The night sky was dark and heavy. A dull rumble of thunder echoed faintly from the horizon, heralding an approaching storm.
In a desolate, wild field, six black carriages formed a loose circle. A bonfire burned in the center, its leaping flames struggling to drive away the thick darkness, casting flickering shadows across the faces of the group.
The figures by the bonfire were distant.
Shen Fan and his two companions sat together, whispering about something unknown. They would let out soft, ambiguous chuckles from time to time, forming their own little circle that was completely at odds with the oppressive atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the gloomy Tang Shun lay in a carriage by himself, ignoring everyone.
The remaining two, Qi Yun and Wu Tao, sat on the other side of the bonfire, the firelight illuminating their weary yet calm expressions.
The six people were clearly divided.
They had been companions for two years, yet at this moment, it was as if they belonged to different worlds.
"So you're saying you found an inconspicuous cave to hide in until the trial was over?"
Wu Tao had a wry expression on his face after listening to Qi Yun's casual account.
"Your luck is just too good. I was hunted for a whole day. If I hadn't learned Ganlin Rain, I'm afraid I wouldn't have made it to the end of the trial."
As he spoke, Wu Tao subconsciously touched his side, where the phantom pain of being struck by a Magical Artifact seemed to linger.
Ganlin Rain is the only healing spell among the Five Elements Techniques.
Its effects were quite good. While it couldn't bring the dead back to life or regrow flesh on bones, it could quickly heal most common injuries.
However, the cost was substantial. With the True Qi Amount of a Qi Refining First Layer cultivator, one would be exhausted after using it twice at most.
"Just luck," Qi Yun said with a smile.
"Sigh. Sometimes luck is a part of strength," Wu Tao said, waving his hand dismissively. His gaze fell upon Shen Fan and his companions not far away.
"Look at us. We've spent two years cultivating desperately, wishing we could split every second in two. But for people like them, it's nothing more than a word from their elders.
It's true what they say: comparisons are odious."
Wu Tao's tone was laced with a mixture of envy and helplessness.
After the trial ended, the fact that Shen Fan and the others were "connected" was no longer a secret. Wu Tao now clearly understood the meaning of "your finish line is just someone else's starting point."
"They were born lucky. There's no use being envious.
But the road ahead is long. Now that we've entered the Holy Sect Mountain Gate, if we continue to cultivate diligently, our day to shine will surely come."
Qi Yun's encouragement brought a glimmer of light back to Wu Tao's eyes.
'That's right. No matter what, they had survived to the very end out of five hundred people.'
'Compared to their former companions who had already been judged as "Talent," they were still alive, still breathing, and still able to move forward. Heaven had already shown them great favor!'
"Everyone, there's a situation up ahead. Please take out your Breath-Concealing Beads and keep them close to your body." The Black-clothed Cultivator, who had suddenly walked over, spoke with a solemn expression, signaling for everyone to secure their beads.
'Someone from the Zombie Alliance is here?'
Immediately realizing what the Black-clothed Cultivator meant, a trace of surprise appeared in their eyes. No one asked further questions. They all moved quickly, reaching into their robes and pulling out the grayish-white beads which contained a deathly-still, misty cloud. They either clutched them tightly in their palms or tucked them inside their lapels, close to their skin.
The atmosphere by the bonfire grew tense in an instant.
TING-A-LING—
TING-A-LING—
Less than five minutes after they had secured their Breath-Concealing Beads, the clear, sharp ringing of a bell drifted over from the distance.
It was followed by a drawn-out cry, like the shriek of a night owl, that pierced the silence.
"The dead walk the road!"
"The living, stand aside!"
In the dim mountain forest at night, a figure shaking a bell approached slowly with a splay-footed gait.
Following closely behind him were seven or eight tall, stiff figures, hopping along with their arms held out straight before them.
Each heavy landing made the ground tremble slightly, producing a dull thud like the beating of a drum.
"It's a Corpse Driver from the Zombie Alliance."
"Eight corpses. His Cultivation must be at least the Qi Refining Third Layer."
"No, more than that. Their footsteps are heavy. These aren't ordinary walking corpses; they must be Iron Corpses refined with a Secret Skill.
To be able to drive so many Iron Corpses, his Cultivation must be at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer at a minimum."
Hearing the whispers from Shen Fan's group, Qi Yun's gaze flickered, and he threw a subtle glance at the corpse-driving figure.
'Qi Refining Sixth Layer... With that kind of power, he could probably defeat all of us put together with just one hand.'
Fortunately, thanks to the effects of the Breath-Concealing Beads, this Qi Refining Sixth Layer Corpse Driver only glanced in their direction from afar before silently departing.
After sitting frozen in place for more than half an hour, they finally let out a slight sigh of relief once they confirmed the Corpse Driver had truly vanished without a trace.
"Everyone, if you've rested enough, let's set off.
As you've seen, we are currently in the Zombie Alliance's territory.
Every moment we linger adds to the danger. We'll only be safe once we leave sooner rather than later."
With the earlier Corpse Driver as an example, no one objected to the Black-clothed Cultivator's suggestion. They turned, boarded the carriages, and were quick to comply.
CRACK—
The whip cracked, and the six carriages started moving again. Their wheels crunched over dry branches, making a series of sharp sounds as they slowly drove off into the distant night.
But just as they departed...
A lifeless figure emerged from the distant shadows. Its deathly pale, cold face was covered in corpse spots. A Yellow Talisman was stuck to its forehead, and its empty, vacant eyes stared at the carriages as they gradually disappeared into the night.
...
"Everyone, you can get out now."
The Black-clothed Cultivator's voice sounded, tinged with exhaustion but also relief.
Qi Yun lifted the carriage curtain. Bright, long-unseen, and even somewhat dazzling sunlight instantly flooded the compartment, making him instinctively narrow his eyes.
A county town of considerable size came into view.
On the bluestone-paved streets, pedestrians bustled about. The calls of street vendors, the laughter of playing children, and the rumbling of carts and horses intertwined, filling the air with the lively, bustling atmosphere of the mortal world.
Scholars and poets, traveling merchants, common townsfolk... all formed a vibrant tableau of secular life.
"This is Anping County. From here, we just need to follow the main road for another three to five days to reach the Holy Sect Mountain Gate."
Flexing his hands, which were numb from gripping the reins for so long, a look of relief appeared on the Black-clothed Cultivator's face.
They had traveled through the night without daring to stop for a moment, and by rushing, they had finally left the Zombie Alliance's territory.
Moreover, here in Anping County, the Holy Sect had established a Marketplace stronghold.
Not only could they get some proper rest and restock their supplies, but they also no longer had to worry about their safety.
"Let's go. I've already contacted the reception at the Marketplace here. They've prepared guest rooms and hot food for everyone. You can all finally get a good rest."
Handing the carriages over to an attendant, the Black-clothed Cultivator led the group toward the Holy Sect Marketplace, which was disguised as an ordinary inn.
After days of roughing it on the road, huddled in the cold, bumpy carriages, a flicker of relief couldn't help but cross everyone's eyes upon hearing the words "guest rooms" and "hot food."
They then followed the Black-clothed Cultivator into the Holy Sect Marketplace.
...