CHAPTER 1042: CHAPTER 1040: THERE’S NO CHOICE BUT TO FORCE OUR WAY IN

"Why do you say time is running out?"

Gaso keenly noticed the key point in Zha Guang’s words.

Zha Guang sighed deeply, "Originally, the Holy Daughter set up a sealing array with a total of ten array eyes, but now, counting me, three array eyes are already missing."

"The sealing array won’t be able to last much longer."

Everyone nodded in realization.

Drum Master squinted slightly and said in a deep voice, "No wonder during the decades you were missing, we couldn’t use ’Summon Gu’ and received no response from the Nine Tribulation Celestial Silkworm. It turns out you had sealed it."

"In recent years, we have been able to ’Summon Gu’ again precisely because the array is missing array eyes, giving the Nine Tribulation Celestial Silkworm an opening."

Zha Guang nodded and sighed, "That’s exactly why we need to hurry up!"

"The most important thing is that after the Nine Tribulation Celestial Silkworm can contact the outside world, we don’t know how many people it has ensnared. We need to contact all forces we can unite and oppose the Nine Tribulation Celestial Silkworm!"

While they were discussing their next moves, Chen Nan returned to his room. After all, killing Master Sang Feng was too strenuous for him.

Exhausted in both body and mind, he needed a good rest.

Of course, he hadn’t forgotten the storage bag Master Sang Feng left behind. He eagerly opened it and found it contained hundreds of thousands of Low-grade Spirit Stones.

There were also over a thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones and only a few top-grade spirit stones, but it was still a pleasant surprise.

Besides that, there were many Spiritual Medicines, including several Sixth-grade Spiritual Medicines. After all, Heavenly Border is richly forested with abundant spiritual energy, well-suited for the growth of Spiritual Medicines.

As for the rest, Chen Nan was somewhat dismissive, as they were mostly items related to Gu insects.

For a Gu Master, these are rare treasures, but for Chen Nan, they were quite useless.

No choice but to contribute the remaining items, allowing anyone who could use them to do so. After all, they all had the same goal now — to oppose the Nine Tribulation Celestial Silkworm!

Chen Nan, possessing the King Gu, would be the Nine Tribulation Celestial Silkworm’s primary target!

Originally, he planned to treat the Immortal Epidemic, forming a major force within Heavenly Border to counter the Nine Tribulation Celestial Silkworm and the person in black robes.

However, the appearance of Zha Guang nullified this plan since there was no real need — he wasn’t here to unite Heavenly Border.

Next, they used the Moon Tower Dong Village as their base camp and split up to act.

Zha Guang went to contact other powerful individuals within Heavenly Border, especially Nascent Soul cultivators, as they were essential targets. They needed to reveal the truth.

Ou Dan stayed at the base camp to guard against assaults from the person in black robes.

Gaso took Chen Nan to other villages and caves to treat the Immortal Epidemic and spread the truth about the situation. Everyone was indeed busy.

Thus, two whole months passed, and Chen Nan traveled to many places within Heavenly Border. But the villages and caves he cured of the Immortal Epidemic only made up less than half.

After all, Heavenly Border is vast, and some villages are far-removed. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator would take months to reach them.

"No choice, we’ll have to leave it as it is for now. After killing the Nine Tribulation Celestial Silkworm, the Immortal Epidemic will naturally vanish,"

Gaso said helplessly while flying through the air with Chen Nan.

Chen Nan nodded, aware this was an unavoidable choice since no one knew what the ultimate outcome would be.

If they failed, those untreated would die under the curse.

Upon returning to Moon Tower Dong Village, Zha Guang had already come back and brought quite a few strong Heavenly Border individuals—almost all Golden Core Stage cultivators.

Only one Nascent Soul cultivator!

Zha Guang’s expression was grim, and upon seeing Chen Nan, he barely forced a smile.

"We can’t wait any longer!"

Gaso frowned deeply, sensing an adverse turn, hurriedly asked, "What happened?"

"Alas, through ’Summoning God,’ I can feel the pressure of the sealing array on the Nine Tribulation Celestial Silkworm growing weaker. It might not be long before the Nine Tribulation Celestial Silkworm breaks free."

Zha Guang’s face was full of worry, not even needing to speak of consequences, for everyone understood.

The Nine Tribulation Celestial Silkworm is the faith of the Heavenly Border People, possessing power already reaching the peak of the Nascent Soul Stage—one of the strongest even outside.

Even if all other cultivators within Heavenly Border combined forces, they couldn’t rival the Nine Tribulation Celestial Silkworm.

The Nine Tribulation Celestial Silkworm intends to sacrifice all Heavenly Border People to prolong its life. Hence, once it breaks free, it spells the end for Heavenly Border!

Ou Dan’s face was solemn and asked, "How did things go with your contacts?"

Upon hearing this, Zha Guang managed a bitter laugh and pointed to the Golden Core Stage cultivators behind him, "Those willing to stand against the Nine Tribulation Celestial Silkworm are all here."

"The rest have either died from the Immortal Epidemic or have already been swayed by the person in black robes."

Upon hearing this, Chang Qing’s eyebrows furrowed in anger, "How can this be? The Nine Tribulation Celestial Silkworm wants to kill everyone, why do they follow?"

Drum Master sighed deeply and shook his head, saying, "Some people’s faith is unshakable; they believe sacrificing their lives to keep the Nine Tribulation Celestial Silkworm alive is right."

"Such foolishness!"

Chang Qing cursed through gritted teeth.

Yet faith is such a thing, where some are willing to die for it, while others are more flexible, only believing in what benefits themselves—these are inherently different ideologies.

Especially in Heavenly Border, where extremists in faith are not few.

Chen Nan was thoroughly aware, for when he went to other villages to treat the Immortal Epidemic, even after curing them, revealing the truth, they blamed Chen Nan instead.

Using phrases like "After curing us, what about Master King Gu?" deeply pained Chen Nan.

This only concerned ordinary people; some cultivators had faith stronger than many ordinary individuals.

Thus, the outcome Zha Guang described was already anticipated by Chen Nan.

"In summary, our numbers match those who obstinately hold their beliefs. The opposing group, led by Shuang Jiang, includes four Nascent Soul cultivators, but their number of Golden Core Stage cultivators surpasses ours."

"Moreover, they are now waiting at Gu God Mountain for the Nine Tribulation Celestial Silkworm to break free."

Chang Qing immediately stood up, clenched her fists, and said, "Then let’s fight! I don’t believe we’ll lose to them!"

Zha Guang nodded bitterly, saying, "There’s no other choice now but to force our way in!"

"The outcome of this battle rests on the shoulders of young friend Chen Nan."

Everyone’s gaze simultaneously fell on Chen Nan.

Chen Nan understood it was because he possessed the King Gu. Now, the Nine Tribulation Celestial Silkworm was still sealed; if they seized this opportunity, killed the King Gu with the little snake, then Heavenly Border would be saved.

The burden on his shoulders suddenly became heavier, yet Chen Nan stood with resolute eyes.

"Then let’s fight!"