Chu Xuan didn't linger at the original spot but immediately left, climbing up a nearby hill and hiding behind rocks. In such times, betrayal could come from anyone; the only person he could truly trust was himself.
Soon after, Chen Ge briskly walked out of the Wu family residence and returned to the original spot under the trees. However, there was no sign of Chu Xuan, and he couldn't help but look puzzled.
Chu Xuan did not reveal himself immediately but carefully observed his surroundings and listened for any slight sound.
Growing anxious, Chen Ge called out in a low voice, "Senior brother Chu, where are you?"
After waiting a while longer, Chu Xuan finally showed himself, causing Chen Ge to sigh in relief. He quickly understood why Chu Xuan had chosen to leave the original spot. Few demon cultivators who had survived the pursuit of the five orthodox sects were foolish enough to easily trust others.
Without much ado, Chen Ge pulled a formation plate and flags from his storage bag and handed them over.
Chu Xuan examined them briefly and nodded slightly. This was indeed the Blood Refining Array. The basic version of the array was just a mid-grade magical tool, manageable even by Qi Refining stage cultivators.
However, stacking additional layers to create complex formations like the Soul-Stealing Blood Refining Array or the Evil Condensation Blood Refining Array would catapult it into the realm of treasures, controllable only by Golden Core stage cultivators. The difficulty of setup and the materials required would increase a hundredfold.
"Senior brother Chu, are you sure you won't join us?" Chen Ge couldn't help but ask again. "Uncle Master Liu has been very good to us. When we last retreated to the Wu family estate, he covered our retreat."
Chu Xuan shook his head, "No." He then turned and left, showing no interest in lingering. The remnants of the Infinite Sect were thorns in the sides of the orthodox sects, and being associated with Liu Zhenxiong, though seemingly an advantage, actually painted a bigger target on their backs.
If danger came, Liu Zhenxiong might escape, but Qi Refining stage cultivators like himself would not have it so easy. He couldn't entrust his life to others.
With the Blood Refining Array in hand, Chu Xuan felt a surge of relief. His next task was to find a safe place to fully charge the Blood Mirror. Once he returned to the apocalyptic planet, he would set up the Blood Refining Array and rapidly advance his cultivation.
However, just over twenty miles away from the Wu family, Chu Xuan sensed something amiss. Indeed, several streaks of light appeared, swiftly blocking his path on both sides.
Three figures emerged, clad in snow-white robes with gold sword-shaped embroidery at the collar and sleeves—a uniform that Chu Xuan recognized all too well; they were Qi Refining stage disciples of the Divine Star Sect.
"What brings the three of you here?" Chu Xuan asked, his face clouded with confusion. The trio scrutinized him briefly. The middle-aged cultivator at the forefront spoke calmly, "By the command of Uncle Master Sun, it has been decreed that no one may enter or exit within fifty miles of the Wu family estate, lest remnants of the Infinite Sect are harbored therein."
Chu Xuan feigned astonishment, exclaiming, "Remnants of the Infinite Sect? But I am merely an honest loose cultivator!"
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The middle-aged cultivator replied impatiently, "I care not whether you're a loose or a demon cultivator; today, no one shall pass this junction. If you value your life, stay put. Once Uncle Master Sun has ascertained that the Wu family harbors no affiliations with the Infinite Sect, you, being uninvolved, shall remain unharmed."
With a placating smile, Chu Xuan nodded vigorously, "Very well, very well, I am willing to cooperate."
Seeing his submissive demeanor, the middle-aged cultivator smirked arrogantly, "That's right, loose cultivators like you ought to obey."
Chu Xuan gave an awkward smile. Just then, two streaks of light shot across the sky at a breathtaking speed. Lifting an eyebrow, Chu Xuan ventured, "Could that be the esteemed Sun Shi of your sect?"
With a sly chuckle, the middle-aged cultivator confirmed, "Indeed! With two Foundation Establishment stage Uncle Masters stepping forward, they will surely turn the Wu estate inside out."
Chu Xuan nodded. Sun Shi was the very person who had led the encirclement against him in Green River City. He remembered it vividly. Had he not been cautious and disguised himself with He Liang's face, he might well have been a corpse by now.
Suddenly, Chu Xuan spoke up, "Just the three of you? If there truly are remnants of the Infinite Sect within the Wu estate, can you three manage to hold this position?"
The cultivator scoffed, "The remnants of the Infinite Sect are but defeated soldiers. The three of us possess at least the strength of the fifth level of Qi Refining—ample to guard this pass and stop any Qi Refining stage demonic cultivators. As for any Foundation Establishment stage demonic cultivators, they shall be dealt with by Uncle Master Sun and the others."
Chu Xuan nodded again. The next moment, he suddenly pointed behind the middle-aged cultivator and cried out in alarm, "Watch out!"
Startled, the cultivator thought an attack from the Infinite Sect was coming from behind. He swiftly turned around, readying his magical tool for defense. The other two cultivators did likewise, spinning around in alarm.
However, there was nothing behind them—no sign of any Infinite Sect demonic cultivators.
A ghastly roar then tore through the air. One of the Divine Star Sect disciples grimaced in agony as he looked down to discover his chest grotesquely torn open by a dark, formidable claw, his heart gruesomely excavated.
The other disciple reacted swiftly, creating distance before immediately directing his Heavenly Star Sword at Chu Xuan. Every disciple of the Qi Refining stage at the Divine Star Sect was issued such a sword—a standard armament.
However, this disciple's swordsmanship was evidently lackluster. The Heavenly Star Sword zigzagged clumsily towards Chu Xuan, slow as an elderly man.
Chu Xuan did not even need to make a move himself; Hu charged forward in a flash and sent the Sword flying with a sharp clang.
The corpse's claw, swift as lightning, slashed across the neck of the cultivator in an instant. Blood spurted dramatically as a head was severed cleanly, its eyes still wide with confusion.
The middle-aged cultivator reacted more quickly, immediately summoning a small shield for protection.
However, a streak of blood had already traced across Chu Xuan's palm. Sensing danger, the cultivator attempted to dodge, but his speed was no match for the Blood Steel Wire.
With a crisp snap, his right arm was severed cleanly at the root. The shield clattered to the ground as blood gushed forth like a fountain.
The middle-aged cultivator screamed in agony and staggered back in terror, but Chu Xuan gave him no chance for recovery. Once again, he manipulated the Blood Steel Wire, while Hu pounced fiercely from behind.
Caught between attacks from front and back, he stood no chance. His heart was pierced by Hu, and his throat was slit by the Blood Steel Wire, culminating in his immediate death.
This scene, though described slowly, occurred in the blink of an eye. Within mere moments, three Qi Refining stage cultivators were slain by Chu Xuan.
Exhaling a heavy breath, Chu Xuan felt invigorated. Even he had not anticipated such an enhancement in his strength. His opponents were three Qi Refining stage cultivators, all at least at the fifth level of Qi Refining, with the middle-aged leader at the seventh level—higher than himself. Yet now, they had been effortlessly dispatched by him.
"There's no time to linger."
Quickly, Chu Xuan collected the storage bags and magic tools from the three, then vanished into the vast wilderness. He chose not to use a flying magical tool, which would make him too conspicuous, opting instead to travel on foot.