Chapter 350: A Solitary Massacre

Chapter 350: A Solitary Massacre

The next day, a delicate female cultivator named Fen'er woke up, and her entire being fell silent.

In her memory, there were only fragments of a hazy dream.

According to the rules of Ziyue Zong, this female cultivator was now under Chu Ning's jurisdiction.

Chu Ning simply housed her in one of the cultivation rooms in his cave abode and directly set up an array restriction, preventing her from leaving the room.

Then, he continued to cultivate in his cave.

For Chu Ning, the news that Cen Zijin had already escaped was a welcome development.

However, because of this, Chu Ning felt it even more necessary to remain in Ziyue Zong.

Previously, there had been rumors that one of the reasons Ziyue Zong recruited so many Foundation Establishment cultivators was to deal with the group from Yaochi Palace.

If the people from Yaochi Palace appeared again, the probability that Ziyue Zong would deploy this new batch of Foundation Establishment cultivators to surround and suppress them was extremely high.

Chu Ning had been waiting for news in this regard, but to his surprise, another half a year passed without any movement.

Perhaps due to the strengthening of Ziyue Zong's forces, the people from Yaochi Palace had completely gone into hiding for the past year.

In recent months, Ziyue Zong had even deliberately sent out small teams on missions outside.

This was also to attract the attention of Yaochi Palace.

However, the people from Yaochi Palace still did not appear.

Midway through this waiting period, Chu Ning also went out to execute three missions.

He continued to display his ruthless character and strength beyond that of his peers, quickly establishing a formidable reputation within Ziyue Zong.

Time flew by, and before he knew it, Chu Ning had already spent a full year in this small Yao Mountain.

Although he didn't slack off in his daily cultivation, he gradually began to lose patience.

"Young Master, do you think the cultivators from Yaochi Palace might have chosen to leave this place after hearing that Ziyue Zong was targeting them?"

Inside the cave abode, Chu Ning sat opposite Bai Ling.

Hearing Bai Ling's words, Chu Ning furrowed his brows slightly.

"I'm worried about that too. If they've really left, then all my waiting here would have been in vain."

As he spoke, Chu Ning's gaze shifted towards the outside of the cave abode.

"Hmm?"

Noticing the slight change in Chu Ning's expression, Bai Ling immediately asked, "Young Master, what's wrong?"

"Four Golden Core cultivators have arrived at the sect from the outside," Chu Ning replied, a strange glint flashing in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Bai Ling's face also showed a hint of surprise.

"It's unusual for Golden Core cultivators to suddenly arrive from the outside. Could it be that Ziyue Zong is up to something?"

Chu Ning nodded slightly. "Let's wait and see. These cultivators should have been transferred from Ziyue Zong's headquarters.

They wouldn't gather so many Golden Core cultivators here in Small Yao Mountain for no reason."

Chu Ning's speculation was accurate. Just three days later, he once again received a notification to go on a mission.

When he arrived at the dojo, he was surprised to find no less than seven Golden Core cultivators gathered there.

Leading them was not the previous Pei Jicai, but another purple-faced elder who had reached the peak of the late Golden Core stage.

It was unclear if it was due to the cultivation of a certain technique, but not only was the elder's face tinged with a purple hue, even his eyebrows and hair were half black and half purple, giving him a rather bizarre appearance.

However, the aura emanating from this elder was exceptionally robust, even among the Golden Core late-stage cultivators Chu Ning had encountered.

Apparently, the elder had reached the stage where, given the right opportunity, he could directly attempt to condense his Nascent Soul.

"This is our sect's Elder Jiang Jiu, the chief protector of Ziyue Zong. He has attained the late Golden Core stage and possesses the cultivation of a Nascent Soul cultivator," Pei Jicai introduced, standing beside the purple-faced elder.

Hearing Pei Jicai's words, the faces of the Foundation Establishment cultivators in the dojo couldn't help but change slightly.

Golden Core cultivators were already revered figures to them, let alone a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Among them, only Chu Ning, who had interacted with cultivators of this level before, maintained his composure and secretly smiled to himself.

While the late Golden Core stage was indeed close to the Nascent Soul realm, it could also be said to be very far.

The two were fundamentally incomparable.

Countless late Golden Core cultivators never managed to take that half-step forward in their entire lives.

The one who left the deepest impression on Chu Ning was the Black Sha Old Demon he had encountered in the past.

After Pei Jicai finished his introduction, Elder Jiang Jiu swept his gaze over the crowd.

"You are all veterans who have undertaken numerous missions, so I won't waste time with unnecessary words.

This mission is special, and everyone must obey the arrangements and give it their all.

Those who make significant contributions will be rewarded accordingly. If anyone tries to flee or shirks their duties, don't blame me for being ruthless."

After speaking, Jiang Jiu casually took out a bone boat from his storage bag. This boat was even larger than the one He Le had used before.

He Le also took out the bone boat that Chu Ning had ridden once before.

The two bone boats nearly covered the entire dojo.

Chu Ning and the others were quickly ushered onto the bone boats.

Subsequently, Jiang Jiu, Xue Caiyun, Wu Le, and the three other Golden Core cultivators boarded their respective boats, while Pei Jicai remained behind, apparently assigned to stay and guard the sect.

As the bone boats took off from Small Yao Mountain, Jiang Jiu did not disclose their destination or the nature of their mission.

However, the direction in which the bone boats were flying gave Chu Ning a vague idea.

"Usually, we're informed about the mission before departure, but this time, they're not revealing anything.

It seems likely that this mission really is related to the cultivators from Yaochi Palace."

Chu Ning had spent a year in Ziyue Zong, mostly cultivating but also interacting with others during his free time.

His impressive performances on several missions had attracted the attention of many cultivators, some of whom had even taken the initiative to befriend him.

As the bone boats flew northward, it seemed unlikely that they were headed toward the other sects. Most probably, they were going after the remnants of Yaochi Palace.

"This direction seems to be leading towards the Chaotic Beast Mountain. Perhaps the Yaochi Palace cultivators have been hiding there, and Ziyue Zong has caught wind of it."

Soon, Chu Ning felt that his guess made sense.

As the two bone boats hovered above Chaotic Beast Mountain, they came to a stop.

Jiang Jiu, floating above the mountain, turned to Xue Caiyun and said:

"Xue, these people are under your command. You take charge of the arrangements."

"Yes!" Xue Caiyun replied, then turned to Chu Ning and the others.

"Now that we're here, there's no point in hiding it from you. After years of investigation, we're certain that the remnants of Yaochi Palace are hiding in this Chaotic Beast Mountain.

Starting now, ten people will form a group and search this mountain from the outskirts inward.

We will provide support at different locations to sweep the area. If you discover any suspicious cultivators or magical beasts, send a signal immediately, and we will come to your aid.

Make sure that no cultivator escapes Chaotic Beast Mountain!"

Xue Caiyun then divided the two hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators into twenty groups, each entering the mountain from one of the four sides.

Except for Jiang Jiu, each of the six Golden Core cultivators took a position a hundred miles ahead in the air, ready to provide support.

Jiang Jiu, on the other hand, flew directly into the heart of the mountain, indicating that Ziyue Zong suspected that the Yaochi Palace cultivators were hiding deep within.

As a late-stage Golden Core cultivator, he was there to use his powerful spiritual sense to investigate.

Chu Ning, holding a signal flare, led nine others into Chaotic Beast Mountain from the outskirts.

Thanks to his outstanding performance in Ziyue Zong over the past year, he was naturally assigned by Xue Caiyun to lead a small team.

"Everyone, spread out in a line, staying thirty zhang apart. Alert me if you notice anything."

Chu Ning gave orders while extending his spiritual sense to its fullest.

Chaotic Beast Mountain wasn't very large, with a radius of only about a thousand li.

His spiritual sense, now capable of covering three hundred li, was more than sufficient for detection, although its strength diminished at the edges.

As they ventured forward, Chu Ning contemplated his next move.

If Cen Zijin and the others weren't here, then so be it. But if they were, he wouldn't let them fall into Ziyue Zong's hands.

However, with so many cultivators around, even with his extraordinary abilities, it was impossible for him to take on a hundred opponents alone.

Moreover, not all of these cultivators were at the Foundation Establishment stage; there were also six Golden Core cultivators in the air.

"It seems necessary to secretly eliminate some cultivators first, but only if Cen Zijin is likely to be here. Otherwise, it would be a futile effort."

Chu Ning pondered, but he didn't rush into action.

Instead, he continued to lead the nine cultivators deeper into the mountain.

After searching for a hundred li without any discoveries, they had only encountered and slain numerous magical beasts.

However, at that moment, Chu Ning's eyes narrowed.

"Array formation!"

With his spiritual sense, Chu Ning detected an array formation concealing the presence of cultivators in a valley at the heart of the mountain.

The formation was extremely well-hidden and even had an effect that distorted one's vision.

If not for Chu Ning's powerful spiritual sense and his knowledge of array formations, he wouldn't have been able to uncover it.

"To set up an array formation in this mountain full of magical beasts, and with Ziyue Zong clearly aware of Yaochi Palace's presence here, it's evident that this is the hiding place of the Yaochi Palace female cultivators."

Chu Ning muttered to himself, then cast the "Divine Illusion Technique".

He enveloped a thousand zhang radius, or about six li, around him with an illusion, which was well within the range of his spiritual sense.

In the next moment, he appeared like a ghost behind one Foundation Establishment cultivator after another, leaving them with no time to react before they were eradicated, body and soul.

In the blink of an eye, more than twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators had perished at Chu Ning's hands.

However, Chu Ning couldn't continue his slaughter without risking detection by Xue Caiyun, who was only a few dozen li away.

Xue Caiyun was too far away in the air, and even if Chu Ning's Illusion Technique could reach that distance, its strength would be diminished, making it easier for a late-stage Golden Core cultivator like Xue Caiyun to detect it.

As Chu Ning contemplated his next move, his eyes narrowed again.

At that moment, Jiang Jiu, who had been searching the depths of Chaotic Beast Mountain from the air, arrived above the valley with the array formation.

He hovered in the air, scrutinizing the deep valley with a thoughtful expression.

"It looks like Jiang Jiu has found something."

Chu Ning's heart stirred, but he wasn't surprised.

After activating it, he threw it towards the valley below.

"An advanced high-grade Restriction Breaking Talisman?"

Chu Ning vaguely guessed what was happening and let out a soft sigh.

That formation array was about to be discovered.

While this Restriction Breaking Talisman might not necessarily break the formation's restrictions, it was highly likely to trigger them.

In this situation, it would naturally be noticed by Jiang Jiu.

As Chu Ning had expected, after Jiang Jiu activated the talisman and threw it into the deep valley in front of him, it immediately triggered the defensive restrictions on the formation.

Seeing this, Jiang Jiu coldly smiled and casually waved his hand, sending a signal into the air.

Xue Caiyun, who was flying ahead, saw the signal and turned to shout towards Chu Ning and the others, "Everyone, quickly gather at the signal location and maintain the encirclement. Don't let any cultivator escape!"

After leaving those words behind, Xue Caiyun flew straight ahead.

When Chu Ning saw this, his eyes lit up.

With Xue Caiyun gone, he no longer had too many concerns.

"I hope their formation can hold out for a while."

Chu Ning muttered to himself, and his figure darted about like a ghost throughout Chaotic Beast Mountain.

He first enveloped the area with the Divine Illusion Technique and then directly moved in for the kill.

With their mere Foundation Establishment cultivation, these cultivators had no way of detecting Chu Ning's actions, and one by one, they perished.

As Chu Ning circled around the mountain, the number of cultivators who had lost their lives at his hands exceeded one hundred and twenty.

The several Ziyue Zong Golden Core cultivators at the front were completely caught off guard.

A solitary massacre had unfolded in these deep mountains.

At this moment, Chu Ning stopped.

His flying speed was indeed fast, but circling the mountain while simultaneously casting illusions and killing had naturally slowed him down.

At this moment, the remaining Foundation Establishment cultivators had already reached within a few dozen li of the formation.

If Chu Ning continued to move forward and kill, he would undoubtedly be discovered by the Ziyue Zong cultivators.

Of course, this wasn't the most important factor.

In Chu Ning's spiritual sense perception, the formation restrictions up ahead were already wobbling and seemed unable to hold on for much longer.

However, Chu Ning couldn't directly go to support them yet.

Using the Divine Illusion Technique at such a high intensity had consumed a significant amount of his spiritual sense, despite its strength.

With six Golden Core cultivators ahead, Chu Ning wouldn't dare to face them with his spiritual sense in a weakened state.

He found a spot and sat down cross-legged, taking out several Leafless Flowers from his storage bag.

The Leafless Flower was a spiritual plant that Chu Ning had cultivated from the Golden Spirit Species Spirit Domain.

Its wood essence qi was far superior to the Iron Soul Flower in aiding the growth of spiritual sense.

After Chu Ning's Refine God Technique broke through to the fourth layer, these Leafless Flowers played a significant role.

However, ever since his Refine God Technique reached the fourth layer, Chu Ning had rarely relied on external objects to cultivate his spiritual sense.

At this moment, Chu Ning extended his spiritual sense into two Leafless Flowers.

Immediately, strands of wood essence qi emanated from the flowers, which Chu Ning refined using his Refine God Technique.

The sea of consciousness in his mind, which had already consumed a lot of spiritual liquid, was now rapidly recovering at a visible rate.

...

Several dozen li away, above the valley.

Several Ziyue Zong cultivators took turns using their magic treasures and talismans to attack the formation's restrictions.

As they watched, the restrictions grew weaker and weaker.

Xue Caiyun's charming laughter continuously rang out above the valley.

"Ladies of Yaochi Palace, come out now. Your formation won't last much longer.

Why bother hiding in these deep mountains and forests?

Your fellow sect members have been enjoying night after night of revelry with our Ziyue Zong cultivators in Small Yao Mountain. Wouldn't you know how much fun they're having?"

"Xue Caiyun!" At this moment, over thirty figures appeared in the valley with the formation.

The one leading them was a female cultivator around the same age as Xue Caiyun, but unlike Xue Caiyun, who exuded charm and seduction, this person was as cold as ice.

Gritting her teeth, she shouted Xue Caiyun's name, her voice filled with icy hatred.

"You shameless harlot!"

Beside her stood two younger female cultivators, both at the early Golden Core stage.

At this moment, the youngest-looking one among them, her face veiled and only a pair of clear eyes visible, spoke, "Sister Cheng, cursing her is pointless now. This formation won't hold for much longer. Let's prepare for battle.

This time, Ziyue Zong came well-prepared. They have six Golden Core cultivators with them.

We have no chance of escape, so let's take down as many as we can."

Hearing these words, the late Golden Core female cultivator named Cheng turned her head and looked at the speaker, her face filled with sorrow.

"No, Sister Cen. After the formation is broken, we'll hold them off for a moment, and you find a way to escape.

With your magic treasure and evasion techniques, even a late-stage Golden Core cultivator may not necessarily catch up to you.

If you escape, at least our Yaochi Palace will retain some hope."

"Escape?" The veiled girl raised her head, her clear eyes flashing with a complex expression.

"Someone once told me, 'If you can't beat them, can't you at least hide?' Unfortunately, I didn't take his words to heart.

Now, it's too late."

"Boom!"

Just as the veiled girl finished speaking, a loud explosion suddenly rang out from above.

Accompanied by a burst of colorful light, the formation's restrictions were directly broken.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end