Gu Chengming, [Lord of the Sword-Burying Mound and the Fleshly Master of Eternal Life, Devouring Heaven, and Trapping the Dao]

At the sound of those three words, Gu Chengming suddenly understood.

No wonder everything had seemed hostile the moment he entered the Heavenly Que. These Longevity Sect Evil Cultivators were like rats in a gutter, sniffing out blood wherever it spilled.

From the turmoil in the Capital City to the rebellion at Luoxue Pass, and now even this ancient secret realm in the far north—they'd spread their operations far too widely.

As they spoke, the passage came to an end.

It opened into an enormous underground cavern.

The moment Gu Chengming stepped into its central chamber, he understood why his master had hesitated when the Sect Master's safety came up during their reunion outside Zhou Shrine.

A figure sat cross-legged atop a white jade platform in the center of the cavern.

It was Shen Qianqiu, the current Sect Master of Wenjian Sect.

The Shen Qianqiu before them bore no resemblance to the dignified sect leader who had once presided over Golden Summit Grand Hall.

His once-steady, mountain-like Fifth Realm aura had dwindled to almost nothing. A strange substance, like black sludge, covered most of his body.

The black sludge seemed alive, slowly writhing over Shen Qianqiu's skin as it steadily ate away at his protective Sword Qi, flesh, and meridians.

Shen Qianqiu's eyes were tightly shut, his brows furrowed. Every so often, a few sharp Sword Lights flared around him, trying to cut the sludge apart. But the instant they appeared, the viscous black substance swallowed them without mercy.

At the sight of his dire condition, Xu Huaiyi tactfully retreated behind Gu Chengming, not daring to disturb him.

Sensing someone approach, Shen Qianqiu slowly opened his eyes.

When he saw Gu Chengming and Xu Huaiyi behind Ren Wencai, a flicker of surprise crossed the eyes of the gravely wounded Sect