The dry riverbed stretched like a twisted scar across the earth, covered with pebbles worn smooth by time and occasional mountain floods. Tang Xiaoqi lay prone on Zhao Tiezhu's broad, rapidly rising and falling back. Every jolt tugged at his empty, aching meridians. In his ears was the whistling wind, along with his own heavy, labored breathing. The roars and chaotic explosions from the direction of Demon Mark Valley grew distant, but that oppressive, death-defying terror was seared deep into everyone's spiritual souls.
Aunt Su's earth-shattering warning, like ice water poured over his head, instantly cleared much of his dazed consciousness that had been dulled by weakness.
"Demon Mark Valley is just a cover... The real target is you... The Qingxu Temple's interior... has likely already been infiltrated..."
Each word landed like a heavy hammer, striking his heart.
A cover? Such a massive, evil formation, trapping countless living souls, was merely to attract attention? Then what astonishing plot must Shadow Snake Pavilion truly harbor? And he, was he the core of this conspiracy? Was it because of the Xu family's bloodline, or because of the Purification Origin within this jade pendant?
What chilled him to the bone was the phrase about the sect's interior being infiltrated. Qingxu Temple was the first home after he lost his memory, the place where Master, Senior Brothers, and Senior Sisters gave him warmth and guidance, the sect he vowed to protect. If even that place was no longer safe, who could he trust?
A tremendous sense of absurdity and the chilling cold of being utterly alone seized his heart.
"Cough..." A violent cough interrupted his thoughts. A metallic, bloody taste rose in his throat, and he forced it down. The backlash from over-consuming the Purification Origin was far more severe than imagined, damaging both spiritual power and spiritual sense.
"Xiao Qi, hold on!" Zhao Tiezhu felt the trembling from his back, grunting lowly, his feet moving even faster. The sturdy legs struck the pebbles, making dull thumping sounds.
Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng and Third Senior Sister Liu Yun flanked them on both sides, their expressions heavy as if they could drip water. Though they had not heard Aunt Su's specific transmission, the Silver Mask Emissary's chaos to help them escape indicated things were far more complex and dangerous than when they infiltrated.
"Senior Brother, Third Senior Sister..." Xiao Qi's voice was hoarse and dry, with labored breathing. "That Silver Mask Emissary just now... transmitted to me..."
He struggled to recount Aunt Su's warning, omitting the specific content about his bloodline and the Source Seed, only emphasizing the chilling information that Demon Mark Valley was a cover, and the sect's interior might already be infiltrated.
Silence fell in the riverbed, broken only by hurried footsteps and wind.
Senior Brother's brow furrowed tightly. In his steady gaze, raging waves churned. As the sect's Senior Brother, his feelings and responsibility toward the sect ran far deeper than others.
Third Senior Sister Liu Yun clenched her lower lip tightly, her fingers on the sword hilt white from tension. She had a fierce temperament and hated scheming most.
"The information source... is it reliable?" Senior Brother asked in a deep voice, his gaze sharp as he looked at Xiao Qi.
Xiao Qi met Senior Brother's gaze, weak but firmly nodding: "I feel... she was not lying." That deep throb in his bloodline and worry could not be faked.
Senior Brother was silent for several breaths, the struggle in his eyes evident. They had fallen for a diversionary strategy! The sect was the enemy's true target!
Continuing to stay in Black Wind Mountain Range to investigate might yield more clues, but the risk was enormous. Returning to the sect immediately could provide warning and respond to possible crises, but it meant abandoning the current investigation and facing possible hidden daggers from insiders within the sect.
This was an extremely difficult choice. Should they prioritize the overall situation and ensure the sect's foundation? Or should they persist with the mission and seek deeper truth?
"Go! Return to the sect!" Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing with determination, his voice resolute: "Whether the news is true or false, the sect's safety cannot be lost! We must return immediately to sound the alarm!"
He made his choice. As Senior Brother, the responsibility of protecting the sect outweighed everything.
Third Senior Sister exhaled heavily, clearly agreeing with this decision. She glanced at weak Xiao Qi, a flash of heartache in her eyes, but more determination: "Right, return first! This debt, we will settle with them eventually!"
Zhao Tiezhu said nothing, only running desperately, his actions expressing his attitude.
The team's objective instantly changed. No longer exploration and destruction, but to return to Qingxu Temple at all costs and fastest speed!
They no longer deliberately hide their trail, pushing speed to the limit. Senior Brother led the way, Third Senior Sister guarded the rear, Zhao Tiezhu carried Xiao Qi on his back.
Thanks to Aunt Su's chaos and Xiao Qi's explosion of Purification Origin greatly damaging Demon Mark Valley's formation, their breakout from the outer area was smoother than expected.
However, just as they were about to leave Black Wind Mountain Range's core area and enter the relatively safe outer zone, change struck abruptly!
At a narrow mountain pass ahead, a dense black fog had inexplicably spread. The black fog was not natural; it churned with concentrated demonic aura, faint miserable wailing sounds emerging, clearly a deliberately arranged blocking formation!
"It is 'Hundred Ghosts Soul-Lock Fog'!" Third Senior Sister Liu Yun's face changed, recognizing this infamous demonic path formation: "They responded quickly, not wanting to let us leave easily!"
"Charge through! We cannot be trapped here!" Senior Brother's eyes cooled.
"I will open the way!" Zhao Tiezhu growled lowly, transferring Xiao Qi to Senior Brother. Golden-yellow light blazed on his body, and he seemed to transform into a Vajra warrior.
"Vajra Subduing Demons!" He struck with both fists simultaneously.
"Boom!" The black fog churned violently. Countless distorted ghost shadows screamed as they dissipated.
"Go!" Senior Brother guarded Xiao Qi. Third Senior Sister's sword-light like a silk banner. All four people shot toward that just-torn opening.
However, as they were about to pass through the mountain pass, dozens of scarlet eyes suddenly lit up on both cliffs! Dense, venom-coated arrows with ghostly blue demonic poison descended like a sudden rainstorm!
At the same time, a sinister voice sounded above the mountain pass: "Since you are here, leave your lives and the Source Seed... all here!"