I am grinding experience in another world - Chapter 808 - 796: Pyrrhic Victory

Next day, at noon.

Within the Ghosts Black Cloud running a hundred miles away overnight.

The Daoist Soldiers of Ren Character Camp, no longer dull and sluggish like when they just woke last night.

Though still somewhat dazed, they’ve regained about seventy to eighty percent.

In front of Xuanyuan Hall.

Chen Mu lay on a rocking chair, watching the Daoist Soldiers in the distance.

“That winged little fellow wasn’t lying, the Mistaken Dream Realm truly erodes the Spirit.”

Chen Mu turned his head towards the corner.

The four hundred and seventy-nine Daoist Soldiers who died due to last night’s events, now all covered with white cloth lying there.

Some were ambushed and killed by the winged little fellow, others died directly from the erosion of the Mistaken Dream Realm.

“Then… why wasn’t I assimilated?”

Chen Mu wondered, frowning.

Last night in the Mistaken Dream Realm, not only was he unharmed, but he felt particularly energetic.

Initially thinking it was a dream erosion technique, but compared to other Daoist Soldiers, it was immediately apparent that wasn’t the case.

Was it due to the Jade Cicada Dao Foundation?

Chen Mu thought pensively.

Recollecting carefully now, it was indeed the operation of the Jade Cicada Dao Foundation that brought about that mysterious gaze.

Finally, it was at the cost of the Jade Cicada Qi, smoothly exiting the dream realm.

Earlier, he only thought that the Jade Cicada Dao Foundation contained traces of the Mistaken Heavenly Demon True Intent.

Now, considering, the Mistaken Divine Demon True Intent within the Dao Foundation likely isn’t just a little.

“Could it be that Meng Qingchan tricked me?” Chen Mu’s frown grew deeper.

He performed an inner vision of the Dao Base Jade Seed.

Round and full, appearing mysterious and ancient overall. Golden micro-light flickered like breathing, also revealing lively agility.

“Others’ Longitudinal Rainbow Light doesn’t have the ability of Shrinking Earth into Inches.”

“Moreover, the Jade Cicada Qi can also amplify the Plague Immortal Technique, benefit the Heavenly Demon Spirit Seed.”

“Careful calculation shows that Jade Cicada Dao Foundation only brings benefits.”

“If that’s the case, there shouldn’t be much wrong with the Jade Cicada Dao Foundation… right?”

Chen Mu tugged at the corners of his mouth, somewhat helplessly sighed: “Even if there’s a problem, it’s too late to regret.”

Dao Foundation, Dao Path’s foundation, since it’s formed, alteration is impossible.

“If only I could get a look at the Linglong Golden Chapter.”

Meng Qingchan cultivated the Linglong Golden Chapter, reportedly from the Ancient Linglong Dao.

It rivaled even the Luofu Dao and Pure Yang Dao sects, but later was led to destruction by Pure Yang Dao.

The Plague Immortal Technique and Jade Cicada Dao Foundation Map both stem from the Linglong Golden Chapter. If the Golden Seal Fragment could be obtained, it might help to understand the mysteries of the Jade Cicada Dao Foundation.

“Unfortunately, there’s no such scripture scrolls in the Heavenly Treasure Record, impossible to exchange for.”

…

For the entire day, Chen Mu did nothing, staying put within the Ghosts Cloud Group.

The Vermilion Feather Sword flew about, repeatedly scanning the surrounding environment.

Meanwhile, he split quite a bit of spirit, constantly monitoring Miling Island’s surroundings.

Though the island remained shrouded in fog, dead silent, it wasn’t entirely futile.

Within the Ghosts Cloud Group.

Chen Mu looked at the two-person tall flag before him, unable to help but sigh.

This flag wasn’t anything else, it was previously the mysteriously shattered Five Directions Flag.

Discovered not far from the original location of the Five Directions Cloud Platform.

But compared to its previous majestic state, now it appeared pitiful beyond compare.

The flagpole, bright and black, was covered with silvery patches resembling mold. The apricot yellow flag, too, bore several holes.

“Initially thought the Five Directions Flag was shattered by the strange little fellow casting spells.”

“Upon reflection, it was likely quietly pulled into the Mistaken Dream Realm.”

“These damages are probably caused by the erosion of the Mistaken Dream Realm.”

The Five Directions Flag is an Outer Cultivation Treasure.

And treasures possess both real and virtual aspects, thus can be stored within the Jade Seed Secret Acupoint.

Due to this characteristic, the Five Directions Flag could be drawn into the Mistaken Dream Realm.

If Daoist Monarch Jiang Men was presiding, the treasure’s spiritual light would flourish; even in the Mistaken Dream Realm, it wouldn’t be in such a dire state.

Unfortunately, Daoist Monarch Jiang Men couldn’t protect himself, and the treasure dragged into the dream realm could only bear the erosion passively.

Chen Mu sympathetically gazed at the Five Directions Flag.

“Though severely damaged, at least it wasn’t lost.”

“Just uncertain if in this condition, it can still support the Five Directions Cloud Platform.”

Regrettably, it is a Daoist Monarch-level treasure and can only await Daoist Monarch’s escape to attempt again.

Yes, provided Daoist Monarch Jiang Men can truly escape.

“If tomorrow there remains no activity, immediate escape is necessary.” Chen Mu glanced at Miling Island in the distance, silently determined.

Despite now being five hundred miles away from Miling Island, for a Daoist Monarch-level being, it might only take a flash to span this distance.

The monster on that island can hold Daoist Monarch Jiang captive, and its cultivation isn’t much weaker than Jiang’s.

Once the opponent frees up their hands, they might instantly pull us into the island.

…

Time slowly passed by, and on the third night.

Just as Chen Mu couldn’t hold back and wanted to take his people and flee overnight.

Accompanied by a sky-shattering roar, a black shadow surged out from Miling Island,

it was a massive black-scaled snake hundreds of meters long, precisely the true form of the Heavenly Demon under Daoist Monarch Jiang.

Its body glittered with spiritual light, appearing like a small sun, illuminating the surrounding few miles.

However, compared to its previous fierce might, at this moment, it was covered in wounds, with only half of its wings remaining.

At this time, the spiritual light enveloping the island shattered, and the thick fog on the island quickly dispersed.

Under the bright moonlight, many Daoist soldiers emerged from the thinning fog. But more Daoist soldiers lay lifeless on the ground.

Looking at the surviving Daoist soldiers, with weakened breaths and panicked faces, Chen Mu felt his heart sink.

Indeed, Daoist Monarch Jiang had broken free and emerged victorious, but even in victory, it was likely a disastrous success.

“It’s better than total annihilation.” Chen Mu sighed slightly.

The broken Five Directions Flag standing at the entrance of Xuanyuan Hall vibrated, then instantly flew through the sky toward Daoist Monarch Jiang.

Watching the magical treasure stream away, Chen Mu did not linger.

Immediately, he activated Yin Wind Escape, approaching Miling Island with Ren Character Camp.

…

The next day, morning.

A thin cloud fog, about six to seven miles in diameter, looked like an overturned bowl, covering the center of Miling Island.

It was the once-again activated Five Directions Flag.

Whereas before it could raise a cloud platform, carrying tens of thousands of Daoist soldiers in flight, now it could only form a thin cloud layer, covering six to seven miles, barely blocking the invasion of demon qi.

Southeast of Miling Island, in Ren Character Camp, many wounded soldiers gathered.

Their eyes were blood-red, some missing limbs, others with a big hole in their stomachs. Their clothes were stained with blood, faces as pale as paper.

One by one, they queued to enter a giant tent, where Giant Spirit Divine sat deep inside, methodically casting Plague Immortal Technique and Soul Capturing Return to Origin Technique.

These two secret techniques weren’t specifically for healing but could remove demon poison and replenish vital energy, temporarily stabilizing injuries.

“Thank you, Mr. Chen.”

Not far away, at the entrance of Green Jade Immortal Residence, Wu Jie sat in a floating wheelchair, his face pale, nodding to Chen Mu in gratitude.

He even wanted to clasp his hands, but with both arms broken, Wu Jie had no hands to clasp.

Not even clasping his feet would work, as his right leg had also disappeared at the knee.

“No need to be polite, I only supplemented you with some vital energy. For a full recovery, it’s best to exchange for elixirs and talismans to restore missing parts at Xuanyuan Hall.”

Wu Jie’s face was filled with bitterness as he nodded.

After this battle, the Daoist cultivation he gained was enough to exchange for treasures that could restore limbs.

But after exchanging them, almost no Daoist cultivation would be left. Exchanging for the high-grade magical treasure he longed for would be impossible.

Unless he continues to wage war, earning more Daoist cultivation.

After all this fighting and busyness, he ended up with nothing, a futile ordeal.

“Mr. Chen is still wise.” Wu Jie exclaimed.

Chen Mu smiled but didn’t respond.

He knew clearly, the other party was just expressing opinion.

If time were reversed, Wu Jie would still choose to charge forward instead of staying put on the cloud platform.

“Could you tell me what happened this time?” Chen Mu asked curiously.

After settling in Miling Island last night according to Daoist Monarch Jiang’s orders, Chen Mu was assigned the task of treating the wounded.

All he knew was the heavy losses, nearly half of the Daoist soldiers perished directly, and even several camp masters died. But the exact details were unclear.

“I can’t say for sure.” Wu Jie shook his head: “It was like a dream.”

“In the blink of an eye, we were in an illusion realm, surrounded by relentless attacking monsters and exotic beasts.”

“When we woke up, we found those monsters we killed were all our own people.”

“And Wen Tong… he died from Yin Fire Burning Heart.” He spoke, a face full of complex expression.

“Mr. Wen dead too?” Chen Mu’s heart jolted.

Under Daoist Monarch Jiang, he was most familiar with this camp master.

Their camps were close, initially the other side actively tried to ally with Chen Mu to earn Daoist cultivation. Although it didn’t happen, they got acquainted. When gathering at Xuanyuan Hall, they always exchanged words.

Compared to Wu Jie before him, Wen Tong was more cautious. In the past half-year of battles, Wen Tong suffered only minor injuries. Wu Jie, however, lost a left arm due to recklessness.

Earlier in Xuanyuan Hall, Wen Tong was full of vigor, speaking of riches pursued amidst danger. But unexpectedly, he fell immediately, and died due to contract backlash’s Yin Fire Burning Heart.

This encounter…

“Wen Tong had many tricks hidden, but precisely because of this, when his mind was confused, he mistakenly killed numerous Daoist soldiers, and even… a camp master.”

“And precisely because of this, he incurred contract backlash and died from Yin Fire Burning Heart,” Wu Jie sighed.

“And my right leg is also thanks to him.”

Chen Mu: “…”

What can I say?

Just fortunate to have stayed on the Five Directions Cloud Platform.

If I had been trapped in that illusion realm, unable to distinguish enemy from ally, then the consequences… tsk tsk!