Chapter 445: Like Arabian Nights

Heifeng's words left the cultivators present lost in thought.

They exchanged glances, trying to find answers in each other's reactions, yet at that moment every cultivator present had hesitation and uncertainty written all over their faces.

"Friends, we have known Elder Qingyun and the Black and White Double Fiends for years; don't we know their character?" a venerable-looking elder said slowly, breaking the silence, "If they truly meant us harm, why go to such trouble?"

Hearing this, everyone's hearts couldn't help but waver.

Indeed!

Elder Qingyun and the Black and White Double Fiends have always had a good reputation in the cultivation world, and they both come from immensely ancient great powers; these three also enjoy great renown in the Universe Cultivation World.

"But," another cultivator raised a question, "how can we be sure the secret inheritance in this restriction isn't a pitfall but a genuine treasure?"

Heifeng smiled faintly, as if he had anticipated this question.

He lightly waved his hand, and the mysterious gate at the heart of the restriction slowly opened; a surge of rich spiritual energy rushed forth, refreshing and delighting those present.

"This spiritual energy, you should be able to feel its purity and strength.

If it weren't a genuine treasure, how could it emit such an aura?" Heifeng's voice carried a hint of temptation.

Moreover, I can guarantee that as long as you are willing to pay an ancient talisman, you may enter this restriction and verify it yourself.

Heifeng continued to tempt.

The crowd exchanged glances again; this time, their eyes held a bit more resolve.

After all, cultivators are by nature seekers of power and opportunity; how could they lightly give up on a possible treasure?

"Alright, I agree." Wang Mang spoke first.

A flicker of resolve crossed his eyes, "I am willing to offer an ancient talisman in exchange for the chance to enter the restriction."

With Wang Mang taking the lead, other cultivators likewise voiced their assent, indicating willingness to accept the condition.

Seeing this, Heifeng secretly gloated; Longling's plan had already succeeded more than half.

However, just as the cultivators were about to hand over the ancient talismans and enter the restriction, a clear, cold voice suddenly rang out, breaking the scene's tranquility.

"Everyone, wait."

Turning toward the sound, they saw a young woman in white robes, her bearing transcendent, walking slowly forward.

Her eyes flashed with the light of wisdom, daring not to be underestimated.

"Who are you? Why do you block us?"

Wang Mang frowned and asked.

The woman smiled faintly, did not answer directly, but turned toward Heifeng.

"Daoist Heifeng, you really have skill—able to toy with so many people in the palm of your hand."

Heifeng's face changed slightly; he hadn't expected anyone to see through his scheme.

But he quickly regained composure, coldly saying, "Who are you, and why interfere?"

The woman did not answer, but turned to the crowd.

"Friends, the secret inheritance in this restriction is certainly alluring,

but have you considered that greater danger may lurk behind it?

How could a treasure of the Ancient God Sect be so easily obtained?"

Hearing this, everyone's hearts wavered again.

The woman's words were like a warning bell, rousing their doubts.

Seeing this, Heifeng knew he could not let the woman continue speaking.

He snorted coldly, flickered his form, and lunged at the woman, trying to subdue her.

Yet the woman seemed to have anticipated this; she lightly waved her hand, and an invisible force dissolved Heifeng's attack into nothing.

"Friends, I am Bai Zhi, and I have long been watching this place."

The woman finally spoke.

Her voice carried a hint of gentleness, "I can guarantee that the secret inheritance in this restriction is not as simple as Heifeng claimed."

Upon hearing that there truly was a secret inheritance, everyone's hearts couldn't help but tremble.

The Ancient God Sect was a terrifying great power from the primordial ages, once ruling the world and shaking the entire Universe Cultivation World; such a fearsome sect's secret left here is surely extraordinary.

"Miss Bai Zhi, what evidence do you have to prove your words?"

Wang Mang asked.

Bai Zhi smiled faintly, lightly waved her hand, and a beam of light flew from her palm, forming a light curtain in the air.

In the light curtain was exactly the scene of that restriction just moments before.

Moreover, it was indeed clearer than the scene Heifeng had shown everyone earlier; countless profound runes fluttered about, mysterious Dao patterns intertwining and evolving within, shocking the mind and spirit, especially that towering giant whose aura could lift mountains, inspiring a feeling of worship.

Seeing this, the crowd's doubts finally dissipated, and they began to believe Bai Zhi's words.

Beside him, Heifeng saw that Bai Zhi possessed such ability; his expression, which had been about to flare with anger, gradually returned to normal.

At this point, if he still didn't understand Bai Zhi's identity, he would truly be as stupid as a pig.

With the chief Longling assuming Bai Zhi's identity to tempt once more, the authenticity of the secret treasure in the restriction could be assured, and these cultivators before us would certainly be unable to sit still.

A flicker of ruthlessness crossed Wang Mang's eyes; he directly handed Heifeng a piece of ancient talisman, then turned into a fleeing shadow rushing into the restriction, and the other cultivators, seeing this, followed suit in imitation.

Heifeng saw that Longling's purpose was being fulfilled, and he let out a slight sigh of relief.

He turned to Elder Qingyun and the Black and White Double Fiends, speaking softly, "You must guard this place well; absolutely no one else may be allowed to enter."

Elder Qingyun and the Black and White Double Fiends, hearing this, felt a mixture of emotions.

The speaker meant nothing by it, but the listener took it to heart; others would not notice.

But the three of them knew these words were directed at them.

Those cultivators who came to dig for treasure after the message jade slips shattered—if even one escaped from the restriction and then fled this white-mist sealed space, the three of them would all have to bear fearsome wrath.

Buzz buzz buzz.

Wang Mang and the others entered the secret realm, and suddenly their view opened up; they saw a huge stone statue standing in a vast space.

This stone statue looked ancient and solemn, as if it contained endless power.

Around the stone statue, three strange stones floated, emitting a faint light, each stone engraved with odd patterns, as if containing some mysterious power.

Upon seeing the three strange stones, everyone's hearts immediately filled with greed.

They were all veteran cultivators, and at a glance recognized these stones as extraordinary; the spiritual power on them was extremely strong, likely the legendary Haotian Stone.

Haotian Stone can cause the souls of those in the Heavenly Spirit Realm to undergo a transformation, thereby producing an extreme Dao divine sense.

After all their hardships, what were they striving for if not the Haotian Stone in the Ancient God Sect's divine treasury?

Moreover, those three strange stones were intertwined and condensed by the Great Dao, guarding them; they were all branded onto the giant's chest, with golden runes permeating, clearly not mundane objects but an endless sacred treasury.

"There really are treasures in this true restriction!"

Wang Mang couldn't help but exclaim, greed flashing in his eyes.

Other cultivators also showed delight, exchanging glances; they all understood that the value of these three stones was immeasurable, and obtaining even one would bring unimaginable benefits to their cultivation level.

However, just as they were about to rush forward to seize the strange stones, an abrupt change occurred.

When Wang Mang's hand just touched one of the strange stones, he suddenly felt a strong suction, and his whole body was involuntarily drawn toward the stone.

"Ah! What's going on?"

Wang Mang shouted in terror, trying to break free from the stone's suction, but found his strength insignificant before it.

Seeing this, other cultivators also panicked, wanting to retreat, but found their steps no longer obeying them, equally locked by the stone's suction.

"Not good, this strange stone is odd!"

Cultivator Chen Gong also exclaimed in surprise, trying to circulate his true qi, but found his true qi rapidly draining under the stone's suction.

At that moment, a clear, cold voice sounded again—it was Bai Zhi who had appeared earlier.

"Please, don't panic."

"These strange stones are a trial left by the Ancient God Sect; only those with firm resolve and high cultivation level can master them."

Bai Zhi's voice carried a hint of calm, as if she had anticipated this situation.

Hearing this, everyone's hearts eased a little.

They knew that since Bai Zhi could say this, she must have a countermeasure.

However, just as they were about to follow Bai Zhi's instructions, the stone's suction suddenly strengthened, and everyone's bodies began to fly uncontrollably toward the stone.

"Quick, circulate your true qi to oppose the stone's suction!"

Bai Zhi shouted loudly, her figure weaving among the people, continuously casting spell formulas, trying to help everyone break free from the stone's binding.

However, the stone's power was too great; even Bai Zhi felt somewhat overwhelmed.

Her complexion gradually turned pale, obviously she had reached her limit.

At that moment a familiar voice sounded—it was Heifeng.

"Bai Zhi, I'll lend you a hand!"

Heifeng's figure suddenly appeared beside Bai Zhi; she reached out and clasped Bai Zhi's hand.

A strong power surged from Heifeng's body, merging with Bai Zhi's strength to form a powerful magic wave that quickly spread, enveloping everyone.

With the combined effort of Heifeng and Bai Zhi, the stone's suction was finally suppressed.

Everyone felt their bodies lighten, finally breaking free from the stone's restraint.

"Thanks, Fellow Cultivator Heifeng and Miss Bai Zhi, for your rescue!"

Wang Mang and the others said gratefully, knowing that without Heifeng and Bai Zhi's intervention, they would likely have died here today.

"Ah, no."

"My cultivation level went??????"

At that moment, Elder Qing Yun shouted loudly, his gaze sweeping over everyone, his face full of fear.

Hearing this, everyone also began to examine, and upon inspection they discovered the problem: their cultivation level seemed to be sealed, completely immobile.

"This is truly like seeing a ghost."

"How could this be?"

Wang Mang also shouted in terror, they had relied on their own strength to pass through the numerous dangers of the Ancient God Sect to enter this place, never expecting to encounter another crisis.

Cultivation level is the foundation of a cultivator; if it were sealed and unusable, they would be no different from ordinary people.

Now they were inside the ruins of the Ancient God Sect; if danger arose, what could they do? Would they have to surrender helplessly, literally offering their necks to be slaughtered?

The cultivators all calmed down, circulated their true qi, and conducted a careful investigation, hoping to first find the cause of their cultivation level mysteriously disappearing.

Most cultivators saw that the stone's suction had been suppressed and nothing else happened, feeling somewhat relieved, but the ensuing cultivation level seal plunged those present into unprecedented panic.

They originally suspected this might be a plot by Heifeng and Bai Zhi, but then discovered that the Black and White Double Fiends and Elder Qing Yun faced the same predicament, their cultivation level still sealed.

"What on earth is going on?"

Wang Mang's voice trembled slightly as he looked around, trying to find an answer.

"Could it be that strange stone?" Chen Gong speculated, "Perhaps they sealed our cultivation level."

"Impossible!" Another cultivator retorted, "Although the stone is powerful, it absolutely cannot silently seal our cultivation level!"

While everyone was arguing, Heifeng and Bai Zhi exchanged a glance, a hint of cunning flashing in their eyes.

"Please, don't panic."

Bai Zhi's voice sounded again; she lightly waved her hand, and a beam of light flew from her palm, forming a light curtain in the air.

"The secret inheritance within this restriction is indeed not trivial, but it also requires you to pay a certain price."

Everyone's eyes were drawn to the light curtain, which showed a massive formation; at its center were the three strange stones, continuously emanating a golden mist.

"This this is"

Wang Mang and the others' faces instantly turned pale; they finally understood everything.

Not bad, that's us.

Heifeng let out a cold laugh, then said again:

You came for the Ancient God Sect's treasure, but this treasure was prepared by me for you.

This formation is the key to sealing away your cultivation.

What do you mean? Wang Mang asked in a trembling voice: "We paid the ancient talisman; is it just so you can seal our cultivation?"

Ancient talisman? Heifeng let out a cold snort: "That's merely the bait you used to lure yourselves into a trap. How could a single ancient talisman on you be enough?"

You're going too far! Wang Mang and the others shouted in anger, but their cultivation had already been sealed by the opposition, leaving them unable to resist Heifeng and Bai Zhi.

Excessive? Bai Zhi let out a light laugh: "This is merely the price of your greed. The Ancient God Sect's treasure exchanged for the ancient talisman—how could it easily fall into others' hands?"

But.

Wang Mang still wanted to say something, but before his words fell, his body suddenly went limp and he collapsed to the ground.

Others also felt a wave of weakness; their cultivation had been completely sealed, and even the strength to stand gradually faded.

Everyone, I give you two choices.

Heifeng coldly said: "One is death, the other is to keep crushing the jade slip to summon people."

Bai Zhi's figure flickered with strands of white light, instantly returning to the form of Longling.

Heibai Shuangsha and Qingyun, seeing this, were instantly shocked beyond belief; they never expected Longling to play this trick on them, truly caught off guard.

Qingyun, Heibai Shuangsha.

You three despicable, shameless things, you really screwed us over.

How hateful, I actually trusted you.

Wang Mang and the others shouted, their voices filled with extreme anger.

I never expected this time to end up so disastrous; my cultivation wouldn't circulate, leaving me only as meat on a chopping block to be slaughtered.

The reason they ended up like this is that the instigators are Qingyun and Heibai Shuangsha, who crushed the jade slip in their hands to summon them here, then lured everyone into the forbidden space.

Wang Mang and the others struggled helplessly within the seal.

Their hearts were filled with regret and despair; for a moment of greed, they paid a heavy price.

And all of this was a trap meticulously plotted by Heifeng and Bai Zhi.

They exploited everyone's greed, luring them into this seal, then silently sealed their cultivation.

Now they are even ordered to continue using the jade slip to lure cultivators they know into this place to fall into the trap.

Some cultivators, upon hearing this, felt dizzy with anger; the events were simply too outrageous, utterly like a fantasy.