Chapter 349: Rag

"Why am I suddenly unable to fly?"

"What's happening? I can't fly either, not even transform my internal force into wings!"

The ten Martial Kings present all wore horrified expressions.

Since reaching the Martial Sect, they have almost become accustomed to flying back and forth.

The number of times they actually walk on foot is countable on one hand!

Now, the sudden ban on flying makes them quite unaccustomed.

They even feel that their whole power may be taking a considerable cut!

Gu Han, meanwhile, sprinted to keep up with Zi Ling while silently pondering.

During the battle in Sheng Cheng, he once flew up to confront that High Mountain Construct.

This shows that the anti‑flight rule definitely does not cover the entire Chong Yuan.

That suggests perhaps only the Scholarly Temple has such a restriction.

Then only two possibilities remain.

Either it's a special method of the Black Tide, to ensure the success of the raid on the God of Reason's flame.

Or it's a measure set by the God of Reason, limiting the Black Tide's assault.

Regardless of which possibility, Gu Han and the others must hurry to catch up, lest the Black Tide get it!

The other ten Martial Kings, unwillingly, immediately followed, feeling as if their legs were not their own, and found running extremely unfamiliar.

Upon entering the Scholarly Temple, even though it is now sparsely populated, Gu Han could discern the strong academic atmosphere from the various structures.

Soon, some scholars' corpses appeared before them.

The scholars' deaths were extremely tragic; many were gutted open, leaving not even a whole body.

"Be careful, these corpses could at any moment mutate into Black Tide Monsters!"

As Zi Ling's words fell, a shattered corpse before them suddenly stood up.

It exuded a thick aura of death; merely approaching made one shiver.

Bang!

But before it could act, its chest explosively burst open, shattered!

"Damn, you fellow, could you at least squeak before striking?"

Everyone hurriedly dodged, fearing the splattered corpse would coat them.

They are not Gu Han; they lack means to disperse the Black Tide aura.

There was once a Martial Emperor who absorbed too much Black Tide aura and eventually became a member of the Black Tide army.

He even killed many Martial Kings who entered the Chong Yuan world!

With that precedent, they dare not absorb too much Black Tide aura, lest they eventually be assimilated by these Black Tide Monsters!

The group pressed on, encountering ever more scholars' corpses.

"Everyone, please do not rush to act."

Zi Ling stopped those who wanted to slay the corpses and crush their bones.

Although the others were puzzled, they did not wish to offend Zi Ling, so they halted,

"Miss Zi Ling, these corpses could turn into Black Tide Monsters at any moment; it's better to smash them."

"I of course understand that reasoning."

Zi Ling nodded; that was why she had not previously stopped the group from killing corpses already showing signs of mutation.

But these corpses showed no signs of mutation, so keeping at least one whole body was preferable.

Zi Ling closed her eyes and stepped forward slowly.

She extended her right hand, wearing a violet‑sheer glove,

"May you tread through the underworld and move toward the next life."

As Zi Ling murmured, the corpses before them gradually formed the shapes they had in life.

Those souls bowed respectfully toward Zi Ling,

"Thank you."

The fleeting words fell, and the souls turned into particles, dispersing throughout the world.

"This…"

The group was slightly stunned, not expecting Zi Ling to possess such a method.

Because of Zi Ling's special ability, they had never dared much contact with her.

Fearing that approaching Zi Ling would have their life force seized by her mysterious aura.

They only knew that Black Tide Monsters, after nearing Zi Ling, would wither and die on the spot due to some depletion.

But this was the first time they saw that Zi Ling could also perform a soul‑transcending rite.

What exactly is this peculiar ability?

"Let's go, everyone continue forward."

After performing the rite for the group, Zi Ling's eyes added a hint of sorrow, and she kept moving forward.

Along the way ahead, Zi Ling again performed the rite for many scholars of the Scholarly Temple.

And not only students; Zi Ling also encountered a teacher who had once instructed her.

Zi Ling silently performed the rite for the group, her hatred toward the Black Tide deepening.

Had the Black Tide not appeared, she wouldn't have had to endure the blow of seeing her teacher's corpse before her!

"Little Zi Ling, look what I found!"

After an unknown amount of time, An Jianan's voice suddenly sounded beside the group.

The next moment, An Jianan, fluttering her small wings, slowly landed, still holding a piece of black-purple silk in her hand.

"This fabric looks somewhat familiar."

Zi Ling furrowed her brow, as if trying to recall where she had seen this piece of fabric before.

"It's that black-robed swordsman."

Gu Han's sudden words finally reminded Zi Ling.

Just thinking about the terror of that black-robed swordsman, Zi Ling's heart suddenly filled with dread.

Her hands can ferry souls of the dead, and likewise ferry the living.

As long as she can touch that black-robed swordsman, no matter how strong he is, he will ultimately have only a dead end.

"But what frustrates her is that she simply cannot touch him!"

"The black-robed swordsman's strength far exceeds her imagination!"

"The ability to ferry the living also requires contact to take effect!"

"That black-robed swordsman might be hiding in the shadows right now."

Zi Ling felt a surge of wariness and spoke in a low voice,

"Everyone must be careful; don't stray too far from each other, lest the black-robed swordsman seize an opportunity!"

Gu Han nodded, and the Dawn Dragon Roar Spear appeared directly in his hand.

Moreover, the Little Wolf, Little Ginseng, and A Kun inside the Battle Pet Space have all readied themselves, vigilantly watching the surroundings for him.

As for those ten Martial Kings, they inwardly felt rather dismissive.

They have never dealt with that black-robed swordsman, so they naturally don't understand why Gu Han and Zi Ling are so wary of the so-called black-robed swordsman.

In their eyes, this fellow Gu Han has not yet shown any special ability.

Perhaps he's timid due to weak strength, which is why he's afraid.

However, one person's gaze upon Gu Han's Dawn Dragon Roar Spear was filled with greed.

Although the Dawn Dragon Roar Spear has not yet unleashed its power, with his eyesight he can naturally tell it is absolutely a divine artifact!

If given the chance, he will surely seize it for himself!

"Besides this torn cloth, I have found no news of the God of Reason or anyone else."

An Jianan said, feeling somewhat down.

Although there is no news, that is actually the best news.

"But after all, this is the Hall of Learned Divinity; if there is no news of anyone, it likely means the Hall of Learned Divinity has been utterly wiped out by the Black Tide Monster!"