Chapter 1581 - 813: Transformed into a Land of Death (Part 2)
"We’ve made Brother Gu laugh."
Zhao Boyang sighed.
"Did Brother Gu encounter residual souls last night? We were moving in the depths and sensed a large-scale energy fluctuation on the outskirts."
"Encountered them."
Gu Sheng’s tone was calm.
"The small town on the outskirts of the ruins was attacked by tens of thousands of residual souls below the Heavenly Martial Realm last night and has turned into a death ground."
"Tens of thousands?!"
Zhao Boyang and the others gasped and showed a look of horror!
Even Jin’er, who had remained calm, showed a slight change in her expression.
"How...how is this possible?"
The tall and thin Array Master blurted out.
"The residual souls of Wuya Ancient City are fierce, but rarely gather in such large-scale actions! Let alone actively attacking the perimeter camp!"
Gu Yuanyuan stepped forward at this moment, stood beside Gu Sheng, and respectfully explained.
"Respected elders, I, Gu Yuanyuan, am the guide that my master found at the perimeter camp of the ruins. To my knowledge, and according to what is said in the camp, such unusually large gatherings of residual souls usually indicate two possibilities.
First, a significant treasure is about to be born in the depths of the ruins, stirring the residual souls instinctively.
Second, an exceptionally powerful inheritance is about to appear, and its aura attracts these residual souls.
Regardless of the situation, the source most likely points to the core area of the ruins, the most mysterious and dangerous—Thousand Souls Hall Secret Realm!"
"Thousand Souls Hall Secret Realm?"
Zhao Boyang’s eyes flashed as he looked at Gu Yuanyuan.
"Miss, are you familiar with this place?"
"I wouldn’t say familiar; it’s just that my ancestors lived here, and I know a little through constant exposure."
Gu Yuanyuan answered calmly and respectfully.
Zhao Boyang’s gaze lingered on Gu Yuanyuan for a moment before turning to Gu Sheng, his expression becoming serious.
"Brother Gu, to be honest, our aim for this trip is precisely the Thousand Souls Hall Secret Realm! Last night’s encounter, coupled with Miss’s words, further confirms that there must be changes within the secret realm!
This place is exceptionally dangerous, full of restrictions, and unknown events. Relying solely on us or Brother Gu’s side may not be enough."
He paused, his gaze burning as he looked at Gu Sheng.
"I propose that you and I temporarily form an alliance! Explore this Thousand Souls Hall Secret Realm together! I am willing to swear by my martial heart that upon entering the secret realm, all opportunities and treasures obtained will be distributed fairly according to contribution, without any deceit! What does Brother Gu think?"
For martial artists, a martial oath is highly binding; once broken, at best, heart demons arise, and cultivation stagnates; at worst, the Dao Foundation collapses, leading to death and destruction.
Zhao Boyang swearing by this shows sincerity indeed.
Gu Sheng did not immediately answer; his gaze passed Zhao Boyang and fell upon the black-clad woman, Jin’er, behind him.
"Is Miss Jin’er also part of Brother Zhao’s team?"
Gu Sheng asked.
Jin’er lifted her gaze, calmly meeting Gu Sheng’s eyes, her voice as cold and clear as a mountain stream.
"Yes. Zhao’s suggestion is my stance."
Her response was straightforward, both indicating her position and subtly expressing her trust and support for Zhao Boyang.
Gu Sheng nodded slightly, his gaze returning to Zhao Boyang.
"Agreed."
Zhao Boyang’s face instantly showed joy at hearing this.
"Good! Brother Gu is straightforward! Then without further delay, let’s..."
His words were interrupted as the tall and thin Array Master, who had been silently observing, suddenly pointed toward the ruins surrounded by giant stone pillars on the plaza’s depth.
"Boss! Look over there! There’s movement! It seems to be...an entrance!"
Everyone followed the direction and saw that in the center of the ruins, the ground once covered by dust and rubble was now faintly revealing a weak blue glow!
The glow flickered, outlining a blurry portal-like outline!
An ancient, cold wave, mixed with a dense aura of deathly stillness, was slowly emanating from there!
"It’s the entrance to the secret realm! Energy fluctuations are increasing!"
The burly man exclaimed.
"This is not good! The entrance seems to have been activated by some restriction! The energy is very unstable!"
The tall and thin Array Master’s face turned serious as he quickly took out several Array Flags and a Compass from his arms.
"This restriction...so strange! It seems...to repel strangers?"
As he spoke, the blue light suddenly expanded! An invisible energy ripple spread out!
The nearest two giant stone pillars surfaces suddenly lit up with dense and eerie runes!
The runes glowed red, and a wave of malicious and cursed aura exploded instantly!
"Careful!"
Zhao Boyang shouted warningly, his True Qi surging around him to form a shield!
The energy ripple was too fast and widespread!
The tall and thin Array Master took the brunt of it, groaning as the Compass in his hand cracked with a "snap," and he himself staggered backward several steps, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth! The burly man also groaned, his Protective True Qi fluctuating violently.
Jin’er reacted quickly, drifting backward while forming a handprint with both hands, a faint black light screen appearing before her to block the energy ripple, the light screen flickering intensely, clearly enduring considerable pressure.
Zhao Boyang’s shield shook violently, his expression slightly changing.
The force of the restriction’s counterattack far exceeded his expectations!
Only Gu Sheng and Gu Yuanyuan’s positions seemed isolated by an invisible force.
The expanding energy ripple dissipated quietly like hitting an invisible wall three feet before Gu Sheng, without causing any disturbance.
Gu Yuanyuan stood behind Gu Sheng, feeling the terrifying near-yet-untouchable wave, deepening her understanding of her master’s strength.
"It’s the Ancient Curse Ghost Spirit Ban!"
Jin’er’s cold voice sounded, laden with seriousness.
"Attached to the entrance’s guarding restriction, it bears the resentment and curse of ancient fallen warriors, capable of eroding the Divine Soul and corrupting True Yuan! Forcing it open will provoke a more violent backlash!"
"Then what do we do? Are we just going to watch the entrance open and close again?"
The burly man anxiously asked.
Zhao Boyang frowned, looking at Gu Sheng.
"Brother Gu, do you have a solution?"
Gu Sheng did not answer; his gaze fell on the stone pillars covered with red runes, his eyes calm and unperturbed.
He slowly raised his right hand, spreading his fingers toward the flickering blue light entrance.
No overwhelming momentum, no complex spells.
He merely formed a handprint, his movements fluid like flowing clouds and water, the tips of his fingers exuding a faint, indescribable Daoist Rhythm.
With the change in his handprint, the two giant stone pillars covered in red runes suddenly trembled!
The malicious runes’ glow quickly dimmed and extinguished!
The pervading curse and resentment aura rapidly dissolved and disintegrated!
In the blink of an eye, the pillars restored their original dull appearance, no longer exhibiting any anomalies.
And the blue glow flickering entrance thoroughly stabilized, forming a swirling vortex of energy about a yard high, exuding a profound and mysterious aura.
The entire plaza went dead silent.
Zhao Boyang, the burly man, the tall and thin Array Master, including Jin’er who remained calm all the while, now stared wide-eyed at the quiet entrance, then at Gu Sheng’s slowly lowered hand.
In mere gestures, lightly and effortlessly, he resolved what they found extremely troublesome, the Ancient Curse Ghost Spirit Ban?!
What...what kind of method is this?!
Zhao Boyang looked at Gu Sheng with unprecedented shock and deep wariness.
Though he’d known Gu Sheng’s ability was unfathomable, witnessing it firsthand revealed the true weight of "unfathomable!"
Gu Sheng’s gaze rested on the black-clad woman, Jin’er, like an invisible probe for a moment.
This woman’s aura was restrained, seemingly calm and undisturbed, yet Gu Sheng keenly detected extremely subtle abnormal fluctuations under her cold exterior.
This fluctuation harbors a coldness and stillness at odds with the surrounding environment, not typical for ordinary martial artists.
"Miss Jin’er," Gu Sheng’s calm voice rang out, breaking the brief silence.
"Since Brother Zhao proposed an alliance, to prevent mutual suspicion, Miss should also swear by your martial heart, ensuring no hostility toward my master and me within the Thousand Souls Hall Secret Realm. Otherwise, we shan’t discuss this alliance."