Crossing the Cultivation Realm: Two Souls Coexist

After hearing Hu Qing's concerns, the old tortoise gave him a strange look, then glanced at Gu Yang, who was also deep in thought, and scolded him irritably:

"You two lads, you're cultivators at the Dust Refining stage, how come your vision is so narrow and you have no foresight at all!"

It turned its head and looked at the bright moon slowly rising on the horizon, its first rays of light just beginning to fall. Its voice became distant and tinged with a hint of coldness:

"In the rear of the mainland, those so-called prestigious sects, ancient families, and kingdoms large and small..."

They rely on the legacy of their ancestors, occupy this blessed land, and enjoy the best resources.

However, while the border war on the mainland was raging for years and soldiers were dying one after another, they hid in the back and developed in peace, acted arrogantly and domineeringly, accumulated private power, and even secretly colluded with the alien demons!

These parasites have been living freely for far too long!

It withdrew its gaze and looked at Hu Qing and Gu Yang, a fierce glint flashing in its eyes:

"This time, let's make them bleed a lot and produce something tangible."

Not only are the soldiers on the front lines disheartened, but even those old fogies in the Central Region who usually turn a blind eye are probably starting to get restless!

Hu Qing and Gu Yang's eyes lit up when they heard this!

Xiao Zi was even more excited, rubbing her hands together, her little face full of eagerness—to rob someone?

They have a lot of experience in this area!

The old tortoise could tell from their expressions that they had misunderstood, and in anger, it raised its front paw and smacked each of them on the head.

"What are you thinking!" The old tortoise glared, his beard bristling. "This time, you represent the Central Region..."

"We're on official business, clearing the rear and conscripting soldiers! Have some backbone! No petty theft or robbery!"

It paused, then emphasized, "Go knock on their door honestly and openly!"

"Capture those parasites who hogging the position without doing their job, make them realize the situation, and obediently send their clan members and sect elites to the Dongying front lines for training and service! That's the right way!"

After hearing this, Hu Qing and Gu Yang's expressions became even more interesting, perhaps because they were speechless that the old turtle actually thought they would "steal chickens and dogs".

Or perhaps it's the requirement to "honestly go door-to-door" that's more shocking.

For a moment, I didn't even know where to begin with the complaints.

The old tortoise ignored their thoughts and directly pulled out a scroll with a faint spiritual light and an ancient material from its seemingly bottomless shell, handing it to Hu Qing.

"Here you go. This contains detailed information on all the major sects, families, and kingdoms in the eastern and southern territories of the continent."

"We've clearly marked out their highest-ranking combatants, their location at their stronghold, and their sphere of influence."

The old tortoise pointed at the scroll with its claw, "Just follow this and pick some easy targets to squeeze first. Just 'invite' more soldiers back!"

Hu Qing took the scroll, which still carried the warmth of the old tortoise's body. It felt heavy in his hand, as if it carried the fate of countless forces.

He asked, still somewhat uncertainly, "Senior... are you sure you want us to attack so... so openly and directly?"

What if... what if they have some ancient protective formation, or some hidden old monster, that could suddenly kill us...?

"Tsk!" The old tortoise pursed his lips impatiently and sighed, "You two lads have come this far because of luck, strength, and temperament. Why are you still so afraid of everything?"

It's all clearly marked on the map! We don't need to be so polite to these parasites who suck the life out of us in the rear!

Seeing the still hesitant expressions on Hu Qing and Gu Yang's faces, it rolled its eyes and decided that it still needed to give them some real encouragement.

It lowered its voice, speaking in a seductive tone: "How about this... after you've taken down one, if you happen to 'discover' their treasure trove or some kind of secret stash..."

"In the Central Region, you are allowed to 'handle it as you see fit'! Aside from the necessary handover, everything else is yours! How about it?"

"A treasure vault? You'll handle it yourself?!"

Gu Yang and Xiao Zi's eyes instantly shone like luminous pearls!

Their breathing quickened, as if they could already see mountains of gold and silver, and divine weapons beckoning to them. They wished they could sprout wings and fly to the nearest "easy target" sect immediately.

Hu Qing looked at his two "teammates" who had been instantly ignited with enthusiasm and sighed helplessly.

He thought for a moment, then asked a crucial question: "So... how do we ensure they 'voluntarily' send people to the camp? What if they refuse to comply, or they outwardly comply but inwardly resist?"

Upon hearing this question, the old tortoise's previously lazy and playful demeanor suddenly changed!

A cold, pure, and undeniably chilling aura spread out, making the air around it seem to freeze.

It looked at Hu Qing and Gu Yang, its eyes sharp as knives, its voice deep and authoritative, and said, word by word:

"killed."

“The leader shall be killed without exception. If the entire clan or tribe remains obstinate and resists to the bitter end... then leave no one alive.”

Its tone was calm, yet it carried a cruel decisiveness akin to mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

"The situation on the mainland is extremely precarious. What the human race needs is a force that is absolutely obedient to orders and works together!"

We only seek cooperation; we don't need to haggle. Those who don't cooperate are potential threats and have no reason to exist.

The old tortoise's voice was cold and ruthless: "There are plenty of people. Kill a batch of disobedient ones, and naturally more obedient ones, or those who are better able to see reality, will take their place."

Upon hearing this, Hu Qing and Gu Yang swallowed hard, feeling a chill run down their spines.

They seemed to have already foreseen that a bloody storm, tacitly approved or even instigated by the Central Region, sweeping across the eastern and southern parts of the continent, was about to be unleashed by their own hands.

The cold sea breeze ruffled their hair and clothes, carrying a salty, fishy smell and a hint of rust.

The old turtle's eyes grew deep as it gazed at the dark sea in the distance, as if it could see through time and space and witness certain scenes from the past.

It suddenly changed the subject, its tone tinged with a touch of wistfulness:

"In fact, according to some of the original ideas of the Central Region, if you do not go through these trials, we might suggest that you find a place, establish your own sect, develop steadily, and cultivate successors for the human race."

It turned its head and looked at Gu Yang and Hu Qing: "Do you still remember the Xuan Yin Sect that you had contact with before?"

Gu Yang's heart skipped a beat, and he asked uncertainly, "Is it the sect that colludes with the Otherworldly Demons?"

We left early, and afterwards... we still don't know how Zhongyu handled it.

"It's understandable that you don't know," the old tortoise said calmly. "Elder Xia had Sword Boy take you away quickly so that you wouldn't be exposed to the cleansing of these dark sides too early. Shortly after you left, only one person from the Central Region was dispatched."

It paused for a moment, its voice flat, yet carrying an invisible stench of blood:

"One man and one sword, and he went to the Xuan Yin Sect."

Three days later, the entire Xuan Yin Sect, from the sect leader to the servants, was wiped out without exception.

The entire Xuan Yin Mountain was stained with blood, which flowed like rivers, converging into streams that flowed into the sea, turning the surrounding waters a viscous, scarlet color that lingered for months.

Hu Qing and Gu Yang felt a chill run from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads, and they swallowed hard again. They could imagine how horrific and tragic the scene would be.

The old tortoise continued, his tone resolute and leaving no room for argument:

"The Central Region has zero tolerance for collusion with otherworldly demons; it is a top-level taboo!"

Once discovered, the most severe and thorough punishment will be imposed! Only swift and decisive measures can demonstrate a compassionate heart.

If such crimes are not dealt with decisively and ruthlessly enough, they will not deter future offenders.

Then soon a second, a third 'Xuan Yin Sect' will emerge, risking everything for a little profit, and colluding with the otherworldly demons!

Its gaze swept over the shocked faces of Hu Qing and Gu Yang, its voice as cold as iron:

"In the face of such a matter of right and wrong concerning the survival of the race, there is no such thing as innocence."

Once the charges are verified and established, the entire organization must bear the most severe punishment!

Even if there are uninformed or misled individuals among them... they must die!

Only through such complete destruction can we prevent future troubles and deter all those who harbor侥幸心理 (a gambler's mentality)!

"This is the attitude of the Central Region. It is also the bottom line and principle that you need to firmly remember on this trip."