Chapter 64

Xia Daoming’s gaze fell far away onto the field east of the valley, where golden auroras rippled, and a hint of hesitation crossed his face.

Though the field was distant, Xia Daoming had a gut feeling that the crops growing there were extraordinary.

Moreover, the Liu family had been slaughtered; the only path into the mountain was shrouded by the illusionary array’s thick mist; the chief of the Six Evil Beasts had become Lord of Luogui City; and every household within a hundred li of Luogui City was carefully raising venomous snakes—these threads connected.

Xia Daoming grew even more certain that the crops in that field were extraordinary, and he now knew the ones who had usurped this place were surely cruel, evil cultivators.

Now, the evil cultivator was very likely not at his lair—this was naturally a perfect opportunity for Xia Daoming to raid the place, seize wealth, and at the same time avenge a little of Liu Qiaolian’s blood debt.

Besides, they had already broken most of the illusionary array; should the evil cultivator return, he would surely investigate.

To know yourself and know your enemy is to ensure victory in every battle.

Xia Daoming certainly needed to learn about the evil cultivator beforehand; otherwise, one day when the man came hunting, he’d remain clueless and just wait to have his head handed to him.

Even if Xia Daoming’s judgment was wrong and the evil cultivator was home, he’d already spotted them by now—and they’d be too late to flee.

If so, it’s better to venture deep into the tiger’s den and risk everything for a great prize.

“Since we’ve come this far, while the demon cultivator’s away, let’s go in and take a look—but cover your faces well.”

As thoughts turned in his mind, Xia Daoming quickly made his decision, then deliberately tore off a strip of cloth and wrapped it over most of his face, leaving only his eyes exposed.

Thus, hat, black veil, and face cloth—double concealment!

Storming into the demon’s lair, even if some escaped, there’d be no risk of exposing their identities.

“Master!” Liu Qiaolian’s face showed both emotion and worry.

“Don’t worry. With my current strength, as long as I don’t face a Grandmaster or a cultivator, no one else is worth fearing. But once we enter the valley, you must stick close to me.” Xia Daoming said.

“Yes, Master!” Liu Qiaolian gritted her teeth and nodded firmly, then pulled out a silk scarf and covered her face with double layers.

Gengyun Mountain, valley.

A garden behind a large mansion.

A group of men and women were indulging in lewd acts in broad daylight.

Unintentionally, a burly man with chest hair like a monkey’s and a face full of fat raised his head toward the valley’s only entrance.

His gaze fell upon it, and his lust vanished instantly—he shoved off the naked woman on top of him and shouted, “Brothers! Trouble! Someone’s broken through the Immortal Array!”

At his shout, the other three men engaged in their activities also looked up toward the valley’s sole entrance.

Seeing the thick mist gradually thinning, with shafts of sunlight piercing through, they all paled, pushed away the women on them, hastily donned their clothes, grabbed swords and blades, rushed out of the mansion, and headed straight for the Peach Miasma Illusion Array.

But as they neared the entrance of the illusionary array, all four halted.

Xia Daoming and Liu Qiaolian were inside the array; even though they’d damaged much of it, they were still affected by its illusions, so what lay beyond remained limited to their view.

Those outside the array, as the array was progressively broken, could now see the interior clearly—even without array talismans.

“So they’re just two martial masters, not cultivators!” The chest-haired man, seeing Xia Daoming and Liu Qiaolian holding long spears and moving cautiously, let out a long sigh of relief—then his greedy eyes locked onto Liu Qiaolian on the slope.

“Hehe, Second Brother, we’ve grown bored of all the women in this compound. I’ve long wanted to leave the valley and capture some fresh ones, but the Immortal Array locks us in, and the Immortal Master hasn’t returned yet—so we can’t even get out.

Now it’s perfect: a woman has come to us on her own, and this girl looks like she’s got a fine figure—this time we’ve got something fun to play with.” A man with a sallow face leered.

“Fifth Brother, you’ve let lust cloud your mind! There’s a beast guarding the array’s core—do you really think these two can get past it?

Unless they’re absurdly lucky and stumble past the beast, then somehow escape the illusionary maze.” A man with a scholarly air shook his head.

“Ah, you’re right.” The sallow-faced man’s face fell instantly.

“Enough. Stop overthinking. Focus! Even if they’re just martial masters, getting this far means they’re no ordinary ones!” The scholarly man added coldly.

“Hehe, Fourth Brother’s too cautious. We’ve been trained by the Immortal Master—our lowest is Sixth Rank. Unless a Martial Grandmaster shows up, who’s worth fearing?

These days, who’d come to a place like ours? And if it really were a Grandmaster, trapped in the Immortal Array, he’d already have his qi hardened into armor.” The sallow-faced man scoffed.

“The two have reached the center of the Immortal Array.” The scholarly man’s expression suddenly sharpened.

The other three tightened their grips on their swords and blades.

The sallow-faced man had spoken lightly, but he knew well: these intruders were no ordinary foes.

If they truly passed this final barrier, a bloody battle awaited them.

On the other side.

Xia Daoming and Liu Qiaolian had boldly entered the thick mist.

The mist churned, revealing endless illusions of peach groves.

Neither knew that four great martial masters guarded the array’s exit.

Yet within the mist and peach illusions, Liu Qiaolian moved with confidence, stepping in precise Gang steps, each time accurately identifying the true trees among the illusions.

“Master, we’re about to find the array’s core.” Liu Qiaolian’s face lit up with joy.

At that moment, Xia Daoming sensed danger—he grabbed Liu Qiaolian and yanked her backward in a swift retreat.

No sooner had he stepped back than the mist before them churned, revealing two glowing red points.

A foul, stinking odor rushed toward them.

Then a massive serpent burst from the mist—golden scales, crimson eyes, as thick as a man’s waist.

“Golden Scale Blood-Pupil Snake.” Xia Daoming’s face changed—he retreated again swiftly.

The Golden Scale Blood-Pupil Snake did not pursue.

“Master, should we turn back?” Liu Qiaolian’s face turned pale.

Golden Scale Blood-Pupil Snake: Level One Gao Jie beast.

Impervious to blades and spears, immensely strong, capable of spitting blood arrows.

To Liu Qiaolian, it was utterly unbeatable.

“So this Golden Scale Blood-Pupil Snake guards the core you mentioned!” Xia Daoming stroked his chin, eyes thoughtful.

“It must be. But it’s a Level One Gao Jie beast—its power is immense. Master, perhaps we should still…”

“Can you bypass the core and break the array without touching it?” Xia Daoming interrupted.

“I was foolish—I’m grateful for your reminder. The Peach Miasma Illusion Array’s main function is merely to confuse and blind—it doesn’t require removing the array flag or destroying the core to escape.

Earlier, I got carried away, eager to test what the texts described, so I dug up the flags and directly destroyed part of the illusionary barrier.

I forgot that as long as you understand the layout of the array’s foundation and core, and avoid triggering the illusionary deception that loops you back, you can simply walk straight out.” Liu Qiaolian’s eyes brightened slightly.

“Then let’s go around. Your earlier actions likely already alerted those inside the valley. If we now burst out silently and suddenly, it’ll give them a real surprise.” Xia Daoming’s face lit up with delight.