On the way, Gu Yao and the others discovered that the situation was unfolding beyond their expectations. Allowing it to progress uncontrollably would be a loss of control.
There were multiple experimental sites for the clandestine organization, with different ideas and methods, resulting in various creations. As they passed through a city, they found chaos. Creatures, seemingly emerging from nowhere, were carrying a toxic substance within them. Initially, the cultivators hunting these creatures were injured, but after returning to the city and detoxifying themselves, they didn't pay much attention. However, a few days later, those cultivators previously injured by the creatures suddenly went mad, attacking their companions and biting them.
It was only after restraining them that it became evident that these cultivators had completely lost their rational consciousness, becoming like living dead. Moreover, this condition was spreading. The toxin propagated through biting, and in no time, the entire city descended into panic.Therefore, when Gu Yao and the others passed through this area, the city lord simultaneously issued a plea for assistance to various parties. Meanwhile, they ordered the closure of the city gates and the search of cultivators who had come into contact with the creatures or were injured by them. These individuals were gathered together. Simultaneously, they summoned medical cultivators and alchemists to find ways to treat these cultivators. Fortunately, the city lord acted swiftly and decisively, temporarily keeping the situation under control. However, without dealing with the creatures outside, they could easily fall into a new crisis at any moment.
This location wasn't too far from Lou Huaijing's position. After discussing, they subdued a creature, entered the city, and joined the team researching the toxin. Gu Yao and Chi Changye continued using the identities of Lu Hua and Lu Feng. Originally inconspicuous wandering cultivators, who would bother to remember them?
Gu Yao genuinely wanted to study this toxin to create an antidote. Besides, he wasn't alone; he had Xu Chen researching alongside him. Seeing the injured individuals, still struggling despite being bound, undergoing changes, Gu Yao furrowed his brow. Sometimes humans seemed to be relentlessly seeking their own demise. Could they truly control the monsters and toxins they created, preventing them from spiraling out of control and backfiring one day?
Who gave humans such great confidence? Gu Yao sometimes wished to make the cultivators responsible for creating these things taste what it was like. No, it would be even better if they personally experienced the feelings of all the experimental subjects, taking turns.
"Master Lu, the city lord's mansion has sent people to urge us again, asking us to quickly come up with a solution to neutralize the toxin. But this matter is not that easy to handle." The alchemist accompanying Gu Yao complained, having lost a considerable amount of hair. However, the toxin was too troublesome; it not only assimilated the spiritual energy within the body but also affected the soul.Chi Changye, who now assumed the identity of Lu Feng, became Gu Yao's assistant, supporting him on the side. As for Lou Huaijing and Ying Muqing, they joined the city's defense force, listening to the city lord's orders to guard the city. They rarely had the opportunity to return.
"People outside are speculating that some poison alchemist has sided with the demonic forces, deliberately creating substances to deal with us righteous cultivators. Those bastards deserve a thousand cuts and to have their souls burned for ten days and nights."
"Poison alchemist? Demonic forces?" Gu Yao was just hearing this term.
"Yeah, Master Lu, don't you know? Many demonic forces and evildoers have emerged. They used to be hidden somewhere, but now they've come out, expanding their territory and recruiting disciples recklessly. Some of the evil cultivators have even controlled some monsters. They manipulate these creatures to attack the residences of righteous cultivators. In some places, they discovered it too late, and those areas have fallen into their hands. The original cultivators in those places either joined them or were completely wiped out."
Gu Yao was shocked by the revelation. He exchanged a glance with Chi Changye, wondering if these demonic forces and evildoers were originally connected to the ones behind the scenes or if they took advantage of the chaos to exploit the situation. Both possibilities seemed likely — alliances formed based on mutual interests were always fragile and prone to collapse when those interests changed.
"There's another thing. Many people are talking about the previously prominent alchemist, Yao Danshi. Some want to invite him to come out, thinking he might be able to produce a better antidote. Others speculate that Yao Danshi might be the poison alchemist lurking among us. His previous actions might have been a guise to gain reputation. Otherwise, why hasn't he come forward yet? Who knows where he obtained those top-quality pills."Gu Yao listened in silence, unsure how to react. As for this alchemist, whose alchemical skills were ordinary but possessed a remarkable gossip ability, Gu Yao deeply felt that he had chosen the wrong profession. He should have specialized in collecting information and selling news. His energy was focused entirely on gathering various gossip.
After satisfying his curiosity, the cultivator left, leaving Gu Yao and Chi Changye staring at each other. They didn't know what to say. How could they mistakenly attribute the reputation of a poison alchemist to that unsuspecting cultivator?
Lou Huaijing and Ying Muqing hurriedly returned, their faces carrying a hint of anger and restraint. Gu Yao immediately thought of the alchemist's words earlier and asked, "Did you hear the rumors about Yao Danshi being a poison alchemist?"
"You heard it too? It's definitely spread by the Longxian Sect. They want to tarnish your reputation and might even try to force you out!" Lou Huaijing said indignantly, mixed with a deep sense of powerlessness. It's easy to throw mud, but cleaning it off is challenging.
Gu Yao wasn't particularly angry. He and Chi Changye couldn't stay in the Qianhao Continent for too long. Even if they found a secluded place to spend the remaining time cultivating, the external factors wouldn't affect them much. However, thinking ahead to the Tianlin Continent, where cultivators would surely come over in the future, having a bad reputation might still have some impact.Thinking about the Tianlin Continent, he chuckled, "Rest assured, the Longxian Sect wouldn't dare to admit responsibility for spreading these rumors because they know my background. Just think about it—a cultivator like me, who has been in the Qianhao Continent for only a few years, creating such a commotion. These things aren't something that can be accomplished in a short time. Those people who did this will surely leave traces, such as when a large number of wandering cultivators started disappearing. At that time, I probably hadn't even been born."
Chi Changye couldn't help but raise the corner of his mouth, reaching out to tousle Gu Yao's hair. Such rumors wouldn't cause much harm.
Lou Huaiting and Ying Muqing were also stunned. Hey? It seems to make sense. Why were they so angry and anxious? The people involved seemed so indifferent.
Influenced by Gu Yao, Lou Huaiting and Ying Muqing relaxed, continuing to do what they could.
Gu Yao continued researching these toxins, drawing a vial of pitch-black blood, a terrifying substance capable of incapacitating even Nascent Soul cultivators.
Changsong Valley.
Lou Qiting, the old ancestor of the Lou family, was surrounded on all sides. His disciples were nowhere to be seen, leaving him struggling like a trapped beast.
As a mid-Nascent Soul stage cultivator, Lou Qiting's strength was formidable. His enemies paid a significant price, and he wiped the blood from his mouth, sneering at the surrounding cultivators and grotesque monsters, "Huo Sect Master went to great lengths to deal with me. Does he really think I'm going to die today, sending you all here?"Among these people, two were his fellow disciples who usually seemed uninvolved in sect affairs, but their true colors showed in critical moments. They were like the hounds raised by someone named Huo, released to attack when needed.
One of them grinned, saying, "Lou, blame yourself for not pledging allegiance to the Sect Master all these years. Now, we're doing you a favor, sending you and your descendants to reunite in the underworld. If there's a next life, remember not to oppose the Sect Master and the Young Master."
Old Ancestor Lou burst into hearty laughter, not expecting someone to distort the truth like this. "Young Master? He's your Young Master, not mine. If you're willing to be lapdogs, that's your business. I, Lou, only follow my own conscience."
"Get on with it, no need for nonsense. Once Lou dies, the sect will reward him handsomely for his contribution to clearing out the monsters!" someone sneered maliciously, waving their hand.
The irony in their words couldn't be overlooked. They claimed to be eradicating monsters, yet they were teaming up with monsters to attack Old Ancestor Lou. Just as Old Ancestor Lou was about to face overwhelming odds, a voice suddenly echoed in the sky, "The world is corrupt. Unexpectedly, righteous cultivators are colluding with monsters. Who is truly righteous, and who is evil? Hehe!"
The cultivators attacking Old Ancestor Lou broke into a cold sweat, completely unaware that several cultivators were concealed in mid-air. The voice continued sharply, "Who? Who is hiding in the shadows?!"
A cold snort resonated in the air, followed by immense pressure descending, forcing several cultivators and monsters to cough up blood. It was the oppressive aura of a late-Nascent Soul cultivator. Simultaneously, the concealed figures in the air revealed themselves, led by a silver-haired demonic cultivator—the elder of the Silver Wolf Clan.
The leading attacker of Old Ancestor Lou hastily changed his tune, "Oh, so it turns out Lou is colluding with demonic cultivators! He intends to harm the sect!"
He shouted while ordering the controlled monsters to intercept the cultivators, but when he turned to flee, he realized they were trapped. Old Ancestor Lou was confined by a formation in this location, and beyond that, another layer of formation trapped him. Desperate, he summoned a monster, but it exploded upon impact, shattering the intercepting formation. As he tried to escape, a leg swung over, forcefully sending the Nascent Soul cultivator tumbling back.The crisis was quickly averted, leaving Lou Qiting somewhat surprised. The Nascent Soul cultivators who arrived were familiar to him, either personally acquainted or renowned. He wondered how these individuals had come together and graciously rescued him.
"Many thanks to fellow cultivators for the timely assistance. May I inquire about your names?"
"Haha..." laughed the chief of the Silver Wolf Clan, "Lou Daoist need not worry. We came here at someone's behest and witnessed an interesting spectacle. It seems what the other party said is true. These so-called monsters were actually created by cultivators from the righteous path. Moreover, the influence of demonic cultivators is growing. Lou Daoist, do you have any plans?"
"Perhaps we should find a place to sit and discuss," Lou Qiting suggested with a complex mood.
"Agreed."
After settling in, Lou Qiting still felt somewhat dazed. He vaguely knew about some unsavory aspects within the sect but never participated, maintaining a neutral stance in the conflicts among various factions. He believed he could continue to live peacefully. Lou Huaijing was also a promising junior he had high hopes for, with a high probability of reaching the Nascent Soul stage. Thus, the Lou family could secure a prominent position within the Longevity Sect.
He was aware of Huo Ming's actions against Huaijing, but he never expected things to escalate to such an extent. As an old ancestor, his face was something the Sect Master had to consider. Huo Ming wouldn't dare to take drastic measures. However, he didn't anticipate Huo Ming's audacity. If not for the timely assistance, Huaijing would have become one of the so-called monsters, and Lou Qiting himself might face elimination.
When Huaijing sent a message about impending assistance, Lou Qiting was skeptical. In battles at this level, Golden Core cultivators were irrelevant. So, where could Huaijing find Nascent Soul cultivators, and ones whose strength matched or surpassed his own? Yet, the result surpassed his expectations. Nascent Soul cultivators did arrive, and not just one. Furthermore, there were even cultivators in the late Nascent Soul stage, especially a formidable demonic cultivator from the Silver Wolf Clan.
"Lou Daoist, what are your thoughts?"Lou Laozu sneered, "Since someone with the surname Huo wishes for my death, I might as well fulfill his wish and die in seclusion. This way, it'll be easier for me to operate in the shadows. However, Longevity Sect has many disciples who are innocent. I hope they can be spared after this."
"Of course, that can be arranged. Qianhao Continent relies on numerous cultivators."
Lou Qiting immediately reached an agreement with the other party. Shortly after, a disciple responsible for guarding the soul cards stumbled out, "Bad news! Lou Laozu's soul card is shattered!"
"What?!" Many couldn't believe it and rushed to the place where the soul cards were kept. Indeed, Lou Qiting's soul card had cracked, indicating his demise. Some were sorrowful, some smirked, and an inconspicuous cultivator quietly slipped away. Though unclear about Lou Laozu's intentions, he followed through with his instructions.
All he did was infiltrate the place where the soul cards were kept and forcibly destroy Lou Qiting's soul card.
The news of Lou Laozu's death spread throughout the Longevity Sect, eliciting a mix of sighs and discussions. Some disciples noticed that Lou Huaijing, who had been missing since his journey, couldn't receive this news. Speculations arose—perhaps Huaijing had encountered an accident during his cultivation journey, preventing him from returning.
Lou Huaijing's soul card remained intact, indicating he was alive but potentially stranded somewhere.
This information also reached the city where Gu Yao and the others were. Lou Laozu had informed Huaijing when he decided to go into hiding, expressing his genuine gratitude to Gu Yao and Chi Changye. Without their help, Lou Laozu might have met an unfortunate end.
A cultivator entered the courtyard where Gu Yao was present, and the people inside were surprised to find out it was the leader of the Silver Wolf Clan.
"Silver Chief?"