Yu Zhenghai’s heart sank. If this continued, he would surely die. He believed it now; there was no hope for survival in the abyss.
He had made all possible preparations before descending into the abyss. He had reached the bottom, but he could not escape from the jaws of the beasts. If he could not survive, then the other cultivators had no hopes of surviving.
Bam!
Wen Yao continued to ram against his shield.
Yu Zhenghai thought he was going to die when the remaining half of Chi Yao’s Heart suddenly glowed red.
The red light swirled around Yu Zhenghai. Perhaps, it was due to him consuming the other half of the heart. The red light merged with him smoothly, making it seem like the one who had unleashed the red light.
Splash!
When Wen Yao saw the red light, it dove and disappeared into the black water, much to Yu Zhenghai’s confusion.
Similarly, the school of Wen Yaos dove into the water as well.
In just a few breaths, silence was restored.
It dropped into the black water and disappeared.
Yu Zhenghai was confused. He surveyed his surroundings, feeling lost. He kept the huge shield up.
From a distance, he looked like he was standing in the center of the sun or the moon.
Finally, Yu Zhenghai withdrew his Primal Qi, and the light disappeared.
He touched the remaining half of Chi Yao’s Heart at his waist and said with a hint of relief, “Master truly has foresight.”
He did not stay there any longer. He flew on his Jasper Saber as he let the scabbard guide him.
…
Yu Zhenghai continued flying for three days.
He was overjoyed when he saw a sliver of light. Similar to Yu Shangrong, the prolonged time in the darkness had made him feel numb. With this sliver of light, he reinvigorated.
He picked up his pace, and soon enough, he emerged from Black Water Mystic Cave.
Mountains, rivers, tall trees, the sun…
The scenery and the air invigorated Yu Zhenghai.
He hovered in the air and surveyed his surroundings. “This is the red lotus domain?”
After a while, he calmed down from his shock and excitement. He held the scabbard and circulated his Primal Qi. The red runes reacted slightly.
“He’s here!” Yu Zhenghai was filled with emotion. If he was not worried about attracting the attention of the beasts, he would have unleashed his Great Dark Heaven Memorial several times to release the pent-up feelings from flying in the dark for so long.
He had to adapt to his surroundings.
Knowing Yu Shangrong, he would not be content with lodging under another person’s roof. Although he was an Eight-leaf cultivator, he was sure to have a hard time.
Yu Zhenghai flew forward. After flying for 100 meters, he heard something to his left.
“Who dares intrude upon the Flying Star House’s territory?”
A man and woman sped toward Yu Zhenghai.
Yu Zhenghai came to a halt and slowly turned around. Since he was in a new place, he was, naturally, more alert and warier than usual. It was not difficult for him to figure out the Flying Star House was a sect in the red lotus domain, but it was difficult to gauge how strong it was.
“You are?”
“Zhang Guo of the Flying Star House.”
“Yue Luping of the Flying Star House.”
When the pair spoke, they greatly emphasized the words ‘Flying Star House’.
Having spent much of his time in the outside world, he knew what this meant. He said, “I was just passing by. I have no intentions of trespassing.”
Zhang Guo said, “Passing by? You must be an expert in picking your routes, sir. The lands dozens of miles around the Black Water Mystic Cave are under the luans’ attacking range. I’ve never seen the likes of you passing by when the luan was still around. The Flying Star House has just taken down the luan, and you suddenly showed up! Apart from the people of the Sky Marital Court, nobody is allowed to get close. Aren’t you aware of this rule?”
Yu Zhenghai did not want to cause trouble. He remembered what Si Wuya said; he should keep a low profile. After all, there were powerful elites in the red lotus domain. Therefore, he said, “The ignorant man is blameless. Kindly forgive me for this.”
“The Flying Star House has its own rules… The Black Water Mystic Cave is too important. I don’t care who you are, but you’ll have to come with us now.” Zhang Guo glared at Yu Zhenghai.
“Black Water Mystic Cave?” Yu Zhenghai turned to look at the oval cave entrance. From here, it was just a gaping hole of darkness. It seemed that the people of the red lotus domain had thoughts about studying the Black Water Mystic Cave for a long time now. From where he emerged, he was on the right side of the Black Water Mystic Cave. The cave entrance seemed small, but it was actually several miles wide.
Yue Luping said, “If you’d please.”
The Black Water Mystic Cave was top secret. Naturally, news of it could not be leaked out.
“I have something else to attend to. I won’t be able to entertain you.” Yu Zhenghai turned around and prepared to leave.
Whizz!
Whizz!
The duo summoned their avatars to block Yu Zhenghai’s way.
Yu Zhenghai was not shocked by their strength, but he was surprised by the existence of the red avatars and red lotuses. With this, there was no longer any doubt that he was now in the red lotus domain.
In Zhang Guo and Yue Luping’s eyes, Yu Zhenghai seemed afraid. With this, their arrogance swelled.
Yu Zhenghai caught their expressions. With the intention of keeping a low profile, he said, “Why are you behaving so aggressively when you’re merely at the Two-leaf stage?”
“Hm?”
“In the past, I wouldn’t have wasted my breath with the likes of you two, but I’m in a good mood today. I’ll let you go with your lives. Go on, run away,” Yu Zhenghai said solemnly.
Zhang Guo and Yue Luping were speechless.
Men would always stubbornly insist on their own ideas.
Were there still people who were bold enough to stand up against the Flying Star House?
In any case, the duo was tasked with bearing the heavy responsibility of guarding the Black Water Mystic Cave.
“Take him down!” Yue Luping decided to not waste any more time.
The two of them lunged at Yu Zhenghai with their red avatars.
Yu Zhenghai shook his head helplessly. He aimed his palm upward!
Great Dark Heaven Memorial, the Dark Heaven Starlight!
Shining golden energy saber rained down.
Zhang Guo and Yue Luping widened their eyes. Their voices trembled as they cried out, “A-a… a desolate-grade weapon!”
Yue Luping said hoarsely, “Golden energy sabers?! A foreign tribe from the cave?!”
The energy sabers slashed at the two red avatars.
The duo did not have a chance to retaliate and died immediately.
The Jasper Saber returned to Yu Zhenghai.
Yu Zhenghai touched his Jasper Saber and said, “Foreign tribe? In my eyes, you’re the foreign tribesmen here. You’re too weak.”
He sheathed his Jasper Saber. He held the scabbard in his hand again, and with just a few movements, he vanished from sight.
…
At dusk.
On the Flying Star House’s main peak.
Elder Meng was dealing with certain affairs when a subordinate hurried in.
“Elder Meng, Zhang Guo and Yue Luping who were guarding Black Water Mystic Cave are dead!”
Elder Meng frowned and stopped what he was doing. Ever since they killed the luan, they lost six Nascent Divinity realm cultivators.
“Do we know who killed them?” Elder Meng asked.
“Unlike the others, the wounds on their bodies were made with utmost precision. There was no mercy in the attacks nor were there any signs of struggles. They seemed to be… killed by a single move. Their opponent must be someone wielding a saber.”
“A saber?”
“The people of the Sky Martial Court went over and scouted the place. They came up with three possibilities.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“The first possibility is that this was deliberately done by the Flying Star House’s enemies. Second, the wounds from the sword and saber seemed to have taken out our men with a single move. It’s highly possible that they’re from the same person who wields a saber and a sword. He might be a reclusive elite. The third…” The disciple paused before continuing, “It might be someone from the foreign domains!”
Elder Meng’s expression darkened. He said with a sigh, “I’ve told them to seal the Mystic Cave in the past, but the people of Sky Martial Court won’t listen. They’re stubborn. If it’s really an elite from the foreign domains, I’m afraid that it’ll spell the end of the red lotus domain! Humans are already at their limits in fending off the beasts. How are we supposed to deal with another powerful enemy?”
“But… the Sky Martial Court has sent five men on the transporter. Elder Ye said that we have no choice but to work with the Sky Martial Court,” the disciple mumbled.
“Is that why Ye Zhen took down the luan?” Elder Meng felt that these people were insane.
“But… the people of Sky Martial Court don’t think that way. They’re of the opinion that they would find the secrets behind the Ten-leaf stage and heaven-earth shackle on the other side. That’s how the problem of the red lotus domain can be solved. At that time, we’ll finally be free from the harassment of the beasts.”
“Imbeciles!” Meng Changdong waved his sleeve and cursed. He said no more. What could he do at this juncture?
After venting, Meng Changdong said, “I don’t think the elite is from the foreign domains. Continue with the investigation. Focus our efforts on the Thousand Willow Monastery… The unlikeliest opponent might very well be the opponent.”
“Understood.”
…
“Ding! Killed a target. Reward: 1,000 merit points. Domain extra: 1,000 merit points.”
“Ding! Killed a target. Reward: 1,000 merit points. Domain extra: 1,000 merit points.”
When he heard this notification, Lu Zhou could not tell if they were from Yu Zhenghai or Yu Shangrong.
He opened his eyes and looked at the system dashboard.
“Judging by the time, Yu Zhenghai should be there by now.”
Lu Zhou stood up. He stopped meditating on the Heavenly Writing scrolls. He went to the courtyard and stretched his limbs.
At this moment, Si Wuya hurried over and said, “Master, I have something urgent to report.”
“What is it?”
“High-ranking beasts are attacking the City of Mo!”