Chapter 373: Infuriating Misfortune (2)
"We’ve been cursed. I don’t know what kind of curse or technique has been placed on us, but I can tell it’s bringing us extreme misfortune." Su Xian stated with a grim expression.
First, they had encountered a nest of Solus Hornets. Then, they ran into a group of wandering cultivators. Following that, a bird-type Demonic Beast attacked them from the sky, and finally, they encountered a natural calamity, the eruption of a Deep Star Volcano.
If it weren’t for their heightened sense of caution due to the numerous obstacles they had faced prior to this, they could have lost their lives during the eruption of the infamous Deep Star Volcano.
The Deep Star Volcano wasn’t like a typical natural volcano, it was a spiritual volcano that contained a colossal amount of Fire Principles, Lava Principles, Molten Principles, etc.
Its eruptions were disastrous, instantly incinerating anything at the centre. There was even a rumour that a Law Domain Realm cultivator had lost their life to one of its eruptions in the past.
Most cultivators avoided the Deep Star Volcano due to its extreme danger. Even Principle Manipulation Realm cultivators would not take the risk of going inside for cultivation.
In its dormant state, the Deep Star Volcano was harmless, and cultivators would pass by without much concern. However, during an eruption, its power could harm even Law Domain Realm cultivators who got too close to the centre.
The mystery of the Deep Star Volcano lay in its eruption patterns. It could erupt at any time, catching unsuspecting individuals off guard.
There was no regularity to its eruptions, it might remain dormant for a thousand years before erupting again, or it could erupt again shortly after a previous eruption.
The volcano’s origins and what lay inside remained unknown, shrouding it in an air of mystery.
Su Xian’s group had to go past the Deep Star Volcano to keep chasing Tang Yin, they didn’t really have any other option because taking a different route would make them fall even further behind than they already were.
However, because of the caution they had developed from previous challenges and obstacles while chasing Tang Yin, they maintained a high level of alertness and continued to be extremely vigilant. They kept a safe distance from the Deep Star Volcano whilst traversing past it.
As they were navigating past it, their worst nightmare came true, the Deep Star Volcano erupted!
Had they not kept their distance from the Deep Star Volcano and employed defensive techniques to shield themselves from its eruptive force, they would have faced severe injuries or even total incineration.
Nevertheless, they did sustain injuries of varying degrees despite their precautions.
Su Xian remained completely unscathed, showcasing his exceptional skills, while Shi Duanmu and Fu Qiuliao suffered various burns on their bodies, along with some internal injuries from the eruption.
With clenched teeth and sombre expressions, burdened by their considerable misfortune, the trio pressed on in their pursuit of Tang Yin, their hearts filled with intense hatred.
Their pursuit had yielded no gains, and on top of that, they had sustained injuries and had to even sacrifice some of their precious defensive Artifacts to shield themselves from the Deep Star Volcano’s eruption.
This intensified their hatred for Tang Yin and the individual likely responsible for cursing them with such misfortune, which they suspected to also be Tang Yin.
Following that, they encountered a continuous series of obstacles that seemed never-ending, significantly escalating the challenges they faced in their mission.
Nevertheless, amidst their misfortune, there was still a glimmer of fortune.
The challenges and hindrances they had confronted paled in comparison to the magnitude of the Deep Star Volcano’s eruption.
The Deep Star Volcano represented the greatest threat they had encountered in their pursuit of Tang Yin, perhaps even ranking among the most perilous events they had ever experienced in their lives.
Alas, they were too far away. Tang Yin had already reached the Enflamed Desert Region and was now beyond their grasp. Moreover, he had distanced himself so much that they had lost all sense of which direction to pursue.
"What should we do next? We not only lack knowledge of the whereabouts of that wretched Demonic Asura but there’s also the risk of encountering even more perilous situations in this expansive Bright Yang Continent." Fu Qiuliao voiced his concerns, his mind still haunted by the memories of the Deep Star Volcano’s eruption.
His terror was palpable, and it wasn’t limited to him alone, even Shi Duanmu and Su Xian shared a sense of unease.
Their relentless pursuit of Tang Yin had led to a series of setbacks instead of the anticipated progress. It was baffling, especially considering that their target was a Mid-stage Principle Manipulation Realm cultivator, someone they had expected to handle with ease.
None of them were willing to retreat empty-handed, burdened by losses and no gains. However, they also lacked the motivation to forge ahead, understanding that they would likely encounter further calamities due to the supposed curse that had befallen them.
After a moment of reflection, Su Xian released a disheartened sigh, his expression marked by a mix of frustration and loathing. "We’re left with no alternative. We’re in the dark about the true extent of this curse, and I fear we could stumble upon something beyond our capacity to handle. Furthermore, that Demonic Asura must have left us far behind due to all the obstacles we’ve faced. Continuing our pursuit is not the best course of action..."
"But... What about the Nine Heavens Divine Lightning?" Shi Duanmu agreed with Su Xian, but he was also unwilling to give up on the Nine Heavens Divine Lightning.
"This is where I part ways. Whether you choose to continue risking your life for the Nine Heavens Divine Lightning is your decision. Nevertheless, let me remind you once more, that the probability of Demonic Asura possessing it is already quite slim."
"Our pursuit has been a wild goose chase filled with uncertainty, and we’ve come up short. It’s wiser to turn back now before we jeopardize our lives over this futile pursuit." Su Xian cautioned. He cast one final glance into the distance before turning around and darting off as a streak of light toward the Neutral Cultivation Alliance Branch, where Liu Hao awaited.
Fu Qiuliao wholeheartedly agreed with Su Xian’s decision. Without hesitation, he swiftly departed to join Su Xian on their journey back to the Neutral Cultivation Alliance Branch.
Shi Duanmu hesitated deeply. His cultivation progress had hit a plateau, and the prospect of letting go of the Nine Heavens Divine Lightning, which could significantly enhance his future potential and elevate him to a formidable position among Law Domain Realm cultivators, weighed heavily on his mind.
However, after carefully considering Su Xian’s words and their grim reality, he could only release a sigh filled with bitterness and resentment. With a heavy heart, he turned away and departed, relinquishing his pursuit of the Nine Heavens Divine Lightning.
What the trio remained unaware of was that Xiao Fei’s Cursed Eye ability had recently worn off. Consequently, if they had chosen to persist in their pursuit of Tang Yin, they wouldn’t have encountered further misfortune.
If they had been privy to this information, they would undoubtedly have been furious at their choice to turn back and forsake their pursuit.
....
Tang Yin refrained from following Xiao Fei into the Flametail Scorpion Mother’s nest because there was a significant risk of facing an immediate attack upon entering the Flametail Scorpion Mother’s Passive Domain.
Given the circumstances, Xiao Fei suggested that Tang Yin wait outside the Flametail Scorpion Mother’s nest while she ventured in to engage in a rather ’interesting conversation’ with the Flametail Scorpion Mother.
Tang Yin had some initial reservations, but seeing Xiao Fei’s unwavering confidence, he ultimately chose to place his trust in her and allowed her to proceed alone.
Now, he found himself in an anxious state, eagerly awaiting some form of communication from Xiao Fei that would signal it was safe for him to enter the Flametail Scorpion Mother’s nest.
Tang Yin was relieved to discover that he didn’t have to wait for long. Just 10 minutes after Xiao Fei’s departure, she transmitted a signal to him through their Master-Spirit Beast connection.
Tang Yin felt a mixture of relief knowing that Xiao Fei was unharmed and a tinge of excitement, as he had received the green light from the Flametail Scorpion Mother to enter her nest safely.
Tang Yin swiftly propelled himself towards the Flametail Scorpion Mother’s nest and emerged within her Passive Domain.
"Human, make your way to the centre of my Domain." Tang Yin sensed a mature, feminine presence exuding a seductive allure communicating with him the moment he entered the Flametail Scorpion Mother’s Passive Domain.
Naturally, he recognized it as the voice of the Flametail Scorpion Mother. Following her instructions, he glided leisurely toward the centre of her Passive Domain.
As he complied, he observed numerous Flametail Scorpions with his divine sense, and they, in turn, became aware of him. Unsurprisingly, they refrained from launching an attack and instead remained placid, completely unfazed by Tang Yin’s obvious entry.
