Former Interstellar Mercenary In Urban Cultivation World
Chapter 1038: The Traitors’ Scheme

Chapter 1038: The Traitors’ Scheme

"No matter how powerful a barrier is, time will wears it down," Gor’kan replied. "And this monster is actively draining its power. The barrier won’t last much longer."

He paced back and forth, his anxiety growing with every step.

"There are several devils at the body integration stage among them. We’re no match for them. We can’t keep relying on the barrier and formations left by our ancestors. The best defense is offense—we must fight back!" Vryss’laar exclaimed, wiping his mouth as though he had been sick from the sight earlier.

After a moment of contemplation, Gor’kan issued his orders. "You two, head to the treasure vault and retrieve everything useful. Before the Young Lord completes their inheritance, we must hold this ground."

"Understood." The two immediately turned and rushed back into the grand hall.

The grand hall, once the sleeping quarters of the Beast God, was enormous. In ancient times, during a great war, hordes of bewitched beasts had stormed the hall, leaving it damaged. Before the Beast God’s demise, they had prepared a contingency for the Pixiu clan: the entirety of the forbidden grounds.

It wasn’t long before Zhar’khaen and Vryss’laar returned, carrying an array of treasures.

"These are Thunderstrike Orbs. Unfortunately, only five remain," Zhar’khaen said, placing the items he had gathered in front of Gor’kan. "Here’s the Aurora’s Eclipse Bow as well. It consumes spiritual energy to fire its most powerful arrow—strong enough to kill a body integration stage devil. And this..."

"I brought out the beast puppets from the vault," Vryss’laar added. "Although most of their strength is only at the diety transformation stage, but they should help hold off some of the devils."

Gor’kan gave a nod of approval. Under normal circumstances, he would never have allowed them to take treasures from the vault without permission. But the urgency of the situation left them with no other choice. Without these items, they wouldn’t be able to hold out much longer.

"It’s a shame," Zhar’khaen said regretfully. "If only we hadn’t sent out the Breath Concealing Pearl earlier, this battle might not be so difficult."

"Indeed. The forbidden grounds were designed by the Beast God himself as a labyrinth. The Breath Concealing Pearl can completely conceal its user’s presence—even body integration stage devils wouldn’t be able to detect us," Vryss’laar agreed.

"Enough!" Gor’kan interrupted. "What’s done is done. There’s no taking it back now. But this time, our predicament is worse than we thought. When I looked through the Sky Viewing Mirror just now, I realized something. The devils finding this place wasn’t a coincidence."

His expression grew darker, a grim certainty settling in his voice.

Zhar’khaen and Vryss’laar exchanged a glance, then quickly asked, "What truth?"

Gor’kan didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he adjusted the Sky Viewing Mirror and magnified a specific area a hundredfold.

Behind the devils, about three kilometers away in a series of rolling mountains, a group of demonic beasts lay prostrate on the slopes.

"It’s the demonic beasts of Silent Echo Valley! And that traitor Dalamadur is with them too!" Zhar’khaen’s eyes burned red with fury at the sight of the familiar figure.

"These devils might not know about the Pixiu Forbidden Grounds," he spat, "but those traitors certainly do. It’s clear now—they’re the ones who led the devils here!"

"What we know for sure," Gor’kan said grimly, "is that we’re facing pressure from two forces. The devils are one, and these traitors are the other."

Vryss’laar’s expression grew increasingly somber. "You’re right. The devils might not aim to annihilate us completely—they likely want whatever they’re after and could leave us alive. But those traitors? Their goal is to wipe out the Pixiu clan entirely. They want us erased from this world. That way, they’ll never have to worry about the Beast God’s return to settle old scores."

After a brief silence, Zhar’khaen asked quietly, "Do you think the Beast God will really return?"

"I don’t know," Gor’kan replied. "But I believe this: if the Young Lord was chosen by the Inheritance Grounds, it means there’s still hope." His cold, resolute gaze turned toward the direction of the Inheritance Grounds.

"If only the Young Lord were stronger already," Zhar’khaen sighed.

"There’s no ’if.’" Gor’kan’s tone was sharp. "What matters now is how we hold out."

Vryss’laar looked to Gor’kan for direction. "What do we do now?"

"Our only option is to hold them off until the Young Lord emerges from the Inheritance Grounds," Gor’kan said firmly.

"But the Young Lord has been inside for nearly two months," Vryss’laar said, his voice full of doubt. "We don’t know when they’ll come out—or if their power will grow enough to help us immediately. Can we really hold out until then?"

"What other choice do we have?" Zhar’khaen interjected. "Only the Inheritance Grounds can fully awaken the Pixiu bloodline within the Young Lord."

Vryss’laar hesitated, then spoke cautiously. "I have a suggestion, but it might completely expose both the Forbidden Grounds and the Inheritance Grounds."

"You mean involving humans?" Gor’kan’s brow furrowed deeply.

Vryss’laar nodded. "Not all humans. Do you remember the two human cultivators who returned the Young Lord to us near Silent Echo Valley? They were disciples of the Green Lotus Sect. I’ve heard of that sect—it’s said to be the most righteous and powerful sect on Mystic Void Continent."

"Rumors are unreliable," Zhar’khaen said, her voice laced with skepticism. "What if we end up inviting more enemies who covet the treasures of the Forbidden Grounds?"

"I believe anyone willing to return the Young Lord to us isn’t likely to have ill intentions," Vryss’laar argued. "Unless you two have a better idea?"

"People are unpredictable," Zhar’khaen countered. "We’ve only met them once. Who’s to say they won’t be tempted by the treasures here once they see what’s inside?"

Gor’kan turned his sharp gaze toward Vryss’laar. "Vryss’laar, are you suggesting this because one of them saved your life?"

Vryss’laar immediately shook his head. "Of course not. A life-saving debt is nothing compared to the Young Lord’s life and the safety of the Forbidden Grounds."

"Alright, I agree—but we cannot inform the Green Lotus Sect," Gor’kan said firmly.