Chapter 62: Murderous Intent Boiling

This map was truly remarkable! At first glance, it appeared to be a simple jade slip, but with a touch of spiritual power, one could effortlessly access its contents, projecting a "holographic image" directly into the mental realm.

The map displayed scaled-down mountains and rivers, various structures, the peaks where the elders resided, the abodes of inner sect disciples, the secluded places of past generations of elders, and even the forbidden zones of the sect—all rendered with astonishing clarity. It also featured a "positioning" function, allowing users to see their exact location at any time, ensuring that no matter where one traveled, they would never lose their way.

By simply focusing one's mind on a destination, relevant information and the distance from one's current location would instantly appear. Only elders of the outer and inner sects were privileged enough to possess such a map.

Although guest elders of the Zhaoyang Sect held their positions for life, should they leave the sect midway, this map had to be returned.

Qin Yue first located the mountain where Xue Feng resided, over three hundred li from his own abode! That was a bit too far, so he abandoned the idea for now, turning his attention instead to Qiao Cheng’s domain.

Only fifty li away—quite close by his current standards.

Qin Yue donned Liu Tong’s hooded cloak and black mask, activated his earth-shifting technique, and vanished from the depths of his cave in the blink of an eye, silently traversing seven or eight li beneath the ground.

According to the map, he was now under a massive mountain gorge, a swift river rushing overhead. He emerged from the water, untouched by even a single drop, instantly appearing on the surface.

Employing his Netherworld Stealth, he moved upstream along the river, his speed so great that even those at the Cave-Micro Realm on the riverbanks would struggle to notice his passing.

As he raced onward, he continued to consult the map, swiftly closing the remaining distance of forty-some li.

Qiao Cheng’s domain was hidden deep within the mountains. The map’s information revealed: visitors were not welcome.

To members of the Zhaoyang Sect, Elder Qiao might simply be a reclusive character who disliked interacting with others. But from the moment Qin Yue heard the name, he was certain—this old beast was one of the internal sect’s notorious evil cultivators, as he had discovered from interrogating the “contact” earlier!

Such a man, given the opportunity, must not be allowed to escape; every day he lives is another day innocent people suffer.

But it required careful planning.

Qiao Cheng was cautious. Even though his domain lay in this remote and desolate forest, defensive arrays were maintained day and night. Not only would an attack trigger them, but even the slightest disturbance would swiftly be relayed to his secluded chamber.

Detecting the array’s energy fluctuations in the air, Qin Yue refrained from acting rashly. Instead, he slipped underground, sensing and probing, seeking the end of the array deep beneath the earth.

“Damn it, this old dog!” Qin Yue cursed inwardly as he penetrated dozens of zhang below ground.

The opponent’s methods were formidable—a defensive array extended more than forty zhang underground. Even those skilled in stealth techniques usually couldn’t reach such depths.

Even for him, the pressure down here was immense. Fortunately, there were no terrifying subterranean creatures; otherwise, he would have had a hard time fending off an ambush.

By consulting the map, Qin Yue knew he had entered the core area of Qiao Cheng’s domain.

He ascended slowly, emerging in a secluded spot, activating his Netherworld Stealth to quickly conceal himself.

The domain was eerily quiet, with few people about.

After exploring for some time, Qin Yue found only seven or eight outer sect disciples—not a single inner disciple in sight.

He now understood many forms of evil cultivation. Based on his deductions, even if Qiao Cheng intended to use the Ice Abyss girls as furnaces for his wicked arts, it would require a period of cultivation.

If it were someone like Li Ye, a typical evil cultivator, perhaps he would act out of desperation. But those of higher realms were generally more particular; only when the “furnace” possessed some special value would they make their move.

Thus, Qin Yue originally believed that Qin Xin and her companions would be held close to Qiao Cheng.

Yet, after circling the entire domain, he found no trace of them outside Qiao Cheng’s own cave.

A sense of foreboding crept in. Just then, two outer sect disciples exited their quarters, heading in a certain direction.

He slipped into hiding.

The two disciples first went to a particular place, returning with large wooden boxes in hand, heading toward the rear of the domain.

Qin Yue followed them in secret.

For seven or eight li along the mountain path, the two said not a word to each other.

When they reached a giant cliff, ascending it with lightness techniques, Qin Yue observed the cave entrance sealed by an array, its energy swirling—finally, a sigh of relief escaped him.

To hide people in such a place was truly unexpected; without this chance encounter, he might never have found them.

Both disciples were at the early Qi-Gathering stage, and after scaling the thirty-zhang cliff, they were panting, sweat dotting their foreheads.

One unlocked the array at the cave entrance, completely unaware that a figure clung to the cliff beside them like a gecko.

“Time to eat,” one of them said in a low voice, setting the wooden box down. His tone was sinister: “You’d best behave, or we’ll be forced to take action.”

Hearing this, Qin Yue instinctively swept his senses over the boxes, and fury ignited within him.

He had thought they contained food, but instead, they were filled with poisonous creatures!

Spiders, centipedes, scorpions, venomous snakes—even black nematodes, which he could sense.

These creatures seemed to have been anesthetized; though alive, they were motionless. They had also been soaked in some special potion, emitting a strange fragrance.

Low sobs echoed from within the cave, and Qin Yue immediately recognized his little sister Qin Zi’s voice!

He took a deep breath, murderous intent boiling in his heart.

It was hard to imagine how these things were meant to be consumed. For a group of young girls—or even someone like him, who had eaten scorpions and grasshoppers before—the mere sweep of his senses sent chills down his spine.

The other disciple spoke softly: “Why cry? Don’t make it hard for us. Honestly, we’re just following orders. If you want someone to blame, blame your status as Ice Abyss criminals.”

“Why bother talking to them?” the first disciple said coldly. “You have three counts. If you don’t come out, I’ll drag each of you out as usual and personally stuff these things in your mouths!”

As he spoke, he drew a pair of special gloves and slowly put them on.

At that moment, a figure emerged from the dark cave. Qin Yue, clinging to the cliff wall, instantly recognized her—it was his fourth sister, Qin Xin!

Her once pale face now bore a demonic blue hue, her beautiful eyes clouded with a faint gray. She looked both sinister and lifeless.

Alongside her was Ye Yu, followed by Qin Zi, Xia Nianyun, Yan Shuang, and Lu Lingxue, all Ice Abyss girls.

Their complexions and eyes were similarly affected, and a strange fragrance emanated from them.

The outer disciple with a slightly softer nature said, “Eat. If you don’t want to suffer, eat more. When your eyes go completely blind and your skin turns deep blue, you’ll be released. Next life, don’t be reborn in the Ice Abyss…”

He seemed somewhat unwilling, adding, “Honestly, you’re luckier than those past Ice Abyss people. Those test subjects suffered many times worse; before being utterly ruined, death was a luxury for them!”

“When their training partners died, there wasn’t a single intact spot left on their bodies. Worse than being tortured to death, which at least ends eventually. Those people endured inhuman torment for years, sometimes even longer.”

“Those with cultivation talent fared slightly better, dying quickly during explorations in forbidden zones or ruins. At least it was over swiftly.”

“Enough!” his companion interrupted. “If you keep this attitude, you’ll suffer for it sooner or later!”

Ye Yu stepped forward silently, opened a box, and upon seeing the dreadful creatures inside, was overwhelmed with nausea.

She reached out—

Suddenly!

A wicked gust of wind swept up, without warning!

It hurled the two Zhaoyang Sect disciples, along with their boxes, off the cliff in one fell swoop.

Their terrified cries echoed in the air but stopped abruptly after a brief moment.

A few dull thuds followed.

Qin Yue, his face dark, watched as the bronze mouse’s paw, shrunk to countless times smaller, quickly withdrew. He also silently pulled back his own arm.

However cautious he tried to be, he couldn’t stand idly by and watch his kin suffer such inhuman torment.

In this situation, if he hadn’t acted, his fourth sister, little sister, Ye Yu, and the others would surely have died!

He hadn’t expected the mouse to be even more impulsive than himself—he’d intended to dispose of one and leave a “witness,” but the mouse swept both away with a single swipe.

No matter. Since things had come to this, he might as well finish the job and take care of Qiao Cheng too!

A contemporary inner sect elder of Zhaoyang Sect who had turned to evil cultivation midway signified that his original path was broken—no matter how high his realm, it shouldn’t surpass Domain-Shattering level.

A surprise attack had a good chance of success.

The six Ice Abyss girls stood there in shock, not even understanding what had happened.

Ye Yu’s voice quivered as she asked, “Qin Xin, did they… fall?”

Qin Xin cautiously stepped forward, crouched, and peered over the edge.

In the pitch-black night, nothing could be seen. She steadied herself and replied, “It seems so…”

“Serves them right!” Ye Yu, always spirited at heart, could not change her nature even in dire straits.

She looked at Qin Xin and whispered, “Those two died for reasons unknown. For us, there’s no good outcome either. Since the seal at the cave entrance is broken, why don’t we… jump and be done with it?”

The other girls fell silent at her words.

Qin Xin murmured, “When our fifth brother was still alive, he asked me if I ever thought about escaping the Ice Abyss. Back then, his bold ideas only frightened me, and I told him: unless chosen…”

She muttered, “Now I understand—those chosen, as the rumors say… none have a good ending!”

Ye Yu sighed at the mention of Qin Yue. “Yes, the legend is true. For us, dying in the Ice Abyss is the greatest blessing.”

At this, Qin Zi began to sob quietly, and the other girls wept silently.

Sadness, grief, helplessness, despair.

Qin Xin held her sister close. “Don’t be afraid. Sister will always be with you. Let’s jump, and be free forever.”

Qin Yue felt a pang of sorrow as he watched. He did not reveal himself but gently sent a wave of soft power, pushing them back into the cave.

He casually activated the array at the entrance and sent a mental message to Qin Xin—

“Fourth Sister, stay hidden here and live well. Within three days at most, I will lead you all out openly and with honor!”