The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 120: Gu Jin-Long Is Coming!

Gu Jin-Long Is Coming! . . .

In the end, Cha-Eun Xiao stacked large stones in the corner of the cave and discreetly placed weapons behind them.

– Pah pah pah… –

"All done!" Cha-Eun Xiao applauded himself, surveying the intricate trap he had meticulously assembled. Satisfied with his work, he remarked, "Now, I'll just wait for that scoundrel, Gu Jin-Long, to stumble right into my trap."

On the other side of the city, Gu Jin-Long sat inside the salesroom.

Suddenly, he sprang to his feet.

A sensation he had been waiting for had ignited an excitement within him like never before.

[This is it!

This is the spiritual energy I left behind, reaching out to me.

The Cosmic Hades has been discovered.

That's it! That subtle surge of frigid energy is impossible to counterfeit.

I know Feng Zhi-Ling is outside the city. My ring doesn't lie.

At long last, the Purple Lotus Decree Master has surfaced, and the Cosmic Hades has been found!]

– Poof! –

In an instant, Gu Jin-Long transformed into a rainbow.

– Shoot! –

This rainbow shot out of the window and, within a mere second, was already outside the city.

This was Rainbow Rush, a movement technique so swift it could distort the air itself.

However, Gu Jin-Long was suppressing the turbulence caused by his rapid movement. He aimed to remain hidden and undetected.

Even when facing the imminent death of the Purple Lotus Decree Master, Gu Jin-Long didn't dare to act recklessly.

He understood that a minor error could spell failure.

After all, he was confronting someone who had once battled the Xiao Monarch, a figure capable of decimating most of the Land of Han-Yang's factions.

Gu Jin-Long proceeded with utmost caution, endeavoring to reach the point from which he felt the spiritual vibrations emanating.

As he drew nearer, the vibrations grew stronger.

The Cosmic Hades seemed to beckon to him.

It appeared that the Cosmic Hades was now quite close.

Gu Jin-Long maintained his composure, further honing in on the source of the sensation. He was on the brink of reaching Pen Rack Mountain, where Feng Zhi-Ling's master was rumored to reside.

[Hmm. It appears the Cosmic Hades isn't within Pen Rack Mountain.]

He pressed onward, traversing Pen Rack Mountain and continuing forward. Suddenly, a colossal mountain shrouded in mist and clouds came into view.

It looked as though the clouds were engulfing the mountain.

Gu Jin-Long marveled at the sight and felt a sense of satisfaction.

"A Disappearance Array!"

[The Purple Lotus Decree Master has set up a Disappearance Array within his own territory. Nobody in the Land of Han-Yang can break this array. However, that excludes individuals from the Qing-Yun Realm, meaning I can break it.] Gu Jin-Long was elated.

"The array he established in the dan-maker's mountain is enigmatic and formidable. I couldn't break it. This array, though challenging, is one I can certainly overcome. There are likely two explanations. Either he lacked the materials to set up two powerful arrays... Or he was so severely injured that he couldn't create another potent array."]

"Based on the descriptions people gave of him, it's highly unlikely that he's short on materials. Such a wealthy individual, how could he lack the necessary resources for a few arrays? So... my guess is that he must be nearing the end of his life. He's likely dying right now, which is why he keeps emitting the Cosmic Hades' aura."

Gu Jin-Long wore a cruel and gleeful smile.

"I believe the Purple Lotus Decree Master is fated to meet his end at my hands."

Approaching the mountain, he began dismantling the array. Despite suspecting the Purple Lotus Decree Master was on the brink of death, Gu Jin-Long refrained from forcefully breaching the array. He feared that the dying man might flee with the Cosmic Hades if he detected an intruder.

After all, the Purple Lotus Decree Master hailed from the Qing-Yun Realm and was a seasoned individual. Even on the brink of death, he might still pull off something extraordinary.

While working to unravel the array, Gu Jin-Long couldn't help but admire it.

[The Purple Lotus Decree Master is truly exceptional.

Even when he's at death's door, he managed to set up such a remarkable array...]

Eventually, he penetrated the final layer of the array.

Gu Jin-Long then proceeded to lie down on the ground, right in the middle of a narrow path. If someone were to glance up at the mountain, they might spot him.

Gu Jin-Long sprawled on the ground, moving stealthily like a snake. He slid into a thicket beside the path, silently advancing toward the mountain's summit.

His movements were akin to those of a large lizard—unsightly yet swift.

The Cosmic Hades was drawing nearer, its presence palpable.

It was now very close.

Approximately a hundred meters ahead, he saw the entrance to a cave.

The aura of the Cosmic Hades emanated from within that cave.

Gu Jin-Long even managed to halt his heartbeats and pulses instantly.

Things often went awry when success was within reach.

Gu Jin-Long was well aware of this.

[I can't become overly elated.]

[I must be cautious.]

[I need to exercise prudence.]

[I can't afford to be reckless until I have secured the Cosmic Hades and eliminated the Purple Lotus Decree Master.]

Gu Jin-Long continually cautioned himself as he drew closer to the cave.

He proceeded with extreme care.

The cave remained silent.

Gu Jin-Long felt that everything was unfolding according to his plan as he reached out a hand to ascend to the cave entrance.

He couldn't help but smile.

He had at least confirmed one thing: the Purple Lotus Decree Master was currently quite feeble. Otherwise, he would have been easily detected. His intuition had proven correct.

Gu Jin-Long harbored confidence that this time, he would reap substantial rewards.

There must be a plethora of treasures within the grasp of the Purple Lotus Decree Master that he desired.

Suddenly, a chilling and unrelenting voice resounded from within the cave, "Who's there?"

The voice carried a sense of dread.

Gu Jin-Long remained composed. He was delighted and couldn't suppress his grin.

The voice was indeed horrifying and menacing, but it belonged to a weak individual.

While ordinary men might be unable to withstand the intimidation in the voice, for him, it was nothing more than the raucous utterances of a dying man.

"The Purple Lotus Decree Master?" Gu Jin-Long made no attempt to hide. He stood up and casually entered the cave. Sneering, he remarked, "I am Gu Jin-Long, and I've come for a visit. It's a splendid opportunity to witness the renowned Purple Lotus Decree Master of the Qing-Yun Realm reduced to a wretched state. Hahaha, hahaha..."

He guffawed loudly and impolitely, swiftly infiltrating the cave.

In an instant, his sword flashed, and the Breeze Sword transformed into a thunderous presence within the space.

"Gu Jin-Long!" A cry resonated from the depths of the cave, laden with both astonishment and dread.

Gu Jin-Long darted into the cave like lightning, glimpsing a figure racing to the far side at an equal pace. The man moved as swiftly as lightning itself, and though Gu Jin-Long possessed exceptional cultivation and keen eyes, he could only discern a fleeting shadow of the man's back. The man suddenly burst out of the cave and vanished.

He left behind only a vehement declaration that reached Gu Jin-Long's ears, "Gu Jin-Long, I know you hail from the Sunlight Sect. You took advantage of my precarious condition. I won't forget this. Once I recover, I will eradicate every living being within the Sunlight Sect in one fell swoop. I will exact vengeance for today's insult by taking the lives of all your people!"

The voice of this 'Purple Lotus Decree Master' gradually grew fainter, interspersed with coughing.

"When you recover? Do you truly believe you have a chance to escape from me today?" Gu Jin-Long retorted. The Purple Lotus Decree Master was currently his top priority, and he needed to subdue him.

As he readied himself to dash out of the cave, he abruptly halted, his sharp eyes catching something peculiar.

Within the cave lay a dark-cyan metallic object.

It was the Cosmic Hades.

This was the invaluable treasure he coveted most.

Compared to this priceless artifact, the Purple Lotus Decree Master was inconsequential.

Gu Jin-Long hadn't anticipated that the Purple Lotus Decree Master would be so feeble that he fled from their confrontation today. He had been prepared to engage in a protracted battle for the Cosmic Hades. Now, though relieved that he hadn't needed to do so, he still felt a sense of regret. He had been overly cautious. Had he acted more boldly and attacked earlier, the Purple Lotus Decree Master would likely have met his end at Gu Jin-Long's hands. But now, he had escaped.

[Purple Lotus Decree Master eluded me... So be it. I still have Feng Zhi-Ling to lead me to you.

There will be ample opportunities to deal with the Purple Lotus Decree Master in his current weakened state.]