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Chapter 395: Will You Really Take Us Home?
🕑 Added 2024-10-25 07:45:12 +0000 UTCIn his desperation, the only thought that crossed the mind of the Golden Core cultivator was to self-destruct his core as a final act of resistance.
Just as the dark energy ball was about to strike him, and he was prepared to sacrifice himself, a powerful, unique surge of energy tore through the air. With a loud bang, it collided with the dark orb, shattering it instantly as if it were nothing more than a fragile bubble.
The unexpected turn of events caught everyone off guard. All those present quickly turned their attention to where the spell had come from.
"Lin Daoist!"
"Lin Daoist!"
It was none other than Lin Xiao, the fellow cultivator from Lingxian Sect of Pu Si Country, who had come to their aid. The cultivators called out to him in relief and joy.
The Grandmaster, however, was not as pleased. His face darkened immediately, and his gaze became as cold as ice as he stared at Lin Xiao. His black eyes were filled with malice.
What troubled him most was that Lin Xiao appeared unaffected by the power of the Destruction Stones. Moreover, the spell Lin Xiao had just cast was exceptionally strong and unimpeded by the stones’ energy-sapping effects.
Could it be that these cultivators had already discovered the secret of transforming spiritual energy into elemental energy?
The Grandmaster frowned, his mind racing as he continued to size up Lin Xiao, who was now approaching him step by step.
However, Lin Xiao did not charge recklessly into the formation. As he surveyed the area, his eyes landed on Yuan Jinsheng, who was lying injured in the pit, and he felt a sense of relief knowing that Yuan was still alive. Then, his gaze shifted to something that made him pause in surprise — the presence of ten unconscious mortal women, lying atop the ritual platforms.
But what shocked him most was the soul of the former King of Huanyou hovering within the pit beside Yuan Jinsheng.
How could this be? Lin Xiao thought. Hadn't the former king already perished on the surface?
Before Lin Xiao could fully process the situation, the Grandmaster suddenly let out a cold chuckle.
"I had intended to sacrifice all of you today, but... never mind. It seems our time together will be long. I'll let you go... for now."
As his voice faded, the Grandmaster's figure began to blur and fade, becoming more and more transparent.
"He's trying to escape!" someone shouted, realizing the situation.
Having spent days chasing this vile Grandmaster, the cultivators could not allow him to flee now. The nine of them lunged forward, attempting to stop him.
But it was too late. Their hands passed through empty air, as if grabbing at nothing but shadows. The Grandmaster had already disappeared from the heart of the cavern.
Ignoring the vanished Grandmaster, Lin Xiao rushed over to Yuan Jinsheng, who was still in the pit, and tried to help him out so he could begin healing him. Yuan Jinsheng’s condition was dire, and lingering in the cave any longer could prove fatal.
However, as Lin Xiao attempted to lift him, he found that Yuan could not be moved at all.
Upon closer inspection, Lin Xiao realized that Yuan was still bound by the remnants of the formation. Wasting no time, Lin Xiao unleashed a series of powerful spells, bombarding the surroundings and completely destroying the formation.
As the formation shattered, the threads of blood and energy that had been suspended in the air retracted back into the bodies of the mortals and Yuan Jinsheng. Only then was Lin Xiao able to pull Yuan out of the pit.
While the other cultivators searched the area for any trace of the Grandmaster, they captured the remaining Destruction Cultivators, binding them tightly.
The mortal women, having been affected less severely by the Destruction Stones than the cultivators, were in relatively better condition. One of the Nascent Soul cultivators spoke up:
"The Grandmaster may have escaped, but we’ve captured the rest. This place is dangerous. We should leave quickly."
No one disagreed. Every cultivator, regardless of their strength, found the oppressive energy of the Destruction Stones unbearable.
Lin Xiao was considering how to transport the unconscious mortal women when he spotted several large sacks discarded in a corner. Just as he was about to retrieve them, he saw one of the cultivators casually wave his hand twice, instantly awakening the unconscious Destruction Cultivators and the mortal women.
Lin Xiao silently cursed himself for not thinking of that. Though he had gained powerful cultivation abilities, he still occasionally forgot the simplest of solutions.
With everyone awake, a Nascent Soul cultivator stepped forward and brusquely instructed the mortals, “Get up and walk, unless you want to stay here and die.”
Meanwhile, the bound Destruction Cultivators were pulled along by the cultivators as they prepared to leave.
The confused mortal women, unsure of where they were or what had happened, stood dazed. However, one of the younger women, who appeared to be about sixteen, suddenly recognized someone. With a startled cry, she called out, “Father!”
Stumbling forward, the girl—or rather, the young man disguised as a girl—rushed to Yuan Jinsheng, his voice trembling with emotion.
It was none other than Shen Yingzi, Yuan Jinsheng’s son. Tears filled Shen’s eyes as he frantically asked Lin Xiao, "Sir, what’s happened to my father? Is he... going to be alright?"
Seeing that everyone was now leaving the cave, Lin Xiao shifted Yuan Jinsheng onto his back and said to Shen Yingzi, "This is not the place to discuss it. We’ll talk once we’re outside."
With that, he began the long trek out of the cave, carrying Yuan Jinsheng on his back.
In the meantime, the three Nascent Soul cultivators used their spiritual energy to hurry along the remaining mortals and Destruction Cultivators, pushing them forward. Despite the energy-draining effects of the Destruction Stones, they no longer cared about the cost. What mattered now was getting out of the cursed cave.
After what felt like an eternity, the group finally reached the surface.
It was almost dawn. The moon hung low in the sky, fading as the first hints of daylight approached.
The nine mortal women huddled together, watching the group of powerful cultivators with wide, fearful eyes. They had no idea what fate awaited them or how they had come to be in this terrifying place.
With Yuan Jinsheng now outside, another familiar cultivator stepped forward to tend to his injuries while Shen Yingzi stayed by his father’s side, anxiously watching over him.
The captured Destruction Cultivators, still bound, were quickly taken away by two of the Nascent Soul cultivators and the team of Golden Core cultivators who had been waiting outside. They were to be delivered to the Allied Army for interrogation and punishment.
As the remaining cultivators settled down to rest for a moment, Lin Xiao noticed the nine mortal women trembling in the cold morning air. Feeling pity for them, he walked over and set up a small warming array around them.
“Don’t be afraid,” he reassured them. “We’ll make sure to take you back to your homes soon. Just tell us where you’re from.”
One of the women, who had a cheerful face despite her fear, nervously spoke up, “I… I’m from Qianzhong County, in Linxi City. Will you really take us back?”
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