From waterfowl, it began to transform into the Great Sun Golden Crow.

Chapter 44 Human Cave, Parasitic Centipede, Evil Poisoning.

It turns out it had been there for four months.

Such a wicked nature couldn't possibly be achieved in just four months. A thousand-mile dike can be destroyed by an ant hole.

Gu Heting was well aware of this.

The first rogue cultivator to fall victim to the virus four months ago was just the beginning.

In the future, it will only continue to grow, and even more so.

Thinking of this, Gu Heting had another question in his mind. The eerie gold was still glowing, and Gu Heting turned his head and looked up to meet Tang Jingxuan's gaze.

There's something I want to understand.

"If a person's face is already pale and he is coughing up blood from time to time, one should ask how much longer he has to live."

Tang Jingxuan was somewhat stunned; this little water bird had truly surprised him.

This question made him think for a moment: "On the first day, his complexion was sallow, and his forehead was covered in cold sweat."

"The coughing continued the next day, and he was completely pale."

"Three days later, he became unsteady on his feet and his face turned pale. He showed signs of coughing up blood."

"After the fourth day, there will be no more life. From then on, they will become blood corpses."

What Tang Jingxuan said was exactly the same as that of the blood corpse.

When I saw him this afternoon, he was coughing incessantly, and blood was gushing from the corners of his mouth. It wasn't until evening that the skin on his face finally peeled off, leaving him as a blood-soaked corpse.

But this shouldn't be happening.

How did Tang Jingxuan know all this so clearly? A hint of suspicion appeared on Gu Heting's little waterbird face. But that suspicion vanished in an instant.

Tang Jingxuan easily captured him.

Tang Jingxuan chuckled upon seeing this: "There's someone like that in the dungeon of Tang Family Fortress. He's terminally ill and doesn't have much time left. I've already told my elder brother."

"Otherwise, why would I have locked down the city?"

"The Tang Family Fortress sees a constant flow of people coming and going, with no less than a million spirit stones being traded. Every day that happens, the Tang Family Fortress suffers a bit more damage."

Tang Jingxuan lowered his head in thought, and couldn't help but sigh.

This happened so suddenly that even a strategist like him struggled to cope. The worst thing is when things are left unresolved and without a clear beginning or end. In the days since the incident, he has searched through ancient texts and even sent a letter to his master.

He drew portraits of the deceased.

He depicted the centipede so vividly that he passed it on to his master in the form of a painting.

But his master only replied with four words.

"I do not know."

His master, who had cultivated for a thousand years, knew nothing of this matter. Over the next few days, the methods of divination were in utter chaos. The matters of fate were even more complicated.

Nine consecutive predictions all pointed to extremely bad omens.

How could he possibly feel at ease?

"Second Brother Tang, shall I help you?" Xiang Wanqing stood on tiptoe, her voice comforting. She held Gu Heting in her arms, her voice somewhat stubborn.

Tang Jingxuan shook her head.

Although this matter did not originate with Xiang Wanqing, since it occurred within Tangjiabao territory, it became a matter for Tangjiabao. No matter how things unfold, it has nothing to do with Xiaoshan Sect.

Moreover, the daughter of the sect leader of Xiaoshan Sect must not be allowed to have an accident here.

Although Tang Jingxuan prioritized his family, he valued its future even more. These evil deeds must not be allowed to involve outsiders.

"Your father has already told me about your situation. I will prepare the laurel and phoenix tree fruit tomorrow."

"This matter concerns our Tang family; the late Qing dynasty need not concern itself with it."

Xiang Wanqing was about to say something when she was interrupted by her senior sister, Jiang Qiushui. Jiang Qiushui bowed, clearly understanding the pros and cons.

"Thank you for your trouble, Second Young Master Tang."

Gu Heting felt like an outsider in this conversation. He wanted to say something important, but he just couldn't remember it.

This matter felt both familiar and strange to him.

Soon, the flying sedan chair, propelled by spiritual power, arrived at the inner chamber of Tang Family Fortress.

Night had fallen, yet the entire Tangjiabao was brightly lit. Many maids stood by with lamps lit. The servants of Tangjiabao were even more so.

Everyone was carrying a sword.

This matter caused a great uproar throughout the city. Even more so in Tangjiabao, where everyone was on edge.

For days, no one has had a moment's rest.

The interior of Tangjiabao is adorned with carved beams and painted rafters. Yet, the bustling activity of people has long since shattered this tranquil atmosphere.

A burly man stood outside the attic.

The man's eyebrows were drawn in a single line, and his skin was dark. His stubble was rather thick. The dark-skinned man looked anxious. The sedan chair descended from the sky, and Tang Jingxuan looked outwards.

"Second brother, come here quickly."

The man downstairs waved. Seeing this, Tang Jingxuan leaped down from the flying sedan chair. His once elegant demeanor was now serious.

"Big brother, what happened?"

"The person in the dungeon exploded."

"Exploded?" Tang Jingxuan knew that his elder brother's ability to organize his thoughts was somewhat poor; when it came to poetry, he couldn't come up with a single word. But when it came to physical cultivation, he was quite knowledgeable.

But right now we're really in a hurry.

He can't even utter a complete sentence.

"Brother, everything in excess is as bad as deficiency. Speak slowly. My dear brother, I heard some of it, but I only understand a little."

"I told you the people you sent to the dungeon a few days ago have already exploded."

"My body is crawling with white centipedes, the entire dungeon is full of them now. My goodness, what on earth did you summon here?"

Is this the final step?

Gu Heting heard it all clearly. The dark-faced man's voice was extremely loud; it was impossible not to hear it.

Gu Heting witnessed the final step of a rogue cultivator becoming a centipede man.

His chest exploded, and white centipedes crawled all over his body.

Such a stark visual impact is truly unsettling. It's understandable that the man was flustered, as it was the first time he'd seen something like this.

"Second brother, stop what you're doing and come over here quickly."

Tang Jingxuan was somewhat hesitant, but Xiang Wanqing's eyes held a determined look. Song Baitao and Jiang Qiushui were somewhat afraid.

I am deeply troubled by what happened today.

But the young sect leader insisted on going, so everyone had no choice but to give up.

Tang Chenghu led everyone to the underground dungeon.

Countless talismans covered the entire dark prison. Each talisman crackled with electricity. At the center of the dark prison stood a blood-soaked figure.

The bloodied face peeled off.

His blue robe had long since changed color, and the Tang Family Fort token still hung at his waist.

He was already slurring his words.

"A cave for a thousand people, a place where ten thousand people weep."

"We've all been deceived, we've all been deceived."

With each shout, the blood-soaked man crashed into the wall, which was covered with talismans bearing the Daoist runes of thunder.

It sent him flying in a single blow.

White centipedes crawled all over the floor inside the abdominal cavity. The centipedes detached, struggled a few times, and showed no signs of life.

Xiang Wanqing witnessed this bloody scene.

He couldn't help but hug Gu Heting tighter in his arms.

Gu Heting knew the little girl was scared. He gently comforted her, "It's alright, you're already a dying person."

Xiang Wanqing did not respond.