Chu Mo sauntered around the ancient town, the peculiar energy permeating the streets stirring confusion within him.

Through Fengshui Divine Art, Chu Mo could feel from afar the presence of a strange energy wafting above the ancient town. It was as if the place had not a single living soul.

However, that wasn't the case. The town still had signs of life.

If there were signs of life, there had to be people living there. But something was missing from this life force.

Chu Mo did not know what had happened outside during the past year, but judging by the Blood Evil Array situated at the Gui Ruins' exit, it was clear that a lot had happened while he was inside, receiving his inheritance.

This Blood Evil Array was likely constructed as a countermeasure against him.

According to Chu Mo's speculations, whoever set up this array must have been someone who had also received an inheritance from the Gui Ruins. This narrows the list of suspects considerably. To Chu Mo, the perpetrators could only be either Li Zhu or Qin Xiao.

Thus, he needed to clarify what had really happened. So, Chu Mo decided to visit the old town. Little did he know the situation there had changed dramatically in comparison to his former impression of the place.

The uncanny energy continued to shroud the old town even when Chu Mo entered it. Only after seeing the townsfolk did he finally understand what had transpired.

Souls have been controlled!

All the people he saw had deformed souls!

While he didn't see anyone familiar, he did see some teenagers who were around sixteen or seventeen years old. They regarded him warily but refrained from attacking him.

This was all just a facade!

Having cultivated his Fengshui Divine Art to a high level, Chu Mo could distinctly feel that the energy field surrounding these youths was strongly rejecting him!

They deeply despised him!

This was what Chu Mo couldn't help but feel.

They loathed him despite never having met him before, harboring no grudges or disputes. Why was this so? Could it be…?

Chu Mo had already formulated an assumption in his heart.

Chu Mo scanned his cool eyes around and simultaneously utilized the Fengshui Divine Art to deduce what was happening. The conclusion he arrived at confirmed his previous suspicions.

Out of the fifty or so people in the entire town, almost everyone was in this state. Under his Fengshui Divine Art, not a single person was normal!

Chu Mo twitched the corners of his mouth, thinking that if that was the case, he might as well be straightforward about it.

He reached out and grabbed a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy.

The boy, who hadn't even clearly made out Chu Mo's move, was immediately incapacitated. He gazed at Chu Mo in utter terror, stammering, "What... what are you trying to do?"

In response to Chu Mo's actions, the entire town exploded into activity. Several figures flickered in and out of sight as they gathered around. Although they didn't attack, they all watched Chu Mo with predatory glares.

Chu Mo said nothing, merely gripping the boy's wrist and immobilizing him totally. He then stared intently into the boy's eyes.

Initially, the boy was disobedient, his eyes darting around, refusing to meet Chu Mo's gaze.

"Look at me!" Chu Mo growled, "Or else, I will kill you!"

Immediately, a look of terror appeared in the boy's eyes. A year ago, he was only at the Yellow Rank fourth layer of Iron Bone Realm, but now, his cultivation had already advanced to the Gold Stone Realm. Furthermore, he was about to enter the Refining Heart Stage and step into the Understanding Heart Realm!

All this had been given to him by his master!

For his master, he was ready and willing to sacrifice his life at any time, at any place.

But this didn't mean he wasn't capable of fear!

Because he was only a soul being manipulated, not those puppet warriors.

"I...I have no grudges against you, why do you want to kill me?" The boy avoided looking into Chu Mo's deep, bottomless eyes, defending himself defiantly.

"I've done no wrong against you. Why are you all so hostile against me?" Chu Mo coldly remarked, "Is it beautiful to be reduced to puppets, losing even your own souls?"

"I don't know what you're talking about!" The boy retorted.

Chu Mo lifted his hand, and with a sharp slap, he struck the boy across the face. The resounding smack reverberated around them, sending a shiver down the spines of the surrounding crowd. Looks filled with hatred were directed at Chu Mo, though no one made a move to attack. They all sensed an indistinguishable aura of danger radiating from Chu Mo.

It was like an old tiger hidden in the grass. Even if it did not attack, it did not signify the absence of danger. It was not approachable by just anyone.

"Now do you understand?" Chu Mo coldly watched the shocked boy.

The boy seemed terrified, no longer evading Chu Mo's gaze, but simply staring at him in blank surprise.

In Chu Mo's eyes, it's as if a vast infinite universe existed, filled with the twinkling of stars. The boy was instantly captivated, losing himself completely in those depths.

"What is your name?" Chu Mo asked in a deep voice.

At this moment, Chu Mo's voice might seem nothing special to others, merely deep and resonate. However, to this boy, it was as if he was under a sort of enchantment, unable to resist in any way.

"My name is Liu He," the boy responded woodenly.

"Why are you here?" Chu Mo asked again.

"I was selected as an unparalleled prodigy by my master…" Liu He replied.

As Chu Mo continued to inquire, some of the puzzles in his mind were gradually solved. Yet, there were still many things he wanted to understand that the boy failed to explain.

For instance, what really took place here in this ancient town over a year ago. Where did the people of One Sword and Immortal head to?

When this boy arrived, the ancient town was virtually empty, devoid of any living beings.

"Do you know if there are any other people in this town, aside from you all?" Chu Mo asked with a serious tone.

Liu He stoically responded, "Not long ago, the master captured someone and locked them in the dungeons…"

"Oh?" Chu Mo was slightly taken aback. He hadn't sensed anything with his divine sense before. If he hadn't asked, he might have missed it. He promptly instructed, "Lead me to the dungeon!"

Liu He nodded, "Yes!"

"No way!"

"Release Liu He!"

"Let him go, or we won't hold back!"

"Stranger, don't make trouble here, or you'll face the wrath of our master!"

The bystanders, having witnessed everything, finally couldn't stand it any longer and stared coldly at Chu Mo.

Chu Mo glanced at them: "Scram!"

An intense aura exploded from his body.

The bystanders were instantly sent flying by the immense force, like leaves being scattered by the wind.

Chu Mo's heart was boiling with rage. Although the boy didn't know much, the current situation made it evident that not just One Sword, Immortal, or Lonely City… but perhaps all possibly faced a crisis.

He didn't know whether or not Miao Yi Niang and Shen Xingxue managed to escape from the ruins. If they did, where were they now?

So, at this moment, Chu Mo was brimming with murderous intent. He didn't kill these youngsters because he could feel that they were mere puppets, with their consciousness controlled and oblivious to everything. Otherwise, they would have all died instantly.

Liu He led Chu Mo to a location.

At the entrance, Chu Mo proverbially squinted his eyes. There, he realized that the place was sealed up with countless arrays. Not only did they obstruct one's divine sense, but they also bore a potent offensive trait.

Upon reaching, Liu He pointed towards the entrance and commented, "This is the place. The man our master brought back is locked up inside." (To be continued. If you like this novel, please vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Please visit m.qidian.com for mobile users.)

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