Chapter 72: Apprehending Wumu

  If his magical powers had not been lost at this time, Wu Mu Dao Ren would have already gone to Yu Ding Shan to retrieve Da Niu, Wang Long and Xiao Juan, then left Zhong Zhou with the four of them. Thanks to their contributions in destroying the "Heavy Light Breaking Seal Formation", Xuan Guang Dao Ren would naturally return Da Niu's three hands.

  The Qian Kun old man left behind the Qian Kun divine escape symbol, Qian Kun divine thunder and more than a hundred precious talismans and several bottles of spiritual medicine, which have been almost completely consumed by Wumu Daoist. If he encounters another Yuan Ying cultivator's pursuit and killing again, even if he is with Shui Sheng and others, or alone, there will be no chance to counterattack.

  Under the circumstances of a huge disparity in strength, Wu Mu Dao Ren would not stay here to wait for death. As long as he temporarily avoids the limelight and leaves Zhongzhou, whether entering Qingzhou in the northeast or Yizhou in the southwest, relying on the reputation of Mingxia Island and Shenbing Gate, the cultivators of Bingfeng Valley, Tianxin Sect, and Huoling Sect would not dare to enter the two places to look for him. At that time, he only needs to find a hidden place, cultivate quietly for a period of time, and after his strength increases greatly, he can go to retrieve Tie Xin Tang, or even come back to trouble Bingfeng Valley, which is also considered making amends with Tie Yi.

  Although Tie Xin Tang fell into the hands of Huo Ling Zong, he seemed to have no fear for his life! And with about a hundred years of cultivation, not only himself but also the magical powers of Shui Sheng and others would greatly increase. If they could find an opportunity to advance to the Golden Dan realm, he could then feel at ease acting alone.

  Unfortunately, all of this can only be thought about now. The reality in front of me is that my internal power isn't even comparable to a fourth-level Qi Refining cultivator. Although I have the power of a Golden Core period, I am unable to wield it as easily as a true Golden Core cultivator. If I were to travel far at this time, the danger would be immense. Just running into one Golden Core cultivator from any of the three sects could result in both parties losing their lives! Wu Mu wouldn't naively think that the three sects' cultivators couldn't find out who destroyed the "Re-light Breaking Array"!

  At this moment, staying in Yima Town is not as good as returning to the cave where I cultivated. Although there is a fourth-level demon beast Qinglin Chui outside the cave, relying on the power of the Two Instruments Dry Heaven Array, it's not too big of a threat. If the Jade Ding Gate can hold out for a year without being broken through by the three sects, if within a year the three sects' cultivators don't come knocking on the door, everything can be re-planned!

  Thinking of this, Wumu Dao Ren no longer hesitated and left Yimatu Town with Shuisheng that night. As for the Qin brothers, Shuisheng reminded them to cultivate their "magic" well and he would come back to see if they had any spiritual roots when he was free. The four were naturally overjoyed!

  It wasn't until he entered that familiar cave that Wu Mu Dao let out a breath.

  Below the mountain where cannibals lived, a high cliff was excavated by people to form a spacious stone chamber over twenty zhang wide. Inside the chamber gathered more than two hundred cultivators, who were dressed in attire of the Ice Seal Valley, Tian Xin Sect and Huo Ling Sect. Among them, half were cultivators from the three sects who had escaped from under Jade Cauldron Mountain, while the other half were reinforcements sent by Tian Xin Sect.

  In the center of the stone room, on a three-foot-high platform, four large stone armchairs were arranged in a row. The legs of the stone chairs and the platform were integrated into one piece, obviously carved from local materials. Although it was just ordinary bluestone, it was carved with extraordinary elegance. However, only one small red-clothed woman sat on the four stone chairs, her face hidden behind a ghost mask, revealing only a pair of enchanting big eyes - Mei Ji. In just a few short days, this girl had fully recovered from her injuries.

  In front of Mei Ji stood a row of sixteen Golden Core cultivators. Among the eight on the left, five had a fist-sized flame embroidered on their robes, while the other three wore white clothes like snow and had golden hairpins tied to their heads. On the right side, the eight cultivators were dressed differently, but each had a red maple leaf of varying sizes on their sleeves, which was the emblem of the Tian Xin Sect! The leader was a refined-looking middle-aged scholar in a green robe, with a long sword on his back, and his cultivation had reached the peak of the late Golden Core stage.

  "Zhao Daoyou, who would have thought that Qin Zheng would suffer such a calamity? Please accept my condolences! Please report back to our master, the Huo Ling Sect and Bing Feng Valley will not stand idly by while the culprit goes unpunished!" Although there was a hint of sorrow in Mei Ji's voice, it still had an irresistible charm that captivated one's heart.

  Qing Yi Wensheng hastily bowed and said, "Thank you, Senior Mei Ji! If it weren't for your protection, this time the disciples of Tian Xin Sect would have suffered heavy casualties. I will definitely report your words to our sect leader!"

  She nodded and slowly swept her gaze over the sixteen Golden Core cultivators and a group of Qi Refining cultivators below, then said: "This immortal has already discussed with Brother He Lian, who is currently recovering from his injuries. The fellow daoists who came to reinforce Ice Seal Valley will take some time to arrive at Yuding Mountain. With our current strength, even if we return to the foot of Yuding Mountain, it would be pointless. Therefore, what's most important for us right now isn't dealing with Yuding Gate, but rather capturing that Wumu Dao person who destroyed the 'Heavy Light Breaking Array' and killed fellow daoist Qin Zheng. This person is cunning and elusive, impossible to guard against, and poses a threat to our three sects far exceeding that of Yuding Gate's cultivators. If we don't find this person, there will be endless troubles! Everyone, let's discuss how to deal with him."

  The crowd of cultivators suddenly huddled together, whispering to each other in low voices. The three sects' cultivators who had escaped from the Jade Cauldron Mountain recalled the power of the Qiankun Divine Thunder and were still shaken by it. The cultivators from the Tianxin Sect who had arrived as reinforcements hadn't witnessed the power of the Qiankun Divine Thunder, but they also knew clearly that Wumu Daoist was no ordinary person to have infiltrated Xiaoguang Peak under the tight defense of the three sects, destroyed the "Re Guang Po Jin Array", and killed their sect's Yuan Ying elder Qin Zheng. Who would dare to provoke such a "fierce bandit"? One by one, their faces changed color, fearing him like a tiger? For a time, no one was able to come up with a "good strategy"!

  An awkward silence ensued, and Jin Dan stage cultivator Bing Feng Gu stepped forward, bowing to Su Ming. "If it weren't for senior blocking Xuan Guang Daoist this time, we probably wouldn't have been able to escape with our lives," he said. "Since He Lian Shifu has entrusted senior to take charge, Su and the disciples of Bing Feng Gu are willing to follow your orders!"

  Zhao Xiansheng of the Tianxin Sect thought for a moment, then stood up and said: "I, Zhao Mou, and the disciples of the Tianxin Sect will also follow your lead, Senior!"

  Her slender fingers, like spring onions, lightly tapped on the armrest of the bluestone chair, and she slowly swept her gaze over the group of cultivators, saying: "Everyone, although Wu Mu Daoist has a few powerful treasures in his hands, he is only a mid-term Golden Elixir cultivator, with limited magical powers, and is only skilled in concealment and earth escape techniques. Although Qin Zheng and fellow daoists fell unexpectedly this time, it was just a moment of carelessness, and they were taken advantage of by Wu Mu, not that he really had three heads and six arms, able to instantly kill those of the same rank or higher."

  He paused for a moment, then continued: "Everyone doesn't need to be afraid. Although this person has a powerful self-destructive treasure in his hand that can destroy the 'Heavy Light Breaking Array', but this kind of treasure must be one-time use, and the quantity is limited. It's also extremely difficult to activate it. If not, relying on this treasure, Wumu would have been enough to wipe us all out at Yuding Mountain, without having to sneak around and hide everywhere!"

  Many people think Miko's analysis is reasonable, but still no one wants to take the lead!

  Seeing no one speaking up, Mei Ji's gaze slowly had a few points of chilliness, coldly saying: "Being afraid is useless, if you don't bring out Wumu, everyone won't have a peaceful day! Are you willing to let him destroy the great plan of the three sects? Alright, Huoling Sect and Bingfeng Valley will each leave behind one Jindan stage disciple. The other Jindan stage disciples will lead their respective sect's cultivators, with Yuding Mountain as the center, to start searching in all directions. Of course, to avoid casualties, after discovering Wumu Dao person's trail, don't engage in battle with him. Just keep a close eye on this person and immediately secretly send a message to the person in charge of our sect. At that time, Ben Xianzi will personally organize people to deal with him."

  After saying that, he glanced at the Zhao surname cultivator of the Tianxin Sect and continued: "The Tianxin Sect's fellow daoists have just arrived and are unfamiliar with the terrain. There is no need to send out too many people. Four Golden Dan period cultivators can be left here to provide reinforcements for all areas at any time!"

  Everyone heard that they were only going to find the trail of Wumu Daoist, and didn't need to fight with him. Moreover, there was a Jindan period cultivator leading the team, so he finally felt at ease. For a time, enthusiasm surged! Wumu Daoist had made a big disturbance in Huo Ling Sect and San Zong's residence to save Tie Xin Tang, and many people who had seen his face immediately had someone skilled in painting quickly sketch out more than a dozen portraits of Wumu Daoist.

  Among the three sects, Huo Ling Sect has five Golden Dan period cultivators, but there are only over 40 Qi Refining period disciples left. Seeing Mei Ji dispatching 90% of the cultivators without hesitation, leaving behind only one Golden Dan period cultivator and four Qi Refining period disciples, Bing Feng Gu and Tian Xin Sect naturally didn't dare to slack off either. Su Lun, a late Golden Dan period cultivator from Bing Feng Gu, and Zhao Kun, a cultivator from Tian Xin Sect, quickly divided the sect's disciples into several groups, assigning which disciples to search for Wu Mu Dao Ren and which ones to stay behind on guard.

  More than a hundred monks were divided into ten small groups and went in several directions after one hour.

  In the temporary residence of Tianxin Sect, a thin old man in gray robes rushed to Zhao Kun and said: "Big Brother Master, since that Wumuwu Dao person can kill Yuanying initial stage cultivators and injure Qin Shifu, how can he be a simple person? Why should we still agree to send out Lu Shidi and the other four? Our Tianxin Sect has already lost twelve Jindan stage disciples. We cannot afford to lose any more Jindan stage disciples!" The tone was full of worry.

  Zhao Kun stared at the old man in gray for a moment, smiled slightly, and said: "Junior brother, I came to ask you, Huo Ling Zong has almost dispatched all its disciples. It's said that there are two more Golden Dan stage disciples who have gone out separately to search for Wu Mu Dao Ren! Bing Feng Gu, although only sent out two groups of cultivators, each group had several second-level demon beasts skilled in searching. They're also going all out. Don't they fear death?"

  This chapter is over, your support is my greatest motivation!