An invasion from the Abyss? I, a demonic cultivator, laughed.

Chapter 264 Blind Spot of Thinking
Slay the colossal monster!
Upon hearing this, both Jiang Miaoyin and the exorcist's expression changed.

Could such a colossal creature be killed by human power?
To be honest, even Chu Xiu wasn't sure.

He had already analyzed that neither a direct assault nor a strategy of attrition was feasible.

The only possibility of victory is to rely on the self-destruction of the ghost army, just like in the previous battle against the Heavenly Dragon.

But this creature is much larger and has a constant supply of Yin energy, making it even more difficult to deal with than the Heavenly Dragon.

Moreover, the Heavenly Dragon's mind was manipulated at that time, and Chu Xiu only broke through its defenses and killed the Heavenly Man to get out of trouble. But now, he has to kill this behemoth in a real fight!
Therefore, the conditions are much harsher than before. Even if all the ghosts were to self-destruct, it would only create one condition for Chu Xiu: to enter the interior of the super-large ghost and explore its weaknesses.

Faced with his question, the exorcist hesitated for a moment before saying, "There's no need to confront them head-on. We just need to find a way to get the information in so that the people inside will come out on their own."

"However, we need to prepare items to dispel the Yin energy in advance. Our place of survival is extremely lacking in cultivation resources, and most of our clansmen do not have any cultivation. I'm afraid they will be frozen to death by the Yin energy the moment they come out."

"That's why I said we must kill that monster," Chu Xiu sighed softly.

Where could he find a protective item to shelter 30,000 people? In the inner area where the yin energy was dense, even with Jiang Miaoyin's protective item, the two of them still felt cold and had to rely on their king-level physique to withstand it. They also had to find a place from time to time to release demonic energy to isolate themselves from the yin energy and rest.

An ordinary person would die very quickly if they went outside, even with double protection.

Not to mention, the two will be detected by that colossal ghost as soon as they get close, let alone openly dispel the yin energy. At that time, a direct confrontation will still be unavoidable.

"Senior, so..."

"So this is not something we can do right now. Even if we join forces with the other two heroic spirits, I don't think the chances of success are very high," Chu Xiu replied truthfully.

His answer left Jiang Miaoyin speechless for a moment, before she finally let out a soft sigh.

The exorcist's expression immediately darkened.

After a long while, he gritted his teeth and gestured, "Thank you both for saving me. I am deeply grateful. However, I cannot abandon my compatriots for my own sake. I have decided to try to return to the sanctuary, at least to send back the news from the outside world."

Jiang Miaoyin asked, "But how are you going to get back?"

The man said, “I was born from that colossal ghost, and I carry its aura. It will lower its guard against me. I plan to stay near this Twilight Realm and wait for the ghost to get close before gliding from the sky onto its body and returning the way I came.”

Jiang Miaoyin asked worriedly, "But without our protective tools, how will you withstand the invasion of Yin energy?"

The man's face was resolute: "Even if I face nine deaths and one life, I will have no regrets."

“But this is too risky. Why don’t we stay away for a while and think of other options?” Jiang Miaoyin advised.

“No,” the man shook his head. “The aura from that ghost on my body will grow weaker and weaker, and I’m also afraid that once I get used to the freedom of the outside world, I’ll never be able to muster the courage to go back.”

Jiang Miaoyin seemed moved by his firm belief, and her expression became somewhat complicated.

After a long pause, she gritted her teeth, as if she had made a decision, and was about to take out an item from her storage space.

But at that moment, Chu Xiu gently pressed down on her wrist.

Jiang Miaoyin was taken aback and looked up, only to see Chu Xiu's indifferent face.

What are you all whispering about?

"Did I tell you to leave?"

"Huh?" Upon hearing this, Jiang Miaoyin and the clansmen were all stunned.

Chu Xiu retorted without any politeness, "Do you think I saved you out of kindness? Now you are my property, and your life is no longer in your own hands."

With that, he reached out and grabbed, and the man was bound by the surging demonic energy and merged into a ghostly entity.

"senior."

Jiang Miaoyin had just opened her mouth when Chu Xiu raised his hand to stop her: "Have you forgotten? It's our best bargaining chip when negotiating with the domain ghosts. I'm not giving it up no matter what."

"I really didn't expect that the young genius of the Jiang family would have so much sympathy. If you were thirteen, it would be one thing, but you're thirty and still have this mentality. Is it because the Jiang family has protected you too well, or because everyone has been accommodating to you along the way, making you think that the Abyss is a game paradise where everyone cooperates to pass the level?"

"Furthermore, even if you give them the item, do you really think they'll be grateful? Don't forget we're the culprits who caused the destruction of their home. Can this irreconcilable hatred be erased by an item?"

"Can you guarantee that the escaped clansman wasn't taking advantage of your sympathy? What makes you think you can see through an old man's disguise?"

Faced with Chu Xiu's rebuke, Jiang Miaoyin bit her red lips and couldn't say a word.

After a long pause, he nodded slightly and said, "I understand."

Her expression returned to calm: "So what we should do now is use this 'bargaining chip' to negotiate with the domain spirits."

"If it's still negotiable," Chu Xiu sighed softly.

Jiang Miaoyin didn't say much, but simply made a hand seal to summon the spirit carriage. Chu Xiu got on and they headed in the same direction they had come from.

Because the road had already been cleared once before, even though many parts had collapsed, it was still much faster than when we came.

The two remained silent throughout the journey. Chu Xiu meditated quietly to recover his magical power, while Jiang Miaoyin seemed lost in thought.

Half a day later, as they approached the city, she suddenly spoke up: "Senior, the clan leader also said that I am weak-willed and cannot become the next successor of the Jiang family."

"."

"He said that although I have great strength, I am still an immature girl deep down, often having naive fantasies. If I don't change this mentality, I will most likely die in the [Heroic Spirit Trial]. So I came alone to explore the Jiang family this time."

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"He also said that the Jiang family already has enough women, and what they need now is a warrior, or at least a woman who can bring back a powerful warrior."

"So what do you want to say?"

Jiang Miaoyin hesitated for a moment, but finally shook her head. "It's alright, senior."

Chu Xiu glanced at her but said nothing.

From birth, the children of large families have everything arranged for them, and even if something goes wrong, there will always be someone to cover for them.

This excessive leniency can make them lower their guard, ultimately leading to their demise on a seemingly insignificant decision.

However, to change this mindset that is deeply rooted in the subconscious, a few words of preaching are useless; only painful lessons in reality can truly make a lasting impression.

Soon, the familiar bronze gate appeared before the two of them.

The moment the door was opened, the boy, a manifestation of the Lord of the Domain, appeared before the two.

"Any news?" His face lit up with anticipation.

Chu Xiu was too lazy to say anything more. He reached out and tossed the bound exorcist clansmen to the ground.

The Lord of the Domain seemed surprised that there were actually survivors! And that Chu Xiu had found him so quickly! This made him almost unable to believe his eyes, and he even suspected that the protagonist was using illusions to deceive him!

After all, deep down, he didn't believe that anyone could survive that calamity and continue to thrive for two thousand years in this apocalyptic world! But when he confirmed that the person seemed to be a member of his own race, a look of wild joy appeared on his face!
The mist swirled into tentacles, about to pull the clansman back into the domain, but at this moment a demonic aura blocked its way. When the mist tentacles touched the demonic aura, they immediately made a "sizzling" sound, just like water touching molten lava, and evaporated into water vapor.

The Lord of the Domain's expression darkened: "What does this mean?"

Chu Xiu calmly said, "You haven't forgotten the agreed-upon reward, have you?"

The boy scoffed, "Of course. Do you think we're as untrustworthy as humans?"

"As long as you let my people in, I will give you what I promised."

Chu Xiu said calmly, "But what if I send that person into the domain and then you go back on your word?"

The boy frowned: "Then what do you suggest we do?"

“Let’s use the treasure you mentioned before as a deposit,” Chu Xiu said.

After pondering for a while, the boy nodded and said, "Okay, but I can only give you part of it, and if you break the contract, you will never be able to find clues about the other places where Yin energy gathers."

As soon as he finished speaking, the mist surged and dozens of pieces of equipment and props fell to the ground with a clanging sound.

Although these items are not of high quality, they still add up to about 10 billion, which is a considerable fortune.

Chu Xiu didn't say much, and with a push, the bound man entered the domain.

Countless wisps of mist eagerly surrounded him, carefully observing his condition, before carrying him deep into the domain as if transporting a precious treasure.

"It's time to keep your promise," Chu Xiu said.

There was a moment of silence within the mist, then a voice filled with anger rang out: "What do you mean? You actually gave me an old man who's not far from death? What use is an old man to me?"

Chu Xiu didn't speak, but instead revealed a knowing smile: "So, you're not planning to give me a place where Yin energy gathers?"

The person on the other end paused for a moment, then said, "The condition I agreed to was to give me 'hope.' A dying old man is nothing."

"However, I just made a brief inquiry and heard that there is another tribe there?"

"How about this, you bring me a man and a woman, young or old, and that will count as fulfilling your promise? I promise, next time I will."

"No need." However, before she could finish speaking, Chu Xiu interrupted her.

The voice in the mist paused, seemingly not expecting Chu Xiu to refuse so readily. Its voice softened: "Alright, I admit it was wrong of me to breach the contract, but to think that an old man can exchange my clan's ancestral land for something so cheap is too good to be true."

"Here's what you'll do. Whether you succeed or not, I'll give you the necessary equipment. And if you do manage to bring the person back, I'll immediately hand over the locations of those inheritance sites."

"Although it will require more effort from you, considering the benefits of the Land of Inheritance, you can still make a fortune."

The Lord of the Domain confidently advised.

It couldn't fathom the reason for Chu Xiu's refusal.

Although it goes back on its word, it guarantees that no one can remain unmoved by such benefits.

Even Jiang Miaoyin seemed to be persuaded, her expression changing from anger to weighing the options.

However, Chu Xiu remained silent, instead revealing a strange smile on his face.

"What you said makes sense."

"But I refuse."

"Hmm?" Both the Domain Lord and Jiang Miaoyin were slightly taken aback.

Chu Xiu's smile widened: "As punishment for your breach of contract, I will not only refuse, but I will also return to the Blessed Land and wipe out the last remaining sparks of your civilization. I will use the most cruel methods to burn them to death in despair and pain."

"You!" The Lord of the Domain was clearly not expected to hear him say that. He was immediately filled with shock and anger, and then he became visibly flustered.

Before it could figure out what was going on, Chu Xiu continued, "After I've done all this, I'll come back here and destroy your domain bit by bit."

"Everything in the world needs energy to sustain itself. In the past, countless formations throughout the city gathered Yin energy for you, but now these formations have long since become ineffective. Relying on naturally sinking Yin energy, how long can your domain withstand me?"

“I will start from the outermost edge and launch an attack little by little, even if this process takes a year, two years, or even ten years! I will never give up.”

"I will drag your true form out of this domain and kill you and your people together!"

At this point, a cruel smile appeared on Chu Xiu's face, like a serial killer who had found his target.

Even Jiang Miaoyin felt a chill run down her spine upon seeing this, and subconsciously took a half step back.

The Lord of the Domain was completely panicked: "You, why are you doing this? This is not beneficial to you at all!"

"Are you still trying to fool me?" The boy's flustered expression made Chu Xiu's eyes flash with disdain.

"The reason why the tool that guides us to the blessed land is able to work is because there are survivors who have been maintaining the communication device."

"But the problem is, no one is maintaining the other heritage sites, so how are you going to give us maps?"

"And the first blessed place we went to was so lucky that we found survivors. I don't believe I have such luck."

"If I'm not mistaken, of all the items you possess that guide you to the Land of Inheritance, only the one you gave us is still usable, right?"

"The treasure you just gave us wasn't just a 'partial' collection, it was the whole thing, wasn't it?"

"In other words, you no longer have anything to trade."

As Chu Xiu finished speaking, the boy fell completely silent.

Jiang Miaoyin stood to the side, her mouth agape in astonishment. She hadn't thought that much about it. It turned out that the seemingly harmless boy had deceived the two of them from the very beginning, taking advantage of the blind spots in people's thinking by presenting all the valuable items for trade at the outset, making others mistakenly believe that he had more.

But in reality, if the two of them really brought their people to it, this domain lord would probably immediately turn his back on them.

With a wave of his hand, Chu Xiu gathered up the equipment and props scattered on the ground and prepared to leave.

This place has lost its value, and he did indeed intend to do as he said: once he was strong enough, he would return to kill this domain lord and devour its soul.

However, just as Chu Xiu turned around and took a step, a voice suddenly came from behind him.

"and many more!"

"Ok?"

"I have one last item to trade."

Chu Xiu turned around and saw the Lord of the Domain patting his chest forcefully, as if he had made a great decision.

"That's me."

(End of this chapter)