Martial Saint with Passives

"The last is the Shadowless Poison Needle! It’s forged from Ten Thousand Year Profound Iron and coated with an Instant Death poison. It moves at extreme speeds, making it incredibly difficult to defend against!"

A look of fear appeared on the couple’s faces after they heard Gu Song’s explanation.

Gu Song then turned to Du Yuanjiang. "Fellow Daoist Du, don’t you have a family heirloom, the Profound Turtle Shield? Its Defense Power is astonishing. You will stand at the front and use it to block the Shadowless Poison Needles."

He then looked at Zhang Qian. "Fellow Daoist Zhang, you are proficient with music, so you will play the Jade Flute. Use its sound waves to counter the Illusory Heart Demon Sound."

"As for me..."

Gu Song took a Feather Fan woven from unknown feathers from within his robes and smiled smugly. "This treasure in my hands is the Clearing Fan, and it’s perfect for dispelling the Bone-Rotting Poisonous Fog!"

Seeing that Gu Song already had a plan, the couple let out a sigh of relief.

The three then proceeded according to plan, stepping cautiously into the passage.

Du Yuanjiang held the ancient Turtle Shell Shield before him, Zhang Qian brought a crystalline Jade Flute to her lips, and Gu Song followed closely behind, Feather Fan in hand.

The very instant they stepped inside!

SHHH! SHHH! SHHH!

Countless faint whistling sounds suddenly cut through the air!

Simultaneously, from holes on both sides of the walls, an overwhelming black poisonous fog spewed forth, along with waves of invisible demonic sound and a dense swarm of poison needles moving too fast for the naked eye to see!

DING! DING! DING! DANG!

A dense clatter of impacts sounded like a hailstorm. The Profound Turtle Shield in Du Yuanjiang’s hands flared with brilliant light, enveloping all three of them and managing to block the entire volley of poison needles!

At the same time, the melodious notes of the flute rose, forming invisible ripples of sound that violently clashed with and neutralized the demonic sound that sought to invade their Divine Souls!

Gu Song, for his part, waved his Feather Fan, stirring gusts of a fresh breeze that completely dispersed the highly corrosive poisonous fog.

The three coordinated with perfect tacit understanding, each displaying their Divine Abilities, and smoothly passed through the passage.

...

They soon arrived in a massive underground cavern.

A rushing, ceaseless underground river, about ten zhang wide, cut through the center of the cavern.

The moment they saw the river, however, the expressions on all three of their faces changed dramatically.

The water was not clear. It was a horrifying, viscous, dark red—like flowing blood.

Bubbles constantly roiled to the surface and burst, releasing a thick, nauseating stench that was a mixture of rust and decay.

Countless twisted black shadows seemed to drift within the river, and faint, mournful wails like those of resentful spirits could be heard intermittently.

Stretching over the Blood River were nine black iron chains, each as thin as a hemp rope and mottled with rust, connecting the two banks.

Gu Song’s expression grew extremely grim as he gazed at the bizarre scene.

"This river is called the Wangchuan Blood River."

He pointed to the churning black shadows in the river and said in a low voice, "In the river, there is a terrifying creature called the ’Soul-Binding Water Spirit.’ It is born from the resentment in this place and attacks those crossing the river with its tentacles, specifically to devour the Divine Soul of living beings! Once you are caught by its tentacles, remember this: you must not struggle!"

"The tentacles grow stronger in response to force. The more you struggle, the tighter they will bind you, until they finally squeeze your Divine Soul right out of your body and drag it into the Blood River!"

After hearing this, the husband and wife looked at each other in dismay.

"Then... how are we supposed to get across?" Zhang Qian asked, frowning.

Gu Song smiled and continued, "However, it’s not hopeless. The Soul-Binding Water Spirit only attacks one person at a time. When it attacks, the person who’s caught just needs to hold steady. The other two must immediately attack the tentacle to repel it!"

"That way, we can cross safely!"

"Alright! We’ll do as Fellow Daoist Gu says and work together to get across!" Du Yuanjiang said, gritting his teeth.

The three then activated their Qinggong simultaneously, their figures like three nimble swifts as they landed steadily upon the iron chains.

Sure enough!

Just as they reached the middle of the chains, the Blood River below suddenly went GLUG as a huge bubble roiled to the surface!

Immediately after, a slimy tentacle like a mass of seaweed—coalesced from countless twisted black shadows—burst from the water. It shot out like lightning and wrapped around Gu Song at the front of the group, nearly encasing him in a cocoon!

Gu Song’s expression changed. He instantly steadied himself, not daring to move an inch, and roared, "Attack now!"

The couple, already on high alert, saw their chance and attacked simultaneously without the slightest hesitation!

Du Yuanjiang used his finger as a sword, unleashing a vicious slash with a True Qi Blade!

Meanwhile, Zhang Qian played her Jade Flute, sending a sound wave so condensed it formed a tangible blade that sliced through the air!

SQUELCH!

Struck by both attacks, the tentacle recoiled in pain and retreated back into the Blood River.

Not daring to linger, the three immediately quickened their pace.

After they had gone another few zhang, the Blood River churned again!

This time, a tentacle shot out from a difficult angle and ensnared Zhang Qian!

"Watch out!"

Gu Song and Du Yuanjiang were prepared. They attacked simultaneously, once again repelling the tentacle.

Finally, just as they were about to reach the opposite bank, the Soul-Binding Water Spirit seemed unwilling to give up, suddenly ensnaring Du Yuanjiang, who was bringing up the rear.

This time, it seemed to have been enraged; the tentacle’s strength was immense, threatening to tear Du Yuanjiang right off the chain!

"This is bad!"

Gu Song and Zhang Qian’s expressions changed as they simultaneously unleashed their strongest attacks!

BOOM!!!

The tentacle held on for a moment longer before it was finally forced to let go.

Seizing the opportunity, the three leaped and finally landed on the solid ground of the opposite bank, all of them shaken and panting heavily.