Chapter 87 Bloody Harvest, the Price of Growth

The discovery of the blood sacrifice altar deep within the mines was like a boulder thrown into an undercurrent, further escalating the already murky situation in Blackwater City. Team Ye Li quickly reported the situation, causing a stir within the higher-ups.

Lay Buddhist Muyun personally led a team to investigate, confirming that the runes and black bones used on the altar were indeed remnants of a long-lost, sinister ritual used to communicate with the demonic energy of the abyss. This meant that the Zhao family's massacre was most likely not a simple demonic rampage, but a premeditated, bloody sacrifice orchestrated from within! Perhaps the purpose was to weaken the seal of the ancient tomb or summon a more powerful being!

This news made the leaders of the various sects look solemn, and the atmosphere within the camp became even more tense. Identifying the traitor and tracing the source of the evil cultivators became the new focus. In his report, Gao Sheng took most of the credit for discovering the altar, downplaying the contributions of Ye Li and the others. However, Lay Buddhist Mu Yun was a man of great stature. From the cryptic remarks of the disciples from the Weapon Hall and Beast Taming Peak, he had already grasped the truth, but he had simply kept it to himself for the time being.

The nature of the mission changed, and the patrol team was recalled. Instead, the elders personally led the team to conduct a dragnet search of Blackwater City and its surrounding areas, focusing on screening out strange monks and suspicious people who had appeared recently.

The brief respite gave Ye Li time to gather her thoughts. She carefully examined the black bone she had collected, discovering it was neither metal nor wood, but exceptionally hard. Though the runes on it were broken, they faintly emanated a frightening resentment and spatial fluctuations. She attempted to probe with her spiritual sense, but was repelled by a cold force. Even the fragments of the Samsara Mirror emitted a faint warning.

"This bone... is not simple." Ye Li put it away carefully. It may be an important clue to track down the "Shadow Demon" forces.

However, even greater turmoil was yet to come. Late at night three days later, a deafening roar suddenly erupted from the direction of the Soul Burial Mountains. Demonic energy soared into the sky, dyeing half the sky inky black! Then, Elder Ling Yunzi issued a hasty message: The outer seal of the ancient tomb had been forcibly breached by a powerful force from within, sending a horde of demons surging out, including a peak-level demon general at the Spiritual Mansion Realm! The exploration team had been dispersed, suffering heavy losses, and urgently needed reinforcements!

The entire camp erupted in an instant! All the disciples on standby, led by the elders, rushed to the Soul Burial Mountain's aid!

Ye Li followed the support team led by Lay Buddhist Mu Yun and charged into the mountains filled with demonic energy. Along the way, traces of fierce fighting could be seen: broken weapons, charred earth, and the scattered corpses of fallen monks and demons. The scene was horrific.

When they arrived at the valley where the ancient tomb's entrance lay, the scene before them was even more horrifying. A massive black hole, like a demon's maw, appeared on the mountainside, and a thick, almost tangible demonic energy gushed out. Within the valley, cultivators from various sects were locked in a bloody battle against a tidal wave of demons! The flashes of swords, lightning, and exploding talismans mingled with the roars of the demons, and men fell with every passing moment.

"Form a formation! Stop the monster! The Supreme Elder of Yuandan Realm has gone to chase the devil!" Elder Ling Yunzi was covered in blood, with sword energy flying everywhere, and he gave orders loudly.

Ye Li immediately spotted Qin Yixuan, who stood out from the crowd. She was surrounded by azure aqua, and the Cang Hai Ming Yue Pearl hovered above her head, shedding rays of light. Monsters melted away wherever she passed, but her face was pale, evidently showing immense exhaustion.

"Kill!" With a command from Master Muyun, the support team immediately joined the battle.

Ye Li unsheathed her Mystic Ice Sword and unleashed her "Star Silence" sword technique without reservation! The extremely cold sword energy, fused with the power of the stars, proved incredibly powerful in this large-scale melee. Often, a single swing of the sword could freeze and clear a small area of ​​low-level monsters. Like the god of death on the battlefield, she efficiently and ruthlessly harvested the lives of the monsters.

Lin Feng, Xia Zhihe, and Sun Xiaohou followed closely at her side. The foursome formed a battle formation like an indestructible boat on the chaotic battlefield, supporting each other and unleashing a combat power far beyond that of individual individuals. Lin Feng's "Ice Heart Art" allowed him to maintain composure and provide precise coordination; Xia Zhihe's elixirs replenished everyone's energy; and Sun Xiaohou's "Illusionary Breathing Technique" allowed him to easily avoid the monsters' main attacks and launch sneak attacks on powerful ones.

Their outstanding performance quickly attracted the attention of the surrounding cultivators, especially Ye Li, whose terrifying lethality and extremely calm fighting style made many veteran inner disciples feel ashamed.

"Is that Ye Li? How come she is so strong!"

"Those three independent cultivators beside her are no ordinary people either! They work together so well!"

"I heard that he's her confidant? What's his name... Youge?"

The name "Youge" first entered the ears of some Xuanyun Sect disciples in a small-scale manner on this tragic battlefield.

However, the cruelty of war was far beyond imagination. The monsters seemed endless, among them many powerful elites. A female disciple of the Bishui Pavilion was accidentally attacked by a hidden shadow demon of the Spiritual Realm and died. To protect his fellow disciples, a disciple of the Tianjian Sect self-destructed his golden elixir, perishing along with several monsters.

Ye Li's team also encountered a crisis. A violent demon bear in the middle stage of the Spiritual Mansion Realm targeted them, breaking through the battle formation, and its huge bear paw with devastating force struck Sun Xiaohou, the weakest of the group!

"Little monkey!" Ye Li's eyes were bloodshot, and he wanted to rescue but was entangled by several other monsters!

Lin Feng roared, disregarding his own safety, and wielded his sword to confront the demon bear! But he was only at the Condensation Vein Realm, after all. How could he withstand the angry attack of a demon at the Spiritual Mansion Realm?

"Dang!" With a loud noise, the long sword in Lin Feng's hand broke into pieces, he vomited blood and flew backwards, his breath instantly weakened!

Xia Zhihe rushed forward to rescue him, and Sun Xiaohou narrowly avoided the fatal blow with his agility, but he was also scared and broke out in a cold sweat.

Seeing the demon bear rushing towards him again, a hint of madness flashed in Ye Li's eyes, and the power of the star core in his body was once again activated! The ultimate transformation of "Star Silence" - Starfall!

She became one with the sword, transforming into a dazzling meteor, carrying an indomitable and resolute momentum, and instantly pierced through the huge body of the demon bear!

Boom! The demon bear's body froze, and then countless star-blue sword energies erupted from its interior, and it fell to the ground with a thud!

A single strike instantly killed a mid-stage Spiritual Mansion Realm monster! This scene shocked the entire battlefield! Even Qin Yixuan cast a shocked gaze.

Ye Li fell to the ground, her face pale and her breathing disordered. The sword had almost drained most of her spiritual power. But she didn't bother to regulate her breathing and immediately rushed to Lin Feng's side.

Xia Zhihe was doing her best to rescue him, her face solemn. "Brother Lin's meridians are severely damaged, and his golden core has cracked. He must be sent back to the camp to recuperate immediately, otherwise he will be in danger of falling back to a lower realm!"

Ye Li's heart sank. Casualties had finally appeared! Although Lin Feng had survived, he was critically injured and would need a long time to recover. This was the lack of power. In the face of a truly powerful person, those around her were still vulnerable.

At this moment, a deafening demonic roar emanated from the entrance to the ancient tomb. The aura of the Yuandan Realm Supreme Elder quickly faded, as if chasing something away. The demonic energy at the entrance to the ancient tomb also weakened considerably.

"The devil has been led away by the Supreme Elder! The seal gap is temporarily stable! All disciples, follow me to kill in, eliminate the remaining monsters, and explore the ancient tomb!" Mr. Muyun seized the opportunity and gave a loud order.

Opportunity! A gleam of light flashed in Ye Li's eyes. Inside the ancient tomb, there might be a magic medicine that can cure Lin Feng, and even the truth she was pursuing!

She looked at Xia Zhihe and Sun Xiaohou: "Escort Lin Feng back to the camp immediately for treatment! This is an order!"

"Master! What about you?" Xia Zhihe asked anxiously.

"I'll go in and take a look!" Ye Li said firmly, "Don't worry, I have the ability to protect myself." She stuffed most of the healing pills on her body to Xia Zhihe, then turned around and followed the crowd without hesitation, rushing into the bottomless entrance of the ancient tomb.

Sun Xiaohou looked at Ye Li's resolute back, gritted his teeth, carried Lin Feng on his back, and broke out with Xia Zhihe.

Entering the ancient tomb revealed a whole new world. The passages were intricate, with remnants of restrictions and roaming demons everywhere. Disciples from various sects quickly dispersed, each seeking their own opportunities.

Ye Li relied on her powerful spiritual sense and understanding of the formations and restrictions to avoid danger and go deeper. In a remote side hall, she found the remains of an ancient monk who had passed away in meditation, with a jade slip and a cold jade box scattered beside them.

The jade slip recorded the identity of this cultivator: he was an outer sect deacon of the Bingpo Xuan Palace, who died there due to being seriously injured and unable to evacuate in time. The slip concluded by mentioning that he had been ordered to guard a treasure called the "Soul-Fixing Pearl," which had the miraculous effect of warming the soul and stabilizing the golden elixir.

Ye Li immediately opened the cold jade box, and inside was indeed a bead the size of a longan, emitting a soft white light—the Soul-Fixing Bead! It was exactly what was needed to save Lin Feng!

She carefully put away the soul-fixing beads and jade slips. This adventure was worth it!

However, as she was about to leave the side hall, a chilling presence locked onto her. Gao Sheng, along with the two Zhan Kuang Peak disciples, blocked the entrance, their faces etched with undisguised murderous intent and greed.

"Ye Li, hand over what you got in there! Then, prepare to die!" Gao Sheng grinned, unleashing the full might of his late Spiritual Residence Realm. "This time, let's see who can save you!"

The fierce battle yielded the treasure of the Soul-Fixing Orb, but it also cost Lin Feng a serious injury. And now, a greater crisis has arrived. Ye Li faces the siege of Gao Sheng and his three companions alone, her situation precarious. Can she once again escape this desperate situation? What secrets lie deep within the ancient tomb? All will be revealed in the ensuing life-or-death struggle.