The centipede inner core was definitely a treasure.
I couldn't keep it for myself, as my uncle was still here.
Besides, I didn't kill the centipede spirit alone.
My uncle saw me approaching with the centipede spirit's inner core.
He glanced at it and said, "Centipedes can already be used in medicine. The inner core of a centipede spirit that has cultivated to this level is even rarer. It contains a great deal of energy and has high medicinal value. However, I suggest you give it to your twelve demon souls. They were all injured in the battle at Wudang Mountain, so this will be a good way to replenish them."
My uncle's response surprised me. I hadn't expected him to be so selfless.
After hearing him, I joyfully cupped my fists and said, "Uncle, I thank you on behalf of the twelve demon souls."
My uncle nodded, remaining silent.
Then, I raised my left hand, revealing the Purple Bone Vine. I noticed its color had deepened slightly after I killed the centipede spirit's essence. At the same time, I said, "Twelve demon generals, quickly absorb this inner core!"
As I spoke, I flicked open my palm. Immediately, the twelve carved heads began to glow faintly. I then heard the voices of the twelve demon souls: "Thank you, Young Master Qin, thank you, Daoist Hu Xiao."
My uncle smiled.
In the next second, a cold aura surged out, enveloping the centipede spirit's inner core. Following that, strands of green energy from within the core were drawn into the Purple Bone Vine. In a short while, the once crystal-clear centipede spirit's inner core turned into a small, carbon-ash-like ball with cracks. A gust of mountain wind blew, and it crumbled into powder, its essence completely absorbed by the twelve demon souls.
Everyone else, apart from expending some spiritual energy, remained unharmed. This trip was a significant gain for us. We killed a centipede spirit and obtained its inner core to heal the twelve demon souls. I even got some lamp oil. It was a win-win situation.
Afterward, the surrounding group of small centipedes quickly vanished after consuming the centipede spirit's corpse, crawling back into the deep mountains. My uncle then said to us, "Alright, let's all get back in the car and rest. We'll continue our journey tomorrow morning."
Everyone nodded and headed towards the car. Back in the car, we chatted for a while longer before leaning back in our seats to rest. When I opened my eyes again, it was the next morning. The mountain air was fresh, and the morning spiritual energy was abundant. My uncle led us in breathing exercises for over an hour. Old Mo's breakthrough was becoming increasingly imminent; he was just a step away.
After eating some dry rations, Old Mo drove us further into the mountains. The road became increasingly difficult as we progressed. When we reached a desolate old village, the road ended. My uncle looked at the distant mountains and said, "Black Cloud Mountain is ahead, and Black Mud Ridge is behind the mountain. From here on, we can only travel on foot."
Everyone nodded. We rested for a while in the deserted village before continuing our journey. As this place was no longer frequented by people, the paths had mostly disappeared. We had to make our way through the mountains inch by inch. Strangely, this area was so close to the Gray family's Bottomless Pit, yet we hadn't encountered a single rat from yesterday until now, which was rather odd. It was also strange that a centipede spirit had appeared in the Gray family's territory.
I then asked my uncle, "Uncle, we're so close to the Bottomless Pit, yet there are no rats. Could something have happened at the Bottomless Pit?"
My uncle shook his head at my question. "Who can say? But it is indeed a bit strange. For such a powerful family as the Grays to allow a centipede spirit to wreak havoc nearby. I was puzzled by it all night. But we won't know the situation until we reach the Bottomless Pit and meet the Gray family."
I nodded, realizing there was nothing else we could do for now. We traveled from noon until evening, finally approaching Black Cloud Mountain. Here, the surrounding demonic energy had significantly increased, all emanating from behind the mountain where a powerful demon was residing. Yet, we still hadn't encountered a single rat, not even a wild beast in the mountains, nor a single flying bird. We sensed that something was amiss. However, our mission was to contact the Old Mother of the Bottomless Pit, so we had to press on regardless. We made our way through the mountains in the darkness.
As we climbed Black Cloud Mountain and approached Black Mud Ridge under the cover of night, we discovered an anomaly. On the ridge connecting Black Cloud Mountain to Black Mud Ridge, there was a strong smell of blood. All around us were rat corpses, large and small, densely packed. Flies buzzed incessantly in the surroundings.
"Holy cow, so many dead rats!" Old Mo exclaimed.
My uncle took a step forward and examined some of the rat carcasses. He found that they had all been killed by each other. Moreover, they had died at most a day ago.
"Something definitely happened at the Bottomless Pit. Hurry!" My uncle said with a frown, then started running forward. We, too, recognized the anomaly. Frowning, we followed him, running forward. The further we went, the closer we got to Black Mud Ridge, and the more corpses we saw.
When we reached a small stream, we found it filled with rat corpses. Crossing this stream was Black Mud Ridge. My uncle led us directly onto the ridge. As soon as we got there, we saw countless rat corpses. Some were even still alive. A few small rats were tearing at each other amongst the carcasses, fighting to the death even with their bodies covered in blood.