C24 Bloody Skeleton

"Elder, what should we do now?" Jiaang Xue asked.

Having narrowly escaped the clutches of the Crimson Skull, Jiaang Xue felt a wave of relief. However, Elder Ma was unaware that her escape was thanks to Zhang Bofeng.

"You stay at the sect for now. I need to head out," Elder Ma replied before departing.

As he hurried along, Elder Ma pondered, "Years ago, we thought we had eradicated the Yellow Spring Sect, but it seems some members survived. I wonder if this one possesses the Nine-Turns Yellow Spring Technique?"

Many years back, the Yellow Spring Sect had risen swiftly, becoming one of the most powerful sects on the Ancient Sword Continent. However, due to their malevolent nature, all the forces of the continent united to annihilate them. In the end, the sect was destroyed, and its leader and disciples were all killed.

The Yellow Spring Sect had once dominated the continent because of a fearsome technique known as the Nine-Turns Yellow Spring Technique, which struck terror into the hearts of countless warriors. It was said that anyone who mastered this technique would see their power surge, potentially reaching the pinnacle of the Ancient Sword Continent.

However, the Nine-Turns Yellow Spring Technique was a sinister art, and those who practiced it would inevitably suffer a loss of sanity.

However, the disciples of the Yellow Spring Sect practiced without such side effects. The sect had been wiped out a long time ago, and even Elder Ma had only heard about it from others. Now, hearing about the reappearance of a disciple from the Yellow Spring Sect, Elder Ma couldn't help but feel intrigued.

The reason he didn't want Jiaang Xue to mention the Yellow Spring Sect was that Elder Ma planned to go alone to the tomb's location, eliminate the sect's disciple, and see if he could obtain the Nine Curves Yellow Spring Technique. "If I can get the Nine Curves Yellow Spring Technique, I could become the strongest in the entire Azure Edge Sword Sect, maybe even in Azure Cloud County," he thought, a flicker of intense desire in his eyes.

Two days later, Elder Ma found himself in the Liangyun Mountains, a hundred miles outside of Liangyun City. Following the route provided by Jiaang Xue, he arrived at the peak of a mountain. Sensing for a moment, Elder Ma discovered the underground tomb. "It's here," he said.

Upon entering the tomb, Elder Ma found himself trapped in a maze. "Child's play," he scoffed, waving his hand. A surge of powerful energy transformed into a forceful blast, striking the maze's walls. Instantly, the maze was shattered, revealing a coffin before him.

Elder Ma noticed an evil aura seeping from the coffin, and a smile crept onto his face.

"Elder Ma quickly approached the coffin. However, when he reached it, he found it empty.

'What's going on? Did I scare it off? Has the Bloody Skeleton left?' Elder Ma wondered, puzzled.

Just then, a raspy voice echoed in his ears. 'Are you looking for me?'

As the voice faded, the Bloody Skeleton appeared in the tomb, followed by three figures: Sunn Yunjun, the Seventh Day, and Hua Hsing.

'So, it's just a minor player from the Yellow Spring Sect. Looks like you've got these three under your control, huh?' Elder Ma sneered at the Bloody Skeleton.

Being a strong Qi Transforming Stage warrior himself, Elder Ma showed no fear facing the Bloody Skeleton, who was at the same level. He boldly declared, 'You're courting death.'

The Bloody Skeleton snorted coldly and commanded the three figures behind him to launch a fierce attack on Elder Ma.

'Child's play,' Elder Ma scoffed, swinging his long sword. The sword's light filled the tomb, causing it to tremble.

Three beams of sword light pierced through Sunn Yunjun and the others, sending them flying backward."

Hua Hsing's body slammed heavily against the tomb wall, blood spurting from his mouth, his face as pale as a sheet.

"Useless."

Seeing this, the Bloody Skeleton snorted disdainfully and made his move. As soon as he did, an overwhelming force erupted from him. His fists clenched, bones cracking, and a powerful burst of energy appeared.

Elder Ma and the Bloody Skeleton were locked in a fierce battle, while Sunn Yunjun and the Seventh Day stood quietly, their expressions blank.

At this moment, Hua Hsing had just gotten back on his feet, spitting out a mouthful of blood, his eyes a bit dazed, as he prepared to approach Sunn Yunjun.

Suddenly, his Golden Heart began to beat rapidly, and a stream of clarity surged forth. Instead of spreading throughout Hua Hsing's body, it all flowed into his mind.

Once there, this stream launched an assault on the small dark spot in Hua Hsing's consciousness. His face was full of struggle, though no one else noticed.

In a flash, Hua Hsing's body trembled violently, and his eyes suddenly brightened.

"Thank goodness for the Golden Heart, or I'd have become the Bloody Skeleton's puppet," Hua Hsing thought with a shiver of relief.

If it weren't for the Golden Heart helping him at the crucial moment, he might have already become a puppet of the Bloody Skeleton.

Hua Hsing glanced subtly at Sunn Yunjun and the Seventh Day, noticing they were still expressionless.

"Looks like they didn't get as lucky as I did," Hua Hsing thought, pretending to be under control while quickly devising an escape plan in his mind.

Inside the tomb, the battle between the two had reached a fever pitch.

"Damn it, if I weren't still injured, I would have finished you off by now," the Bloody Skeleton snarled in frustration.

"Remnants of the Yellow Spring Sect! Today is the day you die," Elder Ma shouted, and the two clashed again.

As time ticked by, Hua Hsing's body slowly and subtly moved toward the tomb's exit.

After about fifteen minutes, Hua Hsing seized the moment, his figure flickering as he dashed out of the tomb.

When Hua Hsing vanished, the Bloody Skeleton, locked in fierce combat, realized he had lost contact with him and was shocked.

"Go bring him back," the Bloody Skeleton ordered while continuing to fight.

"Yes, master."

Sunn Yunjun and the Seventh Day quickly left the tomb to search for Hua Hsing.

...

Once Hua Hsing exited the tomb, he sped into the distance, soon leaving the mountain peak far behind.

When Hua Hsing finally arrived within the boundaries of Liang Yuncheng, he breathed a sigh of relief. Sunn Yunjun and Seventh Heaven had searched for Hua Hsing for a long time without success. Shaking their heads, they eventually returned to the tomb.

Meanwhile, inside the tomb, the battle had ended. The Bloody Skeleton sat cross-legged, bearing a few wounds. In front of him stood Elder Ma, his expression blank and devoid of emotion.

"You old fool, if it weren't for this treasure, I wouldn't have been able to deal with you," the Bloody Skeleton said, holding a triangular piece of iron. It was this very piece that allowed him to defeat and control Elder Ma. Despite his injuries, the Bloody Skeleton was pleased because he had gained a puppet at the Qi Transforming Stage.

"That kid got away, so it's best I don't linger here," he thought, gritting his teeth at the memory of Hua Hsing. In the end, the Bloody Skeleton left the tomb with three puppets in tow.

...

Hua Hsing hurried back to the Azure Edge Sword Sect and went straight to his master.

"Hua Hsing, weren't you on a mission? Have you already completed it?" The Ninth Elder asked, visibly pleased to see him.

"Master, we went to explore a tomb, and unexpectedly encountered remnants of the Yellow Spring Sect," Hua Hsing explained.

"What? Remnants of the Yellow Spring Sect?" Upon hearing this, the Ninth Elder's expression turned serious.

"That's right. After we entered the tomb..." Hua Hsing carefully recounted the events inside the tomb to the Ninth Elder.

After listening, the Ninth Elder's face changed slightly. The Yellow Spring Sect, which had once shocked the entire Ancient Sword Continent, had been painstakingly eradicated by a coalition of forces. He hadn't expected its remnants to resurface after so many years.

"Hua Hsing, this is a significant matter. I need to discuss it with the other senior members of the sect," the Ninth Elder said solemnly.

Hua Hsing nodded, understanding that this was beyond his ability to handle alone.

"Focus on your training," the Ninth Elder advised before leaving.

On his way back, Hua Hsing saw Jiaang Xue.

"Jiaang Xue?"

In an instant, Hua Hsing realized that Jiaang Xue must have informed Elder Ma, who apparently hadn't told the sect's leadership.

"Could Elder Ma have his own agenda?" Hua Hsing wondered, puzzled.

When Jiaang Xue saw Hua Hsing, she was equally surprised. Her face showed a hint of astonishment as she walked over to him.

"Hua Hsing, I didn't expect you to make it back alive. What about the others?" Jiaang Xue asked in a sweet voice.

"They're dead," Hua Hsing replied calmly.

"What? They're all dead?" Jiaang Xue feigned shock.

Fang Chen let out a cold snort. Yelin was truly heartless, always scheming to use others for her gain. She was even willing to let Li Guanglong die to save her own skin.

As Fang Chen prepared to leave, Yelin blocked his path.

"Fang Chen, please don't tell anyone about what happened," Yelin pleaded softly.

She had assumed everyone involved was dead and that no one would ever know she was responsible for Li Guanglong's death. But to her surprise, Fang Chen had survived and returned.

"I'll make sure he keeps quiet for now. Then, when the opportunity arises, I'll get rid of him. That way, no one will ever find out," Yelin thought to herself.

"Fang Chen, if you agree to keep this secret, I'll do anything you ask. Even if you want me," Yelin whispered.