noffsinger Chapter 592
Chapter 592
The sect leader bowed slightly, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes: "Senior, I wonder if this secret technique is reliable? Going to the Netherworld Cold Abyss is probably a matter of life and death."
The old man stroked his beard and smiled, "This secret technique was passed down from ancient times, and it was used to neutralize even more dangerous demonic poisons. However, the medicinal ingredient is rare, and only those with a firm will can go."
After some discussion, the sect leader decided to send Lin Xiu with Zhao Qingyang, Chen Mo, and a few other disciples whose injuries were less severe. "Lin Xiu, although you are the most seriously injured, you have a strong will and rich combat experience. I believe you can complete this mission." The sect leader patted Lin Xiu on the shoulder, his eyes full of expectation.
Lin Xiu forced himself to sit up from the bed, his legs still trembling, but his eyes were incredibly firm: "This disciple will certainly not fail the sect leader's expectations!"
After packing their belongings, the group departed, watched by the sect disciples. The setting sun cast long shadows upon them. A cold wind swirled fallen leaves in the air. Lin Xiu gazed at the distant, rolling mountains, pondering to himself: What dangers lurked in the Netherworld Abyss? Could the Nine-Turn Rejuvenating Grass truly cure the demonic poison in their bodies? But no matter how many hardships lay ahead, for the lives of his fellow disciples, and to protect this cultivation world, he could not back down.
Zhao Qingyang gripped his newly forged spear tightly, Chen Mo tucked his bamboo flute into his waistband, and the group exchanged smiles, quickening their pace in unison. At this moment, they held only one belief: they must find the medicinal ingredient and return alive.
Night fell as dark as ink, and layers of heavy clouds pressed down, making it hard to breathe. Zhao Qingyang, Lin Xiu, Chen Mo, and their group trudged along the winding, rugged mountain path, their clothes soaked with sweat and mud, yet they paid no heed. Along the way, they ate and slept in the open, nibbling on cold rations when hungry and drinking from mountain streams when thirsty; they traveled under the stars and moon, the heavens bearing witness to their arduous journey, the earth beneath their feet bearing witness to their unwavering faith. After a long and arduous journey, day and night, they finally reached the edge of the Netherworld Abyss.
At the edge of the Netherworld Abyss, chaos reigned. Thick fog, like vengeful spirits surging from the depths of hell, enveloped the entire world. As the fog churned, a sinister and terrifying aura, like a venomous snake, silently seeped into the pores of everyone present, sending shivers down their spines. Thick layers of ice covered the ground, gleaming with an eerie blue light. With each step, a faint cracking sound echoed beneath their feet, like the tolling of death's alarm bells.
As soon as the group cautiously stepped into the Frost Abyss, icy winds, like unleashed beasts, howled in from all directions. The winds carried a bone-chilling cold, freezing the air wherever they went. The group's expressions changed drastically, and they quickly channeled their spiritual energy, forming a protective shield around themselves. The spiritual energy collided with the icy winds, bursting forth with dazzling light and crackling sounds; for a moment, the air at the edge of the Frost Abyss seemed to boil.
Zhao Qingyang frowned deeply, his eyes filled with solemnity. He said in a deep voice, "This Cold Abyss is indeed extremely dangerous. We've only just entered, yet we've already felt such powerful pressure and biting cold winds. The road ahead will likely be even more difficult." Lin Xiu, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes warily, his gaze sweeping across his surroundings like a hawk, not missing a single subtle movement. His hands gripped the longsword at his waist tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force, ready to deal with any potential danger at any moment.
Just then, a sinister, eerie growl suddenly echoed from the thick fog ahead. Immediately afterward, a group of ghostly figures, like demons crawling out of the depths of hell, lunged at the group, baring their fangs and claws. These figures were ethereal, their translucent bodies radiating a ghostly green light. Their faces were twisted in ferocious expressions, and they emitted chilling shrieks. Lin Xiu's eyes sharpened, and he shouted, "Everyone, be careful!" Before his words even finished, he charged forward like an arrow released from a bow, his longsword drawn, its cold light gleaming.
Lin Xiu's longsword danced through the horde of shadowy figures, each swing sending up fragments of shadowy creatures. His movements were agile and his footwork exquisite, skillfully dodging the shadowy attacks while simultaneously inflicting heavy blows upon them. Chen Mo and the others were not to be outdone, each unleashing their own spells. Chen Mo formed hand seals and chanted incantations; instantly, golden talismans flew from his hands like sharp swords, piercing the shadowy figures' vital points. Another companion waved his hands, and clusters of flames condensed in his palms, then shot towards the shadowy figures like meteors. The flames collided with the shadowy figures, producing a sizzling sound and puffs of black smoke. For a moment, the abyss was filled with flashing magical light, the shouts of battle, the sounds of clashing spells, and the screams of the shadowy figures mingling together, creating a deafening cacophony.
However, just as they were locked in a fierce battle, the ground suddenly trembled violently. Everyone was startled and immediately stopped what they were doing, warily scanning their surroundings. With a deafening roar, a gigantic shadow emerged from the ground. This shadow was enormous, standing dozens of meters tall, its body like a small mountain, radiating a suffocating aura of oppression. Its eyes, like two blood-red moons, gleamed with a bloodthirsty light, and its mouth was filled with sharp fangs, each taller than a person. With a gentle wave of its massive arm, it stirred up a gust of wind, instantly forcing everyone back several meters.
Everyone fell to the ground, each bearing injuries of varying degrees. Blood seeped from their wounds, blooming like vibrant red plum blossoms on the ice. Lin Xiu struggled to his feet, gazing at the powerful shadowy figure. He thought to himself, "This shadowy figure is far stronger than any we've encountered before. If we can't finish this quickly, our spiritual energy will gradually deplete, and our lives will be in danger." He took a deep breath, his eyes hardening with determination. His hands swiftly formed hand seals, channeling every last drop of spiritual energy within him. As his spiritual energy coalesced, a brilliant light shone around him, and a powerful aura emanated from him, seemingly about to pierce the heavens…
Around Lin Xiu, spiritual energy surged like boiling magma, countless golden runes flowing across his body, as if clad in a dazzling armor. He roared to the sky, his voice causing the surrounding ice to tremble. The condensed spiritual energy in his palm continued to compress and transform, finally forming a sword beam a hundred feet long. The sword beam was entirely silver-white, its edges shimmering with eerie blue lightning, runes flickering on it, as if containing the power to create the world.
With a roar, Lin Xiu swung his arm with all his might, the sword light as fierce as the sun released from a bow, slicing through the thick fog and biting wind, heading towards the enormous shadowy figure. Wherever it passed, the air was forcibly torn apart, leaving a long black trail, as if even space itself could not withstand this terrifying pressure. The sword light, carrying an extremely sharp aura, struck the shadowy figure fiercely. In an instant, the shadowy figure's body erupted with blinding light, and a violent explosion resounded like thunder throughout the icy abyss. The surrounding ice was shattered, and flying ice shards scattered like sharp hidden weapons.
The Shadowy Beast cried out in pain, letting out a deafening roar filled with rage and resentment. The sound waves spread like a tangible force, causing everyone's eardrums to ache and blood to trickle from their mouths. A deep, bone-revealing crack appeared on the Shadowy Beast's massive body, from which black mist continuously poured out, as if its power was rapidly draining away. However, unexpectedly, within just a few breaths, the crack on the Shadowy Beast's body began to heal at a visible speed. The black mist reformed, and the skin at the wound gradually returned to its original state.
Meanwhile, Zhao Qingyang, Chen Mo, and the others, enduring their injuries, stood up again. They exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with determination and unspoken understanding. Zhao Qingyang's spear trembled violently, the tip emitting a dazzling golden light. He charged towards Youying like a golden lightning bolt, his spear like a dragon emerging from the sea, carrying an unstoppable momentum, aiming straight for Youying's blood-moon-like eyes. Chen Mo's hands moved rapidly, forming hand seals and chanting incantations. Countless golden talismans flew from his fingertips, arranging themselves in a strange formation in the air before raining down on Youying. The talismans exploded upon contact with Youying's body, each explosion sending black smoke billowing from his body. Youying roared in fury, frantically waving his massive arms, trying to dispel the vexing attacks.
Frustrated by the relentless attacks, the Shadow writhed violently, spewing foul-smelling black mist from its mouth. Suddenly, it stomped its foot, causing the entire Frost Abyss to tremble violently. Huge cracks appeared in the ground like a spiderweb, from which piercing cold and black mist poured forth. The crowd's expressions changed drastically, and they scrambled to their feet, some leaping into the air, others rolling swiftly to the side, narrowly avoiding the fissures in the ground.
In the midst of the chaos, Lin Xiu's eyes suddenly lit up. He keenly noticed a tiny flaw in the defenses of the Shadow's neck during its frenzied attack. It was a small patch of soft skin peeking out from between the Shadow's scales as it moved violently. Although it was only for a moment, it was enough for Lin Xiu. He took a deep breath, forcibly mobilizing the last bit of spiritual energy in his body. Veins bulged on his forehead, and his face turned red from the excessive exertion.
In an instant, a dazzling light erupted around Lin Xiu's body once more, even more radiant and intense than before, seemingly illuminating the entire Cold Abyss. A spell imbued with all his power shot from his hand, like a brilliant meteor, carrying a do-or-die determination, aimed directly at the Shadow's vitals. The Shadow seemed to sense the danger and tried to dodge, but it was too late. The spell struck the opening in its neck precisely, and the Shadow let out a shrill scream, its massive body shaking violently.
With a deafening roar, the shadowy figure began to slowly dissipate, transforming into countless black specks of light that drifted through the air. As the shadow vanished, the crowd finally breathed a sigh of relief, collapsing to the ground. Sweat and blood soaked their clothes, and exhaustion washed over them. However, before they could fully relax, a mysterious light suddenly shone from the spot where the shadow had vanished. The light expanded rapidly, eventually forming a massive passageway.
A powerful and mysterious aura emanated from the passage, seemingly containing endless secrets and dangers, yet also beckoning them to venture deeper. Deep within the passage, light flickered, and vague outlines appeared—like ancient buildings or mysterious runes. The group exchanged glances, their eyes filled with both fear of the unknown and a thirst for exploration; a new challenge seemed about to unfold.
The biting winds of the Netherworld Abyss still howled. Lin Xiu knelt on the shattered ice, blood seeping from his wounds quickly freezing into dark red ice crystals in the frigid temperature. He braced himself with one hand, his knuckles digging deep into the cold ground, forcing back the taste of blood rising in his throat. Gazing at the faint, mysterious light flickering in the passage, he gritted his teeth, mustered his last bit of spiritual energy to force himself to his feet, his voice hoarse yet filled with unwavering determination: "We have traversed countless mountains and rivers, endured countless life-or-death trials to get here. We must not retreat before the dawn of victory."
Zhao Qingyang wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his spear slamming heavily into the ground with a clang. Chen Mo stuffed the broken talisman back into the cloth bag at his waist, his fingertips still burning with pain. The others nodded, helping each other up, their ragged figures rising again in the eerie blue mist. They checked each other's injuries, tightly binding broken sword hilts with strips of cloth, and painstakingly repairing their torn armor with spiritual energy. Amidst the crisp clash of weapons, a renewed fighting spirit ignited in everyone's eyes as they took firm steps towards the passage.
The moment I stepped into the passage, a chill crept up my spine from my ankles. Unidentified crystals, gleaming with an eerie, bluish-green light, were embedded in the stone walls on either side, like countless eyes hidden in the darkness. The stone path beneath my feet was covered in moss, and puddles reflected shimmering light and shadow. Each step sent tiny splashes of water flying, the "plop, plop" sounds echoing through the silent passage, startling the icicles hanging overhead and causing them to fall.
Suddenly, a muffled tremor emanated from the depths of the passage, as if an ancient mountain range were awakening. The tremor grew more intense, the crystals on the stone walls began to shake, and ripples spread across the water on the ground. Then, a deep roar shattered the silence, the oppressive force of the sound causing everyone to hold their breath—this was no ordinary spirit beast, but an ancient ferocious beast that had slumbered for thousands of years.
With a deafening roar, a colossal ice beast slowly emerged from the darkness. It stood a full ten zhang tall, its body covered in sharply angled ice crystals, each scale gleaming with a piercing, cold light. Its vertical, eerie blue pupils, like two cold lamps, radiated a chilling and cruel killing intent. Its breath condensed into icy mist in the air, instantly freezing the ground thick with frost wherever it passed. The ice beast slightly lowered its head, letting out a threatening growl, and stomped its forepaws heavily on the ground, sending countless ice spikes bursting forth.
"Everyone be careful!" Lin Xiu shouted, charging forward with his sword. His footsteps left sparks on the slippery ground as his sword clashed with the ice blade swung by the ice beast, unleashing a blinding light.