Chapter 19: When the Clear Brightness Arrives

The remaining evil cultivators, seeing their leader slain, were stunned for a moment before fear flashed across their eyes. However, the terror in the eyes of one tall evil cultivator was swiftly replaced by greed and ambition.

He bellowed at the top of his lungs, "Brothers, don't panic! He just got lucky. If we all attack together and take him down, the credit will be all ours!"

With that, he brandished his weapon and charged at Su Hao, leading the way. The others followed suit, closing in on Su Hao from all directions. In an instant, Su Hao was caught in a heavy encirclement. The situation turned critical, as if a net reeking of death were slowly tightening around him.

The tall evil cultivator moved with lightning speed, reaching Su Hao in the blink of an eye. His long spear lunged directly at Su Hao’s chest, the tip gleaming with a cold, piercing light imbued with formidable spiritual energy. That chill felt as though it could easily penetrate any defense, like the icy gaze of the Grim Reaper, sending shivers down one’s spine.

Su Hao’s eyes sharpened as he narrowly sidestepped the lethal thrust. The spear tip grazed his clothing, leaving a trail of cold air; had it been even a fraction closer, it would have pierced his body. It was a perilous moment. Simultaneously, he swung his sword at the tall cultivator’s wrist, aiming to sever the hand holding the spear and incapacitate him.

The tall cultivator reacted quickly, pulling back his spear to parry Su Hao’s strike. With a sharp "clang," the weapons collided, sending sparks flying. The sparks landed on Su Hao’s face, causing a stinging burn, but he had no time to worry about such trivialities, his entire being immersed in the life-or-death struggle.

In that split second, two other evil cultivators flanked him. One, wielding a curved blade, hacked fiercely toward Su Hao’s back. The blade cut through the air with a shrill whistle, as if to cleave him in two. The other swung an iron chain, attempting to ensnare Su Hao’s legs and restrict his movement. The chain whipped through the air with a snapping sound; if caught, Su Hao would undoubtedly be trapped, left at their mercy.

Su Hao, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, keenly sensed the assault. He lunged forward, narrowly evading the blade and the chain. The blade grazed his back, leaving a stinging sensation as if it had sliced the skin. It was a heart-stopping sight. Simultaneously, he spun in mid-air and hurled his Blood Blade at the cultivator with the chain. The blade transformed into a streak of cold light, shooting toward the man like a meteor. It was so fast that it reached its target in an instant.

The cultivator with the chain was struck with terror. Before he could dodge, the Blood Blade pierced his chest with unerring precision. His eyes widened, a spray of blood erupted from his mouth, and he collapsed heavily to the ground with a dull thud.

Seeing his comrade killed instantly, the tall evil cultivator was consumed by rage and lunged at Su Hao with his spear once more. He poured all his strength into this attack, the spiritual light on the spear tip flaring brightly, moving even faster than before. He seemed determined to strike Su Hao down. The path of the spearhead carried an aura of inescapable death.

Su Hao, however, remained calm. Once his feet touched the ground, he raised his sword to meet the spear. They traded blows for several rounds. Every clash of steel rang out deafeningly, with sparks dancing around them. The scene was intense and fierce, as if every moment could be the last. While parrying the tall cultivator, Su Hao had to keep a constant watch on the others, for a single lapse in focus could lead to a fatal ambush. Every step was fraught with danger.

Following a clash, Su Hao suddenly changed his stance, feigning defeat and retreating. The tall cultivator, thinking he had an opening, pressed his attack aggressively. Unexpectedly, Su Hao stopped abruptly in his retreat, shifted his body to the side, and skillfully dodged the spear. At the same time, he drove his left fist into the man's abdomen. The punch was infused with spiritual energy and carried immense force.

Caught off guard, the tall cultivator took the blow square in the gut. He doubled over like a shrimp, spitting blood, his spear nearly slipping from his grasp. A sharp, searing pain tore through his abdomen, as if his internal organs had been displaced. His vision darkened, and he nearly lost consciousness.

Su Hao seized the opportunity and slashed his sword toward the man's neck. A flash of cold light passed, and the tall cultivator's head flew high into the air. Blood sprayed like a fountain, pooling on the ground in a gruesome display.

[Side Quest: Completion increased by 1 point, Cosmic Cleansing Stone +1. Total completion: 2 points.]

At this point, the fear suppressed within the remaining evil cultivators could no longer be contained. Some began to flee, while others attempted a desperate, final stand. The situation grew increasingly chaotic, with danger looming over them like a shadow.

Su Hao caught up to two of the fleeing cultivators within a few steps. He flashed behind them and swung his sword, launching two sword auras that tore through the air like lightning. They struck the two men in the back before they could even scream, sending them collapsing to the ground, lifeless.

[Side Quest: Completion increased by 1 point, Cosmic Cleansing Stone +1. Total completion: 3 points.]
[Side Quest: Completion increased by 1 point, Cosmic Cleansing Stone +1. Total completion: 4 points.]

The system notifications chimed repeatedly. Su Hao was surprised that his sword aura could be so lethal. He tried to swing again, but the effect was not replicated.

On the other side, the two female cultivators who had been surrounded seized the chance to counterattack. One of them danced her sword, creating a flurry of images that swept toward the remaining enemies. Each shadow carried a sharp aura; the cultivators scrambled in panic, and those struck were left bloodied and screaming. The sword shadows acted like the scythe of death, reaping through the group. The other woman wielded a long whip like a living serpent, lashing out and leaving deep welts on the flesh of the evil cultivators, driving them into a desperate, cornered state.

The scene was chaotic and bloody, with life and death hanging in the balance. Under their combined assault, the remaining evil cultivators were soon slaughtered. The battle finally came to an end.

The battlefield was a mess of corpses scattered about, the earth stained red with blood, and the air heavy with the stench of carnage. Su Hao stood amidst the slaughter like a battle god returned from hell, silently observing the scene, a deeper realization of the cruelty of the cultivation world dawning upon him. The images of the near-death encounters played over and over in his mind, leaving him unable to settle.

Just then, a strange sight unfolded. Black mist began to rise from the six corpses, as if countless vengeful spirits were swirling and screeching, tearing at the bodies in a frantic desire for revenge. But immediately after, a pure white mist rose from the remains like sacred light. Wherever the white mist touched, it purified the black aura, eventually merging into the earth. It was as if nature itself were performing an act of absolution for the sins committed, a scene both bloody and strangely divine, filling all who witnessed it with awe.

Su Hao stood there, his figure elongated by the setting sun, appearing exceptionally solitary and powerful. He surveyed the wreckage, feeling a hint of disappointment that he hadn't found any treasure chests despite killing four cultivators. He didn't linger, simply gathering the four storage bags.

He then turned his gaze to the woman wearing the robes of the Righteous Sect and asked softly, "Are you a disciple of the Righteous Sect?"

The woman nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you for saving my life, benefactor."

Su Hao then turned to the other woman. "And which sect are you from?"

"I am the senior sister of the Biluo Sect," she replied. "I came out to scout the situation and search for missing disciples. I happened to meet this sister from the Righteous Sect, and we had barely spoken a few words when we were surrounded by that group of evil cultivators. I am truly grateful for your rescue, senior brother."

Su Hao waved his hand. "No need for formalities. Let’s head to where the other two Righteous Sect disciples are. You can help each other tend to your wounds and regain your strength."

The group walked toward a hidden location where Yi Binglan and the others were hiding. Su Hao asked Yi Binglan to help dress the wounds of the senior sister from the Biluo Sect and the other Righteous Sect disciple.

"Senior Sister Binglan! It’s you! I’ve finally found my fellow disciples. How is Master?" Gui Xiangling of the Righteous Sect teared up upon seeing her peer and asked anxiously.

"Senior Sister Xiangling, it’s you! Thank goodness we are reunited. Master is severely injured and is recovering in a safe cave," Yi Binglan said, overjoyed, while carefully bandaging her wounds.

"You said Master is recovering in a cave? Is it spacious? How many people are there?" Gui Xiangling asked. As Yi Binglan accidentally touched her wound while bandaging, she winced, turning pale.

"The cave is very spacious, enough to house hundreds of people. Once Master recovers, we can set up protective arrays. Why do you ask, Senior Sister?" Yi Binglan replied, continuing to treat another wound.

"That’s great. There are over a dozen of us together, and we are short on medicine and food. I risked my life to come out looking for supplies and news of our fellow disciples, only to be surrounded. Thankfully, this senior brother saved us," Gui Xiangling explained.

"Senior Sister, where are the others? Have them come to our cave; we have food," Yi Binglan said, looking at Su Hao. "This food was provided by this senior brother."

Su Hao looked at the two rescued women. Seeing they were gaunt from long-term hunger, he quickly took some dry rations from his storage space and handed them over. They didn't refuse, grabbing the food and eating ravenously; they were beyond caring about appearances.

Su Hao didn't mind their lack of decorum. His mind was on his incomplete main quest. With disciples from two sects already present, he knew that finding one more and uniting them to fight the evil cultivators would complete his task. He wanted to bring up the alliance immediately, but reconsidered, thinking, "No rush, no rush. There are still over twenty days left. Things must be done step by step."

Once they had finished tending to their wounds, Su Hao stepped forward and asked the Biluo Sect senior sister, "Tell me, how many of your sect are in the vicinity? I have discovered a problem."

"There are over a dozen of my junior sisters with me, similar to Senior Sister Xiangling’s situation. My name is Biluo Chun. May I ask how to address you, Senior Brother?"

"Call me Qingming," he replied.

Biluo Chun was stunned for a moment. She was surprised because, in a dream the previous night, her master had told her that when "Qingming" arrived, there would be hope.

"Senior Brother Qingming," she asked, "what problem did you discover?"