98: The Gu Domain is fraught with peril at every turn; the sword pierces through the evil miasma to reveal the true form.
After Hemp Third Aunt’s eerie and bizarre laughter dissipated, the Ghost Crying Forest seemed to fall into an even deeper silence. Even the annoying whispers, insect chirps, and beastly roars vanished, leaving only a thick, inseparable gray-green mist that rolled and surged silently like a living creature, completely obscuring the path ahead.
Li Muchen did not hesitate; holding his qingxiao sword, he stepped into the dense fog that seemed capable of swallowing everything.
As soon as he entered, he felt the difference.
Within the mist, there was a denser and more sinister power of "interference." Not only was his vision obstructed, but even the passive sensing range of his Spiritual Sense was further compressed, as if he had fallen into a thick swamp. Distorted and chaotic energy fields were everywhere. His sense of direction became blurred, and the seemingly solid ground beneath his feet felt unstable, as if he might step into thin air and fall into an unknown abyss at any moment.
Even more bizarrely, various hallucinations began to appear in the mist.
Sometimes, twisted and pained human faces would suddenly flash before his eyes, letting out silent wails; sometimes, familiar calls would ring in his ears, sounding like Zhao Desheng, Zhao Xiaowen, or even acquaintances from his past life; sometimes, his nose would catch the tempting scent of flowers, the aroma of fine food, or the pungent smell of blood and rot... These hallucinations were not simple images or sounds, but carried a sinister power that directly struck the mind, stirring up one's inner fears, desires, and weaknesses.
If one's will were not firm or their Divine Soul were slightly weaker, they would have long since lost themselves in this mist barrier where truth and falsehood were hard to distinguish and danger lurked at every step, either falling into madness or becoming nourishment for this eerie forest.
Li Muchen had already formed his Golden Core, his Dao Heart was stable, and his Divine Soul was incredibly resilient after being tempered by the Golden Light of Merit and Lightning Tribulation. He maintained a point of clarity in his spiritual terrace, silently reciting the Heart-Clearing Incantation, treating the onslaught of hallucinations as if they were nothing. His steps were steady as he followed the faint sensation in his heart toward the coldest and most evil intent.
The qingxiao sword in his hand vibrated slightly, emitting a low hum. The pure Sword Intent and sharp Qi naturally flowing from the blade acted like an invisible barrier, quietly repelling and cutting through the sinister mist and mental corruption that tried to approach.
Even so, the path ahead remained fraught with danger.
Within the mist, peril lurked everywhere.
There were seemingly ordinary vines that would suddenly strike when approached, coiling and biting like venomous snakes, covered in barbs and venom-secreting glands; there were strange plants lurking under fallen leaves that would spray spore clouds with strong corrosive and hallucinogenic effects; and there were even near-transparent, eerie "Mist Spirits" formed from condensed fog that would silently draw close, attempting to enter his orifices and corrode his Divine Soul.
Li Muchen dared not be careless. The qingxiao sword flicked and slashed, its azure sword light occasionally flashing around him, cutting down and dispersing the attacking vines, poisonous thorns, and even the invisible "Mist Spirits." Wherever the sword light passed, the mist seemed to be briefly "purified" into a clear area. At the same time, the earth vein suppression talisman continued to emit a steady, earthy-yellow glow, protecting him, stabilizing his mind, and resisting the chaos and erosion of the environment.
The depths of this Ghost Crying Forest had clearly been managed by Hemp Third Aunt for many years, filled with countless poisonous and bizarre traps and Gu Formations. Combined with the naturally treacherous environment, it formed an extremely terrifying "home field."
Ordinary Cultivators, even those at the Early Stage of the Golden Core, would likely suffer greatly or even die if they tried to force their way through without the proper methods.
But Li Muchen was no ordinary Golden Core. His Foundation, Cultivation Technique, Magical Artifact, and even his state of mind were all top-tier. More importantly, there was no fear in his heart, only a clear killing intent and the determination to settle this Karma.
After traveling for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the surrounding mist seemed to thin slightly, but the cold and sinister Aura became even heavier. Ahead, the faint sound of trickling water could be heard, along with a more intense, strange smell that was a mixture of countless herbs and the fishy stench of insects.
Li Muchen paused slightly, his Spiritual Sense straining to penetrate the thinning mist ahead, and he "saw" a strange sight.
At the end of the mist was a small valley surrounded by circular mountain walls. In the center of the valley was not flat ground, but a small deep pool with water that was dark green, almost black. The pool water was deep and still, emitting a bone-chilling cold Aura.
By the pool stood several extremely simple, crooked stilt bamboo houses that had long been blackened and rotted by time and moisture. Around the bamboo houses and on the mountain walls at the edge of the valley, numerous caves of various sizes had been carved out. Some were blocked with crude wooden fences or stone slabs, while others were open, their interiors dark and deep, emitting an extremely unpleasant stench and resentment.
What made one's skin crawl even more were the various bizarre objects placed, hung, or piled everywhere in the valley, by the pool, under the bamboo houses, and even at the cave entrances: pottery jars and urns of all sizes and mottled colors; dried and twisted animal and even human remains; animal skins and cloth banners painted with hideous Talismanic Incantations; and stone lamps burning with eerie green fire and emitting a pungent odor... This place was clearly a large-scale, evil site for Gu-rearing and corpse-refining!
And by that deep pool, in front of the largest bamboo house, on a relatively flat black boulder, a person was currently sitting.
It was a hunched and withered old woman wearing a large, multicolored but filthy robe patched together from countless scraps of cloth. Her hair was thin and gray, tied into a ridiculous yet eerie small bun at the back of her head, stuck with several black feathers of some unknown bird and bone hairpins. Her face was covered in layers of wrinkles, her skin dark and rough, but her eyes were exceptionally bright. In the depths of her pupils, green phosphorus fire seemed to dance as she stared unblinkingly at Li Muchen as he emerged from the mist.
In her hand, she toyed with an all-red, crest-headed strange snake that was constantly flicking its tongue. At her feet lay several large venomous scorpions and centipedes with shiny shells and compound eyes flickering with eerie light.
It was indeed Hemp Third Aunt!
Li Muchen's gaze met hers from across the distance.
No words were spoken, but invisible sparks seemed to fly in the air. In Hemp Third Aunt's eyes were unconcealed greed, scrutiny, resentment, and a hint of surprise. In Li Muchen's eyes, however, was a frozen calm and killing intent.
"Jiejiejie... You truly came... faster than this old woman expected..." Hemp Third Aunt spoke first, her voice raspy and sharp, like fingernails scratching against rusted iron, with a heavy Miaojiang accent. "That useless Corpse Old Nine... it is no wonder he died at your hands."
Li Muchen walked slowly to the entrance of the valley and stopped. His gaze swept over the hellish scene before finally settling back on Hemp Third Aunt. "Where is Release Void?"
"Release Void? Oh... that bald monk..." Hemp Third Aunt grinned, revealing black and yellow uneven teeth. "He? He has already 'gone home'... back to where he belongs... hehe..." She glanced meaningfully at an open, pitch-black cave nearby, which emitted a corpse Aura and resentment similar to the Release Void Puppet, but even more mixed and chaotic.
Li Muchen's eyes turned slightly cold. It seemed Release Void had been completely "disposed of," perhaps becoming Materials for refining other evil things.
"You lured me here, surely not just to speak such nonsense." Li Muchen pressed his hand on the sword hilt, and the qingxiao sword in its scabbard let out a low hum. "The Karma between Corpse Old Nine and me has already been settled. I had no intention of looking into your connection with him. But if you wish to stand up for him, or... have other designs on me, today, we shall settle it all together."
"Settle it? Hehe... what big words." Hemp Third Aunt stroked the red snake in her hand and cackled. "That fool Corpse Old Nine, if he's dead, he's dead; this old woman won't stand up for him. However... on your body... there is a very special scent..."
She took a deep breath, as if tasting Li Muchen's scent in the air, the green fire in her eyes intensifying. "Very pure power... very refined Life Qi... and... a hint of that 'righteous' scent that makes this old woman very comfortable yet very annoyed... Your blood, your soul, your bones... they will surely be... top-grade 'Materials'!"
She suddenly stood up, her withered body exploding with an astonishing Aura. Her large, colorful robe billowed without any wind, and a faint gray-green glow mixed with countless tiny insect shadows rose around her.
"This old woman has waited here for a long, long time... and finally, I've waited for... 'good material' like you! As long as I refine you into the Ten Thousand Gu King Puppet... I will be able to break through my Bottleneck... and even... leave this godforsaken place!"
Greed and madness completely drowned out the last trace of reason in her eyes.
"Children... we have a guest... 'entertain' him well!" Hemp Third Aunt shrieked and threw the red snake in her hand into the deep pool!
"Plop!"
The snake entered the water, and the previously dead, dark green pool water suddenly churned violently, as if it were boiling oil!
Then, a hair-raising scene occurred.
Countless bizarre Gu insects of all sizes erupted frantically from the pool, the surrounding caves, and the pottery jars like a fountain! Poisonous snakes, centipedes, scorpions, spiders, toads, strange moths, flying ants... they were everywhere, forming a multicolored, writhing sea of insects! The air was instantly filled with lethal poison mist, scales, and hissing!
At the same time, the barriers of the caves around the valley exploded one after another with a series of bangs! zombies, skeletons, and even stitch-monster-like refined corpses of various forms, emitting a strong stench of rot and resentment, staggered and roared as they emerged from the darkness, joining the encirclement of Li Muchen!
A tide of Gu insects, a forest of refined corpses.
Hemp Third Aunt stood behind the sea of insects and forest of corpses, holding a newly produced black bone staff topped with a pale skull. She chanted under her breath, the green fire in her eyes blazing. The sinister Aura of the entire valley was drawn by her, pressing down on Li Muchen like a living thing!
Facing this terrifying scene that would be enough to make anyone's heart fail, Li Muchen's expression remained calm.
He slowly drew the qingxiao sword.
The sword left its scabbard, its clear ring drowning out the hissing of ten thousand insects.
The azure sword light reflected in his eyes, which were as calm as water.
"Evil and unorthodox, stubborn to the end."
As his voice fell, he moved.
He did not rush toward the sea of insects and forest of corpses, nor did he attempt to attack Hemp Third Aunt at the back.
His footsteps followed a mysterious pattern as he stepped out, his figure suddenly turning into a blurred azure afterimage, charging toward a seemingly ordinary mountain wall on the side!
In his hand, the tip of the qingxiao sword condensed a point of brilliant, pure white sword light that seemed capable of piercing through all darkness and filth!
Golden Core Essence, mixed with a hint of Pure Yang Lightning Intent from the Lightning Tribulation and the evil-breaking power unique to the Golden Light of Merit, were all poured into this single strike!
"Break!"
A clear shout rang through the valley!
The qingxiao sword, carrying that brilliant white sword light that condensed Li Muchen's current cultivation and will, struck that seemingly ordinary mountain wall like a bolt of lightning falling from the Nine Heavens!
"Boom—!!!"
In the deafening roar, the mountain wall was not pierced, but it seemed to trigger a core hub!
The entire valley shook violently!
The churning sea of insects, the advancing forest of corpses, and even Hemp Third Aunt, who was in the middle of her spell, all froze in their tracks!
Centering on the point where the sword tip struck, countless fine but clear cracks spread rapidly across the mountain wall, the ground, and even the void, like a spiderweb! From within the cracks, a blinding white light burst forth, violently clashing with and annihilating the gray-green evil energy permeating the valley!
Li Muchen had already noticed while crossing the mist that the entire evil energy field of the valley, while seemingly a single entity, actually had a relatively fragile "node," which was this mountain wall! This node was not natural, but the intersection where the energy of the Gu and corpse Formations Hemp Third Aunt had arranged flowed together, and it was the key to maintaining this special environment and suppressing external enemies!
He seemingly aimed for Hemp Third Aunt, but in reality, he used himself as bait to lure her into fully activating the Formation, and then struck the core node of the Formation with the force of thunder!
One sword strike to break the Formation!
"No—!!" Hemp Third Aunt let out a scream of utter despair! She felt her connection with the valley's Formation being forcibly severed and destroyed! The Gu insects and refined corpses she commanded began to show signs of chaos and backlash!
However, before she could react,
Li Muchen had already withdrawn his sword and turned.
The qingxiao sword pointed diagonally at the ground. Although the brilliant white sword light had dissipated, that cold, aloof Sword Intent that could cleanse all evil had climbed to its peak.
His gaze, passing through the scattering insect swarm and the restless refined corpses, coldly locked onto the pale-faced, disoriented Hemp Third Aunt.