Chapter 178: Did you think Gu Chen will be happy? Praise you?
The Gu Clan disciples rushed towards the jagged maw of the Weeping Gorge as they chased the retreating Phantom Sirens.
The toxic miasma of the Miasma woods faded away as they were on the outskirts, about to leave the Miasma Woods, and it was replaced by an unnatural darkness of the setting sun.
Cold stone walls stretched endlessly into the darkness, as the spiritual sense felt strangely suppressed, as if the darkness itself was swallowing them.
As they stepped further inside, the rocky canyon opened up into a massive labyrinth filled with dozens of diverging cave entrances.
The surviving Phantom Sirens didn’t even hesitate, splitting their remaining numbers as they dashed directly into several different dark tunnels like slippery shadows.
Seeing the female assassins actively scatter completely into the highly confusing maze, Gu Chen stopped immediately and raised his hand, "Stop."
The entire group halted behind Gu Chen as his brows knitted together while he examined the cavern in front of him.
"The terrain favours the enemy," Gu Chen began to say, "They know these caves better than we do."
"If we move together, they will keep leading us around like fools," He pointed with his silver sword, "
"We cannot just blindly charge forward in one single group," Gu Chen declared loudly, "We will split into two teams to safely cover the main paths and cut off their escape routes."
Gu Chen intended to divide the remaining disciples into two balanced squads to maximize their survival, but before he could even finish issuing his command, Gu Fan simply yawned loudly.
"I will be fine on my own," Gu Fan casually interrupted, still playing with the spirit stone in his hand, "You all are only going to slow me down and drag me to the depths of hell. And I am too young to die with you lot."
"So I am absolutely fine on my own."
"Gu Fan, do not be an arrogant fool!" Gu Chen immediately argued, "These deep tunnels can be lethal labyrinth, and wandering off alone without support is absolute suicide!"
"You can keep making your heroic formation," And Gu Fan was not waiting for Gu Chen’s approval. Without waiting for a reply, Gu Fan simply turned his back and casually strolled directly into one of the tunnels, "I will go collect my own rewards."
As Gu Chen watched his bastard brother walk away into the shadows, he stopped arguing and a satisfied smirk formed on his face. His eyes narrowed into dangerous slits.
’Good,’ Wandering alone into the deadly maze, the lethal traps hidden in the dark would finally rip the arrogant trash into completely unrecognizable pieces. And he won’t even have to get his hands dirty. Gu Chen loved these win-win scenarios, ’Perhaps there is finally a trap worthy of you.’
However, standing right behind Gu Chen was a loyal 9th Stage Spirit Realm disciple named Gu Tian who was brimming with ambition.
He had followed Gu Chen for years and dreamed of becoming the Golden Boy’s most trusted aide. However ever since Gu Fan appeared, things had started to change.
Gu Tian gripped his dagger, his eyes glaring at Gu Fan’s retreating back. The disciples were no longer talking about Gu Chen’s sword. In fact, they talked about Gu Fan crushing skulls.
They no longer praised Gu Chen’s leadership. They whispered about Gu Fan robbing both friends and enemies alike. And somehow, they admired it as well.
Gu Tian gritted his teeth.
’This is my chance. If I want Master Chen to finally look at me, I have to pluck this irritating thorn out of his way."
It was now Gu Chen’s right-hand man position at stake.
Since Gu Fan dared to steal all the limelight from Gu Chen, Gu Tian secretly decided to follow Gu Fan and quietly assassinate him on his own.
Bringing Gu Fan’s severed head back would surely impress Master Chen beyond measure, ’Young Master Chen will definitely remember my loyalty.’
So when Gu Chen actively led his own team down one of the caves after splitting everyone in two teams, Gu Tian silently slipped unnoticed from behind, followingGu Fan into the cave.
Meanwhile, as Gu Fan lazily walked deeper into the highly damp cave, the familiar translucent blue screen suddenly flashed in front of his eyes.
[Ding!]
[Sudden Quest Triggered: Hunt the Hunter.]
[Objective: Neutralize the hidden threat tailing you in the dark.]
[Reward: 1 Random Mid-Grade Corpse Refinement Pill.]
[Reward: 1 Low-Grade Soul Concealment Technique Scroll.]
[Reward: 500 Medium-Grade Spirit Stones.]
Gu Fan instead of increasing his pace actually slowed down in his tracks, as a predatory smirk spread across his handsome face.
"Someone is actually stupid enough to try and hunt me in the dark?" Gu Fan whispered to himself, "How thoughtful of them."
On the other hand, unaware that a bird had already warned his target, Gu Tian masked his Qi fluctuations as he sped through the dark tunnel, closing the distance between them as quietly as possible.
And in no time, his target was in front of him.
Gu Tian could not help but lick his lips as he stared at Gu Fan’s exposed back. Who could have thought this was going to be so easy?
Gu Tian slowed down as he silently approached Gu fan and his breathing became controlled.
His poisoned dagger gleamed faintly in the darkness.
’Closer...’ Gu Tian could already imagine Gu Chen praising him, ’Just a little closer...’
’Die, you useless piece of trash!’ When he thought he was close enough, Gu Tian roared in his mind, kicking off the wet stone floor as he lunged forward, thrusting his poisoned dagger at the center of Gu Fan’s spine.
But exactly as the sharp blade was about to pierce through Gu Fan’s dark robes, Gu Tian only cut through empty air.
"Too slow!" Gu Fan scoffed as executed his supreme ’Sovereign Strike of Infinite Freedom’ footwork to blur out of existence like a phantom, leaving Gu Tian perplexed.
"What?!" Gu Tian Gu Tian’s pupils shrank.as he watched his target vanish before he could even blink.
"You call that an assassination?" Gu Fan’s chilling voice whispered into Gu Tian’s ear, "I have seen turtles strike faster."
Gu Tian spun around, but it was too late.
Before Gu Tian could twist his body to defend himself, Gu Fan stepped perfectly directly behind him and with a force that could shatter a dragon’s skull drove his right knee straight into the center of Gu Tian’s lower back with terrifying speed.
CRACK!