Chapter 150: Gu Tribe's Land

The night was as black as ink; deep in the dense forest, a fierce battle raged at its peak.

Jiangnan faced a dozen Black-clothed Men alone, his true qi surging, his robes fluttering.

His figure moved like lightning, darting among the enemies, each strike accompanied by a scream.

The Black-clothed Men fell in succession, yet could not halt their frenzied assault.

"You swarm of ants, you even dare oppose me?" Jiangnan's voice was icy, his murderous intent chilling.

Wang Lie stood at the perimeter, his gaze fierce: "If you refuse a toast, you drink the penalty!"

He waved his hand sharply; the remaining Black-clothed Men drew daggers, the blades flashing cold light.

"Kill!" Wang Lie ordered, and the Black-clothed Men surged toward Jiangnan like a wolf pack.

Jiangnan inhaled deeply, his internal true qi raging wildly.

He formed seals with both hands, strands of true qi turning into sharp swords that thrust at the enemies.

"Psshh!" The swords pierced the Black-clothed Men's chests, blood gushing out.

"Ah!" Cries rose and fell, the Black-clothed Men collapsing one after another.

Wang Lie's face turned ashen; he hadn't expected Jiangnan to be so powerful.

"All together!" he roared, joining the fight himself.

Wang Lie's massive frame unleashed a roaring fist wind, each blow containing a force of a thousand pounds.

Jiangnan's gaze hardened, refusing to be careless; his true qi shielded his body as he tangled with Wang Lie.

Their fists and kicks clashed, Strong Wind rippled everywhere, and the surrounding trees snapped and fell.

"You're strong, but you must die today!" A ruthless glint flashed in Wang Lie's eyes.

He suddenly produced a Black Pill and swallowed it.

In an instant, Wang Lie's aura surged, his eyes turning blood‑red, like a demon god.

"What is this..." Jiangnan was startled, feeling an unprecedented pressure.

"Die!" Wang Lie bellowed, hammering a punch toward Jiangnan.

Jiangnan dodged quickly; the fist wind brushed past him, carving a huge crater in the ground.

"So strong!" Jiangnan thought, terrified, unwilling to meet it head‑on.

He flickered his form, using his speed advantage to maneuver around Wang Lie.

Wang Lie fought like a madman, each move lethal, yet he could never land a hit on Jiangnan.

"Damn!" Wang Lie roared, his attacks becoming even more ferocious.

Sweat beaded on Jiangnan's forehead; after prolonged high‑intensity combat, his true qi was heavily depleted.

"We can't continue like this!" Jiangnan thought, needing a swift resolution.

A flash of brilliance lit his eyes; he decided to risk a bold strike.

Jiangnan deliberately showed a flaw, luring Wang Lie to attack.

Wang Lie fell for it, hammering a punch toward Jiangnan's chest.

Just as the fist was about to connect, Jiangnan twisted his body and narrowly evaded.

At the same time, he slapped his palm toward Wang Lie's dantian.

"You!" Wang Lie shouted in shock, too late to dodge.

"Bang!" The palm struck, and Wang Lie was hit like by lightning, flung backward.

"Pfft!" Wang Lie spat a mouthful of blood, his face pallid.

Jiangnan rushed forward, stamping his foot on Wang Lie's chest.

"Holy Sect, what exactly is your conspiracy?" Jiangnan demanded, his voice icy.

Blood dripped from Wang Lie's mouth corner, his eyes venomous: "You think I'd tell you?"

"Refuse to tell?" Jiangnan pressed his foot down, and Wang Lie screamed.

"I'll ask again: what exactly is your conspiracy?"

"Don't even think about it!" Wang Lie snarled.

A cold glint flashed in Jiangnan's eyes: "Seems you don't shed tears even at a coffin."

He was about to press further when, suddenly, Wang Lie's complexion changed.

"Hahaha!" Wang Lie burst into a sudden maniacal laugh.

"What are you laughing at?" Jiangnan frowned.

"If we die, we die together!" A resolute flash crossed Wang Lie's eyes.

He gritted his teeth hard, spitting a stream of black blood.

"Bad!" Jiangnan's complexion shifted dramatically, and he retreated swiftly.

Wang Lie's body changed rapidly, his skin turning an eerie purple‑black.

"Self-Detonation?" Jiangnan gasped, amazed at Wang Lie's ruthlessness.

"Boom!" A massive blast rang out as Wang Lie's body exploded.

Flesh and blood flew everywhere, a powerful shockwave sweeping the surroundings.

Jiangnan was hurled away, crashing heavily into a tree.

"Pfft!" Jiangnan spat a mouthful of blood, his organs feeling displaced.

The area lay in ruins, trees toppled, the ground charred black.

Jiangnan struggled to rise, looked around, and felt a wave of lingering fear.

"Cough, cough!" Jiangnan coughed a few times, wiping the blood from his mouth.

He bore the pain and chased after Caili and the other, heading in the direction they had fled.

In the dense forest, Caili supported the wounded Li Qing and trudged forward with difficulty.

"We must leave here as soon as possible," Caili said, her voice trembling.

"Mm," Li Qing nodded, his face pale.

Suddenly, a huge roar came from behind, shaking the ground.

"What is happening?" Caili asked in terror, turning to look back.

"It was Wang Lie's Self-Detonation," Li Qing guessed, his expression solemn.

"Jiangnan—he…" Caili's eyes were full of worry.

"He won't be hurt," Li Qing comforted, though he had no confidence in his heart.

The two continued onward, praying in their hearts that Jiangnan was safe and unharmed.

After an unknown amount of time, Jiangnan finally caught up with them.

"Jiangnan!" Caili exclaimed with mixed surprise and joy, leaping into his arms.

"Are you okay?" Caili examined him from head to toe, tears welling up.

"I'm fine," Jiangnan whispered reassuringly, feeling a warmth inside.

"What about Wang Lie?" Li Qing asked.

"Self-Detonation," Jiangnan replied, his voice low.

"What?" Li Qing and Caili were shocked.

"Holy Sect, what is its true origin?" Caili asked, her eyes full of doubt.

"Now is not the time to discuss this; we must leave quickly," Jiangnan urged, then continued,

"Caili, you're very familiar with Nanjiang; do you know any place where we can temporarily evade the Holy Sect's pursuit?"

Caili thought for a moment, her brows furrowed: "Nanjiang is vast, but there are few places to escape the Holy Sect's hunt. Apart from ruins, I truly can't think of any other safe spot."

"Ruins are off limits," Jiangnan shook his head, his gaze deep, "they must already be under the Holy Sect's focused surveillance."

The night wind howled, and tree shadows swayed. Jiangnan stared at the rolling mountains in the distance, and a flash of brilliance flickered in his eyes.

"Perhaps we should return to the Gu Tribe Base."

"What?" Caili exclaimed, "but the Gu Tribe has already…"

"Exactly because of that," Jiangnan cut her off, "in the darkness under the lamp, the Holy Sect wouldn't think we'd go back there."

Li Qing nodded weakly, "Indeed, they wouldn't expect us to be so bold."

Jiangnan steadied the wobbling Li Qing, "Your injuries are serious; we need to find a place to recuperate quickly."

Caili said worriedly, "But the Gu Tribe Base is now ruins; there…"

"Just perfect for covering our tracks," Jiangnan surveyed the surroundings, "Let's go; we must arrive before daybreak."

The three set off on the return journey as the moonlight faded. Caili kept glancing back, fearing pursuers might follow.

"Don't worry," Jiangnan whispered reassuringly, "Wang Lie's Self-Detonation will make the Holy Sect think we've already died."

The mountain path was rugged, and Li Qing's steps were unsteady. Jiangnan and Caili supported him from either side, moving slowly forward.

"There," Caili pointed ahead, "we'll get there after crossing this bamboo grove and climbing over a mountain."

The bamboo leaves rustled, and the three proceeded cautiously. Jiangnan's expression was vigilant, ready for any danger that might arise.

Finally, they arrived before a field of broken walls and ruins. In the moonlight, the Gu Tribe Base looked especially desolate.

"Here…" Caili's eyes reddened as she recalled the scene of her tribe's slaughter.

Jiangnan gently patted her shoulder, "Let's go and find a hidden spot to settle."

Passing through the collapsed wall, the three entered a relatively elevated courtyard. Though dilapidated, it remained largely intact.

"This will do," Jiangnan surveyed, "the view is open, easy to defend and hard to attack."

Caili fetched several cloth curtains and cleared a simple open space. Li Qing sat against the wall, his face pale.

"I'll go find some herbs," Caili said as she was about to leave.

"Wait," Jiangnan stopped her, "daybreak is near; we'll go tomorrow. Rest is most important now."

Caili nodded, sitting beside Li Qing. Jiangnan stood at the courtyard wall, keeping watch all around.

"You should rest too," Caili whispered.

Jiangnan shook his head, "You all sleep; I'll stand guard."