Chapter 73

Gao Yi's brows furrowed even more tightly. Under Gong Xinran's pleading gaze, he hesitated for a long time before reluctantly said with a reluctant expression, "Forget it! This young lady is a Spirit Master of the Nourishing Spirit Realm, which can make up for our shortcomings. That Frost Hell Tiger can also be of help. You can follow, but you must listen to my orders—"

Gong Xinran was immediately overjoyed, dragging Zong Shou and Chuxue into the group of martial artists.

Zong Shou was already speechless, wanting to say that today's Zong Shou was no longer the Zong Shou of the past, and no longer needed protection from others. However, for some unknown reason, he did not refuse, and instead, as if possessed, said, "Thank you, Senior Sister! By the way, how have you been these past two years?"

Gong Xinran smiled and subconsciously looked at Gao Yi's back: "Not bad, not terrible! These two years, I've been following Senior Brother Gao, traveling through the eastern cities, seeing many places, and gaining a lot of knowledge. As the saying goes, you don't know the vastness of the world until you step out. Even in the Eastern Cloud Continent, you and I are like grains of sand in the vast sea. When we were at the Linhai Academy, we were indeed like frogs at the bottom of a well. Fortunately, Senior Brother Gao is steady and experienced. Although he comes from a large family, he takes good care of me."

Her eyes were filled with sweetness and happiness. Zong Shou, however, felt as if his heart had been pierced by a needle, feeling extremely miserable. Even when his dual meridians flared up during cultivation, he had never felt such pain.

He secretly smiled bitterly. In his previous life, he had experienced the pain of a broken heart once. He thought he would never feel that sense of loss and sorrow again. Unexpectedly, in this life, he could passively and deeply 'experience' it again. The jealousy and heartache in his chest were truly repulsive, yet he couldn't shake them off.

Suddenly, he felt a chill all over his body, sensing a cold, hidden murderous gaze from not far away. Zong Shou's heart shuddered, and he scanned the area, but found nothing unusual. He couldn't determine where that gaze had come from, nor was it from Qi Nu, who had previously spoken rudely to him.

Was it just an illusion? Was he being too paranoid?

Zong Shou pondered for a moment, feeling it was off. He carefully observed the few people in front, but still found nothing out of the ordinary. He finally suppressed this doubt and buried it in his heart.

After Gao Yi made some arrangements, the group continued on their journey. A few secret martial artists guarded the front, and the Frost Hell Tiger joined them. Gong Xinran, Zong Shou, and Chuxue walked in the center of the back. Surprisingly, Gao Yi was also with the secret martial artists. Being a dual cultivator of both spirit and martial arts, he had the strength of a martial artist, and with a third-stage wolf-shaped guardian spirit attached, his occasional attacks were even more powerful than those of the secret martial artists! His agile posture indeed had the qualities that made girls infatuated.

After walking awkwardly for a while, Zong Shou realized that this situation wasn't bad. In this group, he was basically a bystander and didn't need to take action. It was very relaxing, and he didn't have to worry about taking detours to avoid those spirit beasts. After all, Gao Yi had never relied on his combat strength.

Chuxue only needed to use her mind to command the Frost Hell Tiger to fight in the front. Occasionally, she would use spirit techniques like 'Light Body,' 'Bright Eyes,' and 'Strengthen Body' to enhance the secret martial artists.

This allowed her to practice her spirit techniques and strengthen her bond with her first guardian spirit.

The speed of their advance was only slightly slower than when the two of them traveled alone. In just half a day, they had covered over eighty miles, approaching the middle section of the Blood Valley. The Frost Hell Tiger, which Chuxue initially controlled somewhat awkwardly, now moved naturally and was even more ferocious.

Gong Xinran was somewhat surprised and turned to ask curiously, "Has your body improved, Junior Brother? You haven't been panting even after walking for so long. I remember that in the past, you would get very tired after walking for two hours. I thought you were going to rest—"

Zong Shou was not surprised at all. His Wind Spirit Bone was hidden on his body, and the wind-type beast crystal's spirit energy only circulated internally, undetectable by a Nourishing Spirit Realm Spirit Master.

At this moment, he didn't explain, only nodding slightly in acknowledgment. Then, with a curious look, he observed the secret martial artists in front and asked, "These secret martial artists, did Senior Brother Gao invite them? What is their background?"

He had already sensed that these people were extraordinary, and this feeling was even stronger now.

Not only were their attacks fierce, but when they worked together, they were extremely默契. Their martial techniques were broad and open, clearly indicating a military background. They also took great care of Gao Yi.

Their experience was extremely seasoned, though not as good as his, they had avoided most of the fierce beasts and beast groups on this journey.

"I don't know!" Gong Xinran shook her head and said, "Senior Brother sent a message after learning that my ancestor perished in this Blood Valley. They are either his friends or subordinates. In any case, they are very strong, and ordinary secret martial artists of the same rank are no match for them!"

Zong Shou's eyes flickered, and he did not ask further. He secretly agreed that such people could easily defeat Li Jian Wuwei. Even Yin Yang, before his eighth meridian, might not be able to escape unscathed from the combined strength of these six people.

However, it wasn't surprising. As the young master of the Gao family, how could Gao Yi not have capable people following and protecting him?

Even Zong Shou himself didn't believe that, besides Yin Yang, Zong Weiran hadn't arranged other people to secretly protect him.

Putting aside his worries for the moment, Zong Shou added a bit of caution to his heart.

The group's strength was indeed very strong. On this journey, apart from a few third-stage spirit beasts and a pack of Fang Lang beasts, which caused some minor trouble, the rest of the time was smooth sailing.

Until they were a few miles away from a giant mountain that pierced the clouds, the situation suddenly became tense.

There were no second-stage spirit beasts here, only third-stage and above, with even more ferocious temperaments. Fortunately, they were few in number and widely distributed. However, once encountered, it was a fight to the death. Some spirit beasts even liked to travel in groups, making them the most troublesome.

"This is the Demon Corpse Mountain!"

At the foot of the giant mountain, Gong Xinran looked up at the peak with a bewildered expression: "Legend has it that this mountain was formed after the death of a foreign martial cultivator. It can turn the most benevolent person into a bloodthirsty villain and make even the strongest above the Celestial Rank dare not approach. It is also said that this place is filled with countless treasures from ancient times, making the powerful of the Cloud Realm drool with desire."

Zong Shou was also silent. The Blood Valley and the Demon Corpse Mountain were just intermediate beginner zones. But after twenty years, they would become the most advanced high-level dungeons in the Divine Emperor game, requiring at least the Celestial Rank Master realm to enter.

However, when he came here in the virtual world, it was only to level up and obtain the treasures and equipment inside.

Truly being here, alongside people from ten thousand years ago, he could truly feel the immense pressure of the Demon Corpse Mountain and the complex emotions of the people of the Eastern Cloud Continent towards this mountain.

Gong Xinran, speaking, laughed self-deprecatingly, "My ancestor probably came here for the legendary spirit treasures, but I don't know where he perished. Will we be able to find him this time?"

Zong Shou was about to speak when he suddenly heard Chuxue's exclamation. He raised an eyebrow and turned his head. He saw a gray shadow flying rapidly towards him from the right front.

The shadow was vaguely discernible, resembling a rat with bat wings on its sides. It moved as fast as an arrow, reaching him in the blink of an eye.

Chuxue, who was originally preparing to use a spirit technique, was too late to interrupt and come to his aid.

Zong Shou's eyes immediately turned cold, and he placed his right hand on the new Pine Pattern Wind Sword at his side. He had suppressed his aura to avoid attracting spirit beasts, but he had no intention of hiding his strength.

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