Chapter 152: The Truth Amid the Wails

A piercing wail split the night sky; Jiangnan sprang to his feet, a flash of vigilance in his eyes. He glanced back at the sleeping Caili and Li Qing, and slipped out of the cave as quietly as possible.

The night was as black as ink, all around utter darkness. Jiangnan held his breath and focused, listening carefully for the source. Another piercing wail came, and Jiangnan squinted, sprinting toward its direction.

Branches snapped softly beneath his feet as Jiangnan carefully avoided the dead twigs and leaves on the ground. As he drew nearer, the wail grew clearer, mixed with a few low chuckles.

Jiangnan crouched behind a large tree. Through the gaps in the foliage he saw several silhouettes on the clearing ahead.

A man was bound to the tree, his body drenched in blood. Several Black‑clothed Men surrounded him, each holding various implements of torture.

"Speak! What is the Holy Sect's secret?" a burly Black‑clothed Man shouted harshly.

The bound man strained to lift his head, blood spilling from his mouth: "I… I really don't know…"

"Don't know? Then continue!" the burly man waved his hand, and the others immediately stepped forward, applying various torture devices to the man.

The piercing wail rang again, and Jiangnan furrowed his brows. At that moment, a faint footstep sounded behind him.

Jiangnan whirled around and saw Caili and Li Qing following. Caili's face was pale, her eyes bloodshot, staring intently at the tormented man ahead.

"Wa… Wagan…" Caili's voice trembled, her eyes filled with pain and anger.

Jiangnan frowned slightly: "Do you know him?"

Caili nodded, her voice choked: "He's my friend, also a member of the Gu Tribe. I never expected him to be captured…"

A cold glint flashed in Jiangnan's eyes: "Looks like members of the Holy Sect are interrogating him."

Li Qing whispered: "Should we rescue him?"

Jiangnan was silent for a moment, a hint of contemplation in his eyes. After a while he turned to Caili: "You stay here to look after Li Qing; I'll go save him."

Without waiting for Caili's reply, Jiangnan's figure flashed and he charged toward the clearing.

"Who are they?" the Black‑clothed Men, sensing the movement, turned around in a hurry.

Jiangnan moved like lightning, instantly reaching the nearest Black‑clothed Man. His right hand formed a claw, aiming straight for the man's throat.

The Black‑clothed Man startled and scrambled back, but Jiangnan was faster; his five fingers, like steel hooks, instantly clamped onto the man's throat.

"Bang!" Jiangnan jerked his arm, sending the man flying like a kite with its line cut; he slammed into a tree trunk and collapsed unconscious.

The other Black‑clothed Men, seeing this, were startled and drew their weapons, surrounding him.

Jiangnan let out a cold snort as inner qi surged. His hands flashed like electricity, instantly unleashing several palm strikes.

"Bang bang bang!"

After a few muffled thuds, all the surrounding Black‑clothed Men fell to the ground, unable to rise. The whole episode lasted only a blink; Jiangnan hadn't even shifted his footing.

The burly man, shocked, turned to flee. A flash of cold light in Jiangnan's eyes, and his figure flickered to block the man's path.

"Trying to leave?" Jiangnan said coldly, "First, spill everything you know clearly."

The burly man staggered back in terror, then shouted: "Help! Someone's ambushing!"

Jiangnan furrowed his brows, thrust his right hand out sharply, seizing the man's throat. The burly man widened his eyes, trying to struggle but powerless.

"Don't waste your effort," Jiangnan said coldly, "Confess honestly: who are you? Why did you capture him?"

The burly man spoke with difficulty: "I… we are members of the Holy Sect… ordered to capture the Gu Tribe's remnants…"

A cold glint flickered in Jiangnan's eyes: "Where is the Holy Sect?"

The burly man's face changed: "This… I really don't know…"

Jiangnan added more force with his hand: "Still not telling the truth?"

The burly man's face flushed red as he struggled: "I… I really don't know the exact location… only that it's deep within the Southern Frontier Forbidden Land…"

Jiangnan squinted, feeling the man wasn't lying. He released his grip; the burly man collapsed, panting heavily.

Jiangnan turned toward the bound Wagan on the tree, gently patting his face: "Wake up, you're safe now."

Wagan slowly opened his eyes, and upon seeing Jiangnan a flash of surprise crossed his gaze: "You… who are you?"

Jiangnan gave no answer, but turned and called: "Caili, come over and help."

Caili and Li Qing hurried over. Seeing the blood‑soaked Wagan, Caili's eyes showed a hint of concern: "Wagan, how are you?"

Wagan saw Caili, a flash of delight in his eyes: "Caili? Why are you here?"

Caili untied Wagan, carefully supporting him to sit: "Don't speak, I'll tend to your wounds first."

Jiangnan stood aside, watching coldly. After Caili finished treating Wagan's wounds, he asked: "Do you know the exact location of the Holy Sect within the Southern Frontier Forbidden Land?"

Wagan looked up at Jiangnan, a hint of hesitation in his eyes. Caili quickly said: "Don't worry, he's one of us."

Only then did Wagan sigh in relief and speak with difficulty: "I… I know something. The Holy Sect's lair is at the deepest part of the Southern Frontier Forbidden Land, where there is an ancient altar…"

A sharp light flashed in Jiangnan's eyes: "The altar? Where exactly?"

Wagan shook his head: "I don't know the exact spot, but I know how to get in. There's a hidden entrance that requires a special method to open…"

Jiangnan was about to continue questioning when his expression changed; he whirled around sharply. In the distant woods, faint flames flickered, suggesting a large group was approaching.

"Bad," Jiangnan said gravely, "Holy Sect reinforcements are coming. We must leave immediately."

Caili quickly helped Wagan to his feet, and Li Qing also stepped forward to assist. Jiangnan surveyed the surroundings and soon found a hidden path.

"Follow me," Jiangnan whispered, "Be careful and make no sound."

The group hurried through the forest, slipping deeper. Behind them came noisy voices and flames, but they were quickly left behind.

Jiangnan led the group through twists and turns until they found a concealed cave. After confirming it was safe, he signaled everyone to go inside and rest.

Caili carefully settled Wagan and gave him some water. Jiangnan stood at the cave entrance on guard, while Li Qing rested nearby.

"Wagan," Jiangnan said, "Can you elaborate on the altar you mentioned earlier?"

Wagan struggled to sit up, a trace of fear in his eyes: "That altar… is said to be a relic from ancient times. The Holy Sect has been searching for it, apparently to harness its power for some terrible ritual…"

Jiangnan furrowed his brows: "What ritual?"

Wagan shook his head: "I don't know the details. But I heard that if the ritual succeeds, the whole world will undergo cataclysmic changes…"

A cold glint flashed in Jiangnan's eyes: "It seems we must find that altar quickly and stop the Holy Sect's plot."

Caili said worriedly: "But the Southern Frontier Forbidden Land is so dangerous; how can we get in?"

Wagan weakly opened his mouth: "I... I know some secret passages. If you don't mind, I can lead the way..."

Jiangnan glanced at Wagan, nodded: "All right, once your injuries improve, we'll set out."

Caili looked at Jiangnan delightedly: "Great, with Wagan leading the way, we'll surely find the Holy Sect's lair!"