Hot Springs, Did Yun Mo Venerable Go Mad?

"Yunlan, are you here specifically to laugh at me?"

Tang Lingyu noticed Chu Yunlan's gaze, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, a hint of unnaturalness flashing across her pretty face. She chided:

"Why don't you try being my sparring partner? If I can't handle Chief Gu, surely I can handle you?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Yunlan quickly waved her hands and stepped back, her face full of ingratiating smiles:

"No, no, no! With my little arms and legs, how could I dare to fight you, Sister Lingyu? I'm here to help you relax."

Seeing Tang Lingyu's expression soften slightly, Chu Yunlan's eyes darted around, and she continued to suggest with a smile:

"Crimson Rock City is built against the mountains, with abundant geothermal heat. There are many natural hot springs outside the city.

My family happens to have a good spring source outside the city. Soaking in it after cultivation can not only relieve fatigue but also beautify your skin! Sister Lingyu, would you like to try it together?"

As she spoke, her eyes flickered, and her gaze drifted lightly towards Gu Cheng, inviting him warmly:

"Brother Gu, would you like to join us? The three of us could soak in the same pool."

"Third Sister!"

As soon as she spoke, the faces of the Chu brothers, Chu Yuntian and Chu Yunhai, instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot. They chided her in unison, clearly displeased with their third sister's frivolous remarks.

Tang Lingyu's cheeks grew even hotter. She bit her lip and took two quick steps forward, raising her hand as if to strike.

"Ah! Don't hit me! Don't hit me! Sister Lingyu, I'm helping you create an opportunity here, I…"

Chu Yunlan cried out in alarm at the sight and took off running, with Tang Lingyu close behind.

The two chased each other like this, streaking across the training ground like a gust of wind, disappearing from everyone's sight in the blink of an eye.

"When did the relationship between these two become so good?"

Chu Yuntian gazed at their receding figures and muttered to himself, his heart filled with doubt.

In his previous impression, Tang Lingyu, apart from occasionally showing a hint of tenderness towards Gu Cheng, had always been a serious, diligent, and unsmiling person.

But now, she was showing such closeness to Chu Yunlan, even playfully bantering like an ordinary girl. This was truly unexpected.

"Heh, perhaps your third sister's cheerful personality reminds her of your younger sister back home?"

Gu Cheng chuckled lightly, his gaze turning to the Chu brothers as he began to discuss business:

"How about it, has there been any trouble in Crimson Rock City these past couple of days?"

"Yes, the city has been much quieter these past two days."

Chu Yunhai nodded, his tone quite relaxed.

"Previously, people from the Demon Transformation Sect would pick fights and cause trouble every few days, making the city chaotic. But ever since their leader, Chu Xiongying, was crippled by you, they've been much more well-behaved.

Although there are still some stubborn individuals who want to stir up trouble, they've all been suppressed by the Sixth Elder."

Chu Yuntian chimed in from the side, his expression solemn.

"However, Father once said that the Sixth Elder, Chu Xuan, is an extremely patient and ruthless character. Although he has the least seniority, he is deep-minded and full of schemes.

Now that he is lying low, I'm afraid he is secretly brewing some plan to overthrow the rule of the Demon Taming Sect in one fell swoop."

"Well, dogs that bite never bark, after all."

Gu Cheng nodded slightly, his gaze looking into the distance.

The originally clear and sunny sky inexplicably gave off a sense of impending storm.

The long-standing grievances between the old and new forces of the Hundred Beasts Villa, and the demon unrest in the Crimson Rock Mountain Range, were merely a timely fuse.

Both sides were secretly accumulating strength, preparing to deliver a fatal blow to the other. At such a critical juncture, neither wanted any unexpected complications.

It was precisely because of this that he and Tang Lingyu had traveled thousands of miles to reinforce them, and now they seemed somewhat idle.

"By the way, Chief Gu…"

Chu Yuntian suddenly spoke, interrupting Gu Cheng's thoughts.

He took out three scrolls from his storage pouch and respectfully handed them over:

"These are the authentic works of Patriarch Yun Mo that you mentioned earlier. I specifically found them from my father's collection. If you feel bored these days, you can rely on appreciating the paintings to pass the time."

Chu Yunhai, standing beside him, changed his expression slightly and quickly reminded him:

"Lord Gu is also interested in this 'Hundred Beasts Painting'? Then you must be careful."

"Oh, what do you mean?"

Gu Cheng took the scrolls, looking at Chu Yunhai with curiosity.

The latter swallowed and softly explained:

"Just three months ago, a newly promoted Innate Grandmaster under the Sixth Elder suddenly went berserk, turning into a half-human, half-demon Martial Maniac, killing anyone he saw!

After the incident, it was discovered that he had become mentally unstable precisely because he had been observing Patriarch Yun Mo's paintings for a long time.

If you are also interested in these paintings, you must not watch them for too long."

"Mm, I'll be careful."

Gu Cheng nodded, maintaining a calm exterior, but his curiosity grew even stronger in his heart.

The afternoon sun streamed through the carved window lattice, casting dappled shadows.

After parting ways with the Chu brothers, Gu Cheng hurried back to his residence.

He sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, eyes slightly closed, then with a thought, a hum resonated.

Hummm—

The three paintings borrowed from Chu Yuntian, along with the Hundred Beasts Painting gifted by Lady Tianyin, as if guided by an invisible hand, flew out of his storage pouch one by one, slowly unfurling before him.

The four paintings hovered in the air, emitting a faint spiritual glow.

The demonic beasts within the paintings were depicted in various forms, some baring their fangs and claws, others roaring and snarling, lifelike, as if they would break free from the canvas at any moment and pounce on the viewer!

These four paintings were rendered with both delicate and bold brushstrokes, each line seemingly imbued with the artist's emotions, exuding an indescribable charm.

Gu Cheng gazed at the four paintings, his eyes narrowed, his divine sense surging into them like a tide, perceiving every subtle brushstroke and artistic conception.

Although he didn't understand art, nor was he skilled at appreciating paintings, unable to fathom the artist's intentions from an artistic perspective.

However, his powerful divine sense, comparable to that of a Spirit Sea Venerable, keenly captured the unusual aura hidden within the paintings.

Although these paintings were created by the same person and appeared consistent in style on the surface, their inner artistic conceptions were vastly different. If they weren't placed together, it would be impossible to distinguish them.

Especially the last one, the demonic beast within the painting seemed distorted by some invisible force, its form ferocious and terrifying, its malevolent aura almost breaking through the canvas, pressing directly upon the heart!

"Something's not right..."

Gu Cheng's eyes flickered, a strong sense of dissonance rising in his heart.

His divine sense roamed within the paintings, as if he could feel Cloud Ink Venerable's extremely unstable mental state while creating these works.

That fragmentation and chaos were akin to split personality, filled with contradiction and pain, sending chills down one's spine.

"Could it be that he was already close to going mad when he broke through back then?"

Gu Cheng murmured softly, his doubts deepening.

If that were the case, what exactly did Cloud Ink Venerable see during his secluded cultivation in the forbidden area of the Crimson Rock Mountain Range?

What kind of terrifying entity could damage the mind of a Spirit Sea Venerable and cause them to fall into a state of madness?