Chapter 24: Darkness—Rising
“Lian Tao, Du Tianyou, did that man really cultivate the Hundred Poisons Vajra Body?”
The righteous experts, still fleeing, looked toward Lian Tao and Du Tianyou with solemn expressions and asked.
“Yes...”
Du Tianyou and Lian Tao exchanged glances and both nodded.
“Hmph! I was suspicious as to why someone with such martial prowess would be imprisoned in the inner dungeon, but now it seems this is yet another ploy from those demonic cultists!”
Upon receiving confirmation, one of the righteous experts immediately snorted coldly.
“Perhaps the downfall of the Flying Sword Sect was because that boy colluded with the demonic cult, betraying us from within!”
“How can you say that, Gao Bo? Li Ju at least rescued you from the prison, and even blocked Zhuge Huang for us!”
Though Du Tianyou wasn’t certain about Li Ju’s specific circumstances, he found Gao Bo’s words—addressing him by name—especially harsh, and couldn’t help but frown and retort.
“Hmph! Who knows if this isn’t another performance staged by the demonic cult to achieve their filthy goals!”
Gao Bo’s words remained full of hostility toward Li Ju.
“You—!”
Du Tianyou, infuriated, was about to speak again.
“Enough. Regardless of Li Ju’s true motives, our priority now is to rescue the others still trapped in the demonic cult’s inner dungeon.”
“As for Li Ju, let’s wait until we escape from the dungeon before discussing it further.”
Lian Tao interjected, stopping the argument.
“Hmph!”
Gao Bo snorted again and fell silent.
“......”
Seeing the persuasion in Lian Tao’s eyes, Du Tianyou also had no choice but to cease his dispute.
......
Boom!!!
Li Ju punched the corridor wall, instantly carving out a pit the size of a round table, stone shards flying.
On the other side, Zhuge Huang seized the moment as Li Ju withdrew his force, clenched his fist, and a black light flashed across his knuckles.
Demon Eagle Fist!
Thud!!!
Li Ju failed to dodge, taking the punch squarely in the body with a muffled thump.
Ghost Bat Claw!!
Yet, after receiving Zhuge Huang’s blow head-on, Li Ju staggered a couple of steps but recovered instantly, as if nothing had happened, launching his own martial technique at Zhuge Huang.
Swish!
Zhuge Huang’s figure transformed into a shadow, vanishing from his original spot, leaving Li Ju’s punch to hit only air.
“That’s the Ghost Bat Technique, isn’t it?!”
Zhuge Huang appeared not far away, staring at Li Ju with a grave expression. As a high-ranking member of the demonic cult, he immediately recognized Li Ju’s martial arts lineage as soon as he saw him execute the technique.
Li Ju assumed a defensive stance, watching Zhuge Huang warily. The man’s speed was simply astonishing—during their previous exchanges, Li Ju had been completely on the defensive. If not for his unusually tough physique, Zhuge Huang would have finished him off already.
The reputation of the Four Evils of the Demonic Cult was indeed well deserved!
“So what if it is?”
Since Zhuge Huang had paused his attack, Li Ju was happy to drag out the time. After all, as long as he held out long enough, he’d clear the dungeon; there was no need to defeat Zhuge Huang.
“Hahaha, it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter.”
“You truly are a genius, able to overcome the limitations of the Hundred Poisons Vajra Body and cultivate both Ghost Bat Technique and Hundred Poisons Vajra Body. My interest in you grows ever deeper.”
Zhuge Huang suddenly laughed manically, almost deranged.
“If you tell me how you bypassed the limitations of the Hundred Poisons Vajra Body, I’ll let you leave the inner dungeon. No, not just you...”
“Since you’re here to rescue those useless ones, I can promise you all seventeen righteous experts imprisoned here—I'll let you take them and leave together.”
Zhuge Huang suddenly smiled at Li Ju.
“You can make that decision?”
Li Ju felt something was off about Zhuge Huang’s demeanor and asked cautiously.
“Right now, I cannot...”
Upon hearing Li Ju’s question, Zhuge Huang shook his head.
Although he was one of the Four Evils of the Demonic Cult, ranked among the top five in the cult, the matter of releasing all the righteous inner experts from the dungeon was not something he could decide alone.
Because these inner experts were tied to the next cult leader’s succession, the rise and fall of the cult, its legacy—at the very least, the current cult master’s approval was required.
“However, while I can’t do it now, as soon as I obtain the secret you carry, I will!”
A sudden surge of sinister energy erupted from Zhuge Huang, as he laughed wildly, his gaze full of greed.
How many years had he been stuck at the peak of the inner realm? His martial insight had long met the requirements for breaking through to the Minor Three Elements Realm, but because of an injury in his youth, his body lacked the required strength for the breakthrough. Thus, he had remained trapped.
He was unwilling—unwilling to be kept from the breakthrough he deserved solely due to his physical limitations. Over the years, he had researched countless ways to restore his vital energy and strengthen his body, but achieved little—until now, as a living hope stood before him!
If he could cultivate the Hundred Poisons Vajra Body, his vital energy would be replenished—perhaps even exceed it. Then, he could break through to the Minor Three Elements Realm in the most perfect state!
Li Ju squinted at the suddenly intensified aura emanating from Zhuge Huang; it was the strongest he’d ever witnessed.
He felt that even if Du Tianyou, Lian Tao, and the other inner experts fully recovered their strength and joined forces, they might still be no match for Zhuge Huang!
This was not merely the peak of the inner realm—it was invincible!
“The secret?”
“The secret is right here on me. If you want it, come and get it yourself!”
To be honest, the reason he could cultivate both Hundred Poisons Vajra Body and Ghost Bat Technique was entirely thanks to his status panel; he had no idea of the true principles. Even if he did, would he so easily reveal them to his enemy?
“Then I’ll gladly oblige.”
Zhuge Huang gave a wicked smile, and immediately vanished from sight.
Li Ju’s heart tightened, urgently searching for Zhuge Huang’s position, but before he could turn—
Bang!
A black shadow, shaped like an eagle’s claw, slashed fiercely across Li Ju!
“Ugh...”
His chest tightened, a burning pain searing where he was struck, a shallow wound appearing on his muscles, fresh blood oozing forth.
Hiss hiss hiss!
Countless black shadows darted from the darkness, simultaneously attacking Li Ju—claws, fists, legs...
A storm of martial techniques battered Li Ju’s body; his eyes and movements were completely unable to keep up with Zhuge Huang. All he could do was protect his vital areas, helpless against the onslaught!