Chapter 361 - 337: Splitting the Forces

Chapter 361: Chapter 337: Splitting the Forces

After entering the grand hall, Nie Yun remained silent. Everything inside was exactly the same as in his past life, without the slightest change. Back then, he had pulled out the longsword on the left and entered the left-hand passage. It was there that he had obtained that treasure, which led to him being hunted down by several Ultimate Venerables from the Divine Wind Empire.

After the attack from the Marsh Wasps, there were originally twenty people, but now only ten remained (including Nie Yun and Nie Tong). It was the perfect number to split into two groups of five.

"Split into two groups? His Majesty Nie Yun has a good point. Since both paths are dangerous, let’s proceed separately and use our Communication Jade Tokens to stay in touch. If anything happens, we can regroup in time! This will also save us a lot of time."

After a moment of thought, Huangg Ling nodded.

It had to be said, this was the only and most time-efficient method. If they were to explore both paths, it would take far too much time. Once they missed the window and the Purple Splendor Jade Seal disappeared, who knew how long it would take to gather them all again!

The passages were only part of the Outer Hall; it was still a long way to the Inner Hall!

"I’ll take the right path. Nie Tong, you take the left one!" Nie Yun said calmly.

’I’ve walked the left path before in my past life. It’s not very dangerous, and with my brother Nie Tong’s strength, he can definitely handle it. I’ve never taken the right path, so I don’t know what dangers it holds. It’s safer for me to go check it out myself.’

In truth, he could have taken the left path and, relying on his past life’s memories, passed through without any issue. However, since the Zihua Daoist had set up two paths, there was surely a reason for it. Nie Yun also wanted to see if there were any treasures left on the other path and take the opportunity to plunder them.

"I will follow Lord Yun and take the right path!" His Majesty Longxi was the first to speak.

"Then Moh Wudao and I will take the left!" Huangg Ling cast a wary glance at Nie Yun and chose the other path.

"I’ll go left too..." The Golden Armored Hong Ape that the Qi Emperor had transformed into shook its massive head and started walking toward Huangg Ling. But before it got far, a large hand grabbed it and pulled it back as a calm voice sounded out.

"You’re my mount. How can you go that way? You’re coming with me on the right path!"

The one who spoke was none other than Nie Yun.

"His Majesty Nie Yun, I’ll go with you as well!" Qii Tao walked over.

"Alright. Oh, right, Venerable Xintu, you come with us too. That way, it’ll be five of them and five of us!" Seeing Qii Tao come over and realizing his side now only had four people, Nie Yun looked toward Tuxin, who was disguised as Xintu.

"This..." Tuxin hesitated. He clearly didn’t want to be on the same path as Nie Yun. He glanced at Huangg Ling, and only after seeing him nod did he agree. "Alright, then!"

Now that the ten of them were divided into groups, it was time to set out.

"Xiaotong, I need to tell you something!" Just as everyone was about to leave, Nie Yun suddenly pulled Nie Tong aside. "After you enter the passage, don’t listen to anyone. Stick close to the left wall as you walk. When you encounter a fork, go right, and you’ll be safe. At the end of the passage, there is a bronze-colored oil lamp. You must take that lamp. With it, you’ll be able to quickly break through to the Heaven-Seizing Creation Realm!"

"Reach the Realm? Brother, have you been here before?" Nie Tong was stunned, hearing how confident and detailed Nie Yun’s instructions were.

"I haven’t, but my master has. He explained the details of each path to me!" Hearing his brother’s question, Nie Yun broke into a cold sweat and once again brought up his non-existent master. "After you enter the passage, if you get a good opportunity, take out Huangg Ling. If you can’t kill him, then forget it. The most important thing is not to get yourself into a difficult situation!"

His younger brother’s current strength was enough for him to stand on his own. If he was always kept under Nie Yun’s wing, he would never reach his full potential. This was a perfect opportunity to temper him.

"I understand, Brother!" Nie Tong smiled and nodded.

While Nie Yun was giving instructions to Nie Tong, Huangg Ling and Moh Wudao were also quietly communicating via Sound Transmission.

"Your Majesty, why would this Nie Yun separate from his brother? And why isn’t he opposed to us going on the same path as his brother?" Moh Wudao was filled with suspicion.

Throughout their journey, Nie Yun had been extremely protective of his brother, taking him along no matter what. For them to suddenly separate was quite unexpected.

"I don’t know either. But he must have his reasons for doing this. We’ll play it by ear when the time comes! If he dares to make a move against us, we’ll kill him! I refuse to believe that two old veterans like us can’t deal with a boy who’s barely a teenager!" A vicious glint flashed in Huangg Ling’s eyes.

"Yes. This place is still full of the Hell Cold Stream. It would be very easy to kill this Nie Tong in secret!" Moh Wudao nodded.

It wasn’t just the two of them whispering; the others were whispering too, each with their own thoughts and schemes.

"Let’s go!" After finishing his instructions for Nie Tong, Nie Yun gave one last word of advice and then led his group into the right-hand passage.

The passage was pitch-black. This darkness was completely different from the darkness of night. At night, even if it was so dark you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face, cultivators of their strength could still see clearly for hundreds or even thousands of meters. But the blackness here was like the massive maw of a Taotie Giant Beast, devouring all light. Even with their formidable strength, they were met with complete darkness, unable to see even three meters ahead.

"This is Blood Evil Blackness," Qii Tao said softly after they had walked a few steps. "It’s different from ordinary darkness. It’s a darkness created from the blood of the special Blood Evil Clan of the Demon Race. It can absorb all light, even the light that enters a person’s eyes. That’s why even we can’t see far!"

"Hm?" Nie Yun was taken aback by his explanation.

Blood Evil Blackness was a unique ability of the Blood Evil Demon Clan. It was extremely secret; even on the Floating Heaven Continent, many people didn’t know about it. He never expected Qii Tao to be aware of it.

"Heh, I once had a fortunate encounter and witnessed Blood Evil Blackness before, so I know a bit more about it!" Qii Tao explained, as if sensing Nie Yun’s doubt.

As an old monster who had survived an attempt to break through to the Realm, it would be unbelievable if Qii Tao hadn’t had some fortunate encounters or opportunities. Seeing that he had explained proactively, Nie Yun didn’t press the matter and continued walking forward cautiously.

’Celestial Eye, open!’

After walking for a while, Nie Yun quietly activated his Celestial Eye. Although even the Celestial Eye couldn’t see to the end of the passage, it was far more powerful than his normal vision, allowing him to see at least a thousand meters ahead.

’Hm? The Hell Cold Stream? Heh, I’ll deal with this Venerable Tuxin at the back of the group first. He’s useless to keep around anyway!’

Glancing ahead, Nie Yun saw a Hell Cold Stream stretching across the path not far in front of them. The stream occupied the entire left side of the passage, leaving only a narrow path wide enough for one person to pass. The slightest misstep would get one swept into it and torn to pieces.

’Moreover, this stream isn’t fixed; it appears and disappears intermittently. I’m going to have to kill Tuxin, the Qi Emperor, and the others sooner or later anyway. Might as well use this chance to get rid of him now.’

With a plan in mind, Nie Yun smiled and walked forward. When he saw the Hell Cold Stream before him suddenly vanish, he stepped across.

STEP STEP STEP STEP!

Nie Yun, keeping watch with his Celestial Eye, waited until almost everyone had crossed. When only Venerable Tuxin remained on the other side of where the stream had been, he stopped abruptly.

"Something seems wrong up ahead!"

Nie Yun’s soft murmur instantly put everyone on high alert.