C39 Meng Zhuyun!
In the heart of Skydome Mountain, the trails were treacherous, strewn with thorns and brambles. The Great Liang Imperial Court had sealed the sole entryway, barring many from entering, leaving few navigable paths within the mountain's embrace.
A pale grey blossom materialized in Lu Yu's grasp—the very spiritual flower sought for the War God's trial. With a mere glance, he identified it with certainty.
"Ah, the Yin Sifting Flower, thriving only in the densest of Yin Qi, essential for pill concoction. To think there would be such an abundance here," Lu Yu mused, slipping the flower into his storage bag with ease. For a medicinal herb like this, more was always better.
Lu Yu had no intention of surrendering these treasures to any self-proclaimed alchemy masters, only for them to squander.
A subtle shift in the Yin Qi caught his attention. To the untrained, it was nothing more than a whisper of wind, but Lu Yu's formidable soul perceived the nuance.
"Over there—could a Demonic Cultivator be practicing their dark arts?" A chill flashed in Lu Yu's eyes as he set off in pursuit.
After an hour's trek, he halted before a towering peak. The source of the Yin Qi lay concealed between two great mountains, elusive unless one dared to scale their summits.
The cliffs stood like sentinels, sheer and unyielding, with no visible path to ascend.
"Quite the strategic location," Lu Yu muttered, crushing an insect in his palm to a fine dust. Its shell bore a black pattern that shimmered with a ghostly glow—a Gu insect, crafted through sinister magic to ambush any who dared trespass.
Confronted by the imposing cliff, Lu Yu stamped his foot with such force that the earth recoiled, leaving a deep crater in its wake.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
He bounded up the cliff face with astonishing agility, reaching the mountain's crest as if it were flat ground.
Upon reaching the summit, Lu Yu discovered a cave entrance. Here, the Yin Qi was palpable, a tangible force that greeted him, as the temperature around him plummeted.
As Lu Yu approached the mouth of the cave, he was startled by a voice echoing from within.
Without a sound, Lu Yu held his breath and stealthily made his way into the cave's depths.
"Meng Zhuyun, you've pursued me relentlessly from the Middle Land to this godforsaken Southern Wasteland. Today, I've finally caught you at a disadvantage!" came a voice, dripping with malice.
"Cardioverter, you're merely at the level of the Heavenly Talisman Realm. You think these mere formations can take my life?" retorted a voice, icy and feminine.
Lu Yu crept behind a massive boulder, his presence diminished to near invisibility, as he covertly watched the unfolding scene.
An elder in a black robe clutched a pearl, which reeked of blood, in his hand. Standing before him was a woman dressed in white.
The woman wielded a long sword, her hair cascading behind her, her figure svelte and her delicate face marked by a hint of fury as she glared at the man in black.
It appeared she was ensnared by a formation, with overwhelming blood energy forming an impenetrable barrier before her, preventing her escape.
"Hahaha, did you really think I'd come unprepared? This Blood Qi Grand Formation is a meticulously crafted Feng Shui trap, just for you. The fate of an entire mortal nation's dragon vein weighs upon you. Should you dare to break the formation, that nation will surely face utter devastation, with mountains crumbling and disasters unending!"
The elder in black grew more brazen, eyeing the woman in white from head to toe. "Your Mystic Zhou Academy has always claimed to protect all beings under heaven. So, are you ready to render countless mortals homeless? Haha!"
Suddenly, the black-robed elder produced a dark vial from his pocket, uncorked it, and a puff of pink mist settled on the woman in white.
She shuddered, staring at the black-robed elder in disbelief. "What is this!?"
"Haha, I paid a handsome sum for this Seductive Soft Powder," the elder sneered with a wicked grin. "Soon, you'll experience its exquisite effects for yourself!"
