Chapter 448: Inside the Wumo Valley
"Holy Son, this is the Wumo Valley I told you about."
At noon, atop a low hill within Yunwu Mountain.
Hei Yao stood beside Cao Youqian, pointing to a valley shrouded in black fog tens of miles away, speaking with a fawning expression.
Cao Youqian narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the valley, his divine sense already extending beyond it.
Demonic energy—those black mists contained vast amounts of demonic energy, truly remnants left behind by Extraterrestrial Demons.
"Indeed a dangerous place. You handled this well. Relay my order: everyone rest for half an hour, then we depart for the Wumo Valley."
As these words were spoken, Mad Lion Prince, standing beside Cao Youqian, revealed a look of concern.
"Holy Son, that Wumo Valley looks ominous. Are we really going in there?"
Cao Youqian smiled: "What, are you afraid?"
"I..."
Mad Lion Prince was genuinely terrified, but admitting fear now would bring shame upon the Giant God Academy.
Moreover, the group included many nobles from the Mad Lion Kingdom.
If he showed any cowardice, how could he compete for the Mad Lion throne in the future?
Cao Youqian spoke unhurriedly: "This Holy Son is not unreasonable. If you fear, you may remain here with your men. However, you shall receive no share of the benefits within."
Mad Lion Prince said: "I just suggest we should be careful. Perhaps send two scouts ahead first."
"Truly a fine suggestion, but this Holy Son would never send subordinates to their deaths while taking rewards for myself. Drop this matter."
Though Cao Youqian spoke softly, all eyes were upon him. His words ignited everyone's spirits.
"The Holy Son is righteous!"
"The Holy Son is truly our role model!"
"We pledge our lives to the Holy Son!"
"..."
Cao Youqian was satisfied with the group's response. He then walked over to Song Zhaoyi, leaving Mad Lion Prince and Hei Yao behind.
Mad Lion Prince watched Cao Youqian's departing figure, glaring venomously at Hei Yao.
"What exactly is your intention? Do you not know the Wumo Valley contains residual Heavenly Demon Blood Mist? Once entered, life and death become uncertain."
Hei Yao wore an innocent expression: "Your Highness, this cannot be blamed on me. The Holy Son commanded me to say this—I dared not refuse. Besides, with the Holy Son present, what is mere Heavenly Demon Blood Mist? He need only activate his immortal body, and the blood mist will naturally disperse."
"You!!!"
Mad Lion Prince now wished to kill someone. Initially, he assumed the Holy Son merely wished to observe.
He would abandon the plan upon seeing the Heavenly Demon Blood Mist, but never imagined the Holy Son possessed such audacity, intending to enter personally.
He had heard rumors about the Wumo Valley—even his father, the Mad Lion King, faced uncertain life and death within its depths. What should he do now?
Babao Great Sage immediately approached: "Holy Son, the three major forces have completely sealed off Yunwu Mountain. Tonight, they will dispatch armies to sweep through the mountains."
"Excellent."
Cao Youqian smiled: "Then we shall act before tonight."
Half an hour later.
The main group resumed their journey.
Cao Youqian sat in the carriage with eyes closed, cultivating. Song Zhaoyi admired the passing scenery, appearing as though on a leisurely tour.
After some time, Hei Yao's voice sounded from outside the carriage.
"Holy Son, we have arrived outside the Wumo Valley."
"Halt."
Cao Youqian spoke as he opened his eyes, leading Song Zhaoyi out of the carriage. He casually stored the carriage in his storage ring and turned: "From this moment, all will follow behind this Holy Son. Remember not to stray from the group—otherwise, I cannot guarantee your safety."
"Yes!"
The crowd responded with excitement.
Cao Youqian embraced Song Zhaoyi as they sat upon the great cat. Babao Great Sage led the great cat, walking first toward the Wumo Valley.
The attendants hurriedly followed behind Cao Youqian, terrified of being left behind with nowhere to even weep.
Within the Wumo Valley, demonic mist swirled, the silence terrifying.
Cao Youqian extended his divine sense, but quickly discovered that while it normally spanned hundreds of miles, it now reached merely one mile outward.
If enemies launched a surprise attack from concealment, ordinary cultivators would truly have no time to react.
Fortunately, as a body cultivator, he need not fear ambushes.
Hoo...
A gust of wind blew, carrying no chill.
Yet it made every person present feel their hair stand on end.
Mad Lion Prince subconsciously patted his Yellow Lion mount, urging it to keep pace with the Holy Son.
But the Yellow Lion dared not approach Cao Youqian. Magical beasts possess clear hierarchical distinctions.
The pressure emanating from that black tiger demon instilled a primal, soul-deep terror.
As the wind swept past.
The black fog obscuring everyone's vision gradually dissipated.
Cao Youqian did not relax his vigilance, continuing forward.
Along the way, apart from the occasional breeze, Cao Youqian's group encountered no dangers.
After walking for an unknown duration, the group passed unscathed through the black demonic mist.
What came into view was a bizarre forest.
Every tree in this forest was black—from trunk to leaves, only black was visible.
Moreover, each tree grew grotesquely, resembling a cluster of tree demons standing at a distance.
Cao Youqian turned to Mad Lion Prince with a smile: "Little Lion, you see? This Wumo Valley isn't so frightening. It's just dark, that's all—we can't see the sun."
Mad Lion Prince's eyelids twitched uncontrollably. For some reason, a deep sense of foreboding washed over him.
He quickly said: "Holy Son, this place is perilous. We should proceed with caution."
Cao Youqian smiled: "Perilous isn't quite the word. It's just that this forest concealed an ambush party—and a Great Sage was leading them personally."
At these words, everyone present paled. They swiftly retrieved weapons from their storage rings.
Mad Lion Prince asked, stunned: "H-Holy Son... you can't be serious?"
"This Holy Son never jokes about such matters."
Cao Youqian shrugged, addressing the forest: "Come out, all of you. With a Great Sage present, could you possibly fear this mere Nirvana Cultivator?"
"Ke ke ke..."
A sinister, eerie laugh echoed from the forest. Cao Youqian's followers instantly braced for battle.
Many among them had heard terrifying tales of Wumo Valley and dared not be careless. They brandished their weapons, ready to strike at the Holy Son's command.
Cao Youqian, however, watched the dense forest calmly, showing no intention to act.
Amid rustling sounds, a group of ferocious-looking demon warriors emerged from the woods.
Leading them was an elder with blood-red eyes, a withered face, and a skeletal frame.
He didn't deliberately release his aura, but the unintentional pressure of a Great Sage still caused Cao Youqian's followers to tumble from their mounts.
Their mounts collapsed limply to the ground; some weaker ones even fainted outright.
The elder's crimson eyes fixed on Cao Youqian. Observing his robust, blood-vibrant physique, greed flickered in his gaze.
"Truly worthy of being the Holy Son of the Wendao Academy as rumored. This bearing and composure alone surpass the so-called Holy Sons of Manzhou's sacred lands."
Cao Youqian cupped his fists: "Thank you for the praise, Elder. But my strength doesn't even rank first among the Wendao Academy's younger generation. It's a pity you won't have the chance to witness my eldest senior brother's prowess."
???
Everyone present turned confused gazes toward Cao Youqian upon hearing this.
Has this fellow lost his mind?
At a time like this, he's exchanging pleasantries? Doesn't he grasp their predicament?
Mad Lion Prince was consumed by regret. Had he known a Great Sage demon warrior lay hidden here, he wouldn't have entered even if his legs were broken.
The elder paused, asking with puzzlement: "Young one, do you not comprehend what I am?"
"I know. You're a Great Sage demon warrior, carrying the blood of Extraterrestrial Demons. Though your lineage seems somewhat impure. Besides, our Wendao Academy's custom has always been courtesy before conflict."
Cao Youqian spoke as if chatting casually, showing not a trace of fear.
"You're not afraid of me?"
The elder suddenly felt something was amiss. No—this brad must be bluffing.
"I'm not afraid."
Cao Youqian's polite demeanor vanished, replaced by a playful expression.
"Before I arrived, Hei Yao already told me this is your Fire God Cult's territory, and that a Great Sage would lie in wait to ambush me."
This statement struck like a thunderclap. Both the Fire God Cult's demon warriors and Cao Youqian's attendants froze in place, their gazes locking onto Hei Yao...
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