Chapter 137: Miserably Unlucky

The Hehuan Demonic Sect has endured multiple massacres over countless years of its inheritance. This particular branch only rose to prominence four thousand years ago, so it's understandable that parts of its sect's legacy are missing or fragmented.

The purpose of seeking the Ancestral Lust Demon was simply to pursue ancient legends, performing lust rituals in the form of a 'Boundless Gathering' to replicate the legendary deeds of their ancestor's teachings. It was not to break any seal. Besides, they didn't have the ability to do so.

Wang Yu had studied many ancient historical texts. Some personal biographies of cultivators spanned centuries, cross-referencing with ancient history and providing invaluable insights. He vaguely grasped the gist of Chang Xi's explanation and believed it to be true. For instance, three hundred years ago, the righteous and demonic factions had just concluded a major war. The cause was reportedly that the leader of the demonic path, the Heaven Forging Demonic Sect, wanted to contact a true demon — "Life" — which the Sky Void Sword Sect had suppressed within their forbidden grounds.

Now, with the increasing minor activities from the demonic path, it's hard to say what direction events will take. However, what was Chang Xi's purpose in telling him all this?

Wang Yu looked at her with suspicious eyes. She abruptly changed the subject.

"The Scarlet Kite Demonic Domain and the Taihu Spirit Domain are divided east and west by the Severing Mountains. Black Mountain Pass lies precisely on the central axis. The northern Severing Mountains begin at the Withered Leaf Swamp and extend north to the Endless Ice Plain. To the south is the Coiled Dragon Mountain Range, also known as the 'Southern Severing Mountains,' which starts from the Black Mountain Demon Territory and stretches south to the Savage Ancient Plain. According to what you said, the area around Black Wind Stronghold is the Hehuan Sect's territory."

As soon as she finished speaking, Wang Yu seemed to have a premonition, and a sense of unease intensified within him.

Just as he expected!

Chang Xi's eyes gleamed as she said, "According to your account, you decided to cross the Black Mountain Demon Territory during your Qi Condensation period, and by chance, you gained the opportunity to cultivate your body and establish your foundation. You successfully broke through here. Given the dangers of the Black Mountain Demon Territory, you must have acquired a safe route map to cross the treacherous area; otherwise, you wouldn't have possessed such determination. Am I correct?!"

What a remarkably intelligent woman. Based on logical deduction, her guess was absolutely reasonable. Wang Yu's throat felt dry, and he couldn't think of any reason to deny it.

"So, Fellow Daoist Chang, you want me to lead the way and guide you to block the Hehuan demonic cultivators' retreat route in advance?"

"Precisely."

Wang Yu was speechless.

Wang Yu had to bite the bullet and say, "It's not that I don't want to help, but there isn't necessarily just one safe route. With the Hehuan Sect's power, they're sure to find more routes, and I…"

"Fellow Daoist, are you truly unwilling?"

The atmosphere quickly grew silent and began to turn ominous. Although Chang Xi possessed a righteous heart, she was not constrained by the methods used; as long as the outcome was good, she could accept it.

Just as Wang Yu secretly regretted his lack of tact and unpracticed habit of blurting things out, a sudden explosion erupted from the east, covering a vast area. Though he didn't know the distance, the strong wind even ruffled his hair.

Chang Xi's expression became solemn. A strange male voice suddenly came from the jade pendant on her waist: "Senior Sister Moonlight, Uncle Yi has encountered demons from the Hehuan Sect. There are over three hundred enemies. From where we separated, head three thousand two hundred li east. Come quickly to support!"

Sound-transmitting jade pendants varied in value depending on their range. Currently, the highest grade allowed communication over a hundred thousand li, capable of ignoring arrays and restrictions below the fourth tier. They were quite valuable. The one on Chang Xi's waist, even if not top-tier, was undoubtedly a high-quality item. This suggested that among the many Sword Sect disciples operating outside, she was likely at a superior level, perhaps even from a prominent family.

Wang Yu, who had been observing the entire time, quietly let out a sigh of relief. What good timing; a moment later and he would have been truly mired. Since the Hehuan demonic cultivators had appeared, there was naturally no need for him to lead the way.

At the same time, not far away, Lan Boting, who had just ambushed Wang Yu, shouted from a distance: "Senior Sister Moonlight, Uncle Yi's side is calling for help. Time is urgent. Let's kill that demon spawn and depart!"

Silence! Wang Yu swore he had never encountered such a disgusting person, even among the demonic path. He would remember this. His murderous gaze swept over her, then cautiously fixated on Chang Xi in front of him. If they truly fought, he had only a ten percent chance of escaping.

In the field, at some unknown point, the moon-white longsword with a crescent moon gem embedded in its round hilt had been picked up by a slender, delicate hand.

Chang Xi gave Wang Yu a complex look, as if recalling some unpleasant memory, and sighed: "You may go. I won't kill you."

Hearing this, Wang Yu didn't hesitate. He immediately activated his Thousand-Li Divine Traverse to its maximum and then used an invisibility spell, disappearing completely into the forest.

"Sigh~"

"Pitiable people often have hateful aspects. My apologies."

Finally out of danger, Wang Yu had no intention of lingering. This dreadful place was truly unbearable. He bypassed the now familiar beast territories along the way and headed north. Along the way, he passed Black Xiong City, located far behind Black Mountain Pass, but had no intention of entering. He wanted to go to the Withered Leaf Swamp and hide in a muddy pit.

Swamps were filled with putrid ammonia, poisonous miasma, and venomous insects, making them unsuitable for long-term human habitation. He refused to believe that at this late stage of his journey, he still couldn't find a place free from disturbance. Nine months! He only needed nine months!

Once he returned to the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect, he could claim to outsiders that he had luckily broken through using the 'Foundation Seizing Great Law.' To the three young masters in the Enforcement Hall who had invested in him, he could explain that his breakthrough was achieved using the Demonic Embryo Secret Spell. This would naturally increase his value, and then leveraging their connections would become straightforward. At that time, by choosing a good location to establish his residence and gather wealth, taking control of a city, he wouldn't have to worry about resources from Foundation Establishment to Core Formation. His plans for the future had always been very clear.

Now, he just needed a little bit of luck. Just a little would be enough!

However, it seemed that bad omens were more effective than good ones; sometimes, the more you dreaded something unfortunate, the more likely it was to happen.

Wang Yu fled north almost without stopping. Even with most of his spiritual power depleted, he could continue to run thanks to the endurance of his Foundation Establishment body cultivation. He had run an unknown number of li from south to north. But he had run for three whole days!

Once he felt he was close to his destination, he wanted to ask someone about the precise location of the Withered Leaf Swamp and, while he was at it, buy a basic map. As a result, he encountered something that made him curse his bad luck.

Withered Leaf City. Tuolong Market, Laifu Restaurant.

"Fellow Daoist, don't bother asking about that. It's a lost cause for now; try again later."

"Why is that?"

"Three days ago, news spread from the Black Mountain Demon Territory that a Sword Sect Core Formation cultivator fought with demonic cultivators. Both sides suffered heavy losses; all the demonic cultivators were wiped out, and the Sword Sect lost one early Foundation Establishment cultivator. The victorious Core Formation senior was furious and ordered the eradication of the problem, seeking trouble for the Vulture Peak Sect. We're not far from Vulture Peak, and we've already been forcibly conscripted."

Wang Yu's eyes widened. "No, is this really so unlucky? It happened again? Could I be under some malicious curse?!!"

But that's not right! The Vulture Peak Sect didn't have much territory, only jurisdiction over two or three cities, with Stone Lake City being one of them. Their sect gate should be closer to the Black Mountain Demon Territory.

(End of chapter)