Chapter 319: Cold-Blooded
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"Not saving him was one thing, but why did you have to kill him?"
Su Cheng didn't know how to answer this stupid question. He could only tighten his grip on the massive sword. With a twist of his wrist, the blade ripped open the man's abdomen.
Instantly, black fluid gushed from the man's abdomen!
It resembled oil mixed with sand, thick as molten lava, mingled with chunks of flesh—utterly revolting.
"Do you understand now? He was beyond saving."
Cang Jue froze, staring at the horrifying sight before her. For a moment, she felt a wave of nausea wash over her, even the effects of the medicinal tea seemed to recede slightly…
"Even if I could prolong his life, I couldn't save him forever. It would only mean more days of torment. What's the point?"
Cang Jue fell silent. Her mind filled with the memory of that man's cold, decisive blade. If her own brother were in this state, would he show such ruthless resolve?
"What exactly is this black mist? How could this happen…"
"You could call it a natural disaster, but it's more akin to divine retribution—a calamity sent down by the gods."
Cang Jue clearly couldn't accept the calamity described by Su Cheng just yet.
"A calamity… sent by the gods…"
As if speaking to herself, she studied Su Cheng's expression, sensing that the black mist before them was clearly far more complex than it appeared.
Su Cheng offered no reply, merely pulling Cang Jue along the mountain path deeper into the wilderness.
Along the way, corpses were not uncommon, though the landscape was not littered with them everywhere.
"Master Su, my brother…"
To be honest, Cang Jue was starting to feel afraid…
Not from the black mist itself, but from the fear that her brother might already be…
Her brother was the only family Cangjue had left. He wasn't a cultivator, just an ordinary person.
Cangjue had once urged him to cultivate alongside her, but he seemed uninterested in immortal cultivation and eternal life. He only spoke of pursuing scholarly honors to serve the common people.
Cangjue didn't stand in his way. Cultivation was no easy feat; the innate talent required far outweighed mere effort. Many things were predetermined from the moment of birth.
More likely, Cangjue could see that her brother simply wasn't cut out for cultivation.
Forcing him down that path would only cause him suffering.
Cangjue simply let him be. With her position as an elder of Ling Mountain, she could offer some assistance in most matters.
"Master Su, this mountain is vast. Should we split up and search?"
Seeing the gruesome state of those corpses, Cangjue grew increasingly worried about her missing younger brother.
"No, you must stay by my side."
"Wouldn't two people search faster?"
"If you don't want to get your brother killed, stay right here with me."
With that, Su Cheng grabbed Cang Jue's slender arm and leapt forward, covering considerable distance in a single bound. They crouched behind a large boulder.
"You're hurting me…"
To be honest, Cangjue had already sensed something was off. The pill Su Cheng had given her seemed to have no effect.
A fiery heat seemed to be burning within her body, making her entire being feel scorched…
"Don't talk. Look over there."
Like a kidnapped elementary schooler, her mouth was covered by a large hand. Yet, due to the strange effects of the "Fall in Love with Shiyu Tea" she'd just drunk, she couldn't muster any strength…
Just as she was about to make a futile struggle, a colossal figure appeared in her line of sight—a killing machine resembling a cheetah with the head of a saber-toothed tiger.
The Hunter.
Despite its massive size, she hadn't even sensed its presence until she saw it with her own eyes.
Was it the neurotoxin carried by this black mist that had dulled her senses?
As Cangjue pondered this, she ceased struggling. She remained held in Su Cheng's embrace, his powerful arms pinning her down, his hand covering her small mouth.
Yes, once she calmed down, she realized Su Cheng had no intention of harming her. Besides, this situation was far too dangerous.
This realization only deepened her shame. How had she become like this?
She studied the figure hunting like a predator seeking prey, then glanced at Su Cheng, who held her tightly.
Ever since entering this deadly place, Su Cheng seemed like a different person, growing cold and distant.
His eyes fixed on the monster in the distance, as if he were the hunter.
After a long moment, Su Cheng finally released his grip and addressed Cang Jue, who was panting heavily.
"We need to avoid that thing as much as possible. I can't protect you while fighting at the same time."
As Su Cheng had anticipated, he should reserve some system points for emergencies.
At the very least, he needed enough to activate his Authority, lest he be helplessly captured if faced with some great terror.
Su Cheng now had a basic grasp of the combat capabilities in this world.
Even a replicated Authority was sufficient to handle most crises.
Therefore, he needed to accumulate as many system points as possible to protect those around him.
As for clearing this death zone, he could entrust the task to Ling Mountain and the Heavenly Dao Pavilion. If all else failed, he could call upon Xu Zhanfeng and Qinghan to handle it with their magical artifacts.
With his artifact's enhancement, Qinghan's strength should be sufficient to handle ordinary Apostles.
Cangjue nodded blankly, looking utterly bewildered, as if utterly conquered. The strong only submit to those stronger than themselves, and at this moment, Cangjue had no other choice.
That choice was to place himself in Su Cheng's hands, to trust this man who clearly wasn't a saint.
Though it was hard to believe, though the price was her body…
There was no doubt about it—besides Su Cheng, no one else could help her, and no one else was willing to.
"I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize. Once I give my word, I never break it."
Su Cheng casually pulled out a compass. Cang Jue had seen it before during their journey, when Su Cheng had also asked her for her younger brother-in-law's personal belongings to track him.
Cangjue had assumed a personal item would be needed, but she possessed none.
Yet she never imagined Su Cheng would say this compass could track a person's whereabouts solely through the lingering thoughts imbued within an object.
Placing the bracelet her brother-in-law had given her on the compass, it was instantly activated by divine magic. The seemingly cheap bracelet slowly floated above the compass, enveloped in golden light.
Though it appeared cheap, it had been removed from Cangjue's wrist. She had always worn it carefully, even while drinking tea or fighting.
Cangjue had witnessed Su Cheng employ this trace-seeking technique once before during their journey, and seeing it again left her equally awestruck.
While she wasn't entirely unfamiliar with tracking techniques, Su Cheng's method was clearly a superior immortal art—a distinction she could readily discern.
Combined with the seemingly ordinary yet at least Immortal-grade artifact in his hand, it truly broadened her horizons.
Watching the bracelet soar like a golden dragon above the compass, it didn't take long before it located her younger brother-in-law.
"He's still alive for now, but he's been poisoned by that toxic mist. If we delay any longer, his life will be in grave danger."
Cang Jue froze, blushing as he stammered, "Wh-what… my… brother-in-law…"
"Heh heh, he's fine for now, but aren't you feeling a bit off?"
Su Cheng also sensed something amiss. Logically, after taking the antidote, this fellow should be fine!
Why… why is his face getting redder and redder?
"I'm fine. Since that's the case, let's hurry. I'm worried about his safety."
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