529: Blood Beads

Murong Gu's expression was grave; not daring to confront him head-on, he constantly moved quickly around the other Cultivators, using them as meat shields.

Every time Zhao Yao struck, he was constrained by the fear of accidental injury. Within just a few breaths, he had accidentally injured two more Cultivators. Only three Cultivators remained in the cavern, each so terrified their faces were bloodless; they didn't even dare to continue the ritual, focused only on dodging.

"Useless! All of you steady yourselves!" Zhao Yao was so furious he was jumping in rage, yet he could do nothing to Murong Gu.

Murong Gu seized the opportunity, his figure flashing as he darted behind a Cultivator. The flowing cloud sword pierced through the man's waist, and the Cultivator fell to the ground with a muffled groan. The remaining two completely collapsed and turned to flee, but Murong Gu quickly caught up and ended their lives with one sword strike each.

All eight Golden Core Peak Cultivators had perished, leaving only Murong Gu and Zhao Yao in the cavern.

The fury in Zhao Yao's eyes gradually faded, replaced by a cold killing intent. The evil power around him surged, enveloping the entire cavern: "Without your meat shields, let's see where else you can hide!"

He no longer cared about the ritual and struck his skeleton cane heavily against the ground. Countless blood-colored Talismanic Incantations rose from the floor, weaving into an airtight evil net that swept toward Murong Gu.

Murong Gu's expression was solemn as he pushed the three Cultivation Techniques—Azure Origin Art, Golden Spirit Art, and Divine Illumination Seamless Record—to their limits. His golden True Essence and Divine Soul power augmented each other as his figure dodged rapidly; simultaneously, he slashed out golden Sword Qi, attempting to tear open the evil net.

However, the gap between a Late Stage Nascent Soul and a Golden Core Peak was like a chasm. The pressure from the evil net made his blood boil. Just as he evaded the net, Zhao Yao's cane was already closing in on his heart.

"Bang!" Murong Gu was struck in the chest by the evil power on the cane. He was sent flying backward like a broken kite, crashing heavily against the cavern wall. He spat out a large mouthful of blood, and the flowing cloud sword slipped from his hand, stabbing into the ground not far away.

He struggled to stand, the pain in his chest unbearable and his True Essence in disarray; he was clearly heavily injured.

Zhao Yao walked forward slowly, his gaze as sinister as a venomous snake: "Kid, for daring to ruin my Black Wind Stockade's great plans, I will surely extract your Divine Soul and refine it into the Blood Pearl, ensuring you never reincarnate!"

He raised his hand to condense evil power, and a massive blood-colored fireball formed in his palm. Carrying destructive power, it blasted toward Murong Gu.

Murong Gu abruptly circulated his remaining True Essence, using the speed of the Azure Origin Art to leap into the air toward the Blood Pool.

He snatched up the flowing cloud sword from the ground and pointed the tip at the Blood Pearl suspended in the center of the Blood Pool, shouting sternly: "Stop! If you dare move another inch, I will destroy this Blood Pearl!"

Zhao Yao's movements instantly froze, the killing intent on his face replaced by panic and wariness. His expression changed drastically: "Hehe... kid, let's talk this out!" He hurriedly restrained his evil power, and his tone softened, "You must not be impulsive. What do you want? Spirit Crystals, Cultivation Techniques, Magical Artifacts—as long as my Black Wind Stockade has it, I can give it to you! We can discuss everything!"

Murong Gu's hand holding the flowing cloud sword trembled slightly, his injuries making his breath unstable, yet he stared at Zhao Yao with a determined gaze: "Throw your cane over to me, then back off!"

The cane was Zhao Yao's weapon; losing it would greatly diminish his combat strength.

Just as Zhao Yao was hesitating.

"Quick! Or I will destroy this Blood Pearl!" Murong Gu's flowing cloud sword condensed golden True Essence, and he applied slight pressure with the sword tip; a fine strand of Sword Qi grazed the surface of the Blood Pearl, leaving a shallow mark.

"Don't! Don't be impulsive!" Zhao Yao was terrified, his Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering. He no longer dared to hesitate and fiercely threw the skeleton cane toward Murong Gu's feet. At the same time, he retreated repeatedly, stopping only after thirty steps. His chest heaved violently, and a fawning smile was forced onto his face, though a sinister cold light remained hidden in his eyes. "Fine, fine, I've retreated, and I've given you the cane! Little brother, let's talk properly. I see that your techniques are exceptionally sharp, and you don't seem like those pedantic orthodox types; you likely just want benefits. I will give you all the top-grade Spirit Crystals and top-tier Cultivation Techniques in this cavern, and you can take your pick of the supplies from the Black Wind Stockade outside!"

Murong Gu glanced down at the skeleton cane by his feet but did not pick it up. He continued to press the tip of his sword against the Blood Pearl, staring at Zhao Yao with eyes like torches. "Stay where you are and don't move. If you dare lift a hand, I will make another cut." He knew very well that Zhao Yao was by no means truly submitting; he had to maintain a firm grip on the initiative and give the opponent no chance to counterattack.

Zhao Yao froze in place, his hands hanging at his sides. He appeared submissive, but in reality, he was secretly adjusting his breath, and the evil power within his body was quietly circulating, though he deliberately suppressed it to prevent his aura from leaking out.

He was gambling—gambling that Murong Gu was so heavily injured that once his True Essence was exhausted, he would be powerless to destroy the Blood Pearl. At that moment, he would be able to counterattack instantly and tear the boy into ten thousand pieces.

Murong Gu naturally saw through his intentions. He slowly raised his left hand, and a golden Sword Qi condensed at his fingertips. Without the slightest hesitation, he shot it straight toward Zhao Yao's chest. The golden Sword Qi was incredibly fast, carrying the evil-breaking power of the Golden Spirit Art, and it reached Zhao Yao in an instant.

"Kid, you dare!" Zhao Yao's pupils constricted as he circulated his evil power to protect his chest; a black evil shield instantly formed. With a "bang," the golden Sword Qi struck the evil shield and was easily blocked!

Zhao Yao glared at Murong Gu, his tone full of ferocity: "You seek death! I did exactly as you asked, and you still dare to strike!"

Murong Gu's gaze turned sharp, and he applied more force with the flowing cloud sword. The sword tip pierced a fraction deeper into the Blood Pearl, causing the crack to expand instantly. The Blood Pearl began to tremble slightly, and the evil power it emitted became increasingly disordered. "I told you not to move, yet you actually dared to block? It seems you don't care about this Blood Pearl after all." Before his voice had even faded, he prepared to trigger his Sword Qi to completely slash a large opening in the Blood Pearl.

"Don't! I won't move! I won't move!" Zhao Yao was so scared he hurriedly withdrew his evil power and retreated several steps. The ferocity on his face vanished instantly, replaced by panic and pleading. "I was wrong, little brother. I shouldn't have blocked it. Don't destroy the Blood Pearl! I'll stand right here, motionless, and let you do as you wish!"

He was truly panicking now. If the Blood Pearl were damaged further, even if he killed Murong Gu afterward, he would be unable to account for it to the Stronghold Leader, and his Family's lives would be forfeit.

He knew the ruthlessness of the Black Wind Stockade better than anyone. For the sake of a two-thousand-year plan, the Stronghold Leader would not hesitate to sacrifice him, an Elder, or even the Young Stronghold Leader.

Seeing Zhao Yao's submissive appearance, Murong Gu felt no emotion; instead, he became even more alert.

He knew that Zhao Yao's current obedience was entirely because of the Blood Pearl. Once the Blood Pearl was no longer a threat, the man would surely turn on him immediately.

Murong Gu wasted no more words. His left hand continuously condensed golden Sword Qi, shooting them one after another toward Zhao Yao.

These strands of Sword Qi carried the evil-breaking properties of the Golden Spirit Art, specifically designed to counter Zhao Yao's evil arts.

Zhao Yao froze in place, not daring to circulate his evil power to resist. He could only endure the impact of the Sword Qi head-on. Every strand of Sword Qi that landed on his body caused a burst of blood, leaving a wound deep enough to see the bone.

"Psh! Psh! Psh!" Several strands of Sword Qi hit Zhao Yao in succession. His black robe was soaked with blood, and his chest, arms, and thighs were covered in wounds. Blood dripped from the injuries, forming a pool on the ground.

He groaned incessantly, his face as pale as paper. His aura gradually weakened until his legs gave way, and he stumbled to his knees, looking as though he had no breath left.