75: Volunteer to go deep into the devil's cave

Before the Demon Suppression Abyss.

Dead silence.

A suffocating dead silence.

That towering, pure black Devilish Qi, like an ugly scar branded upon the heavens and earth, slowly 蠕動 with each movement, causing the Divine Souls of all Cultivators present to sting.

The wind dared not blow.

The clouds dared not drift.

The Sect Head of Qingyun Sect and the Grand Elders, suspended in mid-air, had faces as grim as water.

“This Devilish Qi... pollutes the Divine Soul.”

A Grand Elder, who had lived for nearly a thousand years, spoke with a voice as dry as two pieces of sandpaper rubbing together.

“Below the Golden Core stage, touching it leads to madness, smelling it leads to frenzy.”

His gaze slowly swept over the dense crowd of Disciples below.

Those True Disciple Prodigies, usually arrogant, now had pale faces, their eyes darting away, not even daring to look directly at the Devilish Qi, as if one more glance would suck their Heart-Nature into it.

Investigate the Seal?

Attempt to repair it?

What was the difference between this and asking an ant to embrace the sun?

Certain death.

These two words, like an invisible mountain, pressed down on the hearts of every Qingyun Sect Disciple.

The Sect Head’s fists were tightly clenched within his sleeves.

The Sect was in such dire peril, yet no one dared to be the pioneer?

Just as this desperate silence was about to solidify, a voice spoke.

It wasn't loud, in fact, it was somewhat weak.

Yet, it was like an invisible sharp sword, instantly piercing the congealed air.

“Disciple Lin Gou is willing to explore the depths for the Sect.”

Swish!!!

In an instant, thousands of gazes, like iron filings drawn by a magnet, converged on that frail figure.

The crowd unconsciously parted to both sides.

Lin Gou stood there.

Dressed in simple green robes, his face was overly pale from his unhealed injuries, and his figure swayed slightly in the wind, as if he might fall at any moment.

It was him?

That Saint who had just crawled back from the gates of Hell?

That madman who almost ignited a war between two Sects?

How dare he?!

Everyone’s eyes were filled with astonishment, incomprehension, and a sense of absurdity, as if looking at an idiot.

Lin Gou ignored all gazes, taking one slow, steady step after another.

He walked slowly, yet very steadily.

His straight back was like a spear that would never bend.

“Nonsense!”

The Sect Head was the first to scold him sharply, his brows furrowed with anger.

“Your injuries are not healed, and your Foundation is shaken; going there is no different from seeking death!”

“Sect Head.”

Lin Gou looked up, his clear eyes devoid of any fear, only a chilling resolve.

“This Disciple possesses the Thunder Spirit Saint Body.”

His voice was not loud, but every word was firm and resonant.

“Evil Devilish Outsiders are naturally countered by me!”

“If the Sect is in trouble, and this Disciple shrinks back due to his own safety, how is he different from the stone lion in front of the mountain gate? How is he different from the Puppet in the hall?”

“Although this Disciple’s cultivation is shallow, my thunder and lightning may be able to win a sliver of hope for the Sect within that Devilish Qi!”

“Even if I can only bring back a single piece of information, this Disciple...”

“Will not flinch from a myriad of deaths!”

His voice shook the four wilds!

The astonishment on the faces of the surrounding Disciples had quietly turned into shock, finally converging into fervent admiration.

Look!

This is the demeanor of a Saint!

This is the spirit of a Prodigy!

To have just experienced a great trial of life and death, and then to turn around and rush to his death again—what kind of breadth of mind is this! What kind of responsibility!

Countless True Disciples who had been cowering moments ago bowed their heads in shame, wishing they could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

In the high sky, the ancient, unmoving eyes of that Grand Elder finally burst forth with a brilliant light.

What a Heart-Nature and tenacious junior!

Lin Gou’s heart was completely calm; he even opened the System Mall and began browsing the latest prices for substitute Puppets.

The Thunder Spirit Saint Body counters Devilish Qi?

That’s right.

But if you use a cup to scoop the ocean, the cup can hold water, but the ocean can also burst the cup!

To be burst by the purest Devilish Qi in this world... *hiss*, the rewards, just thinking about them, made his mouth water.

“Good!”

The Grand Elder made the final decision, his voice filled with approval.

“Granted!”

“But you...”

Before his words finished, a crying, yet incredibly stubborn, young girl’s voice squeezed out from behind the crowd.

“Senior Brother Lin, I’ll go with you!”

Zhao Linger rushed over, her gentle and beautiful face streaked with fresh tears, her eyes red like a rabbit's.

Anxiety and stubbornness intertwined in her beautiful eyes.

She ran to Lin Gou, almost forcefully, pushing a Medicinal Pill that emitted a peculiar fragrance into his palm.

“I am an Alchemist!”

The girl’s voice trembled with urgency, but her gaze was more resolute than ever.

“Devilish Qi erodes the Heart-Nature; my... my Medicinal Pills can help you!”

“I can save you!”

Lin Gou looked down at the excellent-quality Medicinal Pill in his hand, then looked up at Zhao Linger’s stubborn little face, which clearly read, “If you don’t take me, I’ll die right here.”

His brain crashed.

Inside, a legion of ten thousand alpacas was madly trampling his rationality.

Big Sister!

My Lady!

I'm going to have my Heart-Nature eroded by Devilish Qi, okay?!

I'm going to die!

You give me a “Stabilize the Spiritual Platform and Clear the Mind”? You’re cutting off my path to wealth, destroying my Dao!

My SSS-grade limited edition death experience package!

Lin Gou’s heart roared, bled, and raged in impotence.

But on his face, he had to force out a complicated expression of emotion, worry, and unwillingness to implicate a fellow Disciple.

“Junior Sister Ling’er, no.”

His voice was so gentle it could drip water, yet it carried a trace of undeniable solemnity.

“This journey is extremely perilous. I alone am not confident; how can I implicate you further?”

“I can protect myself!”

Zhao Linger suddenly raised her head and, as if presenting a treasure, pulled out a large pile of bottles and jars from her Storage Pouch, all covered with her handwritten labels.

“Heart-Cleansing Pills, Miasma-Repelling Pills, and this, the Jade Marrow Sachet, can isolate Devilish Qi! I just refined them all!”

She eagerly proved her worth, afraid of being left behind.

“Alas, such deep affection among fellow Disciples is truly a blessing for our Sect.”

“Having an Alchemist accompany him indeed provides an extra layer of assurance.”

“Sect Head Senior Brother, I think we should allow it.”

Listening to the “divine assists” from the Elders high in the sky, Lin Gou felt his heart completely sink.

He knew there was no choice in the matter.

To refuse a Junior Sister who was so deeply affectionate and devoted to him, in front of the entire Sect?

Then Lin Gou’s carefully constructed “hero” persona would instantly collapse into that of a “heartless and unrighteous scumbag.”

The persona could not collapse.

“...Alright.”

Lin Gou nodded with difficulty, his “smile” uglier than a cry.

“But you must promise me that you will listen to my command in everything.”

“Mm!”

Zhao Linger nodded heavily, a brilliant smile finally blooming on her face, like the clear sky after rain.

She carefully peeled open the “Nine Revolutions Heart-Cleansing Pill” she had personally refined, stood on tiptoe, and offered it to Lin Gou’s mouth.

“Senior Brother, eat it quickly.”

Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying a hint of undeniable command.

“I refined it after staying up for three days and three nights; it has miraculous effects against Heart Demons.”

Lin Gou stiffly opened his mouth and mechanically swallowed the Medicinal Pill.

The Medicinal Pill melted upon entering his mouth.

A cool, mellow medicinal power instantly surged through his limbs and bones, finally transforming into an indestructible golden barrier that firmly guarded his Divine Soul.

Lin Gou could clearly feel that his Divine Soul, which had already been strengthened by the System, had its defense power increase by at least 30% under the blessing of this Medicinal Pill.

His heart was utterly cold.

The difficulty of seeking death had been directly changed from “easy mode” to “Hell mode” by this little girl.