Serpent Ancestor

Inserting spies is something anyone can do, even trusted aides can be bought off, let alone rogue cultivators.

Xu Qingfeng had also planted spies within the Four Sects Alliance, otherwise, he wouldn’t have known the location of the Heavenly Puppet Sect’s stronghold.

As for the injuries on his body, they were indeed real.

However, as one of the first to enter the Blood Corpse Cave, he had acquired quite a few ancient pills. Among them was a fourth-tier healing sacred pill, the Blood Locking Pill!

The Blood Locking Pill only works when one is gravely injured and on the brink of death, allowing Xu Qingfeng to maintain a severely injured state without dying.

Of course, the Blood Locking Pill he obtained had lost most of its potency over the long years, only able to sustain him for a short while.

”It’s time to retreat.”

Xu Qingfeng glanced at Lei He, who was busy putting out fires everywhere, and mocked, ”Lei He, tell your pawns to be more mindful, and stop feeding you false information to trap you!”

He didn’t forget to throw in a taunt before leaving.

With a wave of his hand, Xu Qingfeng poured all his true essence into the Mountain and River Diagram, transforming it into a meteor that carried everyone away into the distance.”Pawns?”

Xu Hei glanced over everyone within the Mountain and River Diagram and shook his head. This matter had nothing to do with him; he was merely in a cooperative relationship with the Chu Tian Alliance, and once they left the ruins, he would part ways.

Compared to demonic beasts, the survival environment for human cultivators was, in some ways, even harsher.

…………

At the same time, another incarnation began its action.

Led by members of the Zhou Family, a large group of rogue cultivators raced through the city, weaving through streets and alleys, arriving at an unexplored area.

The mist in the sky grew thicker, the air was pitch black, and visibility was only about thirty meters, making it difficult to extend one’s divine sense.

In such an environment, corpse puppets could emerge from the shadows at any moment.

Everyone was on high alert, constantly vigilant of their surroundings.

The Zhou Family members also slowed their pace, opting to walk instead of flying.

Moments later, they arrived in front of a grand and majestic mansion.

”We’re here!” Zhou Qingxuan stopped, and Zhou Wendie stood before the mansion, gazing at the plaque above.

All the rogue cultivators focused their attention, staring at the mansion in front of them.

The plaque bore three large characters: City Lord’s Mansion!

”The City Lord’s Mansion of Wuyou City!” Xu Hei was secretly shocked.

There had long been suspicions that the City Lord’s Mansion held great opportunities and secrets of Wuyou City!

However, the location of the City Lord’s Mansion had always been unknown.

Various forces had been exploring, yet they could never find the City Lord’s Mansion.

Now, the Zhou Family had actually been the first to discover its location, which excited Xu Hei.

Not only him, but the rogue cultivators around him exchanged glances, their expressions excited, with some quietly taking out communication jade slips.

”Hmph!”

Zhou Qingxuan let out a cold snort, and an invisible sound wave rippled out. The person who had just taken out a communication jade slip had their arm shattered, screamed in pain, and fell to the ground.

”I know some of you are spies from other forces, but since you’ve taken spirit stones from my Myriad Treasure Pavilion, you should serve the Pavilion. Please refrain from any small actions, or don’t blame me for turning hostile.”

Zhou Qingxuan’s eyes were filled with killing intent, and the terrifying pressure of the Golden Core stage was released, immediately instilling fear in everyone, quelling any thoughts of resistance.

Even the two subordinates loyal to the Heavenly Puppet Sect trembled in fear, clearly feeling the pressure focused on them.

”However, if you all perform well, my Myriad Treasure Pavilion will reward you handsomely once the task is complete. Pills and magical treasures will be yours to choose from!”

A carrot-and-stick approach, Zhou Qingxuan handled it well.

Everyone quickly put away their thoughts, after all, they were paid to do a job.

”No wonder the Zhou Family refused the Heavenly Puppet Sect and deliberately leaked information, they wanted to entangle them in trouble and not compete for the opportunity here!” Xu Hei suddenly understood.

These major forces are not simple!

Now, the Heavenly Puppet Sect is preoccupied, being chased everywhere by corpse puppets, where would they find the time to come to the City Lord’s Mansion?

”The City Lord’s Mansion, haha, Miss Zhou truly is a person of great fortune, a true child of destiny in this era, I did not misjudge!” Tianji Shangren stroked his beard, his smile bright and his mood even more cheerful.

Most of the buildings in Wuyou City had weathered the storms and were in ruins. Yet, the City Lord’s Mansion before them still retained its intact form, with faint powerful spiritual power fluctuations, clearly indicating its extraordinary nature.

At this moment, Zhou Qingxuan took out a large number of formation flags, placing them in various positions to form a formation, isolating the area to prevent anyone from leaving.

Even if someone did discover this place, they wouldn’t be able to break in quickly.

”Foundation Establishment cultivators, please guard within the formation. If anyone approaches, regardless of who they are, kill without mercy! As for those at the Core Formation stage, please follow me inside!”

Zhou Qingxuan said solemnly, then led the way into the City Lord’s Mansion.

Cang Ming, Han Te, and the middle-aged female cultivator followed him into the mansion.

”Only those at the Core Formation stage can enter?”

The rogue cultivators exchanged looks, whispering among themselves.

Suddenly, a figure darted in like lightning, surprisingly a rogue cultivator at the Great Perfection of the Foundation Establishment Stage. This person, confident in their skills, decided to take a risk for the potential great opportunity.

He took out a third-tier spiritual umbrella, held it above his head, and rushed through the door.

But immediately, a scream echoed, and the rogue cultivator was sent flying back, his body shattered, and he fell to the ground, dead on the spot.

”Dead?!”

Gasps erupted from the crowd.

”Hmph! The City Lord’s Mansion has extremely strong spiritual pressure, those below the Core Formation stage cannot enter. Would my Myriad Treasure Pavilion deceive you?” A Zhou Family elder spoke disdainfully.

They recruited these Foundation Establishment cultivators merely to make up the numbers, just to prevent outsiders from noticing anything.

With this, no one doubted anymore, and they all retreated obediently.

Zhou Wendie walked to the door, her body enveloped in a true essence shield, and stepped inside without any rejection.

Seeing this, someone immediately realized something.

”True essence...”

Xu Hei’s eyes flickered, deep in thought.

True essence can only be released after forming a Golden Core, this was the pass to the City Lord’s Mansion.

It wasn’t necessarily about being at the Core Formation stage; as long as you had a way to release true essence, you could enter.

Liu Buqun hesitated for a moment but didn’t act. Although he could also release true essence, it was too risky.

”Does this fellow Daoist also wish to give it a try?”

Tianji Shangren smiled, looking at Xu Hei.

Xu Hei remained silent.

”Haha, fellow Daoist is also a person of great fortune, I am willing to lend you a hand!”

Tianji Shangren smiled slightly, taking out a fingernail-sized Golden Core, from which faint true essence emanated, forming a golden shield.

Xu Hei glanced at the miniature Golden Core and said, ”What do you mean by this?”

”The more people there are, the greater the chance of obtaining the opportunity here. I just want to form a good relationship with you, nothing more.” Tianji Shangren smiled.

Xu Hei’s face remained expressionless, but he was on guard inside.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch!

Tianji Shangren had been mysterious and unpredictable from the start, with unclear intentions, always trying to get close.

Talking about fortune and destiny, what was he after?

Xu Hei shook his head and said, ”No need for your trouble, I don’t wish to form any good relationships with someone I don’t know!”

Tianji Shangren’s smile vanished instantly.

Clearly, Xu Hei’s response was unexpected.