Chapter 323: Truth Revealed

True cultivation involves utilizing the power of heaven and earth to enhance one's own strength. The power of these runic patterns, however, merely seals temporary abilities within the body using runes as a medium, without significantly improving one's actual meridians.

Xu Yang hadn't anticipated that this very aspect would become a fatal hidden danger exposed during the absorption of the fire seed!

"Oh no… this girl seems to have had her cultivation instincts sealed away. Even guiding energy into her meridians isn't smooth. The Profound Fire energy in her dantian is still almost its original size. If she can't absorb it quickly and truly make it a part of her body, there's a risk her spiritual sea might collapse if this continues!"

With this thought in mind, Xu Yang immediately provided Ling Qingshu with guidance and further urged her to accelerate her refining pace.

However, the awkward truth was that the girl was merely anxious and full of eagerness to absorb, yet she lacked the necessary ability and methods. She relied almost entirely on Xu Yang throughout the process, which was somewhat awkward.

As time gradually slipped by, the entire absorption process proved far slower than anyone had anticipated. In the blink of an eye, dusk had given way to night.

"Yawn…" Long Kun patted his mouth and stretched, already starting to feel sleepy. The Five Golden Flowers and others beside him, whose cultivation foundations were not particularly strong, soon showed signs of fatigue in the core area of the Barren Poison Forest.

"You all should head back to the vehicle to rest. I'll stay here and watch over them."

Long Kun and his companions didn't hesitate, as the area appeared safe from beast invasions. Given its proximity to the volcano, it was unlikely many in the entire Barren Poison Forest would dare approach.

"Alright, thank you, Sister Wushuang. If you get tired, remember to call us to take over!" Little Tuan Tuan also stretched, and Wushuang playfully pinched her cheek, nodding with a smile.

If these individuals knew Wushuang was the supreme Eldest Princess of the Divine Kingdom, they would likely have gone to rest much earlier.

Ling Yao, on the other hand, being a high-tier sword cultivator, possessed strong physical prowess. After greeting Wushuang, she found a spot on the outer perimeter of the volcano.

"I'm not tired. I'll stay with you; it'll be good to have someone to rely on. Just call me if anything happens."

Wushuang nodded in acknowledgment. The other robust men from the Shepherd God clan also volunteered to share tasks with Ling Yao, dispersing into a wide outer circle. This arrangement created the optimal absorption environment for their clan leader and Xu Yang.

Calmly observing Xu Yang, Wushuang's mental strength allowed her to clearly see that from beginning to end, Xu Yang was personally undertaking most of the work. He used his own power and foundation to absorb the majority of the fire seed's scorching energy, thereby ensuring a safe and stable environment for the girl's absorption.

After this baptism of absorption, Ling Qingshu's physical strength, surprisingly, became the strongest in the team, second only to Xu Yang and Wushuang.

In the depth of night, the light emanating from outside the volcano was incredibly bright! The absorption had reached a fever pitch. Ling Qingshu's entire body had turned a blazing golden-red, and she sat cross-legged beneath the night sky, resembling a being of fire.

No one could have anticipated that this supposedly concealed and secure absorption environment would, at almost the exact same moment, suddenly be engulfed by an immense, unforeseen crisis!

Poof!! Without any warning, a group of black-clad figures swiftly moving through the dense forest silently assassinated the outermost sentry of the Shepherd God clan, who had been dozing. With a single, decisive strike, they completely erased all signs of life from the individual. The ruthlessness and sharpness of their attack made it clear they were well-prepared; this was far from a mere chance encounter!

A silent pressure and the looming threat of death quickly spread. The other powerful members of the Shepherd God lineage also seemed to not react immediately and were swiftly eliminated.

Only the last two remaining individuals, who were slightly more alert, finally sensed that something was amiss.

"Intruders!!" After issuing this warning, the Shepherd God warrior's throat was slit as well.

What an existence Ling Yao was! As the deputy commander of the Divine Kingdom's Royal Mercenary Army, her strength was absolutely incomparable to that of the Shepherd God lineage members. The moment she sensed something was wrong, she immediately sent a warning signal to Wushuang, while simultaneously advancing rapidly towards the southwest, in the direction where the Shepherd God clan members had been.

"Clan leader! I sense a powerful martial artist's aura approaching; it must be one of the individuals who were here before." The masked figure leading the black-clad group sneered, "Don't waste time with her; that entire group is not to be trifled with! Just release a tamed beast to keep her occupied. Our true objectives are the fire seed and the woman named Ziling!"

Little did they know, these invaders were none other than the Dangyang clan, who had just recently hosted Xu Yang and his group!

No one could have imagined that this lineage was comprised entirely of ambitious and ruthless individuals! Xu Yang and his companions were even more unaware that the destruction of the Shepherd God clan had been meticulously orchestrated by them. They had deliberately spread false information and incited the Zhanhui clan's attack, taking advantage of the Shepherd God clan's core forces being absent.

At this moment, after receiving Ling Yao's exclusive signal meant for the Divine Kingdom's Royal Guard, a hint of disdain appeared on Wushuang's face. Far from showing any tension or alarm, a faint smile played on her lips.

Finally, dozens of black figures, one after another, guided by the fiery glow and the human silhouette on the hilltop, arrived several hundred meters away from Wushuang and her companions.

"To think the culprits would be you, the Dangyang clan," she remarked.

In the moonlit night, Wushuang's voice sounded ethereal and chilling. Without even seeing her posture or silhouette, simply hearing her voice revealed a graceful bearing unique to those in power, utterly incomparable to that of common mortals.

In that moment, Wushuang resembled a cold and arrogant deity, looking down upon ants she could effortlessly crush.

"You are very astute, young lady. Despite our concealed auras and the cover provided by the Barren Poison Forest's toxins, you still discovered us with such ease. Indeed, it is us." The bronze-skinned clan leader of the Dangyang clan finally removed his mask. His expression was grim, yet a faint smile seemed to confirm his meticulously planned ambition, which now appeared on the verge of fulfillment.

"Could you enlighten me on your precise plans? And how did you manage to find this location?"

"It's quite simple. The dozen or so Shepherd God clan members you encountered were, in fact, our captives, not merely displaced individuals we hosted. All of this, including the Zhanhui clan's assault on the Shepherd God clan, was meticulously orchestrated by us. Our true objective in doing so was to acquire the fire seed! This power is sufficient for us to supplant the Shepherd God clan and become the eternal rulers of Cloudhill Ridge!"