clan’s spiritual cultivators… they’re leagues ahead of us. Brother, the gap between our families is only growing wider.”

 

Sun Fenglin clenched his fists, frustration and helplessness warring within him. “Indeed. The difference between us has become insurmountable.”

 

Chapter 88: Fearless in the face of danger

 

“Brother Yantian, you’re amazing!”

 

From her vantage point above the gorge, Yun Yanshuang’s face was flushed with excitement as she watched the battle unfold below.

 

She hadn’t expected that the arduous training alongside her brother—painstakingly honing the techniques taught by their master—would lead to such remarkable progress. Despite Lan Cai’er being at least at the fifth stage of the Embryonic Breath Realm, her Brother Yantian, steady in the fourth stage, managed to hold his ground. It was nothing short of extraordinary.

 

Of course, she understood that Lan Cai’er’s weakness in close combat was a significant factor.

 

“Brother Yantian’s Silver Dragon Spear Technique and Treading Snow Without a Trace are both Yellow-Grade Tier 3 techniques,” Yun Yanshuang mused to herself, her excitement giving way to concern. “With his current cultivation, the spiritual energy drain from prolonged use must be immense. Prolonged combat like this will undoubtedly take a toll.”

 

She wanted to leap into action and aid her brother in subduing Lan Cai’er. But her brother’s words echoed in her mind—stay vigilant for other Gu Sect disciples potentially hiding in the shadows.

 

“Not yet,” she muttered, clenching her fists. “Brother Yantian hasn’t faltered. I’ll wait until he truly needs me.”

 

Boom!

 

Another thunderous explosion echoed through the gorge.

 

Yun Yantian’s spear struck the ground where Lan Cai’er had stood moments ago, sending debris flying in all directions. Yet, the woman remained unscathed, her figure darting gracefully away. She landed lightly atop a boulder in the distance, her ruby-like eyes glinting mischievously as she gazed at Yun Yantian.

 

“I wonder how long you can keep this up,” she taunted, her lips curling into a smirk. “I hope your spiritual energy is endless because the moment your attacks falter, I’ll claim your life without hesitation.”

 

“Annoying,” Yun Yantian muttered, his irritation evident. He swung his short spear in a wide arc.

 

A crescent-shaped wind blade shot forth, cutting through the air toward Lan Cai’er.

 

Boom!

 

The boulder beneath her feet shattered in two, the sharp wind blade cleaving cleanly through it. But Lan Cai’er was already in motion, her figure retreating gracefully.

 

“What’s the matter? Running low on spiritual energy already?” she teased, her tone dripping with mockery. “Your attacks lack the ferocity they had earlier.”

 

Yun Yantian ignored her provocations, standing motionless as he activated Three Purities Meditation, quietly replenishing his spiritual reserves.

 

“This prolonged skirmish must have drained her as well,” he thought, his sharp eyes studying her movements. “But where are the other Gu Sect disciples? Could she truly be acting alone, or is she playing the same waiting game we are?”

 

“Not attacking anymore?” Lan Cai’er called out, raising an eyebrow. “If you’re done, then it’s my turn!”

 

From the pouch at her waist, two golden Gu worms zipped out, wriggling midair before burrowing into the corpses of fallen soldiers. The once lifeless bodies stirred, animating into snarling corpses that lunged toward Yun Yantian.

 

With a sweep of his spear, Yun Yantian unleashed a blade of wind, severing the undead attackers in half. Another swift strike dispatched the Gu worms as they emerged from the dismembered bodies.

 

He sighed in relief, believing the danger to be neutralized, but his confidence was short-lived.

 

As his spear pierced the Gu worms, their bodies exploded, releasing a dense, greenish-purple mist. On closer inspection, the “mist” wasn’t smoke at all but a swarm of minuscule Gu worms, surging toward him like a wave.

 

“What?” Yun Yantian recoiled, attempting to retreat, but the swarm enveloped him with startling speed, burrowing into his body through his ears, nostrils, and mouth.

 

“Now you’re finished,” Lan Cai’er said, her voice as sweet as a melody. “This is my Sound Gu, one of my most prized creations. Once inside you, they’ll feast on your spiritual energy and devour your internal organs. Of course, it’s not fun unless I control them.”

 

She withdrew a small, intricately crafted drum made of human skin from her pouch. A sinister smile played on her lips as she struck the drum.

 

Dong!

 

The eerie sound echoed through the gorge, its vibrations reverberating in Yun Yantian’s chest.

 

Pain erupted within him like wildfire.

 

His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, clutching his abdomen. Sweat poured from his forehead as he writhed in agony, gasping for breath.

 

Inside him, the Gu worms stirred violently, gnawing at his spiritual core and organs.

 

“The harder I strike, the more painful it becomes,” Lan Cai’er said with a light laugh. She struck the drum again, the sharp sound slicing through the air.

 

Dong!

 

The pain intensified. Yun Yantian’s vision blurred as the Gu worms wreaked havoc within him. Yet, even in his desperate state, a flicker of resolve remained in his eyes.

 

Would this be the end?

 

“Now you’re under my control. Only I can remove the Sound Gu.”

 

Lan Cai’er smirked, satisfaction evident on her face as she struck the human-skin drum a few more times, sending waves of agony through Yun Yantian. Once she saw him collapse, rendered utterly powerless, she stopped playing and hooked the drum back onto her waist. Step by step, she approached him, her ruby-like eyes gleaming with victory.

 

Before she could close the distance, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

 

A flurry of shimmering silver rings shot through the air, catching Lan Cai’er off guard.

 

Five enchanted rings locked around her wrists, ankles, and neck, pinning her tightly to the gorge’s rocky wall.

 

“What?! Someone else?!” Lan Cai’er’s expression darkened as she scanned her surroundings, her gaze soon landing on a young girl—no older than eight—leaping gracefully from above.

 

“Brother Yantian!”

 

Yun Yanshuang landed beside Yun Yantian, her face filled with concern as she noticed his labored breathing and the beads of sweat pouring from his forehead.

 

“While that demoness is bound by your spiritual weapon, seize the drum quickly. Together, we’ll subdue her,” Yun Yantian urged, his voice strained but resolute.

 

“But… what about the possibility of other Gu Sect members in hiding?”

 

“Unlikely. Their absence so far suggests she’s working alone. Now’s our chance—don’t hesitate!”

 

“I understand!”

 

Nodding firmly, Yun Yanshuang dashed toward Lan Cai’er.

 

“You think you can just take my drum?!” Lan Cai’er’s eyes turned cold, and an explosive surge of spiritual energy burst forth. With a sharp snap, she broke free of the restraining rings and tried to retreat.

 

But Yun Yanshuang was prepared.

 

The little girl’s cultivation—on the verge of breaking into the fifth stage of the Embryonic Breath Realm—was not far below Lan Cai’er’s own. As the latter attempted to escape, Yun Yanshuang seized the opportunity to snatch the drum from her waist.

 

“My drum! Give it back!” Lan Cai’er shouted, her composure breaking for the first time.

 

The human-skin drum, crafted from the hide of a first-stage cultivator, was her most prized spiritual weapon. Without it, her ability to control the Sound Gu was crippled, significantly weakening her combat power.

 

“I won’t!” Yun Yanshuang replied with a defiant pout, tucking the drum securely into her storage pouch.

 

“You wretched child! I’ll kill you for this!”

 

Lan Cai’er’s fury boiled over as she lunged at Yun Yanshuang, her movements swift and deadly.

 

“Thousand Shadows of the Blade!”

 

Unfazed, Yun Yanshuang brandished her Qingshuang Sword, unleashing a flurry of sword shadows that weaved into a dense net of light.

 

The technique—fast and precise—stalled Lan Cai’er’s advance, forcing her into a clumsy retreat.

 

“Brother Yantian is formidable, but his sister is on another level!”

 

At the gorge’s mouth, Sun Fenglin observed the battle with a mixture of awe and bitterness. The strength of the Yun siblings had far exceeded his expectations, highlighting the ever-growing gap between the Sun and Yun families.

 

“Brother, should we intervene?” asked Sun Fengxuan, his expression uncertain.

 

“No,” Sun Fenglin replied, his voice cold. “Let them handle it. The Yun siblings chose not to aid us earlier. Why should we help them now? Besides, they’re clearly capable of defeating her on their own.”

 

Meanwhile, Yun Yanshui, who had been lying in wait, silently assessed the situation.

 

“Seems like Brother Yantian and Yanshuang don’t need me after all,” he murmured to himself, a smirk playing on his lips. Watching Lan Cai’er struggle to fend off the siblings’ relentless attacks, he was certain of her imminent defeat.

 

Dusting himself off, he prepared to leave.

 

Just as he turned, a feral growl sounded from the forest.

 

Emerging from the shadows, a massive tiger with striking striped fur locked its predatory gaze onto him.

 

“Really? You think I’m an easy target?” Yun Yanshui scoffed, patting the quiver on his waist. Drawing his Wuqing Warbow, he nocked an arrow and let it fly.

 

The arrow found its mark with deadly precision, piercing the tiger’s skull. The beast crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

 

“If I can’t kill that Lan Cai’er, at least I can take down a tiger.”

 

Satisfied, Yun Yanshui slung his bow over his shoulder and strolled back toward the gorge, whistling a merry tune.

 

Chapter 89: He’s too noisy

 

“These two may be young, but their cultivation is stable, and their spiritual energy is exceptionally dense. If this drags on, I’ll lose to them!”

 

Faced with the relentless onslaught from Yun Yanshuang and Yun Yantian, Lan Cai’er’s delicate brows furrowed in frustration, her expression turning grim.

 

“I can’t keep fighting—I have to escape!”

 

With a determined leap, Lan Cai’er soared backward, attempting to flee.

 

Unbeknownst to her, Yun Yanshuang had anticipated this move. With a swift command of her divine sense, the five enchanted iron rings shot out again, snapping onto Lan Cai’er’s wrists, ankles, and neck, locking her firmly in place.

 

Crack!

 

Lan Cai’er struggled to break free, but before she could muster enough strength, Yun Yantian closed in. His black short spear drove mercilessly into her shoulder blade, pinning her to the ground.

 

The searing pain forced a muffled groan from her lips, her face going deathly pale.

 

“Don’t move, or you’ll die.”

 

While Yun Yantian held her down, Yun Yanshuang darted forward, pressing her Qingshuang Sword against Lan Cai’er’s brow, the blade’s chill sharp enough to silence her resistance.

 

Lan Cai’er stopped struggling, though her crimson eyes burned with fury. She glared daggers at the Yun siblings, committing their faces to memory. One day, she vowed, she would repay this humiliation in blood.

 

“Brother Yantian, Sister Yanshuang, your skills are truly extraordinary to capture this demoness!”

 

Sun Fenglin approached with Sun Fengxuan, his voice laced with praise, though a tinge of unease lingered beneath his words.

 

Yun Yantian paid him no heed, his focus fixed solely on Lan Cai’er.

 

“Where’s the antidote for the Sound Gu?” he demanded coldly.

 

“You want the antidote? Simple—let me go, and I’ll give it to you,” Lan Cai’er said with a faint, mocking smile, her shoulder visibly trembling from the pain.

 

“Still trying to bargain when you’re at death’s door?”

 

“I’m not the only one at death’s door—don’t forget, you are too. Even without the human-skin drum, the Sound Gu in your body will grow hungry. Without my guidance, they’ll start consuming your spiritual energy and devouring your internal organs until you’re completely hollowed out.

 

“At most, you’ll last seven days before you’re dead. And don’t bother thinking anyone else can cure this—only I can remove the Gu.”

 

Despite her dire situation, Lan Cai’er’s composure was unnerving. Her calm demeanor only added weight to her words.

 

“Brother Yantian, don’t listen to her lies!” Sun Fenglin interjected hastily. “The antidote must be in her storage pouch. If you let her go, she’ll come back stronger and wipe out my family for good!”

 

Yun Yantian hesitated for a moment before crouching down and removing the storage pouch from Lan Cai’er’s waist.

 

“Give that back!” Lan Cai’er’s eyes flared, and she tried to snatch it back.

 

“Don’t move!”

 

The edge of Yun Yanshuang’s sword dug into Lan Cai’er’s neck, drawing a thin line of blood. The crimson streak starkly contrasted against her pale skin, sending a shiver down her spine.

 

Realizing the little girl’s intent to kill, Lan Cai’er reluctantly froze, her rage simmering beneath her calm façade.

 

Removing the spiritual seal from the pouch, Yun Yantian opened it to find a trove of items: spirit stones, various vials, and even a detailed manual on cultivating Corpse Gu and Sound Gu.

 

“Which of these vials is the antidote?” he asked, his voice steady but cold.

 

“Why should I tell you?”

 

“Do you want to die?”

 

“Then kill me! If I die, so do you!”

 

Lan Cai’er’s stubbornness knew no bounds. Her defiant gaze made it clear she had no intention of yielding.

 

“Brother Yantian…”

 

Yun Yanshuang’s voice was soft, tinged with unease as she glanced at her brother’s conflicted expression.

 

“Kill or not to kill?”

 

After much deliberation, Yun Yantian made his decision. “Seal her dantian and hand her over to Magistrate Chang and Captain Xiao. Let them escort her to the imperial court for judgment.”

 

The rationale was simple: delivering Lan Cai’er alive to the court would earn his family a handsome reward. The Yun clan was in desperate need of cultivation resources to bolster its future development, and every bit of imperial favor counted.

 

Killing Lan Cai’er outright and presenting her corpse wouldn’t suffice. The court’s directive was clear: they wanted her alive. It was evident the imperial court sought to extract valuable intelligence from her or use her as leverage against other members of the Gu Cult.

 

For the court, a living cultist was far more valuable than a dead one.

 

“I understand!”

 

Yun Yanshuang nodded in agreement. With a focused expression, she began performing the Sealing Technique taught by the blind elder.

 

This technique could effectively block a cultivator’s dantian, rendering their spiritual energy inert and reducing them to a mere mortal. However, the caster’s cultivation level needed to be on par with or higher than the target’s, lest the technique backfire.

 

“You two just wait!” Lan Cai’er spat venomously. “The day I escape is the day you both die!”

 

Her expression turned grim upon hearing that her dantian would be sealed and that she would be handed over to the Yue Kingdom’s court. She knew all too well what awaited her—inhumane torture and being used as a bargaining chip to coerce her cult’s elders.

 

Her crimson eyes burned with fury as she glared at the Yun siblings, seething with unbridled hatred and murderous intent.

 

“Magistrate Chang, Captain Xiao, this witch is yours to guard,” Yun Yantian announced coolly as he handed over the subdued Lan Cai’er.

 

“Master Immortals, your efforts this day have been extraordinary!” Chang Yuan, the magistrate, bowed deeply, his face plastered with a flattering smile.

 

“Rest assured, we will transport her safely to the county office and immediately inform the imperial court. Officials from the court will soon arrive to take custody of her. She won’t escape and threaten you again.”

 

Chang Yuan paused before continuing, “And as for the credit for this operation…”

 

“Don’t worry. I will ensure the court recognizes your contributions and grants you ample rewards.”

 

“That puts my mind at ease,” Yun Yantian replied, his typically stoic face softening with a faint smile.

 

“Hold on!”

 

Sun Fengli, who had been nursing his injuries, suddenly stepped forward. “This wasn’t just the Yun family’s doing. The Sun family deserves credit too!”

 

Both Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan remained silent, exchanging subtle glances. Although they knew the Yun siblings were the real heroes, this was a joint operation. Surely their contributions couldn’t be overlooked entirely.

 

After all, the Sun family desperately needed cultivation resources. Even a small share of the imperial rewards could be a lifeline for their struggling clan.

 

Boom!

 

Before Sun Fengli could utter another word, Yun Yantian raised his palm and struck. The oppressive force of his spiritual energy slammed into Sun Fengli, pinning him to the ground. The impact caused Sun Fengli’s freshly scabbed wounds to split open, blood spurting in all directions.

 

“Brother Yantian, what are you doing?” Sun Fenglin exclaimed in shock, rushing forward.

 

“Your younger brother is far too noisy,” Yun Yantian replied coldly.

 

“If you feel the Sun family hasn’t contributed enough to deserve a share of the credit, just say so! Why resort to violence?” Sun Fenglin protested, though his tone softened upon noticing Yun Yantian’s icy demeanor.

 

“It’s not about that.” Yun Yantian’s eyes narrowed, his gaze icy and murderous.

 

Sun Fenglin hesitated, recalling his brother’s earlier words. His heart sank. “Brother Yantian, my younger brother speaks recklessly. I offer my sincerest apologies on his behalf. If it will appease you, the Sun family is willing to forfeit all claims to the reward.”

 

“Do you think that changes anything now?” Yun Yantian’s voice dripped with contempt as his gaze bore into Sun Fengli.

 

Yun Yantian’s fury wasn’t about the reward. What truly enraged him was Sun Fengli’s slip of the tongue—revealing the Yun siblings’ family origin right in front of Lan Cai’er!

 

“Cloud Cang Yun clan?”

 

Lan Cai’er suddenly burst into laughter despite her grim situation. “So that’s who you are. Interesting… very interesting. I’ll remember this!”

 

Her piercing laughter echoed through the canyon, sending chills down everyone’s spine.

 

Chapter 90 Working Together

 

Lan Cai’er let out a smug laugh, her defiance shining through even in defeat. Yun Yantian’s face turned cold as his grip on the black short spear tightened. He took a deliberate step forward, intending to strike her down and eliminate the future threat she posed to the Yun Cang Yun clan.

 

Such a risk could not be left to chance.

 

“Master Immortal, what are you doing?”

 

Chang Yuan and Xiao Shan, recognizing Yun Yantian’s murderous intent, hurriedly stepped in to block his path.

 

“Move,” Yun Yantian ordered, his voice cold and commanding.

 

“Master Immortal, you needn’t worry. This Gu Cult witch has no chance of escaping,” Chang Yuan pleaded earnestly.

 

“You’ve already sealed her dantian, rendering her a mere mortal. Under our watch, there will be no incidents. Once we’ve flown a message to the county office, Magistrate Lu will immediately request an imperial court enforcer to meet us at the foot of Mount Chuyun.

 

“From there, this Lan Cai’er will be transported under heavy guard to the court’s special prison, where escape is impossible. She won’t even have a chance to seek revenge against you!”

 

Chang Yuan was desperate to calm Yun Yantian. The imperial court’s directive was clear: all Gu Cultists were to be captured alive. Killing her now would strip the court of the intelligence and leverage they sought, potentially leading to severe repercussions.

 

While Yun Yantian’s status as a cultivator of noble lineage shielded him from any direct punishment, the same could not be said for the local officials. Any mishap would derail their careers.

 

“Yantian, listen to Magistrate Chang,” Yun Yanshuang interjected gently.

 

Her soft words tempered Yun Yantian’s fury, the sharpness in his gaze dimming slightly. While he could disregard the pleas of others, his sister’s voice carried weight.

 

“I don’t trust them,” Yun Yantian muttered. “If she escapes, our clan will be in grave danger.”

 

“Don’t forget, we still have our master,” Yun Yanshuang reminded him with a reassuring smile.

 

Yun Yantian paused, his mind flashing to the blind elder who sat under the willow tree outside their estate year-round.

 

Despite the old man’s ragged appearance and penchant for drinking, Yun Yantian had always sensed a boundless depth to his master’s abilities, far beyond his own comprehension.

 

“Besides,” Yun Yanshuang continued, her tone light but persuasive, “our family is in the middle of a critical phase of growth. Capturing this Gu Cult witch alive will earn us a significant reward from the court. That reward could fund our development and provide us with much-needed cultivation resources.

 

“If we kill her, the court’s reward will vanish, and all our efforts over these past few days will have been for nothing.”

 

Yun Yantian sighed, a faint smile breaking through his cold demeanor. “You’re only interested in the money, aren’t you?”

 

“Of course!” Yun Yanshuang giggled. “Without resources, how will we cultivate? And without stronger cultivation, how will we protect our clan and become its pillars of support?”

 

“Fine,” Yun Yantian relented, shaking his head with a wry smile. He reached out to ruffle his sister’s hair affectionately.

 

The menacing aura surrounding Yun Yantian dissipated, much to the relief of Chang Yuan and Xiao Shan.

 

“Prepare the formation! We’re escorting the Gu Cult witch down the mountain immediately!” Chang Yuan commanded, his voice firm.

 

“Li Feizhang, send a message via carrier pigeon to Magistrate Lu. Inform him to alert the court and request an enforcer to meet us at the base of the mountain. We’ll hand her over upon our descent.”

 

The soldiers busied themselves following Chang Yuan’s orders, the tension in the air finally easing.

 

“Brother Yantian,” Sun Fenglin approached, attempting to engage Yun Yantian in conversation.

 

“Our relationship ends here,” Yun Yantian replied coldly, not sparing a glance as he turned and began descending the mountain with Yun Yanshuang by his side.

 

Watching Yun Yantian’s cold and dismissive demeanor, Sun Fenglin could only manage a bitter smile, unable to muster any resentment.

 

He knew full well that this entire situation was his fault.

 

When Lan Cai’er had subdued him earlier, his first instinct wasn’t to resist but to drag Yun Yantian and his sister into the mess.

 

By deliberately shouting, “Brother Yantian, if not now, then when?” he ensured Lan Cai’er knew that others were lurking nearby. The move forced Yun Yantian into action, diverting the witch’s attention away from the Sun brothers.

 

Later, while Yun Yantian and Yun Yanshuang fought against Lan Cai’er, Sun Fenglin and his brother Sun Fengxuan intentionally stayed back, choosing to remain passive observers.

 

Their strategy was clear: wait until both sides were severely weakened, then swoop in to claim victory. This way, they could not only eliminate the Yun Cang Yun siblings but also capture Lan Cai’er for the glory and rewards.

 

But no matter how meticulously Sun Fenglin schemed, he had grossly underestimated the sheer strength and capability of the Yun siblings.

 

“Stop! That witch’s storage pouch undoubtedly holds many treasures. Why should you take it all for yourself?”

 

Sun Fengli, now standing shakily after his earlier defeat, glared at Yun Yantian’s retreating figure and roared.

 

“And what do you intend to do about it?”

 

Yun Yantian halted and turned his gaze back, cold and piercing.

 

“This operation was a joint effort between our families. The contents of her storage pouch must be evenly divided!”

 

“Joint effort?” Yun Yantian’s tone dripped with disdain. “Then why, when my sister and I were risking our lives fighting her, were you and your brothers nowhere to be seen?”

 

“I…”

 

Sun Fengli stammered, lowering his head in shame, unable to come up with a retort.

 

“You don’t contribute yet expect an equal share? What fantasy world are you living in?”

 

With a cold sneer, Yun Yantian dismissed Sun Fengli entirely and continued on his way out of the canyon.

 

“That Yun Yantian is infuriating!”

 

Sun Fengli’s eyes burned with resentment as he watched Yun Yantian leave. His clenched fists trembled with suppressed rage.

 

“If not for your reckless behavior and constant need to show off,” Sun Fengxuan interjected coldly, “we wouldn’t be in this situation.”

 

**”You’ve brought disgrace to our family and driven our relationship with the Yun clan to ruin.

 

“Not only that, but your stubbornness and arrogance have wasted our chance at glory and rewards. Do you think our efforts were all for nothing just because of your selfishness?”**

 

“What do you mean by that, Brother Fengxuan?”

 

Despite usually fearing Sun Fengxuan, Sun Fengli bristled at the accusation. His stubborn pride flared, refusing to accept the scolding, even though he knew he was at fault.

 

“What I said is clear,” Sun Fengxuan retorted, his voice laced with cold fury. **”Do you think I would have been overpowered by Lan Cai’er if I hadn’t been protecting you?

 

“And you dare insult Brother Fenglin as well? Have you no shame?”**

 

Sun Fengli’s face reddened, his anger bubbling over. “And you think you’re blameless? If you and Brother Fenglin had been stronger, Lan Cai’er would’ve never gained the upper hand. If you’d acted faster, the credit for capturing her would’ve gone solely to our family!”

 

Enraged by Sun Fengli’s blatant deflection of blame, Sun Fengxuan stepped forward, ready to discipline his unruly cousin.

 

“Enough! Stop this bickering! Do you want others to see us as a joke?”

 

Sun Fenglin stepped between them, his voice filled with irritation as he stopped Sun Fengxuan. His cold gaze landed on Sun Fengli, tinged with profound disappointment.

 

Deep down, Sun Fenglin realized that his cousin was beyond saving.

 

Reckless, short-sighted, and incapable of introspection, Sun Fengli, despite being a cultivator, was little more than a worthless fool.

 

His sacrifices to protect and save Sun Fengli suddenly seemed laughably foolish. What had they gained? A shattered alliance with the Yun clan and an irreparable family rift.

 

For the first time, Sun Fenglin questioned whether saving Sun Fengli was worth it at all.

 

Perhaps letting him fend for himself would’ve been the wiser choice. With fewer resources wasted on him, the family could’ve invested in those who truly had potential, like himself and Sun Fengxuan.

 

“The Blue Scale Sun clan isn’t likely to endure much longer,” Yun Yantian murmured to himself as he exited the canyon. His heightened senses picked up every word of the Sun brothers’ squabble.

 

“With such internal discord and short-sightedness, their downfall is only a matter of time.”

 

His thoughts shifted, and he turned his attention to the challenges ahead. The Yun Cang Yun clan couldn’t afford to get entangled in others’ mistakes. Their future lay solely in their own hands.