Chapter 27: Bloodline Truth

The ancient book on the altar suddenly burst into dazzling light, illuminating the entire underground palace. A golden pillar of light shot up into the sky, as if sensing something.

"The True Scripture is responding to the Zhang family bloodline; it is awakening." Zhang Yuyao took out an ancient jade pendant from her bosom and handed it to Zhang Jun, "This is what your father left for you; it can unlock the final secret of the True Scripture."

Zhang Jun received the jade pendant; a warmth spread from his palm, as if connected to his bloodline. The pendant's surface was engraved with strange runes, echoing the pattern of the three jade stones.

"Hurry, place the jade pendant on the True Scripture." Zhang Yuyao urged.

Zhang Jun did as told; at the moment the jade pendant touched the True Scripture, light blazed. The ancient book turned its pages on its own, revealing a complete cultivation method before his eyes.

Long Tianba saw this and let out an inhuman howl: "This is mine! All of it is mine!" He lunged madly toward the True Scripture.

Zhang Yuyao blocked in front of the True Scripture, engaging in a fierce battle with Long Tianba. Their moves were vicious; each collision made the underground palace tremble, and rubble continually fell from the top.

"Lin Xue, help me guard the True Scripture!" Zhang Jun shouted, then joined the fight to aid his mother.

The Yin-Yang Sword condensed again in his palm; Zhang Jun swung the sword at Long Tianba's back. Long Tianba sensed danger, abruptly turned, and a mass of black energy surged toward him.

Zhang Jun felt an unprecedented pressure; this was not Long Tianba's power, but some ancient evil aura. He barely steadied himself, joining forces with his mother to resist.

At that moment, Lin Xue's surprised voice came from behind: "Zhang Jun, look at this!"

Zhang Jun glanced back and saw Lin Xue opening a page of the True Scripture, pointing at the diagram: "This… this is exactly the same as the Ice-Cold Heart Scripture I cultivate!"

Zhang Yuyao replied: "The Ice-Cold Heart Scripture is originally part of the True Scripture. Miss Lin, your physique is unique; you are the legendary 'Ice Soul Body' capable of bearing the 'Nine Yang Power'."

Zhang Jun suddenly understood: "So the Lin family's extermination was not accidental…"

"Exactly." Zhang Yuyao explained while fighting, "Heaven Beyond Heaven had long planned this; they need the Ice Soul Body as a vessel to bear the power of the Nine Yang True Scripture."

Lin Xue's expression was complex: "So that means my father…"

Before she could finish, Lin Xue suddenly collapsed in pain, clutching her previously wounded shoulder. The wound began to ooze black gas, spreading at an alarming speed.

"Not good!" Zhang Yuyao exclaimed, "She's been poisoned with Soul-devouring Poison! It's Heaven Beyond Heaven's secret toxin!"

Zhang Jun rushed toward Lin Xue in panic: "Is there an antidote?"

"Only the ten-thousand-year ice marrow from Spirit Vulture Peak can cure it." Zhang Yuyao's expression grew grave.

Long Tianba sneered: "Too late! She won't live past three days. Hand over the True Scripture, and I can spare her life."

"Never!" Zhang Jun roared, the Yin-Yang Sword blazing brightly. He gently stroked Lin Xue's cheek: "Hold on, I will definitely save you."

Lin Xue nodded weakly, but the pain was unbearable. The black energy's corrosion sped up, already reaching her neck.

Zhang Yuyao sensed the danger and shouted to her son: "Take her away first! I'll stop Long Tianba!"

"But Mother…" Zhang Jun worried about his mother's safety.

Zhang Yuyao said firmly: "Saving lives comes first! Remember, Spirit Vulture Peak lies in the Western Region Snow Mountains; the ten-thousand-year ice marrow is hidden in the deepest part of the ice cave." She took out another map from her bosom: "Follow the map, and be extremely careful of Heaven Beyond Heaven's spies."

Zhang Jun took the map, hoisted Lin Xue onto his back, ready to leave. He looked toward his mother one last time: "You take care too!"

Zhang Yuyao smiled: "Don't worry, I won't die. When you return, I still have more secrets to tell you."

Having said that, she exerted all her inner power, golden light shimmering on her body as she grappled with Long Tianba. The underground palace began to collapse over a wide area, the ground splitting into deep fissures.

Zhang Jun carried Lin Xue, bearing the True Scripture and the jade pendant, rushing toward the underground palace's exit. Behind him came the sounds of fierce combat and Long Tianba's angry roar.

Having exited Death Valley, Zhang Jun turned back to look at that mist-shrouded land. The mountain collapsed with a roar, raising clouds of dust.

"Mother…" Zhang Jun's throat tightened.

Lin Xue leaned against his chest, weakly speaking: "She'll be fine… we… must hurry… to Spirit Vulture Peak…"

Zhang Jun lowered his head to look at Lin Xue in his arms, gradually being corroded by the black energy; a determination unlike any before surged in his heart. The power from the awakened bloodline surged within him, yin and yang energies perfectly blending.

"After I kill the Eternal Life Sect Master, we'll go find Mother together." Zhang Jun unfolded the map, made a swift decision, "Spirit Vulture Peak, here I come!"

Zhang Jun embraced Lin Xue and charged out of the underground palace; behind him came a tremendous boom, the whole ground shaking violently. Stones fell like rain, dust filling the air.

"Son, take the True Scripture and Miss Lin away! Go to Spirit Vulture Peak to find Mo Wuyou; he will help you!" Zhang Yuyao's voice pierced the collapsing roar.

"Mother! Let's go together!" Zhang Jun halted his steps, turning back.

Zhang Yuyao thrust both palms forward, a powerful inner force pushing Zhang Jun and Lin Xue several zhang away. "Hurry! I have my own way to escape!"

Long Tianba's mad laughter echoed from the depths of the underground palace: "Zhang Yuyao, today we shall perish together!"

Zhang Jun had just steadied himself when a huge boulder smashed down from above, unavoidable. At the critical moment, a white flash darted past, blocking in front of him.

"Bang!"

The white figure was struck by the boulder, blood spraying. Zhang Jun stared intently—it was Old Mo!

"Old Mo!"

Old Mo was covered in blood, yet managed a faint smile: "Kid, I haven't kicked the bucket yet… I owed your father a life before; today I repay it…"

Zhang Jun gently laid Lin Xue on the ground, stepped forward to support Old Mo. Old Mo waved a hand, painfully pulling a letter from his bosom: "Take this letter to Spirit Vulture Peak… find my junior sister Mo Wuyou… she will help you save Miss Lin…"

Old Mo's breath grew weaker; Zhang Jun hurriedly infused true qi, but to no avail.

"Don't waste your strength… old man I've lived enough…" Old Mo gasped, "Remember… Heaven Beyond Heaven's people… are everywhere… be careful…"

Before he could finish, Old Mo's head lolled to the side, and he breathed his last.

Zhang Jun knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly; another elder had died for him. The underground palace collapsed completely, smoke and dust filling the air, his mother's fate unknown.

Lin Xue suddenly groaned in pain, snapping Zhang Jun back to his senses. The black toxin had spread to her chest; the situation was dire.

"Lin Xue, hold on!" Zhang Jun set aside his grief, hoisted Lin Xue onto his back, tucked Old Mo's letter and the Nine Yang True Scripture, and sprinted toward Spirit Vulture Peak.

The night was as dark as ink; Zhang Jun left no trace in the snow, rushing with all his might. Lin Xue trembled constantly on his back, the pain from the toxin's corrosion making her unable to endure.

"Zhang Jun… I can't hold on…" Lin Xue whispered weakly.

Zhang Jun bit his finger, squeezing a drop of blood into Lin Xue's mouth: "I will use the Profound Yin True Technique to draw out some of the toxin for you; try circulating the Ice-Cold Heart Scripture to resist."

Lin Xue nodded weakly, activating her remaining inner force. A strange change suddenly occurred—Zhang Jun's entering blood resonated with Lin Xue's internal true qi. Their cultivation methods began to operate on their own, forming an unprecedented circulation.

Zhang Jun felt his Profound Yin True Technique and Yang Rigid Righteous Energy Technique operating on their own, perfectly matching Lin Xue's Ice-Cold Heart Scripture. The black toxin was gradually forced out, turning into blue smoke that dissipated in the air.

Lin Xue's pain lessened; she slowly opened her eyes: "What is happening?"