Corpse ghosts pulled the sled, racing across the ice fields, cutting through the wind and snow.
Lin Lan embraced two Charming Ladies on either side, but his face was full of jealousy and distortion, almost like matter separating from itself.
This was a specially made large sled, yet with five people sitting atop it along with supplies and weapons, it felt slightly cramped. So earlier, he patted his thigh, unceremoniously motioning for his two wives to sit on his lap.
Then he threw a smug look, blatantly provocative.
Gu Jianlin couldn't even be bothered to acknowledge him.
However, Tang Ling seemed to catch the provocation in his smugness. Casually, she tossed the Extreme Thunder Great Sword and her backpack onto the sled, then sat on the boy's lap, crossing her long legs.
She gave a deeply suggestive smile.
Gu Jianlin was a little surprised, but he understood the intent behind the girl's actions and turned his head to smile slightly in response.
Lin Lan appeared as though he had been struck by a heavy blow. It wasn't that he thought his Charming Ladies weren't beautiful; it was the sting of his masculinity being thoroughly overshadowed. Back in the day, he was even recognized as a heartthrob by the Ether Association. Yet all he received from the Princess was a single "Get lost," without even a sideways glance.
Besides, he knew the only reason the Charming Ladies took an interest in him was that he was the only living person around.
And not because he was particularly outstanding.
"After ascending to become the Cloud Lord, conveniences certainly abound."
Tang Ling gazed into the endless snowstorm and directed, "Two o'clock direction, up ahead."
Gu Jianlin steered the corpse ghosts to turn without hesitation.
This time, they finally had a reliable teammate with the Bai Ze Clan's precognitive abilities.
Feeling awkward, Lin Lan silently gripped his tachi tightly and asked seriously, "Are you sure Old Gu's method—do we really think it's something Xu Fu left behind? Will we actually find it here?"
That goofy expression of his had vanished, replaced by one of earnestness and somber determination.
Gu Jianlin glanced at him. "What do you intend to do?"
"I want to use it to save my sister."
Lin Lan suddenly said, "That way, she can live under the sunlight and even realize her dreams. Speaking of which, the people on her side should be reliable, right? They won't run into trouble, will they?"
"No, their combat capabilities likely aren't much weaker than ours, and I've left a contingency in place."
Gu Jianlin, sensing the rhythm of his life force, asked, "You've been infected too. Aren't you worried about yourself?"
Lin Lan chuckled nonchalantly. "I'm an experimental subject of the Penglai Ascension Array. That thing both strengthens and destroys me, leeching away my life. I wasn't going to last much longer anyway. As long as I can live until we leave here, settle old scores, take revenge when it's due, and ensure our trip wasn't for nothing, that's enough."
He stretched lazily and said, "Right now, our combat strength is solid. Let's just charge forward!"
Gu Jianlin found his perspective on the man shifting slightly, surprised by his readiness to accept death.
This guy, corroded by the Penglai Ascension Array, was already nearing the end of his life.
Especially as he had already fallen, teetering on the edge of deformation and rampage.
Even the Ancient God's Blood couldn't save him.
"Don't worry, I'll find it," Tang Ling said lightly.
Suddenly, she produced a hand mirror, in which a sharp and enchanting face was reflected.
"What's that?" Gu Jianlin asked, eyeing her mirror.
"The Mirror of Truth, capable of reflecting a different version of myself and activating precognitive abilities."
Tang Ling didn't elaborate much. Instead, she spoke into the mirror, "What lies ahead?"
For a single moment, countless terrifying visions filled her sight. Vague ghostly shadows flitted through the wind and snow; countless twisted and grotesque faces seemed to emerge, as if demons were writhing in a hellish abyss.
The palace amid the ice and snow was so imposing, and in the darkness, it felt as though someone cast a fleeting glance her way, observing her!
Overwhelmed by immense terror, her whole body broke out into a cold sweat, and she nearly fell out of the boy's lap.
Gu Jianlin wrapped an arm around her slender waist and asked, "Are you all right?"
"It's nothing. We're almost there. Be careful," Tang Ling said, her mind still reeling. Shaking her head to signal she was fine, she continued speaking into the mirror: "The Kui Dragon Ancestor's state."
This time, her pupils suddenly dilated as if beholding a boiling sea shrouded in mist.
A massive black shadow emerged from the sea, radiating rage and mania.
Above the surging waters, surrounded by immortal mist, a towering staircase shot sharply upward!
As if it led to the heavens!
The overwhelming pressure seemed to rush forth, stunning the soul.
After a long moment, she slumped exhausted into the boy's arms, panting heavily.
Gu Jianlin, unsure how to console her, recalled how his father took care of him during a fever years ago and gently brushed her long hair, knocking off the snowflakes clinging to it.
"The Kui Dragon Ancestor has indeed recovered its strength. And it seems to be planning something," Tang Ling murmured softly. "Also, I'm not a child. Don't touch my head."
Gu Jianlin's hand froze immediately.
However, Tang Ling didn't seem annoyed or resistant. She continued gazing into the mirror, speaking word by word, "Will any of us die in the Sea of Eternal Life?"
Amidst an overwhelming torrent of visions, this time, she saw herself perishing amid endless snow and ice, her form dissolving like lifeless paper flowers, scattering everywhere.
It didn't even stir any emotional reaction within her.
Tang Ling quietly put away the hand mirror and lifted a strand of hair by her ear.
"What did you see?" Gu Jianlin inquired seriously.
Tang Ling shook her head. "Nothing. We'll all be safe this time."
Gu Jianlin stared at her expression and eyes, emotionless, and after a moment of silence, he vaguely discerned something.
The girl wasn't telling the truth.
This was the strength of a profiler; he knew those he was familiar with far too well.
In other words, among the five of them, someone would die.
"Are there any limitations to precognitive abilities?" he curiously asked.
Tang Ling replied nonchalantly, "With my skills, I can roughly foresee events within a day's time frame, but it's centered around myself and the surrounding environment. For example, I can predict some of what will happen in the Sea of Eternal Life, but if you were to ask me whether you'll become a Catastrophe, I wouldn't be able to answer."
Gu Jianlin nodded, saying to himself, "I see. Can the results of premonitions be altered?"
Tang Ling shook her head. "I don't know. So far, none of my prophecies have ever been changed."
Gu Jianlin nodded again.
But at that moment, they suddenly heard an eerie chuckle.
At the edge of the whirling blizzard stood a massive bronze palace, towering ancient stone pillars rising high into the sky. A broad staircase stretched boundlessly as strange laughter echoed.
In the darkness, a figure sat atop a throne. It appeared to be just a child, yet the laughter was eerily sinister, and a pair of blood-red eyes faintly opened, sinister and otherworldly!
The corpse ghosts growled in terror, refusing to venture further.
Gu Jianlin sensed the unsettling rhythm of life. Looking closer, he saw the bronze palace pulsing with crimson flesh and sinew. Muscle and membrane quivered as if alive, spreading outward.
Tang Ling, having seen such structures before, instinctively grabbed his hand and whispered, "I've encountered things at headquarters. The scientific term for this is the Ancestor's Living Sacrifice. It's created by sacrificing countless living humans. In ancient tribal times, those who committed heinous crimes were offered to the Ancient God Clan in exchange for protection."
"There's a legend in Buzhou Mountain of ancestors forging altars with their flesh and blood, where dragons soared into the skies."
She murmured, "Only those of at least the Ancestor rank have the privilege to conduct such a ritual." ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ nοvelfire.net
Lin Lan took a deep breath and muttered, "And not just any Ancestor. This one's status is extraordinarily high, comparable to a royal family member in human terms. It hasn't been long since this one awakened. Chances are, they hold immense historical significance. This battle will be unimaginably difficult."
Gu Jianlin's gaze turned heavy. After all this time, they were finally confronting the Ancient God Clan.
And an Ancient God with intelligence!
The snowstorm howled as two eerie silhouettes loomed faintly atop the bronze palace.
One exuded chilling ghost energy, perched atop a stone pillar.
The other was shrouded entirely in a mist of blood, pale hair fluttering in the snowy wind.
"Children, why must you be so unnecessarily stubborn?"
He said calmly, "The great miracle is about to revive. Do you wish to compete to become sacrifices as well?"
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