Chapter 144: Evil Shadows
Daoji Ancestral Land is an unowned secret realm. Unowned secret realms do not require spirit stones to enter. Many secret realms in the Eastern Region are monopolized by certain families or sects, and entry fees are charged. Daoji Ancestral Land, however, seems to have several immortal tombs within. These immortals were quite possessive of their territories and did not tolerate any disrespect or intrusion, thus no one dared to claim control over it.
As the sun began to set, Daoji Ancestral Land finally opened, and a vortex of spiritual qi emerged. Jiang Huai gently took Wen Wanwan’s hand and stepped into Daoji Ancestral Land together with her. After a slight sense of dizziness, their surroundings instantly changed. Jiang Huai and Wen Wanwan found themselves in a peach blossom forest, with the trees in full bloom and a gentle breeze scattering petals.
Jiang Huai surveyed the area. There were no other cultivators who happened to land with them. He spoke softly, “We can just explore at our own pace. The spiritual qi within Daoji Ancestral Land is pure, and there aren’t many dangerous places. Heavenly Way spiritual qi is rare and precious. If a great opportunity arises, there will be celestial phenomena, and we can head there then.” Wen Wanwan obediently followed beside Jiang Huai.
Mo Wanqiu entered Daoji Ancestral Land alone. Due to the restrictions of the Legacy Secret Realm, her protector could not enter. Her cultivation level was also Late Stage Foundation Establishment. She landed in a field of wildflowers. Mo Wanqiu quickly took out the Sound Transmission Spirit Jade she carried. This was a mother-child spirit jade, capable of communicating with only one other jade, but over a long distance. It was often used as a token of love between Dao Companions.
Mo Wanqiu stood still. Soon, the spirit jade in her hand began to heat up, indicating that the owner of the other jade had located her by tracking the transmitted spiritual qi. She waited there for a long time, and finally, a man in a black robe appeared before her. She practically ran towards him without a moment’s delay. The black-robed male cultivator removed his hood, revealing a handsome face, though his eyes held a hint of cold, malevolent charm.
“Finally, I’ve met Master,” Mo Wanqiu’s voice was soft and sweet, yet she was even taller than the young man before her, creating a peculiar contrast in their physiques. Unfortunately, even with Mo Wanqiu’s fawning expression, Mo Dan merely looked at her calmly, his eyes as cold as ever. “How is the matter I entrusted to you?”
“I’ve carefully observed all the cultivators who came to Daoji Ancestral Land. Apart from the Saintess Xu Qing of the Guanyue Sect, who is untouchable, I also saw a male cultivator outside the secret realm today. His cultivation level was only Qi Refining Level 1, but his soul was unfathomably deep. He was accompanied by a beautiful woman, as if he was accompanying her to Daoji Ancestral Land.” The male cultivator’s smile also carried a hint of coldness. “Xu Qing is untouchable? No… this time, within Daoji Ancestral Land, no one will escape.”
Jiang Huai and Wen Wanwan wandered around Daoji Ancestral Land for an hour. Daoji Ancestral Land was not a dangerous secret realm to begin with. Along the way, Jiang Huai and Wen Wanwan did not encounter any particular fortuitous encounters. He did, however, pick a lot of flowers and wove a small flower crown for Wen Wanwan to wear on her head.
The season in Daoji Ancestral Land was early spring. It seemed like it had just rained, and the air was filled with the faint fragrance of grass and trees. Wen Wanwan’s steps were light. This was her first time entering a secret realm, and she had been a bit anxious. But now, her previous apprehension gradually subsided.
The two arrived by a stream and were about to rest for a moment when Jiang Huai looked at the red bloodstains on the bluestone by the stream in the distance. He suddenly froze, then quickly led Wen Wanwan forward. By the stream was a desiccated corpse. The corpse was now withered, its blood drained, so thin it looked like it had been dead for a long time. Yet, the bloodstain on the bluestone was clearly fresh. Jiang Huai vaguely recognized the face from memory, based on the contours of the desiccated corpse’s cheeks. He had seen this face clearly only a few hours ago.
Wen Wanwan’s face immediately turned a bit pale. Jiang Huai gently took her hand and softly comforted her, “An Evil Cult entered Daoji Ancestral Land.” “It’s alright, with me by your side, you don’t need to worry,” Jiang Huai said softly. Jiang Huai leaned closer to examine the corpse. Over the years, he had fought against Evil Cults alongside Chu Xianning and was familiar with many of their methods. Evil Cults often practiced the Gu Dao, and each Evil Cult had their own Natal Gu worm. The Gu worm could devour the flesh and blood of others to enhance its own cultivation and bestow certain divine abilities upon the Evil Cult. The corpse before him had been drained of all its blood, and more accurately, not just blood… but all its spiritual qi. After investigating, Jiang Huai took Wen Wanwan’s hand and said softly, “It’s nothing, let’s continue exploring. My soul is spread out around us, and I will sense any disturbance. With me here, you don’t have to be afraid.”
Wen Wanwan nodded obediently, but still leaned closer to him out of fear. Jiang Huai simply gently put his arm around her shoulders and softly reassured her.
The sunlight in the sky gradually dimmed. The secret realm was approaching night. Jiang Huai had not yet found a suitable cave for shelter, and his expression carried a slight worry. He and Wen Wanwan had been wandering in the secret realm for half a day and had already seen three desiccated corpses with identical causes of death. Logically speaking, even if it were a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Evil Cult, they should have left some signs of battle when fighting against these cultivators, even if they had a complete advantage. Yet, all the desiccated corpses were found in places with no signs of combat, as if they were ambushed from behind and fell to the ground without warning, their flesh and spiritual qi drained.
As Jiang Huai and Wen Wanwan walked further, they saw a firelight emanating from the dense forest. He led Wen Wanwan closer, and by the firelight were three men and two women. They had built a bonfire. The three male cultivators wore sect Daoist Robes. Jiang Huai didn’t recognize the sect; perhaps it was from another continent. The two women were dressed in gorgeous gowns, appearing to be young ladies from noble families.
The moment Jiang Huai and Wen Wanwan appeared, all five people became vigilant. The three male cultivators sized them up and then asked, “Where do you fellow Daoists come from?” “Moon Wave Continent, Tian Xuan Sect,” Jiang Huai replied calmly. “And you?” “The three of us are cultivators from Qiankun Sect in Linglong Continent, and these two young ladies are the fifth and sixth young ladies from the Fang Family in Linglong Continent, whom we encountered on the road,” the eldest of the male cultivators said, standing up from beside the bonfire. “Have you seen any shriveled corpses on your way here, fellow Daoist?” Jiang Huai nodded gently.
“It seems an Evil Cult has infiltrated Daoji Ancestral Land. Their methods are insidious, which is why we gathered here to protect each other. Would you two Daoists care to stay with us? We can gather together tonight and take turns keeping watch, so that the Evil Cult doesn’t find an opportunity to launch a surprise attack?” Jiang Huai hesitated for a moment, then led Wen Wanwan to the bonfire. He wasn’t seeking their protection, but rather to gather more information about the Evil Cult. He took out the map of Daoji Ancestral Land he had prepared and began asking them where they had seen the corpses. The two young ladies from the Fang family curiously observed Jiang Huai, their gazes captivated by his handsome appearance. However, upon seeing the cold and beautiful Wen Wanwan beside him, they felt a sense of inadequacy.
Listening to the descriptions from the five people, Jiang Huai’s brow furrowed slightly again. He marked numerous spots on the map. If their words were true, then at least eight people had already perished in the secret realm, all dying without warning and without any signs of struggle at the place of their deaths. After obtaining the information he wanted, Jiang Huai was about to get up when one of the male cultivators enthusiastically said, “Then tonight, let the three young ladies rest well. The four of us will take turns keeping watch. What do you think, fellow Daoist? The Evil Cult’s methods are terrifying. It’s too dangerous for you two to travel alone in the secret realm.” “The nights in Daoji Ancestral Land are truly cold. Would you like to have some wine to warm yourself up, fellow Daoist?”
Jiang Huai had no intention of drinking or continuing to chat with them. However, the moment the male cultivator offered him the wine, Jiang Huai suddenly paused, then smiled. “Are you really cultivators from Qiankun Sect?” “Of course.” Jiang Huai took the spirit wine and sniffed it, then took a sip. “This wine contains Spirit Snake Flower juice. It’s an aphrodisiac, only effective on women, and takes effect within three incense sticks of time. Have you all drunk it just now?” Jiang Huai looked at the two Fang family young ladies sitting there. The two young ladies were startled, then exchanged glances and became frightened. “Just now, we… we only drank a little…” The two Fang family young ladies looked no older than fifteen or sixteen. Jiang Huai sighed, “Didn’t your elders teach you not to drink things others have already drunk when you’re out?” “They… they drank first… so we dared to drink,” the second young lady of the Fang family replied dejectedly. “Besides, we only tasted a tiny sip… They… they said they would protect us…” Jiang Huai’s eyes showed a hint of helplessness. “There are at least five drops of Spirit Snake Flower juice in this. Just one drop is enough to make you lose your senses. Five drops… I estimate you’ll all be taking off your clothes and begging them for favors soon.” The eyes of the two Fang family young ladies suddenly filled with terror. Jiang Huai looked back at the three Qiankun Sect cultivators before him. Their bodies had tensed, and their hands were already on their sword hilts.
