Chu Xuan and his four companions, maneuvering their flying magic tools, departed from the territory of Extreme Yin Cave and entered Wu Province.

Humid, sweltering, infested with venomous insects, specters, and possibly indigenous cultivators lurking in every shadowy corner—this was the real Wu Province, a land fraught with peril.

Chu Xuan's mind teemed with detailed information about Wu Province, which he had consciously gathered over time.

Previously not part of the Yu Kingdom, Wu Province was the domain of barbarian tribes to the south of the kingdom. It was only a millennium ago that the Infinite Sect conquered the region, incorporating it into Yu Kingdom.

The indigenous sects of Wu Province were established by these barbarians, practicing methods like Gu cultivation, ghost nurturing, and corpse refining—all considered demonic arts.

The Infinite Sect had adopted many of their techniques, which contributed to its rise as a formidable force of the demonic path within the Yu Kingdom.

Aware of the indigenous sects' fearsome nature, the Infinite Sect knew too well the perils of underestimating them. Though these sects might lack a significant number of Golden Core cultivators, their intimate knowledge of Wu Province allowed them to effortlessly eliminate any invaders in the jungles, swamps, and valleys.

After evaluating the gains and losses, the Infinite Sect decided against fully annexing Wu Province, instead treating it as a resource-rich backyard from which various materials could be harvested. Observing this, the local sects maintained a peaceful coexistence with the Infinite Sect.

This equilibrium persisted until the fall of the Infinite Sect when Wu Province was handed over to the Heavenly Seal Sect by the righteous Five Sects, and thus the war ignited.

After advancing a distance, the five cultivators split up, each heading towards their designated targets as the full-scale war between the Heavenly Seal Sect and the indigenous sects of Wu Province erupted.

To the east of Extreme Yin Cave, over ten thousand li, lay the frontline. Naturally, the five Foundation Establishment stage cultivators could not all be deployed in one location. The current battlefront required fresh forces at every turn, particularly fierce at the locations of the Thousand Insects Sect, Blood Fury Sect, and Bone Refining Manor—three of the indigenous factions.

The specific mission received by Extreme Yin Cave was to conquer the Thousand Insects Sect. This sect was one of the twelve most powerful in Wu Province, commanding nearly thirty smaller factions.

The first and second waves of cultivators from the Heavenly Seal Sect had been entangled with the Thousand Insects Sect and its subordinate factions. Their primary method of attack involved the use of Gu—poisoning and assassination were just some of the myriad tactics they employed.

Li Xuanming and the others each had their tasks, though not directly assaulting the Thousand Insects Sect itself but targeting its affiliated smaller factions.

After all, the Thousand Insects Sect was also guarded by Golden Core Ancestors. Though they numbered only two, significantly fewer than those at Heavenly Seal Sect, a Golden Core ancestor was still a force to be reckoned with. Without direct engagement from both sides, there was little room for Foundation Establishment stage cultivators to make an impact.

"First, I'll assess the situation; if the conflict is too intense, I'll simply retreat to the Blue Star. There's no need to take unnecessary risks here," Chu Xuan had long decided on his strategy. Fight if he could win, flee if he could not. After all, with the Blood Mirror at his disposal, he could freely travel between the two realms.

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A day later, Chu Xuan arrived at the outskirts of Ironwire Mountain. Among the affiliated sects of the Thousand Insects Sect, Ironwire Mountain was one of the larger ones. It was guarded by only six Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, with no Golden Core powerhouses.

Recently, a mysterious mist had enveloped Ironwire Mountain, trapping three early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Heavenly Seal Sect within it, including a direct descendant of a Golden Core powerhouse from the sect.

Chu Xuan accepted the mission to rescue the trapped cultivators. He had not yet reached his destination when he saw thick fog swirling around Ironwire Mountain, with sporadic flashes of magical light visible within it.

"The reports didn't mention the fog being this dense," Chu Xuan muttered, frowning.

He had only taken a few steps when he came upon several dead Qi Refining stage cultivators, their bodies strewn across the ground. Numerous civilians who were unable to escape had also perished in the aftermath of the battle.

Suddenly, a figure shot out from the mist towards Chu Xuan. He swiftly dodged aside. Upon closer inspection, he saw it was a Heavenly Seal Sect Qi Refining stage cultivator, his chest caved in and his right leg severed at the thigh.

Several dark, ironwire-like worms were writhing and feasting on his body. Before Chu Xuan could even speak, the cultivator breathed his last in a tragic death.

Chu Xuan's frown deepened. Those worms were the infamous Ironwire Worms, Ironwire Mountain's signature Gu.

"Are you the reinforcement? Follow me! Into the fog!" A shout came from behind him. Chu Xuan looked back and spotted two Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, both clad in the Heavenly Seal Sect's Foundation robes, though he did not recognize either of them.

Chu Xuan narrowed his eyes and did not rashly approach. It was possible that the two cultivators were impostors.

"Show me your identities," he shouted to the two cultivators.

Upon hearing this, the cultivators immediately took out two tokens from the Heavenly Seal Sect and activated them.

The tokens emitted a faint glow.

Seeing this, Chu Xuan nodded silently.

"Two's company; that's reassuring," Chu Xuan thought, not hesitating to join them. He had no desire to venture into Ironwire Mountain alone, especially given the menacing fog. Who knew what horrors lay within it? More companions meant more security.

After joining up, the three exchanged names. Chu Xuan quickly learned their identities. The burly cultivator was named Zhao Luan, and the tall, thin one was Zhou Yu, both from the second wave of reinforcements. Though they did not explicitly state their cultivation levels, Chu Xuan could sense that both were likely at the early stages of the Foundation Establishment.

No sooner had the trio set off towards Ironwire Mountain than they saw a figure, blood-soaked and fleeing in panic.

"Run! Run!" The man's eyes were wide with terror. Even upon seeing Chu Xuan and the others, he didn't stop to explain, his pace unrelenting.

Chu Xuan gave the man a quick glance and sensed several Ironwire Worms rampaging through his viscera. Even if he escaped the immediate danger, his death was certain.

Chu Xuan's brow furrowed. Was Ironwire Mountain truly this horrifying?

Zhao Luan scoffed, "I know that man, a mere rogue cultivator who barely managed to reach the Foundation Establishment stage. Don't mind him; let's keep moving. Rescuing those three trapped Foundation Establishment stage cultivators will net us three hundred sect contribution points—a too good opportunity to miss."

"Just follow me," he assured them.

Zhou Yu whispered, "Brother Zhao is at the third level of Foundation Establishment, almost stepping into the fourth. Chu, do not worry. With him leading, we shall be safe."

Chu Xuan nodded.

But in the next moment, Zhao Luan began to mutter, "It's so itchy... why is it so itchy..." He frantically scratched his back.

Turning to look, Chu Xuan was shocked to see two Ironwire Worms burrowing fiercely into Zhao Luan's back.

"Do you guys feel itchy too?" Zhao Luan turned to Chu Xuan and Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu suddenly realized that two strange white worms were emerging from Zhao Luan's eyes, but he was oblivious!

Zhou Yu's mouth hung open in shock.

Chu Xuan growled, "Retreat! There's a powerful Gu Master nearby!"

He admitted to himself that he lacked such a stealthy method of Gu placement. Unnoticed, Zhao Luan had been afflicted with Gu!

Zhou Yu swallowed hard and immediately started to run.

"Hey, where are you guys... why can't I see you?" Zhao Luan's vision had been devoured by the Gu worms without his awareness. He didn't realize that Chu Xuan and Zhou Yu had already turned to flee.

"It's itchy... so itchy!" Zhao Luan felt the itchiness transform into pain. Driven mad, he scratched fiercely with his nails, tearing his skin until blood flowed freely.

With a heavy thud, he fell from midair, crashing into a mix of blood and mud. The Gu worms swarmed over him, engulfing him completely.