A blood-red worm wriggled slowly on Ji Shu's right ear. "Impossible! No one from the Soul Refining Hall escaped that bloodbath except me!"
"The Hall Master paid a heavy price for this, extracting my soul and implanting it within this worm. For a thousand years, I have continuously changed bodies to survive until this day."
"Could it be~~"
"This is another contingency left by the Hall Master?"
"I'll go and investigate."
The crimson worm on Ji Shu's body glowed and crawled down his body onto the black earth, disappearing into the ground.
Not long after, the crimson worm burrowed out of the black earth and crawled back onto Ji Shu.
"How was it?"
Ji Shu asked in a low voice.
"I can't see the source of the poisonous gas. This technique seems to come from our Hall's secret scripture, but it's far from it. Even this poisonous gas is less than one-tenth of ours!"
The crimson worm flickered with a dim light.
"Uncle Ji, my Hall Master's secret scripture contains the Hall Master's destined skills and also my method of resurrection. We need to pick up the pace."
Ji Shu slowly stood up, two bloody worms appearing and disappearing in his eyes, a smile curving his lips. "It seems I have to personally visit the ruins of the Soul Refining Hall!"
The secret scripture of the Soul Refining Hall had been lost for a thousand years. Ji Shu had repeatedly sought out extraordinary individuals from all over the world to go to the ruins of the Soul Refining Hall, but all his efforts were in vain.
Now that he had entered the Grandmaster realm, with the help of the crimson worm, he was certain to find the treasure of the Soul Refining Hall—the secret scripture!
At that time, who in the world would be his opponent?
Ji Shu narrowed his eyes, looking at Chen Taisheng and the others ahead. His expressionless face remained as still as dead water, making it impossible to discern his inner thoughts.
There were countless crimson worms here, mixed with terrifying poisonous gas, yet there was no trace of the Soul Refining Hall.
Even the remnants of the Soul Refining Hall could not tell who was responsible. Since it was confirmed that the secret scripture had not yet appeared, there was no point in staying here.
"Gentlemen, since there are no clues here, I shall take my leave!" Ji Shu mounted his wolf-like steed, his eyes glancing at Yang Hao in the distance.
How could a mere postnatal weakling have so many innate experts following him closely? And who was that legendary man in yellow robes?
Yang Hao's rise was too rapid.
Ji Shu increasingly felt that Yang Hao's background was extraordinary, with innate experts as personal guards and a Grandmaster protecting him. Ji Shu found it almost unbelievable.
"The old man beside him is a Grandmaster."
The crimson worm suddenly whispered in his ear.
"Judging by his spiritual energy, he seems to have broken through not long ago!"
"Oh!"
He scanned Wan Mizhai deeply, only then noticing his presence. His spiritual energy was gentle, blending with the surrounding energy.
Without careful observation, he was unrecognizable.
With two Grandmasters present, Shu Commandery was not to be trifled with!
Ji Shu narrowed his eyes at Yang Hao, a hint of amusement in his gaze.
He then turned and headed towards Yizhou Prefecture!
"Farewell, Lord!"
Zhang Yan and Ji Hu saluted repeatedly.
Although the late King had demoted Ji Shu to Yizhou and had not enfeoffed him as a Marquis even until his death, he was still the uncle of the current King and a Grandmaster. The two dared not slight him easily.
Ji Shu rode his wolf-like steed, with Jian Ying guarding him closely, galloping into the distance.
"Chen Taisheng, you dare to be smug! I will personally capture you on the battlefield and behead you in the capital, forging the glory of the Ji family!"
Ji Hu glared at Chen Taisheng and Lan Feng. The late King had just passed away, and the new King's foundation was unstable, yet they had instigated the rebellion of the Heavenly Gate.
This was undoubtedly adding insult to injury for the current state of Wu. Ji Hu's beard trembled with rage, wishing he could devour their flesh.
"Hmph!"
Chen Taisheng's golden halo behind his head vibrated slowly, and a mighty golden wave dyed the white clouds.
For a moment, the two torrents erupted, and the once peaceful atmosphere became tense again.
Just then, Zhang Yan stepped forward, his right hand tightly gripping Ji Hu's saber, his chilling killing intent fixed on Chen Taisheng and Lan Feng.
"Now is not the time to act. Since there is no information the King desires here, we should hurry back and report. There's no need for a fight!"
Zhang Yan said softly, his right hand still gripping the humming saber.
Ji Hu was enraged, and Zhang Yan empathized. "Rash action will only result in mutual destruction. Don't forget, the Governor of Yizhou!"
"Old General, please do not act rashly. This will only burden the King."
Zhang Yan's cold eyes stared at Ji Hu.
Yang Hao looked into the distance, the atmosphere between the imperial court and the Heavenly Gang Sect and Sword Sect was somewhat tense. He turned his head and said sternly.
"Let's go, this is not a place to linger!"
With two Grandmasters, both standing on the opposing side, staying here to be discovered by them would likely not end well!
Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, fleeing was the best.
Under Wan Mizhai's protection, the two quickly retreated into the distance!
The agitated spiritual energy gradually subsided. He slowly retracted his saber, glared at Chen Taisheng, shook off Zhang Yan's right hand, and then stepped into the air. "Chen Taisheng, I'll wait for you on the battlefield!"
Zhang Yan glanced at the black earth beneath his feet. The dark, greenish skeletons were visually jarring, causing his hair to stand on end.
The mysterious presence of the Soul Refining Hall, he wrapped a crimson worm in spiritual energy.
He then transformed into a beige lightning bolt and disappeared into the sky!
Chen Taisheng looked at the blurred figure and said to Lan Feng beside him, "Is that person Yang Hao?"
"Yes!"
Lan Feng replied directly.
"Hmph, let him enjoy a little freedom for now!"
Chen Taisheng's voice was cold, and his killing intent soared.
He looked at Liu Ji's remains and slowly shook his head. Liu Ji had disappointed him, not only perishing here but also wasting a precious Yuan Advancement Pill.
"Let's go!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Taisheng transformed into a golden light and disappeared into the sky!
Lan Feng bowed slightly towards Liu Ji's remains, sighed, and disappeared into the void with his sword.
,,,
,,,
In a mountain valley thirty li outside the city of Wudu in Liangzhou, Liao Hua was on horseback, holding his three-pointed halberd in his right hand. "Who's there? Bring me the map!"
Upon receiving Yang Hao's order, Liao Hua swiftly mustered his troops and horses, not daring to delay. Under Cheng Yaojin's instructions, he advanced towards the northwest.
Liao Hua led an army of ten thousand and rushed to Wudu without stopping. The army was positioned in a mountain valley. Liao Hua looked into the distance at the towering city walls, standing among the white clouds!
The brown city walls were now stained red with blood. Outside the city walls, corpses were piled high, and rivers of blood flowed. Everywhere, demonic beasts were gnawing on the corpses.
Dozens of heads were displayed on the city gate tower, their eye sockets empty, and viscous blood dripping from their mouths.
Of course, Liao Hua, who was thirty li away, could not see clearly. He could only see the blurry city walls.
Liao Hua spread out the map and carefully examined the location of Wudu Commandery City. After long deliberation, he slammed his fist onto the map.