Chapter 100 Warning
The gray mist of Jiang Che's body clung tightly to the rock wall, sliding forward like a silent phantom.
He had been following the Ghost-Suppressing Army's markers all the way here.
At the fork leading toward the Lake of Ghost Qi, he caught sight from afar of a young cultivator gesturing animatedly, then producing several yellowed talismans.
Jiang Che's pupils contracted. In his eyes, the ghost qi surrounding that young cultivator blazed like a torch in the darkness—clearly a practitioner of ghost qi techniques… in other words, a man of the Ghost-Suppressing Army!
So, they weren't even bothering to act anymore.
But he could not draw too close…
Cautiously, Jiang Che circled wide, his mist perfectly blending into the shadows of the stone walls.
At last, he spotted a white-robed figure hovering silently about a hundred paces behind the group.
On that man's mask was carved the bloody character "Three." His form was almost one with the surrounding ghost qi—if not for Jiang Che's extreme sensitivity to it, he would never have noticed this hidden stalker.
So, it was true after all…
A shock ran through Jiang Che.
These three must be the so-called "kin of a Saint Venerate" the conspirators had plotted against, while that white-robed man was clearly the third commander mentioned before.
He quietly studied the three ahead. Two cloaked women concealed their faces.
One of them had to be the Saint's relative.
And the gray-robed elder was surely the Longevity Peak realm protector.
But… that woman carried not the faintest ripple of true essence… A mere mortal daring to enter the Ten Thousand Ghosts Cavern? Did she not fear being corroded by ghost qi?
Jiang Che's gaze lingered briefly on Chen Chang'an.
The next moment, his mist-form shuddered instinctively, as though some terrifying presence had swept its eyes over him.
Yet the feeling vanished as quickly as it came—perhaps only an illusion.
"This way!" called the young cultivator ahead.
Jiang Che saw the three follow their guide toward the Lake of Ghost Qi, the white-robed man shadowing them like a phantom.
Not good!
His mist surged violently. Gritting his teeth, Jiang Che followed.
He had to find a chance to warn them…
…
His gray mist drifted uncertainly through cracks in the stone, mirroring his inner turmoil.
Should he approach that Longevity realm protector directly? Too dangerous… In his current state, convincing anyone would be difficult. If he reverted to human form and was seen by the white-robed man, he would be dragged into peril himself.
No—better if someone else could pass along the message!
His gaze turned again toward the two women—the smaller girl, lively and youthful, clearly inexperienced with the world; and the tall one, though appearing mortal, bore a calm composure that strangely inspired trust.
She would do.
As long as he gave the warning, whether they believed or not would be their concern.
If they heeded him and escaped safely, he might earn their gratitude.
If not, and they perished, then he had done his part—after which he would flee into the ghost realm without hesitation.
After all, his own safety came first.
Decision made, Jiang Che's mist drifted silently behind Chen Chang'an.
He carefully restrained his ghost qi fluctuations, imitating the wandering mist-spirits common in the cavern.
When Chen Chang'an's pace slowed and she momentarily fell behind the others, a thin wisp of gray mist coalesced at her feet into vague letters:
[Ambush]
Chen Chang'an's steps did not falter. Her breathing remained steady, not a trace of change, as though she had merely scattered a wisp of dust beneath her foot.
Jiang Che's heart sank—she didn't understand?
Damn it. Did I misjudge her?
He was just debating whether to risk trying again when he noticed the woman intentionally slowing her pace, naturally falling a step behind the other two.
Jiang Che's eyes lit up!
So she was even sharper than he thought.
He immediately followed, gray mist curling at her feet once more, condensing into another faint line of words:
[Someone is tailing you. There's an ambush ahead.]
…
Chen Chang'an sighed softly.
Ahead, beneath the lake waters, thirty zhang deep—the three white-robed figures stood out to her like glaring markers.
Their intentions were plain enough.
She had already considered quietly striking first to erase them.
And then, she had spotted Jiang Che's mist-shrouded figure.
Her brow arched slightly in amusement.
Watching him contort his "body" into awkward shapes to form warnings…
Forget it… this fellow clearly had it rough.
She would humor him.
"Ling'er," Chen Chang'an spoke suddenly, "I feel unwell. Let's turn back and take the main road."
"Ah!? Oh—yes, yes…" Xiao Ling'er startled, then nodded quickly. Guilt still lingered in her heart for not seeking this elder sister's opinion earlier. "Elder Mo, let's return to the main road."
Mo Lao gave a small nod. He said nothing—either route was all the same to him.
But the young cultivator acting as their guide stiffened at once. "Impossible!"
"Oh?" Mo Lao's steps halted, eyes narrowing as a sharp light flickered within. His voice dropped low, heavy as thunder. "Then why don't you tell me why it's impossible?"
He had harbored suspicion toward this so-called chance-met guide from the start.
If not for the youth's pitifully weak cultivation, he would already have struck.
"I—I… what I mean is…" The young cultivator's heart lurched. His gaze darted frantically, unable to conjure a reason.
Mo Lao's stare only grew darker, pressure mounting…
But then—
From beneath the lake came a sound like muffled thunder!
"Boom—!"
Three white-robed figures burst from the water's surface!
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