As Xu Jun began talking about the evil spirit, the entire hall was filled with people whose faces were stricken with horror, and some were at a loss.
Only a few older instructors and Gu Qingfeng managed to maintain some composure.
Gu Qingfeng asked, "According to the Hall Master, how strong is the evil spirit?"
"The true strength of the evil spirit is unclear to me, but thirty years ago, Qingjiang Prefecture was destroyed, and fifteen years ago, Xuanyuan City was destroyed, both places had many strong forces stationed there.
What specific level these powerful forces were at, I don't know, but there must have been Martial Artists from the Blood Refining Realm.
Even so, both places were destroyed by the evil spirit!"
Xu Jun's words made Gu Qingfeng's heart sink slightly.
According to him, even Martial Artists from the Blood Refining Realm might not be a match for the evil spirit.
Then,
Gu Qingfeng further inquired, "What does the Hall Master plan to do now?"
"We can no longer stay in Lin County; although Lin County is currently besieged, it does not mean we have no chance to leave. All of us have stepped into the Refining Skin Realm, and Instructor Gu and I are at Refining Skin Perfection.
If we unite and break out of the city, perhaps we could break through the Blood Fog's bindings and then leave Lin County!"
Xu Jun finally revealed his purpose for gathering everyone.
His words caused the expressions of many instructors to become uncertain, not knowing what to think.
Everyone was no fool.
According to Xu Jun, the evil spirit was particularly terrifying, and even Martial Artists from the Blood Refining Realm were no match for it; did they, a group of Refining Skin Realm Martial Artists, really have a chance to break through the evil spirit's blockade?
Watching the changing expressions of the crowd, Xu Jun could also discern their thoughts.
"Everyone, there are strong and weak evil spirits, not all are as formidable as the one that destroyed Qingjiang Prefecture; with our strength, it's not like we don't have a slim chance of survival.
Moreover, the longer we stay in Lin County, the more dangerous it becomes.
Currently, the evil spirit is only besieging Lin County and has not truly acted yet; once it does, it will be impossible for us to leave!"
This statement.
Became the last straw that broke the mental defenses of everyone.
To leave was to face a high probability of death.
To stay was certain death!
The choice seemed clear without further words.
At that moment,
Xu Jun looked to the silent Gu Qingfeng and asked, "What is Instructor Gu's opinion?"
"According to the Hall Master, the evil spirit is beyond normal comprehension, but the government must have some measures to deal with the evil spirit; I wonder what the situation with the government is now?"
Gu Qingfeng's words made everyone else startled.
Indeed.
They had forgotten about the existence of the government.
After all,
Lin County was under the jurisdiction of the Taixuan Dynasty.
If an evil spirit truly appeared, it would be impossible for the government to not act.
Xu Jun said, "The court indeed has capable people to handle the evil spirit, but the issue is, Lin County is just a small place, why would such skilled individuals stay here?
Now the Blood Fog has besieged the entire Lin County, and no messages can get out.
As for the strength of Lin County's government officials, it's not that I look down on them, but with their strength, they likely aren't qualified to deal with the evil spirit.
By the time the news from Lin County truly reaches the court, by then, Lin County would have already followed in the footsteps of Qingjiang Prefecture."
Towards the end,
Xu Jun also gave a wry smile and shook his head.
Relying on the court officials, he had never even considered this issue.
His words,
Also made others, who had just begun to harbor some hope, once again shatter the thoughts in their hearts.
Then,
someone asked, "When does the Hall Master plan to take action?"
"The matter of the Evil Spirit must not be delayed for too long. We will prepare for a maximum of three days. After three days, we will gather here at the martial arts hall and then leave together.
Remember, this message must not be leaked. Otherwise, if too many people know, it may impact our plan!"
Xu Jun spoke earnestly.
"After all, the flesh and blood of living beings are greatly attractive to the Evil Spirit. If a few people leave Lin County, the Evil Spirit might not make a move.
But if many people leave together, it could provoke the Evil Spirit to act prematurely..."
His words by this point were quite clear, undoubtedly intending to use the townspeople of Lin County to attract the Evil Spirit's attention while they themselves took the opportunity to leave.
Regarding this,
all the instructors maintained their usual expressions, showing no surprise.
For them,
their own lives were of utmost importance.
Gu Qingfeng furrowed his brows slightly, but said nothing more.
...
When Gu Qingfeng left the Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall, he saw that the expressions of people on the streets were fraught with panic, and all their discussions were related to the blood mist.
Because of this,
Gu Qingfeng went towards the city gate, only to see the blood mist enveloping the area outside the Lin County gate. Filled with a weird and chilling aura, it seemed as if something dangerous and terrifying was hidden within the blood mist, making him instinctively feel threatened.
In front of the blood mist, the bloodstains were not yet dry, but no corpses of the townspeople were seen, probably cleaned up by the officials.
"Blood mist!"
"Evil Spirit..."
Gu Qingfeng took a deep look at the blood mist, then turned and left.
He had no intention to venture into the blood mist alone.
After all, the so-called Evil Spirit might be lurking within the blood mist, and stepping into it alone could potentially lead him to confront the Evil Spirit.
At the same time,
the words spoken by Xu Jun also re-emerged in Gu Qingfeng's mind.
The Evil Spirit craves the life force and blood of beings.
The action of the Golden Bull Master in gathering people to leave Lin County together might not necessarily be for their benefit.
From Xu Jun's words today, Gu Qingfeng had realized that the man was cold-hearted and not a good person.
"However, Xu Jun's scheming is not important. What's crucial is that my own strength is sufficient. Xu Jun probably thinks I'm just a typical martial artist at Refining Skin Perfection, but he doesn't know that I have already reached Perfection in two Martial Arts.
After all, for ordinary people, leveling up a single Martial Arts to Perfection is challenging, not to mention two."
Confident in his own strength, Gu Qingfeng did not consider Xu Jun, the master of the Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall, to be necessarily stronger than himself.
Moreover,
he had Blood Refining Pills in his possession.
If he could break through to the Blood Refining Realm within three days using the Blood Refining Pill, then leaving Lin County would be much more assured.
But —
whether a breakthrough could be achieved in three days was another question.
...
Back at his residence, Gu Yang was still practicing martial arts. Gu Yang had a special fondness for martial arts, which was something Gu Qingfeng was pleased to see.
"Yang'er, a great trouble is about to befall Lin County. Leave this place with your father in three days!"
Gu Qingfeng spoke.
Gu Yang, upon hearing this, had a puzzled expression on his face, "What trouble is father talking about?"
"Don't ask too much. Just focus on your cultivation these next few days."
Gu Qingfeng did not elaborate, instead instructing Gu Yang to concentrate on his cultivation while handing him a bottle of Qi Blood Pills to assist his training.