ushernet Chapter 562
Chapter 562
"I saw...more memories."
Everyone fell silent. Zhang Qilin rarely shared his "divinely bestowed" memories; every time he spoke, it meant important information.
"The Zhang family...is more than just guardians."
A flicker of pain flashed in Zhang Qilin's eyes:
"We...were once priests of the ancient gods."
This astonishing confession silenced the cave.
The fat man's mouth dropped open, and Xie Xiaohua nearly dropped the notebook from her hand.
Zhang Hao's expression turned unusually serious:
"Go on."
"Long ago... the Zhang family ancestor discovered the power of the ancient god and initially attempted to utilize it... but was instead consumed by its power."
Zhang Qilin spoke haltingly, each word seeming to be painstakingly unearthed from the depths of his memory:
"Some people woke up and began to resist...this was the beginning of the Zhang family's split."
"So those black slaves..."
Wu Tianzhen suddenly realized.
Zhang Qilin nodded:
"Those transformed by the ancient god... were all members of the Zhang family who attempted to use its power."
The rebellious faction...sealed the ancient god...at a terrible cost.
Zhang Hao gripped the Water Spirit tightly:
"So, the ancient gods are now resurrected because the seal has loosened?"
Not entirely...
Zhang Qilin closed his eyes, seemingly sorting through his chaotic memories:
"Someone is... deliberately breaking the seal. A traitor from the Zhang family."
This information exploded in everyone's minds like a bomb.
A traitor to the Zhang family?
Who would have such ability and motivation?
"The Wang family?"
Xie Xiaohua suddenly said:
"They have always been enemies of the Zhang family."
Zhang Qilin shook his head:
"Closer...more dangerous."
He suddenly coughed violently, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
"That's enough, you need to rest."
Zhang Hao decisively ended the conversation:
"We'll discuss this again tomorrow."
We'll take turns keeping watch tonight; everyone else should get some rest.
In the stillness of the night, Zhang Hao sat at the cave entrance, golden flames burning quietly in his palm.
The Water Spirit hung at his waist, emitting a soft blue light. He gazed at the dark passage in the distance, his brow furrowed.
Wu Tianzhen quietly walked over and sat down:
"Uncle, what are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking about what Zhang Qilin said."
Zhang Hao's voice was very soft:
"If there's a traitor within the Zhang family, then every step we take might be under their surveillance."
Wu Tianzhen shuddered:
"Then wouldn't we be..."
"Therefore, we need to change our strategy."
A decisive glint flashed in Zhang Hao's eyes:
"When searching for the other five elemental spirits, we cannot follow the usual methods."
"But on the map..."
"The map may have been obtained by a traitor."
Zhang Hao interrupted him:
"I will tell everyone the new plan tomorrow."
By the next morning, Zhang Qilin's injuries had improved considerably.
As everyone sat together eating their dry rations, Zhang Hao announced his plan.
"We've split into two groups."
He drew a simple map on the ground:
"One group proceeded as planned to the next location marked on the map, while the other group acted covertly to search for the true spirits of the Five Elements."
"A feint to the east while attacking in the west?"
Xie Xiaohua immediately understood the intention.
Zhang Hao nodded:
"Of the four locations marked on the map, only one is real; the others are traps."
We need to make the traitor think we've gone to a fake location, while actually heading to the real place where the Five Elements Spirits reside.
"Then how do we determine which one is true?"
The fat man, his mouth full of cookies, asked indistinctly.
Zhang Hao raises the Water Spirit:
It will guide us.
The spirits of the five elements are interconnected, and the closer they are, the stronger the reaction.
The groups were quickly determined:
Zhang Hao, Wu Tianzhen, and Zhang Qilin formed the Dark Team;
Fatty, Xie Xiaohua and her sister, Huo Xiuxiu and Yi Sa form the Ming team.
The Dragon God will follow the Ming team, increasing their credibility.
"Remember, Ming's mission is to create a false impression; retreat immediately if danger is detected."
Zhang Hao solemnly instructed:
"Meet at this coordinate point in three days."
He handed Xie Xiaohua a golden talisman:
"Burn it in case of an emergency, and I'll sense it immediately."
Before parting, Zhang Qilin handed the Black Gold Ancient Sword to Fatty:
"Take these and protect them."
The fat man accepted it solemnly, unusually without joking.
The two teams split up. Zhang Hao and his two companions chose the most concealed route, with the Water Spirit hanging from Zhang Hao's waist, its light flickering as they changed direction.