Chapter 150: Descent into Madness

In the desolate and mysterious land of the Fox Ridge Mountain, the headquarters of the formidable Ghost King Sect stood.

“Chirp, chirp!” The familiar sounds of Xiao Hui echoed through the shadowy, winding passages. From the depths of the shadows, the figure of Gui Li emerged, a small, grey monkey perched on his shoulder, taking sips from a large wine pouch before cleverly tying it shut and letting it dangle. The pouch, with its long, thin ropes, was securely fastened to the monkey, ensuring it wouldn’t fall off.

Gui Li’s face was stoic as he walked forward, heading towards the ice-cold stone chamber where Bi Yao lay. Xiao Hui seemed a bit drowsy, yawning on Gui Li’s shoulder. The surroundings of Fox Ridge Mountain were barren, offering little in the way of wild fruits. Since returning, Xiao Hui had mostly resorted to stealing wine from the Ghost King Sect’s cellar, and in the few days since, he appeared to have gained a bit of weight.

Gui Li moved slowly, encountering few of the Ghost King Sect’s ordinary disciples along the way. He frowned slightly; many disciples had been gathered together and led out of the mountain by the Ghost King himself a few days ago. The destination was unknown to him, and strangely, this seemingly important mission was a mystery even to the Deputy Sect Leader. The seasoned companions of the Ghost King, including You Ji, the Ghost Master, the newly joined Cang Song Dao Ren, and many other capable members, remained at Fox Ridge Mountain.

The enigma deepened: why did the Ghost King, so mysteriously, lead a sizable but less powerful group of warriors? Gui Li was puzzled, but the silence of You Ji, the Ghost Master, and others left no room for questions. What mattered most to him was Bi Yao, who was always his first priority.

Now, he found himself quickly approaching the ice-cold stone chamber.

The entrance was deserted, and You Ji was nowhere to be seen. The usually mysterious woman was often seen around the ice-cold stone chamber, but lately, the atmosphere in the Ghost King Sect had become tense, and her visits had grown sparse.

Gui Li paused at the door, composed himself, and then pushed it open. As he entered, he saw a slender, white-clad figure standing beside Bi Yao. Initially, he thought it was You Ji, but then he realized it couldn’t be her—she always wore black. When the woman turned, her face was not veiled, and Gui Li recognized her.

It was Xiao Bai.

Gui Li felt a slight surprise. Since the failed “Soul Summoning” ritual by the Great Shaman, which led to his heartbroken departure from Fox Ridge Mountain, he hadn’t seen Xiao Bai again. Though he knew from previous encounters that Xiao Bai and the Ghost King were old acquaintances, he had never probed further into the matter.

Xiao Bai, upon seeing Gui Li, showed a hint of surprise before smiling faintly. “It’s you,” she said.

Despite their history, and Xiao Bai’s guidance in saving Bi Yao, Gui Li still felt a sense of gratitude. He nodded, saying, “Hello.” Xiao Hui, still perched on Gui Li’s shoulder, chirped excitedly at Xiao Bai.

Xiao Bai smiled at Xiao Hui and then looked at Gui Li. “You’re here to see Bi Yao, right?”

Gui Li walked up, his eyes falling once more on Bi Yao’s beautiful, serene face. His voice grew soft. “Yes.”

Xiao Bai watched silently as Gui Li sat beside Bi Yao, gazing at her motionless form on the icy stone slab. She sighed softly, shook her head, and slipped out of the chamber, leaving Gui Li alone with Bi Yao.

Time passed, and the heavy stone door creaked open once more. Gui Li emerged from the ice-cold stone chamber, his expression more haggard than before. As he stepped out, he saw the white silhouette of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox still standing patiently in the nearby passage.

Xiao Bai sighed, “Seeing Bi Yao like that must be hard for you. I’m sorry.”

Gui Li shook his head, “I’m fine.”

Xiao Bai placed a hand on his shoulder, whispering, “Don’t lose hope. There is always a chance.”

Gui Li stiffened, turning to her with wide eyes, but Xiao Bai preemptively smiled wryly. “Don’t ask me what to do. I don’t know either.”

Gui Li’s face darkened, and he turned to leave, but a sudden dizziness overcame him. A cold, eerie energy surged through his body, the same energy he knew well from the malevolent Blood Sucking Pearl. But after years of mastering the three volumes of the Heavenly Book, this energy had been subdued. Why was it flaring up now?

Within moments, under Xiao Bai’s shocked gaze, Gui Li’s face lost all color, a layer of frost seeming to envelop him. A strange, greenish glow surrounded him, carrying a menacing, bloodthirsty aura.

Xiao Bai’s face paled, and she reached out to help, but the moment her hand touched the green light, a powerful, absorbing force repelled her. Xiao Hui, sensing the danger, leapt off Gui Li’s shoulder and took refuge behind Xiao Bai, staring at his master with wide, frightened eyes.

Gui Li’s face contorted in pain. His sleeve flickered, and the Soul Devouring staff slid out, floating before him, its cold, otherworldly gaze fixed on the man it had bonded with for so long.

The pulsating, greenish light filled the air with an eerie presence. Xiao Bai, her face pale and brow furrowed, was helpless. This bloodthirsty force originated from within Gui Li; how could she remove it?

Just as Gui Li’s face grew paler, a warm, pure red light burst from his chest, countering the cold, evil energy. With a tremendous effort, he sat down, and a golden-green light flashed across his body. Under the dual influence of the two great True Arts, the pure Yang fire of the Divine Fire Mirror grew stronger, suppressing the cold, malevolent energy. But it took half an hour for Gui Li to fully recover.

Drenched in sweat, Gui Li opened his eyes to find Xiao Bai watching him with concern.

He gave a bitter smile, then slowly stood up. Xiao Bai, in a low voice, asked, “It’s the Blood Sucking Pearl, isn’t it?”

Gui Li picked up the Soul Devouring staff, which had fallen to the ground, and gazed at it deeply before tucking it back into his sleeve.

Xiao Bai’s eyes flickered, and she stepped forward. “Don’t think you can hide it. The Blood Sucking Pearl’s evil energy is now starting to devour you. For ten years, your qi and blood have become colder and more poisonous due to your constant exposure to this malevolent object. You survived this time by sheer luck, with the help of the Divine Fire Mirror, one of the few treasures that can counter the Blood Sucking Pearl. But… can you escape it next time?”

Gui Li, standing there, his face gaunt, listened silently. After a while, he said, “I don’t know. But what can I do?”

Xiao Bai bit her lip, anger rising. “Stop pretending you don’t know. The only way to survive is to discard the evil object and use the Divine Fire Mirror in a place of pure Yang to purify your body!”

Gui Li looked at Xiao Bai, a trace of childlike innocence in his smile, reminiscent of the simple Azure Ethereal Vapors youth from a decade ago.

Turning, he walked slowly, supported by the wall, as Xiao Hui scampered back to his shoulder.

Xiao Bai watched the determined yet fragile figure, shouting, “Do you want to die? Is that what you really want?”

Gui Li paused but didn’t turn back or speak. Moments later, he continued walking.

Xiao Bai’s voice, harsh and resolute, echoed, “Do you want to die? Don’t dream of it! You still owe so many people. How can you just give up? If you won’t listen, I will go myself. I’ll find the Eight Monstrous Inferno Formation’s true secret and save you. Remember, Bi Yao is still in the ice-cold stone chamber. Until she wakes up, you can’t give up!”

Her words, “Can’t give up, can’t give up, can’t give up,” reverberated through the long, winding passage. Gui Li’s face was grim, his body straightening, but he never looked back.

***

In the dense forest of the Venomous Snake Valley, an eerie calm reigned. Suddenly, the earth trembled, and the stench grew heavier. The countless venomous snakes that had been gathering at the valley’s edge vanished, retreating into hiding as if sensing an impending doom.

A black cloud of dust appeared in the distance, rushing towards the Venomous Snake Valley. The air thickened with a choking, acrid smell, and a deafening roar grew louder, becoming a relentless, unstoppable tide of monstrous creatures.

Closer and closer!

“Roarrrr!”

Countless hideous beasts, like demons and ghosts from the netherworld, charged forward, their blood-red eyes and sharp fangs gleaming. They formed an unstoppable, overwhelming flood, sweeping away everything in their path. Even the trees in the surrounding forest were swiftly engulfed by this terrifying wave.

Without hesitation, the flood surged into the Venomous Snake Valley, like a black tide crashing into a green ocean. In every corner of the forest, terrified snakes were tossed about, struggling vainly in the flood, only to be drowned. Even the toxic, colorful mists in the forest could not stop this horde. The first few beasts fell, but countless others trampled over their corpses, and the powerful winds dissipated the toxic fog, scattering it into the sky.

Amidst the black flood, four or five massive, powerful beasts led the charge. At the entrance of the Venomous Snake Valley, more and more beasts poured in.

The entire Venomous Snake Valley seemed to tremble, a scene of apocalyptic horror.

At the other end of the valley, the Ghost King, standing on high ground, breathed deeply. Despite his experience with the monstrous beasts, the sight before him still shocked him. Composing himself, he gazed at the forest to the north, where a faint glimmer could be seen in the morning light.

A cold smile spread across the Ghost King’s lips: One day, they would all know who the ultimate victor was.

He roared inwardly, his expression hardening. Without Bi Yao, he would conquer the world to make up for it.

Turning, he faced the Ghost King Sect’s disciples, who stood in the forest, their spirits high. Their gazes were fixed on the Ghost King, who raised his arm, feeling the weight of the moment. The distant roars and cries of fear reached him, and his expression changed. With a heavy heart, he brought his arm down, as if cleaving the last vestiges of warmth and shattering old dreams.

The disciples, emboldened by his resolve, let out a fierce battle cry, charging down the mountain, their robes billowing in the wind. The Ghost King, like a hard, cold rock, stood immobile, turning to watch the forest to the north, where the unrest spread.

He laughed, a mad, piercing laughter that no one dared question. The rising sun, still warm, cast a gentle light on the chaotic world.

***

Seven days later, a group of righteous disciples, dispatched by Dao Xuan Zhen Ren, Pu Hong Shang Ren, and Yun Yi Lan, arrived in the southwest. Each sect had sent their most capable disciples, all of whom were already well-acquainted.

From the Azure Ethereal Conclave, Xiao Yi Cai, Lin Jing Yu, and Lu Xue Qi; from the Temple of Sound, Fa Xiang and Fa Shan; and from the Incense Valley, Li Xun and Yan Hong. They traveled cautiously, avoiding conflicts with the monstrous beasts, hoping to uncover why so many of these beasts were converging in this region.

Though they knew the journey was perilous, none of them faltered. However, by the seventh day, their faces were pale, and they remained silent, even the usually eloquent Xiao Yi Cai, the steadfast Fa Xiang, and the usually talkative Li Xun, who had wanted to converse with Lu Xue Qi, remained quiet.

The journey south revealed a desolate, gruesome landscape. Villages and cities lay in ruins, bones scattered everywhere. Some places were completely deserted, fertile fields turned to ash. No one understood why the beasts burned and devoured so ruthlessly, or when this cataclysm would end.

Eerie ghostly cries echoed through the southern wilderness, recounting tragic tales of the past.

Entering the southwest, the group became even more cautious. They faced a major issue: there were no locals to ask about the beasts’ movements. The surviving civilians had fled north, and the beasts, unable to communicate, could not provide any information. In frustration, they decided to follow Xiao Yi Cai’s suggestion and secretly trail the beasts to learn their intentions. For three days and nights, they followed the beasts, narrowly avoiding detection by the keen-sensed creatures. Yet, they gained no significant insight.

Just as they began to lose hope, they found a crazed Magic Sect disciple in a forest. After careful questioning, they learned that the beasts had engaged in a massive battle with the Magic Sect, resulting in the near-annihilation of the once-mighty sects. This news left everyone stunned, especially Lu Xue Qi, whose face turned ashen.

Looking at the huddled, trembling figure, the seven disciples felt a heavy shadow cast over their hearts.

Xiao Yi Cai, addressing Fa Xiang, said, “Fa Xiang, what do you suggest we do now?”

Fa Xiang, frowning, looked at the pitiful figure and sighed, “May the Buddha have mercy. Sin, sin.” Pausing, he continued, “We have some idea of the situation. I suggest we return and report to our elders.”

“No!” A clear, cold voice, from the usually silent Lu Xue Qi, interrupted. Fa Xiang, surprised, asked, “Lu Shi Mei, do you have another suggestion?”

Lu Xue Qi, pale but calm, said, “Our information comes from a madman. We should not assume our mission is complete based on this. We need more evidence.”

Fa Xiang agreed, “You are right. I was too hasty.”

Xiao Yi Cai pondered, “Lu Shi Mei is right, but we have no leads. Should we continue searching?”

Lu Xue Qi, at a loss, said nothing. Li Xun, who had been looking at Lu Xue Qi, suggested, “I have an idea. Let’s head to the ‘Venomous Snake Valley,’ where the battle likely occurred. It might be the headquarters of one of the Magic Sects.”

The others were shocked. Lu Xue Qi, too, looked at Li Xun. Fa Xiang, encouraged, said, “Please, Li Shi Xian, tell us more.”

Li Xun explained, “I overheard the madman mention the ‘Venomous Snake Valley.’ It’s a remote, dangerous place, but if we find it, we might learn the truth.”

Xiao Yi Cai, nodding, said, “I heard it too. It’s a treacherous place, but it’s worth a try.”

Yan Hong, hesitating, said, “But even if we find it, the scene might not remain intact.”

Li Xun, coldly, said, “The beasts burn and eat, but they leave ruins and bones. We can still find evidence.”

The group, realizing the gravity, decided to proceed. They questioned the mad disciple, who, in a moment of clarity, pointed north. The man then collapsed, dead.

Li Xun, standing, faced north, and the others followed his gaze, seeing a red cloud looming over the distant forest.