ca-book Chapter 301: No Shelter in a Collapsing Nest
Chapter 301: No Shelter in a Collapsing Nest
Chapter 301: No Shelter in a Collapsing Nest
“Moo~”
Brother Ox nudged Chen Xun, whose face was a bit pale. Absorbing so much of the domain’s chilling energy had clearly taken a toll, likely to cause backlash later.
Chen Xun remained unfazed, patting Brother Ox’s head with a reassuring nod.
Only now did Xiao Chi notice Chen Xun's condition. He was still caught up in the awe of Brother Xun’s display against the corrupted beings, forgetting the peril of the life-draining backlash caused by the death of these creatures.
“I’m fine. Brother Ox, steer us to the right while I recover a bit,” Chen Xun said calmly, casting his gaze toward the horizon where countless questions lingered in his mind. “Let’s move forward. We still need Deity Transformation-level techniques, and the Bai Li Clan can help us with that.”
“Moo!”
“Yes, Brother Xun!”
Both Brother Ox and Xiao Chi nodded, bolting into action. They weren’t ones to think too deeply; as long as they could follow Chen Xun, they would trust in whatever he decided.
Buzz!
The massive ship lifted off, its hull surrounded by radiant glimmers as it accelerated into the endless darkness. The vessel darted through the bleak War Realm like a fleeting shadow, picking up speed as it went.
Chen Xun sat cross-legged on the deck, gradually closing his eyes as a gentle breeze swept over him. He let the domain’s chilling energy circulate freely within him, his complexion growing paler.
Slaying so many corrupted beings, even with his enhanced longevity, came at a steep price. He could feel vitality slipping away—a slow drain that brought with it a gnawing feeling of despair.
Reflecting on the effect, Chen Xun realized that the so-called “life-draining backlash” was more than just superstition. The truth was far more straightforward: the War Realm’s cold, hostile energy was the true cause, representing the negative, corrosive side of nature that posed a threat to all living beings.
The corrupted beings thrived by absorbing this dark energy, cultivating a strange technique that allowed them to drain life from others. It struck him that this life-draining technique was likely universal; if these creatures could harvest vitality from living beings, then slaying corrupted beings would yield the same corrosive backlash.
The corrupted ones were indeed cunning, their survival instincts rooted in this unique, symbiotic relationship with the War Realm’s energies.
“If I find a path forward, I’ll capture one of those newly-formed corrupted beings for closer study,” Chen Xun murmured with a strange smile, his mind ticking over his theory. “But I’ll need to refine my skills in the Deity Transformation realm if I hope to uncover the truth and find a way through.”
A chill wind swept over the mountain, and all nearby corrupted beings froze, collapsing to the ground with lifeless eyes. The mountain had become their graveyard, the bodies piling higher and higher.
“It looks like we’ve arrived,” Chen Xun said calmly, surveying the scene.
“Moo~”
“Brother Xun, there haven’t been many Deity Transformation-level corrupted beings here... not even one,” he added, glancing over at Chen Xun as they looked across the mountain’s desolate landscape.
Swish! Swish!
From the distance, a dozen beams of light approached—scattered cultivators of Da Li, wearing no sect markings. They looked panicked, pursued by a Golden Core-level corrupted being that they were struggling to fend off.
“Run! This one can hide itself—our divine senses are useless against it!”
“Damn it, we’re being hunted by a Golden Core-level corrupted being, and we can’t kill it.”
“Huang Shao, you know we can’t enter the War Realm Camp without proving ourselves with a corrupted being’s head!”
“I know,” Huang Shao muttered bitterly.
The cultivators communicated frantically as they flew, their expressions twisted with frustration and fear. The War Realm was far more treacherous than any secret realm; danger lurked at every turn, and even attacking an enemy required caution.
As they fled, a strong scent of blood filled the air, and a massive black mountain loomed into view. The cultivators froze mid-flight, dread seizing them. How could a black mountain be here? According to reports from the War Realm Camp on the Celestial River’s edge, they were to avoid black mountains, as they could conceal Nascent Soul-level corrupted beings.
What’s more, their map didn’t mark a black mountain in this area—it was supposed to be a less dangerous part of the War Realm.
They were cornered now, a Golden Core-level corrupted being in pursuit and, ahead, the ominous presence of a possible Nascent Soul-level corrupted being. This was a certain death trap.
Huang Shao and Dai Xinqing exchanged fearful glances, their backs soaked in cold sweat. After years of cultivation, they had finally encountered an insurmountable crisis.