บท 110: Chapter 110: The Iron Spear Sect
Half a month later, in a secluded valley east of the Kaiyang Sect, three figures descended into the depths of the valley.
Zhong Shan, Tian Sha, and Bei Qingsi had embarked on a mission five days earlier, as instructed by Tian Xingzi, to find the Mud Buddha in the Wolf Territory. Unlike Tian Sha and Bei Qingsi, Zhong Shan, still at the Innate Stage, needed rest after five days of relentless travel.
Zhong Shan collapsed under a large tree, closing his eyes to rest. With the sky darkening, the three decided to continue their journey the next day. Given that Bei Qingsi was a woman, it was inappropriate for her to stay close to the men, and Zhong Shan's habitual caution led him to rest apart from Tian Sha. The valley was relatively safe, so they each took a corner for themselves.
Zhong Shan fell into a deep sleep, while Bei Qingsi set up a protective flag array not far away, concealing herself within a shroud of faint white mist. This mist made it impossible for outsiders to see inside. Meanwhile, Tian Sha was meditating in another area, but his mind was not at ease. He kept his eyes open, watching the white mist surrounding Bei Qingsi and then glancing at Zhong Shan sleeping under the tree.
A flash of murderous intent crossed Tian Sha's eyes. Over the past five days, he had observed an unusual connection between Zhong Shan and Bei Qingsi. Known for her cold and aloof demeanor, Bei Qingsi had always been distant, even towards Tian Sha, her senior brother. Yet, her conversations with Zhong Shan were surprisingly gentle, a stark contrast to her usual icy tone. Recalling the incident at the hot springs, Tian Sha found it hard to dismiss his suspicions.
Casting a cold glance at Zhong Shan, Tian Sha's murderous intent grew stronger. In the dead of night, he quietly stood up, a fierce look in his eyes as he approached Zhong Shan.
Zhong Shan appeared to be in a deep sleep, or at least that was Tian Sha's perception. He seemed completely unaware of the impending danger.
As Tian Sha drew closer, his right hand rested on the hilt of his sword. At a distance of eighty paces from Zhong Shan, he stopped, staring intently. Killing Zhong Shan seemed so easy at this moment—one swift strike, and Zhong Shan would be dead, eliminating his 'rival.' Taking several deep breaths, Tian Sha slowly released his grip on the sword hilt.
Killing Zhong Shan was easy, but he couldn't afford to do it now. Not only was this mission for their master, but Bei Qingsi's presence also deterred him. If he were to act now, she might intervene.
Despite loosening his grip, the murderous aura in Tian Sha's eyes remained. Unable to bear the sight of Zhong Shan any longer, he decided to leave. With a powerful leap, Tian Sha bounded up to the mountainside and out of the valley, clearly frustrated and agitated.
As Zhong Shan slept deeply, his eyes suddenly snapped open the moment Tian Sha departed. He quickly sat up and looked around, first towards Bei Qingsi's flag array and then towards the spot where Tian Sha had been meditating. Tian Sha was no longer there.
Staring at the empty spot at the base of the mountain, Zhong Shan's pupils contracted. Tian Sha had plans against him?
Previously, Zhong Shan had been in a dead sleep, exhausted from days without rest. Normally, he would have been impossible to wake, but now, he felt a looming threat from Tian Sha.
Despite appearing to sleep deeply against the tree, Zhong Shan wasn't completely unguarded. His cultivation might not be high, but his life experiences had made him perpetually vigilant. Before falling asleep, he had scattered the scent of a peculiar insect from a pouch at specific points, while using a different kind of pollen near his nose. If anyone approached within a hundred steps, the pollen would release a pungent odor, waking Zhong Shan instantly. He had merely pretended to remain asleep. Tian Sha approaching him in the middle of the night was certainly not a good sign.
Quietly standing up, Zhong Shan paced back and forth, glancing again at the place where Tian Sha had been. Resolutely, he walked towards Bei Qingsi's flag array.
As he approached, the flag array rippled, and Bei Qingsi sensed his presence. She stood up, waved her hand to retract the array, and looked at Zhong Shan.
"Zhong Shan, have you rested well? Is there something you need?" Bei Qingsi asked, puzzled. She glanced around the valley and noticed that Tian Sha was also missing.
"Qingsi, can we talk?" Zhong Shan asked.
"Sure," Bei Qingsi nodded.
They found a large stone to sit on.
"Last time at Kaiyang Sect, your clothes were torn in many places. Did you encounter danger?" Zhong Shan asked after some thought.
"Yes, that treacherous minister sent people after me," Bei Qingsi sighed softly.
"The one responsible for the downfall of your family?" Zhong Shan frowned.
"Yes. Although I killed most of them last time, one escaped. Knowing I am still alive, they will surely send more. So, after obtaining the final piece of evidence from the mud deity, I must leave immediately," Bei Qingsi said with determination.
Hearing this, Zhong Shan frowned and asked, "How did they find you?"
Looking at Zhong Shan, Bei Qingsi shook her head and sighed, "It's my silver hair and eyebrows. Although some in the cultivation world have this feature, it's extremely rare. It's the mark of my Bei family's bloodline, making me easy to find."
Gazing at Bei Qingsi's beautiful silver hair, Zhong Shan's brow furrowed slightly. "Can't you change its color?"
"No, I can't. I don't have that ability yet. The awakening of my bloodline not only exposes my identity but also grants me inherited power. Last time, if I hadn't used the special power of inheritance, I wouldn't be able to talk to you here," Bei Qingsi said softly.
Though Bei Qingsi spoke lightly, Zhong Shan could sense the brutality of that day in her tone.
"What ability does the Bei family's bloodline inheritance grant? Uh, I mean, how powerful are you now? Um, compared to Tian Sha?" Zhong Shan initially wanted to ask about the ability granted by the bloodline inheritance, but halfway through, he remembered Nan Batian. Nan Batian also had a bloodline inheritance ability, but even though he had a close relationship with Tian Linger, he refused to acknowledge it. It was evidently a taboo topic.
Right, how could such life-saving knowledge become common knowledge? Therefore, Zhong Shan changed his question midway.
Looking at Zhong Shan, Bei Qingsi smiled slightly and, following his question, ignored mentioning the abilities granted by bloodline inheritance. Instead, she thought for a moment and said, "I should be a bit stronger than Senior Brother."
A bit stronger? Zhong Shan's eyes lit up. Bei Qingsi's temperament was very reserved, so if she said "a bit stronger," it definitely meant stronger than Tian Sha.
According to what the Master said, Tian Sha's strength had already reached the level where he could threaten the early stage of Yuan Ying. So, wouldn't Bei Qingsi's strength be stronger than the average early stage of Yuan Ying?
"How much longer until we enter the Wolf Domain?" Zhong Shan thought for a moment before changing the topic.
"In another half day. To the southeast are the Mingjian Pavilion and the Iron Spear Gate, the two sects closest to the Wolf Domain. After passing these two sects and flying east for three more hours, we'll enter the Wolf Domain," Bei Qingsi said after some thought.
"Iron Spear Gate?" Zhong Shan suddenly frowned.
"Why? Do you know them?" Bei Qingsi asked, puzzled.
"Well, I have a friend there, and it seems Iron Spear Gate has encountered some trouble. Can we pass through Iron Spear Gate tomorrow?" Zhong Shan looked at Bei Qingsi and asked.
Looking at Zhong Shan, Bei Qingsi paused for a moment and nodded finally, agreeing.
Afterward, the two of them continued to talk to each other until dawn approached. It was only then that Zhong Shan once again turned the conversation to Bei Qingsi's silver hair and eyebrows.
"Can I take a look at your hair?" Zhong Shan suddenly asked.
"Uh?" Bei Qingsi clearly was taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
"Don't misunderstand, I just want to see the texture of your hair. Perhaps, I have a way to change the color of your hair," Zhong Shan said solemnly.
"Uh?" Bei Qingsi's eyes flashed with astonishment, then she nodded.
With Bei Qingsi's permission, Zhong Shan reached out and gently examined a strand of her long hair from behind her head.
Bei Qingsi's long hair was incredibly smooth, holding it in his hand, Zhong Shan felt reluctant to let go. Moreover, it emitted a hint of chilliness.
Taking a deep breath, Zhong Shan carefully examined it, a confident smile gradually appearing on his face.
At that moment, Tian Sha, who had been brooding, returned on his flying sword from afar.
But the sight that met Tian Sha made his blood boil. What was happening? Zhong Shan and Bei Qingsi were sitting together, Bei Qingsi was gazing 'affectionately' at Zhong Shan, while Zhong Shan was holding Bei Qingsi's long hair, with a 'silver smile' on his face. That treacherous couple!
Tian Sha's face flushed slightly with anger, his fists clenched, wishing he could chop Zhong Shan with a sword. As for the previously proud Bei Qingsi, her expression also chilled slightly. Normally as aloof as an iceberg, she turned out to be just like any other woman. Just another flirtatious flirt! Hmph!
But Tian Sha hid it well. In the blink of an eye, his expression returned to normal, and he slowly descended into the valley.
Zhong Shan also noticed Tian Sha at this moment, gently releasing the strand of Bei Qingsi's silver hair. Bei Qingsi's expression also returned to its former coldness.
Seeing Bei Qingsi's sudden change in expression, Tian Sha's eyes became even more sinister.
"Zhong Shan, aren't you going to sleep?" Tian Sha frowned at Zhong Shan, his eyes sharp.
But what did Zhong Shan have to fear?
"Yes, Senior Brother, let's set off," Zhong Shan nodded.
"Okay," Tian Sha nodded.
Bei Qingsi also took out a white flying sword, and the three of them flew into the sky together.
Although Zhong Shan's flying speed was a bit slower, it was still better than traversing mountains and hills.
During the flight, both Zhong Shan and Bei Qingsi subtly veered towards the southeast. Tian Sha raised an eyebrow, looking at Zhong Shan.
"Senior Brother, I have an acquaintance in Iron Spear Gate. I want to take a look," Zhong Shan said in a single breath.
Seeing that Bei Qingsi seemed to tacitly agree, Tian Sha's heart filled with anger. Truly a treacherous couple! But Tian Sha still nodded on the surface, after all, Zhong Shan was still a disciple of Tian Xingzi. Moreover, there was Bei Qingsi by his side, so it was not convenient to act out.
By noon, the three of them arrived at a distance from Iron Spear Gate. However, from afar, they stopped.
Because, above Iron Spear Gate in the distance, there were shining spears radiating in all directions, with massive spear energies, each nearly a hundred zhang long, piercing through the surrounding mountains.
"Boom, boom, boom..."
A series of deafening booms echoed, countless mountains shattered by the spear energy, or pierced through, leaving behind large holes.
After the continuous bombardment, a large amount of dust rose up, countless stones and wood debris shot up into the sky, violently raging.
"So powerful!" Bei Qingsi spoke softly.
Indeed, it was incredibly powerful. Zhong Shan stared wide-eyed at the scene. It was a kind of momentum, a powerful momentum that could be felt even across several large mountains. Zhong Shan could sense the strength of the person who had released the spear energy just now.
Too powerful. This wasn't the Foundation Establishment stage, definitely not. The spear energy of the Foundation Establishment stage definitely wouldn't be this strong.
Nascent Soul stage?
Iron Spear Gate only had one Nascent Soul stage expert, their Sect Master. Earlier, Zhong Shan had heard Zhao Suoxiang mention it. The Sect Master of Iron Spear Gate had gone out, could he have returned?
Bei Qingsi looked at Zhong Shan, while Tian Sha also glanced at him. However, their expressions were different.
Bei Qingsi wanted to ask Zhong Shan if he still wanted to continue forward. After all, Zhong Shan came to visit his friend. But Tian Sha hoped Zhong Shan would continue forward, because there was obviously a big battle going on internally. If Zhong Shan happened to 'accidentally' die there, Tian Sha could avenge him.
"Senior Brother, Qingsi, can we fly closer?" Zhong Shan thought for a moment and said.
"Sure," Bei Qingsi nodded lightly.
But Tian Sha looked coldly at Bei Qingsi. 'Qingsi'? Zhong Shan actually called her by her name? Well, that's fine.
"Alright, Senior Brother's friend is also my friend," Tian Sha immediately agreed.
Nodding, Zhong Shan knew what Tian Sha was paying attention to. But what could he do about it?
"Let's go," Zhong Shan stepped on his giant blade 'Nightmare' and swiftly flew towards the interior, close to the ground.
After a while, the three of them stopped at a concealed location on a mountainside, looking down below.
Seeing the scene below, Zhong Shan's pupils contracted. Bodies, numerous bodies, lay in the valley, totaling five hundred, all cultivators. Regardless of their cultivation levels, just the sheer number of casualties was enough to shock Zhong Shan.
Because at Kaiyang Sect, from what he knew, there were barely more than two hundred people. This was only the surface of course, as Zhong Shan wasn't aware of the hidden forces within Kaiyang Sect. But even so, there weren't this many.
Five hundred cultivators, regardless of their cultivation levels, the casualties were too heavy this time.
Seemingly sensing Zhong Shan's confusion, Bei Qingsi spoke softly, "Lower cultivation sects sometimes prioritize quantity over quality, unlike higher cultivation sects."
"Ah," Zhong Shan nodded and continued to look down below.
The bodies of the five hundred cultivators were all different, but most of them were holding long spears, with nearly three hundred bodies next to them having a long spear beside them. The rest had various weapons, including swords, knives, and staffs.
Among the dead, there were also many living cultivators.
At the foot of the mountain to the north, there were ten people wielding spears, with nine of them standing behind, all covered in wounds, blood staining their bodies, showing signs of exhaustion. However, their eyes were filled with a strong determination, a determination to die rather than surrender. Among these nine people was Zhong Shan's friend, Zhao Suoxiang.
Zhao Suoxiang's left eye was swollen, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes still radiated a fierce killing intent as he stared directly ahead.
Standing in front of the nine people was another spear-wielding person.
He was an extremely muscular man, full of muscles, with a righteous aura between his brows. Holding a spear with one hand, the spear pointed forward, his eyes bursting with intense anger.
(To be continued)
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