After dealing with their pursuers, Xiao Yan and Ling Xue dared not delay for a moment. They traveled day and night toward Soul-Severing Cliff in the Northern Region.
According to the blood-robed protector, only half a month remained before the Blood Shadow Cult opened the Gate of Darkness. Every minute and every second was precious.
The two raced onward, crossing withered grasslands and traversing mountain range after mountain range. Finally, on the tenth day, they entered the Northern Region.
The Northern Region felt as familiar as ever, but there seemed to be a faint, almost imperceptible gloom in the air that left people uneasy.
"Brother Xiao Yan, that's Black Wind Town up ahead. We can restock there and ask for the latest news about Soul-Severing Cliff," Ling Xue said, pointing to a small town not far ahead.
Xiao Yan nodded. "All right. We need some rest anyway."
The two entered Black Wind Town. It was small but unusually bustling, though the townspeople all wore hints of tension and unease, and there were far more guards patrolling the streets than usual.
"It seems the Blood Shadow Cult has already put the Northern Region's various factions on alert," Xiao Yan said quietly.
They found an inn, took a room, and ordered some food while asking the waiter for news.
"Guests, you're from out of town, aren't you?" the waiter said cautiously as he served their food. "Things haven't been peaceful lately. I hear the Blood Shadow Cult is stirring up trouble at Soul-Severing Cliff, and a lot of important people have rushed over. Even City Lord Zhou from the city lord's mansion personally led a team there!"
"Oh? City Lord Zhou went too?" Xiao Yan's heart stirred.
"That's right." The waiter lowered his voice. "I hear things are critical. The Blood Shadow Cult has gathered a lot of people and even brought in some kind of 'darkness envoy.' They say that thing is terrifying-it can swallow a person in one gulp!"
Xiao Yan and Ling Xue exchanged a glance, each seeing the gravity in the other's eyes. A darkness envoy? It seems the Blood Shadow Cult has spared no expense in summoning creatures from the Domain of Darkness to open the Gate of Darkness.
"Then what's happening at Soul-Severing Cliff now?" Ling Xue asked.
"I don't know." The waiter shook his head. "The Blood Shadow Cult has sealed off the area around Soul-Severing Cliff. Ordinary people can't get anywhere near it. All you can see are black winds raging over there every day, and the place is deathly eerie. It's downright frightening."
Xiao Yan nodded and handed the waiter an Origin Qi Pill as a tip. "Thank you for telling us."
The waiter took the Origin Qi Pill, his face lighting up with delight. He thanked them repeatedly before withdrawing.
"It seems things are even worse than we imagined," Ling Xue said gravely. "Even City Lord Zhou went there himself. That shows the Blood Shadow Cult is stronger than expected."
Xiao Yan frowned slightly. "We have to reach Soul-Severing Cliff as soon as possible. Even if we can't stop them immediately, we have to find a way to contact City Lord Zhou and the others. If we coordinate from inside and outside, we might still have a chance."
"Mm." Ling Xue nodded.
The two quickly finished their meal and rested briefly before leaving Black Wind Town and continuing toward Soul-Severing Cliff.
The closer they drew to Soul-Severing Cliff, the thicker the gloom in the air became. The Origin Qi between heaven and earth also grew turbulent and violent, and strange roars could be faintly heard in the distance.
When they were still a hundred li from Soul-Severing Cliff, they could already see black clouds gathering in the sky. Lightning flickered within them, and they gave off a terrifying presence that made hearts tremble.
"That's the Blood Shadow Cult's blockade ahead," Xiao Yan said, pointing to a curtain of light formed from black energy. Countless black-clad cultists could be dimly seen patrolling behind it.
"How do we get through?" Ling Xue asked.
Xiao Yan pondered for a moment. "Forcing our way through is out of the question. We'd beat the grass and startle the snake. Let's circle around to the side and find a weak point to break through."
The two carefully circled around to the side of the curtain. Sure enough, the defenses here were relatively weak, with only a dozen or so cultists on patrol.
"I'll deal with them first. Follow behind me, and don't make a sound," Xiao Yan whispered.
Ling Xue nodded.
Xiao Yan's figure flickered, and he darted out like a ghost. The Green Lotus Core Flame formed several slender threads of fire in his hand, which shot silently toward the patrolling cultists.
"Pfft, pfft, pfft!"
The threads of flame struck the cultists' vital points with precision. Before they could even scream, they were reduced to charred husks.
After dealing with the patrol, Xiao Yan rushed to the curtain of light and took out the Origin Stabilizing Divine Stone.
The Origin Stabilizing Divine Stone emitted a pale golden light. When it touched the black curtain, the energy within the curtain instantly grew turbulent.
"Quick!" Xiao Yan shouted under his breath.
Ling Xue hurried after him, and the two rushed through while the curtain's energy was disrupted.
Once they passed through the curtain, the scene at Soul-Severing Cliff suddenly opened up before them.
In the valley at the bottom of Soul-Severing Cliff, the black spatial rift had expanded to several dozen zhang across. Black mist poured constantly from it, and countless twisted black shadows could be dimly seen writhing within the mist.
Nine enormous black altars stood around the rift. Dozens of cultivators with feeble presences were bound to each one, evidently sacrifices captured by the Blood Shadow Cult.
At the center of the altars, the Blood Shadow Cult Master sat cross-legged. A fist-sized black crystal floated before him, thick dark energy flowing within it. It was the "Darkness Core" the blood-robed protector had mentioned.
Around the Blood Shadow Cult Master stood three blood-robed protectors with powerful presences, as well as a figure shrouded in black mist. The figure's presence was even more terrifying than the cult master's; it was evidently the so-called "darkness envoy."
Thousands of Blood Shadow Cult followers surrounded the altars, chanting under their breaths as they continuously poured their own Origin Qi into them, providing energy to open the Gate of Darkness.
On the other side of the valley, Zhou Xiaotian was leading hundreds of experts from the major factions in a fierce battle against the Blood Shadow Cult's followers. Battle cries shook the heavens, and blood flowed like a river. Li Xuantong and the two Origin Emperor consecrators were among them, locked in a bitter struggle with a blood-robed protector.
"Things are too critical!" Ling Xue's face was pale. "The spatial rift is already this big. If we don't find a way to stop them, it'll be too late!"
Xiao Yan's gaze turned icy. "The Blood Shadow Cult Master is using the power of the Darkness Core and the sacrifices to stabilize the spatial rift. We have to interrupt him!"
"But their defenses are too tight. We can't get anywhere near the altars," Ling Xue said.
Xiao Yan's gaze swept across the battlefield and settled on Zhou Xiaotian. "Let's help City Lord Zhou and the others first. As long as we can break through the Blood Shadow Cult's defenses, we can get close to the altars."
Without further hesitation, the two rushed toward the battlefield where Zhou Xiaotian and the others were fighting.
"Xiao Yan?!" Zhou Xiaotian, in the midst of battle, saw Xiao Yan. Surprise flashed in his eyes, followed by delight. "You're not dead? That's wonderful!"
"City Lord Zhou, I'm here to help!" Xiao Yan shouted. Trailing searing flames, the Heavy Xuan Ruler smashed toward the blood-robed protector attacking Zhou Xiaotian.
The blood-robed protector had been gaining the upper hand and had not expected Xiao Yan to appear out of nowhere. Caught off guard, he hurriedly retreated to dodge.
"Heavenly Flames: Lotus Fury!"
Xiao Yan gave his opponent no chance to catch his breath. The Green Lotus Core Flame and Fallen Heart Flame instantly fused into a massive lotus of fire, which hurtled fiercely toward the blood-robed protector.
The blood-robed protector's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly circulated his Origin Qi to defend himself.
"Boom!"
The fiery lotus exploded, engulfing the blood-robed protector in searing flames. He let out a scream, his body burned black as he was sent flying backward.
"Thank you!" Zhou Xiaotian seized the chance to catch his breath and spoke gratefully.
"Don't mention it, City Lord Zhou. Let's deal with these cultists first!" Xiao Yan said.
Ling Xue also joined the battle. Her ice spirit power was exceptionally pure, and crystal after crystal of ice shot toward the Blood Shadow Cult's followers, freezing them into ice sculptures in an instant.
With Xiao Yan and Ling Xue joining in, the tide of battle turned in an instant. Xiao Yan's Heavenly Flames were incomparably tyrannical, and Blood Shadow Cult followers fell in droves wherever they passed; Ling Xue's ice spirit power effectively checked the cultists' attacks, easing the pressure on Zhou Xiaotian and the others.
Li Xuantong and the two Origin Emperor consecrators also seized the chance to break away from their opponent and regroup with Zhou Xiaotian.
"Xiao Yan, it's wonderful that you could come!" Li Xuantong said excitedly. "The Blood Shadow Cult has gone mad. They not only summoned a darkness envoy, but also captured so many cultivators as sacrifices!"
Xiao Yan nodded. "I know. We have to stop the Blood Shadow Cult Master as soon as possible. We can't let him open the Gate of Darkness completely!"
Zhou Xiaotian said gravely, "The Blood Shadow Cult Master and the darkness envoy are too powerful. On our side, only the two consecrators and I are Intermediate Origin Emperors. We're no match for them at all. Now we can only place our hopes on you, Xiao Yan."
Xiao Yan looked toward the Blood Shadow Cult Master and the darkness envoy at the center of the altars. Resolve flashed in his eyes. "I'll find a way to get close to the altars and destroy the Darkness Core and the spatial rift. Do your best to hold them off and buy me time!"
"All right!" Zhou Xiaotian nodded. "Don't worry, we'll give it everything we have!"
Xiao Yan took a deep breath and looked at Ling Xue. "Ling Xue, I'll draw the Blood Shadow Cult Master's and the darkness envoy's attention in a moment. Take the chance to freeze the altars with your ice spirit power and disrupt their ritual."
"I understand!" Ling Xue nodded, her eyes full of determination.
Xiao Yan hesitated no longer. The Origin Qi and Heavenly Flames within him erupted without restraint, and he shot like an arrow loosed from a bow toward the Blood Shadow Cult Master at the center of the altars!
"Old dog Blood Shadow, I'm your opponent!"
Xiao Yan's voice rang through the valley like a thunderclap, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
The Blood Shadow Cult Master and the darkness envoy turned at the same time, looking toward the charging Xiao Yan.
When the Blood Shadow Cult Master saw Xiao Yan, surprise flashed in his eyes, followed by a savage smile. "Xiao Yan? You're still not dead? Good. Today, I'll let you witness the opening of the Gate of Darkness with your own eyes, so you can die willingly!"
The darkness envoy let out a low, raspy roar, its voice filled with loathing and killing intent toward the Heavenly Flames within Xiao Yan.
The final battle that would decide the fate of the Great Thousand World had finally begun!