“Is that so! I wonder how this disciple of mine has offended Brother Zheng Wei, to provoke such a personal lesson from you?” At that moment, a calm voice suddenly rang out from the distance, followed by several streaks of light in various colors shooting over, arriving instantly before the group of Poison Saint Sect disciples.
The speaker, facing the figure within the red light with an indifferent expression, was none other than the Flower-named cultivator himself.
“So Brother Flower has indeed arrived. Zheng Wei apologizes for my rudeness. I was merely jesting with your disciples earlier—how could I truly bully the weak?” To the astonishment of the other cultivators present, the seemingly aggressive figure in the red light immediately broke into a conciliatory laugh upon seeing the Poison Saint Sect elders, his demeanor completely shifting as if he cared not for his own dignity.
“Heh, so this is the renowned Four Scattered Real Man, Zheng Wei. Seeing you today, your reputation is well-earned!” A loud laugh came from another direction, and in a flash, five pale figures suddenly appeared between the red light and the Poison Saint Sect cultivators, standing tall like bamboo poles.
“The Five United Demonic Souls! So it’s Brother Qian of the Yin Luo Sect!” The voice from the red light changed drastically, sounding genuinely shocked.
“Flattery aside, Brother Zheng’s reputation is no less than mine,” Qian the Demonic Elder chuckled lightly.
This was no exaggeration. The Four Scattered Real Man was indeed a notable figure in the Great Jin cultivation world.
However, his fame stemmed not from his formidable abilities but from his notorious reputation as a cunning opportunist. He bullied the weak mercilessly but groveled before those stronger than him, utterly shameless. Yet, the moment an opportunity arose, he would betray without hesitation, often resorting to underhanded tactics like ambushes and backstabbing.
Such behavior had earned him the enmity of many, including some Nascent Soul-level cultivators who loathed him. Despite being only an early-stage Nascent Soul loose cultivator, practicing a cultivation method that prioritized rapid advancement over combat prowess, he had once stumbled upon an ancient treasure—the “Four Directions Soaring Boots”—which granted him speed comparable to late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators.
Moreover, he had mastered several life-preserving secret techniques and avoided provoking mid-stage Nascent Soul experts. Thus, despite his infamy, he had managed to survive and thrive, becoming one of the most notorious figures in the Great Jin cultivation world.
Naturally, Hua Tianqi had no patience for such a character, though Qian the Demonic Elder seemed oddly intrigued.
Yet, the moment the Four Scattered Real Man saw the Yin Luo Sect’s grand elder appear, he immediately began retreating into the crowd with a forced smile, like a mouse fleeing a cat.
Seeing his cowardice, Qian the Demonic Elder lost interest in further conversation and instead turned to Hua Tianqi with a mocking tone. “Brother Hua, are your disciples guarding this place to keep even me out?”
“Brother Qian jests. How could our Poison Saint Sect dare to block you? We wouldn’t hinder any fellow cultivators. It’s just that this area is currently obscured by an illusion array. We merely wished to dismantle it first to prevent anyone from being trapped inside,” Hua Tianqi replied calmly, his eyes flickering.
“Oh? Then I’ve misjudged your sect’s goodwill. But this trivial illusion array won’t stop me. I’d like to enter now—what say you?” Qian the Demonic Elder pressed with a cold laugh.
“By all means. If Brother Qian can breach the array, I won’t stop you,” Hua Tianqi said decisively, waving his hand to signal his disciples to clear the path.
The other three Poison Saint Sect elders, though puzzled, trusted Hua Tianqi implicitly and remained silent. The Core Formation disciples obediently stepped aside.
“Then I’ll take the lead.” With a wild laugh, Qian the Demonic Elder’s five white shadows shot into the white light barrier. In an instant, the barrier shimmered with blue light, and the shadows vanished.
“Any other fellow cultivators who wish to attempt the array? I won’t stop you either,” Hua Tianqi announced once the barrier stabilized, his face twisting with green patterns.
This unexpected move left the previously aggressive crowd hesitating. Even the Four Scattered Real Man, Zheng Wei, hid among them, silent.
Earlier, they had assumed the Poison Saint Sect sought to monopolize the entrance, fueling their hostility. But now, with the path open and a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator already inside, caution took hold.
No one knew how difficult the illusion array was, nor whether Qian the Demonic Elder might turn violent within it. None dared to risk facing him alone, and thus, they hesitated.
Seeing this, Hua Tianqi smirked and turned to his disciples. “No need to guard here. We elders can handle this array ourselves. Return to the surface.”
“Yes, Grand Elder!” The Core Formation disciples bowed and flew upward without looking back, soon disappearing from sight.
Then, at Hua Tianqi’s signal, the four Poison Saint Sect elders stepped into the illusion array. A flash of light later, they too vanished.
The remaining cultivators stirred uneasily.
Most were lone wanderers or small groups of Core Formation cultivators, none daring to enter the array alone. The few remaining Nascent Soul cultivators stood apart, deep in thought.
With the entrance unguarded, the scene fell into an awkward silence.
“Fellow Daoist, how about we team up to enter?” Zheng Wei, the Four Scattered Real Man, sidled up to a burly Nascent Soul cultivator with a sly grin.
“With you? No thanks. Your reputation precedes you,” the man retorted, rolling his eyes.
“Don’t be so quick to dismiss me. Besides us, there are three other Nascent Soul loose cultivators here. If we join forces, we need not fear Qian the Demonic Elder or the Poison Saint Sect,” Zheng Wei persisted, unfazed.
“Convince the others first, then come back to me,” the burly man said after a moment’s thought, still wary of Zheng Wei’s notoriety.
“Deal! Leave the others to me.” Zheng Wei thumped his chest and, under the man’s skeptical gaze, flew toward an elderly cultivator shrouded in purple light.
“Fellow Daoist, care to explore inside? I’ve already secured an ally. We’re gathering three more—interested?” Zheng Wei beamed before the old man could react.
The elder frowned, glanced coldly at Zheng Wei, then looked toward the burly man, who met his gaze with curiosity. A flicker of understanding passed between them, and the elder’s lips curled into a faint smile.
Soon, five previously unacquainted Nascent Soul loose cultivators entered the illusion array together, leaving no high-level cultivators outside.
…
Meanwhile, Han Li’s eyes gleamed with blue light as he scrutinized his surroundings.
He floated alone in a dreamlike space, surrounded by ethereal multicolored clouds. There was no sky above, no ground below—just endless emptiness.
“This place is bizarre. No matter how far I fly, there’s no exit. No restrictions, yet it doesn’t feel like an illusion. Am I truly trapped here?” Han Li muttered, frustration creeping into his voice.
Days earlier, the trio had discovered a rare spirit herb on a boulder beside a staircase. Elder Fu, eager to collect it, had plucked the herb—only to trigger a hidden restriction. In a flash, Han Li found himself alone in this strange space, with no sign of Bai Yaoyi or Elder Fu.
Though not a master of formations, Han Li was well-versed in ancient arrays. Initially, he felt no fear. But as time passed, unease grew.
He couldn’t even determine if this was an illusion. No matter how long he flew, the scenery remained unchanged. His Brightsight Spirit Eyes revealed nothing amiss. Attacks with flying swords or treasures passed through the void harmlessly, striking nothing tangible.
After drifting aimlessly for so long, Han Li finally stopped. He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began reviewing every ancient formation he’d ever studied, searching for a clue to escape.
Time slipped by as Han Li remained motionless, deep in thought. Eventually, his eyes snapped open, and he gazed at the surrounding clouds with newfound understanding.
“So that’s it. Just as I thought,” he murmured, a strange light in his eyes.
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