First Divine Sword Feng Kuang

In the dim surroundings, the "Golden Core" on Peach Blossom-Eyed Junior Sister's right shoulder gave off a dark golden glow, illuminating the human-skin umbrella somewhat.

Truth be told, the gold of this "Golden Core" was far from pure. Not only was it dull, its shades varied in depth.

The umbrella's central handle was made from two sections of leg bone, while its ribs were bamboo strips that stretched the human skin taut.

This human-skin umbrella had likely been made from the same person's leg bones and skin. At least it was a matching set.

Who knew what process had been used on the human skin, but its surface had been preserved exceptionally well. One could even clearly see its pores and hairs, making it especially horrifying in the night.

All the disciples emerging from the cultivation rooms carried human-skin umbrellas.

It was not that they had grown accustomed to such things, that human skin and bones no longer bothered them. They had no choice but to carry them.

For half an hour after cultivating the Golden Core Immortal Formula, an odd scorching sensation would spread through one's body, inside and out. This place saw rain year-round, and if their bodies rashly touched the rainwater, searing white steam would immediately rise from their skin, burning their flesh and hide.

Thus, everyone in the Golden Core Immortal Sect had long become accustomed to traveling beneath these horrifying human-skin umbrellas.

Peach Blossom-Eyed Junior Sister called Gu Qingfeng "Senior Brother Gu," but Gu Qingfeng did not know her surname.

He knew very little about this unfamiliar world.

He could only pretend nothing was amiss and ask, "Junior Sister, where exactly are you from? How did you end up here?"

Peach Blossom-Eyed Junior Sister glanced at him with her peach blossom eyes and softly replied, "Senior Brother Gu, I'm from Yuan Feeding City beneath the Yuan Feeding Pagoda. As for how I got here, I can't remember at all. I only recall that everything suddenly went black before my eyes, and then I was abducted here."

Yuan Feeding City beneath the Yuan Feeding Pagoda—this was the first coordinate Gu Qingfeng had heard.

Unfortunately, the disciples here had likely all been abducted. Golden Core Celestial Venerable must have used some method to keep them from knowing the exact route.

But since these people had been abducted here, did that mean Yuan Feeding City was not too far away?

At that moment, Peach Blossom-Eyed Junior Sister asked, "What about you, Senior Brother?"

Gu Qingfeng shook his head. "Everything went black for me too. I can't remember much."

Peach Blossom-Eyed Junior Sister nodded. She suddenly looked around, lowered her voice, and said, "Senior Brother Gu, you wouldn't be thinking of..."

As she spoke, she used two fingers to mimic someone running away.

Gu Qingfeng hurriedly shook his head. "No."

Peach Blossom-Eyed Junior Sister continued softly, "Never tell anyone else the questions you just asked—not even someone you trust."

"Hm?"

"Previously, a Senior Sister Zhang fell gravely ill. She was originally sent to the Furnace Workshop, but later returned, saying Master had shown mercy and granted her an immortal pill that saved her. But I know that person was no longer Senior Sister Zhang."

As she spoke, Peach Blossom-Eyed Junior Sister made a motion as if pulling on clothing.

At that instant, goosebumps rose all over Gu Qingfeng's body.

Because he understood what she meant. Someone else had put on Senior Sister Zhang's skin and blended in among them.

The reason was simple. It had to be one of Master Golden Core Celestial Venerable's spies, watching them through that skin.

Damn it, this place is already this wicked, and they still pull tricks like this? Even horror games aren't as sinister as you.

Peach Blossom-Eyed Junior Sister said meaningfully, "I'm afraid that one day, I won't be me either. Senior Brother Gu, be careful."

Gu Qingfeng considered it. "Then we can make a secret signal in advance. We can check it whenever we meet."

Peach Blossom-Eyed Junior Sister nodded. "How?"

Gu Qingfeng lowered his voice. "Before speaking whenever we meet, curl up the little finger of your right hand."

"Alright."

By then, they had arrived at Gu Qingfeng's residence.

The two parted ways there.

After entering his room, Gu Qingfeng did not hesitate at all. He lit the Chivalrous Spirit Incense Burner again and declared with an air of chivalry, "I want to become a great hero."

The incense smoke once again stretched taut as a string, splitting into several colors.

[Nine XX: Everyone, we were all abducted here. It was difficult to discern the direction when we arrived, but I only learned of a place called Yuan Feeding City.]

[Three Lin Qingxia: Yuan Feeding City? Strange name. It doesn't seem to exist anywhere in the Yu Kingdom's three continents.]

[Five Unmoving Monk Hero: This little monk has not traveled much. I must ask my master.]

Just then, a wisp of orange smoke appeared.

[One Lu Mang: Is there also a Yuan Feeding Pagoda there?]

Number One, who had not appeared at all last time, had shown up, and immediately pointed out the existence of a Yuan Feeding Pagoda.

Gu Qingfeng hurriedly replied, "Yes!"

[One Lu Mang: A city within the Returning Ruins. The Yuan Feeding Pagoda is a nine-story black pagoda.]

[Three Lin Qingxia: The Returning Ruins? That kind of place!]

[Five Unmoving Monk Hero: A place more hellish than hell.]

[Six Peach Jade Sword: There isn't enough time.]

Seeing the words above, Gu Qingfeng developed a bad feeling.

[Nine XX: Master, a place more hellish than hell?]

[Three Lin Qingxia: Number Nine, you are actually in the Returning Ruins without knowing what the Returning Ruins are. How should I put this? The Returning Ruins are called the "Land Forsaken by the Gods," and there is also another name—the "Burial Ground of the Gods." It is said that in ancient times, many immortals, Buddhas, and gods died there.

Their corpses were later occupied by demons and monsters, turning it into a place wicked beyond wickedness—a forbidden land for humans.

It is exceedingly difficult for ordinary people to survive in the Returning Ruins. Even mighty cultivators would not lightly set foot there.

Since ancient times, only those fiends with no road of retreat left would flee into the Returning Ruins to avoid disaster, and among them were no lack of notorious devilish overlords. As time passed, the unorthodox and demonic paths there became even more rampant, wickedness piled upon wickedness. It is said that even the sun and moon in the sky differ from those of the Four Kingdoms and Ten Continents.

Let me give you an example.

Over the past few decades, the most famous major event across the Ten Continents was the fall of "First Divine Sword Feng Kuang" there.

It is said he went to search for an old friend's son and ventured deep into the Returning Ruins, only to vanish for five years.

Five years later, an evil arhat from the Returning Ruins' Dusk Temple suddenly appeared at the Heaven Gate Sword Pool on Wanqu Continent. While washing a sword in the pool, that evil arhat slaughtered thirty-two experts of the Heaven Gate Sword Sect in succession, nearly wiping out the entire Heaven Gate Sword Sect.

The sword used by that evil arhat was incomparably sinister. It had been forged from a human spine. With every swing, its sword wind was divine, yet it carried piercing ghostly wails. None could stop it.

Later, someone discovered that the face on the spinal sword's hilt bore a striking resemblance to First Divine Sword Feng Kuang, and those ghostly wails sounded remarkably like Feng Kuang's voice. His spine must have been forged into that evil sword, while his wronged soul was locked within it, unable to rest in peace.]

At this moment, even the mist-formed words written by Number Three trembled, as though someone were shuddering in fear.

Gu Qingfeng's palms had already begun to sweat.

He understood. This was an immortal-heroic version of a valley of villains, an evil-enhanced version.

This place held not only human devilish overlords from ancient times to the present, but also demons, monsters, and ghosts occupying the corpses of immortals and Buddhas. It was a gathering place for the wicked, wicked beyond wickedness.

Though he did not know First Divine Sword Feng Kuang's precise strength, how could someone with such a title possibly be weak?

Perhaps fearing that Gu Qingfeng did not understand, Three Lin Qingxia continued, "Though First Divine Sword Feng Kuang was still half a step short of the Earth Immortal realm, among the Earth Immortals of the mortal world, eight or nine out of ten would likely be no match for him."

Gu Qingfeng understood what he meant. Although First Divine Sword Feng Kuang's realm was lower than that of an Earth Immortal, his combat power was extraordinarily strong.

Sword cultivators were often among the strongest in battle.

Even a person like that had fallen in the Returning Ruins, his spine made into an evil sword, his soul unable to rest even after death. This showed just how terrifying the Returning Ruins were.

Silence—a silence that froze one's heart.

Was this really a map meant for beginners?

[One Lu Mang: What Number Three said is true, but the Returning Ruins are not entirely filled with demons and monsters, nor is it devoid of human life. Yuan Feeding City and Red Tears City are both human cities. It is merely that they contain many unorthodox cultivators and fiends, so you must deal with them carefully.]

[Six Peach Jade Sword: I just asked. Even at my fastest, it would take me two months to reach the Returning Ruins.]

[One Lu Mang: To reach the Returning Ruins, you must first cross the Black Mahaka Heaven-Connecting Sea. Even if all goes smoothly, that takes one or two months. The road after that is even harder.]

[Nine XX: Thank you all for your help. I know what I need to do.]

Distant water could not quench nearby flames. It seemed he could only save himself now.

[Nine XX: Thank you, heroine, for taking this to heart.]

He added another line.

Number Six truly seemed to want to come save him.

[Six Peach Jade Sword: No need.]

Afterward, Gu Qingfeng pulled out the burning incense.

The great heroes in this place could not save him. Now, he could only rely on himself.

He had to find a suitable opportunity to escape as soon as possible.

Because he knew they were not far from "maturity."

Looking at the five words "The Price Can Be Reversed" within his sea of consciousness, Gu Qingfeng's expression turned grave.

How should he play this card?