54: Chapter 54 News Spreads

Wu Li took a deep breath, steadying the Demon Power within him that had been all but exhausted.

"That Lord Tunming shouldn't be paying attention to you right now, so you should definitely be able to squeeze out two or three days."

Su Wanyue nodded.

"When the fifteenth of the lunar month arrives tomorrow, after you enter the Secret Realm, try to go as deep as possible."

"Don't just grab what's right in front of you and leave. Go further in and see if there's anything else. Take whatever you see. Otherwise, if we can't get our hands on suitable treasures, we definitely won't be able to wait until the next fifteenth of the lunar month."

"And in order to save my own life, I will absolutely capture you first and offer you to Lord Tunming."

Facing Wu Li's somewhat vicious gaze this time, Su Wanyue's body trembled slightly, and she nodded.

"Leave it to me."

"That ghost general died here, and there is the Yin energy of hundreds of Ghost Soldiers. I will absorb it all shortly; my cultivation will at least rise by a small stage, and I will certainly be able to go much further."

Upon hearing this, Wu Li finally withdrew his gaze, feeling reassured.

He had said everything that needed to be said; he hoped Su Wanyue would be capable enough.

"Alright, I need to rest. You can handle the rest yourself."

After saying this, Wu Li cast one last glance with his small eyes before spreading his wings and flying toward the Stone Forest.

Hmm, she certainly has potential...

Behind him, Su Wanyue floated above the Mass Grave. Watching that black figure disappear into the night, she remained silent for a moment before sitting cross-legged. Borrowing the power of the moonlight, she absorbed the residual Yin energy nearby. With the Yin energy and moonlight upon her, she quickly repaired the tattered wedding dress on her body...

...

Wu Li flew back to the Stone Forest, passing through the gaps between the dense stone pillars, and landed deep within the Limestone Cave.

On the bluestone by the water pool, Black Feather was crouching to the side. The Gray Rat Spirit stood below, his grayish-brown fur still stained with dirt, his small eyes darting around.

Seeing Wu Li return, both Yao Beasts simultaneously lowered their heads in a respectful posture.

"Old Ancestor."

Black Feather's voice was hoarse and respectful.

Wu Li landed on the bluestone and swept his gaze over the Gray Rat Spirit. A hint of surprise flashed in his bean-sized black pupils: "Back so soon? Is everything done?"

The Gray Rat Spirit hurriedly took two steps forward, bowed his waist, and said in a shrill voice: "Reporting to the Great King, everything is done!"

"Following the Great King's instructions, I took my descendants and spread the news."

"The Spirit Child has descended, a Born Spirit Body, whoever seizes it can achieve a Heaven-Defying change in destiny—this news has already spread throughout the eastern and western foothills of Taiyue Mountain. In less than two days, every Yao Beast in the outer perimeter will know."

Wu Li nodded, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

Seeing that Wu Li was in a good mood, the Gray Rat Spirit continued: "I also had my descendants take the opportunity to scout the situation of the Yao Race in the vicinity. Would the Great King like to hear it?"

Wu Li tilted his head with interest: "Well done. Tell me, what did you find out?"

The Gray Rat Spirit cleared his throat, his small eyes darting around as he began his report.

"Using our Stone Forest as the center, thirty miles to the east is Rift-Wind Ridge, where the Rift-Wind Wolf King holds sway. He is at the Late Stage of the Second Rank with over a thousand wolf Yao under his command; he is the largest power in the eastern foothills."

"Twenty miles to the south is the Green-Scaled Swamp, where the Green-Scaled Python holds sway; her cultivation is at the Middle Stage of the Second Rank."

"Forty miles to the north is Iron-Back Mountain, where the Iron-Backed Bear King is stationed. He is at the Late Stage of the Second Rank. He doesn't have many bear Yao under him, but every one of them is a fierce fighter."

"Fifty miles to the west is Luo-Horn Ridge, the territory of the Azure-Horned Deer King. He is at the Peak of the Second Rank with over a hundred deer Yao under his command; he is the overlord of the entire western foothills."

"These few almost represent the great kings of Taiyue Mountain's outer perimeter. Further in is the depths of Taiyue Mountain. When my descendants approached a bamboo forest, they feared the pressure there and dared not venture deeper..."

"Hmm."

After hearing all this, Wu Li felt he had a grasp of the situation. At the very least, he was clear about the situation in the outer perimeter of Taiyue Mountain.

"Well done. Keep having your descendants watch Qingshi Town. If any Yao Race in the mountains makes a move, report to me immediately."

The Gray Rat Spirit nodded repeatedly and turned to burrow into the cave. Black Feather also tactfully exited the Limestone Cave.

...

Meanwhile.

Compared to the quiet within Taiyue Mountain, Qingshi Town at the foot of the mountain had exploded.

The streets, which were usually deserted, were now packed with people...

No, they were packed with Cultivators.

Various colored Dharma robes dazzled the eyes under the sunlight. Inns were overflowing, teahouses were fully seated, and even the Earth Temple at the entrance of the town had been occupied as a temporary resting point.

The commoners of the town had never seen such a spectacle. Fearing they might accidentally offend these people from the immortal sects, they all huddled in their homes, peering out from the cracks in their doors, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Nearby.

The Qingyun Sect was the closest and the first to arrive. The team leader was named Li Tai, at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment. His face was as thin as if it had been carved by a knife, and his triangular eyes narrowed; he didn't look like a kind person.

Behind him were over twenty Disciples. They had rented out an entire alley at the east end of the town, and by planting a white flag with blue patterns at the entrance, they had staked their territory.

Following that, the Xuanyi Sect arrived. The leader was none other than Huo Xuan. Seeing this scene, his expression turned so dark it could wring out water. He didn't bring many people—only about ten or so—but each of them had cold, sharp eyes; one look and you could tell they had seen blood.

A black flag embroidered with a black bird was planted at the west end of the town, following the Qingyun Sect's example, facing the Qingyun Sect across the entire town.

Besides that.

The Luoxia Sect arrived low-key. It was a team of female Cultivators led by an elderly woman with white hair, known as Granny Bixia. The old lady looked kind and benevolent, but when those eyes swept over, few dared to meet her gaze. With a pink flag embroidered with a Luoxia flower, they settled in a dilapidated temple at the south end of the town.

The Heavenly Sword Sect had the grandest display.

The person leading the team was named Lu Chenzhou, a powerhouse of the entire Long City area, at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment. He carried a long sword broader than his own head on his back; standing there, he looked just like a drawn sword.

Behind him were over thirty Disciples, each with a long sword hanging at their waist, walking with the sound of wind. The white sword flag fluttered in the wind at the north end of the town, visible from half a street away.

There were also a few small Schools that didn't have the qualifications to stake out territory and could only squeeze into the inns in the middle of the town. The lobby was packed with people—some drinking tea, some polishing their swords. From time to time, someone would slam the table and glare, but no one actually started a fight. Everyone knew that the main player hadn't arrived yet.

The people from the Yunshan Sect were mixed into the crowd, being the most inconspicuous.

The leader was Zhou Yuande.

Behind him followed ten Disciples, each with their heads lowered, their faces filled with exhaustion.

Throughout Qingshi Town, from east to west, from south to north, there were Cultivators everywhere. During the day, it was fine; everyone stayed in their own territory. But once night fell, the taverns and teahouses were full of people—some drinking, some cursing. Occasionally, someone would use their drunken courage to draw their sword and spar, only to be slapped back by their respective Elder.

It was lively, certainly, but everyone knew that beneath this liveliness, a blade was pressing down. Before that blade fell, no one dared to make the first move.

"Elder Zhou, there are too many people here. Looking at this situation, does our Yunshan Sect still have any hope of seizing the person?"

A Disciple leaned in, asking in a low voice, his eyes full of worry.

Standing under the locust tree in the courtyard, with his hands behind his back, Zhou Yuande looked at the white sword flag of the Heavenly Sword Sect fluttering high in the distance. He remained silent for a long while before letting out a sigh.