Everyone fled in panic. Su Zimo hung around the back and was able to prevent the attacks of the Blood Centipedes.
In reality, the moment the Blood Centipede King appeared, Night Spirit’s eyes shone with a murderous killing intent and it even harbored thoughts of turning around to fight the Blood Centipede King.
However, Su Zimo did not wish to get entangled with those poisonous creatures at this place and gestured for Night Spirit to just protect Xiaoning.
Most importantly, it was because Su Zimo was wary about someone else.
Jiang Yu!
In theory, Su Zimo should not be suspicious of the commander that was designated by the Emperor of Great Zhou.
However, through their interactions, Su Zimo was certain that there was something wrong with this person!
Su Zimo ran on the ground. Under the gravel not far ahead, two big bags surfaced and another swarm of Blood Centipedes were about to emerge.
Night Spirit was a step faster and with a single leap, stomped down with its massive feet. Five claws extended silently and grabbed with force!
Poof!
The Blood Centipedes coiled together and the red-black balls that had just emerged were crushed by Night Spirit instantly!
Even though the poisonous blood splattered all over Night Spirit, it was indifferent and merely shook everything off before continuing to sprint ahead.
Night Spirit could not be hurt by the horrifying poisonous blood either!
Behind the group was a sea of red and black, as though endless waves were surging as countless Blood Centipedes moved.
After suffering the injury, the Blood Centipede King no longer dared to wave its feelers casually. However, it found itself having to retreat due to Su Zimo’s arrows each time it wanted to charge forth.
The hunt continued for a long time before the group found a green shade of grass ahead.
Within that desolate desert, green represented life and everyone was invigorated.
When they flew above the grass, the red and black sea chasing them came to a gradual stop.
Blood Centipedes lived in the desert and would not leave it that easily.
Standing at the edge of the desert, the Blood Centipede King raised its massive body and shuffled its thousand feet, roaring in the direction of Su Zimo’s group. Its bloodshot eyes looked indignant.
When they saw that, everyone slowed down and eventually put away their flying swords to descend on the ground. Gasping for breath, all of them were rattled.
The escape had taken a huge toll on everyone’s spirit energy and they were almost drained.
They would not have lasted for much longer if they had to continue flying.
Ji Yaoxue counted the crowd and she sighed gently as her eyes dimmed.
In less than a day, the 50 people that entered the ancient battlefield were down to less than 20!
The cultivators of the Elixir and Weapon Rankings had lower cultivation realms and most of them did not make it.
Apart from five Great Zhou guards, Jiang Yu included, Su Zimo, Su Xiaoning and the three from Ethereal Peak, a miserable few were left and everyone was in low spirits, looking wretched.
To think that the ancient battlefield would be this cruel!
Initially, most of them harbored hopes of a fruitful expedition. In fact, they even dreamed about obtaining the Meridian Unlocking Elixir, connate spirit weapons or the inheritance of some fallen sects…
But now, some of them were completely frightened by what they had just experienced!
Apart from Jiang Yu, even the few remaining Great Zhou guards revealed traces of uneasiness and fear in their eyes.
“S-Should we find a place to stay and just cultivate there for an entire year without heading out anymore?” A female cultivator asked timidly.
In less than a day, more than half the cultivators were killed! If they were to continue roaming about in the remaining year, could they even get out alive?
“That’s right.”
Si Yutang coughed gently. “The spirit qi in the ancient battlefield is so rich. It won’t be a wasted trip even if we were to just cultivate for a year here.”
With that said, he looked at Su Zimo who was calm and indifferent, laughing dryly. “If someone wants to die and wishes to continue heading out, go on ahead. However, don’t expect us to follow you.”
The path of cultivation was something that defied the heavens to begin with. Every step was filled with thorns and it was only natural that one would encounter countless dangers along the way.
If one were to be fearful of advancing after meeting with some setbacks, their accomplishments in the future would be limited as well.
Su Zimo ignored Si Yutang and swept his glance across the crowd, coming to an understanding.
Of those that were remaining, even though everyone from Ethereal Peak, Shi Jian, Jun Hao and the others were shocked, none of them had fears in their eyes – their gazes were still resolute!
Jiang Yu said in a deep voice, “We don’t have many people left so no one should act on their own and divide our strength! We’ll follow the original plan of heading to that cave to stay the night.”
“Commander Jiang, should we rest for a while first to recover our strength and spirit energy?” Someone suggested.
“No!”
Jiang Yu rejected the suggestion without hesitation. “Time is tight. We have to hurry and get there before night falls!”
He beckoned and determined the direction before walking in front to lead everyone.
Ji Yaoxue slowed down and came to Su Zimo’s side, asking concernedly with a worried expression, “Zimo, are you… alright?”
No matter what, she had witnessed the poisonous blood of the Blood Centipede spraying on Su Zimo.
She was still worried that the poisonous blood might do damage to him.
“I’m fine.”
Su Zimo shook his head and whispered, “There’s something wrong with Jiang Yu. You have to be careful of him.”
“Hmm?”
Ji Yaoxue paused for a moment and raised her brow, looking perplexed. “Even though we suffered heavy casualties, it was an accident and we can’t blame it on Jiang Yu entirely. Furthermore, he was at the ancient battlefield 10 years ago and made it back alive. Father also designated him as the commander. I don’t think there should be a problem?”
“The problem is precisely because he has been to the ancient battlefield before.”
Su Zimo replied, “Given his experience, there’s no way he couldn’t tell that there was something wrong with those corpses. However, he allowed the others to pick up the storage bags. Furthermore…”
Pausing for a moment, he continued, “After discovering those corpses, he did not continue moving forward!”
Ji Yaoxue was extremely smart and instantly realized that something was amiss as well.
Su Zimo said in a low voice, “In fact, I’m suspecting that he was deliberately letting them die so as to weaken the strength of the team.”
“But what motive does he have for doing that? What does he stand to gain from that?” Ji Yaoxue could not understand.
Su Zimo shook his head. “I don’t know either.”
“How about we join forces to suppress and interrogate him right now?”
Right after she said that, Ji Yaoxue shook her head to her own suggestion and frowned. “No, everyone’s tired and worn out right now. Furthermore, Jiang Yu has the highest cultivation realm and we won’t be able to restrain him even with our combined strength.”
Suddenly, Ji Yaoxue realized a horrifying fact.
If there was truly something wrong with Jiang Yu, no one would be his match given his strength as a six meridian Foundation Establishment Cultivator!
“If you’re agreeable, I’ll strike to take him down!”
Right then, Su Zimo’s voice rang out, his tone casual and indifferent.
However, for some reason, his words made Ji Yaoxue’s initially uneasy heart calm down instantly.
