Chapter 108: Thousand Coffins Mirage

The north wind howled, and the sky gradually brightened. Goose-feather snow fell endlessly, blanketing the entire valley in an boundless expanse of white. A vast procession of martial artists from various sects hurried through the valley, their swift steps slowed by the swirling snow.

The valley was vast and empty, and the rhythmic thud of horse hooves echoed like winter thunder. At the front were mounted members of the major sects, who moved quickly and had already reached the center of the valley, creating a significant distance between themselves and those behind. Gu Mo's party, traveling by carriage, was at the very rear.

This time, Gu Chuwinter was not driving the carriage; instead, it was an escort from Changfeng Escort Agency. They were accompanied by several people from Bu'er Villa, along with others from Changfeng Escort Agency and the Tang family, totaling nearly twenty individuals.

Inside the carriage, Yan Sanniang was napping. Gu Chuwinter sat opposite her, not sleeping, but lost in thought with her head bowed. Gu Mo sat cross-legged at the back of the carriage, cultivating his internal energy with his hands resting on his knees. The series of battles the previous night had been his most extensive internal energy expenditure in history, requiring him to deliberately circulate his internal arts for recovery.

Silence filled the carriage.

At one point, Gu Mo slowly concluded his cultivation.

Gu Chuwinter immediately looked up and asked, "Brother, have you recovered?"

Gu Mo nodded slightly. Although he had expended a great deal of energy the previous night, both the Bright Jade Skill and the Nine Yang Divine Skill were cultivation methods known for their exceptionally fast recovery. Even without deliberately cultivating, his internal energy would regenerate automatically, and when he actively circulated his energy, the recovery was naturally swift.

Yan Sanniang lazily opened her eyes slightly, a hint of surprise in her voice. "You fought so intensely last night; have you recovered already?"

Gu Mo nodded slightly. In fact, he had recovered long ago. The reason he remained in a cultivation state was due to the significant insights he gained from last night's battle. Although he had already achieved mastery in both internal energy skills, the intense fight still allowed him to progress. This improvement wasn't in the martial arts themselves, but in his personal mastery over internal energy, gaining more insights. Especially in subtle details, he had acquired greater experience and understanding of precise internal energy deployment.

Throughout the journey, he had been continuously absorbing and processing these gains. In short, last night's battle brought him new understanding and a breakthrough in his comprehension of martial arts. Such comprehension has no upper limit; as the saying goes, "Live and learn." It's like reading a book: even if you read the same book repeatedly, you will always gain different insights at certain times. Martial arts are the same. The same martial art can be understood differently by different people at different times, regardless of whether they have already achieved mastery.

"Where are we now?" Gu Mo asked.

Gu Chuwinter replied, "This place is called Luoying Valley. They say once we pass this valley, it's only about three or four li until we reach Qiandeng Town. However, by the time we get to Qiandeng Town, it's likely that the disciples and members of various sects who stayed there will have already gone to Nanting Villa to confront Nie Dongliu."

Yan Sanniang chuckled, "They won't wait for us to arrive. By now, the people from the major sects should have already reached Nanting Villa. After the battle at Fengming Ferry, all the major sects immediately sent messages via carrier pigeon back to Qiandeng Town. Although the main leaders of the major sects were all here, they had left influential members in Qiandeng Town. Moreover, there are three Grandmasters in Qiandeng Town, so they won't be disorganized or slow. Especially with Sect Leader Qi there, he can rally the various sects in Qiandeng Town with just a word. So, organizing manpower in Qiandeng Town won't take much time at all."

"That's true," Gu Chuwinter nodded. "Besides Sect Leader Qi, there's also Sword Head Li Qiuyu and Sword Obsessive Wu Liuzhi. They'll surely move quickly to confront Nie Dongliu. My only concern is that Nie Dongliu might escape."

Yan Sanniang said, "Where could he run? At most, he'd flee to the White Tiger Sub-Branch of the Moon Worship Cult. But this gathering of martial artists is already aimed at attacking the Moon Worship Cult. Adding Nie Dongliu won't make much difference, nor will his defection stop the war between righteous and demonic forces."

Just then, the carriage abruptly halted, its body shaking violently. Outside, a commotion instantly erupted. Horse neighs rose and fell, sharp and frantic, startling the remaining flowers from the branches. Interspersed with the neighs were human cries: shouts of fear, angry shouts of reprimand, all overlapping and rushing in like a tide. Immediately after, the clang of metal, the whistling of weapons cutting through the air, the dull thuds of bodies meeting, and painful screams intertwined. The sounds of battle instantly permeated the entire valley.

Before Gu Mo and the others could even ask, a sharp whistle pierced the air. An arrow, cutting through the wind, shot directly into the carriage. Gu Mo reacted swiftly, reaching out and firmly grasping it. But in an instant, arrows rained down like locusts, an overwhelming barrage. Gu Mo's heart tightened. Without thinking, he extended his long arms, embracing Yan Sanniang with his left and Gu Chuwinter with his right. Activating his Qinggong (lightness skill), he swiftly darted out of the carriage like a swallow skimming water.

With light steps, he took a few leaps and bounds, reaching the cover of a large boulder. At the same time, he spun around, exerting force to pull the carriage crashing down, positioning it as a barrier in front of them. Arrows struck the carriage with loud thuds, splinters flying, the sounds rapid and urgent. The valley was already in chaos.

Gu Chuwinter and Yan Sanniang leaned against the boulder and looked out. They saw Moon Worship Cult members swarming into view on both sides of the valley above, clinging to the cliff faces like ants, densely packed. With powerful bows drawn, they unleashed a rain of arrows, accompanied by sharp whistling sounds, showering the valley floor.

In the valley, martial artists from various sects were caught off guard, their formations in disarray. Warhorses neighed frantically, bolting in fright, their hooves churning up dust mixed with blood, turning the ground into a muddy mess. People scattered, some rolling on the ground, others raising their swords to parry. The clang of weapons colliding echoed incessantly amidst the panic. For a time, screams filled the valley, flesh and blood flew, and casualties were everywhere.

Gu Chuwinter, crouching beside the carriage, saw Tang Buyi running in panic. She immediately unleashed a handful of steel beads, continuously firing them to deflect arrows aimed at Tang Buyi, shouting, "Tang Buyi, come this way!" Tang Buyi seemed to see a savior and scrambled over. Gu Chuwinter continued to unleash steel beads. Her Flicking Finger Divine Skill was actually only at the beginner level. However, relying on the True Qi of her seventh-level Bright Jade Skill, she forcefully transformed this technique, originally meant for hidden weapons, into a direct and powerful combat style.

Under Gu Chuwinter's cover, Tang Buyi finally crawled over, collapsing onto the snow, leaning against the rock, and gasping for breath while patting her chest. "Oh, Chuwinter sis, you're my savior from now on!" she exclaimed, relieved. "If it weren't for you, I would have lost my life!"

Gu Chuwinter teased, "Alright, my dear grandson! But your Tang family's Heavenly Star Swordplay is quite renowned in the Jianghu. If your father saw your performance just now, he'd probably kill you!"

Tang Buyi replied, "I'm not cut out for martial arts. I've memorized the Heavenly Star Swordplay manual perfectly, but I can't actually *use* it. My only purpose in memorizing it is to prevent the martial art from being lost one day. I genuinely can't even perform a single move."

Gu Chuwinter chuckled and said, "Don't lie there. There's a gap; if someone sees you, you'll become a living target."

Tang Buyi startled, quickly stood up, and moved closer to Gu Mo. Peeking her head out to observe the chaotic situation in the valley, she said, "This is troublesome. The valley walls are steep on both sides. Unless a master with exquisite movement techniques can avoid the arrow rain and charge up to take out the Moon Worship Cult's archers, otherwise, we'll be trapped like turtles in a jar here in this valley."

"Even masters wouldn't dare to charge," Gu Mo shook his head slightly. "Because no one can guarantee that there aren't masters among the Moon Worship Cult members. If one were to charge up now, they would not only be a living target but also risk being ambushed by Moon Worship Cult masters."

"What do we do then?" Tang Buyi asked.

"Wait," Yan Sanniang interjected. "There are many trees and rocks in Luoying Valley. The various sects were just caught off guard, causing chaos, but they've already reacted and will quickly find cover. Furthermore, the government heavily controls weapons like bows and crossbows. The Moon Worship Cult can't possibly have too many, or else the government would have noticed long ago. You know, privately possessing bows, crossbows, and armor is tantamount to rebellion. A small quantity might go unnoticed or be ignored by the authorities, but a large quantity changes the nature of the situation entirely."

The situation on the ground was indeed very similar to Yan Sanniang's analysis. Initially, caught off guard, the various sects suffered heavy losses. However, once they reacted, they quickly sought cover. The valley had plenty of trees and rocks, making good cover easy to find. Additionally, the Moon Worship Cult stopped firing after a few rounds, likely having exhausted most of their arrows.

Immediately after, ropes began to descend from the cliffs. Numerous Moon Worship Cult members climbed down from the cliff tops. In an instant, battle cries erupted like rolling thunder on the steep walls on both sides of Luoying Valley. Hundreds of Moon Worship Cult followers, clad in black robes, surged down from both sides of the valley like a tumultuous black tide. They wielded sharp blades, their cold glint reflecting their ferocious faces, sweeping down with swirling dust, unstoppable.

The martial artists from various sects charged out to meet the enemy. In an instant, the valley was filled with flashing blades and swords, and the deafening sounds of battle cries and clashing weapons intertwined. Blood splattered, mixing with falling snowflakes, staining the ground a bizarre crimson. Masters from various sects unleashed their unique techniques: fists whistled, sword energy crisscrossed, and the fighting intensified.

Gu Mo felt a bit awkward. Because he couldn't see, if he acted in such a chaotic melee, he might accidentally harm allies. Fortunately, with Yan Sanniang, Gu Chuwinter, and A Qi, who had just charged over, Gu Mo didn't need to intervene. The various martial arts sects and the Moon Worship Cult fought to a deadlock.

Just as the battle reached a stalemate, strange sounds suddenly echoed from above the valley. Everyone looked up to see nearly a hundred coffins plummeting like black meteors. These coffins were bound together by interlocking iron chains, striking the ground with heavy, dull thuds. The moment they landed, the coffins shook violently, as if something inside was eager to break free. Immediately after, thick mist, carrying a pungent odor, spewed from their seams and quickly spread.

Wherever the mist reached, visibility was obstructed, and everything appeared blurry. Coughs and gasps rose one after another. Some people, accidentally inhaling the mist, instantly felt their limbs weaken and their heads spin, making the battle even more chaotic.

Shang Buyu, who had just slain a Moon Worship Cult follower, suddenly changed his expression drastically and shouted, "It's the Thousand Coffin Mirage Mist! Everyone, hold your breath and quickly retreat out of the valley!"

Gu Mo, hearing this, was slightly taken aback. He had heard of the Thousand Coffin Mirage Mist; it was the signature technique of Jushan Yin, the second-ranked wanted criminal on Yunzhou's Black List. People in the Jianghu called it "A Thousand Coffins Emerge from the Tomb, No One Survives!" The Thousand Coffin Mirage Mist was truly notorious in the Jianghu.

When Shang Buyu called out the name "Thousand Coffin Mirage Mist," members of the major sects looked terrified and staggered backward in a hasty retreat. Seeing this, the Moon Worship Cult followers did not pursue; they merely stood their ground. Then, strange cackles inexplicably emerged within the valley, echoing and adding a sinister chill to the air.

Just when everyone thought they had temporarily escaped danger, something even more horrifying occurred. The fallen coffins, as if manipulated by an unseen force, slowly lifted off the ground, spinning in the air. Then, like cannonballs, they madly shot towards the members of the various sects. With several dull thuds, a few disciples at the rear, unable to dodge, were violently struck by the coffins. They flew through the air, crashing heavily onto the ground, their fates unknown. Immediately after, the coffin lids sprang open, and a putrid stench assailed them. Before anyone could react, the coffins, like gaping mouths, swallowed the people near them.

Everyone watched this scene in horror, wanting to rush forward and rescue, but too terrified by the eerie spectacle to approach. Moments later, the swallowed individuals were "spit" out from the coffins. But they no longer resembled living people; only ghastly white skeletons remained, their hollow eye sockets seemingly narrating endless terror. The scene was utterly terrifying and chilling to the bone.

For a moment, an eerie scene unfolded in the valley. Over a hundred coffins floated through the air, while hundreds of Jianghu members ran for their lives, pursued relentlessly. From time to time, individuals were chased down and swallowed by the coffins.

Shang Buyu, Wu Tianfang, and other leaders of various sects knew that this could not continue. They had to find a way to counter it and quickly convened without a word.

"Everyone, we must destroy these coffins!" Shang Buyu declared. "Otherwise, we don't know how many more will die. More importantly, people are dying without even seeing Jushan Yin, the mastermind behind this!"

"How do we destroy them?" Jiang Wanzhao asked.

Shang Buyu explained, "I once heard my master say that Jushan Yin's Thousand Coffin Mirage Mist, though terrifying in appearance, is actually a grand coffin formation. It connects over a hundred coffins with refined iron chains, and then about a dozen martial arts masters who cultivate the Mirage Mist hide inside those coffins to control them, moving them along specific formation routes. So, the Thousand Coffin Mirage Mist, while seemingly formidable, primarily relies on those dozen or so controlling masters and the iron chains connecting the coffins."

Wu Tianfang stated gravely, "Dealing with those people directly is definitely not an option. With over a hundred coffins and only about a dozen people, we can't pinpoint where they are hiding. Moreover, those coffins are made of refined steel and mutually support each other; if one is in trouble, others will assist. Once we enter, we'll be trapped. Therefore, we can only cut the iron chains."

"Exactly," Shang Buyu nodded.

"This..." Xiao Jinghong said with a troubled expression, "Senior Shang, if it were before last night, I would have been confident in snapping those iron chains with my bare hands. However, after my duel with Senior Gu last night, I sustained heavy injuries. Now, I only have about thirty to forty percent of my internal energy left, plus internal injuries. It would be very difficult to break those refined iron chains."

Chang Siye, the leader of the Flying Fish Gang, and Wu Tianfang both looked embarrassed. Their situations were similar to Xiao Jinghong's. All of them secretly resented Nie Dongliu. If not for Nie Dongliu's false accusations against Gu Mo, they wouldn't have fought so desperately with Gu Mo. They wouldn't have fallen to such a state, unable to deal with just these few coffins without even seeing Jushan Yin's face.

Shang Buyu quickly said, "I know. However, you gentlemen needn't worry. My White Moon Sword is a divine weapon, cutting through iron like mud. Senior Jiang's Sky-Cold Sword and my junior brother Shen's Immaculate Sword are also divine weapons that can cut those iron chains. However, this process requires your help, the three of you, because while we cut the chains, we need you to cover us to prevent attacks from other coffins."

"No problem."

The few immediately agreed. Chang Si then suddenly said, "Oh, by the way, Miss Yang Qingtong has an Autumn Water Sword, which is also a precious sword that cuts through iron like mud. I fought her last night, and I was almost severely injured by that sword several times."

Shen Bai suddenly interjected, "The Autumn Water Sword is currently in Gu Mo's hands!"

"Hmm, where is Senior Gu?" Shang Buyu suddenly asked. Everyone else also felt a sense of doubt.

Just then, several loud "boom," "boom," "boom" sounds suddenly echoed through the valley. Everyone quickly looked. They saw Gu Mo's group surrounded by several coffins, while Gu Mo was striking them left and right. With each palm strike, a mighty dragon-shaped internal energy roared forth, carrying with it an overwhelming force, like a furious dragon amidst thunder, shocking and awe-inspiring.

Coffins forged from pure refined iron, under his fierce palm strikes, proved as fragile as paper. Several were directly shattered into pieces, one after another. Everyone was stunned, still reeling, when they saw Gu Mo's figure flash. His hands, like iron pliers, firmly gripped several iron chains that had fallen to the ground.

Gu Mo took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling violently, then let out a furious roar: "Get down here!" His voice, like a massive bell, reverberated through the valley, making everyone's eardrums ache and their hearts tremble with fear.

At that moment, veins bulged on Gu Mo's arms as his internal energy surged throughout his body, continuously flowing into his arms. With a roar that shook the valley, he planted his feet firmly, like ancient tree roots, and with powerful hands, violently pulled backward. This pull seemed capable of altering the very landscape. Instantly, fierce winds whipped up, sending sand and stones flying. His long hair streamed wildly, and his clothes flapped violently. Under the suppression of his immense aura, the hundred-plus coffins, like kites with severed strings, lost control and plunged downwards.

One after another, they crashed to the ground with heavy thuds, like dumplings falling into a pot, resounding with dull thuds and rumbling as they hit the ground, kicking up large clouds of dust. Many coffins also collided with each other, revealing that most of them were only wrapped in iron sheets on the outside, while their interiors were made of wood. There weren't many genuine refined iron coffins.

The accumulated snow on the ground was kicked up by this powerful impact, and snowflakes soared everywhere, like a sudden avalanche. Gu Mo stood before this "avalanche," his long hair flying wildly, resembling an earthly devastator!

The coffins, upon landing, shook violently, as if corpses inside were about to reanimate.

"Senior Gu is mighty!"

At that moment, Shang Buyu quickly shouted, "Fellow martial artists, quickly act! Cut those iron chains!" Immediately, Jiang Wanzhao and Shen Bai rushed forward. Other individuals with good quality weapons also dashed forward.

In just a moment, most of the iron chains connecting the coffins were severed, and the Chain-Linked Coffin Formation was broken. The coffins that had been shaking moments ago now became still.

The scene suddenly fell silent. However, the atmosphere was extremely oppressive.

And in the very next moment, about a dozen coffins suddenly took flight, swooping towards the members of the various sects.