Chapter 65: Re-entering the Devil’s Den

When they saw that the newcomer was Lu Jin, the group burst into laughter. “So it is Senior Brother Lu Jin? Peak Master Wan was right; you truly did come looking for the Sect Master, hahaha!”

“Since you have walked into the trap, go down and wait for the old man. You can reunite in the underworld!”

“Attack! He has many tricks: do not let him escape!”

The mob of disciples faced Lu Jin with total confidence. They seemed to have forgotten he was the same man who nearly killed the Saintess, Liu Ruyan.

Lu Jin sensed several hidden, powerful auras in the rear. He immediately understood that these disciples were not alone; far more powerful figures were standing guard. They were waiting for Chu Tianxiong, and they were waiting for him.

It seems the Sect Master is indeed down in the Devil’s Den.

The group’s attitude made the truth clear. However, Lu Jin didn’t intend to linger. The Devil’s Den was home to countless perils. Three years ago, even with his Dantian shattered and his Supreme Bone stolen, he had barely escaped. That survival owed much to luck. Now, the Sect Master was afflicted by the Primal Chaos Poison: his chances inside were grim.

Lu Jin was prepared to enter the Den immediately. But the disciples moved on command, surrounding him to block his path.

“You seek death!”

Lu Jin let out a cold snort. Spiritual power rippled around him, manifesting in an instant as a dense thicket of longswords. The blades hummed with intent as they shot toward the surrounding crowd.

“Kill him!”

Swish! Swish! Swish!

The disciples lunged forward, raising their protective barriers and unleashing their strongest trump cards. They were terrified of failing to suppress him. But when Lu Jin revealed his irresistible Jindan cultivation, the group collapsed instantly. Their defenses shattered, their blood surged in reverse, and the sheer, horrific pressure rendered them helpless.

Lu Jin showed no mercy. Since they harbored such malicious intent, he felt no pity.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The swords whistled down with a terrifying, majestic momentum, piercing through their bodies. Within a few heartbeats, the disciples were sprawled across the ground, howling in agony. Those who remained silent had already lost their lives.

The battle ended so swiftly that the hidden experts in the rear didn’t even have time to strike. They could only watch as Lu Jin’s silhouette leaped into the Devil’s Den and vanished.

“What? This Lu Jin… he is actually this formidable now!”

“The combined strength of those disciples was quite high, yet they were slaughtered in seconds! Just how far has his combat power reached?”

“Peak Master Qi, I fear even with my strength, I could not have done that. Lu Jin’s power is likely comparable to a 7th-grade Jindan!”

Once Lu Jin had entered the Den, the hidden auras manifested. They were indeed high-ranking members of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. The man called Peak Master Qi was one of the nine Peak Masters.

Peak Master Qi’s expression shifted, and he spoke in a heavy voice. “I am loath to believe his progress has been so rapid, but his strength is undeniable. For safety’s sake, we must inform Peak Master Wan to prevent any mishaps!”

“Yes!”

* * *

About fifteen minutes passed.

A figure radiating a powerful aura descended outside the Devil’s Den. It was Wan Helai. His gaze was dark as he looked at Peak Master Qi and the others.

“Ji Yaoyue’s soul lamp has been extinguished.”

The news sent a shockwave through the gathered officials.

“Peak Master Wan, are you saying… Peak Master Ji Yaoyue is dead?”

“Did she not go to Xianwu Island to find Lu Jin? With her 6th-grade Jindan strength, how could she die?”

“Could our plan have been exposed?”

Wan Helai didn’t answer. Instead, he dropped another bombshell. “Chai Quan is also dead. Every disciple he took to the Blood Pool for the sacrifice has been killed.”

His words were cold, yet they struck like a heavy bomb, leaving everyone stunned.

“Chai Quan is dead as well?”

“Who did it?”

“Could it be Lu Jin? Based on his cultivation, he shouldn’t be Chai Quan’s match!”

“There are still many members of the Holy Tabernacle within the sect. Purging them will clearly not be easy!”

“For the sake of the Blood Moon Ancestor’s grand design, we must persevere to the end!”

“Does Peak Master Wan know the identity of the killer?”

Wan Helai shook his head. He didn’t have the answer. However, his gaze turned toward the pitch-black entrance of the Devil’s Den.

“That Lu Jin has entered the Den now. There is likely only one reason: he obtained the antidote from the Huangque Pharmacist!”

The group was startled once more.

“Peak Master Wan, what should we do? If Chu Tianxiong purges the poison and emerges alive, even you might not be able to handle him!”

Wan Helai replied: “That is why we must join forces to set an ambush!”

“In my possession is a treasure gifted by the Mo Family Scion of the Blood Moon Holy Land: the Blood-Slaying Tiger-Subduing Array! Everyone, would you like to witness the power of a Heaven-tier array?”

The officials grew excited. “A Heaven-tier array? Heavens! The Mo Family Scion is truly generous to part with such a thing!”

“He is truly a loyal follower of the Blood Moon Ancestor. With the Mo Family’s backing, Peak Master Wan’s future is limitless!”

“If this Heaven-tier array is layered over the Devil’s Den, it won’t matter if Chu Tianxiong recovers his 9th-grade peak strength. He will still be shredded by the formation!”

Wan Helai nodded. “No time to waste: follow me to set the array immediately!”

“Once the formation is ready, I will send a transmission to the Mo Family Scion. If he is pleased, he may even come to oversee the situation personally!”

“Hahaha! That is wonderful! A figure like the Mo Family Scion is a once-in-a-century genius. It would be an honor to see him!”

“With the Mo Family Scion’s help, Chu Tianxiong is doomed. The position of Sect Master will finally belong to Peak Master Wan!”

* * *

When Lu Jin entered the Devil’s Den, he was immediately enveloped by a surge of demonic Qi. Though it was called a den, it was actually a massive, eerie subterranean world. Danger lurked everywhere. Even a single leaf could be coated in the lethal poison of a demonic beast; a single touch could end a life.

However, Lu Jin had been here three years ago. While some things had changed, the general layout remained familiar.

Three years ago, I was nearly devoured by the demons here. I only escaped because of the numerous treasures Shifu left in my spatial ring. I exhausted almost every single one of them to get out alive.

Now that I’ve returned, it is time to slaughter those demonic aberrations!

Lu Jin’s eyes turned cold. His mental power radiated in all directions as he sped deeper into the crimson and black depths of the Devil’s Den.