Chapter 153: The Altar

Jiangnan stood at the cave entrance, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily. Night deepened, the forest was silent, only occasional insect chirps could be heard.

"Wagan, how are you feeling?" he turned and asked, his voice low and calm.

Wagan struggled to sit up, his face still pale: "Much better, thanks. When do we set out?"

Jiangnan pondered briefly: "Rest one more day. Your injuries need time to heal."

Caili looked at Wagan anxiously: "Don't rush, your safety is more important."

Wagan nodded, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

A day passed quickly. At dawn the next day, Jiangnan was the first to awaken. He stood at the mouth of the cave, feeling the breath of morning light.

"Let's get ready to go," he turned to the others.

The group packed up, followed Wagan's guidance, and headed deeper into the Southern Frontier Forbidden Land.

The journey was arduous, hidden dangers lurked in the dense forest. Jiangnan walked at the front, ever alert for possible threats.

"Careful!" Jiangnan suddenly barked low, reaching back to stop the person behind him.

In the grass ahead, a venomous snake was coiling, ready to strike.

A cold glint flashed in Jiangnan's eyes, his right hand shot out like lightning and instantly seized the snake's head.

"Crunch!" the snake head was crushed. Jiangnan tossed the corpse aside and kept moving.

Caili watched Jiangnan's back, a hint of admiration flashing in their eyes.

After several days, Wagan stopped, pointing at a steep cliff ahead: "We've arrived, the Holy Sect's old lair is right there."

Jiangnan squinted, scrutinizing the cliff. At first glance it seemed unremarkable, yet he sensed a hidden aura.

"Where's the entrance?" he asked.

Wagan stepped forward, feeling along the cliff. Suddenly, he pressed a protruding rock.

"Crunch!" a fissure appeared on the cliff and slowly opened.

A sharp light gleamed in Jiangnan's eyes: "Well done."

The group entered the dark passage cautiously. The air was thick with dampness and decay.

"Watch your step," Wagan whispered, "there may be traps here."

Jiangnan nodded, his steps becoming more careful.

After winding around several bends, the path opened up. A massive underground cavern unfolded before them.

In the cavern's center stood an ancient altar, towering majestically. The altar was covered with strange runes that emitted an eerie glow.

"This is it," Wagan whispered, "the Holy Sect's core secret lies within this altar."

A serious expression crossed Jiangnan's eyes: "We have to find a way to destroy it."

He approached the altar cautiously, studying the pattern of the runes.

At that moment, an abrupt anomaly erupted!

Wagan suddenly lunged, grabbing Caili; a Dagger, which had appeared in his hand, pressed against Caili's neck.

"Don't move!" he shouted, "or I'll kill her!"

Jiangnan whirled around, a chill flashing in his eyes: "What do you mean?"

Caili looked at Wagan in terror: "Wagan, what are you doing?"

Wagan sneered: "Doing what? Of course, completing my mission."

Li Qing gasped: "You… you're a traitor?"

Wagan grinned wickedly: "That's right, I'm a traitor. The Gu Tribe's extermination was the result of my collusion with the Holy Sect!"

Caili's eyes were full of disbelief: "Why… why would you do this?"

Wagan's eyes flickered with complexity: "Why? Because I've had enough of the Gu Tribe's rigid rules! The Holy Sect can give me everything I want!"

Jiangnan narrowed his eyes, coldly saying: "Let her go."

Wagan pressed the Dagger a few inches closer to Caili's neck: "Don't act rashly! I know how much you care about her."

A cold light flashed in Jiangnan's eyes, his inner true qi surged. Yet he dared not act rashly, fearing harm to Caili.

"What do you want?" Jiangnan asked gravely.

Wagan laughed coldly: "Simple. I need you to activate the altar. Only your blood can complete the final ritual!"

Jiangnan furrowed his brows: "Do you know the consequences of this?"

Wagan cackled: "Who cares about consequences! As long as I gain power, nothing else matters!"

Caili struggled: "Wagan, snap out of it! This helps no one!"

Wagan ignored her, dragging Caili toward the altar with force.

Jiangnan's mind raced, searching for a breakthrough.

While Jiangnan was contemplating a plan, a cold, sinister laugh echoed through the cavern.

"Well done, Wagan."

A tall figure cloaked in black robes stepped slowly from the shadows—it was the Holy Sect's Patriarch.

Seeing the Patriarch, Wagan's eyes flashed with fanaticism, and he bowed: "Lord Patriarch."

The Patriarch nodded approvingly, his gaze sweeping over the group before settling on Jiangnan.

"I've heard of Jiangnan's fame for long; seeing you today, truly extraordinary," the Patriarch sneered coldly, "Too bad, you still fell into my trap."

Jiangnan narrowed his eyes, observing the surroundings calmly, seeking any possible opening.

The Patriarch turned to Wagan, his tone gentle: "Bring that girl over."

Wagan nodded, dragging Caili to the Patriarch. Caili fought desperately, but to no avail.

A flash of urgency crossed Jiangnan's eyes, but he quickly regained composure. He knew that any rash move now would only worsen the situation.

"Let me go!" Caili shouted fiercely, but Wagan ignored her.

When Wagan brought Caili before the Cult Leader, the Cult Leader's face showed a satisfied smile.

"Very good, you have completed the task," the Cult Leader said, reaching out to take Caili.

At that moment, a sudden change erupted!

The Cult Leader suddenly slapped Wagan's chest, and the overwhelming force instantly pierced Wagan's body.

Wagan's eyes widened, looking at the Cult Leader in disbelief, while blood spilled from his mouth.

"W‑why?" Wagan asked hoarsely, his eyes full of shock and incomprehension.

The Cult Leader gave a cold smile, "Why? Because I despise traitors the most."

Wagan's body went limp, collapsing to the ground as life drained away rapidly. In his dying moment, he looked at Jiangnan, his eyes filled with remorse.

The Cult Leader clutched Caili's throat, sneering as he looked at Jiangnan, "Now, let's discuss the real matter."

A chill flickered in Jiangnan's eyes, yet he remained calm. He knew that any reckless action could endanger Caili's life.

"What do you want?" Jiangnan asked coldly.

The Cult Leader gave a wicked smile, "It's simple: I want your blood. Only your blood can activate this altar and unleash the great power it contains."

Jiangnan frowned slightly, "Do you know the consequences of doing this?"

The Cult Leader roared with laughter, "Consequences? I don't care about any consequences! As long as I can obtain supreme power, everything else is irrelevant!"

Caili struggled, "Jiangnan, don't agree to him!"

The Cult Leader snorted coldly, increasing the pressure with his hand. Caili's face flushed red instantly, and she gasped for breath.

A flash of pain crossed Jiangnan's eyes, but he quickly regained composure. He knew that now he must stay calm to find the key to breaking the deadlock.

"Let her go, I agree to you," Jiangnan said in a low voice.

A hint of smugness flashed in the Cult Leader's eyes, "A wise choice."

He released Caili and pushed her aside. Caili staggered a few steps, nearly falling.

Li Qing hurried forward to support Caili, asking softly, "Are you okay?"

Caili shook her head, looking at Jiangnan with worry, "Jiangnan, don't do this!"