The moment night fell.
Qian Xi appeared near Ping City with an army of Eerie Creatures.
In the darkness.
The wilderness floor was marred by a massive formation, composed of crimson lines of blood.
Eerie Stones were embedded at the nodes, and large amounts of human blood mixed with corpses were drawn toward the lines of the formation.
"..."
Qian Xi took an Eerie Stone from Qian Qiu and carefully placed it in the last empty node.
The next moment—
All these lines shone.
The vast formation flickered with a crimson glow, pulsating like breath, as if hungering for something.
At the formation center was an altar.
Around the altar were various Eerie materials and Natural Treasures. Ethereal wails echoed intermittently high above.
"The Blood Sacrifice Formation is complete."
Expressionless, Qian Xi gazed at the empty altar and said, "Once the King places the Mountain Embryo Corpse here, the formation will be activated, assisting the King in breaking through to an Eerie King."
"You seem not excited at all?" Qian Qiu turned his look upon Qian Xi from the side.
"..."
Qian Xi stayed silent for a long time before directing his gaze toward Nameless Mountain. "For some reason, I feel an uneasy sense of foreboding."
"Why?"
"I arrived at the Rivernorth Wilderness earlier than you. During that time, I turned the Rivernorth wilderness inside out but found no trace of the mistress. I suspect she may be dead."
"..."
Hearing this, Qian Qiu also fell silent. After a while, he spoke hoarsely, "Are you suggesting the mistress may have lost the King's weapon, the 'God-Slaying Spear'?"
"That would be troublesome."
Before Qian Xi could respond, Qian Qiu continued, "When the King left the Rivernorth Wilderness during the last rainy season, he was worried he might lose track of the mistress, so he specifically left his weapon with her for tracking. But he also worried that perceptive humans might detect it and bring danger to the mistress, so he covered it up with his heart's blood."
"Without the weapon."
"Even if the King makes a successful breakthrough, it will be difficult for him to unleash his full power."
"But—"
"How could the mistress possibly die? The King put a group of Eerie soldiers under her command. As long as she didn't attack the two human cities, no human could kill her."
Qian Xi remained unruffled. "I found the place where Qian Hou died—a human camp in the wilderness. I suspect the mistress may have died there, too."
"..."
Qian Qiu fell silent again. There was no time now to investigate how the mistress had died. "Have you told the King about this?"
"I didn't dare. I'll tell him when he arrives."
"Are you going to flee?"
"No, I'm willing to give my life for the King's ascension."
"So am I."
Finally, the two said no more, putting an abrupt end to the conversation.
...
Time passed slowly in the Rivernorth Wilderness.
Several more days went by.
Today was the 28th day of the rainy season.
The continuous overcast rain had lasted for a month.
But today, the rain had thinned a lot.
Anyone clear-eyed could see.
After tonight, the rainy season would end.
Over the Rivernorth City hung an atmosphere of post-crisis relief and brewing excitement. All commoners found it hard to sleep tonight, eager for the moment the rainy season drew to a close. They wanted to celebrate, but thought it inappropriate, fearing they might not survive the night.
The rainy season was about to wrap up.
The Rivernorth Wilderness was brewing with uncertainties as an array of forces prepared to take the stage.
At the border of Riversouth and Rivernorth.
A caravan trundled across the plains, reaching a city gate before nightfall. The moment the city gate opened wide, countless eyes got drawn to the flag fluttering above the caravan.
"A ram with eyes burning with fierce flames."
Everyone froze in place upon seeing this flag.
This was the flag of the Gongyang Clan!
The Gongyang Clan had two types of flags. The commonplace one featured an ordinary ram, without blazing eyes. It did nothing but indicate that the convoy belonged to the Gongyangs.
But here was a Death Flag!
It meant this convoy was carrying out the Gongyang Clan's most urgent and critical mission. Anyone who dared obstruct them would face the Gongyang Clan's frenzied retaliation.
The caravan consisted of three carriages pulled by Skeleton Horses, followed by dozens of armored attendants riding Skeleton Horses. From the helmet visor shot a cold, merciless gaze.
"We've reached Shui City."
A green-robed man wearing a bamboo hat in the first carriage spoke lazily, leaning against the carriage. A green veil hung from the hat, obscuring his face. A faint smile played on his lips. "This is the city closest to Rivernorth. I reckon the Rivernorth rainy season will end tomorrow."
"We got to buy a new Eerie-hide map in the city, then find an inn to stay. Tomorrow, we would be departing for Rivernorth."
After the caravan had moved on.
A hawker looked up enviously at the departing Gongyang Clan convoy. "A single Skeleton Horse sells for a full 3,000 Eerie Stones."
"Its speed far surpasses an ordinary horse's, and it never tires."
"When will I ever be able to afford such a Skeleton Horse? If I rode one back to the village, wouldn't those village girls eat me with their eyes?"
"Better let it drop."
A young man by his side joked, "The villagers aren't very worldly. Should they see you riding a Skeleton Horse, they might think you have been possessed by an Eerie Creature and run away at the sight of you."
"Besides, with a street stall, you'll never afford one in your lifetime. Let me give you a bright idea."
"Tell me."
"Look, it's almost dark. Go buy a blade, charge into the Perpetual Night, and kill an Eerie Creature. Each kill earns you one Eerie Stone. Kill three thousand Eerie Creatures, and you'll have enough to buy a Skeleton Horse."
The vendor seemed to have lost interest, looking at the white-robed chap as if he were an idiot. "That's a great idea. Why don't you go?"
"I will, of course, I will."
With a shrug, the chap turned to stride toward the city gate. He took out an Eerie Stone and flicked it into the guard's arms. The city gate was lifted.
And at that moment—
Quite by chance, darkness had swallowed the entire plain. Outside the city was impenetrable darkness.
The young white-robed guy composedly walked toward the darkness.
On his back, he carried a heavy sword almost the length of a person, with a blade as wide as a door.
"Hey!"
The vendor was dumbstruck at this sight, only to react after a long moment and shout anxiously, "I was just talking nonsense! Are you insane? It's nighttime, and you're going outside?!"
However.
Before he could finish, the white-robed lad had already vanished into the darkness.
...
At the same time.
In another teahouse in Shui City.
A man with feminine features fiddled with a jade bracelet, frowning as he looked out the window at the caravan passing in the street below. The Death Flag flapping in the wind was eye-catching.
After a long while, he wondered,
"What's all this about? The Gongyang Clan holding a Death Flag to Rivernorth to scavenge?"
"Is that a proper thing to do?"
"How are other people going to play? In the future, is everyone going to hold a Death Flag to scavenge?"
"And with the Gongyang Clan's weight, would they even care about the paltry profits from scavenging?"
An old man sitting across from him took a sip of tea and drawled, "Probably not for scavenging. They have other intentions."
"It's weird."
"And—"
The lad knitted his brows. "When I entered the city, I saw the chosen successor of Rivereast's 'One Sword Sect'. That madman. He has also come. It looks like he's heading to Rivernorth, too."
"Is there any big event in Rivernorth this year?"
"How come it has grown so lively?"
"That's how the world works." The elderly man commented, "Throughout history, notable figures never take center stage one after another. Instead, they sprang up together during certain periods, like mushrooms after rain."
"They compete with each other."
"The last one standing would become a ruler of the time and garner a history page."
"Even the strongest hero needs foils."
"Hmm... makes sense."
The chap smiled. "So, when Father sent me with other disciples to Rivernorth, he meant to let me join the fun?"
"It seems Father must have sniffed something out. Besides, since when has the King of Medicine Valley scavenged for livelihood?"
"Of these forces entering Rivernorth this time, none should be stronger than our King of Medicine Valley, right?"
"..."
The old man turned aside, lifted the curtain, and looked out the window. He drawled, "For this trip, the Gongyang Clan even dispatched Gongyang Yiyue. I suggest you avoid drawing too much attention. This trip to Rivernorth doesn't seem like a spring outing."
"Gongyang Yiyue..."
The smile was fading from the young man's face, a trace of fear flickering in his eyes.
Everyone in Riversouth knew Gongyang Yiyue.
He was the Gongyang Clan's "Night Watcher."
It seemed...
This time, the Gongyangs were going to hold the Death Flag high to the bitter end.
"Oh, and the Alchemy Sect is here too."
"That bastard is here as well?"
A tinge of disgust crossed the young man's brow. He detested womanizing scum more than anything in his life. He had remained a virgin, waiting to share intimacy only when he met his true love. Moreover, the Alchemy Sect and the King of Medicine Valley were long-time rivals, adding to his disdain.
"Hmm."
"The Alchemy Sect announced long ago that they would propose marriage to the Gongyang Clan after the Riversouth rainy season ended. Now, the situation seems a bit delicate. The Gongyangs don't seem willing and are prepared to fight to the death."
"As far as I remember, the Gongyangs are no match for the Alchemy Sect, right?"
"You are right, but they can take a bite out of them. That's when our King of Medicine Valley takes over. But the Alchemy Sect clearly doesn't want to start a war either. It seems they want the younger generation to settle matters among themselves."
"You mean Gongyang Gao's daughter is also in the caravan?"
"Yes, everyone in Riversouth knows. Haven't you heard anything about it?"
"Not at all."
"Might be just as well. With me here, all you have to do is watch the show. No one can touch you."
The elderly man's voice was plain like water, but his words showed signs of his confidence.