Chapter 364: Zhuge Ruolan arrives, the Hunyuan Bell reaps a great harvest

The sect master has been gone half a month with no news; Elder, what do you think he is?

An old man sat above, with a thick ghostly aura behind him.

Inside the pitch-black hall, ghost flames flickered, illuminating the faces of those present.

The Second Elder sat in the first seat of the first row, on the left; he spoke first: "Elder, do you think the sect master died outside?"

The Third Elder opposite interjected: "Second Elder, you too look down on the sect master. Although we don't like him, the sect master is the leader of the Yin Gui Sect; his strength is undoubtedly great, and few could kill him."

Within the sealed world, those capable of killing their sect master can be counted on one hand.

As long as the sect master doesn't act foolishly and provoke those strong ones, even in a life‑and‑death struggle, he won't be killed.

If he can't win, he can simply flee; there's no need to worry about being killed.

"Third Elder, my speculation isn't baseless. The sect master has never before been so mysterious, disappearing for half a month. He left the Yin Gui Sect, his destination unknown; according to my guess, he very likely went to the Great Qi Dynasty."

"Oh?" The Elder above raised his eyebrows, looked at the Second Elder, and asked: "Second Elder, have you received any news?"

The Second Elder nodded: "Elder, all of you must have felt the sect master's change; his strength has risen again, the Yin Gui Sect's invasion is restrained, internal turmoil roils the Great Qi Dynasty, and that old immortal Qihuang is about to die. In this recent period, once Qihuang passes, it will be our best opportunity."

"Whether the Yin Gui Sect can seize the Great Qi Dynasty and reclaim our faction's lost lands hinges on this attempt."

"For now the sect master must not meet harm; at least until we settle the matter of the Yin Gui Sect taking over the Great Qi Dynasty, he must stay safe."

The Yin Gui Sect's grand strategy concerns everyone's interests; even if we do not oppose it, we will not stand against the sect master.

They've been driven to this ghost‑ridden place for how many years; it's time to return.

Inside the Great Qi Dynasty, resources abound, making it most suitable for their cultivation.

Compared to this place, it's unknown how many times better it is.

Several elders present nodded, agreeing with the Second Elder's words.

The Third Elder's face was grim, yet he could not help but agree with that statement.

"We naturally know these things; Second Elder, you haven't yet said where the sect master went."

The Third Elder inquired, changing the subject.

The Yin Gui Sect's grand plan must not go wrong; at least, not now.

All the elders present did not wish to see such a thing happen.

The Second Elder pressed his hands down: "Third Elder, don't rush; the places the sect master might go are just a few—either the capital, or the Heavenly Heart Sect, or possibly Longshe Shan."

"Longshe Shan?"

The Elder frowned.

All the elders present frowned as well.

They stared at the speaking Second Elder; they understood the capital and the Heavenly Heart Sect, but wondered why Longshe Shan was added last.

They knew Longshe Shan well—Elder Jiang Tai died there, and also one person from Tianwai died, no, actually two.

When the Wild Dragon Snake cave‑heaven opened, not a few died inside.

They were all strong ones; they all died, yet no news leaked out—who the killer was, nobody knows.

The only thing known is that the Tianwai person was killed by the existence of Longshe Shan.

The danger of Longshe Shan is clear to them; nobody wishes to approach.

"That's right; the existence of Longshe Shan—I think everyone here knows it—the sect master very likely wants to test it out."

"So, Second Elder, are you worried the sect master will be killed by that one existence of Longshe Shan?" the Fifth Elder beside the Third Elder asked.

The Second Elder laughed: "Indeed, just how strong is the existence of Longshe Shan? I think you all know it could slaughter even a Tianwai person; as for how strong a Tianwai person is, I won't go into detail."

"Once that existence makes a move, the sect master will very likely be left in Longshe Shan."

"Elders, who among you is willing to make a trip to Longshe Shan to check on the sect master's news?"

Upon these words, the hall fell silent.

Even the Elder seated above fell silent.

Everyone lowered their heads; nobody dared to take on the task.

The Third Elder, displeased, said: "Second Elder, can't you say it all at once?"

The Second Elder rose and said: "If the sect master dies, it's not without benefit for us; we can let the Holy Son take charge, and I think all of you elders would be glad."

Several other elders exchanged glances, contemplating that possibility.

The Elder asked: "Those other elders won't be easy to deal with."

The Second Elder said: "Elder, they cannot stop it; the Yin Gui Sect's plan cannot be changed, nor can there be any mishap; we… are all thinking of the sect's future."

"They are all smart people; they know what to do."

The other elders stood on the sect master's side.

If the sect master is not dead, they might oppose.

If the sect master dies, the Holy Son succeeding him is perfectly normal.

"Leave this matter to you to handle; confirm the sect master's situation, do not act rashly, and once you confirm he is dead, Second Elder, you may proceed with confidence."

"Yes."

……

On Longshe Shan.

Chen Chuyang took stock of his resources; most were spirit stones and spirit medicines, plus some materials thick with ghostly qi. Chen Chuyang had no use for them, and he did not want to turn himself into something neither human nor ghost.

He dumped all those materials into the Hunyuan Bell to devour; the Hunyuan Bell accepts all comers, eating until it's stuffed.

A large batch of materials poured in, and the Hunyuan Bell's aura grew richer and more terrifying.

Its inner space expanded once more.

Chen Chuyang watched the Hunyuan Bell's self‑evolution, feeling quite satisfied.

This personal weapon has already given birth to spirituality; having devoured so many good things, if it showed no change, wouldn't that be a waste of all his fine materials?

This time, after fattening the Primordial Bell, there aren't many things I can use.

They are all things filled with ghostly aura; others can't use them either.

The Yin Gui Sect's stuff is not bad, except for this: I also need to clear the ghostly aura off them, and the difficulty is not low.

He picked out some that are easier to clean and more precious.

The rest, Chen Chuyang threw all of them into the Primordial Bell, letting it slowly absorb them.

As a natal weapon, it naturally needs to be well cultivated; the stronger the Primordial Bell, the safer Chen Chuyang becomes.

At the same time, I will again strengthen Longshe Shan's formations; having gained a good thing, how could I not strengthen it properly?

Night fell.

Zhuge Ruolan came to the door.

Another visit; this time, she came of her own accord.

Chen Chuyang had just finished upgrading the formation, injecting some ghostly aura, making it even more eerie and powerful.

Zhuge Ruolan watched Chen Chuyang upgrade the formation, and a chill ran down her back.

Gurgle.

She swallowed hard with difficulty, and Zhuge Ruolan weakly asked, 'Are you upgrading the formation?'

Yeah, if the formation isn't strong enough, if we don't upgrade it, then if someone comes to attack, wouldn't we be doomed?

Zhuge Ruolan: '???'

For a moment, she couldn't speak.

With those formations, even the sect master is trapped; in this world, who could attack?

Chen Chuyang is too optimistic about others, isn't he?

Or perhaps he underestimated these formations of Longshe Shan.