245: Oninuma's disappearance

Deep within the Yunmeng Great Marsh.

Two figures quietly emerged from the water, their auras restrained like ordinary beings.

They were Gao De and Ao Xue, both transformed into human form.

Gao De wore a Purple-patterned Black Robe, his black hair tied up with a Lightning-patterned Jade Hairpin; his eyes were deep like an abyss, and faint lightning flowed around his body.

Ao Xue wore Blood-patterned Martial Attire, her long hair as crimson as fire, with faint blood-colored dragon shadows appearing in the depths of her eyes.

The two stood in the air, looking down.

A hundred miles ahead, a grey-black mist shrouded the sky and earth, poisonous miasmas rolled, and a cold wind howled.

As the mist churned, one could vaguely see swampy mud pits, withered remains of trees, and countless Yin soul phantoms wandering and shrieking within.

"This is the place," Ao Xue said coldly. "The Bewitching Ghost Swamp. The coordinate imprint in the Divine Soul of the scout I captured and killed three days ago finally pointed to the depths of this place."

Gao De’s Divine Sense moved slightly, probing toward the grey-black mist.

Upon first contact, he felt a surge of cold, evil power lashing back, unexpectedly capable of eroding Divine Sense!

Furthermore, it made him faintly sense several powerful auras entrenched deep within the mist; the weakest was at the Tier 3 Peak, while the strongest... had actually reached the Middle Fourth Stage!

"Something is indeed fishy," Gao De withdrew his Divine Sense. "This mist is strange; it can block investigation and actively erode Divine Sense. Without a special method or treasure for protection, an ordinary Cultivator staying here for long would likely suffer damage to their Divine Soul and become a walking corpse."

Killing intent surged in Ao Xue’s blood-red eyes: "Can you confirm it's a Heavenly Demon Cult stronghold?"

"Most likely." Gao De turned his hand and took out the shattered fragment of a black bone—the only physical object left behind after the scout's self-destruction a few days ago.

He activated his Thunder Flame Sword Qi, wrapping it around the bone fragment.

Wisps of black Qi emerged from the bone fragment, faintly resonating with the mist below.

"The material of the bone fragment is from the same source as a certain evil mineral vein in this Ghost Marsh. And..." Gao De's eyes narrowed slightly, "I sense remnants of an aura deep in the mist similar to 'Shadow Erosion,' the Black-Robed Person from the Dragon Palace years ago."

A blood-red light flashed around Ao Xue: "Then let's kill our way in."

"No rush." Gao De shook his head. "The Ghost Marsh is quite large. If we rush in blindly and alert them, we could easily be surrounded. Although we both have Fourth Stage cultivation, the Heavenly Demon Cult has many bizarre methods, and this place has been their nest for many years; there must be arrangements made over a century."

He paused: "Where is Mysterious Turtle?"

"As the Cliff Master ordered, he has sneaked to a spot ten miles northwest of the Ghost Marsh and set up a 'Water Vein Sensing Formation' using a water patrol token to monitor movements in and out," Ao Xue said. "He reported that seven groups of Cultivators have entered and exited the Ghost Marsh over the past three days, all wearing black robes to hide their faces and possessing evil auras. Three of those groups went toward the northeast, seemingly... escorting something."

"Escorting?" Gao De's gaze sharpened. "Let's go and meet up with Mysterious Turtle first."

The two transformed into streaks of lightning and blood-red shadows, noiselessly gliding across the swamp, and arrived at a hidden pool on the northwest side a moment later.

At the bottom of the pool, Mysterious Turtle sat cross-legged, with that ancient 'Lake water patrol token' floating before him.

The token emitted a faint blue glow, faintly connecting with the surrounding water veins to form an invisible net.

Seeing Gao De and the other arrive, Mysterious Turtle stood up and bowed: "Cliff Master, Miss Ao Xue."

"What's the situation?" Gao De asked.

Mysterious Turtle pointed to the light screen of the water patrol token: "There are seven 'nodes' within the Ghost Marsh where the water veins are abnormally cold, suspected to have Formations or Restrictions. At the node in the northeast corner, three groups of black-robed people have entered and exited within three days. Each time they do, a weak 'dragon blood' sensation comes from the water veins."

"dragon blood?" Ao Xue's blood-red eyes narrowed.

"Yes." Mysterious Turtle said solemnly. "Though it is extremely weak and covered by evil auras, the water patrol token is sensitive to dragon-related auras and can capture that trace of fluctuation. I suspect... they are escorting or imprisoning Dragon-Blooded Creatures!"

Gao De pondered for a moment: "How far is the northeast node from here? What are the guards like?"

"About eighty miles. As for guards... there is at least one Early Fourth Stage expert stationed there, along with over ten Tier 3 and dozens of Tier 2 practitioners scattered around," Mysterious Turtle said. "Furthermore, there is a 'Yin Soul Barrier' around that node, making it difficult for Divine Sense to penetrate. Forcing our way in will definitely alert the entire Ghost Marsh."

"Since we cannot force our way in..." A lightning bolt flashed in Gao De's eyes, "then we shall 'lure the tiger away from the mountain'."

He looked at Ao Xue: "Use your Blood Dragon form to cause a commotion on the south side of the Ghost Marsh—the bigger, the better. Remember, only reveal an Early Fourth Stage cultivation to lure away at least one Fourth Stage guard."

Ao Xue licked her lips: "Understood. How many should I kill?"

"No need to kill, just stall them. For the duration of one incense stick," Gao De said. "Mysterious Turtle and I will take advantage of the chaos to sneak into the northeast node. If it really is a place where Dragon-Blooded Creatures are imprisoned... we'll liberate them while we're at it."

"If you encounter a powerful enemy, send a message immediately; do not linger in battle," he added.

Ao Xue nodded, and with a flash, she had already transformed into a streak of blood-red light and sped toward the south.

Gao De looked at Mysterious Turtle: "Does the water patrol token have a concealment effect?"

"It does." Mysterious Turtle activated the token, and a faint blue glow enveloped them both. "This token was bestowed by the Dragon Lord; it can harness the water veins to mask our auras. As long as we don't directly run into the Divine Sense probe of a Middle Fourth Stage or higher Cultivator, we should be fine."

"Let's go."

The two dove into the pool and used the underground water veins to noiselessly flee toward the northeast.

---

Half an incense stick later, at the southern side of the Ghost Marsh.

"BOOM—!!!"

A blood-colored dragon shadow soared into the sky, its violent dragon might sweeping in all directions, tearing through large patches of grey-black mist!

Ao Xue manifested her thirty-zhang-long Blood Dragon True Form. Her dragon claws swung down, and blood-red light cascaded like a waterfall, directly blasting a camp where black-robed people were stationed into a deep pit!

"Enemy attack—!!!"

A shrill alarm echoed through the Ghost Marsh as over ten black-robed figures rushed out from various places. The leader's aura had actually reached the Early Fourth Stage!

"A Blood Dragon?!" A Black-Robed Person cried out in shock and anger. "It's the one from Qianjiao Cliff! How did she find this place?!"

"Stop her! We cannot let her disturb the Holy Sacrifice!" another shouted, flipping his hand to sacrifice a black banner. Thousands of Yin souls appeared on the banner's surface, shrieking as they lunged at Ao Xue.

A look of mockery flashed in Ao Xue's blood-red eyes. With a sweep of her dragon tail, blood-red light surged like a tide, directly dispersing the wave of Yin souls!

She deliberately showed "panic," fighting while retreating toward the outskirts of the Ghost Marsh.

"Chase her! We must not let her escape to report back!" The Early Fourth Stage Black-Robed Person gave chase.

In a hidden valley at the northeast corner of the Ghost Marsh.

The black mist was thickest in the valley. Eight black-robed people guarded the valley entrance, and inside, an altar built from white bones was vaguely visible. In the center of the altar... a blood-colored crystal floated, with a struggling dragon shadow sealed inside!

"There's quite a commotion to the south." At the valley entrance, a Tier 3 Peak Black-Robed Person frowned. "Is it that Blood Dragon? How does she dare to barge in here alone?"

"No matter, a Deacon has already gone to intercept her. Within a hundred miles of this place is the 'Bewitching Soul Grand Formation'; she won't escape." Another person sneered. "The Holy Sacrifice is about to be completed. Once the Cult Leader arrives, takes this 'Blood Dragon Remnant Soul,' and refines it into the holy fetus... hehe."

Just then, ripples silently spread across the pool at the bottom of the valley.

Gao De and Mysterious Turtle emerged from the water, enveloped in the glow of the water patrol token, their auras perfectly merging with the surrounding water veins.

"It really is a place where a dragon soul is imprisoned." Gao De looked at the blood-colored crystal in the center of the altar, his gaze turning cold.

Although the dragon shadow inside the crystal was blurry, its aura... was actually seventy percent similar to Ao Xue's! Moreover, it was more ancient and more violent!

"That is..." Mysterious Turtle's pupils shrank, "an Ancient Blood Dragon Remnant Soul?! The Heavenly Demon Cult actually found such a thing?!"

"No matter what it is, we cannot leave it to them." Gao De turned his hand, and the thunder calamity law-breaking halberd was already in his palm. "Mysterious Turtle, set up a Formation to block the valley entrance to prevent any news from leaking. I will go and take the crystal."

"Cliff Master, be careful, that altar has Restrictions!" Mysterious Turtle warned.

Gao De nodded, his figure already transforming into a streak of lightning as he sped toward the altar.

"Who goes there?!"

The guards at the valley entrance finally noticed. Amidst the shouts, the eight people moved together, and black Qi surged forward like a tide!

Mysterious Turtle snorted coldly, and the Lake water patrol token shone with a brilliant blue light, turning into a water screen barrier that sealed the valley entrance!

"A mere Early Third Stage cultivation and you dare to block our path?!" The leading Black-Robed Person laughed in anger, sacrificing a Yin Soul Sword to slash at the water screen.

Unexpectedly, the water screen was incredibly resilient. The sword light slashed in as if falling into a swamp, only to be worn away layer by layer by the Water Element Power!

"Fourth Stage?!" The Black-Robed Person's face changed drastically. "You're not..."

Before he could finish, Mysterious Turtle had already struck out with a palm. A phantom of a mythical creature appeared, like a mountain pressing down!

"BOOM—!!!"

The eight guards were directly slammed into the ground, their bones and tendons shattered!

Meanwhile, Gao De had already reached three zhang from the altar.

Black light flashed around the altar, and nine hideous ghost shadows emerged. Each had a Tier 3 Peak aura, forming a Yin soul killing Formation as they shrieked and lunged!

"Mere ghosts and monsters, and you dare to block my path?"

Thunder flame erupted from the tip of Gao De's halberd, and the Purple Heaven Thunder Flame sword qi swept across!

"Screech—!!!"

The nine ghost shadows met their nemesis, wailing as they were annihilated in the extreme Yang thunder flame!

He stepped into the center of the altar and reached out to grab the blood-colored crystal.

At the very moment his fingertips touched the crystal—

The crystal suddenly erupted with a heaven-shaking blood-red light, and an ancient, violent dragon roar echoed through the valley!

"ROAR—!!!"

A blood-colored dragon shadow charged out from the crystal. Although it was only a remnant soul, it radiated the terrifying pressure of the Late Fourth Stage as it directly crashed toward Gao De!

Gao De's pupils shrank, and he thrust out the thunder calamity law-breaking halberd fiercely. The Thunder Flame Sword Qi collided violently with the Blood Dragon Remnant Soul!

"BOOM—!!!"

The entire valley shook violently, the altar cracked, and the black mist surged backward!

Gao De let out a muffled groan and retreated three steps, the lightning at the tip of his halberd dimming by thirty percent.

The Blood Dragon Remnant Soul was also knocked back, its soul body becoming much more illusory, but the violence in its eyes grew even stronger as it prepared to pounce again!

"Vile creature!"

Gao De's eyes flashed with severity, the Dragon Pearl in his Dantian vibrated, and the Purple Heaven Thunder Flame Dragon Transformation Manual operated at full power!

A hundred-zhang phantom of a Thunder Flame Flood Dragon emerged behind him, roaring towards the sky, its Dragon Might like a prison!

"Suppress!"

With a shout, the Thunder Flame Flood Dragon phantom opened its mouth and spat out a stream of purple-gold Thunder Flame, enveloping the Blood Dragon Remnant Soul!

"Roar—!!!"

The Blood Dragon Remnant Soul struggled frantically in the Thunder Flame, but it was like being caught in a quagmire, its soul body being refined layer by layer!

After three breaths, the remnant soul let out a mournful cry and transformed into a wisp of pure blood light, which Gao De captured into his palm with a single hand.

Without even looking, he sealed it into a jade bottle and put it into his storage ring.

Then, he grabbed that blood-colored crystal and scanned it with his Divine Thought—

Inside the crystal, besides the remaining Dragon Soul Origin, a fragmented "map" and several lines of Ancient Dragon Script were actually sealed!

"Gui Xu Eye... Blood Sacrificial Altar... Nine Nether Dragon Tomb..." Gao De's eyes suddenly narrowed, "Is this... a remnant map leading to the 'Nine Nether Dragon Tomb'?!"

Just then, a shrill roar suddenly came from outside the valley!

"Enemy attack—Northeast node compromised—Return quickly—!!!"

Gao De's expression changed slightly: "Discovered. Mysterious Turtle, retreat!"

The two of them turned into light and rushed out of the valley.

Just as they left the valley, they saw several powerful auras galloping towards them from afar. The leader had actually reached the Middle Fourth Stage Peak, stronger than Lord Mo Yuan!

"Go!"

Gao De didn't hesitate, fully activating Lightning Evasion, and fled towards the prearranged meeting point with Mysterious Turtle.

Behind them, angry shouts exploded like thunder:

"You dare to steal our cult's sacred object—leave your lives behind—!!!"

The entire Bewitching Ghost Swamp completely boiled over.

---

Meanwhile, a hundred miles south of the Ghost Marsh.

Ao Xue was fighting a Black-Robed Person of the Early Fourth Stage when she suddenly sensed the terrifying fluctuations and that dragon roar from the northeast.

Her blood-red eyes lit up: "Success."

No longer lingering, she swung her dragon tail, blood light exploded, forcing the enemy back, and then she fled as a rainbow.

The Black-Robed Person was about to pursue when he received a message, his expression changing drastically: "The northeast node was robbed?! Return to support immediately!"

He immediately sped back.

Halfway there, he happened to run into Gao De and Mysterious Turtle, who were fleeing rapidly.

"It's you—?!" The Black-Robed Person was shocked and furious.

Gao De sneered, sweeping his thunder calamity law-breaking halberd, the Thunder Flame Sword Qi like a celestial river flowing backward!

"Get lost!"

With the power of one halberd, the Early Fourth Stage Black-Robed Person was actually sent flying, vomiting blood!

The Middle Fourth Stage Peak Black-Robed Person chasing from behind was extremely angry. He flipped his hand and sacrificed a Black Bone Spear. Thousands of wraiths appeared at the tip as he thrust the spear!

The Void Realm was torn apart, and the yin wind howled!

Gao De's expression was grave, the purple lightning reverse dragon scale armor flashed with thunder light, and he met the attack with his thunder calamity law-breaking halberd!

"Clang—!!!"

The sound of clashing metal echoed for a hundred miles. Thunder Flame and Yin Souls clashed frantically, and the marsh below was plowed into a deep trench by the aftershocks!

Gao De let out a muffled groan, his figure retreating explosively, only stopping after retreating dozens of zhang.

That Black-Robed Person was also not doing well; his arm holding the spear exploded into a blood mist, and cracks appeared on the Black Bone Spear!

"You're actually already at the Middle Stage of the Fourth Stage... and have such combat power?!" The Black-Robed Person was shocked and suspicious.

Just then, Ao Xue's Blood Dragon True Form arrived, her dragon claws tearing through the Void Realm, grabbing straight for the Black-Robed Person's back!

"Despicable!" The Black-Robed Person shouted angrily, thrusting his spear back at the dragon claw.

Gao De took the opportunity to strike with his halberd like a dragon, the Thunder Flame Sword Qi aimed straight for the man's throat!

Attacked from both front and back!

The Black-Robed Person's face turned ashen. He suddenly spat out a mouthful of Essence Blood, and the blood mist exploded, turning into a black-red escape light. He actually abandoned his subordinates and fled!

"Chase him!" Ao Xue's killing intent was boiling.

"No need." Gao De stopped her, "This place isn't suitable for a long stay. Let's return to Qianjiao Cliff first."

He glanced at the heavily injured Early Fourth Stage Black-Robed Person and the dozen or so Tier 3s arriving in the distance, saying coldly: "Today we'll just collect some interest. Tell your Cult Leader—Qianjiao Cliff is not a place he can covet."

With that, the three of them turned into light and fled, disappearing into the horizon in an instant.

Leaving behind only a mess and the shocked and furious Heavenly Demon Cult members.

---

Half an hour later, Qianjiao Cliff Water Mansion.

Inside a secret room, Gao De, Ao Xue, Mysterious Turtle, Dragon Peach, and Turtle Three Thousand gathered.

Gao De placed the blood-colored crystal on the table and handed the wisp of refined Blood Dragon Remnant Soul Origin to Ao Xue: "This item is fated with you. Refining it might help your Bloodline take another step forward."

Ao Xue took it, sensing the same-source aura within. A complex look flashed in her blood-red eyes: "Is this... a Soul Crystal left by an ancient Blood Dragon?"

"It should be." Gao De nodded, "The Heavenly Demon Cult imprisoned this soul, seemingly for a 'Holy Sacrifice' to refine into a so-called 'holy fetus'. Their plot is no small matter."

He pointed to the remnant map inside the crystal: "This map points to the 'Nine Nether Dragon Tomb'. According to Ancient Dragon Script records, that is where the ancient Dragon Clan buried Sinner Dragons and Evil Dragons, located deep within the Gui Xu Eye. The Heavenly Demon Cult is collecting dragon souls, perhaps... they want to open the Dragon Tomb and release the Evil Dragons suppressed within, or seize something."

"Nine Nether Dragon Tomb..." Mysterious Turtle's expression changed, "I once heard my ancestors mention that place is incredibly sinister, connecting to the Nine Nether, with no way out once entered. The Heavenly Demon Cult actually dares to target that place?"

"They even dare to cultivate an evil dragon primordial fetus, what else wouldn't they dare?" Ao Xue said coldly.

Gao De pondered for a moment: "Let's put this matter aside for now. The priority is to deal with the Heavenly Demon Cult's retaliation. Today we stole their important item and killed their people; they won't let it go."

"Soldiers will be blocked by generals." Ao Xue's killing intent was chilling.

"We can't be careless." Gao De shook his head, "That Black-Robed Person at the Middle Fourth Stage Peak in the Bewitching Ghost Swamp is no weaker than Lord Mo Yuan's true body. And since the Heavenly Demon Cult has a 'Cult Leader', they are at least Late Fourth Stage, or maybe even... Fifth Stage."

Everyone's expression became solemn.

Fifth Stage, that's an existence on par with Bai Ze and the Mysterious Tortoise, having already touched the Peak of this world.

"Then we..." Turtle Three Thousand was worried.

"Don't panic." Gao De said calmly, "Since the Heavenly Demon Cult acts in secret, it shows they also have concerns and don't dare to be blatant. The strength we showed today is enough for them to re-evaluate. In the short term, they won't rashly launch a major offensive."

He looked at everyone: "Next, Qianjiao Cliff will enter the highest state of alert. At the same time, speed up the integration of resources and improve our strength."

"Mysterious Turtle, continue to patrol the surrounding areas and monitor the movements of the Heavenly Demon Cult."

"Ao Xue, go into seclusion to refine that wisp of Blood Dragon Origin and strive to Breakthrough to the Middle Stage as soon as possible."

"Dragon Peach, reinforce the Formations. If necessary, you can draw upon the Lesser Qingqiu's earth veins to lay down the 'Ten Thousand Wood Evil-Slaying Grand Formation'."

"Turtle Three Thousand, don't slacken on internal investigations, especially for the newly joined small forces, to strictly prevent infiltration."

Everyone took their orders.

Gao De looked out at the deep waters through the window, thunder light faintly appearing in his eyes.

"Heavenly Demon Cult, Lord Mo Yuan, Lord Chilian, Endless Sea, Gui Xu Eye, Nine Nether Dragon Tomb... this pool of water is getting deeper and deeper."

"But only in deep water can there be a True Dragon."

He slowly clenched his fist, Thunder Flame flickering in his palm.

"Then let the storm come more fiercely."

---

Meanwhile, deep within the Bewitching Ghost Swamp.

Inside a palace built entirely of black bones, a Black-Robed Person knelt on the ground, trembling.

At the end of the palace, on a Black Jade Throne, sat a blurred figure.

The figure was shrouded in thick black mist, with only a pair of eerie green eyes peering through the mist, coldly watching the person below.

"The Dragon Soul was stolen... the remnant map lost... Good, very good." A raspy voice sounded, showing no emotion.

"This subordinate deserves death! I beg the Cult Leader for forgiveness!" The Black-Robed Person kowtowed repeatedly.

"Forgiveness?" The Cult Leader chuckled, but it was hair-raising, "I will give you a chance to redeem yourself."

He slowly raised his hand, and a pitch-black token appeared in his palm. The front of the token was carved with twisted demon script—"Sacrifice".

"Order the three Elders, 'Blood Bat', 'Yin Bone', and 'Corpse Charm', to lead the 'Holy Infant Guard' to the outskirts of Qianjiao Cliff. No need for a forceful attack, just... create some 'trouble'."

"For example, make those newly joined small forces disappear one by one."

Cruelty flashed in the Cult Leader's eerie green eyes: "I want to see how much that Purple Lightning Flood Dragon can protect."

"In addition..." He paused, "Notify 'Shadow Erosion'. He failed at the Dragon Palace back then, causing the holy fetus plan to fall short. This time, he is to redeem himself by finding the whereabouts of the 'guixu token'. I sense that the token... has reappeared in the world."

The Black-Robed Person trembled all over: "The guixu token?! That's one of the keys to opening the Gui Xu Eye! Could it have been discovered by someone already?"

"Perhaps." The Cult Leader said indifferently, "Go. Remember, if you fail again this time... you will go into the 'Ten Thousand Soul Pool' to be nourishment."

"This subordinate obeys!" The Black-Robed Person scrambled out of the palace.

The palace returned to a deathly silence.

The Cult Leader leaned back on the throne, his eerie green eyes looking into the void, seemingly whispering:

"Gui Xu Eye... Nine Nether Dragon Tomb... 'that thing' suppressed by the ancient Dragon Clan... It's coming, it's coming soon..."

"Once I obtain 'it', let alone this Yunmeng Great Marsh, even the entire world will crawl beneath my feet."

He slowly closed his eyes, and the black mist churned, submerging the entire palace.

Only a faint, sinister laugh echoed in the silence.