Though injured and battered, Lu Zhu was no match for Master Baili.
As Lu Zhu lunged with her sword, a long blade instantly pierced her heart.
"Mmm..."
Large drops of blood dripped from her mouth, staining her fair teeth red.
"Clang!"
The sword in Lu Zhu's hand fell to the ground,
making a crisp sound.
She fell backward, lying stiffly on the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Her eyes, wide open, gazed at the faint moonlight.
The moon was full that night.
There were many stars in the sky.
At this moment, Lu Zhu knew this was the last time she would see the moon.
Miss, you must live well. Miss, take care. We'll meet again in the next life!
Tears trickled down her cheeks.
At this moment, her only concern was for her young lady.
Approaching and seeing Lu Zhu's eyes still open,
Master Baili let out a cold laugh, raised his sword, and sliced down fiercely.
Lu Zhu's head and body were instantly separated.
Her bloody head rolled a considerable distance.
Her headless body spurted blood three feet high.
Master Baili glanced back at the corpses littering the ground, his cold gaze falling on the mother and daughter huddled together. After a moment, he withdrew his gaze, turned, and left.
Meanwhile, at the Juesha Sect, apart from those disciples who had followed their master on missions, everyone who remained had died.
Another massacre.
At the same time.
Gu Qianying, along with Xuan Ling Nu, Bai Ze, and Gao Tian Shou, were on their way to the Ten Thousand Layered Hell.
In the dead of night, these individuals chose to camp in the mountains for the night.
Around the campfire, Gu Qianying and the others sat together.
During their rest, Gao Tian Shou pointed to the map in his hand and said to Gu Qianying, "Master, after we cross the mountain ahead, we will enter the Ten Thousand Layered Ghost Forest, and beyond that lies the Ten Thousand Layered Hell."
The map clearly indicated this.
Gu Qianying took the map from Gao Tian Shou and examined it carefully, remaining silent.
Due to Baili Su's sudden departure,
Xuan Ling Nu, Bai Ze, and Gao Tian Shou could all tell that their master was in a bad mood.
"Master, you haven't eaten anything all day. I have some dried fruits here, please eat a little."
Xuan Ling Nu offered the dried fruits Bai Ze had given her, handing them to Gu Qianying, untouched.
Beside her, Bai Ze glanced at Xuan Ling Nu and nodded at her.
Bai Ze agreed with Xuan Ling Nu's actions at this moment.
In his heart, Xuan Ling Nu was indeed the one he deeply loved, but his master would always be Gu Qianying.
If their master was well, they would be well.
If their master was unhappy, they, as subordinates, would not be happy either.
Since their master had not eaten all day, it was only right for them, as subordinates, to offer their own food.
Gu Qianying did not accept the dried fruits offered by Xuan Ling Nu.
She composed herself, glanced at Bai Ze beside her, and then turned to Xuan Ling Nu, teasing, "Bai Ze gave you those things, and you're offering them to me as a gift? Our Ling'er wants to make her husband cry with jealousy. Ling'er, you truly have a hateful heart."
Xuan Ling Nu's cheeks flushed crimson.
Bai Ze coughed, choking on his own saliva.
Gao Tian Shou chuckled foolishly beside them.
Gu Qianying also smiled, reaching out to pinch Xuan Ling Nu's cheek, "Alright, I'm fine. You don't need to worry."
As she spoke, she looked at Gao Tian Shou, "However, I am indeed a bit hungry. Go and see if there are any wild fruits around and pick some."
Although it was night and the surroundings were pitch black, Gao Tian Shou's eyes could see in the dark, making his surroundings appear as bright as day.
"Yes, Master."
Gao Tian Shou obeyed, rose, and walked into the surroundings, his figure quickly disappearing into the darkness.
After Gao Tian Shou left.
Xuan Ling Nu and Bai Ze boldly voiced their innermost thoughts.
"Master, forgive my subordinate's bluntness, but I don't trust Gao Tian Shou. The Dream-Eating Beast he mentioned is also unreliable. We've all been to the Ten Thousand Layered Hell before. Although we took different paths back then, you know how dangerous the Ten Thousand Layered Hell is."
"Yes, Master. My subordinate also believes that Gao Tian Shou has malicious intentions. Why did Gao Tian Shou lure us here? What is his true purpose? Master, we absolutely cannot trust such a person so easily."
Xuan Ling Nu and Bai Ze spoke in turn, advising Gu Qianying.
Gu Qianying looked at the two of them, then turned her gaze towards where Gao Tian Shou had departed.
Following that, she slowly stood up.
Seeing Gu Qianying's actions, Xuan Ling Nu and Bai Ze also stood up.
Gu Qianying's clear, cold eyes gazed towards the dim moonlight.
Her back was to Xuan Ling Nu and Bai Ze.
Her voice was cold and clear.
"In the Xuan Ling Realm, on Tian Ling Mountain, there are the Five Spirit Beasts. The Dream-Eating Beast, also known as the异灵兽 (Yì Líng Shòu), is one of the Five Spirit Beasts. Doesn't he simply want me to subdue the 异灵兽 for him?"
Gu Qianying's words left Xuan Ling Nu and Bai Ze somewhat confused.
The two exchanged glances, then simultaneously looked at Gu Qianying.
"Master, who are you referring to?"
Without responding to Xuan Ling Nu's question.
Gu Qianying turned around, her cold eyes filled with bloodthirsty killing intent.
She glanced at Xuan Ling Nu and Bai Ze, then commanded, "Xuan Ling, Bai Ze, listen to my orders."
Immediately, Xuan Ling Nu and Bai Ze knelt on one knee in unison.
"Your subordinates are here."
"Since he insists that this sect leader act in this manner, then this sect leader will comply with his wishes. However... this sect leader is not someone who can be manipulated at will. Xuan Ling, come forward."
Gu Qianying's aura was powerful.
Bai Ze dared not look up.
Xuan Ling Nu stepped forward obediently.
Gu Qianying gently stroked her face and flicked her sleeve.
In the blink of an eye, the two had swapped the clothes they were wearing.
"Continue following him. If he harbors any murderous intent, you do not need to show mercy; kill him directly. If he is merely leading you to find the Dream-Eating Beast, your objective is to stall for time. When I return, if the beast is extremely ferocious, we need not hold back; we can kill it."
"Remember, the mission is secondary; your safety is paramount. If you notice anything amiss, escaping to save yourselves is the most important thing. Do you understand?"
After speaking, Gu Qianying asked Xuan Ling Nu to stand.
As she stood up, Bai Ze caught sight of her face.
Bai Ze's eyes widened in shock.
At that moment, he understood everything.
After giving her instructions, Gu Qianying departed.
At this time, while Gao Tian Shou was searching for wild fruits, a black figure appeared before him out of thin air.
The person's voice was somewhat hoarse and aged, "How is it?"
Gao Tian Shou washed the wild fruits he had picked one by one.
He stood with his back to the dark figure, not turning his head, and said, "She suspects nothing. Everything is proceeding according to plan."
"Very good. Once the matter is handled, the Holy Lord will allow you to see your brother. The Holy Lord also asked me to tell you that your brother is safe now. As long as you continue to obey obediently, he will not die. If you have any other thoughts, do not blame the Holy Lord for letting your brother continue to suffer from the backlash of spiritual fire!"
Gao Tian Shou's body trembled. He held a wild fruit in his hand, his fingers tightening, veins bulging on the back of his hand.
The wild fruit in his hand was squeezed into juice.
Even so, he still did not turn around, suppressing all the anger within him.
"Please rest assured, Holy Lord. I know what to do."
Hearing this, the black figure vanished in an instant.
Gao Tian Shou squatted by the pool, looking at his reflection in the water.
His exquisitely featured face was filled with hatred.
He threw away the wild fruit in his hand and punched the surface of the water.
Water splashed everywhere, and droplets splashed onto his face. He raised his hand to wipe the water droplets from his face, calming himself.
After a long while.
Gao Tian Shou returned with many wild fruits wrapped in his robe.
Upon his return, he only saw Bai Ze and "Gu Qianying."
Xuan Ling Nu was nowhere to be seen.
"Master, these wild fruits are very sweet. I've already washed them all. Please try some."
Gao Tian Shou handed all the wild fruits he had picked and washed to "Gu Qianying."
Bai Ze watched the approaching "Gu Qianying" with extreme vigilance.
"Gu Qianying" remained silent, picked up a fruit, and put it in her mouth.
"Mmm, it is indeed very sweet."
"Gu Qianying" replied.
Gao Tian Shou looked at her face and lowered his head, smiling.
Perhaps feeling familiar with his master, and not seeing Xuan Ling Nu, Gao Tian Shou asked,
"Master, where is Miss Xuan Ling? Where did she go?"
However, his question caused "Gu Qianying" to look at him coldly. She said nothing.
With just a glance from "Gu Qianying," Gao Tian Shou immediately knelt down, "Master, your subordinate was wrong."
"Rest well. We will continue our journey when dawn breaks."
After uttering these words, "Gu Qianying" sat down by a tree, leaned against it, and closed her eyes.
Bai Ze stepped forward, guarding her side without moving.
Gao Tian Shou glanced at "Gu Qianying" and Bai Ze, and said nothing more.
At the same time.
On that very night.
A woman in red entered the Juesha Sect.