Chapter 221

Chapter 221

It seemed as if in an instant, the vibrant and pristine Yushuizhe had transformed.

The blood miasma that surged from the depths polluted this once pure haven. The waters of Yushuizhe, no longer clear, turned into a murky sea of blood.

The spirit plants in the marsh withered rapidly, and the translucent water demons writhed in the tainted blood waters. When they emerged from the marsh, their translucent bodies had turned blood red, their dispositions becoming increasingly ferocious, attacking the cultivators hovering above the marsh.

"What's happening?"

The cultivators who had left earlier turned back in shock. Seeing the surging blood miasma behind them, their pupils constricted, unable to believe that the previously pristine Yushuizhe could have changed so drastically.

Before they could comprehend the situation, a group of cultivators led by the disciples of Feixian Island flew swiftly from the depths of Yushuizhe. Behind them, the sky was filled with the blood miasma, like a monstrous beast emerging from nowhere, devouring the once pristine space.

Seeing them still dazed, Qiao Leshan finally lost his composure and roared, "Haven't you started moving yet?"

These cultivators finally reacted, quickly following the group, fleeing out of Yushuizhe.

Someone couldn't help but ask urgently, "Friend Qiao, what's going on?"

Qiao Leshan's face tightened; he didn't know either.

"The Pure Spirit Water Lotus has withered."

Everyone's gaze fell on Su Wangling, who suddenly spoke. He was currently being carried on the back of a Linglong Fort disciple, his face pale as if drained of vitality, showing signs of exhaustion and weakness.

Despite his apparent weakness, Su Wangling's voice was steady, reaching everyone's ears.

"If I'm not mistaken, beneath Yushuizhe should be a blood miasma-infested land. The purpose of the Pure Spirit Water Lotus growing here is to suppress the blood miasma and its creatures with its purifying aura..."

Hearing this, everyone present was startled.

After a Fifth-Rank Holy Lotus bears fruit, its petals and leaves wither, and the stem sinks to the bottom to rest. Once it has absorbed enough spiritual energy, it will regrow and sprout anew.

This was common knowledge among many cultivators. Therefore, when the Pure Spirit Water Lotus bore fruit, they did not touch the remaining leaves and stem, allowing it to continue growing. Perhaps years later, when the Pure Spirit Water Lotus bloomed again, they could come back to compete for the lotus seeds.

But this time, the situation seemed different from what they knew.

"Where is the remaining Pure Spirit Water Lotus?" the cultivator asked anxiously.

Su Wangling closed his eyes slightly and said softly, "Its roots have been eroded by the blood miasma."

The Pure Spirit Water Lotus is renowned as one of the Fifth-Rank Holy Lotuses because of its ability to purify filth. Its cleansing aura can dispel impurities and purify the surrounding environment. However, the Pure Spirit Water Lotus in Yushuizhe had even its roots eroded by the blood miasma, causing it to wither and die.

"How could this be..."

For a moment, everyone was bewildered, slowing down slightly, almost caught by the surging blood miasma.

Perhaps sensing their confusion, Su Wangling added more, "Although we don't know how long this Pure Spirit Water Lotus has been suppressing the blood miasma, as the miasma grew stronger, the lotus could no longer contain it. This time, the lotus blooming and bearing fruit exhausted all its vitality, allowing the blood miasma to reappear, and soon the monsters within will emerge..."

As he spoke, a deep and powerful roar echoed from the depths of Yushuizhe.

The roar reverberated like a fierce sound wave, causing some cultivators with lower cultivation levels to be shaken, their consciousnesses unable to withstand it, plummeting into Yushuizhe and instantly torn apart by the blood-red demons in the water.

"Ahhh—"

Screams echoed incessantly.

Wen Qiao clung tightly to Ning Yuzhou, her fair and delicate face taut, fearing he might fall into the marsh below. She also whipped out the Stone Golden Python Whip, pulling up some cultivators who had been knocked down by the sound waves.

Other cultivators quickly pulled up the fallen low-level cultivators, speeding towards the exit of Yushuizhe.

Roar—

Several more roars echoed from the depths of Yushuizhe, causing the cultivators' blood to churn, their orifices bleeding. They gritted their teeth, struggling to hold on, afraid of being torn apart by the blood demons lurking below.

Though their speed was fast, the changes in Yushuizhe were too rapid. Before they could escape, the crisis was already upon them.

A thick cloud of blood mist surged from the depths of Yushuizhe.

The mist was denser than the blood miasma, exuding an extremely evil aura. As it approached them, it transformed into a massive blood palm, striking at the fleeing cultivators.

Qiao Leshan leaped up, summoning a thin azure sword, slashing at the blood palm behind him.

The sword light flashed, the pure spiritual energy within slicing the blood palm to pieces, preventing it from reforming.

Seeing this, everyone was elated, recalling the Pure Spirit cultivation technique practiced by the disciples of Feixian Island, giving them a pure spiritual body.

Qiao Leshan, with exceptional talent, had reached the late stage of the Yuanzong realm in just a hundred years, only a step away from the Yuanguang realm. He was considered the most talented among the younger generation, which is why he was chosen by Venerable Boyuan as his personal disciple.

His pure spiritual body was even more refined and clean, a nemesis to those evil spirits. His sword, a heavenly-grade Spirit Light Sword, exuded a formidable spiritual pressure, also a nemesis to these evil spirits.

However, this action angered the monster in the blood miasma, which let out another roar and struck again with its palm.

Qiao Leshan remained composed, leaping up and raising his Spirit Light Sword.

Just as the Spirit Light Sword severed the blood palm, an arrow imbued with solar power shot straight into the depths of Yushuizhe, piercing through the layers of blood mist.

A sound of something being pierced echoed, followed by an invisible scream from the blood mist. The blood mist around Yushuizhe distorted, no longer pursuing them.

Everyone's gaze fell on the female cultivator standing on a flying sword, drawing her bow. Recognizing her, they were somewhat taken aback.

Wen Qiao drew her Solar Bow, pulling her husband along, desperately fleeing towards the exit of Yushuizhe.

Seeing this, the others hurriedly followed them.

As the blood mist caught up again, they finally escaped Yushuizhe.

In the instant the mist receded, the surroundings had transformed into barren mountains and wilderness. Behind them, the mist gathered, marking the entrance to Yushuizhe.

The disciples of Feixian Island stopped.

The others followed suit.

Qiao Leshan glanced at the entrance of Yushui Marsh concealed by mist and quickly asked Su Wangling, "Young Master Su, can the monsters from the Blood Miasma Quagmire leave Yushui Marsh?"

"They can!" Su Wangling's face was deathly pale, but his eyes were as dark as bottomless pits. "I suggest you set up an array at the entrance of Yushui Marsh and then notify the ancestors in the Yuandi realm to come here. The monsters from the Blood Miasma Quagmire are no longer something we can handle."

The cultivators present exchanged glances, then saw the bitter smiles on each other's faces.

Yushui Marsh was deep within Tianzhi Plain. By the time those in the Yuandi realm arrived, they might all be dead.

Qiao Leshan decisively said, "Set up a talisman array immediately! Every moment counts!"

As he spoke, Qiao Leshan led the disciples of Feixian Island to start setting up a Purifying Spirit Array. This was a unique Pure Spirit Grand Array of Feixian Island, which could suppress these evil entities and hold them back for a while.

The disciples of Tianfu Sect also joined forces to set up a Suppressing Evil Talisman Array at the entrance of Yushui Marsh. Since there were more Tianfu Sect disciples present, this Suppressing Evil Talisman Array was larger than the one previously set up at the entrance of the Netherland Valley.

Everyone worked frantically to set up the arrays, while some other cultivators looked around and finally couldn't resist taking the opportunity to flee, hoping to escape from Tianzhi Plain before the monsters from the Blood Miasma Quagmire emerged. They cared nothing about the fate of others.

Some cultivators quickly flew away in the opposite direction of Yushui Marsh and soon vanished from sight.

The disciples of Feixian Island who were setting up the array noticed but did not stop them.

Su Wangling also ignored them, sitting aside supported by the disciples of Linglong Fort with his eyes slightly closed.

A few disciples from factions friendly with Feixian Island and Linglong Fort did not leave either.

Seeing this, others hesitated and couldn't help asking, "Young Master Su, shouldn't we flee?"

With the anomaly occurring at Yushui Marsh and the monsters from the Blood Miasma Quagmire about to emerge, wasn't it better to escape now rather than wait to die here?

Su Wangling opened his eyes and calmly said, "Escape? We'll likely die here before escaping Tianzhi Plain. It's better to take a chance and first contain the monsters from the Blood Miasma Quagmire, then find a way to survive. If we can hold out until the ancestors in the Yuandi realm arrive, we can all live."

No one knew better than Su Wangling how many terrifying evil spirits were suppressed within Tianzhi Plain.

Most of the talisman stones used for suppression were already unstable and close to breaking. Once these spirits escaped, the entire Tianzhi Plain would be in danger. Where could they run? It was better to stay and set up defenses, at least providing a safer place to hide.

Therefore, staying here was safer than leaving now.

Hearing Su Wangling's words, the cultivators exchanged glances again, unsure whether to believe him.

At that moment, the cultivators who had left Tianzhi Plain returned, their faces filled with terror. "No, no, it's terrible. There's a sea of blood everywhere outside, and there's no way out..."

The cultivators present turned pale and flew forward to check. Soon, they returned, their faces even grimmer. "Indeed, the outside has become a sea of blood, filled with monsters. There's no way out."

Su Wangling remained calm, as if unsurprised.

Instantly, the atmosphere became quiet and oppressive. Everyone felt a sense of despair, as if there was nowhere to run.

Could they really survive in Tianzhi Plain now that all their escape routes were cut off?

"Lesser Master!"

A figure flew over from afar. Everyone looked and recognized Wu Qijie from Linglong Fort.

Due to the pressure and repulsion from Yushui Marsh, Wu Qijie had stayed outside instead of entering with them. However, he never expected Tianzhi Plain to change so suddenly.

Worried about Su Wangling's safety, Wu Qijie didn't leave but came toward Yushui Marsh. Seeing Su Wangling surrounded by the disciples of Linglong Fort, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Su Wangling, seeing him safe, also relaxed and quickly said, "Senior Brother Wu, if any monsters from the Blood Miasma Quagmire try to come out of Yushui Marsh, please help stop them."

Wu Qijie nodded, drew his large sword, and stood ready.

Then, Su Wangling's gaze swept across the crowd, passing over the disciples of Feixian Island and Tianfu Sect who were working hard to set up arrays, and landed on someone nearby.

"Ning Gongzi?" Su Wangling suddenly stood up.

Hearing Su Wangling's voice, everyone turned to see Ning Yuzhou quickly pulling out array disks and spirit stones from his storage bag to set up an array. He skillfully placed the array disks and filled them with spirit stones, clearly showing the expertise of a master array maker.

Wen Qiao, Wen Tutu, and Wen Guangun stood guard beside him.

Everyone was somewhat stunned.

Wasn't this person an alchemist and a Talisman Master?

For Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou, the cultivators present had a deep impression—after all, Wen Qiao had obtained three lotus seeds, causing widespread anger; and Ning Yuzhou, with his own strength, made the disciples of prestigious sects stand by his side to protect their lotus seeds from others.

When Su Wangling approached, he saw Ning Yuzhou had already set up one layer of an array and was working on the second nested layer.

As the young master of Linglong Fort, Su Wangling had some discernment. Seeing Ning Yuzhou set up the array, his eyes sparkled with admiration. "I didn't expect Ning Gongzi to be an array master as well."

Wen Qiao, guarding him, silently glanced at him, thinking proudly: You know nothing about my husband's abilities!

Others also realized Ning Yuzhou's purpose and felt somewhat embarrassed.

Trapped in this place, they didn't know how long they could hold out. If they had a secure array to rest in, it would give them more confidence for the upcoming battle.

Previously, they had hated him during the fight for the Purifying Spirit Water Lotus seeds, but now they might have to rely on him for survival. How could they feel comfortable?

Even those who had been resentful about Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou obtaining three Purifying Spirit Water Lotus seeds no longer focused on their lotus seeds. Everything... would have to wait until they safely passed through this crisis.

After the disciples of Feixian Island set up the Purifying Spirit Grand Array, they also came over to watch Ning Yuzhou set up his array.

Qiao Leshan silently watched for a while and suddenly said, "This Ning Gongzi is quite skilled in array making."

Qiao Leshui, who had been watching for a while, said dumbfoundedly, "I always thought Ning Gongzi was an alchemist."

Although Ning Yuzhou always claimed to be a Talisman Master, he felt that he had switched careers halfway and was originally an Alchemist.

However, now reality told him that Ning Yuzhou was not only an Alchemist and a Talisman Master but also an Array Master.

Was this some kind of joke?

But the truth was right in front of him, leaving no room for disbelief.

Ning Yuzhou busily set up a large array around them. This array was similar to the one they had used during their battle with the transformed demons in the Demon Sealing Secret Realm, which had protected the sacred ground from the monsters of Tianyuan Plain while providing a safe resting place for the cultivators.

Upon realizing that their retreat was blocked by the Sea of Blood, Ning Yuzhou knew a fierce battle was inevitable.

The disciples of Tianfu Sect also set up their Evil Suppressing Talisman Arrays and came over. Seeing Ning Yuzhou setting up the array, some of the Tianfu Sect disciples whispered to Wang Quanfang, "Senior Brother Wang, didn't you say that Young Master Ning knows ancient runes? Are you sure you're not fooling us? Perhaps he's actually an Array Master."

Wang Quanfang angrily replied, "How could I joke about something like this?"

"So it's true?"

"Of course! How can mere mortals like you understand the prowess of Young Master Ning?" Wang Quanfang looked like a die-hard fan, unwilling to let anyone doubt Ning Yuzhou.

The scolded Tianfu Sect disciple had no choice but to shut up, while the others watched Ning Yuzhou eagerly, following him to study the large array he was setting up.

Though they were Talisman Masters, they occasionally needed to set up talisman arrays during battles and thus had some knowledge of array formations.

However, after watching for a while, they realized that the array Ning Yuzhou was setting up was too intricate for them to comprehend.

As Ning Yuzhou was setting up the array, the mist at the entrance of Yushui Ze suddenly began to change. The mist, originally like a light veil, started to take on a faint blood color.

At first, the blood color was very pale, but soon it had completely stained the entire veil a deep crimson.