I walk sideways in the game world

Chapter 118: Life and Death Challenge Guided by the Compass

After escaping the ruined temple, Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin did not stop for a moment and rushed back to the Immortal Gate overnight. However, what awaited them was not the expected safety and comfort, but an even greater storm.

As soon as he entered the mountain gate, Ren Xiaoyao keenly sensed something was amiss. The disciples were hurried, whispering among themselves, their eyes filled with suspicion and hostility. Before he could comprehend the situation, several law enforcement disciples blocked their path.

"Ren Xiaoyao, Xia Lin, the Sect Master has ordered you two to come to the main hall for questioning immediately!"

Ren Xiaoyao's heart sank. He knew that word of their investigation into the Netherworld Cult had spread. Entering the main hall, he saw Immortal Ziyang sitting solemnly in the main seat. Flanking him were elders of the immortal sect, several of whom looked at Ren Xiaoyao with undisguised hostility.

"Xiaoyao, Lin'er, do you admit your guilt?" An elder took the lead and spoke in a stern tone.

"I don't know what crime I have committed. Please tell me clearly, Elder." Ren Xiaoyao answered neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"You two disregarded the sect's rules and acted on your own to investigate the Netherworld Sect's affairs, putting the Immortal Sect in danger. Now you've angered the Netherworld Sect, causing them to covet the Immortal Sect. Isn't this a grave sin?"

Ren Xiaoyao was about to argue when True Man Ziyang raised his hand to interrupt him, "Enough! I already know about this matter. Xiaoyao and Lin'er were only concerned about the safety of the Immortal Sect. What crime have they committed?"

"Master, the Netherworld Cult is secretive and powerful. We must not act rashly!" Another elder stepped forward and said, "Our best strategy now is to close the mountain gates and fully prepare for war, rather than allowing our disciples to act recklessly and provoke a powerful enemy!"

"That's right, Master Brother, we can't risk the safety of the entire sect!" Several other elders also echoed.

True Man Ziyang frowned. He knew the elders had a point, but Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin's investigation wasn't entirely meaningless either. At this moment, Fairy Lingxiao, who had been silent until then, suddenly spoke up. "Elders, please be patient. I have something to tell you..." Her voice was low, her eyes grim. Everyone's gaze was fixed on her, and the hall suddenly fell silent.

Fairy Lingxiao looked around and said slowly, "A few days ago, I received a tip-off that the Netherworld Cult has assembled a large number of troops and is preparing to launch a general attack on our sect!"

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the hall. The elders' faces changed drastically, and even the usually calm Zi Yang Zhenren showed a look of shock.

"Is the news reliable?" an elder couldn't help but ask.

"It's absolutely true," Fairy Lingxiao said firmly, "My intelligence has never been wrong."

"What should we do?" another elder murmured to himself, his face full of worry.

"Elders, there's no need to panic," said True Man Zi Yang in a deep voice, "Our sect is not to be trifled with. We will definitely be able to repel the invading enemy!"

"Master Brother, what you said is absolutely right," an elder echoed. "We will go back and gather our disciples, strengthen our vigilance, and swear to live and die with the Immortal Sect!"

"Wait a minute!" Fairy Lingxiao spoke again. She walked up to Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin and whispered, "Junior Brother Xiaoyao, Junior Sister Lin'er, the only way for us to deal with the Netherworld Cult is to find its lair as quickly as possible so we can wipe them out. Otherwise, the consequences will be disastrous."

"Don't worry, senior sister, we will do it right away!" Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin looked at each other with firm eyes.

That night, Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin, arranged by Fairy Lingxiao, secretly visited Taoist Qingfeng, a highly respected elder in the Immortal Sect, well-versed in divination and calculation, who might be able to offer them some guidance.

"Please go back, I can't help you with this matter." After hearing their purpose, Taoist Qingfeng sighed and shook his head.

"Why do you say that, Taoist priest?" Ren Xiaoyao asked anxiously.

"The secret cannot be revealed!" Taoist Qingfeng said helplessly, "I can only tell you that the Netherworld Cult's lair is..."

Before he could finish his words, his expression suddenly changed, he spit out a mouthful of blood, and collapsed on the chair.

"Master Taoist!" Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin were shocked and hurried forward to check.

"Ahem..." Taoist Qingfeng coughed violently a few times, pointed at a compass on the table, and said weakly: "Compass...guidance..."

Ren Xiaoyao picked up the compass and saw the needle spinning wildly, finally pointing to a deep mountain forest in the north.

"That's..." Xia Lin exclaimed, her face becoming serious.

"Forbidden area!" Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin said in unison.

"It seems that we have to take a risk." Ren Xiaoyao took a deep breath, a determined light flashed in his eyes, and he held the compass even tighter.

When Zi Yang Zhenren learned that Taoist Qing Feng had been attacked and the compass pointed to the forbidden area, his expression suddenly became extremely solemn. He was well aware of the dangers of the forbidden area and was even more aware of the conspiracy behind the Netherworld Cult's decision to take action at this time.

"Pass the order down, all disciples of the Immortal Sect shall immediately enter emergency combat readiness and prepare to fight against the Netherworld Sect!" True Man Zi Yang spoke in a decisive tone, and his majestic voice echoed in the hall.

However, gathering the entire sect's strength would take time, and the Netherworld Cult's offensive was imminent. Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin knew time was running out, so they decided to head to the forbidden area first to investigate.

As they journeyed north, they encountered repeated attacks from small groups of Netherworld Cultists. These cultists were well-trained and their attacks were brutal, clearly well-prepared. Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin, with their tacit cooperation and immense strength, managed to escape danger time and again, but they also felt fatigued and stressed.

"Xiaoyao, this isn't going to work," Xia Lin said after a fierce battle, caressing the wound on her arm, her brow furrowed. "We must find the Netherworld Cult's lair as soon as possible, otherwise, once their main force arrives, we'll be stuck."

Ren Xiaoyao nodded solemnly, knowing that Xia Lin was right. Just then, a chilling aura emanated from not far away, accompanied by a creepy laugh.

"Hehehe, you want to find our leader? Then leave your lives behind!"

Before he could finish his words, dozens of dark shadows emerged from the dense forest and surrounded them...

Sharp blades sliced through the air, stirring up a gust of bloody wind. Ren Xiaoyao swung his sword to parry, neutralizing each incoming attack. However, the enemy was outnumbered and coordinated, each strike ruthlessly targeting vital points. Xia Lin, nimble and wielding her whip like a serpent, pushed back each approaching enemy. However, just as she prepared to strike back, a figure in black suddenly swooped in from the side, piercing her waist and abdomen with a sharp blade.

"Be careful!" Ren Xiaoyao's eyes were bloodshot, but he was too far away to do anything. In the nick of time, Xia Lin dodged sideways, and the blade slashed past her arm, leaving a deep wound visible to the bone. Blood instantly stained her clothes red.

"Xia Lin!" Ren Xiaoyao was terrified. He brandished his sword and charged through the enemy lines like a tiger descending from a mountain, forcing back the black-clad men who were besieging Xia Lin. He hugged Xia Lin tightly, looking at her pale face and the blood that kept flowing out, and an unprecedented fear surged in his heart.

"It's okay, I can still hold on..." Xia Lin endured the pain and forced a smile.

"Stop talking! I'll find a way!" Ren Xiaoyao exhausted all his spiritual energy, channeling a stream of pure immortal energy into Xia Lin's body, temporarily stopping the bleeding from her wound. He looked around, his eyes cold and determined. He knew that this was not a solution. They had to find the Netherworld Cult's lair as soon as possible, otherwise, when their main force arrived, he and Xia Lin would be in an irretrievable situation.

"This must end quickly..." Ren Xiaoyao muttered to himself, his eyes growing sharper. He gently set Xia Lin aside, stood up, and slowly drew the longsword from his back. The blade emanated a faint cold light, reflecting his now resolute face. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he grasped Xia Lin's wrist, carefully feeling her pulse. His brow furrowed as he whispered, "The one inside you..."