Chapter 997: The Four-Scattered True Person

“Is that so? I’d like to know how my disciple here offended Brother Zheng Wei, to warrant such a personal lesson?” At that moment, a faint voice drifted from afar, followed by several streaks of colored light shooting forth, arriving instantly before the Poison Saint Sect disciples.

The speaker, facing the figure within the red light with a blank expression, was none other than the flower-named cultivator himself.

“So Brother Hua has truly come! Zheng regrets his rudeness. I was merely jesting with your disciples—how could I possibly bully the young with my seniority?” To the surprise of all other cultivators present, the figure within the red light, who had moments ago radiated menace, immediately chuckled and bowed apologetically upon seeing the Poison Saint Sect elders arrive—utterly transformed from his earlier demeanor, utterly unconcerned with his own dignity.

“Heh heh! So this is the famed Four-Scattered True Person, Brother Zheng Wei? Now that I see you, your reputation is truly well-deserved!” A burst of laughter came from another direction, and before their eyes, five white figures suddenly appeared between the red light and the Poison Saint Sect cultivators, each standing as thin as bamboo poles.

“Five Sons’ United Demon! So it’s Brother Gan of the Yin Luo Sect!” The figure in the red light’s voice changed drastically, as if deeply startled.

“Flattery, Brother Zheng. Your fame is no less than mine!” The Old Demon Gan chuckled lightly.

This was true. The Four-Scattered True Person was, in fact, a notable figure in the Great Jin cultivation world.

Yet not because of his extraordinary prowess, but because he was the quintessential bully of the weak and craven before the strong. Against cultivators below him, he became a ferocious demon, showing no mercy whatsoever; against those above him, he instantly groveled and flattered, utterly disregarding his own dignity. But the moment an opportunity arose, he would turn ruthless without warning, frequently resorting to lowly tactics like ambushing the vulnerable or striking from behind.

Naturally, such a man had angered many cultivators—even some Nascent Soul cultivators harbored deep hatred toward him. Yet this man, though an early-stage Nascent Soul hermit, cultivated a method that was easiest to advance in but yielded abysmal magical power. He had, by sheer accident in his youth, obtained an ancient wonder: the “Four-Sided Flying Boots.” When activated, his flight speed rivaled that of late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators.

Later, he further cultivated several peculiar survival techniques, and rarely provoked powerful cultivators of mid- or late-stage Nascent Soul. Thus, despite being despised by many, he had remained unscathed to this day, becoming one of the most infamous figures in the Great Jin cultivation world.

Such a man, of course, earned no courtesy from Hua Tianqi. Yet the Old Demon Gan seemed oddly intrigued by him.

But the Four-Scattered One, upon seeing the Yin Luo Sect’s Grand Elder appear, immediately began smiling and retreating into the crowd, like a mouse spotting a cat.

Seeing this cowardly display, the Old Demon Gan lost interest in further words, and instead spoke to Hua Tianqi with a half-smile:

“Brother Hua, your disciples guard this place—do you intend to bar even me from entering?”

“Brother Gan, you jest. The Poison Saint Sect would never dare block you, Brother Gan. Nor do we intend to hinder any other cultivators. But this area is now veiled by an illusionary array, and we merely wish to first dismantle it before allowing you all to enter—lest any of you become trapped inside.” Hua Tianqi fell silent for a moment, his eyes flickering as he spoke.

“Oh? So it was I who misunderstood your good intentions. But this mere illusionary array poses no challenge to me. I wish to enter now—what do you say, Brother?” The Old Demon Gan chuckled coldly, pressing forward.

“No problem. If Brother Gan can break through the array, I will not lift a finger to stop you.” Hua Tianqi spoke without hesitation, as if fully released, and waved his hand to signal his disciples to immediately clear the path.

The other three Poison Saint Sect elders, though puzzled, trusted Hua Tianqi implicitly and said nothing.

The several Foundation Establishment disciples obeyed without question, stepping aside at once.

“Then I shall go first.” The Old Demon Gan let out a loud laugh; five white figures flashed and shot straight into the white light curtain. Instantly, the curtain shimmered blue, and the white figures vanished.

“Are there any other cultivators who wish to break through the array? I, Hua, will not hinder you.” Hua Tianqi waited until the curtain calmed, then his green markings writhed slightly as he spoke slowly to the surrounding cultivators.

Hua Tianqi’s action left the once-aggressive crowd momentarily stunned. Even the Four-Scattered True Person Zheng Wei, who had moments ago been so bold, now hid among the crowd, silent.

All had assumed the Poison Saint Sect sought to monopolize the entrance, and thus each had grown hostile, eager to enter the seal first. But now that the path was open, and an early-stage Nascent Soul Grand Elder had already entered, they all grew cautious.

Not only was the illusionary array uncertain to break, but what if that Yin Luo Sect Grand Elder suddenly unleashed slaughter within? Who among them could stand alone against him? Naturally, they hesitated.

Seeing this, Hua Tianqi’s face revealed a faint sneer. He immediately ignored the others and turned to his disciples:

“You need not guard here. This illusionary array is no great challenge—we four can dismantle it together with a little time. Return to the surface.”

“Yes, Grand Elder!” The seven or eight Poison Saint Sect Foundation Establishment disciples bowed and flew upward without looking back, vanishing in an instant.

Then, at Hua Tianqi’s call, the four Poison Saint Sect elders stepped forward together into the lower illusionary array. A shimmer of rosy light followed, and they too vanished.

The remaining cultivators stirred uneasily.

Most were lone wanderers; even those who came in pairs were no more than two or three Foundation Establishment cultivators—how could they dare enter this array?

The few remaining Nascent Soul cultivators each stood apart, their expressions thoughtful.

With the entrance now unblocked, the scene fell into sudden silence.

“Brother, how about we enter together?” From behind the crowd, the Four-Scattered True Person appeared beside a tall man, grinning slyly.

“Enter with you? No thanks. I’ve heard your name well enough!” The Nascent Soul giant, upon hearing Zheng Wei, rolled his eyes with clear annoyance.

“Why shut me out so coldly? I’ve observed: among the Nascent Soul cultivators here, besides you and me, the other three appear to be unfamiliar hermits. If we join forces, we needn’t fear the Old Demon Gan or the Poison Saint Sect.” Zheng Wei remained unfazed, speaking amiably.

“Hmph. First convince the others, then come back to me.” The giant’s heart stirred, but Zheng Wei’s reputation was too foul—he answered without hesitation.

“Good! With your word, I’ll handle the rest.” Zheng Wei patted his chest confidently, then flew toward a distant old man wrapped in purple light, as the giant watched in disbelief.

“Brother, interested in exploring inside? I’ve already arranged with that gentleman over there—we’re seeking three more to join us. Would you care to come along?” Before the old man could even show surprise at this unexpected visitor, Zheng Wei already wore a beaming smile.

The old man frowned, glancing coldly at Zheng Wei, then lifted his gaze toward the tall man—meeting the giant’s curious stare.

Their eyes met briefly; the old man’s face softened into a faint, knowing smile.

Soon after, five previously unknown Nascent Soul hermits entered the illusionary array together. Thus, all high-level cultivators remaining outside vanished.

…

At the very moment the Nascent Soul cultivators entered the illusionary array, Han Li’s eyes glowed with blue light as he scrutinized his surroundings.

He now stood alone in a dreamlike space, surrounded by ethereal, swirling clouds of every color—no sky above, no earth below, suspended in midair.

“This damned place is too strange. No matter how far I fly, I can’t escape. No barriers appear, yet it doesn’t feel like an illusion! Am I truly doomed to be trapped here?” Han Li muttered to himself, his expression deeply frustrated.

Several days ago, the three had accidentally discovered a rare spiritual herb growing on a rock beside the staircase. The old man with the Fu surname had immediately rushed forward to harvest it.

The moment he pulled the herb free, he triggered some hidden barrier. Han Li felt his vision blur—and suddenly found himself alone here.

Bai Yaoyi and the Fu elder had vanished without a trace.

Facing this array, Han Li was no master of formation arts—but he had studied many ancient wonders. Naturally, he felt no fear at first.

Yet soon, he sensed something deeply wrong.

He could not even determine whether this place was illusion or reality. No matter how long he flew, the scene before him remained identical. His Ming Qing Spiritual Eyes had been activated long ago, yet revealed no anomaly.

He had tested every method: attacking with sword treasures, magical artifacts—all failed. Each strike passed through freely, then dissolved into nothingness, never striking anything solid.

Thus, no matter how fierce his attacks, they were useless.

After drifting aimlessly through this space for so long without result, Han Li finally stopped.

He narrowed his eyes, pondered for a moment, then sat cross-legged, gently closing his eyes, mentally reviewing every ancient wonder array he had ever studied, searching for any resemblance that might reveal a way out.

Time passed slowly. Han Li remained motionless, like a carved statue. After an indeterminate length, his expression shifted—he slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the swirling clouds around him.

“Hmm… So that’s how it is. Indeed.” Han Li’s gaze held a trace of revelation as he murmured softly.

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