Wasted Spiritual Root to Embark on Demonic Cultivation Chapter 54

The chilling frost in the air became increasingly noticeable. Some cultivators could not help but shiver, and only after activating their spiritual light shields did they feel slightly better.

Liu Jinxian frowned deeply at this. From her shoulder emerged the same blood-red mosquito beast Wang Yu had seen before. It immediately released a mist that enveloped her body. Her feet stepped onto the stairway, and she rapidly sped ahead.

As the group followed, Wang Yu deliberately stayed at the back.

He cultivated the Cold Blood Technique and had undergone physical modification through the Corpse Demon Secret Technique. He specialized in cold and yin attributes, making him extremely resistant to cold temperatures.

Even without using spiritual power to protect himself, he could move freely and even felt that his internal spiritual power became slightly more active. However, as he ascended higher, the temperature suddenly dropped. In the darkness, a crescent moon seemed to rise above the palace.

The descending lunar essence transformed into frost that froze the earth.

Even he was significantly affected, let alone the others. This situation was noticed by Liu Jinxian, who turned around and saw the group trembling from the cold. She then spoke.

“Those of you who cannot hold out, there is no need to force your way into the main hall. The surrounding side halls and auxiliary halls also contain relics. You may retrieve them on your own.

“There is only one condition. Upon return, I will inspect your storage pouches. All cultivation methods and secret techniques must be copied, and half of the treasures and magical tools must be turned over.

This condition caused Su Qingshan and the others to show a noticeable change in expression, looking heavy-hearted. However, the disciples of the Gu Poison Peak looked as though they had just received a great blessing, expressing sincere gratitude.

“Thank you, Senior Sister Liu, for your generous reward.”

Their obedience was extremely high. Wang Yu narrowed his eyes, suspecting these people might be restricted or controlled by Gu insects. Otherwise, they were acting far too much like obedient children.

Their eyes met from a distance, and Liu Jinxian specially reminded him.

“You too.”

Wang Yu abruptly halted his climbing. At this point, he was about one-third up the steps. That Liu woman had already passed halfway. From this position, he could vaguely make out the name of the main hall.

— [Moon Condensation Palace]!

This kind of behavior made Wang Yu feel dissatisfied, though he was uncertain about her real intentions. Come to think of it, where was Gu Zhengshun? If he already knew about the underground passage of Blackbone Mountain, why had there been no sign of him?

Meanwhile…

At the bottom of the third Blackbone Mountain, a large opening had appeared where the Earth-Yin Corpse Puppet Formation was supposed to protect. Situ Hong led ten late-stage Qi Refining subordinates into the breach.

They immediately saw Gu Zhengshun standing before a massive crack in the earth, about one zhang wide. A ghostly green light glowed from within, releasing endless cold currents and dense corpse qi.

Around him stood many armored corpses, stretching their heads to inhale greedily. The pale yellow mountain-ridge copper armor they wore was gradually turning into deep yellow. This was a sign that Copper Armored Corpses were about to break through to the late first-rank.

As for Gu Zhengshun, his aura was slightly unstable, but he had clearly broken through both the mid-stage and late-stage bottlenecks, reaching the seventh layer of Qi Refining.

Situ Hong took a few steps forward and congratulated him:

“Congratulations, Junior Brother Gu, on successfully breaking through to late-stage Qi Refining. It seems the Xuan Essence Flower worked well.”

Gu Zhengshun nodded.

“The effect was indeed excellent. However, this item does not last long in the world. Even preserved through Pill-Sealing Techniques, its freshness only lasts three years. Otherwise, this place would not have been left to the likes of us.”

Hearing this, Situ Hong’s expression changed slightly. He said seriously:

“Liu Jinxian is the daughter of True Personage Green Snake. The resources she can mobilize are far beyond what people like us can. Before coming to Blackbone Mountain this time, she arranged for a Liu family Foundation Establishment cultivator to apply to the sect for a long-term garrison post at Blackbone Mountain.

“I asked Peach Blossom Ghost Mother to hold that off temporarily. If we're lucky, we might delay for a five-year rotation, but we must act quickly.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Zhengshun looked surprised at Situ Hong’s peerlessly handsome face. He was the grand-disciple of the Earth-Yin Master, and had only entered this lineage due to the connections of his ancestors.

Situ Hong was the adopted son of the Peach Blossom Ghost Mother, and relied largely on his appearance. He was an extraordinarily beautiful man, and rumor had it that he paid with nightly efforts on her bed.

Otherwise, given the Peach Blossom Ghost Mother's resources, he would not have only reached the seventh layer of Qi Refining with a high-grade spiritual root (dual spiritual roots). To put it unkindly, he resembled more a well-kept male pet of high status.

Before coming to the Blackbone Mountain, the two had already contacted each other in secret. After a brief pause, Gu Zhengshun continued:

"Wang Yu possesses extremely powerful combat strength, enough to rival an inner sect Qi Refining eighth-layer cultivator. After obtaining the second-rank Divine Strength Corpse Arm I provided, his strength has likely reached the peak of Qi Refining."

"Without using her hidden cards, Liu Jinxian will find it difficult to compete with him."

"Oh... is this person truly so capable?"

"Naturally."

Gu Zhengshun let out a long sigh. "Before arriving at Blackbone Mountain, I had a slight conflict with him. I had to lure him with profit just to barely form an alliance. Once he and Liu Jinxian both suffer losses, the two of us can then seize the underground palace relics. That is the optimal strategy."

Situ Hong nodded and smiled.

"Liu Jinxian likely believes she went the wrong way, thinking the underground ruins lie beneath the Endless Icefield. In truth, the elemental magnetic field here is chaotic, making it difficult to determine direction. Coupled with the temperature changes, she will certainly believe her judgment without doubt."

"We only need to sit and wait for the fight to begin, then employ the mantis stalks the cicada while the oriole waits behind strategy. However... will Wang Yu really make a move?"

"He will." Gu Zhengshun took a sealed letter from his sleeve and handed it to Situ Hong. "Besides Wang Yu, there are also disciples like Su Qingshan from outside the Gu Poison Peak. They will definitely make a move."

Situ Hong read through the secret letter and paused at the signature.

"Zhao Shang. Interesting. A clever use of a borrowed blade to kill. One of True Disciple Su's most trusted men... tsk tsk."

At the same time.

On the tall stairway leading to the Moon Condensation Palace, the disciples of Gu Poison Peak left the steps in small groups.

It was noticeable that since they gave up progressing further, the temperature had stopped dropping and instead remained at a constant low level. Each raised a protective spiritual light or used magic tools to resist the cold, then headed toward the side halls.

Wang Yu glanced at Su Qingshan, curled his finger in a slightly provocative gesture, and also leaped toward one side.

In truth, he would rather explore the main hall, but Liu Jinxian was clearly intent on exploitation. Gu Zhengshun and Situ Hong were nowhere to be seen. If he wanted to resist, this was not the right time.

Thus, the priority was to eliminate Su Qingshan, who harbored ill intent. That would help clarify the foggy situation.

Facing Wang Yu’s provocation, Su Qingshan looked at the three Qi Refining late-stage cultivators he had grown close to during this time and spoke in a low voice.

“Liu Jinxian is powerful, and we cannot contend with her. Why not kill Wang Yu first, divide the Xuan Essence Flowers he carries, and then head to the side halls to seek opportunities. What do you think?”

The three of them pondered for a moment and said, “Agreed. Let strength decide. Whoever kills Wang Yu gets fifty percent of his Xuan Essence Flowers. How about it?”

This proposal was exactly what Su Qingshan wanted. Faced with profit, one naturally becomes braver and more decisive.

“Then we follow Brother Li’s words. Let’s go, follow him.”

The four moved at once, trailing behind Wang Yu from a distance. Naturally, he also noticed them.

Since the underground ruins were the remains of an ancient sect, he was keen on finding structures like a Scripture Hall to see if there were any ancient alchemical formulas passed down.