Chapter 103

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Chapter 103: The Ruined Temple in the Wilderness

Under the veil of night, the mountains lay shrouded in darkness, while the wilderness shimmered with scattered starlight beneath the gentle glow of the bright moon. In the distance, the faint howls of wolves echoed, carrying an air of mystery and danger.

Ming He swallowed a pill, her grip tightening around the Blue Sea Sword. She stood still, her narrowed eyes fixed on the distant, dilapidated temple. Within the depths of her gaze, a mix of caution and irritation flickered.

The journey from the Floating Cloud Sect in the Eastern Region to the Qin Clan in the Central Region spanned tens of thousands of miles. Though Ming He did not know the exact location of the Qin Clan, it mattered little. Once she entered the Central Region, she could easily gather information about its general whereabouts. With the Spirit Contract connecting her to Qin Chu Yi, finding her would not be difficult.

However, her cultivation, at half a step into the Wind Master realm, was insufficient to sustain her Sword Flight all the way to the Central Region. Along the way, she would inevitably need to descend from the clouds to replenish her spiritual energy.

She carried plenty of elixirs, enough to sustain her until she reached the Qin Clan. Even without relying on Sword Flight, her footwork would allow her to press onward without the need for frequent rest.

Yet, the one thing she could not control was the unexpected. Like the ruined temple before her, standing starkly under the moonlight amidst an endless wilderness. Its sudden appearance here, in the middle of nowhere, radiated an unsettling aura.

Ming He, driven by her desire to see Qin Chu Yi, had no interest in seeking shelter in a temple. When she first encountered the ruined temple, she had merely glanced at it lightly before continuing on her way. But now, it had appeared again.

It moved as she moved.

Realizing this, Ming He’s first instinct was to ascend into the clouds via Sword Flight. She refused to believe that a mere temple could follow her into the sky.

As it turned out, the temple could not follow her into the sky, but it could prevent her from rising. From the moment she laid eyes on the temple, the world around her seemed to have been sealed. She could neither fly upward nor escape the wilderness. It seemed her only option was to enter the temple, a thought that filled her with frustration.

“Awwoo!”

A wolf’s howl reverberated from behind the temple, carrying an almost urgent tone. The sky above was pitch black, like spilled ink, yet she had been walking in darkness for what felt like an eternity. Dawn should have broken by now.

Ming He tightened her grip on the Blue Sea Sword, remaining silent for a moment. Finally, she yielded to the unseen force pulling her toward the temple. Star Power swirled around her heart, her spirit taut and her body on high alert.

"Bang!"

The temple’s ruined wooden door, draped in cobwebs, collapsed under Ming He’s forceful kick. She retrieved a small moon lamp from her belongings, a gift from a senior craftsman on Artifact Peak. Its sole purpose was to provide light.

As her gaze swept the interior, the first thing she noticed was a dilapidated statue with wide, staring eyes perched on the altar. Candles flickered on either side, their flames strangely resilient against the gusts of cold wind. The drapes were stained and tattered, and the flagstones beneath her feet were cracked and broken. The temple’s interior was stark and unremarkable, no different from any other mortal temple.

Ming He frowned as she circled the temple. The wolf’s howls persisted, seemingly designed to create an eerie atmosphere. Yet, for some reason, the statue’s wide-eyed gaze struck her as almost comical.

“Hmm.”

A faint and ethereal voice emanated from beneath the statue, as if calling for help in response to the disturbance. And… the voice sounded oddly familiar.

Ming He narrowed her eyes, hesitating for a moment. She abandoned the thought of kicking the statue over and instead leaped lightly onto the altar. Bending down, she lifted the statue aside, revealing a dark hole beneath it. From the hole emanated an obscure energy, likely the source of the force that had trapped her, preventing her from ascending or escaping the wilderness.

Since she couldn’t leave, she decided to investigate.

With her cultivation now at half a step into the Wind Master realm, Ming He’s strength had grown significantly. Moreover, her mastery of the Four-direction Compass had bolstered her confidence.

She glanced back at the temple door, where faint moonlight still illuminated the endless wilderness. The aura emanating from the hole was sharp and profound, as if inviting her to step into its trap.

“Chirp.”

Ming He let out a soft chuckle, a dark glint in her eyes. Without further hesitation, she leaped into the hole. As the Star Lock activated, her vision sharpened, allowing her to see clearly without the aid of the small moon lamp.

The stone walls were slick with moss as she descended rapidly. Withered vines and a gurgling stream came into view below. As the dark ground approached, she tapped her toes lightly, propelling herself into the air. A moment later, she landed smoothly, her breathing steady and her body undisturbed.

“Mmm.”

The sound of a woman murmuring and struggling reached her ears once more.

Following the sound, Ming He crossed the stream and navigated the cliffside cave. In a recessed hollow, she found two women bound by black ropes. One wore red attire, vibrant as fire, while the other was clad in black clothes, dark as ink. They were the same individuals she had encountered not long ago.

Recognizing their faces, Ming He smirked, her voice laced with mockery. “Young leader, we meet again.”

She raised the moon lamp in her hand slightly, meeting the astonished gaze and tightly pursed lips of the woman in red. A smile spread across her face, tinged with a hint of malice.

“Ming He!”

Ji Wu Xu’s voice was sharp, unable to hide her surprise. It was clear she had never expected to see Ming He here. “How did you end up here?”

“That’s a question I should be asking you,” Ming He replied, her sharp gaze piercing through the air as she looked at Ji Wu Xu, the suspicion and murderous intent in her eyes unmistakable, as if weighing the likelihood of successfully killing her at that moment.

Ji Wu Xu had grown up in bloodshed and strife, so she was naturally accustomed to such gazes. She narrowed her eyes, her tone momentarily maintaining its usual high and mighty demeanor. “I am the young leader of the demon race. There’s a soul lamp in the Hall of Eternal Life belonging to the demon race. If you kill me, the soul lamp will record your appearance, and you won’t escape.”

Sensing the unfavorable turn of events, Ji Wu Xu stiffened and unnaturally softened her tone. “Ming He, let me and Dream Sea go, and we can join forces.”

“Join forces?” Ming He chuckled derisively, using the tip of her sword to lift Ji Wu Xu’s chin, her smile mocking and defiant. “Given your current situation of surrendering completely, how can you join forces with me?”

“What does having a soul lamp matter? If I apply a bit of force with my right hand, your life will be lost. What happens after that has nothing to do with you.”

She recalled the cold, merciless Ji Wu Xu who had told her to jump off a cliff in the ancient cave dwelling and remembered the high and mighty attitude in the secluded hollow. If it weren’t for Nineteen’s Blood Oath restraining them, she would have likely died at Ji Wu Xu’s hands long ago.

“So what do you propose?” Ji Wu Xu’s expression darkened. Even though her cultivation was sealed and she was bound, she refused to lower her head, pride stemming from her very core, unwilling to yield to anyone.

“Tell me why you are here. What is the origin of this wilderness and the ruined temple? Who controls all this? And how can we leave?” Ming He withdrew her long sword and cast a glance at the girl in black named Dream Sea, unfazed by the anger in her eyes.

“First, untie my ropes.” Ji Wu Xu turned her head to avoid Ming He’s piercing gaze in an attempt to haggle.

“Young leader, you have no right to refuse.” Ming He’s eyes were deep. “If you don’t wish to tell me, I can easily seek the answers elsewhere. Perhaps I will die here, but if I die, I fear you won’t escape death either.”

“You… very well!” Ji Wu Xu clenched her fist, her eyes defiant, yet after a moment of unwavering determination, she eventually yielded. “This temple is called the Blood God Temple, and the wilderness is known as the Blood God Wilderness. I haven’t seen the true face of the mastermind hiding in the darkness, but based on clues from Dream Sea, it should be related to the Right Envoy of the demon race.”

The Right Envoy of the demon race?

Ming He’s gaze shifted slightly as she recalled a shadow that seemed to overlook all, a figure prouder and more arrogant than Ji Wu Xu—Mu Xuan Ye, Left Envoy of the demon race.

“Indeed, the Right Envoy of the demon race is in opposition to the Left Envoy. He holds an antagonistic relationship with Mu Xuan Ye, who appeared in the ancient cave dwelling. Moreover, as far as I know, the current Right Envoy is in contact with other races,” Ji Wu Xu confirmed Ming He’s suspicions with a nod.

“The new Demon Lord is young and passionate, and his cultivation and strength are insufficient to command respect. Left Envoy Mu Xuan Ye has been trapped in the ancient cave dwelling for a thousand years and just recently returned to the clan. Until now, the Right Envoy has been in control of demon affairs.”

Ming He listened while glancing around. “What are the Blood God Temple and the Blood God Wilderness?”

“The Blood God Wilderness centers around the Blood God Temple. There are ten Absolute Death Zones on Tianwu Continent, with the Valley of Life and Death being the foremost. The Blood God Temple, although not as terrifying and mysterious as the Valley of Life and Death, still ranks among them. The Blood God Temple, like the Vast Ancient Realm, drifts above the Tianwu Continent, appearing and disappearing without anyone knowing where or when. After Dream Sea and I left the secluded hollow, we happened to pass by here and ended up trapped.”

Ji Wu Xu’s bitter smile hinted at her frustration.

“Just happened to pass by?” Ming He chuckled lightly, her eyes bright. “You don’t think I look so easily deceived, do you?”

Her voice sharpened, unabashedly questioning. “This place lies at the eastern edge, with hundreds of miles and no cities in sight. Even the spiritual energy here is less dense than elsewhere. Without the presence of the Blood God Temple, this would be just another ordinary wilderness. How could you possibly be here for no reason?”

“And according to the clues given by Dream Sea? What kind of clues led you to deduce it was related to the Right Envoy of the demon race? I’d like to see them.”

“You…” Ji Wu Xu faltered at her series of questions, her face a mix of arrogance and offended anger. She opened her mouth to respond, but in the next moment, her pupils contracted as she looked behind Ming He, dark colors flickering in her gaze, filled with both wariness and murderous intent.

Ming He felt a chill run down her spine; it felt as if something strange had latched onto her back, sending shivers through her.

She gripped the sword hilt and turned slowly, coming face to face with a pair of green glowing eyes. In the dimness, there was an eerie and frightening quality to them, as they watched her with a slight smile—such a gaze felt strangely familiar.

Ming He’s heart raced for a moment, and her instinctive reaction was to run, moving in the direction she had come from, ignoring Ji Wu Xu’s frantic screams behind her.

In a life-and-death situation, her life was the most important; Ji Wu Xu was not Qin Chu Yi and certainly wasn’t worth her risking her life for.

What suffocated her more was that the green-eyed creature behind her paid no heed to Ji Wu Xu or Dream Sea. It only followed her relentlessly, as if it didn’t even see the other two.

Why was it only chasing after her?

Ming He inhaled deeply as she scrambled up towards the cave entrance, turning back to move the statue away to a distance before bursting out of the ruined temple. The moonlight beyond was sparse, and although she still could not leave this wilderness, at least she wouldn’t have to face the creature.

Feeling a small sense of relief, she looked up only to be startled to find the green-eyed creature standing in front of her, smiling at her innocently like a child—yet to Ming He, it felt unnervingly strange.

In the dimness, her spirit had trembled too much to see the creature’s features clearly. Now, as the moonlight illuminated them, the skeletal form became completely distinct; it was not human nor demon, but a skeleton formed of bones.

“Ha ha, you finally came!”

The skeleton spoke in a low, broken voice as it swung out a dark light to trap her, then retrieved a black rope to bind her to a nearby tree trunk. It drew away her Blue Sea Sword and returned to the ruined temple, having surprisingly spared her life.

Ming He lowered her gaze, feeling a sense of regret. She could feel the vibrations of the Star Lock and the Four-direction Compass. If the skeleton had harmed her life, the one to perish might have been someone else, but instead, it simply took her sword and left.

But why did it take her sword?

Earlier, when she had encountered Ji Wu Xu and Dream Sea in the cave, their long whips and flutes remained with them, untouched by the creature.

Ming He squinted her eyes, replaying the creature’s image and voice in her mind repeatedly, growing more certain that she had seen this before. It was not an illusion; she had definitely encountered it somewhere.

With those green eyes, the skeleton, and the phrase it uttered: “You finally came.”

It seemed as though it had waited for her for a long time, yet her decision to pursue Qin Chu Yi in the central region had been made in haste, even she didn’t know why the skeleton would use such words.

Ji Wu Xu, Dream Sea, Blood God Temple, the ten Absolute Death Zones, Right Envoy of the demon race, other races—Ming He recalled everything Ji Wu Xu had said. The skeleton, the Blue Sea Sword, Mu Qian!

Ming He raised her head, her eyes shining brightly as she remembered: she had encountered this skeleton during a mission as a true disciple with Mu Qian in Bailu Village of Chixia Town; it was identical to the one she just saw, both having green eyes.

Mu Qian was connected with other races; Ji Wu Xu said the Right Envoy of the demon race was also linked to other races, and why couldn’t she escape the Blood God Wilderness? Was it some form of marking?

If that’s the case… Ming He’s pupils constricted as she finally understood the creature’s purpose in taking her Blue Sea Sword.