Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 123 Unexpected

Wherever the fire phoenix went, the mist dissipated, and its mournful cry abruptly ceased.

The hunchbacked evil cultivator's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly plunged the dagger in his hand into the ground and chanted an obscure incantation. The ground instantly cracked open, and countless black vines emerged from the fissures, coiling towards the fire phoenix.

The fire phoenix collided with the black vines, creating a loud explosion.

Flames and black mist intertwined, their light flashing and dispersing a large portion of the surrounding mist.

Elder Lang seized the opportunity, his figure instantly transforming into countless streaks of azure light, swirling around the hunchbacked evil cultivator. Each sword light carried the sword energy of spiritual power, piercing towards the evil cultivator.

The hunchbacked evil cultivator was caught off guard by the sudden attack. He dodged the blue sword shadows while trying to counterattack.

However, Gu Changzhou and Liu Sijun were not idle either. Gu Changzhou once again wielded the Star Sword, and streaks of sword energy shot towards the evil cultivator like meteors; Liu Sijun continuously waved the Magpie Feather Fan, creating gusts of icy wind to slow down the evil cultivator's movement.

Under the combined attack of the crowd, the hunchbacked evil cultivator gradually could not hold on.

He was slashed in many places by the sword energy, and black blood flowed out, dripping onto the ground with a hissing sound, corroding the ground.

"Don't get too cocky, this is just the beginning!"

The hunchbacked evil cultivator gritted his teeth and said, then transformed into a wisp of black smoke and disappeared into the mist. The others dared not let their guard down and remained in combat readiness.

Ji He said, "Although the evil cultivator has temporarily retreated, he is probably still nearby. We cannot let our guard down. We must continue our journey and pass through this misty forest as soon as possible."

The group continued forward, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings while increasing their pace.

As they ventured deeper, the fog gradually thinned, but they knew the danger was not truly over, and they proceeded with extreme caution.

Strange sounds could be heard from time to time in this misty forest, as if countless eyes were watching them from the darkness.

They remained highly vigilant, making their way step by step toward the forest's exit.

Finally, after a difficult trek, they saw light coming from the edge of the forest.

The four were overjoyed and quickened their pace, successfully emerging from the misty forest.

Emerging from the forest, they were greeted by a vast plain, with a misty mountain peak rising in the distance—the location of the Misty Palace.

Liu Sijun pointed to the mountain peak and said, "Look, that's the Misty Palace. We're almost there."

The four of them roused themselves, flew on their swords, and headed towards the Misty Palace.

Before long, they arrived at the Misty Palace.

The Misty Palace has a unique architectural style, with its palaces and pavilions arranged in a staggered manner, exuding an ethereal and mysterious atmosphere.

As soon as they arrived at the palace gate, two female disciples dressed in light blue palace attire stepped forward to stop them.

After Gu Changzhou explained his purpose, one of his disciples hurriedly went in to inform him.

A moment later, the disciple returned and said respectfully, "Please follow me, everyone. The Palace Master requests your presence."

The four exchanged a glance and followed the disciple into the Misty Palace. Walking along the winding jade path, they were surrounded by exotic flowers and herbs, their fragrance filling the air, as if they were in a fairyland. Upon arriving at the main hall of the Misty Palace, they saw a woman in a plain brocade robe, with an exquisitely beautiful face and a cool, ethereal air, seated in the main seat. She was none other than Gong Linghan, the Palace Master of the Misty Palace.

Her gaze was cold and clear, like a deep, icy pool, as she swept over the crowd and slowly said, "You've come here for the 'Chaos Gathering Pill'?"

Gu Changzhou stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and explained in detail how the evil cultivators coveted the "Chaos Gathering Pill" and how Yaohua Palace and Yougu Palace had agreed to help. He earnestly requested that Piaomiao Palace also lend a hand: "Palace Master Gong, the cultivation world is in imminent danger. Only by working together can we resist the evil cultivators and protect the 'Chaos Gathering Pill'."

We hope that the Palace Master will prioritize the overall situation and offer some assistance.

Gong Linghan frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, then looked at Ji He and said, "Alchemist Ji He has also come along, so this matter must be extremely urgent. Although our Misty Palace has always kept a low profile, we cannot sit idly by when the cultivation world faces such a great calamity."

Gu Changzhou said, "Palace Master is a man of great principle. If we can get the help of Misty Palace, we will have a better chance of winning against the evil cultivators."

Gong Linghan nodded and decisively said, "I will send Second Elder Di Sheng with ten elite disciples to accompany you to Zhongzhou City. Elder Di Sheng is skilled in all kinds of magic, especially spatial magic, and will definitely be of great help to you."

As soon as he finished speaking, a middle-aged man in a dark blue robe, with a serious face and deep eyes, led ten disciples into the hall.

He was Elder Di Sheng. After bowing to Gong Linghan, he said, "Palace Master, rest assured, Di Sheng will certainly live up to your expectations."

Gong Linghan looked at everyone and said, "There's no time to lose, you should set off immediately. I hope you can successfully protect the 'Chaos Gathering Pill' and repel the evil cultivators."

Gu Changzhou and the others bowed again to express their gratitude, and then embarked on their journey back to Zhongzhou City with Elder Di Sheng and ten disciples.

Along the way, the group flew on their swords at an extremely high speed.

Elder Di Sheng, Elder Lang, and Ji He had a pleasant conversation, exchanging their insights on magic and strategies for dealing with evil cultivators.

Finally, a day later, the group arrived at Zhongzhou City.

However, the scene before them made their hearts tighten.

The atmosphere in the city was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe. A faint smell of blood permeated the streets, and most people kept their doors and windows tightly shut, afraid to go out.

Gu Changzhou and the others hurriedly headed towards the palace.

Upon entering the palace, they saw Song Hongyuan, Ding Yiguan, and others talking with Ye Ying.

Seeing Gu Changzhou and the others return, he quickly stepped forward to greet them: "You're finally back. On our way to Zhongzhou City, we were ambushed by evil cultivators. Fortunately, Night Shadow and his Shadow Guards came to our aid, which allowed us to arrive safely."

Nightshade nodded and said, "These evil cultivators are becoming increasingly rampant, and they seem to be quite familiar with the terrain of Zhongzhou City and our route of action."

Gu Changzhou: "Is His Majesty still safe?"

Nightshade said, "His Majesty is safe and sound, but in the past two days, the evil cultivators have searched the entire palace. They are looking everywhere for the whereabouts of the 'Chaos Gathering Pill,' and many places in the palace have been damaged."

They never imagined that the elixir would be taken out of the palace.

Elder Lang's expression was serious: "It seems the evil cultivators are impatient. They know we're seeking help everywhere, and they want to strike first before our aid arrives."

Ji He gently stroked the alchemy furnace in his hand and said, "Now that all forces have gathered in Zhongzhou City, it's time to discuss how to deal with the evil cultivators' next move. We must formulate a comprehensive plan as soon as possible and not allow the evil cultivators to act so recklessly any longer."

(End of this chapter)