Cultivating immortality relies on spatial abilities; defying fate to become the protagonist.

Chapter 177

The Five Hua Sect had a relatively large number of participants. The Heavenly One Sect sent less than twenty people, the Sword Sect was slightly better with twenty-five, and some other sects and families sent fewer than ten people alive.

"Venerable Danhua, what happened to the Heavenly Water Secret Realm this time? Of the hundred people from our sect who entered, only so many have returned alive. I wonder what happened in the secret realm!" Qi He, a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Heavenly One Sect, looked very unwell.

Venerable Danhua glanced at Qi He indifferently, looked around, and said, "My disciple said that demonic mist has appeared in the Heavenly Water Secret Realm, which has corrupted the demonic beasts. Of course, human cultivators have also been corrupted."

Most of those who didn't emerge became food for the demonized beasts. Perhaps some demonized cultivators have left the secret realm, so everyone should be extra careful.

"Once the demonized cultivators leave the secret realm, our world will no longer be at peace."

Everyone looked solemn after hearing what Venerable Danhua said.

Gu Shihan felt uneasy, sensing that there was a bigger conspiracy behind this matter.

At this moment, Mo Yu said softly, "Junior Sister, no matter what, let's go back to the sect first." Gu Shihan nodded.

Just as the various sects were preparing to return home, the sky suddenly darkened, and a black rift appeared amidst the dense clouds, from which a group of demonic cultivators exuding an evil aura emerged.

"They really did manage to catch up!" Venerable Danhua snorted coldly and charged forward first. Seeing this, the other cultivators also joined the battle.

Gu Shihan gripped her long sword tightly and worked together with Mo Yu and Shi Qinghan to kill the enemy.

However, the number of demonized cultivators was too great, and the crowd gradually became overwhelmed. Many Nascent Soul cultivators had no choice but to join the battle.

Many cultivators, after being corrupted by the black mist, turned their swords on their fellow disciples and family members.

"Not good! Everyone activate the isolation talismans, don't let the black mist get close!" Venerable Danhua raised his voice to warn.

Gu Shihan frowned slightly. The demonized cultivators seemed tireless, and their numbers were increasing. Why?
She withdrew from the battle and immediately saw that Venerable Danhua was frantically building a barrier at the crack, but black energy was still surging out. Could it be that the power source of these demonized cultivators came from that black crack?

Without time to think, Gu Shi steeled her resolve, used all her skills to defeat the demonized cultivators blocking her way, and charged towards the crevice.

After approaching the crack, Gu Shihan used her own spiritual power as a guide and made a sweeping motion with her fingers.

Yes, she was drawing a talisman. Dots of gold appeared in the air. What Gu Shihan was drawing was the golden rune that she had just received as a reward for completing the mission.

As she swiped her finger, a rune diagram appeared before her eyes, and she tried to push it into the spatial rift.

One after another, demonized cultivators rushed over to stop them, but Venerable Danhua snorted coldly, waved them away with his sleeve, and said gently, "Qingluo, go ahead and do it. Your master will protect you!"

Gu Shihan nodded slightly, gathered spiritual power in both hands, and pushed it forcefully. The rune diagram fell towards the crack, and after a few flashes of golden light, the crack slowly shrank and disappeared.

The demonized cultivators, having lost their power, gradually collapsed and were quickly slaughtered by the other cultivators, their bodies burned to the ground.

Gu Shihan fainted due to exhaustion of spiritual energy. Mo Yu rushed forward and caught her before Dan Hua Zun Zhe could reach her, looking worried.

Mo Yu, holding Gu Shihan, shouted, "Master! Junior Sister has fainted!"

Venerable Danhua quickly walked over, reached out to check Gu Shihan's pulse, took out a pill and put it into her mouth, saying, "Moyu, Mochen, take Qingluo back to the sect, leave this to us!"

Mo Yu nodded in agreement and rushed to the sect with great anxiety. Shi Qinghan stood guard beside him, watching out for any remaining dangers.

After returning to the sect, Mo Yu settled Gu Shihan in his residence and took care of her personally.

Gu Shihan remained unconscious for three days and three nights before slowly waking up.

She was still very weak when she woke up, and seeing Mo Yu, who looked slightly haggard, by her bedside, she was filled with gratitude. The peace didn't last long; soon after, news came from various sects that many disciples had mysteriously disappeared, suspected of being secretly abducted by a mysterious force.

Upon hearing this, Gu Shihan insisted on participating in the investigation despite not having fully recovered.

Mo Yu couldn't refuse her, so he could only accompany her along with Shi Qinghan.

During their investigation, they discovered clues pointing to an ancient ruin. Upon entering the ruin, they were enveloped by a powerful, restrictive force.

Just then, a mysterious voice rang out: "Did you think you could rest easy after stopping them once? This is just the beginning."

Gu Shihan, Mo Yu, and Shi Qinghan gripped their weapons tightly, ready for battle.

Gu Shihan shouted back, "No matter who you are, you will not succeed in harming the cultivation world."

A cold laugh rang out: "Such arrogance! No one can stop me from doing what I want." As soon as the voice fell, a black shadow flashed and pounced straight at the three of them.

Mo Yu made the first move, blocking the attack from the dark figure amidst the clashing sword shadows.

Shi Qinghan seized the opportunity to strike with his sword, but it was like throwing a stone into the sea—completely ineffective.

Gu Shihan closed her eyes to sense the fluctuations of spiritual energy around her and discovered that the restrictive force was suppressing her own spiritual energy.

She bit her tongue, spitting out a mouthful of blood onto the sword, forcefully increasing her spiritual power to break through some of the restrictions, and then threw the gunpowder in her hand at the dark figure.

The dark figure vanished in a flash, leaving only the words: "This is just a small warning to you. I will be back!"

The three looked at each other, knowing that the situation was troublesome.

Gu Shihan frowned: "It seems we must find a way to break the restrictions on this relic, otherwise we will only be able to passively take a beating."

Mo Yu agreed: "I just noticed something unusual about the runes in the western corner; perhaps that's the key."

So the three of them headed towards the western corner, intending to explore the secrets hidden behind the runes and see if they could unravel the mystery and deal with the unknown threat.

Inside the space, Yu Tong and Xing Bai flipped through the ancient books stored there, trying to find some clues or corresponding methods.

Gu Shihan, Mo Yu, and Shi Qinghan arrived at the western corner and discovered that the runes were shimmering with a ghostly blue light.

Gu Shihan reached out to touch it, but was repelled by the rune, and felt a sharp pain in her finger.

Just then, Yu Tong, who was in the space, exclaimed in surprise, "Found it! This ancient book records that to lift this restriction, one must offer a blood sacrifice to the heavens and then use the spiritual power of someone with the same spiritual root to guide it." Everyone suddenly realized.

Shi Qinghan stepped forward: "My spiritual root belongs to fire, which matches the aura of this ruin. I will do it."

After speaking, he slit his wrist, and blood dripped to the ground. Mo Yu and Gu Shihan simultaneously channeled their spiritual energy into Shi Qinghan's body, helping him to guide his power.

As power was continuously injected, the runes shone brightly before gradually dimming.

The restriction was finally broken, and the oppressive atmosphere disappeared. Before everyone could relax, the mysterious black figure reappeared, this time with several more helpers by his side.

"You actually managed to break the restriction, you've got some skill. But you'll still die here today. I've gathered the power of the five elements, and there are only three of you. I'll see how you break through and how you deal with our attacks."

(End of this chapter)