290: Chapter 284 A Year Has Passed

Time flies like a white horse passing a gap in the wall.

In the blink of an eye, a full year had passed since that earth-shattering battle.

In this year, the situation in the Southern Wilderness had undergone earth-shaking changes.

The fall of Daoist Tian Xuan was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples that eventually turned into towering waves.

Major powers were reshuffled, and previously suppressed conflicts erupted completely.

The Ancient Spirit Clan, standing on the edge of the storm, found life increasingly difficult.

Small powers that had previously attached themselves to the Ancient Spirit Clan saw the way the wind was blowing and defected one after another.

Several alien races eyeing them covetously tore off their hypocritical masks and revealed their sharp fangs.

Like a pack of hyenas smelling blood, they constantly tested and nibbled away at the territory of the Ancient Spirit Clan.

Today they took five cities, tomorrow they took ten.

The living space of the Ancient Spirit Clan was compressed to the limit, and the gloom in the hearts of the tribesmen was heavier than the miasma that never dissipated all year round.

The Bluestone Ore Vein was located at the edge of the Ancient Spirit Clan's territory.

It was rich in a spiritual material called "Blue Ridge Stone."

Although not top-tier, it was an indispensable main material for refining low-grade Magical Artifacts and was also one of the important economic sources for the Ancient Spirit Clan.

At this moment, the atmosphere above the Ore vein was tense.

Boom!

A muffled sound came.

A young figure flew out like a kite with a broken string, smashing heavily onto a pile of hard Ore.

Gravel splashed, and dust flew.

"Pfft!"

The young man spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his face as pale as paper, but he still gritted his teeth, propping himself up with his elbows, trying to struggle to his feet.

He was a prominent figure among the younger generation of the Ancient Spirit Clan, named Gu Feng, who possessed the cultivation of the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

But at this moment, his right arm hung powerlessly, obviously fractured.

"Is this the so-called Genius of the Ancient Spirit Clan?"

A voice full of mockery and sarcasm rang out.

Opposite Gu Feng stood a group of burly, dark-skinned Cultivators.

They were shirtless, their muscles bulging like granite, and a ferocious black scorpion was tattooed on their chests.

It was the notorious Black Scorpion Clan of this area.

The speaker was the young Clan Chief of the Black Scorpion Clan, Tie Kui.

He was toying with a heavy spiked club in his hand, looking down at Gu Feng on the ground with disdain in his eyes.

"You can't even take three of my moves; you're simply as weak as a gust of wind."

Tie Kui casually shouldered the spiked club, a cruel smile on his face, his gaze sweeping over the remaining Disciples of the Ancient Spirit Clan present.

"Call out that Elder Chen of yours?"

"What? Have you turned into turtles hiding in your shells now?"

Hearing this insult, the surrounding Disciples of the Ancient Spirit Clan had red eyes, and their fists clenched, making cracking sounds.

"Shut up!"

Gu Feng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, stood up shakily, flames of anger burning in his eyes.

"Elder Chen possesses Divine Might that shakes the world; how can you scum discuss him!"

"If Elder Chen were here, killing you would be like slaughtering dogs!"

Although he hadn't seen Chen Zhiwen for a year, he always kept that sense of awe and faith in his heart.

That figure in green robes wielding a sword was the last backbone of the Ancient Spirit Clan.

"Hahaha! What a joke!"

Tie Kui seemed to have heard the funniest joke in the world and looked up to the sky, laughing wildly.

The surrounding Black Scorpion Clan Cultivators also joined in, their harsh laughter echoing over the Ore vein.

After laughing, Tie Kui's face suddenly turned cold, he took a step forward, and the Evil Qi on his body was released without reservation.

"Still dreaming?"

"That brat surnamed Chen entered the Netherworld Forbidden Zone. What kind of place is that?"

"That is a forbidden zone of life! Even a Soul Transformation expert would lose a layer of skin if they went in!"

"It's been a year! A full year! Not even a corpse has floated out; he must have long since turned into feces for Yao Beasts!"

These words were like a sharp knife, piercing the hearts of all the Ancient Spirit Clan Disciples present.

In fact, they knew it in their hearts.

One year without returning, the chance of survival was slim.

But they were unwilling to admit it, and dared not admit it.

Because that was their only hope.

"You're lying!"

Gu Feng roared, ignoring his injuries, and forcibly activated the remaining Qi in his body.

A pale green Flying Sword condensed in front of him; although the light was dim, it carried a sense of desperate tragedy.

"I'll kill you!"

Gu Feng surged forward, man and sword as one, turning into a stream of light and rushing toward Tie Kui.

This was a suicidal tactic!

"Hmph, courting death."

Tie Kui snorted coldly, a flash of contempt in his eyes.

Although his words were frivolous, his actions were extremely ruthless.

He saw the muscles in his right arm bulge suddenly, and the spiked club in his hand, wrapped in black wind, smashed heavily toward Gu Feng's Flying Sword with a speed that arrived after the start.

"Get down, brat!"

Clang!

The sound of metal clashing was deafening.

Crack!

Gu Feng's Flying Sword shattered instantly.

The huge force was transmitted through the broken sword, and Gu Feng felt as if his chest had been hit by a stampeding wild bull.

"Wah—"

He spat out another large mouthful of blood, his whole body flying backward at a speed faster than when he came.

This time, he could no longer stand up.

"Brother Feng!"

"Senior Brother!"

The remaining Disciples of the Ancient Spirit Clan exclaimed and gathered around, each with faces full of grief and indignation.

"Is this the backbone of the Ancient Spirit Clan?"

Tie Kui walked forward slowly, stepping on a protruding rock, his gaze sweeping across the scene like a blade.

"Today, this Bluestone Ore Vein belongs to my Black Scorpion Clan."

"You have one stick of incense time to get lost, otherwise..."

He stuck out his scarlet tongue and licked his lips, making a throat-slitting gesture.

"In these wild mountains, no one will know if there are a few more corpses acting as fertilizer."

Despair.

Deep despair enveloped the heart of every Disciple of the Ancient Spirit Clan.

They couldn't win, and they weren't willing to flee.

Were they really going to die here today?

Just at this critical moment.

Hum—

A huge and heavy pressure suddenly descended from the sky.

This pressure was extremely powerful and instantly enveloped the entire mine.

The once arrogant Black Scorpion Clan crowd had their expressions change instantly under this pressure, and their legs couldn't help but start trembling.

"Who dares to touch my Ancient Spirit Clan members!"

An angry shout, like rolling thunder, shook the sky.

Immediately after, an old but still straight figure appeared out of thin air in front of Gu Feng and the others.

The person wore a gray robe, his beard and hair were white, and although his face was haggard, his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's.

It was the Clan Chief of the Ancient Spirit Clan, Gu Shan.

"Gu... Clan Leader Gu?!"

The arrogance on Tie Kui's face froze instantly, replaced by a trace of panic.

He didn't expect that this small friction would actually draw out this old guy, Gu Shan.

This was an expert of the Nascent Soul Stage!

Although it was rumored that Gu Shan had suffered internal injuries in his early years and his strength was not what it used to be, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse.

It would still be easy for him to crush a junior at the Foundation Establishment Perfection stage like himself.

"Get lost!"

Gu Shan didn't have any extra words and waved his large sleeve.

Boom!

A violent hurricane of Qi arose out of thin air, rolling up sand and stones, and crashed directly into the Black Scorpion Clan crowd.

Bang, bang, bang!

Tie Kui and the others couldn't react in time, and just like fallen leaves in a gale, they were blown away dozens of zhang, rolling to the ground in a sorry state.

"Cough, cough..."

Tie Kui climbed up covered in dirt, a trace of resentment flashing in his eyes, but more was wariness.

He knew that he couldn't occupy this Ore vein today.

"Fine! A fine Ancient Spirit Clan!"

Tie Kui shouted while retreating, his tone fierce but cowardly.

"Old man Gu, don't be complacent!"

"My Black Scorpion Clan has noted this debt today!"

"I want to see if you can protect them for a moment, but can you protect them for a lifetime?"

"In this Southern Wilderness today, there are quite a few people who want your Ancient Spirit Clan to perish!"

After speaking, he dared not stay any longer and led his group of defeated soldiers, fleeing in a panic like stray dogs.

Watching the backs of the Black Scorpion Clan crowd disappear, Gu Shan did not pursue.

He just stood there quietly, his figure as straight as a pine.

Only after confirming that the other party had really left did his straight spine hunch slightly.

"Pfft..."

A sound of extremely suppressed coughing rang out.

Gu Shan covered his chest, a trace of abnormal flush appearing on his face.

Obviously, the angry strike just now had affected the old injuries in his body.

"Clan Leader!"

"Clan Leader, are you okay?"

The Disciples of the Ancient Spirit Clan saw this and hurriedly gathered around, their faces full of worry.

Gu Shan waved his hand, took a deep breath, and forcibly suppressed the surging blood.

He turned around and looked at this group of young tribesmen who were covered in scars but still had bright eyes.

A trace of relief flashed in his eyes, but more was deep helplessness and sorrow.

"Take the wounded back for treatment first."

"Seal this Bluestone Ore Vein... for now."

Gu Shan's voice was a bit hoarse, revealing a deep exhaustion.

Sealing the mine meant giving up.

It meant losing another important territory and resource.

The Disciples heard this and lowered their heads one by one, clenching their fists, but no one dared to refute.

Because they knew this was the only way for now.

Sunset.

At the Ancient Spirit Clan's settlement, on the high platform outside the council hall.

Gu Shan stood with his hands behind his back, letting the evening wind blow through his gray hair.

His gaze crossed layers of mountains, crossed the endless wilderness, and finally fixed on the area shrouded in black fog in the far distance.

That was the Netherworld Forbidden Zone.

It was also the place where Chen Zhiwen disappeared a year ago.

Over the past year, he would come here to stand for a while every day.

Even if he knew he couldn't see anything, even if he knew the hope was slim, he couldn't help but look.

That was the last straw he held onto in his heart.

"Clan Leader..."

A voice full of unwillingness and resentment came from behind.

Gu Shan didn't look back; he knew who it was.

It was Gu Feng, whose arm had been broken and was now wrapped in thick bandages.

This child had the most fiery temper and was the most spirited junior in the clan.

"Why not fight them to the death?"

Gu Feng walked behind Gu Shan, his voice trembling but exceptionally firm.

"Today it's the Black Scorpion Clan, tomorrow it's the Blood Wolf Tribe, and the day after, who knows which stray cat or dog it will be!"

"We retreat again and again, endure again and again!"

"We've lost more than half of our territory, and countless resources have been snatched!"

"Now, even our last dignity is about to be trampled under their feet!"

Gu Feng became more excited as he spoke, his eye sockets red, tears swirling in his eyes.

"Clan Leader, we are not afraid of death!"

"Rather than living so cowardly and being nibbled away bit by bit, it's better to fight them to the death!"

"Even if we die, we must bite a piece of flesh off them!"

This was not just Gu Feng's inner voice.

It was also the inner voice of those hundreds of young Ancient Spirit Clan Disciples standing under the high platform at this very moment.

They raised their heads, looking at the old man who had once led the Family to glory with burning eyes.

They longed for him to give an order.

An order for a decisive battle.

Gu Shan listened to the roar of the teenager behind him, and his originally straight back seemed to become even older in an instant.

He turned around slowly, his eyes full of the vicissitudes of time, looking at Gu Feng quietly.

No blame, no anger.

Only calmness like a deep pool, and the unfathomable sorrow beneath the calmness.

"Fight to the death?"

Gu Shan repeated these words softly, a bitter arc hooking at the corner of his mouth.

"With what?"

"With your hot blood? Or with these hundreds of young lives?"

Gu Feng opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but found his throat seemed blocked by something.

Gu Shan sighed, walked up to Gu Feng, stretched out his withered hands like tree bark, and gently patted the teenager's shoulder.

"Child, death is easy."

"Drawing a sword to commit suicide, or rushing into the enemy formation to self-destruct, is just a matter of an instant."

"But living, that is hard."

Gu Shan's voice was low and hoarse, as if every word carried a thousand jin of weight.

"If I order a war with the Black Scorpion Clan now, I can indeed kill to my heart's content."

"But what about after?"

"The hungry wolves around will swarm in and eat us all up."

"The Legacy of the Ancient Spirit Clan for thousands of years will be cut off in my hands, Gu Shan."

"By then, who will worship the ancestors? Who will continue the Bloodline?"

"After I die, what face will I have to see the ancestors in the underworld?"

Gu Shan's every word hit Gu Feng's heart like a heavy hammer.

The teenager with hot blood finally understood what kind of burden this old man was carrying.

It was the rise and fall of the entire race.

It was the heavy shackle of thousands of lives.

"But..."

Gu Feng lowered his head, tears finally unable to hold back, streaming down.

"But can we only wait for death like this?"

"Clan Leader, you have been looking in the direction of the forbidden zone..."

"You are waiting for Elder Chen, right?"

As soon as these words came out, the surrounding atmosphere froze instantly.

Everyone's eyes subconsciously looked in that direction.

That was the Taboo they dared not touch in their hearts.

Gu Shan was silent.

He turned around and looked at the pitch-black forbidden zone again.

The afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on his face, making the deep wrinkles look like they were carved by a knife.

For a long time, he spoke slowly, his voice ethereal as if it came from the edge of the sky.

"Yes, I am waiting."

"I am waiting for a miracle."

"Elder Chen... he is a person with great Luck."

"Three years ago, he was able to escape from the hands of the old demon Tian Xuan."

"A year ago, he was able to defeat the strong with the weak, and slay a Nascent Soul with a sword."

"I believe that this time... he will definitely be able to create a miracle."

Gu Shan's words carried a trace of strong expectation, as if he was persuading others, and even more so, persuading himself.

However.

The young tribesmen below had eyes that gradually dimmed.

They looked at the desolate back of the Clan Chief, and an unspeakable sorrow welled up in their hearts.

Miracle?

How can there be so many miracles in this world?

The forbidden zone is called a forbidden zone because it is the territory of the god of death.

It's been a year.

Even if he was in seclusion, there should have been some movement.

Not to mention in such a place where there is danger at every step.

No one said it out loud.

And no one was willing to pierce the fantasy of this old man.

But everyone knew it in their hearts.

That stunning Elder Chen was probably already dead inside.

Maybe even his bones had turned to dust.

"Forget it, all disperse."

Gu Shan seemed to feel the low mood of the crowd, and he waved his hand wearily.

"Strengthen the guard and shrink the defense line."

"As long as I am alive for one day, I will not let the Ancient Spirit Clan perish completely."

After saying this.

Gu Shan did not stay any longer, walking down the high platform with heavy steps.

His back was pulled very long, very long in the setting sun.

It looked so lonely, so helpless.

Gu Feng looked at the direction the Clan Chief left, then turned to look at the forbidden zone that swallowed all hope.

He clenched his fists tightly, his nails piercing deeply into his flesh, and blood dripped.

"Elder Chen..."

"If you really have a spirit in heaven, please take a look at the suffering Ancient Spirit Clan."

"We... really can't hold on much longer."

The wind blew with a whimper.

It rolled up the dead leaves on the ground, spinning in the air, and finally fell powerlessly.

It seemed to be foreshadowing the fate of this ancient race that was about to come.

Night fell.

The entire Ancient Spirit Clan settlement fell into a death-like silence.

Only the direction of the forbidden zone still had black fog rolling, like a giant mouth choosing people to devour, coldly watching the joys and sorrows of this world.

No one knew.

Just at this moment when despair was spreading.

In the bronze ancient hall in the deepest part of the forbidden zone.

A pair of eyes that had been closed for a year were slowly opening.

A golden light sufficient to tear through the night was about to break through the dawn!