The night was as black as ink, icy and foreboding.
Suddenly, a beam of light pierced the darkness, speeding through the void with incredible velocity. Yet, from afar, it seemed to tremble, as if struggling to maintain its course.
On the ground, Meng Ji paced anxiously, his face a mask of worry. Behind him stood the remaining disciples of the Eonian Hall, numbering around fifty or sixty. Their faces were etched with fear, their eyes darting nervously towards the source of the light.
Then, they saw it.
The ordinary disciples grew restless, and many began to cheer, but Meng Ji’s anxiety deepened as he watched the approaching figure.
The light drew near and halted, as Jade Yangzi landed on the ground. Immediately, the crowd called out, “Master! Master!” But before they could rush forward, Jade Yangzi’s face paled, and he vomited a mouthful of blood, staining his chest.
The disciples were horrified.
Meng Ji rushed to support Jade Yangzi, feeling his icy skin. The master’s body was frigid, unlike any time before, and he shivered beneath his garments, much to Meng Ji’s alarm.
Jade Yangzi, sensing Meng Ji’s shock, glanced at the disciples, who also bore expressions of fear. He knew that these people were like birds frightened by a bow, and if he couldn’t hold them together, the entire sect would scatter.
Gathering his resolve, he suppressed the turmoil in his chest and spoke firmly, “There is no need for panic. I just expelled some internal clotted blood; it is nothing serious.”
In their hearts, Jade Yangzi was like a god, and his words did have some effect, as many relaxed, though only slightly. However, Jade Yangzi’s condition was dire, his face as white as paper, and his left sleeve missing, revealing blood-soaked skin. If it were daylight, the full extent of his weakened state would be clear.
Meng Ji furrowed his brow and turned to the disciples, shouting, “Our Master is unharmed. Rest now, and we will make plans at dawn!”
The disciples dispersed, and as they moved away, Meng Ji felt Jade Yangzi sag heavily. Supporting him, Meng Ji’s heart nearly stopped.
Jade Yangzi’s face was devoid of color, his breaths heavy. Without support, he might collapse.
Meng Ji helped him sit, and Jade Yangzi began to meditate, slowly regaining his composure. Throughout this, Meng Ji stood guard, tense and vigilant.
The night was dark, save for a small fire lit by the Eonian Hall’s disciples. The sinister night seemed to watch over the beleaguered sect.
Jade Yangzi slowly opened his eyes.
Meng Ji immediately asked, “Master, are you well?”
Jade Yangzi smiled bitterly, “Those righteous brats ambushed me, draining my strength. Then, a woman used Azure Ethereal Conclave’s Divine Thunder True Incantation…”
Meng Ji was shocked, “They had such skilled fighters?”
Jade Yangzi spat, “Not just that. Among those I fought, at least three or four were exceptionally powerful. In the end, I had to use the Blood Curse to escape.”
Meng Ji’s face changed, knowing the terrible price of the Blood Curse. After a moment, he asked, “What do we do now, Master?”
Jade Yangzi, after a pause, said grimly, “We must venture into the Inner Marsh and seek the treasure.”
Meng Ji, startled, “Master—”
Jade Yangzi cut him off, “If we leave, the other sects will kill us. This is our only chance.”
Meng Ji looked up at the sky, sighing inwardly.
The vast Dead Swamp stretched for thousands of miles, a deadly marsh filled with poisonous creatures. It was divided into the Outer and Inner Marshes. The Outer Marsh, where they were, was less perilous, but the Inner Marsh, enveloped in toxic fumes, was deadly. Many sought treasure in the swamp, but none found anything yet, leading Jade Yangzi to suspect the treasure lay in the most dangerous place.
A cold wind blew.
Most disciples slept, but Jade Yangzi remained in meditation. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, and he heard faint footsteps approaching from three directions. A mix of dread and defiance flooded him.
“Beasts, show yourselves!” he roared, but his voice betrayed his weakened state. The cry roused the sleeping disciples, who scrambled to safety.
“Where is Meng Ji?” Jade Yangzi demanded, but no one knew.
Just then, a calm voice came from the darkness, “Uncle Jade Yangzi, are you looking for this man?”
An object flew from the shadows, landing before the crowd. It was Meng Ji’s severed head, eyes wide in horror.
Jade Yangzi took a deep breath, “Qin Wuyan?”
A young man stepped forward, “Impressive, Uncle, recognizing me even in the dark.”
Jade Yangzi, seething, “Your Venom Sect will suffer for this, Qin Wuyan.”
Qin Wuyan, smiling, “Such a burden to bear, let us share the blame, Jin Fairy, why not come out?”
From the darkness, a graceful woman emerged, her presence almost illuminating the night.
“Jin Ping’er!” Jade Yangzi growled.
Jin Ping’er, smiling sweetly, “Uncle, how have you been? We know about your machinations. You tried to pit us against each other, but Qin Wuyan uncovered the truth.”
Jade Yangzi, surrounded, realized his fate was sealed. Behind him, Ghost Li emerged from the shadows.
“You plotted against us, but we’ve seen through it. Long live the Eonian Hall, until today,” Jade Yangzi lamented.
Qin Wuyan, smirking, “You should surrender. Your followers will spare their lives if they join us.”
The disciples, seeing no way out, began to flee, and Jade Yangzi, in a fit of rage, tried to assert control, but it was futile. The final blow came when he was cornered by Qin Wuyan, Jin Ping’er, and Ghost Li.
Jade Yangzi, with one last desperate attempt, leaped into the air, refusing to die without a fight. The night was cold, and the wind howled, as the once-great leader made his final stand.
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