231: Chapter 226 Heading to the Black Mist!

Great Yu Dynasty, Capital, deep within the Imperial Palace.

The atmosphere was as heavy as solidified lead.

Seven Great Grandmasters sat around a round table, their faces etched with heaviness and exhaustion.

Since returning from the Extreme Southern Land, they had remained silent, None willing to speak first.

The scene, which was like purgatory, had dealt them too great a shock.

After a long while, it was Wang Ming, the Sect Master of the Zetian Sect, who slowly raised his head, breaking the suffocating silence.

His gaze swept across everyone present, finally landing on the massive map of the Desolate Continent in the center of the table.

"Everyone."

His voice was hoarse and low.

"The severity of the situation has far exceeded all of our expectations."

"That rift... or rather, the thing behind the rift, it is 'feeding'."

"It feeds on the vitality of our world, and every time it feeds, it becomes stronger and more difficult to deal with."

"Today it is the several counties in the Extreme Southern Land; if we cannot find a solution, tomorrow it might be the entire Great Yu, and the day after, the entire Desolate Continent."

Wang Ming's words struck everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer, making the already heavy atmosphere even more oppressive.

Ao Yuan spoke in a muffled voice, his tone tinged with irritation and frustration:

"But what can we do?"

"Fighting is useless. Our attacks only serve as its nourishment."

"Defending is impossible too. Wherever that damn thing wants to strike, we have no time to reinforce it."

"Are we just going to watch helplessly as it swallows the entire Desolate Continent, one bite at a time?"

Ao Yuan's words voiced the helplessness and despair in everyone's hearts.

Indeed, facing such an incomprehensible and unstoppable existence, what could they, the so-called pinnacle experts of the world, possibly do?

Just as everyone fell into silence again, a flash of determination flickered in Wang Ming's deep eyes.

He extended his finger and slowly pointed to the area on the map representing the end of the world—that forbidden Black Fog.

"Since the rift spread from here."

Wang Ming's tone was calm, yet carried an unquestionable firmness.

"Then the answer must be in here."

"I suspect that some unknown, earth-shattering event must have occurred within this Black Fog that has existed since ancient times, which led to this catastrophe."

"The one who tied the bell must be the one to untie it."

He raised his head, looked around at everyone, and said word by word:

"For the billions of lives on the Desolate Continent, and to seek that glimmer of hope."

"I have decided to personally step into the Black Fog and investigate!"

"Boom!"

Wang Ming's words were like dropping a ten-thousand-ton boulder into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand layers of waves!

All the Great Grandmasters present had their expressions change drastically!

"No!"

Chen Heng was the first to stand up, vehemently objecting.

"Sect Master Wang, have you lost your mind?! You know better than anyone what kind of place that Black Fog is!"

"Since ancient times, every expert who has entered it, no matter how high their cultivation, has without exception had their Divine Soul destroyed and left no bones behind! What is the difference between going in now and courting death?!"

Another Great Grandmaster of the North Sea Demon Clan also hurriedly advised: "Indeed, Sect Master Wang! This matter must be carefully considered! This is simply too risky!"

Zheng Ming also recovered from his grief and said urgently: "Brother Wang, you are the leader of our Human Race and a pillar of the Desolate Continent; how can you easily put yourself in danger?!"

For a moment, the entire meeting hall was filled with voices of dissuasion.

After all, in the understanding of all Cultivators on the Desolate Continent, stepping into the Black Fog was equivalent to suicide.

However, faced with everyone's dissuasion, Wang Ming's attitude was already resolute.

He slowly stood up, the majesty and bearing belonging to the leader of the Grandmasters fully revealed.

He waved his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

"I appreciate everyone's good intentions."

He looked at everyone calmly, with no trace of fear in his eyes, only composure and firmness.

"Admittedly, entering the Black Fog is a narrow escape from death, or perhaps even certain death."

"But, have you all considered that if we do nothing and just wait here, the result will be a one-hundred-percent... dead end!"

"Rather than sitting and waiting for death, watching the world we protect be slowly devoured, and watching our loved ones, Disciples, and people turn to ash one by one, I, Wang Ming, would rather go to that forbidden land and fight for that glimmer of elusive hope for all living beings!"

"As the Sect Master of the Zetian Sect, I must be at the forefront for the world!"

"My mind is made up; everyone, do not try to persuade me further!"

Wang Ming's words were sonorous and powerful, every word containing his awareness and sense of responsibility as a leader, leaving everyone present speechless.

They looked at the white-haired elder before them, a sense of heartfelt admiration could not help but rise in their hearts.

The meeting hall fell into silence once again.

But this time, the silence was tinged with a hint of tragedy.

Just then, a deep, resonant voice broke the silence.

"Since Sect Master Wang has made up his mind."

Ao Yuan slowly stood up, his burly frame resembling a towering mountain.

"Then I, Ao Yuan, will go with you!"

"Brother Ao!"

The other two Great Grandmasters of the North Sea Demon Clan were shocked upon hearing this and wanted to speak out to dissuade him.

But Ao Yuan just raised his hand, stopping them.

He looked at his two companions, his gaze dignified and heavy.

"Do you not understand the principle of 'when the lips are gone, the teeth are cold'?"

"Although that rift started spreading from the Human Race's territory, do you think it will spare my North Sea?"

"When the nest is overturned, are there any intact eggs?"

"Rather than watching my Yao Race descendants end up in the same fate as those Human Race commoners in the future, it is better to go with Sect Master Wang today and brave that dragon's pool and tiger's den!"

"As a member of the North Sea Demon Clan, I must naturally blaze a path of survival for my North Sea Demon Clan!"

"Do not try to persuade me further!"

The two Great Grandmasters of the North Sea Demon Clan looked at Ao Yuan's unquestionable gaze, their expressions changing several times, and finally, they could only sigh helplessly and say no more.

Wang Ming looked at Ao Yuan, a trace of approval and gratitude appearing in his eyes, and he nodded heavily.

"Good! With Brother Ao joining, our chances of success on this trip have increased by one point!"

Just as this tragic atmosphere had climbed to its peak.

A cold, yet incredibly firm voice suddenly rang out in the meeting hall.

"Since that is the case."

Chen Zhiwen, who had been silent all along, slowly raised his head.

His gaze swept calmly over Wang Ming and Ao Yuan.

"Count me in."

"I will go with the two of you."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present, including Wang Ming and Ao Yuan, suddenly turned their gaze towards this "Taboo" expert who was suspiciously young.

Chen Heng's reaction was the most intense!

He stood up from his seat with a "whoosh," his old face flushed red with anger, and pointing at Chen Zhiwen, he almost roared:

"Nonsense!"

"Why are you joining in the fun?!!"

"If anyone goes, it should be me! You are the future of my Chen family, the hope of the entire Desolate Continent! You absolutely cannot take this risk! I... I absolutely do not agree!!!"

Chen Heng was truly anxious; he was even somewhat incoherent.

Zheng Ming, who was to the side, also recovered and hurriedly advised:

"Indeed, Young Friend Chen, you are still young, your future is limitless, and the future safety of the entire Desolate Continent may well rest on you alone."

"Let us old fellows who don't have much time left take care of such dangerous matters that are a narrow escape from death."

Facing the Old Ancestor's rage and Zheng Ming's earnest persuasion, Chen Zhiwen's expression remained as calm as water.

Ignoring the Old Ancestor's gaze that was almost murderous, he just shook his head gently.

He slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping over every Senior present.

"Old Ancestor, Emperor Zheng."

"Everyone, Seniors."

His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"Within the Black Fog, there are countless dangers and unknown uncertainties."

"We all know this clearly."

"If someone really must go..."

He paused, his tone flat, yet carrying an irrefutable confidence.

"In terms of strength, me going is the most suitable choice."

As soon as this was said, the entire meeting hall instantly fell silent.

All the Great Grandmasters present, including Chen Heng who had just been furious, had their expressions become complex, and for a moment, they were unable to refute.

Because what Chen Zhiwen said was the truth.

His current cultivation had already transcended the category of Great Grandmaster and reached that legendary "Taboo" realm that only existed in ancient records!

His strength was unfathomable!

Even if all the Great Grandmasters present joined forces, I am afraid... they would not be a match for him alone.

In terms of the probability of surviving in such a desperate situation, he, Chen Zhiwen, was indeed the highest.

Looking at the silent crowd, Chen Zhiwen's gaze finally landed on his Old Ancestor, his tone carrying a hint of apology, but more so, an unshakeable determination.

"Old Ancestor, your grandson is unfilial."

"But this trip, I must go."