The Art of Chaotic Divinity-Chapter 792: Bloodstained Oasis

To match the speed of the soldiers riding ordinary drake mounts, Sun Gongming had to slow the Silverwing Griffin's pace and altitude.

The massive herb-gathering force of over three thousand marched westward in an imposing procession.

Even so, Ling Feng couldn't help but marvel at the experience of riding a flying mount.

If only his little Qiongqi were fully grown—now that would be a sight to behold. As for the Despicable Donkey?

Not even worth considering.

And Zifeng? No matter how many molting evolutions it underwent, the lazy creature preferred staying in its pocket-sized form.

Still, despite its constant napping, Zifeng's ability to evolve by absorbing suitable bodies was nothing short of freakish.

After two full hours of rapid advance, the troops had covered over four hundred li. Sun Gongming finally ordered a brief rest.

As the Silverwing Griffin descended onto a low hill, Sun Gongming turned to Li Qingling. "Lay Practitioner Li, are you certain that oasis has enough herbs to cure over a million Blood Spirit Corpses?"

"Rest assured, General. Even if it falls slightly short, it won't be by much." Li Qingling smiled. "Surely you don't think I'd dare deceive you?"

"Of course not." Sun Gongming chuckled. "As a distinguished figure from the Evergreen Hall and Physician Jin's senior uncle, why would I doubt you?"

Yet Ling Feng's covert warning—Beware of Li Qingling—still prickled at the back of his mind like a thorn.

Ling Feng's silence since morning only deepened Sun Gongming's unease.

But he brushed it off. Perhaps Ling Feng's grudge against Li Qingling had clouded his judgment.

And that was precisely why Ling Feng hadn't pressed the issue.

Sun Gongming didn't trust him—so why waste breath? A subtle warning was enough.

With the Despicable Donkey as his safeguard, even if Li Qingling had schemes, they'd amount to nothing.

As for potential casualties? That was Sun Gongming's choice to live with.

After a quarter-hour respite, the army pressed on.

...

"General! Thirty li ahead—a vast stretch of greenery and woods! The oasis is near!"

Vice-General Wang, astride a Gale Demonwolf, raced back to report.

"Mm-hmm. The wood-attributed spiritual energy here is exceptionally dense—a true desert oasis."

Sun Gongming nodded, his tension easing. His worries had been unfounded. Li Qingling harbored no ill intent.

"Full speed ahead! Rest awaits at the oasis!"

As the Silverwing Griffin dove to relay orders, the exhausted soldiers below rallied.

Though all were martial artists, the desert's scorching heat and arid conditions were brutal. At its peak, mere contact with the sand could sear flesh.

The promise of shade and water spurred the troops forward.

Li Qingling's eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing as his lips curled into a smirk.

Ling Feng's instincts flared. Something is wrong with that oasis.

Thirty li!

Twenty li!

Ten li!

With each li closer, Ling Feng's foreboding intensified.

The oasis loomed like a demon's maw, waiting to devour its prey.

"Lay Practitioner Li, your contributions will be duly rewarded once the Blood Spirit Corpse plague is eradicated," Sun Gongming said excitedly. "Think carefully about what you desire!"

The lush wood-attributed energy ahead promised abundant herbs.

Eight li!

Five li!

Three li!

The vanguard breached the oasis, followed by waves of soldiers reveling in the sudden coolness.

Ling Feng's brow furrowed. "General Sun! Withdraw the troops—now! This place doesn't feel right!"

"What's not right, young friend Ling?" Li Qingling's voice had shed its gentility, now laced with malice.

"You're being overly cautious," Sun Gongming chided, watching his men flood into the oasis. "Lay Practitioner Li, which of these herbs is the Moonshadow Silken Herb?"

"Heh heh heh..."

Black mist coiled around Li Qingling as his nails elongated into razor-sharp claws. "There is no Moonshadow Silken Herb here. But I can show you the bloody flowers of the Netherworld!"

In a flash, he lashed out at Sun Gongming's chest.

"Lay Practitioner Li! What are you—?"

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Sun Gongming barely twisted aside, saved only by Ling Feng's earlier warning. At this range, a direct strike would've been fatal.

"Dodged, eh?" Li Qingling didn't press the attack, grinning. "But your three thousand soldiers won't be so lucky. Heh heh heh..."

"What?!"

Sun Gongming's gaze snapped downward.

Soldiers who'd entered the oasis suddenly convulsed as inky tendrils wrapped around them—then exploded in showers of blood.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A chain reaction of detonations turned the oasis into a crimson hellscape.

The earth trembled as fissures split the ground, something monstrous rising from below.

"Li Qingling! What have you done?!"

Sun Gongming's eyes bulged, veins throbbing as he roared at the carnage.

"The Blood Refinement Array is complete! Hehe—"

Li Qingling's manic laughter echoed. "Three thousand soldiers' essence—perfection! HAHAHA!"