Chapter 1696
Failure
In Li Zhirui's view, Tu Gang's words sounded more like a pretentious act.
As a dignified Golden Immortal, surely he knows that Heaven will bestow abundant merit upon him after resolving this sinister place? That's impossible!
The reason they don't speak out is more likely because they want to maintain a dominant position, which would help them gain more merit.
The other Golden Immortals saw through Tu Gang's scheme and were therefore unwilling to let their juniors serve as his pawns.
At the same time, he did not feel that resolving this matter was particularly difficult; even without the help of other forces, he could easily resolve it.
Although Li Zhirui didn't know why he was putting on this act, he could only obediently cooperate because the other party was stronger.
"Follow my instructions from now on and don't act recklessly," Tu Gang ordered matter-of-factly, completely disregarding him.
Even though they already knew from the conversation that Li Zhirui had been here once before and knew this sinister place better than they did, they made no attempt to ask him any questions. It seemed that they wanted to establish their authority in this way.
But he didn't consider that as the only Golden Immortal present, he already held absolute dominance, and everyone would naturally follow his orders. There was no need for him to do anything unnecessary.
What he should do now is to understand the situation of the Yin-Yang Land and then try to resolve the pollution.
'It seems this operation won't be able to completely solve the problem. Hopefully, under his command, there won't be too many casualties, lest we provide the monsters with nourishment to grow.'
Li Zhirui's heart sank slightly. This Golden Immortal gave him the feeling that he had never dealt with worldly affairs before, had no relevant experience, and only knew how to rigidly copy the rules in the book.
But since he was the stronger one, he could only obediently agree and follow Tu Gang's orders.
"The land of evil is home to a large number of monsters. They are very weak, but there are many of them. So when you are dealing with those monsters, you must pay attention to the consumption of your mana."
What he said was true, but after he finished speaking, he rushed in and immediately displayed the strength of a Golden Immortal cultivator, easily slaughtering a large number of black beetles.
Upon witnessing this scene, Li Zhirui was completely stunned. He stood there dumbfounded, unable to recover for a long time. He simply couldn't believe what he was seeing.
So this immortal's solution was to violently kill all the monsters? Did he think that this would purify the land polluted by evil spirits?
But he clearly got the cause and effect wrong!
It is the evil land that gave birth to these monsters, not the other way around!
Li Zhirui no longer had any other thoughts. Preserving his strength and protecting his own safety were the most important things. Therefore, he did not go deep into the area, but only pretended to kill some monsters on the edge.
If he could, he would have liked to turn around and leave immediately; he didn't want to waste any more time here.
As for why he didn't remind the other party? Judging from Tu Gang's previous behavior, the other party was clearly a stubborn and self-willed person, so how could he possibly listen to the advice of a mere Xuanxian?
Not to mention, this opinion completely negated his previous decision and severely slapped him in the face.
Therefore, rather than offending a Golden Immortal by speaking out, it's better to pretend you know nothing and wait for the Cloud Heaven Sect to send another Golden Immortal to take charge.
After all, if the losses are too great this time, the Yuntian Sect will not allow Tu Gang to continue to be in charge of this matter.
My thoughts raced, but only a quarter of an hour had passed.
Li Zhirui noticed that, led by Tu Gang, the group of cultivators had already ventured deep into the interior, and behind them lay the corpses of monsters everywhere.
"That is……"
Suddenly, his gaze sharpened as he spotted another monster among the carcasses of numerous black beetles and dog-like creatures. It was larger, with a mouthful of fangs and a thick, powerful tail covered in barbs. Overall, it resembled a mountain tiger.
"It's only been the second day, and another kind of monster has already been born?"
I wonder how strong this fanged tiger monster is. If we extrapolate from the strength of the previous two monsters, then it is probably at the level of a half-step celestial being.
But these are minor issues. The most important thing is the strength of these monsters; their growth rate is simply too exaggerated and terrifying.
If things continue like this, it won't be long before monsters comparable to celestial immortals or mystical immortals are born. If it goes on for even longer, will monsters comparable to golden immortals appear?
Thinking of this, Li Zhirui felt a chill run down his spine.
Roar!
Just as he was distracted, a roar suddenly came from afar. Looking up, he saw hundreds of fanged tiger monsters, along with two other types of monsters, attacking the group of cultivators.
Even when surrounded, Tu Gang, a Golden Immortal, was not at a disadvantage and seemed to be in complete control.
However, the other cultivators were not in such good condition, and many of them were injured.
If it weren't for his repeated assistance, many cultivators would probably have been killed by the monsters.
'If nothing unexpected happens, we should be retreating soon,' Li Zhirui thought to himself.
Unless that immortal is someone who disregards the lives of others, he should leave immediately after understanding the current situation.
"Bastard!"
Suddenly, a roar resounded through the heavens and the earth. In the next instant, a large amount of flame appeared on Tu Gang's body, and he became extremely tall, like a fire god, directly raising the temperature in the vicinity several times.
"Ahhh-"
In this situation, neither the lowest-level black beetle nor the more powerful fanged tiger monster could withstand the scorching heat, letting out painful howls and screams, and finally turning into ashes!
Seeing this scene from not far away, Li Zhirui was slightly moved. He thought that the other party was arrogant and conceited because he was confident in his strength.
But now it seems he has some confidence. It's just unknown whether the method he's using is based on the laws he has mastered or some kind of strange fire he's controlling.
The casualties caused by Tu Gang's attack alone were equivalent to most of the monsters they had slaughtered before.
"go!"
Instead of pressing his advantage, he swept up some of the seriously injured disciples and told the others to leave immediately.
Li Zhirui, who had been waiting for this order, immediately reacted and withdrew from the Yin and Evil Land without hesitation. He only stopped when he was a hundred miles away, unlike before when he seemed to be in a hurry.
Tu Gang glanced at him but didn't say anything more. He then led his disciples and silently flew towards Flower Mirror Immortal City.
Hiding in the shadows, the demon saw the still raging fire on the ground and the monsters suffering heavy casualties; the word "ugly" was an understatement to describe its expression.
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"
It was so angry that it cursed loudly, but even so, it did not alleviate its anger in the slightest.
But after his anger subsided and he calmed down, his expression was filled with worry, melancholy, anxiety, and fear.
Chi You never expected that even though he had been so low-key and cautious, cultivators would come one after another.
This is only the third time, and a Golden Immortal has already appeared. If this happens a few more times, wouldn't even a Taiyi Golden Immortal be able to take action?
Even if a Taiyi Golden Immortal were to make a move, or even a Golden Immortal were to bring more cultivators, it still wouldn't be able to handle it.
Perhaps by abandoning this place, one can save their own life.
However, this would cause its development speed to lag far behind its four companions.
They can become resources for others at any time, using their own cultivation to help them advance further.
Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, Chiyou will never give up this sinister place that he has painstakingly created.
Because doing so will not allow you to break free from this deadlock.
'So now, how should we break this deadlock?' Chi You couldn't help but think: If it were stronger now, perhaps it could rapidly increase its strength by fighting to sustain itself.
At least like today, they were able to spare the lives of a few cultivators instead of hiding and not daring to make a move.
Unfortunately, the time was too short.
"Ugh!"
Thinking of this, it couldn't help but sigh.
As for what to do next, we can only take it one step at a time.
……
Talking two ends.
Li Zhirui returned to Flower Mirror Immortal City with a group of cultivators from the Cloud Heaven Sect.
Their arrival immediately attracted the attention of many cultivators.
As the day passed, the news, fueled by certain individuals with ulterior motives, spread to almost every cultivator in the Immortal City, who knew that they had gone to deal with that polluted and sinister place.
If it weren't for the prestige of Tu Gang, a Golden Immortal cultivator, many cultivators would probably have rushed up to inquire about the situation.
"Judging from your expression, fellow Daoist, this journey has not been smooth?"
However, not everyone will be afraid of him. For example, this Golden Immortal cultivator who suddenly appeared showed no respect for Tu Gang and asked the question directly in front of a large number of cultivators.
"Shang Fu!"
Tu Gang gave him a cold look and said solemnly, "The situation is more serious than we imagine, and it's beyond our control."
"So instead of staying here and trying to make a fool of myself, you should think about how to deal with the Cloud Travel Chamber of Commerce's inquiries."
After saying that, he walked right past the man and strode away.
He doesn't have the energy to deal with these people right now.
Li Zhirui, who was on the edge of the storm, tried his best to minimize his presence. He did not want to get involved in the struggle between various forces, so he planned to leave quietly when no one was paying attention.
It's not about leaving the crowd, but about leaving the Flower Mirror Immortal City!
Then, we'll change our appearance again and blend in with the cultivators outside to deal with that evil place.
He believed that after this personal experience, Tu Gang had a deep understanding of the dangers of the Yin and Evil Land and would definitely report it to the Yuntian Sect.
Before long, this massive Golden Immortal sect will quickly take action.
After all, he was just a bit arrogant and proud, and indifferent to worldly affairs; he wasn't a fool who couldn't distinguish between what was important and what wasn't urgent.
"Come with me."
But Li Zhirui never expected that Tu Gang would see through his little tricks and even take him away.
"What can I do for you, senior? If it's not urgent, please allow me to visit you at the City Lord's Mansion later." He wanted to give himself a chance.
“If you have anything to do, you can leave it to Changfeng. Now come with me!” Tu Gang seemed to have seen through his plan and was not going to give him a chance to leave.
Li Zhirui's expression froze, and he could only follow behind him with a forced smile.
And beside him, there was also a Xuanxian cultivator.
"Brother Dao, if you have anything to do, just let me know." This person was Changfeng.
Although his attitude was very friendly and approachable, Li Zhirui knew in his heart that this person was definitely there to spy on him.
So he had no intention of chatting with him at all, he just smiled and nodded, and didn't plan to have any further contact with him.
boom--
Because Tu Gang spoke openly and honestly in the street, many cultivators heard him clearly, and a gasp of surprise erupted from the crowd.
"Is that so-called sinister place really that terrifying? Even a Golden Immortal cultivator couldn't deal with it?!"
"There are no Taiyi Golden Immortals in Yunjing Prefecture. Are we going to have to ask the Immortal Alliance for help?"
"Is what Senior Tu Gang said true?"
"Given his character, he wouldn't lie about something like this, would he? Besides, there's no benefit in deceiving us."
……
For a moment, the crowd was abuzz with discussion, and the place became extremely noisy.
Meanwhile, Shang Fu, another Golden Immortal present, had a drastic change in expression. Compared to the other cultivators, he had absolutely no doubt about what Tu Gang had said.
So without the slightest hesitation, he immediately flew back to the Chamber of Commerce headquarters, mobilized all his connections and relationships, and gathered relevant intelligence and information.
At the same time, be prepared to report to the Yunxing Chamber of Commerce at any time.
Meanwhile, within the Immortal City, the other Golden Immortals, as well as the agents representing various forces, also learned of his words within a quarter of an hour and took the same actions as Shang Fu.
……
at the same time.
Inside the city lord's mansion, in the main hall.
Tu Gang sat at the head of the table, while Li Zhirui sat alone on the lower left; all other seats were empty.
Do you have your own understanding and knowledge about places associated with evil spirits?
Li Zhirui didn't expect that the other party would ask such a difficult question as soon as they opened their mouth.
If he said yes, then why didn't he remind or inform them beforehand? If he said no, he was worried that he would be found out for lying.
"Answer truthfully, and I won't be angry." Tu Gang seemed to sense that he had something difficult to say and made a promise.
Seeing that his attitude seemed genuine, Li Zhirui's concerns lessened considerably. He nodded and said, "Yes, I conducted various studies on the Yin-Yang Land when I discovered it."
"Were there many mistakes in my previous instructions?"
"Yes, senior should not focus on dealing with those monsters, but should instead find a way to solve the problem of the polluted land."
He paused, then added, "The sinister lands are likely the source, but the most important factor is the monster lurking in the shadows." (End of Chapter)