Chapter 131: Found

The rain poured down, large raindrops hammering the ground, splashing up layers of water like countless shattered silver pearls. Flashes of lightning tore through the night sky, followed by deafening rolls of thunder.

Ye Lingsu quietly exited the inn, reached the backyard, and effortlessly leaped away without disturbing anyone. Her steps were unsteady, and her eyes were blank and lifeless, as if she were a puppet drained of its soul.

Rain streamed down her hair and cheeks; her soaked clothes clung tightly to her, outlining her slender figure. Unaware of the torrential rain and strong winds around her, she walked mechanically towards the depths of the alley.

The alley reeked of decay and dampness, and the dim light was fragmented by the rain.

Just then, a figure in black abruptly appeared. With palms pressed together, he moved with fierce momentum, striking directly at Ye Lingsu's chest.

At that moment, several glints of cold light sliced through the rain curtain. A few steel beads, whistling sharply, tore through the air and accurately shot towards the black-clad figure.

The black-clad figure quickly retreated.

In that instant, a loud shout echoed through the rainy night: "Sister!"

At the same moment, Ye Lingsu seemed to awaken from a dream, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. She then fixed her gaze on the black-clad figure in the alley and roared, "You scoundrel, you really intend to harm me!"

With an enraged cry, Ye Lingsu rapidly flipped her palms, and an intensely cold, bone-chilling aura instantly condensed in their centers.

This chilling energy seemed capable of freezing everything. In the stormy night, it caused the surrounding raindrops to instantly crystallize into ice, falling with a soft patter. With a sweep of her elegant arm, her palms, infused with icy energy, shot out like two streaks of cold light, fiercely attacking the black-clad figure.

Simultaneously, familiar sharp whistles came from the darkness again, as steel beads once more cut through the wind, aimed directly at the black-clad figure.

The steel beads darted through the rain curtain with an unstoppable momentum, echoing Ye Lingsu's icy palm energy, further restricting the black-clad figure's movements.

Just as this tense moment unfolded, several figures swiftly darted out from both sides.

They were Ye Wanyue, Daoist Qingyun, and Gu Chudong, who was flicking steel beads as he ran.

Seeing the unfavorable situation, the black-clad figure showed no hesitation. He violently waved his hand, and over a dozen smoke bombs instantly detonated around him. Billowing thick smoke rapidly spread, merging with the darkness of the rainy night.

When the smoke slightly cleared, everyone looked intently, only to find that the black-clad figure had vanished without a trace, leaving behind only a messy alley and the still raging storm.

At this moment, under the cover of night, the vanished black-clad figure was stealthily moving like a ghost through the darkness. Unbeknownst to him, not far behind, another figure, like a specter, was following, maintaining a certain distance.

This was Gu Mo.

As he tracked, he scattered spices, leaving a trail.

Behind him, Sang Tugong and Daoist Yuan were leading disciples from Canglan Sword Sect and Qiushan Sword School in pursuit. However, they were not making a grand display; instead, they were following the trail left by Gu Mo.

No other sects were with them, because when the plan was decided, Sang Tugong only trusted Qiushan Sword School among the various sects currently in Cangshan Town. Therefore, apart from the two parties involved, the Dual Immortals of Snow Ridge and Daoist Qingyun, only Gu Mo and his sister, and Daoist Yuan knew of today's plan.

Soon, Gu Mo pursued the black-clad figure to a small courtyard.

The courtyard was secluded and very quiet.

The black-clad figure quickly entered a study. He took down a book from a bookshelf, lightly pressed a spot inside, and the bookshelf parted, revealing a secret passage.

Inside was a spacious hall. Blazing torches were distributed around, their flickering light illuminating the entire hall brightly.

In the very center of the hall was a massive blood pool. Within it, blood surged and churned, emitting a pungent, sickening stench. Above the blood pool, a raised platform stood starkly, exuding an eerie aura.

On the platform, a mystical grand formation shimmered faintly. Five colossal bronze chains rose from the depths of the blood pool, securing a central platform of ten-zhang-square red copper.

Five deep blood grooves were carved into the platform's edge, each embedded with a different sacrificial item: In the Eastern Azure Dragon position lay a thousand-year-old dark wood, its bark covered with cinnabar talismans. In the Western White Tiger position stood a seven-foot cold iron sword, its blade plunged into a pool of boiling mercury. In the Southern Vermilion Bird position, raging flames burned, their core strangely forming the shape of a phoenix head. In the Northern Black Tortoise position, a Kunlun cold jade tablet was suppressed, its surface oozing a faint blue light. The central Qilin position was the scarlet blood pool itself, within which nine gold-thread-bound corpses floated and sank.

On the platform, in the blood groove before the dark wood (representing Wood element, East) lay a heart, and in the blood groove before the sword (representing Metal element, West) also lay a heart. Both hearts had clearly been removed from a human body long ago, yet they were still beating, astonishingly emitting a rhythmic "thump-thump" sound.

However, the three blood grooves representing Water (North), Fire (South), and Earth (Center) were currently empty. Inside, a strange, thumb-sized insect could be vaguely seen squirming, appearing very grotesque.

Behind the platform, a figure shrouded in black mist sat on a chair.

The black-clad figure entered the hall and immediately removed his veil, revealing a sallow face with prominent cheekbones and sunken cheeks, as if the flesh had been drained. Sparse hair clung to his scalp like withered grass, with a few unruly strands hanging over his forehead.

This person was none other than Mourning Ghost, ranking third among the Ten Great Evils.

Mourning Ghost knelt on the ground, his face filled with terror as he looked at the black mist-shrouded figure on the chair. He stammered, "B-Brother... I'm sorry... I... the mission failed. They've found out; there was an ambush."

The black mist figure calmly asked, "Then why did you come back?"

Mourning Ghost trembled and said, "Brother, the town is full of people from various sects. Besides here, any other place I go, I'd surely be discovered. But Brother, rest assured, no one could keep up with me; I wouldn't be exposed."

The black mist figure's voice was eerie, dry like a saw cutting through wood. He said, "Mission failure isn't important. It was correct for you to immediately run back here to hide. But your one mistake was that you didn't shake off your tail; you were followed!"

"N-No... Impossible..."

Mourning Ghost hastily said, "I didn't detect anyone following me!"

"If even you could detect him, then would Gu Mo still be worthy of being called a Grandmaster?"

The black mist figure slowly rose and walked over to Mourning Ghost, saying, "When you make a mistake, you must be punished..."

Mourning Ghost's eyes filled with terror. He glanced at the blood pool, so frightened that his heart nearly stopped. He had personally witnessed the other Ten Great Evils, one by one—except for Hanging Ghost and Starved Ghost, who had been killed in Pinggu County—all being thrown into that blood pool and dissolving into a puddle of blood. Now, only he remained.

"Brother, I was wrong, I... I can atone for my sins with new merits... Brother..."

However, the black mist figure merely waved his hand. Mourning Ghost instantly lost consciousness, quickly rose, and voluntarily walked into the blood pool. His body gradually began to melt into blood from bottom to top. Finally, an insect crawled out of his head and swam around in the blood pool.

"Changui, you truly are ruthless!"

At this moment, Ren Tianqi emerged from a secret passage behind the hall. With his hands clasped behind his back, he said, "Nearly all of the Ten Great Evils have ended up in your blood pool. Hmm, I suppose Unstable Ghost, the second one, hasn't gone in yet, has he?"

The black mist figure replied, "Unstable Ghost was the first to go in. Back then, you and I had just begun our cooperation, and he harbored ill intentions, so I used him to refine the Calamity Heart Gu."

Ren Tianqi paused, then chuckled, "It's rumored in the martial world that the Ten Great Evils are sworn brothers. In truth, they were a master and nine servants."

The black mist figure calmly stated, "They were just a few useless individuals. Originally, I lacked assistance, which is why I had no choice but to use them. Now that I am cooperating with Steering Master Ren, these wastes are no longer of use. From now on, I will have to rely heavily on you."

Ren Tianqi smiled, "That's easy to say. I'll also need your extensive help."

The black mist figure paused for a moment, then said, "Steering Master Ren, it's your turn to make an appearance."

Ren Tianqi stated gravely, "Let me make it clear first: my injuries haven't fully recovered. If I face Gu Mo, I won't be able to last long."

The black mist figure said, "Steering Master Ren, no matter what, you can manage for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, right?"

"That's certainly not a problem."

The rain was torrential, accompanied by lightning and thunder.

Gu Mo floated lightly into the courtyard like a falling leaf. Soon after, a cacophony of footsteps approached; it was Sang Tugong and the others in pursuit: over twenty elite disciples from Canglan Sword Sect, a dozen swordsmen from Qiushan Sword School, along with several masters including the Dual Immortals of Snow Ridge, Daoist Qingyun, Daoist Yuan, Sang Tugong, and Gu Chudong.

"Is this the place?" Ye Lingsu was the first to ask.

Gu Mo nodded slightly, pointing to the side room. "That person went in here and then vanished without a trace."

"It seems there's a hidden chamber inside. No wonder various sects have been searching everywhere for days without any clues," Ye Lingsu said. "That Soul-Devouring Gu is truly bizarre."

"Have you taken the antidote?"

"Daoist Qingyun and I have both taken it on the way here," Ye Lingsu replied.

"What now? Should we charge in?" Daoist Yuan asked.

"Charge!" Sang Tugong declared.

Instantly, Daoist Yuan took the lead, swiftly slashing out with his sword. A magnificent surge of sword energy erupted, directly shattering the doors and windows of the side room.

Immediately, everyone drew their weapons and charged forward, following Daoist Yuan.

Just then, Gu Chudong suddenly pulled Gu Mo aside and whispered, "Brother, the Netherworld Epiphyllum!"

Gu Mo was slightly startled, a look of confusion on his face.

Gu Chudong whispered, "Just outside this courtyard, the stem of the Netherworld Epiphyllum that Sister Yan gave us started heating up. It must be sensing traces of the Netherworld Epiphyllum; the flower might be nearby."

Gu Mo's brow furrowed slightly.

Just then, Daoist Yuan and the others were about to rush into the side room. However, as soon as they reached the doorway, iron chains suddenly flew out from within. Two curved blades were entwined around the chains, flying towards Daoist Yuan like reapers' scythes.