Chapter 899
Chapter 899
The bookstore was nearly empty of customers. An elderly man with gray hair and beard, wearing a single crystal lens, was arranging books behind the counter. He was none other than Manager Zhou.
Upon seeing Liu Rushuang, a glint flashed in Manager Zhou's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure: "Elder Liu has arrived. Please come to the back courtyard."
The three of them passed through the study and entered a small courtyard that was equipped with an isolation array.
Manager Zhou then bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Elder Liu. And who is this gentleman?"
Liu Rushuang said, "It's one of our own, Lu Ping. Elder Zhou, what new developments have there been in the Northern Territory recently? Especially regarding the Burial God Valley and the Dark Pact organization."
Manager Zhou invited the two to sit down, brewed some spiritual tea, and then slowly said, "Elder Liu, your arrival is just in time. The Northern Territory has indeed been quite turbulent in the past month."
"First, the frequency of strange phenomena in Burial Valley has increased. Previously, it happened once every few months, but now there are seven-colored lights shooting into the sky almost every month, and the duration has also increased from half a quarter of an hour to a quarter of an hour. All five major forces have increased their manpower and established temporary strongholds on the outskirts of the valley, and there is constant friction between them."
"Secondly, the Dark Pact organization is very active. Several of their peripheral forces in the Northern Territory—'Shadow Killing Tower,' 'Black Market Guild,' and 'Hundred Poisons Sect'—have recently been recruiting a large number of people and purchasing supplies, seemingly preparing for a major operation. The target is very likely the Valley of Burial Gods."
"Third, three days ago, a group of mysterious people arrived in Hanyue City and stayed at the Guiyun Inn in the east of the city. They concealed their aura, but it did not escape my eyes. There were at least five Golden Core cultivators, and the leader was probably a late-stage Golden Core cultivator or even a Nascent Soul cultivator! They acted discreetly, but they had been secretly gathering information about the 'Ancient Contract' and the 'Appearance of a Strange Treasure'."
Liu Rushuang's expression was solemn: "Five Golden Core cultivators or above... The Dark Contract Organization has really gone all out this time. Elder Zhou, do you know exactly what they're investigating?"
Manager Zhou took out a jade slip from his bosom: "I bribed a waiter at Guiyun Inn and recorded some of their conversations. They mentioned a word repeatedly—'Qi Shu'."
"Qi Shu?" Liu Rushuang and Fu Shaoping were both taken aback.
Fu Shaoping was deeply shaken! The *General Outline of Contractual Principles* had vaguely mentioned that the "Contractual Decree" was not a complete treasure, but rather part of a much grander contractual system. The core of that system seemed to be called the "Contractual Pivot"!
Shopkeeper Zhou continued, "Besides that, they also mentioned words like 'blood sacrifice,' 'breaking the seal,' and 'seven days later.' I speculate that they might be planning a blood sacrifice to break a seal deep within the Valley of Burial Gods, and the time will be in seven days!"
"Seven days later..." Liu Rushuang pondered, "Based on the pattern, the next time the strange phenomenon appears in Burial God Valley, it will also be about seven days later. It seems that they want to use the power of the strange phenomenon, combined with the blood sacrifice, to forcibly break the seal."
She looked at Fu Shaoping: "Junior Brother Lu, what do you think?"
Fu Shaoping took a deep breath: "Senior Sister Liu, Senior Zhou, to be honest, the 'Spirit of Contract' is very likely the complete form of the 'Order of Contract,' or rather, the core hub for controlling the 'Order of Contract.' If the Dark Contract Organization obtains the 'Spirit of Contract,' it can completely control all the fragments of the 'Order of Contract,' and may even awaken some kind of ancient contract evil weapon, with unimaginable consequences."
He paused, then continued, "We must stop them. But they have at least five Golden Core cultivators, and we..."
A resolute glint flashed in Liu Rushuang's eyes: "We can't do it alone. Elder Zhou, immediately activate the highest level of 'Heavenly Secrets Communication' to encrypt and transmit the intelligence back to the main pavilion, requesting support. At the same time, contact our trusted allies in Cold Moon City—Chu Hongxiu, the master of 'Listening Rain Pavilion,' and Bai Wuyai, the 'Cold Moon Hermit.' Both of them are at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm and have old grudges against the Dark Contract Organization."
Manager Zhou nodded: "I'll take care of it right away."
Liu Rushuang then said to Fu Shaoping, "Junior Brother Lu, don't leave Zhitianxuan these next few days. Focus on your cultivation and adjust your condition. There will definitely be a fierce battle in seven days. At that time, the 'Contract Token' fragment may be the key."
Fu Shaoping solemnly agreed.
For the next few days, Fu Shaoping secluded himself in the quiet room in the backyard of Zhitianxuan.
He took out two fragments of the "Contract Order" and, using the Source Core as a bridge, attempted to communicate and refine them at a deeper level.
The Dark Gold Fragment still dominates order and protection, but it subtly conveys a desire—a desire for the complete "Spirit Peg," as well as a desire to reject and purify the contaminated fragment (the pitch-black fragment).
The black fragments became even more restless. The purified dragon's vengeful fire power and evil contract characteristics within them became unusually active when they sensed the possible existence of the "pivot" in the direction of the Burial God Valley, and even showed a slight tendency to backfire.
Fu Shaoping had to expend more effort to maintain the stability of the two fragments using the "Double Pact Balance Method" from the "General Outline of the Origin of the Origin".
At the same time, he also began to study several contractual secret techniques recorded in the "General Outline of Contractual Origins," which could only be barely used by those at the Golden Core stage—"Contract Seal - Spirit Sealing Lock," "Words Become Law - Body Immobilization Spell," and "Contract Projection - Body Clone Contract." Although he could not fully master them due to the limitations of his cultivation, last-minute cramming might have a miraculous effect.
On the evening of the fifth day, Manager Zhou brought news.
"The Grand Secretariat replied: Elder Tianxuan has been dispatched with ten Golden Core disciples to provide support. They will arrive in at least ten days. The Pavilion Master has ordered: We must prevent the Dark Contract Organization from breaking the seal through blood sacrifice. If necessary, we should unite all forces that can be united."
"Chu Hongxiu and Bai Wuyai have agreed to cooperate. Chu Louzhu is willing to provide three Golden Core cultivators and twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators; Bai Sanren is willing to personally take action and will bring two close Golden Core cultivator friends with him. They will meet secretly at 'Tingyu Tower' tomorrow to discuss their strategy."
Liu Rushuang nodded: "Thank you for your hard work, Elder Zhou. I will go to the meeting with Junior Brother Lu tomorrow."
On the sixth day, at Tingyu Tower.
This building is located on a small island in the center of Cold Moon Lake, famous for its rainy scenery. Today, however, it is closed to visitors, and its protective formations are fully activated.
Inside the secret room, Liu Rushuang and Fu Shaoping met with their allies in this collaboration.
Chu Hongxiu, the master of Tingyu Tower, was dressed in red. She had a graceful figure, a beautiful face, and sharp eyes. Her cultivation level was at the peak of the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.
Bai Wuyai, the Hermit of the Cold Moon, wore a moon-white robe, his hair and beard were all white, his face was thin and refined, and he held a jade flute in his hand. He had an otherworldly temperament and was also in the middle stage of the Golden Core realm.
In addition, there are five Golden Core cultivators: two deputy leaders of Tingyu Tower (early Golden Core stage), Bai Wuyai's two close friends - an old man who is good at formations and is called "Chess Maniac" (early Golden Core stage), and a body cultivator with a fierce aura called "Iron Mountain" (early Golden Core stage).
In addition to Liu Rushuang (mid-stage Golden Core), Manager Zhou (early-stage Golden Core), and Fu Shaoping (a special late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator), there are a total of ten Golden Core warriors!
"Everyone, you must all be aware of the situation," Liu Rushuang said bluntly. "The Dark Pact organization plans to break the seal and seize the 'Pillar' through a blood sacrifice when the strange phenomenon appears in the Burial Valley tomorrow. We must stop them."
Chu Hongxiu toyed with the jade cup in her hand, her red lips slightly parted: "The Dark Contract Organization has committed numerous atrocities in the Northern Territory, and I have long wanted to settle accounts with them. However, Elder Liu, are you sure they only have five Golden Core cultivators? What if there are Nascent Soul cultivators hiding..." Liu Rushuang said: "According to Elder Zhou's intelligence, only five Golden Core cultivators have been revealed so far, but we cannot rule out the possibility of hidden forces. However, Nascent Soul cultivators are not easy to mobilize, and once they make a move, it will inevitably attract the attention of Nascent Soul cultivators from other forces. The Dark Contract Organization should not dare to use them lightly."
Bai Wuyai stroked his beard and said, "Even so, the enemy is in the dark while we are in the light, so a direct confrontation is not the best strategy. Elder Liu, do you have a specific plan?"
Liu Rushuang looked at Fu Shaoping: "This will depend on Junior Brother Lu. Junior Brother Lu possesses a special secret technique that allows him to sense the location of the 'Spirit of the Contract' and the 'Order of the Contract' fragments. We can infiltrate the Valley of the Burial Gods in advance and set up an ambush near the blood sacrifice site. When they begin the blood sacrifice and are most unprepared, we can suddenly launch an attack, destroy the altar, and disrupt the ritual."
Fu Shaoping stood up and bowed to everyone: "Junior Lu Ping is willing to lead the way. However, the other side will surely be prepared, so we need to have a foolproof plan."
The old chess fanatic spoke in a hoarse voice: "I can set up a 'Phantom Mist Illusion Array' that can conceal one's aura and distort perception. Combined with the natural baleful mist of Burial God Valley, it is enough to deceive even a Golden Core cultivator's divine sense. However, setting up the array takes time and cannot be too close to the blood sacrifice site, otherwise it will be discovered."
Tieshan said in a deep voice, "During the surprise attack, my brothers and I will lead the charge! Those sneaky creatures are most afraid of a direct and fierce attack!"
After much discussion, the group finally decided on a plan:
They split into three groups.
The first group, consisting of Liu Rushuang, Chu Hongxiu, and Bai Wuyai, three mid-stage Golden Core cultivators, led Fu Shaoping, Qi Chi, Tieshan, and some Foundation Establishment elites, carrying the Illusionary Mist Misty Tracing Array, to infiltrate the Burial God Valley in advance and set up an ambush near the blood sacrifice site.
The second group, led by Manager Zhou and the two deputy leaders of Tingyu Tower, created chaos on the outskirts of Burial God Valley to attract the attention of the Dark Contract Organization's peripheral forces.
The third group, after the arrival of reinforcements from the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, went directly into the Valley of Burial Gods to provide support.
Operation time: Before noon tomorrow, we must be in ambush position.
"Gentlemen, this battle concerns the peace of the Northern Territory, and also our lives." Liu Rushuang looked around at everyone, "I hope we can work together to defeat the evil forces!"
"Work together!"
The seventh day, dawn.
Outside the Valley of Burial Gods, the colorful mist was thicker than usual, and an uneasy restlessness filled the air.
Fu Shaoping followed Liu Rushuang and the others, moving like a ghost through the rugged valley under the cover of the Chess Maniac Old Man's Illusionary Mist Array. The faint gray mist formed by the array blended perfectly with the evil energy in the valley, so even when passing by demonic beasts, they were completely unaware.
The deeper they went, the more complex the terrain became, and the more remaining restrictions appeared. The group had to proceed cautiously and slowly.
Before noon, we finally arrived at the designated location—a secluded mountain hollow about five miles from the "Burial God Abyss" in the center of the valley.
From here, the edge of the Burial Abyss can be vaguely seen. It is a bottomless, enormous abyss from which the seven-colored mist surges. At this moment, the mist at the mouth of the abyss is slowly swirling, forming a huge vortex, and a muffled rumbling sound can be faintly heard from the bottom of the abyss.
"The strange phenomenon is about to begin," Liu Rushuang whispered.
The chess fanatic old man quickly set up an array, and the Illusionary Mist Array was in full operation, enveloping the entire mountain valley. From the outside, it looked like an ordinary mountain rock and mist.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for the right moment.
Fu Shaoping sat down cross-legged and focused all his energy on sensing.
The fragments of the "Contract" in his arms trembled violently, both fragments desperately pointing towards the Burial Abyss! The Source Core was also operating wildly, transmitting a strong desire and... warning!
At the bottom of the abyss, a vast, ancient, fragmented, and yet malevolent and chaotic aura is slowly awakening!
Is that the "Qi Shu"? It seems... the state is very abnormal.
Time passed second by second.
At 3:45 PM, the seven-colored vortex in the Burial God Abyss suddenly accelerated its rotation! At the center of the vortex, a dazzling seven-colored light shone and rapidly expanded!
"The strange phenomenon has begun!" Chu Hongxiu gripped her long sword tightly.
A seven-colored ray of light shot into the sky, illuminating the entire Burial Valley with a bizarre and fantastical glow! Within the light, countless ancient runes flickered and flowed. This time, everyone clearly sensed that the runes contained wisps of dark, malevolent energy!
At the same time, on the other side of the Burial God Abyss, about three miles away, a blood-red light suddenly shone on a flat stone platform!
A colossal altar, constructed of black rock, slowly rose from the ground! The altar was nine-sided, with a crimson stone pillar standing at each corner, its surface covered in twisted runes. At the center of the altar was a bottomless pool of blood, its surface churning with crimson waves, emitting a stench that filled the air!
Around the altar stood dozens of men in black robes, led by five shadow guards wearing pure white masks! One of them had an exceptionally deep aura, clearly a late-stage Golden Core cultivator!
In addition, there were hundreds of cultivators and mortals who were chained and had their cultivation sealed, and were driven to the edge of the altar. Their eyes were filled with despair—these were all sacrifices for the blood sacrifice!
"It really is the 'Nine Nether Blood Sacrifice Formation'!" The old chess fanatic's voice trembled. "This formation requires the essence, blood, and souls of nine hundred and ninety-nine living beings as a catalyst, combined with favorable timing and location, to forcibly break most of the seals! Have they gone mad? Such heinous acts will surely be punished by heaven!"
Liu Rushuang's eyes were icy: "Prepare to act. When they begin the blood sacrifice, and the formation reaches its most critical and uninterrupted moment, we will launch a surprise attack. Our target—destroy those nine blood-red stone pillars! Once the pillars are destroyed, the formation will collapse!"
Everyone held their breath and secretly channeled their spiritual energy.
On the altar, the leader of the Shadow Guards, who was in the late Golden Core stage, looked up at the soaring seven-colored light, then at the blood pool, and nodded in satisfaction.
"The time has come! Begin the blood sacrifice!"
At a command, the black-robed figures began chanting strange incantations. Nine blood-red stone pillars simultaneously lit up, emitting nine beams of blood-red light that converged in the center of the blood pool. The blood waves in the pool boiled even more violently, forming a blood-red vortex.
The first batch of ten sacrifices were dragged to the edge of the blood pool. A flash of light, heads rolled off, and blood gushed into the blood pool!
The blood pool vortex spun faster, emitting an even stronger eerie aura that subtly echoed the dark malevolent energy within the seven-colored light!
"Now!" Liu Rushuang hissed. "Make your move!"
The Illusionary Mist Formation instantly dissipated!
Ten figures shot out of the mountain valley like arrows released from a bow, heading straight for the altar!
Liu Rushuang, Chu Hongxiu, and Bai Wuyai were the fastest, attacking the nine blood-red stone pillars simultaneously with sword energy, red silk ribbons, and flute music!
The chess-obsessed old man raised his hand and tossed out dozens of array flags, setting up a temporary trapping formation around the altar to block the black-robed man's reinforcements! (End of Chapter)