Chapter 356: Backstab

Chapter 356: Chapter 189: Backstab

Gu Yun, wreathed in a misty radiance, descended upon the world like a deity. His hand, exuding a divine might, rested on Wu Tai’s head as he activated the Soul-Devouring and Essence-Swallowing Technique, devouring the man’s memories completely.

After a long moment, Gu Yun slowly opened his profound eyes, a flicker of rage flashing within them.

“The Bloodfall Plan… How utterly ruthless!”

From this man’s memories, he learned that Wu Qianlong, the old patriarch of the Wu Family of Lingxiao City, had actually conspired with Demon Fiends. He had ambushed Du Yuan, set up a world-shaking killing Array, and planned to blood-sacrifice all tens of millions of people in Lingxiao City.

His motive was still unknown, but such an act was a complete betrayal of the Human Race!!

He had originally planned to travel through the Southern Wilderness for a while before setting off for the Eastern Profound.

But now, with an invasion from the realms beyond, Central Earth had raised the banners of war.

Demon Fiends had surged forth in the Southern Wilderness, bringing disaster and slaughtering tens of millions of the Human Race. As it was within his power, he didn’t mind exterminating every last one of them!

Since ancient times, it has been said: those who are not our kin are of a different mind!

This was even more true for a race like the Demon Fiends, which fed on the Human Race. They were a foe that anyone would kill on sight!

As these thoughts crossed his mind, a cold glint flashed in Gu Yun’s eyes. His aura unintentionally seeped out, and its utterly terrifying might made the very heavens and earth tremble violently!

“Th-Thank you for saving me, Senior. Du Yao is eternally grateful!”

Du Yao’s body trembled, his eyes filled with utter shock as he cupped his fists in the air and spoke with reverence.

This terrifying being before him, wreathed in a misty radiance that obscured his face, was like a god. He was, without a doubt, a Tongxuan True Monarch on the same level as the Du Family’s own patriarch!

The aura he exuded was even more powerful than that of his family’s patriarch!

How could Du Yao possibly be disrespectful to such a supreme being? How would he dare?!

If he were to displease this person, the pressure from his aura alone would likely be enough to shatter his soul and obliterate him from existence.

“You are Du Yao!” Gu Yun said in a deep voice, turning to study the young man before him. The youth wore a light-blue robe that was now torn and ragged. His face was resolute, but his eyes were bloodshot, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth—he was in a truly miserable state.

“Yes, Senior!” Du Yao nodded, his voice respectful. Enduring the intense pain of his injuries, he forced his hands up into a cupped-fist salute. “This humble one is indeed Du Yao, of the Du Family of Lingxiao.”

“And who is Du Yuan to you?” Gu Yun asked flatly.

“Senior, Du Yuan is the patriarch of my Du Family,” Du Yao replied. Then, with a hint of pleading, he quickly added, “The patriarch has been ambushed by that old dog Wu Qianlong of the Wu Family, in league with Demon Fiends! He is severely injured!”

“A traitor like Wu the Dog, who has forsaken the Human Race to conspire with Demon Fiends, deserves to die a thousand deaths! I implore you, Senior, to take action! Exterminate the Demon Fiends and bolster the might of our Human Race!”

Upon hearing this, Gu Yun fell silent, his eyes fixed on Du Yao in a deep gaze.

‘This one is no simpleton.’

Every word the young man spoke was cloaked in the righteous cause of the Human Race, carrying the spirit of one willing to march forward against a million foes. He pleaded for Gu Yun to exterminate the Demon Fiends and save the countless members of the Human Race from their plight.

But Gu Yun didn’t believe for a second that there wasn’t some ulterior motive behind it all.

Gu Yun’s continued silence and fixed gaze brought immense pressure down on Du Yao. It felt as if a thousand immortal mountains were crashing down on his shoulders, making his body tremble. His eyes went wide, veins bulged on his temples, and he grit his teeth, struggling to withstand the overwhelming pressure.

He was, indeed, making a gamble. He was betting that this Tongxuan True Monarch wouldn’t stand idly by and watch a so-called human expert collude with Demon Fiends to slaughter thousands. At the same time, he did harbor an ulterior motive: he hoped that while this senior was vanquishing the Demon Fiends, he would also conveniently rescue the Du Family patriarch, Du Yuan.

If Du Yuan were to fall, the Du Family would no longer have a fearsome Tongxuan Realm expert to hold the fort!

All the assets of the Du Mansion within Lingxiao City would become a juicy piece of meat, coveted by countless eyes. They would be surrounded by hungry wolves, each wanting to take a bite. That would be the true beginning of the Du Family’s ruin!

The Cultivation Realm was just that cruel. When you were powerful, you were surrounded by flatterers and friends. But if you were weak, unable to protect your immense fortune, it was no different from a child carrying gold through a busy market—attracting countless envious eyes, and countless robbers!

“Hmph. Put away those petty schemes of yours.

As for the matter of the Demon Fiends, I will make my own judgment!” Gu Yun said flatly, letting out a cold snort.

In that instant, Du Yao’s pupils contracted and a cold sweat broke out on his back. It felt as if he had just had a brush with death. ‘That was close!’ he thought in terror.

“Since you’re from the Du Family, I’ll take you with me.” Gu Yun waved a hand dismissively. A surge of immense Magical Power erupted, lifting Du Yao into the air and pulling him along by his side.

Then, with a sound like tearing fabric, he ripped through the void, shooting toward the heavens at an incredible speed.

…

「At that very moment, the instant Wu Tai died…」

Deep within Lingxiao City, among its sprawling, tall pavilions, in a secret chamber hidden far underground and surrounded by a Profound Mysterious Array, a figure sat cross-legged on a mat. He wore a dark battle robe, his face was ancient, and his body was wreathed in an abyssal glow, emanating a terrifying Dao Rhythm. Suddenly, he snapped open his eyes—eyes that held the weight and vicissitudes of countless years.

A vicious glint flashed in Wu Qianlong’s eyes. “Tai’er… is dead!

‘Who did this?’

‘Within Lingxiao City, that old man in the City Lord’s Mansion has the power, but he would never deign to casually slaughter a True Martial Realm Cultivator.

That brute Du Yuan has the power too, but with his injuries, he can’t even save himself, let alone strike out at another. Other than them, who in Lingxiao City could possibly kill Wu Tai? And even if someone could, who would dare? Who would dare show such disrespect to the Wu Family!’

As he pondered, a hint of doubt flashed in Wu Qianlong’s eyes. ‘Could it have been someone from outside the city?’

At this thought, Wu Qianlong’s ancient face darkened instantly. ‘If it really was a powerful expert from the outside world who has come here…’