Volume Two: Travels in the State of Qi - Chapter 161: Demonic Qi Contamination

To prevent the spiritual energy within the Immortal Spirit Spring from leaking outward, the moment Zhang Heng and the others entered this realm, the people outside sealed the main gates. In other words, this space was currently closed off and entirely isolated from the outside world.

At this moment, an inexplicable harmony pervaded the space. The young cultivators were racing against time to absorb the spiritual energy. As for the major figures, some were guarding their disciples—such as the two Sect Masters of the Joyful Sect, along with the Master of the Nether God Sect and the Master of the Heavenly Feather Manor. Others were sitting with eyes closed in deep meditation, like the leader of the Primal Chaos Hall. There were also those who had nothing to do at all, such as Wu Hong, Ling Tian, and the old man Bai Chen. They did not need to guard anyone, nor did they need to cultivate using this place. It was impossible to tell why they had even come; were they just here to waste air?

Zhang Heng had no heart for cultivation; what he despised most of all was striving for epiphanies and comprehension. Besides, if he needed to cultivate, he could simply pour spiritual liquid straight down his throat. There was no need to go through all the troublesome procedures of other cultivators. Therefore, ever since arriving here, this fellow Zhang Heng had simply kept his gaze fixed upon the fountain. That contraption was utterly bizarre; water continuously gushed into the pool from the middle, yet no drainage outlet could be found, and somehow it never overflowed. Moreover, this place could automatically generate spiritual energy. If this item hadn't been passed down through the generations by the ancestors of the Qi State, Zhang Heng would have wanted to dig up the ground here just to see what kind of profound mysteries were hidden beneath.

Everyone cultivated peacefully beside the Immortal Spirit Spring as time ticked away second by second.

Not knowing how much time had passed, this harmony was suddenly shattered, and an unexpected disaster struck.

Abruptly, ordinary disciples from various sects stopped their cultivation one after another. Their expressions turned extremely hideous and contorted, their limbs flailing about in panic as if enduring excruciating agony, while hoarse, low growls escaped their throats.

Emperor Qi, Bai Chen, Ling Tian, Wu Hong, and the others immediately stepped forward to investigate. Wu Hong approached one of them and began examining him, only to discover that something had gone wrong with these ordinary disciples' cultivation—they had absorbed something other than pure spiritual energy into their bodies.

At the very same time, the geniuses within the Immortal Spirit Spring also began to sense that something was amiss. Trouble had befell them as well, and an unknown substance had infiltrated their bodies. Being somewhat stronger in cultivation, they were barely able to maintain consciousness, yet black blood began to trickle from the corners of their mouths.

Qi Xuan, Mu Wanqing, and Zhang Heng were the strongest of the younger generation, yet at this moment, expressions of agony appeared on all of their faces as well.

Every single major figure was dumbfounded. These individuals were the absolute cream of the crop among the younger generation of the Qi State! If something were to happen to them, the consequences would be unimaginable. However, just as they prepared to check on them, anomalies erupted within their own bodies. Unbeknownst to them, a strange black Qi had invaded their systems. Emperor Qi, Ling Tian, Bai Chen, Wu Hong, along with the various sect masters and elders, all sensed that something was terribly wrong. They immediately crossed their legs and circulated their spiritual energy to regulate their breath.

Everyone was shocked. What on earth was going on? Why had this eerie black Qi appeared inside all of their bodies?

The black Qi was exceptionally bizarre, as well as overbearing and fierce. Upon entering the body, it immediately began to assault their heart meridians. They had no choice but to pour every ounce of their spiritual energy into a desperate, barely sustainable resistance. The moment their spiritual energy faltered ever so slightly, this demonic Qi would undoubtedly invade their heart meridians, leading to catastrophic consequences.

Everyone looked at each other in dismay, all of them realizing what had happened.

All the ordinary disciples were completely unable to suppress it, groaning in agony. Those geniuses could only barely put up a resistance, and while these major figures were capable of suppressing the affliction, they dared not spare even a shred of distraction.

At this moment, the Nether God Sect Master Wu Wuji and the Heavenly Feather Manor Master Wu Fa Wutian—who had originally been wracked with pain—suddenly stood up. With calm and unruffled demeanors, they walked over to Emperor Qi, looking down at everyone from a superior height. By the looks of them, they seemed entirely unaffected by the black Qi.

"It's you," Ling Tian said coldly while desperately using his spiritual energy to suppress the evil Qi inside him, questioning them in a harsh voice.

"So it was you all along."

"What do you want?"

The others instantly understood, blazing with furious indignation.

"That's right, it's us. Are you surprised? Is it unexpected?" Wu Wuji smiled triumphantly, expressing his immense delight at seeing everyone in this pathetic state.

"You have a lot of nerve," Emperor Qi roared in fury. "You actually dare to move against Us and the people of the major sects! Hand over the antidote right now, and We might still deal with you lightly."

"Hahaha, Emperor Qi, what imposing majesty! I just wonder if you can even stand up anymore," Wu Fa Wutian retorted with disdain. When Wu Wuji had first approached him, he had still felt hesitant, but now it seemed he had made the right choice.

"Wu Wuji, Wu Fa Wutian, do not court your own destruction! If you remain stubbornly unrepentant, once this old man gets out of here, I will surely eradicate both of your sects," Ling Tian chided in a deep, stern voice.

"That's right, Wu Wuji, Wu Fa Wutian, it is still not too late for the two of you to regret this. Both of your sects have made a move against so many of us at once. The moment we get out, the two of you will have absolutely no way to survive," chimed in Chen Hao, the Sect Master of the Joyful Sect.

"Hahaha. Elder Ling, I am so scared. But I advise you not to try and show off your presence, or else I might just slaughter you out of sheer boredom. How embarrassing that would be for everyone," Wu Wuji glanced casually at Ling Tian and said offhandedly.

Then, facing the entire crowd, he smiled sinisterly, "And as for the rest of you, you had better keep quiet, or else your precious little lives might not be guaranteed."

Those Heaven Realm experts were instantly rendered speechless. Lacking any capacity to fight back at the moment, their best course of action was to maintain a low profile.

"What on earth are the two of you trying to accomplish?" Wu Hong remained relatively calm as he looked at the pair and asked.

Wu Fa Wutian and Wu Wuji glanced at Wu Hong and Bai Chen beside him. A flicker of hesitation crossed both of their eyes. They certainly had not anticipated that this matter would implicate Wu Hong and Bai Chen, as these two old men possessed extraordinary backgrounds. However, having reached this stage, there was no turning back for them. Even if it was a road of no return, they had no choice but to press forward.

"Alchemist Wu, Elder Bai. I truly apologize. Originally, this matter had nothing to do with you, but since you insisted on wading into these muddy waters, don't blame us for being ruthless," Wu Wuji said with a cold smile.

"You have quite some nerve," Bai Chen spoke up. Shedding his usual amiable demeanor, his face was shrouded in gloom. "Never did I expect that within the borders of this Qi State, someone would actually dare to move against people from the Mystic Palace. This old man has lived for so many years, but today I have truly broadened my horizons."

Sure enough, the moment the words "Mystic Palace" were uttered, the pupils of both Wu Wuji and Wu Fa Wutian constricted violently, and their breathing grew heavy.

The Mystic Palace was a super-sect that looked down upon the entire world, a colossal entity capable of rivaling the Four Sacred Grounds. Both Bai Chen and Wu Hong hailed from the Mystic Palace. Under normal circumstances, they would naturally have treated them with utmost reverence and never dared to show the slightest disrespect.

However, things had reached this point; since they had already made their move, there was no retreating.

"Alchemist Wu, Elder Bai. I know your statuses are transcendent. But this place is a sealed, enclosed space right now. Even if the two of you were to die here, the people of the Mystic Palace would never find out," Wu Wuji hardened his heart and said.

"Do you intend to kill everyone inside this place?" Bai Chen asked in a cold voice, though due to his disordered Qi and blood, a trace of black blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

"H哈哈哈!"

Wu Wuji laughed triumphantly. "You don't need to worry, Honorable Guests; naturally, I won't kill you all. However, I won't let you leave in peace, either. With so many experts gathered here, if they can all be put to my use, wouldn't that be far more valuable than simply killing you?"

Wu Wuji finally revealed his sinister plot: he actually intended to control every single person present here.