Fighting: Practice makes it real, start with a poisonous body.

Chapter 273 Do you crave power?
Ancient Holy City Ruins.

The ruins spread out like a desolate sea under the gray sky. The glory that once connected the ancient world with the mainland has long been crushed into dust by the aftershocks of the battle between the three emperors.

Cracks spread like a spider web on the weathered bluestone pavement, with charred fragments of armor and dried dark brown marks embedded in the gaps.

In the distance, the once majestic city gate tower is now just half a charred pillar, with dark red molten marks still clinging to the broken top, like the broken bone fragments of a giant beast.

Normally, no one would live in a place like this.

But now, hastily erected houses on the ruins are mostly pieced together from broken beams and pillars, creaking and groaning in the wind.

The Black Annihilation Army's jet-black armor stood out starkly against the gray ruins. They patrolled the rubble with heavy steps, long spears in hand, the clanging of their armor echoing repeatedly through the ruins.

"When did my ancient clan fall to such a state..."

Two young figures stood on the high platform. Gu Yao looked at the scene before him, his voice filled with undisguised bitterness.

Gu Qingyang slowly said, "There was nothing we could do about it. The Ancient Realm was destroyed, the clan leader was seriously injured, and many Dou Sheng elders were also affected by the Sword Emperor's aftershocks, resulting in heavy casualties."

We need to wait until the elders' injuries stabilize before we can find new accommodations. For now, we have no choice but to stay here.

Both men looked somber when the previous battle was mentioned.

The scene was still vivid in my mind: divine light tore through the sky, the earth cracked instantly, countless people perished, and the once prosperous ancient world vanished in the blink of an eye.

They paid such a heavy price, yet achieved absolutely nothing...

"Brother Qingyang, Brother Guyao!"

At that moment, a slightly hurried shout rang out.

The two looked up at the sound and saw a figure holding a long spear jogging over. His steps were a little unsteady, as if he was afraid of neglecting the two of them, and his face was covered with a deliberately fawning smile.

The ancient demon looked at the newcomer with a strange expression and said, "Lingquan, you're still alive?"

Upon hearing this, Lingquan's smile froze.

"Yes, he's still alive..."

Lingquan composed himself and forced a smile, but the smile was much stiffer than before.

"Thanks to Lord Gu Lie's intervention, he protected many of his people. I was lucky enough to be squeezed in the crowd and was rescued along with them."

"I see."

The ancient demon nodded slightly and asked calmly, "What do you want?"

"Because of that guy Xiao Jibai, our clan suffered heavy losses, and even many of our colleagues in the Black Annihilation Army died."

There are a lot of job openings now, and I'd like to ask if I still have a chance?

I no longer crave the leadership position I once held; even being a squad leader would be fine!
"For the sake of our past relationship, could you please make an exception for me?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lingquan's breathing became a little rapid.

He really didn't want to live that life of a low-ranking soldier anymore.

Not only do they patrol day and night, but they can't even get a proper meal. If they could become squad leaders, they would at least be in a leadership position, and they wouldn't have to endure the wind and sun, and they would even have some free time to cultivate.

Looking at his expression, the ancient demon pondered for a moment, then softened his tone: "This matter isn't difficult..."

Lingquan and he used to have a good relationship, but later their bloodline was destroyed and they were even dismissed from their positions by the clan. Their statuses were so different that they became much more estranged.

Lingquan is only asking for a squad leader position, which is not a big deal. It wouldn't hurt to lend a hand.

However, just as Gu Yao was about to agree, Gu Qingyang suddenly stepped forward, placed his arm across Gu Yao's body with his palm facing down, and said in a deep voice, "No."

"why?"

Ling Quan's expression immediately turned anxious, and he hurriedly pleaded with Gu Qingyang, saying, "Brother Qingyang, please help me for the sake of our past relationship!"

Gu Yao's gaze also fell upon Gu Qingyang, his eyes filled with doubt.

"It's not that I'm unwilling to help you."

Gu Qingyang shook his head and said, "You yourself said that Lord Gu Lie has already emerged from seclusion."

He has always been strict in his vetting. You haven't accomplished anything lately. If we promote you by taking advantage of our positions, once he finds out, not only will you be in danger, but Gu Yao and I will also be implicated.

"Please stop making things difficult for us." "But, but..."

"Alright, you'd better hurry up and go on patrol, don't delay your job."

Lingquan opened his mouth, wanting to argue further, but Gu Qingyang waved his hand, pulled Gu Yao away, and left.

The moment Gu Qingyang and Gu Yao turned around, the panic and pleading on Ling Quan's face vanished, replaced by a gloomy expression.

"What a Gu Qingyang! What a Gu Yao! You won't even help me with this little thing... I'll make you regret this later!"

On the other side, as soon as he stepped off the platform, Gu Yao couldn't help but pull his wrist back and ask, "Brother Qingyang, why did you lie to Lingquan?"

The clan chief is currently in seclusion to heal his injuries, and Lord Gu Lie is temporarily in charge of clan affairs.

With the clan in chaos and unable to attend to matters concerning the Black Annihilation Army, how could he possibly concern himself with a minor matter like the promotion of a squad leader?

Gu Qingyang paused, turned to look at Gu Yao, his expression serious, and lowered his voice: "If it were anyone else, I would help, but this Lingquan... I never thought there was anything wrong with it before."

After his bloodline was destroyed, I felt sorry for him and secretly observed him for some time, thinking of helping him out. However, when I was researching his life story, I unfortunately discovered his true character.

Brutal, ruthless, perverse, and paranoid... Don't be fooled by his respectful attitude towards us; he's a completely different person towards others.

Having experienced the events of the past, this person's temperament has changed drastically, becoming even more sinister. If he were to rise again, it might not necessarily be a good thing.

From now on, stay away from him.

"It is so."

Gu Yao frowned and kept these words in mind.

…………

As the sun sets, the fading rays of the setting sun, like blood, paint the ruins of the ancient holy city in an eerie crimson hue.

It was the time when the Black Annihilation Army patrol changed shifts.

Lingquan dragged his leaden legs, moving step by step to a relatively flat open space. His soldier's armor was covered in dust, and there was a small tear in his shoulder armor, revealing the purplish-blue wounds underneath.

The ancient realm was shattered, and the ancient holy city was reduced to ruins. Although a lean camel is still bigger than a horse, the Dou Qi Continent is never short of desperate people willing to risk their lives to come here and pick up scraps.

The clan's Dou Sheng and Dou Zun were recovering from injuries and couldn't possibly take action over such a trivial matter, which made things difficult for the lower-ranking members of the Black Annihilation Army.

This wound was inflicted during the daytime entanglement with the common people of the mainland.

Lingquan slowly sat down against a broken stone pillar, overwhelmed by exhaustion, barely having the strength to even raise his hand to wipe away the sweat.

But when he looked up at the setting sun in the sky, the weariness in his eyes was instantly replaced by a strong sense of malice!
"Damn Gu Qingyang, not only did he not help me, but he also stopped Gu Yao!"

If my bloodline power were still intact, why would I need to beg you for help!

Lingquan gritted his teeth, and the scenes from the past resurfaced in his mind.

On that day, that white-clad figure, with just a flick of a sword finger, sealed his bloodline power and shattered his life!

Thinking of this, fear crept into Lingquan's eyes. The shadow cast by Xiao Jibai was like a leech, clinging to his bones and never fading away over the years.

He dreamt of that white-clad figure countless times at night, dreamt of being easily crushed by the other party, and every time he woke up, he trembled with hatred.

He wanted revenge and wanted to tear Xiao Jibai to pieces!

"But...how am I supposed to get revenge now?!"

Lingquan angrily pounded his fist against the rubble on the ground. The sharp edges of the stones cut his palm, and blood instantly seeped out.

He hated it! He hated Gu Qingyang's indifference, hated Xiao Jibai's power even more, and hated his own incompetence!

He was once a highly regarded genius in the clan, and he had a bright future, but now he has fallen to this state, like a stray dog, barely surviving in this ruin!

A sense of powerlessness welled up in Lingquan's heart. He smiled bitterly: "Do I really still have a chance to take revenge?"

Even the clan leader and the Soul Emperor couldn't do anything to Xiao Jibai, let alone him...

Just then, a faint voice quietly sounded in Lingquan's ear.

"Are you craving power?"

(End of this chapter)