45: ambush

Tang Heng spent two consecutive days wandering along remote mountain paths, cautiously moving through this desolate wilderness.

Although he thought he was being extremely careful, he hadn't expected to encounter trouble.

Just as he passed through a dark mountain hollow, a chilling trace of Killing Intent suddenly swept over him like a cold wind, stabbing straight into his heart.

Tang Heng's intuition alertly told him that this Killing Intent was not something an ordinary wild beast or a crude mountain bandit could emit.

It belonged to a true Cultivator, and one whose cultivation base was not weak.

Almost simultaneously, several sharp Steel Wires, resembling venomous snakes, lunged forward like lightning, transforming into small cutting lines that bore down on his body.

"Bang!" Tang Heng reacted instantly, quickly pulling a decayed Wooden Shield from his robe.

As he chanted the spell, the shield instantly emitted a dazzling light, as if summoned by some power, rapidly expanding into a solid barrier that blocked the fatal strangulation of the fine lines.

The moment the shield met the attack, cuts appeared on the ground, and dirt and stones scattered everywhere.

After blocking the blow, the shield also shattered.

"All evil spirits heed my command, hasten!" Tang Heng roared.

He forcefully threw two specially made Storage Pouches onto the ground while chanting a spell.

The Storage Pouches instantly swelled, gradually revealing two tall, hazy humanoid outlines.

"Crack!" With a crisp tearing sound, the Storage Pouches burst open, revealing two gigantic corpses (Jushi) in strange, terrifying poses.

"Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!"

One Giant Corpse let out a deafening roar. Seemingly having caught a scent, it charged straight toward a nearby large tree.

The tree trunk was as thick as a barrel, but under the corpse's impact, it offered no resistance and snapped with a crash.

The Cultivator hiding behind the large tree moved at this moment, rapidly forming Hand Seals.

"Ethereal Spirit Dark Fire Formation!"

Immediately, the dark Formation Talismans hidden beneath the tree roots lit up, and the Formation instantly activated.

Ten chains shimmering with faint blue light extended from the Formation, firmly restricting the Giant Corpse within the Formation.

The next moment, Purple-Blue Flames ignited. The Purple-Blue Flames suddenly flared up as if a spark had fallen into a pile of paper.

The strange Dark Fire spread rapidly, instantly engulfing the Giant Corpse's massive body.

Amidst crackling sounds, the Giant Corpse was burned directly into ashes, dissipating into the air.

Seeing this, Tang Heng's heart tightened. He had no time to mourn the loss, quickly urging the other Giant Corpse to attack, while he himself took out a Magical Artifact Long Axe shimmering with cold light and began flanking the enemy.

"That's a Giant Corpse from the Kui Ming Sect! Are you a surviving Disciple of the Kui Ming Sect?"

The Sacred Corpse Sect Disciple, having dealt with one Giant Corpse, did not show much joy.

Instead, his expression revealed a slight unease and confusion.

"Didn't the Kui Ming Sect Disciples die in that Blood Sacrifice? How did you escape?"

The Sacred Corpse Sect Disciple questioned him repeatedly in confusion, but seeing that the opponent completely ignored his Stalling Tactic.

He quickly reached into his robes, reached into his abdomen, and pulled out a cluster of Silver-Gray Insects.

A swarm of Silver-Gray Insects poured out from his abdomen. Each one emitted a chilling aura and gave off a spine-tingling low hum.

Tang Heng recognized these insects; they were Gu Insects fed on decaying corpses and housed within the host's own flesh and blood.

Every single one of these Gu Insects possessed the strength of the Kai Guang Realm Third Layer.

With such a large number gathered together, even a Cultivator at the Eighth Level of Kai Guang Realm would have to temporarily avoid their edge.

"Go!" The Disciple commanded, and swarms of Gu Insects rushed toward the remaining Giant Corpse.

Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!

The Giant Corpse swung a punch, instantly knocking down a cluster of Gu Insects, yet many more Gu Insects managed to drill inside its body and began tearing at it.

The cracking sounds were like bones being twisted apart. The Giant Corpse's combat power plummeted, and its movements became slow and clumsy.

The opponent was not eager for a quick fight and kept avoiding Tang Heng's attacks, immediately setting off alarm bells in Tang Heng's heart.

His first thought was that the opponent must have reinforcements on the way. If so, he couldn't afford to delay.

"He doesn't know my true cultivation base."

"Attacking when he's unprepared might give me a chance for a quick victory."

Thus, he decisively ignited his Natal True Essence, feeling the power surge like a tide.

He took a step, his figure shooting forward like an arrow released from a bow.

The Long Axe in his hand rose against the wind. Powerful True Essence fluctuations enveloped the axe, making it look like a dazzling sun rushing straight toward the enemy.

The Sacred Corpse Sect Disciple felt the power of this move, his expression instantly changing drastically. He frantically exerted all his strength to deploy a defense.

As the axe light flashed, the Protective Shield temporarily cast by the Sacred Corpse Sect Disciple was easily ripped apart like thin paper.

Taking advantage of this brief opening, the Sacred Corpse Sect Disciple quickly pulled out his Magic Treasure, a black Flying Sword.

With a bang, the sword and axe clashed.

The Sacred Corpse Sect Disciple forcibly endured the blow and had some of his Heart Meridians injured by the shock.

The Black Long Sword in his hand trembled violently after more than ten clashes, and he was almost unable to control it.

Panic rose in his heart. He bit the tip of his tongue and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

He wanted to use this to push the Flying Sword to its limit and reverse the battle, but it was already too late.

Tang Heng's Long Axe struck down without hesitation, carrying unparalleled destructive power.

"You hid your cultivation! You are actually at the Nascent Light Realm Ninth Layer!"

The Sacred Corpse Sect Disciple finally realized the opponent's terrifying strength and cried out in horror, "I am a Disciple of the Sacred Corpse Sect! You can't kill me!"

His terrified voice echoed in the air, and he quickly deployed a Movement Secret Technique.

With a tearing sound, his entire body transformed into a Bloody Afterimage, attempting to escape.

However, the edge of Tang Heng's axe accelerated instantly. In almost the blink of an eye, his life froze at that moment.

The sound of the strike rang out, and the head dropped immediately.

Strike, beheading.

"Retrieve!"

Tang Heng did not collect all the spoils of war on the ground; he only quickly took the opponent's spatial ring.

He then ordered his sole remaining Giant Corpse to stay behind and ambush, while he cautiously fled into the distance.

Half an hour later, another Sacred Corpse Sect Disciple rushed to the scene. Soon, his gaze was deeply attracted by the scattered remains and the rich spoils of war on the ground, and greed flickered in his eyes.

He was completely unaware that a Giant Corpse was quietly approaching him from behind.

"Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!" The Giant Corpse, like the low growl of the earth, suddenly burst forth with terrifying speed and pounced on the Sacred Corpse Sect Disciple.

Its thick arms locked the opponent's body firmly like iron tongs, and the Chaos Heavenly Qi within its body churned and heated up at this moment.

The sound of "Bang! Bang! Bang!" rang out, like the signal of approaching death.

The Disciple showed surprise. He had been secretly vigilant, constantly guarding against the enemy's sneak attack.

However, he hadn't expected the opponent to be so extravagant, actually abandoning this Giant Corpse at the Nascent Light Realm Seventh Layer just to delay him.

"Puff..."

The Giant Corpse's embrace felt light. The next moment, the Sacred Corpse Sect Disciple transformed into a Long Dark Mist.

He instantly appeared not far away, while a thunderous explosion sounded in the distance, echoing throughout this silent world.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!" The strong airflow billowed the Disciple's robes, making a loud flapping sound.

Birds startled by the explosion fluttered and flew wildly in the air.

"Junior Brother Xue, what happened? You seem injured? Where is Junior Brother He?"

A Sacred Corpse Sect Disciple rushed over, looked at the scene in the distance, and couldn't help but ask, his eyes filled with concern and confusion.

"It's nothing."

The Sacred Corpse Sect Disciple, referred to as Junior Brother Xue, ignored the newcomer and slightly closed his eyes.

Afterward, three more Sacred Corpse Sect Disciples arrived one after another, and only then did he slowly recount what had just happened.

"What? Junior Brother He is dead?"

"If Junior Brother He's methods failed, I'm afraid the opponent's cultivation base is at least the Nascent Light Realm Ninth Layer."

One Disciple's voice was hoarse, his face full of panic and helplessness.

"And the battle ended so quickly."

"That person is beyond what the four of us can handle..." Another Disciple sighed, looking distressed. "This is truly difficult."

"Even if the four of us join forces, it's hard to say who would win. Should we just let it go?"

"But... how should we explain this to Senior Brother Chu..."

A tense atmosphere permeated their group, and the four Disciples exchanged glances.

The same thought flickered in their eyes—escape.

"Fellow Senior and Junior Brothers, let us part ways here."

One of the Disciples finally spoke, his voice low and firm. The others tacitly flew off in different directions.

However, a certain Sacred Corpse Sect Disciple suddenly changed direction and secretly followed the path taken by the Disciple surnamed Xue... Tang Heng fully activated his Qi Concealment Cultivation Technique, clearing his tracks as he walked.

After walking for another distance, he finally saw the outline of a city.

Tang Heng pinched his face with his hand, and with a few clicks, he used the Art of Disguise and Face Change to alter his appearance.

Approaching the city, he saw a long queue already formed in front of it, consisting of both Common People and Cultivators.

He walked a few steps closer and looked.

On the city gate, the characters read Fuguan City.

This was not Tang Heng's main focus. The focus was the large purple flag on the city wall, which bore a clear character: 'He'.

Seeing the large character on the banner allowed Tang Heng to relax slightly.

In this chaotic Southern Border Cultivation World, cities were scattered like pieces on a chessboard.

These cities could be divided into three types. One type was cities ruled by major powers or powerful Cultivators, where order was established.

Such cities often hung a banner on the city wall inscribed with the 'He' Character.

This was meant to display the Realm of the Cultivator garrisoning the city, as well as their governing attitude.

In a city bearing the 'He' Character flag, regardless of whether they were Evil Cultivators, Demonic Cultivators, or ordinary people, anyone daring to start a massacre would face endless pursuit.

Therefore, these 'He' Character Cities rarely became havens in this Cultivation World rampant with Evil Cultivators.

At this moment, Tang Heng was standing at the entrance of Fuguan City. This city before him...

...was indeed a good place to rest, as it was garrisoned by a Silent Spirit Realm Cultivator.

"Although I have just entered the Nascent Light Realm Ninth Layer, I should start preparing for the Spirit Manifestation Method."

Following the movement of the crowd, he quietly stood at the end of the entry line, waiting patiently.

After a long wait, it was finally his turn.

The gate-guarding Cultivator's eyes were sharp, scanning the unremarkable young Cultivator before him like a hawk. He couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

Tang Heng's cultivation base was only the Kai Guang Realm Fourth Layer, making him seem so insignificant.

One must know that the Stay Fee in Fuguan City was substantial; a Silent Spirit Realm Cultivator would not provide safety guarantees for free.

"First time in Fuguan City?" the gate-guarding Cultivator asked indifferently, his tone laced with disdain.

"Reporting, Senior, this is indeed my first time here. May I ask what the instructions are?"

Tang Heng bowed slightly, trying to make his tone sound respectful.

"One blood bead is required every five days, five beads for one month, and fifty beads for one year!" the gate-guarding Cultivator stated.

"Thank you, Senior. This Junior is just passing through and plans to stay for five days."

Tang Heng smiled slightly and slowly pulled out a small, blood-red, smooth, and round bead from his robe.

The items used in this world were completely different from other worlds. Although Spirit Stones existed here, Demonic Cultivators and Evil Cultivators preferred blood beads.

Not only could they be absorbed faster, but their effectiveness was also far superior to Spirit Stones.

These blood beads were the crystallization of the world's Turbid Qi, usually formed naturally, or obtained by refining Cultivators and Mortals.

In the market, the value of one blood bead was equivalent to thirty Spirit Stones.

If blood beads were akin to gold, then Spirit Stones were like copper coins.

"Take this Token, and leave voluntarily after five days."

The gate-guarding Cultivator shifted his gaze to the blood bead in Tang Heng's hand, and his expression softened slightly.

"Once the five days are up, the Token in your hand will shatter. If you are still in the city at that time, it will glow purple, indicating you are no longer under our protection."

"Thank you for the information, Senior. Please take these ten Spirit Stones for a pot of wine."

Saying this, Tang Heng handed over ten Spirit Stones, but the few gate-guarding Cultivators merely waved their hands.

Walking into the city, he was greeted by a bustling Market Atmosphere.

The crowds, the shouts, and the sounds of haggling intertwined, allowing Tang Heng's heart to relax slightly, finally feeling a sense of ease... Inside the myriad souls banner, after continuous and uninterrupted consumption of other Evil Wraith Ghosts, Yao Yian's cultivation base had now reached the Kai Guang Realm Third Layer.

This speed of advancement was extremely fast; it was estimated that he would reach the Kai Guang Realm Fourth Layer in just one more day.

After this period of consumption, the Evil Wraith Ghosts inside the myriad souls banner had decreased by twenty percent. According to Yao Yian's prediction, if he were allowed to consume and refine all of them...

...reaching the Nascent Light Realm Ninth Layer would be effortless, and if he were to predict boldly, he could even attempt to break through to the Spirit Manifestation Realm!

With the help of the Dual Star Realm, the concept of a Bottleneck simply didn't exist for Yao Yian.

If one did exist, he would just consume a few hundred or a thousand more!

He wished he could rush out immediately and choke the life out of the guy who had been so sincere toward him.