Chapter 339 The Cold Caverns Underground

“The Blood Underworld Array?” Chen Fei’s mind moved sharply. The statue that had floated in the air above Saint Ancestor Qu’a’s head remained still, no longer advancing.

But Qu’a’s heart trembled—This brat really can control that terrifying statue?!

“Impossible!” a voice suddenly called out.

It came from Saint Mother A-Yue, who had been locked away by Chen Fei.

Her previously clear eyes brimmed with a misty layer of disbelief.

“Amu wouldn’t activate the Blood Underworld Array!”

Seeing her like this, Chen Fei flickered forward, entering the Ziqing Palace again.

Saint Ancestor Qu’a watched as Chen Fei disappeared, eyes flickering with deep thought.

“You can try attacking me,” Chen Fei said calmly, “but you better hope you destroy my divine sense before that statue does.”

Qu’a hesitated—then backed off without acting.

“How do you know the Blood Underworld Array wouldn’t be activated?” Chen Fei asked A-Yue.

She shook her head violently, covering her ears, refusing to accept what she’d heard.

“It can’t be! That array only activates when Mu Tuo is on the brink of annihilation! Amu would never activate it by choice!”

Chen Fei was about to continue questioning her, but Brute sneered coldly.

“If the Blood Underworld Array’s active, it seals off the entire region.

And the price for that… is blood sacrifice.”

Chen Fei instantly understood why Saint Mother A-Yue had reacted so strongly.

From her behavior, she seemed like a naïve and slightly spoiled child, likely raised by the Mother Cult in isolation from its true nature.

Now, someone had told her the cult had started a blood sacrifice ritual—a complete shattering of her worldview.

It was clearly a painful realization.

Chen Fei no longer pushed her and turned his gaze toward Qu’a.

“You said you can take me out of here?”

“Yes!” Qu’a nodded hastily.

Despite being an Earth Dao cultivator, he showed no shame in being threatened.

After all, he knew how hard it was to reach Earth Dao.

Survival was everything.

Chen Fei studied him for a moment, surprised by how cooperative this high-level expert was.

“Though the Blood Underworld Array seals this space,” Qu’a explained quickly,

“you must have noticed—these underground caverns are crisscrossing and filled with a strange, icy energy.”

He studied Chen Fei’s expression, hoping to get a read on him—

But was stunned to see no reaction at all.

This little brat had serious self-control.

“That cold power can’t be corrupted by the array. We can use it to escape,” Qu’a added urgently.

Chen Fei nodded.

Instantly, the statue above Qu’a’s head floated downward, searing heat radiating once more, and Qu’a began howling in pain.

“Stop! I told you the truth! Are you just going to betray me like this?” Qu’a shouted in fear.

“Do I look like a three-year-old?” Chen Fei’s tone was cold.

“If this cold power really resists the array, there must be a reason. Power like that doesn’t just appear for no reason.”

“If you’re hiding something, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

Flames erupted from Qu’a’s soul, causing him to roll in agony.

“Okay, okay! The icy power comes from an ancient ruin that lies deeper underground.

These caves are pathways to that ruin! It’s dangerous inside, yes, but if you only use the outer tunnels, you won’t be affected!”

Qu’a confessed rapidly.

Chen Fei snorted and withdrew the statue.

“Don’t think I can’t guess what you’re plotting. If I die, you’re not getting out either.”

Then he turned to Brute.

“Senior Brother, stay here and rest. I’ll get us out.”

“Alright!” Brute grinned.

This junior really had some flair.

With a flash of light, Chen Fei exited the Ziqing Palace.

The Caverns

These underground caves were deep and wide, with cold air constantly leaking out.

According to Qu’a, the only way to escape Mu Tuo was through these tunnels.

The problem?

The place was a labyrinth.

There were no clear markers, and finding the way out would take both luck and caution.

Plus—

These caves were connected to an ancient ruin, which likely meant immense danger.

But Chen Fei had no other choice.

He could only begin his exploration.

As for figuring out his location, he’d eventually have to get more info out of Qu’a.

Meanwhile, in Mu Tuo…

The once peaceful village was now shrouded in blood and death.

“Amu, the Blood Underworld Array is already active… but are you sure this is how we’ll find that brat?” a cultist asked doubtfully.

A sharp gleam flashed in Amu’s eyes.

“The array is just a trigger. What I really want is to force him into the caverns.

That’s the only place he’ll think is safe.”

“But if we do that… we might lose track of him entirely.”

Amu smirked.

“We don’t need to find him. Once he enters the caves—he’s trapped.

Don’t forget: this mission isn’t just about Heavenly Apex Holy Land.”

She laughed coldly.

The true target of the Holy Sect…

was the forbidden land beneath all of Eastern Pavilion Nation.

That’s the real goal.

If Chen Fei wandered into that domain, he’d be surrounded by countless Holy Sect elites.

“Just imagine his expression when that happens…” Amu chuckled.

“Now! Dispatch teams to every tunnel entrance.

All we need to do is chase him deeper.

Once he’s in—he’s finished!”

The Mother Cult’s elites moved out at once.

Back inside the caverns—

Chen Fei stood at a fork in the tunnel, frowning.

He had been using the intensity of the cold aura to guide his path.

But now? It had evened out—no longer helpful.

Luckily, he still had Qu’a.

“Which way now?” Chen Fei asked in a low voice.

“I can’t sense anything from in here,” Qu’a said slyly.

“Let me out and I can guide you properly—how about that?”

Before he finished speaking, a searing heat flared again.

“Left tunnel! Take the left one!” Qu’a corrected himself in a panic.

“My patience is thin,” Chen Fei warned coldly.

“Play tricks again, and I’ll burn your soul to ash.”

“Understood! No tricks, I swear!”

Though Qu’a’s mouth spoke submission, his eyes flickered coldly.

“I can’t believe I’m being outwitted by a mere Mystic Realm kid…”

Chen Fei didn’t trust a single word.

After a moment’s thought, he activated the Evil God’s Finger, transforming into a demonic cultivator.

He’d used this disguise before and was already familiar with it.

Since he was deep inside enemy territory, this identity could avoid trouble and deal with emergencies.

And crucially—

The Mother Cult didn’t know he had this ability.

The only flaw?

Most of the cultists in the area had very distinct appearances—

So perfect imitation would still be difficult.