Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

But now, an even greater storm is brewing. The Xuan Yin Sect's conspiracy, the shadow of the extraterrestrial demons, and the hidden dangers of the Eye of Return to Nothingness hang like the Sword of Damocles over their heads.

This trip to the Northern Desert is imperative to interrupt the blood sacrifice and severely damage the Xuan Yin Sect. However, the dangers involved are unimaginable.

Just now, within the reach of his divine sense, those familiar auras—the fiery intensity of the stone iron, the chilling aura of Su Xiao, the focused attention of Zhao Qingyan, the gentleness of Li Xiaocao, the unease of A Yuan, the murderous aura of Wang Hu, the composure of A Tu… and Han Lin’s gaze, filled with relief and anticipation… they would all follow him into this vortex of life and death.

How many people can you take with you? How many people can you bring back?

Shen Mo didn't know. But he knew he had to go. For Qingyunzi's last wish, for the glimmer of hope for all living beings in this world, and for the hard-won foundation of the Qingyun Sect and these vibrant lives, he had to nip the danger in the bud!

He slowly stood up, walked to the tightly closed door of Qingyun Hall, and reached out to gently stroke the cold, heavy door. Inside the door lay the eternal resting place of ancient heroes, the source of the sect's spirit.

"Senior," Shen Mo murmured to himself, his voice exceptionally clear in the silent night, "Your unfinished business and your ambition to protect all living beings are etched in my heart. This journey to the Northern Desert to slay demons and monsters, to sever their claws and fangs, is the first step in fulfilling this ambition. May your spirit in heaven bless my Qingyun disciples, ensuring a victorious start and a safe return."

As soon as he finished speaking, he bowed solemnly to the palace gate.

After the ceremony, Shen Mo turned around, his gaze now one of icy calm and resolute determination. The emotions and turmoil that had arisen in his heart due to the passage of time and the circumstances of his fellow disciples had been completely suppressed, transformed into the purest killing intent and fighting spirit.

With a swift movement, he left Qingyun Valley and appeared in the plaza in front of Liuyun Palace. In the darkness, a figure emerged silently like a ghost—it was Su Xiao.

"Sect Leader, Fairy Ling Shuang of Xuanbing Pavilion has sent a message that she has dispatched two late-stage Golden Core elders, 'Hanmei' and 'Lengyue,' along with thirty Foundation Establishment elites to arrive at 'Duanhun Ridge' on the outskirts of Blackwater Marsh before noon tomorrow to meet us."

"Master Qingmu of the Hundred Herbs Sect sent his junior brother, Master Qingsong (mid-stage Golden Core), and twenty disciples skilled in healing and detoxification."

"Master Songfeng of Qingmu Temple... sent his son 'Songtao' (early stage of Golden Core) and fifteen disciples skilled in surveying terrain and setting up simple formations to accompany him."

Su Xiaoqing quickly reported in a cold voice, handing over a jade slip, "This contains detailed intelligence on the three parties involved and an assessment of the Shadow Guards."

Shen Mo took the jade slip, scanned it with his divine sense, and already knew what was going on. Fairy Ling Shuang was indeed the most decisive, and had sent out the elite of Xuanbing Pavilion.

Master Qingmu did his best, and Master Qingsong, his fellow disciple, was skilled in wood-based healing magic, exactly what the team needed. As expected, that cunning old fox, Master Songfeng, only sent his son and some peripheral personnel, a perfunctory effort.

"What are the movements of the Blazing Sun Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect?" Shen Mo asked.

"Fire Cloud of the Blazing Sun Sect and Sword Without Trace of the Heavenly Sword Sect left their respective sects two hours ago and are now moving about in secret. The Shadow Guards are doing their best to track them down. Within their sects, there has been considerable turmoil due to the rumors and 'evidence' we have spread. Several powerful elders are arguing endlessly about whether they are colluding with the Profound Yin Sect and have no time to deal with other matters for the time being."

"The Black Fiend Sect, the Five Poisons Sect, and other factions have issued inquiries to the Blazing Sun Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect, indicating that border frictions are escalating," Su Xiao replied.

"Very good." Shen Mo nodded, a cold glint in his eyes. "Let them create chaos on their own. Huo Yun and Jian Wuhen have left the sect... they've probably gone to the Northern Desert, or perhaps they have an agreement with the Xuan Yin Sect. No problem, we can deal with them all at once. How about we assemble our people?"

"The War Hall's 'Sharp Metal' and 'Thick Earth' divisions, with a total of six Golden Core cultivators (including Shi Tie and Wang Hu) and one hundred and twenty Foundation Establishment elites, have all assembled in the secret camp in the back mountain. They are in perfect condition and ready to move at any time."

"The Shadow Guard can mobilize three Golden Core stage assassins and fifty Foundation Establishment stage experts. They have already infiltrated the Northern Desert and are scattered within a 300-mile radius of the Burial Soul Valley to monitor the defenses, draw maps, and mark three possible weak points in the formation and infiltration routes."

Su Xiao's tone was calm, yet it carried a chilling killing intent. "Junior Sister Li of the Pill Hall has allocated enough pills for 5,000 people for three months, including sufficient 'Spirit Explosion Pills,' 'Diamond Talismans,' 'Evil-Slaying Talismans,' and 'Concealment Talismans.' Junior Sister Zhao of the Array Hall worked through the night to produce thirty-six 'Small Yin-Yang Array Flags,' which can be used to temporarily set up a simplified version of the Yin-Yang Micro Dust Array to trap and protect the enemy. They have been distributed to the squad leaders."

Three months' worth of supplies for five thousand people? Shen Mo raised an eyebrow slightly. Had Xiao Cao brought out all her savings? Well, it was good to be prepared.

The array flags that Zhao Qingyan rushed to make were a timely help. The simplified version of the Yin-Yang Micro Dust Array, although not even a fraction as powerful as the original, was more than enough to deal with battles and array interference at the Golden Core level.

"Order Shi Tie, both divisions of the War Hall, to board the boat at the secret camp in the back mountain at 3:45 AM and depart. Destination: Blackwater Marsh, Soul-Severing Ridge. You lead the Shadow Guard ahead to meet up with the Northern Desert forces. I need to see the most detailed terrain, defenses, and intelligence map of the core area of ​​the Blood Sacrifice Array before we reach Burial Valley," Shen Mo ordered in a deep voice.

"Yes!" Su Xiao accepted the order, her figure rippling like water, disappearing into the night.

Shen Mo stood alone before the palace, the night wind ruffling his robes. He looked up to the north, his gaze seemingly piercing through the mountains and the night, revealing the desolate Gobi Desert shrouded in blood and conspiracy.

"The Valley of Burial Souls... the Xuan Yin Sect... will use this battle to honor the glory of Qingyun Sect, and also to present the first victory report to the Qingyun Ancestor."

He muttered to himself, his figure slowly fading away, and the next moment, he appeared in a quiet room deep within the Flowing Cloud Palace. On a low table, the deep blue jade slip he had obtained from Qingyunzi lay quietly to the side. Shen Mo did not touch it again, but instead sat cross-legged, facing upwards, and began his final meditation.

Within the sea of ​​consciousness, the Myriad Laws Source Pearl slowly rotated, its clear light flowing, sorting out cause and effect, and soothing the mind. The loosening of the bottleneck of the Nascent Soul became more and more obvious, like a thin window paper that could be easily pierced.

However, Shen Mo suppressed the urge to break through and guided that immense power to his limbs and bones, nourishing his body, condensing his magical power, and adjusting his state to its peak.

He chose to suppress his cultivation level, facing this tribulation with his Golden Core Perfection state. It wasn't out of fear of failing the breakthrough, but because he knew that the Nascent Soul tribulation was no small matter, causing immense commotion and requiring time to stabilize.

Surrounded by formidable enemies and with a major battle imminent, this is by no means a good opportunity for a breakthrough. He must seize the sliver of hope and slay those who deserve to die, in the most perfect and controllable state possible!

Time slipped away little by little in the quiet of the breath.

At the beginning of midnight, in the secret camp behind Liuyun Peak, shrouded by layers of illusion arrays, a chilling atmosphere prevailed.

Two "Ink Cloud Shuttles," each about thirty feet long, entirely black with sleek lines and engraved with flowing cloud patterns and hidden runes, stood quietly moored beside the newly opened, simple dock, like two lurking giants.

The ship was completely dark, except for the faint glow emanating from the "Barrier-Breaking Eye" embedded in the bow.

On the open ground of the dock, 126 warriors from the Battle Hall, dressed in uniform dark blue spirit armor and carrying standard magical artifacts, stood in neat rows, completely silent.

Only the night breeze rustled the armor plates, producing a faint rustling sound, and the sound of suppressed breathing. Everyone's face was solemn, their eyes resolute, and a hint of murderous intent emanated from them.

These are the true elites selected through border skirmishes and battles in secret realms. The lowest level is Foundation Establishment, and there are six Golden Core cultivators in charge.

Let reading always be a chapter faster than others.