Scorpion

Chapter 603 Infiltrating the Secret Realm

It is unclear how much time has passed.

Ye Cangtian infiltrated the cave alone.

Burning torches were affixed to the walls on both sides of the cave, illuminating everything clearly.

As he ventured deeper, a strong scent of blood grew more pungent.

Roar! Roar!

After an unknown duration of walking, two roars echoed from the depths of the cave, followed by the sound of sporadic footsteps.

Rounding a corner, Ye Cangtian halted.

Before him lay the entrance to the secret realm, guarded by a contingent of Black Wind Sect members.

Notably, two of them were crouched on the ground with their hands on the floor, their eyes blood-red and faces contorted, resembling wild beasts.

"Who are you!"

The captain of the guards, upon seeing Ye Cangtian, immediately assumed a defensive stance.

"Don't misunderstand, we're all on the same side!"

"I am the Death God, a friend of Hall Master Cui Fengxi. He invited me here."

Ye Cangtian quickly began to explain.

"Oh?"

"How can you prove it?"

The captain remained highly vigilant, questioning him sternly.

Hearing this, Ye Cangtian quickly stated, "Hall Master Cui Fengxi once resided in Changyang City, and he has since traveled to Tingfeng City to gather intelligence from the Hu family..."

The information matched.

The captain's expression softened slightly, then he asked, "One last question, why did you not return with Hall Master Cui Fengxi?"

"Hall Master Cui Fengxi originally intended to bring me here personally."

"But as we were leaving the Hu family, we learned that the Hidden Group had gathered their guards, and there seemed to be some kind of situation."

"Later, Hall Master Cui Fengxi, after much deliberation, asked me to come ahead first, and he would follow shortly."

Ye Cangtian had already prepared for this question.

Upon hearing this, the guard captain nodded and said, "I understand. Since Hall Master Cui has not accompanied you, I cannot make the decision myself. Please wait here, and I will go report."

Seeing Ye Cangtian nod, the guard captain immediately turned and entered the secret realm.

Not long after, the guard captain reappeared, bowed to Ye Cangtian, and said, "Hall Master Butcher has been informed. Please come inside the secret realm for a discussion!"

Ye Cangtian acknowledged this and followed the guard captain into the secret realm.

...

Inside the secret realm, the lighting was dim, hence fire basins were lit everywhere.

The secret realm was not large, merely a small hill with a rather sizable manor atop it.

However, outside the manor, numerous tents were erected, indicating the presence of at least one to two hundred people.

As it was a rest period,

Ye Cangtian's passage did not attract much attention. He was directly escorted into the most imposing pavilion within the manor.

Upon entering the spacious hall, Ye Cangtian immediately saw a burly figure.

The individual was seated by a tea table, his wicked eyes appraising Ye Cangtian from top to bottom.

"I am Butcher, a Hall Master of the Black Wind Sect!"

"You are Hall Master Cui's friend, the Death God?"

"Why have you come here?"

After scanning Ye Cangtian, Butcher slowly inquired.

It was known that there were only two types of people who came here:

One was an insider, and the other was personally brought by him or Hall Master Cui. No one else had permission.

With Hall Master Cui absent, it was impossible to ascertain whether the newcomer was friend or foe. Moreover, a fierce battle had just occurred outside the secret realm, necessitating caution.

Hearing this, Ye Cangtian smiled calmly and replied, "To be frank, Hall Master Cui and I hit it off immediately, so he invited me to join the Black Wind Sect and promised me a captain's position."

"Oh? Young man, do you know about the Black Wind Sect?"

"Allow me to tell you. The Black Wind Sect recently annihilated a branch of the Hidden Group, and now the Hidden Group is desperately hunting us, aiming to capture us all in one sweep!"

"Joining the Black Wind Sect at this time is extremely dangerous. Your life might be forfeit any day."

Butcher frowned. The Black Wind Sect already had a poor reputation, and now they were enemies with the Hidden Group. He found it hard to believe someone would risk their life to join them.

"It is precisely because the Black Wind Sect dares to oppose the Hidden Group that I am joining them!"

"I've long been fed up with the Hidden Group's arrogance. They feign benevolence while acting like busybodies. For merely killing a few cunning individuals, I was put on a wanted list..."

Ye Cangtian remained unruffled, stating his fabricated reasons with such genuine indignation that it seemed like the truth.

"So you have a grudge against the Hidden Group!"

"No wonder you have such courage!"

"But it's perfect timing; you've chosen the right path by coming to the Black Wind Sect. I won't boast about other things, but the Black Wind Sect will definitely oppose the Hidden Group to the end!"

A faint smile appeared on Butcher's face, and much of his suspicion was dispelled.

After all, the Hidden Group had controlled the relics for many years, and while they provided many conveniences, they had also offended numerous people.

There were many individuals like the one before him.

Furthermore, he prided himself on his ability to read people and situations. He hadn't detected any abnormalities; this person was likely telling the truth.

"By the way, before Hall Master Cui and I parted ways, we just received news that the Hidden Group is gathering their guards, likely preparing for some action."

"Hall Master Cui asked me to return ahead to notify you and increase vigilance. He will then send further intelligence..."

Upon hearing Ye Cangtian's words, Butcher's suspicions were completely eliminated.

If the newcomer were an enemy, why would he warn them of this?

He smiled and agreed, then said, "Brother Death God, please rest for a while. Since you were brought in by Hall Master Cui, I cannot directly assign you a position. We'll have to wait for his return!"

"I understand."

Hearing this, Ye Cangtian nodded and asked, "By the way, there is something I don't understand. I'm not sure if I should ask?"

"Please, go ahead," Butcher replied.

"From what I know, the Black Wind Sect was not very powerful in the past. Why has its strength increased so rapidly in such a short time? They are even a match for the Hidden Group?"

Ye Cangtian glanced at him and quickly added to avoid arousing suspicion, "Don't misunderstand, I have no intention of looking down on the Black Wind Sect."

"Never mind, what you're saying is the reality of the situation!"

Butcher's expression had initially turned somber, but after hearing Ye Cangtian's latter statement, his face softened slightly.

Then Butcher said, "Since we are all brothers, I will tell you..."

According to Butcher, the leader of the Black Wind Sect had invited an hermit from an unknown place.

This hermit possessed extraordinary strength and was also knowledgeable in ancient secret arts such as alchemy and formation arrangement.

Among these, he imparted three abilities to the sect leader, which led to the Black Wind Sect's meteoric rise.

The first was the Bloodthirsty Mist Formation. This formation was powerful and uncanny. The drawback was that its deployment was equivalent to draining one's life force and consuming essence blood.

The second was an ancient inherited cultivation technique that greatly enhanced combat power. However, the technique was incomplete and varied from person to person, requiring sufficient aptitude to cultivate.

Lastly, there were the Bloodthirsty Beasts. Those two beings at the entrance of the secret realm, neither human nor ghost, were Bloodthirsty Beasts.

The specific origin of these creatures was unknown to Butcher...

Butcher explained patiently. In his view, Ye Cangtian was already considered one of them, and he would inevitably come into contact with these matters sooner or later. There was no harm in revealing them in advance.

"Thank you, Sect Leader, for clarifying my doubts!"

Ye Cangtian cupped his hands in greeting to Butcher. After a brief chat, he was led by Tu Qi to leave the pavilion.

He was taken to another pavilion within the manor, which had private rooms.

Only those at the captain level and above were allowed to rest within the manor; everyone else had to stay in tents outside.

Although Ye Cangtian was not yet a captain, given Hall Master Cui Fengxi's promise, this day would come eventually, saving him the trouble of commuting back and forth.