Chapter 1062: Burning The Boats

Everyone was stopped in their tracks, their eyes filled with shock and suspicion as they looked ahead.

The icy hills were glaringly bright, reflecting the dazzling sunlight, making it almost impossible to keep one's eyes open. Yet, the sight of blood-stained limbs scattered across the ground was still horrifying to behold!

A massive, shattered skull.

Fingers as thick as tree trunks.

A strange tree trunk emitting a putrid stench!

...

The scattered remains instantly captured everyone's attention, and Zhongli Meng's clear eyes trembled with fear.

"This!"

Exchanging silent glances, even the old man's eyes revealed a hint of dread.

The team suddenly fell silent, all of them wearing grave expressions.

The group cautiously moved forward to investigate, and gasps of shock and suspicion continued to rise.

"These remains still carry a terrifying aura of killing intent. They must belong to a powerful demon!"

"Probably more than that. Look at this skull—even lifeless, it exudes an extraordinary pressure. This demon must have been no ordinary being in life!"

"Hiss... Who could have killed so many demons?"

"Only a true Heaven-tier expert could accomplish such a feat. And the one who could kill so many demons, leaving behind only useless limbs, is most likely Fu Haotian and his group!"

"Damn it! That second-generation brat beat us to it!"

"What do we do now? They have a team of experts and have already taken the lead. The demon corpses they've harvested must far exceed ours. Even if we keep moving forward, it's unlikely we'll gain much!"

"This..."

The disciples looked anxious, their voices filled with helplessness.

Fu Haotian had a team of experts backing him, and their combat power was far beyond what they could match. Even with ten people in their group, including someone like Yi Feng, who was considered a sage, they still couldn't compare. They had already been left far behind.

Even if they pushed forward with all their might, they would only be able to pick up scraps.

This competition for the Demon Hunting Trial was likely already decided.

When they returned to the Cangyun Heavenly Palace, Fu Haotian would undoubtedly win with an overwhelming advantage. Not only would they lose, but they would lose in a humiliating manner.

It was almost certain that they would face the shame of being the defeated underdogs.

"What a ruthless move! That despicable scoundrel is truly heartless!"

Even as an elder, the old man couldn't help but curse in anger.

The younger generation wore expressions of grief and indignation, clenching their fists in frustration.

They weren't afraid of losing, but they couldn't bear to lose to such a vile person. The thought of that scoundrel becoming the palace master filled them with seething hatred!

Amidst the despair, Zhongli Meng also furrowed her delicate brows.

Her clear eyes were filled with pressure as she stared at the scattered remains on the ground.

The horrifying scene of bloodshed was almost like a massacre. Witnessing it firsthand, she realized the vast gap in strength between them and felt a sense of hopelessness.

But when she thought of the consequences of defeat, Zhongli Meng's face still showed unwillingness.

Looking ahead at the endless, blood-stained hills, it was clear that there was no opportunity left on this path. Continuing forward would be a waste of effort.

Unless... they abandoned this most conservative route!

At this thought, Zhongli Meng clenched her jade-like fingers hidden in her sleeves.

"Uncle Song, everyone."

"There's still one option left for us. We can abandon this path and split up from this moment onward, searching for other opportunities!"

Her resolute voice was like a ray of light piercing through the darkness, startling everyone and making them look up.

When they heard her words, their expressions turned conflicted.

Splitting up was indeed a bold and decisive strategy. By expanding their search area, they could increase their chances of finding something valuable, slightly improving their slim odds of success.

To remain so calm at such a critical moment was truly extraordinary. To propose such a strategy was even more impressive, surpassing countless men in the world.

But splitting up also meant facing unknown dangers alone.

On the demon-infested Shui Han Star, this was an extremely risky move, almost akin to seeking death!

On one side was the weight of victory or defeat, and on the other was a desperate gamble!

The intense struggle played out in their hearts, and even the male cultivators wore hesitant and ashamed expressions.

The atmosphere grew heavy and oppressive.

Except for Yi Feng. After seeing the demon corpses and hearing this proposal, he was practically brimming with energy, almost ready to clap and cheer.

Splitting up? Absolutely, they had to split up.

Otherwise, all the monsters would be killed by others!

This girl was decisive, and her words resonated deeply with him.

Truly, great minds think alike!

The silence that followed was suffocating, and even the sound of breathing could be heard clearly.

The old man was the first to speak, his face showing a worldly wisdom and resolve.

"Good! It's rare to see such determination in you, niece. I will spare no effort to assist you. When I meet your father in the afterlife, I can embrace him with a smile!"

"Even if it means death, I cannot stand by and watch that despicable Fu Haotian succeed!"

The old man's white beard and flowing robes gave him the air of a youthful warrior, inspiring the disciples with his fervor.

Gritting their teeth, they solemnly pledged their support one after another.

Zhongli Meng's clear eyes were moved, and she bowed deeply to Uncle Song, thanking her fellow disciples and giving them urgent instructions before they all scattered.

Before parting ways.

Yi Feng also looked at Zhongli Meng with anticipation.

"Miss Zhongli, everyone has their own direction. Which way should I go?"

Zhongli Meng was momentarily stunned.

Only then did she remember that she hadn't included Yi Feng in her plans.

But seeing the young man's righteous and determined expression as he volunteered, she couldn't bring herself to refuse.

They were merely acquaintances, with no deep friendship, yet Yi Feng had come to assist them out of a sense of justice, contributing to the human race's demon-slaying cause and helping her compete for the position of a direct disciple.

Both publicly and privately, such a righteous young man with such awareness should not be placed in danger.

Remembering Yi Feng's unique mount, which might have some escape capabilities, Zhongli Meng decided to save face and not advise him to leave.

She forced a smile and gently instructed him.

"Brother Yi, you can search the nearby area, just as you did before when covering our retreat. Remember, don't push too far ahead."

"If you encounter any danger, be sure to send a signal for help immediately!"

Her tactful words were filled with kindness, and her tone was full of concern, making it a pleasant experience.

Yi Feng nodded obediently.

"Alright."

After their agreement, Zhongli Meng bid him a solemn farewell, her graceful figure cautiously flying eastward.