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

Chapter 172 Demonic Peak

Just then, the black flag suddenly burst forth with a ghostly light, breaking through the flames to form a barrier. Immediately afterwards, a group of black ghosts flew out from within and rushed towards Gu Shihan and his companion.

Gu Shihan remained calm and increased the output of her spiritual power. The Red Lotus Karmic Fire burned brighter and brighter, transforming into a crimson fire net to block the ghosts.

Taking advantage of the moment, Yu Tong conjured a giant fire phoenix, which charged straight at the leader of the black-robed men.

The leader was unable to dodge in time and was struck by the fire phoenix, screaming shrilly as he was engulfed in flames.

Seeing that things were not going well, the other men in black robes scattered and fled, trying to escape the net of fire. How could Gu Shihan and Yu Tong let them escape?

In less than twenty breaths, all eight black-robed men turned to ashes, carried the cultivators out of the Qiankun Room, and fed each of them an antidote pill.

A quarter of an hour later, the dozen or so cultivators had all regained consciousness. Gu Shihan glanced at them and asked, "Do you know the origin of the man in black robes? Have you encountered any demonized beasts?"

One of the cultivators said tremblingly, "I only know that they seem to be searching for a mysterious ruin, but I haven't encountered any demonized beasts."

Gu Shihan and Yu Tong exchanged a glance, both feeling that there was something fishy about this.

"Thank you for informing me." Yu Tong clasped her hands in thanks to everyone and then planned to leave with Gu Shihan to explore the area.

They hadn't gone far when the surrounding air suddenly turned bitterly cold, and a powerful, evil aura rushed towards them.

A huge, demonized black panther appeared ahead, its eyes bloodshot and its body emanating a thick black mist.

Gu Shihan gripped the sword in her hand and said in a low voice, "It seems that the matter of the man in black robes is indeed related to the demonized beasts."

Gu Shihan threw out an array plate, protecting more than a dozen cultivators within it. A faint red lotus karmic fire covered her entire body. She and Yu Tong, one in front and one behind, surrounded the demonized black panther.

The demonized black panther roared and pounced at them. Gu Shihan rushed forward first, unleashing a series of sharp sword strikes, each imbued with the power of the Crimson Lotus Karmic Fire.

Yu Tong assisted from the side, using Phoenix Fire to distract the black panther's vision and attract its attention.

After a fierce battle, they finally joined forces to kill the demonized black panther.

Where the black panther disappeared, a fragment of a map was revealed, with faint markings of ruins on it.

"Sister, what is this?" Yu Tong asked, picking up the map fragment.

Gu Shihan looked at it, but couldn't figure it out, so she casually put it away and then dispelled the formation, saying, "Everyone, we're safe now, farewell!"

“Fellow Daoist, my name is Cheng Peng. I am deeply grateful for your life-saving grace. May I ask if you are from the Wuhua Sect?” A male cultivator dressed in a blue robe asked respectfully.

"Fellow Daoist Cheng, it is indeed Gu Shihhan of the Five Flowers Sect!" Gu Shihhan returned the greeting in a friendly manner.

"You must be Fellow Daoist Gu? It's a pleasure to meet you. A few days ago, we met Fellow Daoist Shi. We traveled together for a few days before parting ways the day before yesterday. He inquired about you!" Cheng Peng said with a smile.

"Shi Qinghan? Do you know which direction he went? Did he have any companions?" Gu Shihan asked, holding up a water mirror to outline Shi Qinghan's appearance.

“Yes! That’s him! He was injured and should still be recuperating at Axe Slope, a hundred miles away,” Cheng Peng said after thinking for a moment.

"Thank you for letting me know." Gu Shihan said and was about to leave.

Cheng Peng quickly stopped him, saying, "Fellow Daoist Gu, please wait! What was that demonized beast you just mentioned? How should we deal with it? Please tell me!"

Gu Shihan paused, realizing that the matter of the demonized beasts truly concerned the safety of many cultivators, and stopped. "I only know a little about these demonized beasts. The reason for their demonization seems to be related to a mysterious dark force, which is corrupting the living beings on this continent," Gu Shihan said solemnly.

Everyone looked worried upon hearing this. "As for how to deal with them, ordinary spells are unlikely to harm them. Only flames with purifying power or pure yang energy can restrain them. However, this is only a temporary solution. To completely resolve the issue, we must find the source of that dark power and destroy it."

After giving his instructions, Gu Shihan didn't linger and sped off towards Axe Slope, with Yu Tong close behind.

Before long, they arrived at Axe Slope and searched everywhere for traces of Shi Qinghan.

Finally, they found him in a secluded cave, where he was healing with his eyes closed.

Seeing Shi Qinghan's pale face, Gu Shihan felt heartbroken and quickly stepped forward to check on his injuries.

Shi Qinghan sensed someone approaching, opened his eyes and saw Gu Shihan. A weak smile appeared on his lips.

Gu Shihan took out a top-grade healing pill and fed it to Shi Qinghan, asking with concern, "Big brother, how did you get injured? It looks like a fresh wound!"

"Sister, it's a long story. A few days ago, after parting ways with some cultivators, I planned to find a place to heal my wounds, but I unexpectedly encountered two men in black robes. Although I killed them, I was also seriously injured. To make matters worse, I was tricked and my spiritual power was sealed. I am powerless and cannot even open my storage magic treasures. It is difficult for me to save myself."

"If it weren't for your arrival, young lady, I would have either died from my severe injuries or been intercepted by demonic beasts or other cultivators, losing my life as well."

"I understand. You should go into the Mustard Seed Space to heal your injuries. Senior Brother Mo Yu was also injured while saving me. He's healing in the Qiankun Room. From now on, we'll act together!"

"it is good!"

After Shi Qinghan entered the Mustard Seed Space, Gu Shihan and Yu Tong settled down in the cave.

Suddenly, a sinister aura emanated from the surroundings, and hundreds of demonic beasts slowly surrounded them.

If we had arrived any later today, Shi Qinghan would have been in real danger.

Yu Tong gripped her longsword tightly, "Sister, let's do it!"

Gu Shihan took a deep breath and summoned the Red Lotus Karmic Fire within her body to surround herself.

The demonic beasts, wary of the flames, lingered only on the periphery. Gu Shihan narrowed her eyes, formed hand seals, and a fireball shot towards the group of demonic beasts, exploding above their heads, with fiery lotuses falling into the group.

Many monsters instantly turned to ashes, and the remaining monsters scattered in fear.

Yu Tong guarded the outer perimeter, while the phoenix fire raged through the area, quickly burning hundreds of demonized beasts to ashes.

Two days later, Mo Yu and Shi Qinghan had recovered from their injuries. The four of them discussed it and headed east.

The journey was relatively smooth, and soon they arrived at a place called Ghost Peak. According to records, this is the only forbidden area in the Tianshui Secret Realm, a dangerous place that can only be entered but not left.

"Junior sister, are you saying there's a problem here?" Mo Yu frowned as she looked at Ghostly Peak.

"Shh!" Gu Shihan quickly pulled Mo Yu and Shi Qinghan behind a big tree. Soon after, they saw three black-robed men emerge from under a vine on Ghostly Peak.

They nervously looked around, and one of them said with some displeasure, "Third brother, I told you no one was following us. You're always so suspicious. How many people can be lucky enough to avoid the traps and mechanisms set up by the ancestor? Let's go, let's go!" The three muttered to themselves and went back, disappearing behind the vines.

(End of this chapter)