Within the stronghold of the Blood God Cult in Yanbao City, under the guidance of the two High Priests, Ling Feng soon arrived at a hidden chamber.
The chamber was filled with an exceptionally foul stench. At its center was a circular pool filled with dark green liquid, bubbling incessantly as if boiling. The unbearable odor emanated precisely from this pool.
Beside the pool stood a stone table, upon which lay numerous spherical materials used to craft Blood Soul Pearls—all seemingly half-finished.
So this is the place.
Ling Feng's brows furrowed slightly. This was where the Blood Sword Heavenly Lord refined the Blood Soul Pearls. If he could decipher the nature of this toxic pool, he would find a way to neutralize the poison within the Blood Spirit Corpses and restore them to consciousness.
"Young... Young Hero, I've told you everything I know. Please, spare my life..."
The High Priest, seeing Ling Feng's stern expression, broke into a cold sweat. With his dantian sealed, Ling Feng could crush him as easily as an ant.
Ling Feng retrieved a jade vial from his storage spirit ring and carefully filled it with the toxic liquid from the pool. Then, summoning his third-phase Devouring Flame, he reduced the pool and everything around it to ashes.
Such vile things have no right to exist!
Next, he found a rope in the city lord's mansion and bound the High Priest and the other enforcer together before retracing his steps with Tuoba Yan.
"Big Brother, you're finally out!"
When Ling Feng and the others reached the entrance of the earthen fortress, they saw Jiang Xiaofan and the others locked in battle with a group of Blood Spirit Corpses. It seemed the earlier roars of the high-tier Blood Spirit Corpses had triggered a frenzy, drawing swarms of the creatures toward the city lord's mansion. Jiang Xiaofan and his companions had been barely holding on, waiting for Ling Feng's return.
"Mm-hmm, we're back."
With a single slash, Ling Feng cut down the front row of Blood Spirit Corpses, then shot a cold glare at the High Priest. "Make them retreat. Now."
"Young... Young Hero, it's not that I refuse! Only fourth-tier and above Blood Spirit Corpses obey my commands. The lower-tier ones only follow the higher-tier ones, and you... you killed all the high-tier ones inside. I... I can't do anything about this."
The High Priest trembled, drenched in sweat, terrified that Ling Feng might execute him on the spot.
Ling Feng's gaze turned icy, but seeing the man's ashen face, he knew he wasn't lying. With a cold snort, he ordered, "Xiaofan, take charge of these two demon cultists. Yan'er, clear the path with me."
The group fought their way forward, careful to avoid lethal strikes since the Blood Spirit Corpses could still be saved. This, of course, made their escape far more difficult.
By the time the sun dipped westward, they finally reached the city gates. The vice-general in charge of reinforcements spotted them and immediately barked an order. "Archers, cover them!"
The skilled archers on the walls nocked their arrows—specialized "Spirit-Piercing Bolts", the only projectiles capable of penetrating the near-invulnerable hides of the Blood Spirit Corpses. A volley rained down, pinning the leading corpses to the ground.
Meanwhile, the soldiers below swiftly opened the gates, allowing Ling Feng and the others to retreat.
Soon, the entire group breached the defensive line, finally escaping the Corpse City teeming with the undead.
"Phew... We made it."
Ye Nanfeng shook the blood off his blade. The relentless hacking against the steel-like corpses had left his palms numb from the recoil.
"Glad to see you all return safely!"
The vice-general descended from the walls and clasped his fists in salute. "Young Hero Ling, General Sun has been waiting. I'll take you to him."
Ling Feng nodded, then gestured toward the two Blood God Cult prisoners, who had been unceremoniously dragged out by Jiang Xiaofan. Their bound bodies were now crisscrossed with bloody gashes.
"Vice-General Wang, these two are the Blood God Cult's High Priest and an enforcer. Their cultivation is sealed—turn them over to General Sun and let him handle the rest."
"Young Hero Ling is truly extraordinary."
The vice-general praised Ling Feng before ordering the prisoners taken away. He then led Ling Feng's group to Sun Gongming's command tent.
Before long, they stopped outside a large military tent.
"General, Young Hero Ling and his companions have returned!" Vice-General Wang announced loudly with a bow.
"Young Friend Ling is back?"
Sun Gongming rushed out, followed by Physician Jin Weide and several military physicians.
"Young friend, you've returned safely!"
Sun Gongming laughed heartily, clapping Ling Feng on the shoulder. "Excellent! Truly excellent!"
"General, Young Hero Ling has also captured two demon cultists. They've been detained for your judgment," Vice-General Wang reported.
"Good! Very good! Young friend, you've rendered a great service!" Sun Gongming nodded, then turned serious. "Have you found any leads on the poison flower used to concoct the Blood Corpse Poison?"
"I've uncovered some clues."
Ling Feng produced the vial of toxic liquid. "This is the poison used to refine the Blood Soul Pearls. I'll need time to study it before identifying the exact poison flower."
Sun Gongming grinned. "Young friend, your arrival has brought us nothing but good news. I'll personally recommend you for a meritorious commendation!"
Jin Weide stepped forward, eyeing the porcelain bottle. "May I examine the poison, Young Hero Ling?"
Ling Feng handed it over casually. In truth, he had already identified the primary poison flower. His deliberate show of needing more time was a ruse—to lure out the Blood Sword Heavenly Lord, who would surely intervene to protect his sacrificial offerings.
Once the snake emerged from its hole, the Despicable Donkey lying in ambush within the Five Elements Heavenly Palace would strike with lightning fury, ending the bastard's life!