Chapter Forty-Five: Secrets of the Valley (Part One)

With a sharp crack, a silent blow landed on the mother’s forehead, detonating the witch’s head in a thunderous explosion.

Her body collapsed, but Xun’er caught her before she fell. In the next instant, a crimson-violet corpse core shot from the shattered skull. Xun’er seized it and forcibly absorbed it into herself.

The entire scene was breathtaking. Tears streaming down her cheeks, Xun’er inherited her mother’s power and became the next witch.

She turned to face the others. In that instant, she seemed to have aged, her expression marked by a newfound sorrow and depth. “I will avenge my mother and our people,” she declared.

She extended her hand. A faint, ethereal purple mist coiled around her palm, then condensed into a line and shot out with a hiss.

Two mutated beasts, attempting to escape the fortress, were struck through the skull and dropped dead on the spot.

“Not a single member of the Heaven’s Wrath Clan shall be spared—and neither shall their accomplices.” Xun’er, wild with rage, charged into the fortress, unleashing carnage.

“What should we do?” Xiao Yang turned to Wujue.

Wujue pressed his palms together and sighed, “At this point, we can only finish clearing the fortress first.”

He had barely finished his chant when a mutated zombie crawled from the wreckage, snarling at him. Without hesitation, Wujue drew his pistol and dispatched it with fluid precision.

There is no room for doubt when banishing evil.

He immediately slipped through the hatch, joining the fray inside.

Xiao Yang and the others exchanged weary sighs. “Barely a moment’s peace, and we’re back at it. Let’s get to work!” Along with Xiao Han, he plunged into the fortress once more.

They followed close behind Wujue, eliminating the remaining zombies and beasts, while Wujue stayed right on Xun’er’s heels, shielding her.

At first, Xun’er shook her head in annoyance. “I don’t need your help. I’m no longer a child—I can handle this myself.”

She pressed ahead alone, but Wujue’s reflexes were swift. With agile movements and his twin pistols blazing, he eliminated four or five beasts that lunged for Xun’er, averting disaster.

Meanwhile, Mirror Knight Tehr transformed into a beam of mirrored light, racing ahead to illuminate the path.

Xiao Han, efficient and quick, assisted Wujue and Xun’er, dispatching any monsters that clung to life, preventing their resurgence.

Xiao Yang, for his part, coordinated the group, maintaining their formation as they advanced, sweeping through the fortress.

Witnessing their seamless cooperation, Xun’er was struck with awe. She paused, stunned, as a single tear slipped from her left eye. “You all…”

Suddenly, with a deafening crash, a large section of the ceiling caved in. The fortress, battered by their landing, was already fractured and now finally gave way.

Just as the metal walls threatened to crush Xun’er, Wujue appeared before her, shielding her with his broad shoulders and holding back the heavy debris. He looked at her and said, “Xun’er, you’re not alone. If you’ll have us, we are your family.”

“So, for everyone’s sake, and for your own, live on—live for yourself and for your mother.” With a roar, he hurled the wreckage aside.

In that instant, Xun’er stood frozen, overwhelmed by an unfamiliar sensation of being deeply moved.

“Why… why is this happening?”

Wujue placed his hands on her shoulders and said loudly, “What I want to tell you is: in this desperate world, never lose your capacity for love!”

His words echoed powerfully, resonating with Xun’er and everyone present.

This was the only truth Wujue had grasped through days of slaughter and survival.

In that moment, Xun’er seemed to understand. She wiped away her tears, took the pistol from Wujue, turned, and fired at the zombies pouring in from the hole above, laughing, “I will. I promise you, I’ll make the Heaven’s Wrath Clan witness our triumph with their own eyes.”

Their blood surged with resolve. Once more, they fought fiercely, clearing the fortress of every infected zombie and beast, scouring every corner until it was spotless.

At least a hundred corpses were cleared out, some trapped in rooms and unable to complete their evolution, ultimately becoming failures.

They dragged all the bodies outside, dug a massive pit in the valley, and set it alight, burning away every trace.

Dust to dust. Ashes to ashes.

At last, the fortress was in order. The bodies were burned, and over fifty corpse cores were recovered.

Unfortunately, most were low-grade, having only just formed through recent evolution.

Huron explained that these cores, if used properly, could greatly enhance their cultivation and proved invaluable.

According to the evolutionary categories of the Heaven’s Wrath Clan virus, there were roughly three tiers and ten ranks, corresponding to fifty-some types of warriors.

Those who first turned into zombies lost their intellect, became violently aggressive, and craved flesh and blood, but only about one in ten evolved to higher levels.

As they devoured flesh, the virus would evolve within them, spurring mutations and generating new forms.

At a certain stage, a corpse core would form in their brain, marking the second phase of viral evolution.

A new virus would emerge from the core, seeking a new host—the powerful bodies of those already infected and transformed.

This explained why some infected humans became so formidable. Wujue had encountered such Heaven’s Wrath Clan spies disguised as humans.

Wujue nodded. “Now that we’ve destroyed one of their fortresses, more enemies will surely come hunting for us. We should stick to the plan: find allies and relocate.”

Xiao Yang was tasked with extracting useful information from the fortress systems and infiltrating local networks to mislead their foes.

With the capture of this massive fortress, Xiao Yang smiled. “Our electricity problems are finally solved. Maybe we can even use this for travel—just needs a few adjustments.”

Mirror Knight Tehr drifted over silently. “Let me help. How do you want to divide the work?” He emitted a cutting line of mirrored light from his chest, instantly slicing off the fortress’s useless sections.

Xiao Yang couldn’t help but remark, “With you as a teammate, there’s nothing to worry about!”

The two set to work.

Princess Anyi chimed in, “If we’re splitting up, we’ll need provisions. I’ll go hunt some game and gather wild fruit.”

Huron replied, “No need for all that trouble. The city is clear of enemies now—we can just bring back supplies.”

After a night’s rest, Xun’er emerged, her voice steadier. “Let me help. With my witchcraft, I can transport things here without everyone tiring themselves.”

So Anyi, Xun’er, and Xiao Han set out together.

Huron and Wujue remained to discuss their next steps.

Though the seven from the prophecy were finally united, this was only the beginning. Countless dangers still lay ahead.

Huron felt it was time to give Wujue a lesson—to make him understand the true threat of the Heaven’s Wrath Clan.

“The force sent to Earth is only their advance party. They’ve conquered countless star systems in the universe and recruited many formidable warriors. My greatest fear is that, one day, those forces will descend upon us—and we won’t stand a chance.”

“Huron, for now, we can only take things one step at a time.” Wujue silently recited the Buddha’s name, knowing he would once again break his vows of nonviolence and equanimity.

“Very well, then let’s focus on our cultivation.” Huron patted his shoulder and began teaching him deeper martial secrets. “I’m staking everything on you—don’t let me down.”

Under Huron’s guidance, Wujue had already broken through to the fifth level of the Marrow Transformation Scripture, achieving the equivalent of the basic martial stage.

Now, mastering the ordinary martial arts of Dalin Temple was a matter of course.

The End-Times Divine Martial Chapter 45: Secrets of the Valley (Part 1) — End of update.