Across the vast land, a large group was hurrying along, their expressions seemingly rushed, each face bearing a hint of gravity. Behind them, an even larger group was rapidly closing in.
This was the Taiqing Palace's group, and the group chasing after them was Yuan Gate's.
Under Yuan Cang's lead, the Yuan Gate's group traveled day and night, relentlessly pursuing, constantly closing the distance to the Taiqing Palace.
"Senior Sister, what do we do? The Yuan Gate people seem to have special means to track our location."
Su Rou's face was etched with worry. She didn't know why, but despite her constant use of Cheng Huang's special abilities to conceal their aura, and even setting up specific illusionary measures, they seemed to be of no use. The Yuan Gate people could easily catch up to them.
Ling Qingzhu didn't speak upon hearing this. She had an idea of what was happening. She suspected that Yuan Cang was using some special method to see through Su Rou's secret techniques. Of course, there was another possibility: that one of the Taiqing Palace disciples had been secretly afflicted by Demonic Contamination.
Of course, it might not necessarily be Demonic Contamination. It was possible that someone was being controlled in secret. As for who it was, that would be difficult to find. After all, for the sake of safety and secrecy, this person being controlled in secret was likely unaware of the Demonic Qi within their body, or perhaps there simply wasn't any Demonic Qi, so they weren't a Demon Spawn.
With such internal and external cooperation, it wasn't impossible for the Yuan Gate people to catch up to them.
It was even possible that they hadn't completely surrendered to the Otherworldly Demons, but were forced to temporarily provide Yuan Cang with some information. Or perhaps that disciple was already dead, merely temporarily alive.
"Su Rou, lead the team and head to the Burning Heaven Ancient Treasury first. It is said that Lin Dong, Junior Brother Lin from Dao Sect, has found the method to open the Burning Heaven Ancient Treasury. I have agreed with Senior Sister Ying to meet there."
Ling Qingzhu said softly. She didn't reveal the matter of the internal mole, as that would only create panic and suspicion without any practical benefit. It was better not to say anything. When the time came, the mole would eventually reveal their true colors.
Or perhaps, after completely dealing with the Yuan Gate disciples in the Burning Heaven Ancient Treasury, wouldn't that mole be easily manipulated?
The immediate priority was to ensure the safety of the Taiqing Palace disciples and to successfully join forces with Dao Sect in the Burning Heaven Ancient Treasury. Then, with the combined strength of the two sects, they could deal with Yuan Gate.
"Then what about you, Senior Sister?"
Although Su Rou had already guessed Ling Qingzhu's intentions, she still asked with some concern. Ling Qingzhu didn't answer immediately, but stared at the Yuan Gate disciples who were constantly approaching from behind, and whispered coldly.
"I'll stay behind and stop the Yuan Gate people."
"But, Senior Sister..."
Before Su Rou could finish speaking, Ling Qingzhu interrupted her.
"Don't worry, I have my own way to escape. A mere group of remnants can't threaten me!"
Ling Qingzhu had long been impatient with Yuan Cang. She had been cultivating the Supreme Induction Sutra since she was young, and had always been averse to matters of love between men and women, and had repeatedly made it clear that she had no intention of pursuing such things. As a result, Yuan Cang was like a piece of gum, seemingly gentle and refined each time, but always sticking to her, which had long made Ling Qingzhu dissatisfied.
Now was the perfect opportunity to teach that Demon Spawn a lesson.
After hesitating for a moment, Su Rou finally nodded lightly. Then, with a wave of her small hand, she led the Taiqing Palace disciples towards the direction of the Burning Heaven Ancient Treasury.
After watching Su Rou lead the Taiqing Palace disciples away, Ling Qingzhu's face also showed a hint of coldness. Since Yuan Cang wanted to test her strength, then she didn't need to continue hiding it. Anyway, they were already in the Otherworldly Demon Domain, and Yuan Cang couldn't transmit any messages out.
It could be said that at this moment, all the previous arrangements had been finalized. Now it was a matter of comparing the cards each side had prepared, to see whose cards were better and stronger.
And in terms of strength, she, Ling Qingzhu, was not afraid of Yuan Cang at all!
Above the wasteland, the dark and cold wind howled quietly, like the whispers of demons, or like painful murmurs, echoing in the empty and desolate world.
"'Whoosh! Whoosh!'"
Suddenly, a large number of sounds of rushing wind broke the lonely and deathly atmosphere. Immediately afterwards, hundreds of figures arrived before this solitary peak.
On top of the solitary peak, a figure in white stood gracefully, the Sword in hand pointing diagonally at the ground, Dai Eyebrows lowered, a clear and detached temperament, like a fairy of the cold moon, making people dare not look directly at her.
Yuan Cang's figure suddenly stopped in the air, raised his head and looked up at the detached figure, his eyes with a bit of amazement, and then, his face straightened, and he said in a deep voice.
"Qingzhu, are you trying to block my path?"
"Now that there are no outsiders, why bother with pretenses? Could it be that pretending to know me can conceal that repulsive aura within you?"
Upon hearing Yuan Cang's address, Ling Qingzhu's Dai Eyebrows furrowed, a flash of coldness in her eyes. Ling Qingzhu harbored no goodwill towards Yuan Cang to begin with, and now that he had fallen into the Demon Prison, becoming a mortal enemy, Yuan Cang's address only made her more uncomfortable.
Hearing Ling Qingzhu's words, Yuan Cang's face instantly darkened. Since falling into the Demon Prison, he loathed anyone mentioning the repulsive aura within him.
Even Ling Qingzhu, the only woman Yuan Cang felt worthy of him, infuriated him by hitting his sore spot. In the mind of someone like Yuan Cang, he always came first; everything else was just an appendage.
"Heh, originally, I was thinking of letting you leave today, considering our past relationship. Since Qingzhu, you're so unappreciative, don't blame me for being impolite!"
As he spoke, Yuan Cang coldly snorted, and an icy, sinister aura instantly erupted from his body, sweeping towards Ling Qingzhu.
Ling Qingzhu merely sneered at Yuan Cang's sanctimonious words. Yuan Cang probably only fooled himself with that nonsense. Any sane person wouldn't believe a word of it. In fact, Ling Qingzhu felt disgusted and found it hypocritical.
Both sides were already enemies, and mortal enemies at that. Why say such things to irritate people? If one were willing to leave a complete corpse after killing the other, that would be a true sign of respect. Saying impossible things and pretending to be so benevolent only seemed fake.
"Then let me see just how much your strength has grown after becoming a ghost!"
Ling Qingzhu's words were equally venomous, directly hitting Yuan Cang's most painful spot. One sentence caused the expression on Yuan Cang's face to twist.
Yuan Cang gazed at the aloof and exquisite figure opposite him. Ling Qingzhu waved her fair hand, and a pure, icy aura instantly spread out, ice crystals spreading across the ground in all directions.
At the same time, at the center of Ling Qingzhu's brow, an ancient, profound, ice-blue rune slowly emerged, shimmering with an ice-blue light. Though not dazzling, it was impossible to ignore.
"Ice Ancestor Symbol?"
Yuan Cang's face turned slightly cold. Although he had long known that Ling Qingzhu possessed the Ice Ancestor Symbol, he had never truly witnessed the power of an Ancestor Symbol. Yuan Cang had always believed that while the power of the Ancestor Symbol was considerable, the Otherworldly Demonic Qi within him was no weaker. Coupled with his own top-tier talent, Yuan Cang, a mere Ancestor Symbol was not worth mentioning.
However, upon seeing the Ice Ancestor Symbol, a chilling sensation arose in Yuan Cang's heart, making him feel as if his body, soul, and Nascent Soul were about to freeze.
At their first encounter, the Ancestor Symbol's immense power directly struck Yuan Cang head-on.
Instantly, Yuan Cang shuddered, and his gaze towards Ling Qingzhu contained a hint of apprehension. The arrogant and conceited look in his eyes was replaced with a touch of rationality.
With a solemn expression, Yuan Cang recalled Lei Qian and Ling Zhen standing beside him, as well as the large group of Yuan Gate disciples behind him, and immediately let out a cold snort.
"Hmph, attack together! This place will be your burial ground!"
As Yuan Cang spoke, the Otherworldly Demonic Qi within him was no longer concealed, and his aura suddenly soared to the Great Accomplishment of Life Profound Realm, instantly releasing a terrifyingly fierce aura as he charged towards Ling Qingzhu.
Behind Yuan Cang, Lei Qian and Ling Zhen exchanged a glance, then completely released the Otherworldly Demonic Qi within them. The auras of the Lesser Accomplishment of Life Profound Realm were also quite formidable.
In the next moment, Lei Qian and Ling Zhen did not hesitate, urging their Otherworldly Demonic Qi to attack Ling Qingzhu.
As Yuan Cang, Ling Zhen, and Lei Qian attacked Ling Qingzhu together, the remaining Spirit Generals of Yuan Gate began to command the Yuan Gate disciples to form a formation. Streams of powerful auras quickly connected, and soon, another combat force at the Great Accomplishment of Life Profound Realm was formed.
Faced with the joint attack of Yuan Cang, Lei Qian, and Ling Zhen, Ling Qingzhu's expression remained calm. She waved the long Sword in her hand, and the aura of the Great Accomplishment of Life Profound Realm startled Yuan Cang and the others.
However, in the next moment, the killing intent on Yuan Cang's face became even colder. From Ling Qingzhu's aura, it was clear that although Ling Qingzhu had broken through to the Great Accomplishment of Life Profound Realm, she had only just broken through. Once Ling Qingzhu completely stabilized in this realm, her combat power would likely increase by another level.
Therefore, now was the best opportunity to eliminate Ling Qingzhu. Otherwise, it would be difficult to eliminate Ling Qingzhu within the Otherworldly Demon Domain.
"Yuan Emperor Canon, Heavenly Origin Hand!"
Yuan Cang shouted sharply, and a large hand reached out towards Ling Qingzhu. Powerful Origin Power rapidly condensed into a large hand in the air. However, in the next moment, an even denser Otherworldly Demonic Qi surged up, instantly dyeing the originally pure white hand pitch-black, quickly merging with this sinister and dark world.
Behind Yuan Cang, Lei Qian and Ling Zhen were unwilling to be outdone, pouring out all the Origin Power and Otherworldly Demonic Qi within them.
"Thunder Emperor Scripture, Heavenly Thunder Punishment!"
"Spirit Emperor Point, Spirit Rhinoceros Finger!"
Above the firmament, a bolt of lightning rapidly brewed into shape, but just as it was about to strike, it transformed from a dazzling silver color into an eerie pitch-black hue. Even its aura shifted from vast and majestic to sinister and malevolent, causing its power to weaken slightly.
Meanwhile, Ling Zhen's Origin Power continuously converged, forming a massive, pitch-black finger in the air, its surface covered in bizarre, dark Demonic Markings.
At the same time, the Yuan Gate disciples, who had already formed a grand formation in the rear, continuously poured their Origin Power into the space, where it coalesced into a giant sword, slashing towards Ling Qingzhu.
"Ice Ancestor Symbol, Frozen Wasteland!"
Ling Qingzhu waved her delicate hand, and as she swung her sword, the ancient rune on her forehead flickered. An icy aura emanated from the long sword, sweeping towards the approaching giant hand, finger, lightning, and sword along with the Sword Qi.
Wherever the Sword Qi passed, the icy aura spread, freezing the giant hand, finger, lightning, and sword in mid-air before they shattered with a resounding crash.
However, after unleashing this strike, Ling Qingzhu's delicate body swayed involuntarily. Clearly, this sword was not as effortless as it appeared. For Ling Qingzhu, forcibly activating the Ice Ancestor Symbol's formidable power was still quite a strain.
Seeing this, Yuan Cang across from her couldn't help but reveal a cruel smile. He had also noticed this, and he was already contemplating how to humiliate Ling Qingzhu after defeating her. He was determined to let this Ice Master Reincarnator witness his, Yuan Cang's, methods.
What Ice Master Reincarnation, what Ancient Eight Rulers? He, Yuan Cang, was the most talented person in the world. Perhaps, he might even be able to forcibly control the Ice Ancestor Symbol.
So-called taboos, so-called rules, were constraints for mortals. They had no effect on a peerless genius like him, Yuan Cang. Forget the Ancient Eight Rulers, even if the Sword Saint were here...
Sword Saint!
Yuan Cang was just reveling in the glory of killing Ling Qingzhu and surpassing that man, but at this moment, he wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but he actually saw that man.
Shaking his head, Yuan Cang tried to shake that person's figure from his mind, but the next moment, Yuan Cang despairingly realized that it didn't seem to be his illusion, but that person had really appeared here.
"Sword Saint? This is impossible, how could you enter the Otherworldly Demon Domain?"
Yuan Cang felt that this world was simply absurd. Experts above the Life Profound Realm could not enter the Otherworldly Demon Domain. This was common knowledge. Even the three Sect Leaders had tried everything possible but failed to enter, but now, how did Lin Xuan enter?
However, what responded to Yuan Cang was not an explanation, but a simple word.
"Scram!"
The calm voice echoed across the wasteland, but after hearing Lin Xuan's words, Yuan Cang did not hesitate in the slightest. Without even thinking, he turned and ran, and even Lei Qian and the others hurriedly followed.