Chapter 159: Setting Out for the Demon-Sealing Continent

"Supreme Elder, this is bad, something terrible has happened." At that very moment, an elder of the Alchemy Sect rushed in, looking frantic and panicked.

"What is the meaning of this? Speak slowly. What kind of composure is this, bursting in like a headless chicken?" Sovereign Imperial Cauldron was already in a foul mood, and now he certainly wouldn't offer the man a pleasant expression.

"Supreme Elder, our Alchemy Sect is now on the brink of destruction. We can barely hold on any longer," the elder said, his voice carrying a hint of tears.

"What did you say? What has happened to the Alchemy Sect again?" Sovereign Imperial Cauldron was greatly alarmed. How could the Alchemy Sect face another crisis in such a short span of time?

Could it be Gushi and Lin Yanghao?

"Supreme Elder, it's the Talisman Sect and the Artifact Sect! They have joined forces and are currently attacking our Alchemy Sect!"

"What did you say? What is the current situation of the Alchemy Sect?" Sovereign Imperial Cauldron's heart boiled with fury. He had never imagined that the culprits would be the Talisman Sect and the Artifact Sect.

By doing this, they were undoubtedly taking advantage of someone else's misfortune.

"When I left, the Alchemy Sect was already barely holding on. If nothing unexpected has happened, the sect should have fallen into the hands of the Talisman Sect and the Artifact Sect by now."

At this, a wave of lingering fear washed over the elder. If he had delayed even a single step back then, he almost certainly wouldn't have made it out alive.

"Then what are you all waiting for?! Quick, go muster our forces so we can counterattack the Alchemy Sect! When the time comes, we shall leave not a single armor plate behind!" Sovereign Imperial Cauldron ordered.

"Are we no longer pursuing Gushi and Lin Yanghao?" the elder cautiously asked.

"Are you an idiot? Our home is gone, and you're still worried about chasing them?!" Sovereign Imperial Cauldron rebuked furiously, exasperated by the man's lack of sense.

With that, he flickered into motion, dashing swiftly toward the Alchemy Sect.

......

"Grandpa Tianhu, the people guarding outside the Thousand Saints Marsh have all left." Just as Lin Yanghao was cultivating, he was startled by Xiao Tian's voice from outside.

Lin Yanghao stepped out and found that Ice Roar and Gushi were also standing outside the door.

"Is what you're saying true?" Lin Yanghao asked skeptically. Why would they leave just like that, out of the blue? Reasonably speaking, they wouldn't give up so easily.

However, their departure was ultimately a good thing.

Right now, what Lin Yanghao feared most was that this was a trap—a ploy to lure him and Gushi away, only for the enemy to capture them in one fell swoop. That possibility was quite high.

"Of course it's true. I even specially dispatched spirit beasts to track them, and it has been fully confirmed that they have left," Xiao Tian replied.

Hearing this, Lin Yanghao finally felt relieved.

"Xiao Tian, there is something I would like to ask you." Lin Yanghao wanted to inquire about the whereabouts of Zeng Quan. Since this was his territory after all, what if he happened to know?

"Please go ahead. I shall tell you everything I know without reservation," Xiao Tian said, naturally willing to be of service.

"I wonder if you have ever seen a person inside the Thousand Saints Marsh..." Following that, Lin Yanghao described Zeng Quan's facial features and characteristics to Xiao Tian.

"Wait a moment, I'll have someone come and answer that." Not long after he spoke, a top-tier spirit beast appeared.

"Have you ever seen a person like this..." Once again, Xiao Tian repeated the description Lin Yanghao had just given.

"Over a month ago, there indeed was such a person in the Thousand Saints Marsh," the spirit beast recalled carefully before speaking.

"Quickly tell me what happened to him! Is he dead or alive?" Lin Yanghao asked anxiously, as this was the only clue concerning Zeng Quan.

"He was taken away by some demonic cultivators."

What?! Lin Yanghao was dumbfounded. Zeng Quan had actually been taken away by demonic cultivators? Could he possibly still be alive?

"No, I must find a way to save him." Soon, Lin Yanghao made up his mind to go to the Demonic Realm to rescue Zeng Quan.

Regardless of whether he would make it in time, as long as there was even a shred of hope, Lin Yanghao had to go.

If he didn't go, first of all, his conscience would never find peace.

"Many thanks for the information." Of course, Lin Yanghao wouldn't simply rush over to save people blindly; how would that differ from seeking death?

At the very least, he had to make adequate and thorough preparations.

"Lin Yanghao, what should we do?" Ice Roar asked. Clearly, he also had no intention of leaving Zeng Quan behind.

However, he was well aware of the perils of the Demonic Realm; doing this was tantamount to walking to one's death.

"We go to the Demonic Realm to save him," Lin Yanghao said firmly.

"What did you say? Even if he is still alive, you will likely lose your life before you even reach the Demonic Realm, let alone the fact that his life or death is currently unknown." Gushi's stance was clearly opposed to Lin Yanghao taking such a risk.

"No, no matter how perilous it is, I must make this trip."

"Since your mind is made up, what more can I say? Today, these old bones of mine will accompany a gentleman to the death. You saved my life, so let this be my repayment," Gushi declared.

"No, your going there won't help either. There are too many eyes and ears in a place like that. I should go alone. You two should stay here and focus on your cultivation." Lin Yanghao had no intention of bringing Gushi and Ice Roar along.

For one thing, too many people would complicate things; for another, Lin Yanghao knew that this was practically a suicide mission, so he did not wish to drag them into it.

"How can that be? As the saying goes, more people mean more strength." How could Gushi fail to understand Lin Yanghao's kind intentions?

"Indeed, he is right," Ice Roar chimed in.

"Look at this." Having said that, Lin Yanghao exerted his wondrous drifting ghost steps to their absolute limit.

"Such a marvelous movement technique," Gushi praised in amazement.

"You saw it too. If someone pursues me, I can easily escape using this technique. But if I bring you along, it will very likely hinder me," Lin Yanghao explained.

"Since that is the case, I will no longer insist. Just remember to be extremely careful, and I wish you a safe and speedy return," Gushi replied helplessly. Indeed, as Lin Yanghao had just said, if he went, he would only become a burden.

"He may not be able to go, but surely I can? I won't get in your way," Ice Roar said innocently.

"Very well. Since it has come to this, let us depart immediately. We cannot afford to waste any more time."

......

Not long after, Lin Yanghao and Ice Roar successfully exited the Thousand Saints Marsh.

"Lin Yanghao, do you truly have the confidence to rescue Zeng Quan?" In Ice Roar's eyes, Lin Yanghao had always been someone who never undertook tasks without assurance.

"I don't have the slightest bit of certainty."

"Fair enough." Ice Roar thought about it and realized it was true. The Demonic Realm was fraught with danger, and merely surviving there would be a feat in itself. Rescuing Zeng Quan was infinitely more difficult than scaling mountains of blades.

Gusu City

This was the cultivation city closest to Lin Yanghao.

Coming here, Lin Yanghao intended to purchase some supplies. Making a trip to the Demonic Realm required absolute and foolproof preparation.

After purchasing several thousand talisman papers and some cultivation pills, Lin Yanghao prepared to leave.

"Hey, have you heard? The entire cultivation world is about to descend into chaos."

"Such monumental news, how could we not have heard of it?" Just as Lin Yanghao was about to leave, a few voices in conversation caught his attention.