Chapter 273: A Living Hell
As Xiao Yan approached the gates of Spring God City, the stench of blood filled his nostrils, thick and nauseating.
The once sturdy wooden gates were now shattered and scarred, bearing the marks of relentless violence. Without a word, Xiao Yan pushed the doors open, revealing a scene straight out of a nightmare a vision of hell on earth.
Beyond the gates lay streets that were once bustling and vibrant. Now, they were drenched in a dark crimson hue, as if stained by the blood of countless souls. The ground was soaked through with blood, the dark red giving the streets a foreboding and sinister glow.
Everywhere Xiao Yan looked, there were severed limbs, shattered bones, and dried, desiccated corpses. The bodies littered the streets in grotesque contortions, frozen in the positions of their final struggles. Among them were mummified remains, their skin tight against their bones, drained of blood and life force.
Hovering over the city like a deathly shroud was a black mist, its tendrils writhing in the air. When a wisp of the mist touched Xiao Yan's skin, he felt a fleeting surge of rage and an almost uncontrollable urge to destroy everything in sight.
The mist was faintly reminiscent of the dark energy he had encountered in the Ancient Evil Saint's ruins, though this was far weaker. Still, Xiao Yan could tell that this malicious energy had seeped into the city's lifeblood, corrupting all who weren't strong enough to resist.
The average citizen of Spring God City those who had not even reached the rank of Dou Shi stood no chance. They had been defenseless against this overwhelming force, and the carnage laid bare the terrible results.
For the first time in a long while, Xiao Yan was silent. His usual indifferent and detached demeanor cracked ever so slightly as he surveyed the grim scene before him.
"Young Master!"
The voices of Xiao Wen and Xiao Wu, the two semi saint protectors, broke through the oppressive silence as they emerged from the shadows. Even with their immense strength, the sight of the slaughtered city left them momentarily speechless.
It had been centuries since they had last seen such mass destruction an entire city, home to millions, reduced to little more than a graveyard soaked in blood.
Xiao Wu stepped forward, concern in his voice. "Young Master, are you "
Xiao Wen interrupted him with a subtle gesture. "Don't disturb him," he said quietly.
For as long as they had known Xiao Yan, his mental fortitude had been exceptional. Yet this scene was enough to shake even the most hardened soul. Even Xiao Wen, who had witnessed countless atrocities in his long life, couldn't entirely suppress the unease welling within him.
Xiao Yan stood still, his eyes scanning the ruins as his spiritual sense spread outward, enveloping the entire city. What he saw in his mind's eye made his fists clench.
The Massacre Unfolds
In his vision, Xiao Yan witnessed the day of the massacre as if he were there.
The demonic energy corrupted Gold and Silver Elders had descended upon the city, bringing despair with them. The city's lord, a veteran Dou Huang, had been torn to shreds in the air like a helpless puppet, his remains scattered across the city.
From there, the slaughter began.
Gold and Silver Elders unleashed their black mist, spreading it across the city. Those touched by the mist were instantly transformed into mindless, bloodthirsty beasts, slaughtering their neighbors, friends, and even family members.
Swords clashed, cries of agony pierced the air, and blood ran freely until it pooled in the streets. The chaos continued until the entire city was painted red, its people reduced to little more than fuel for the demonic fog.
The few who managed to escape were the lucky ones; the rest were drained of their essence, reduced to brittle skeletons as the life was siphoned from their bodies.
When Xiao Yan finally opened his eyes, they burned with a rare, almost primal rage.
For a man who prided himself on his unshakable calm, the anger in his heart was unfamiliar an uncontrollable fire sparked by the horrors he had just witnessed.
Even in his past life, Xiao Yan had believed himself to be indifferent, detached, capable of watching the world burn without flinching. Yet this… this was different.
This was a massacre on a scale he couldn't ignore.
It took him several moments to suppress the storm within, his breathing slowly evening out as he regained his composure.
"I'm fine," Xiao Yan finally said, his voice calm but carrying an edge of icy resolve.
Xiao Wen, ever perceptive, noted the subtle shift in his tone. Beneath the calm exterior, Xiao Yan's words carried an undercurrent of suppressed fury.
A Test of Will
When Xiao Yan returned to the gates, the students outside were pale and trembling, their faces reflecting their fear of the unknown within.
"Elder Yan Xiao," one of them asked hesitantly, "should we… still go in?"
Xiao Yan's gaze swept over the group. "What lies within can only be described as hell on earth," he warned. "If you choose to enter, you must be prepared to face the consequences. I will not force you."
The students exchanged uneasy glances, the fear evident in their eyes. Yet, one by one, they steeled themselves, determination flickering like a fragile flame.
"If Elder Yan Xiao dares to venture inside, how can we retreat?" Lin Xiuya said resolutely, stepping forward.
The others followed his lead, walking past the gates.
Xiao Yan's lips curled into a faint smile of approval. These students might be inexperienced, but they carried the seeds of a true warrior's heart.
As they entered the city, however, even the strongest among them faltered. Their faces turned ashen as they took in the carnage the bloodstained streets, the piles of mangled bodies, the twisted remains of those who had turned on one another in the haze of madness.
A few began to waver under the oppressive weight of the demonic mist. One student's eyes turned blood red, their body trembling as they teetered on the edge of corruption.
Without hesitation, Xiao Yan extended his hand, expelling the invading mist with a flick of his finger.
The student gasped for air, dropping to their knees. "Thank you, Elder Yan Xiao," they murmured weakly, though their voice trembled with lingering terror.
It wasn't until nightfall that the group began to recover, though the experience had left its mark. Their eyes carried a newfound depth each student grappling with their own thoughts about what they had seen.
Next Destination
"Where is the nearest city to Spring God Gorge?" Xiao Yan asked once the group had regrouped.
"Spring Lake City, about 800 li away," Han Yue answered softly.
Xiao Yan nodded. "Then we'll head there next."
Turning to the students, he added, "If Spring Lake City faces the same fate as Spring God City, it may be even more dangerous. Are you willing to follow me?"
For a moment, silence reigned. Then, Lin Xiuya's voice broke through.
"If Elder Yan Xiao is willing to risk it, how can we back down?"
The other students nodded, their resolve firm.
"We don't want to see another tragedy like this ever again," someone muttered, their voice heavy with determination.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly. "Let's go, then."
(End of Chapter)
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