Chapter 36: Return to the Primordial Grotto Heaven
Shi Hao lay down on the mat, pulling the blanket over his head.
If someone accidentally stumbled in and saw his “unfamiliar” face, it would be troublesome.
Although these were righteous martial artists resisting the barbarians, having infiltrated their ranks in disguise could still arouse suspicion.
As evening approached, the sounds outside grew louder and more chaotic.
Shi Hao listened intently. It seemed the Li Huo Branch had arrived.
He exhaled and changed his appearance using the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique.
Exiting the tent, he saw the setting sun casting a golden glow over the western mountains. The newly arrived group carried various weapons. Some were greeting each other, while others stood alone, seemingly out of place.
It seemed Old Qiu and Lu Tong hadn’t lied to him. Dark Thunder was indeed a relatively young organization.
And many of those who had come to fight weren’t even members of Dark Thunder, but righteous martial artists invited to assist.
Of course, the martial world was a complex web of interconnected relationships.
He simply wasn’t familiar with these people because he hadn’t been a part of the martial world before.
He saw a man in a tunic talking with Zhao Leitong, the leader of the Kan Shui Branch.
Someone whispered, “Isn’t that Hero Fu?”
Another whispered, “I didn’t know Hero Fu had joined Dark Thunder.”
Someone else chuckled, “Didn’t you know? Hero Fu is the leader of our Li Huo Branch… Although I only found out yesterday.”
Shi Hao thought to himself, “It seems this Li Huo Branch leader is quite famous in the martial world.”
Lu Tong approached him and whispered, “That’s Hero Fu Shiyuan, the ‘Heroic Iron Eagle.’ He’s known for his righteousness and chivalry. Six months ago, the Grand Leader personally invited him to join our organization.
“Normally, someone of his status wouldn’t reveal their affiliation with us so soon. But this matter is too important.”
Shi Hao whispered, “Many of these people aren’t even members of Dark Thunder. Hastily gathering them like this, won’t there be problems?”
He thought of the term “rabble.”
Lu Tong said, “Don’t worry, Brother Hao. The barbarian court’s tyranny is well-known, and many righteous martial artists are secretly resisting. Many of these people were already on our recruitment list. Although this happened suddenly, everyone here is trustworthy.”
Zhao Leitong and Fu Shiyuan, the two branch leaders, finished their discussion with a few strategists.
They turned to address the assembled crowd. Everyone gathered around, sensing an important announcement.
Fu Shiyuan said loudly, “Everyone, tonight we face a fierce battle against the barbarian troops. I thank you all for coming to our aid. Many of you aren’t even members of our organization, yet you came without hesitation when called upon. I am deeply grateful.”
Someone shouted, “There’s no need for such words, Hero Fu. Just tell us when to kill those barbarians. We’ll shed our blood and give our lives without hesitation!”
Others echoed, “Indeed!” “Not just killing barbarians, Hero Fu, we’ll go through fire and water for you!”
Fu Shiyuan raised his hands, silencing the crowd, and continued, “Thank you all. I know many of you came here with righteous fervor, not even knowing what happened.
“We won’t hide it from you. Tonight’s matter is of grave importance. It involves a sinister plot by the barbarian court…”
He then revealed the details of the God-Sealing Experiment being conducted by the barbarian court and the Chongxian Sect.
Initially, Shi Hao was surprised that he would reveal such important information publicly.
But after a moment of thought, he realized Dark Thunder had made the right choice… Whether tonight’s operation succeeded or not, the information about the God-Sealing Stones had to be spread to warn the supernatural ability users in the martial world.
Since these stones had already been created, even if they were destroyed, there was no guarantee new ones wouldn’t appear.
And if they failed to stop the stones from reaching the capital tonight, mass-produced, miniaturized versions might appear within months, followed by a widespread hunt for supernatural ability users.
Revealing this information not only warned those with supernatural abilities, allowing them to escape, but also united them against the barbarian court.
The crowd was stunned by Fu Shiyuan’s words.
The few supernatural ability users present were especially alarmed.
Zhao Leitong stepped forward and said, “We cannot allow those God-Sealing Stones to reach the capital. Everyone, for years, the barbarian court has inflicted untold suffering on our people. The so-called ‘royalty’ seize land, leaving the common people destitute, forcing them to flee their homes or become slaves.
“The treacherous Chancellor has wasted resources and manpower on the construction of the Grand Canal. The barbarian court is rife with corruption, the barbarian families greedy and depraved, beyond redemption.
“Although Emperor Lie Zunyi is unrivaled in the world, his reign is nearing its end. Our Dark Thunder, though humble, has been secretly uniting righteous martial artists, waiting for the day we can rise up and overthrow the barbarians.
“But if the barbarian court mass-produces these God-Sealing Stones and controls all the divine crystals, our task will become even more difficult. Therefore, we cannot fail tonight.”
The crowd roared their agreement.
Zhao Leitong unfurled a map, “Late tonight, those barbarian troops will be passing through Civilian Martial Ridge. That is where we will strike.
“We’ve learned that there are at least two generals with fifth-rank cultivation among them, Qiyan Bao and Kelie Xiong. Both are skilled and powerful, not to be underestimated. Besides them, there are at least ten other commanders and over a thousand elite soldiers, far outnumbering us.
“Therefore, we must rely on a surprise attack. Once the battle begins, Leader Fu and I will engage Qiyan Bao and Kelie Xiong. One group will strike at the center of their forces, dividing them. Another group will seize the carriage carrying the three God-Sealing Stones. And a third group will remain behind to cover their retreat.
“Brother Wu Liang…”
A lean man of average height responded, “Here!”
Zhao Leitong said, “Your supernatural ability is most suited for seizing the carriage. I’ll entrust this task to you, Brother Wu. Choose whomever you need to assist you.”
Wu Liang smiled, “I don’t need anyone else, just Brother He Ling and Brother Qian Fei. We’ve worked together many times. I trust them…”
Someone chuckled, “So-called ‘cooperation,’ you mean wandering around, robbing and plundering, right?”
The others laughed. Wu Liang’s face flushed, “What’s wrong with robbing and plundering? We only target corrupt merchants and officials. We’re robbing the rich to help the poor!”
Another person laughed, “Robbing the rich is one thing, but helping the poor? We haven’t seen any of that wealth trickling down to us poor brothers.”
As the crowd jeered, Wu Liang was about to argue when Fu Shiyuan intervened, “Everyone, everyone, please let Leader Zhao finish.”
The crowd quieted down. Zhao Leitong continued, “Brother Mu Yan, you will lead a group and charge with us…”
Zhao Leitong assigned tasks to everyone. Shi Hao, along with Lu Tong and three others, was assigned to the support team.
Every task was dangerous. The two branch leaders would be facing the enemy’s main force, two fifth-rank experts with numerous personal guards. Holding them off would be extremely dangerous, but Zhao Leitong and Fu Shiyuan were the only ones capable of doing so.
The martial artist named Mu Yan, along with the two branch leaders, would be charging into the heart of the enemy forces, attempting to divide them. Casualties would be inevitable.
Although Wu Liang and his two companions could escape in a different direction after seizing the God-Sealing Stones, making pursuit difficult, it was uncertain how many would survive.
And once the barbarian troops realized the stones were gone, they would definitely send their elite in pursuit. The rear guard would have to ensure the carriage escaped before they could retreat, which would also be a fierce battle.
After Zhao Leitong finished, Fu Shiyuan said, “Since the barbarian troops won’t be passing through until late tonight, everyone stay here until the hour of the Ox (1-3 am). Then, proceed to your assigned positions.
“The leaders can gather their teams and get acquainted. Also, I trust everyone here. I know you’ve all come here for the righteous cause of resisting the barbarians. But just in case, no one is allowed to leave before the operation begins. Form groups of five and keep an eye on each other. I hope you understand.”
Someone smiled, “Of course, Hero Fu. Don’t worry.” The others agreed.
After all, many of them were strangers, united only by their opposition to the barbarians. A certain degree of caution was necessary, and those truly dedicated to the cause wouldn’t mind.
Shi Hao, Lu Tong, and three others were grouped together. One of the three, a woman, knew Lu Tong, and they chatted under the rising moon.
The other two martial artists initially tried to talk to Shi Hao, wanting to get acquainted.
But Shi Hao remained expressionless and silent, so they lost interest and talked among themselves.
It wasn’t that Shi Hao didn’t want to be friendly, but the side effects of the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique made it difficult for him to even smile.
He had been using the technique for the past few days, and although he had had a brief respite in his tent earlier, it wasn’t enough.
He looked up at the full moon rising in the sky, its bright light filtering through the branches like liquid silver.
He took a small tent, set it up, and crawled inside, pulling the blanket over his head.
Knowing he was grim, aloof, and difficult to approach, no one bothered him.
Inside the tent, he discreetly took out the Jade Clarity Stone and focused his consciousness into it.
The stone flickered with a cold light, and in the next instant, he felt like he was falling into an abyss.
In the darkness, swirling halos of blue and purple light appeared.
Each halo, shaped like a snowflake, was thin as a cicada’s wing, its colors vibrant.
Darkness pressed down from above in waves, followed by two gusts of wind, one cold and one warm.
Unlike last time, Shi Hao now possessed a seventh-rank foundation. He used the two winds to spin and gracefully land.
“Oh?” a pleasant female voice said.
He had returned to the ruined but magical Primordial Grotto Heaven, filled with treasures and immortal energy, and saw the Holy Jade Immortal and the Enchanting Fire Witch once more.
The Holy Jade Immortal, dressed in white, her skin as white as snow, her figure tall and slender, stood there like a pristine snow lotus, her beauty otherworldly and flawless, untouched except for the slight blemish left by the young man before her last time.
The Enchanting Fire Witch sat on a broken piece of jade, the remnants of what seemed to have been a statue, now just a broken pedestal flipped over, its flat surface facing upwards.
She wore her peach blossom embroidered robe, her waist slender, her hair styled in a beautiful bun, her figure petite and charming.
It was the Enchanting Fire Witch who had exclaimed in surprise.
The Holy Jade Immortal looked at him, her expression also filled with surprise.
The Enchanting Fire Witch asked, “Were our calculations wrong? Has more than half a year passed in the outside world, or even longer?”
The Holy Jade Immortal pondered, “If that’s the case, we’ll have to recalculate the time distortion in this grotto heaven.”
Shi Hao, having undone the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique and returned to his original appearance, said, “No, my la… ladies, only a month has passed outside.”
He wasn’t sure if they would be angry if he called them “my ladies.”
The next moment, ice and fire surged towards him as the two figures approached with incredible speed, startling him.
He hadn’t even finished addressing them as “my ladies,” just uttered the word “my,” and they were already angry?
Before he could react, his wrists were grabbed… Even with his seventh-rank foundation, his strength was insignificant to them.
Despite their anger, their expressions were also filled with surprise.
Even the usually cold and aloof Holy Jade Immortal Ye Zi Yin’s beautiful face showed a flicker of astonishment.
“Not bad, your demonic foundation has indeed reached the seventh rank, and there are no signs of demonic influence!” the Enchanting Fire Witch Su Mei said, her voice melodious, “This proves you successfully cultivated the Mysterious Charm Technique to its peak and completed the ritual for advancing to the seventh rank, obtaining the Azure Origin Demonic Source. But one month… how is that possible?”
Ye Zi Yin was equally surprised, “Your Daoist foundation has also reached the seventh rank? This… this is indeed the purest Immortal Ice true energy. You’ve mastered the Immortal Ice Technique and consumed a seventh-rank Immortal Formula. But one month… you did all this in just one month?”
The two women stared at the man who had defiled them both during their first encounter, their eyes filled with disbelief.
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