Chapter 278

"That's good."

Shen Yi retracted the sword formation and looked ahead: "What about this bamboo forest?"

Speaking of the bamboo forest, Ah Qing's face flushed with excitement again: "This is absolutely not a formation that a single artifact refiner could construct. It is on an entirely different realm from the structure of the entire cave dwelling; a true master must have been hired to create it."

Having said that, he took out the route map he had previously picked up from the ground: "The Xuan Guang Cave has guessed more than seventy routes. It seems a path to life is hidden within, but in reality, once they have tried them all, they will find that the seventy-odd have become hundreds, or even thousands of paths."

"It is a flaw deliberately exposed by that master, to mock those who trespass."

"Once one believes in this path, even a powerful expert of the Transformation of Spirit Realm would likely perish within it."

"I see."

Shen Yi felt a slight itch in his mind and could only nod casually.

"Shen Zongshi, give me a little more time to copy down this formation; I should be able to solve it." Ah Qing waved his hand, looking full of confidence, but immediately afterward lowered his head in shame.

"Solving it is useless now; the teleportation formation is about to close. Who knows when it will open again."

If the goal was merely to increase knowledge, the harvest would naturally be abundant.

But Shen Zongshi likely only wanted the treasures inside.

"It is no matter; you go ahead with your work."

Shen Yi did not show any expression of disappointment; he remained as calm as ever.

He had only one question.

Someone from the Xuan Guang Cave was guarding the entrance; taking a single step forward meant entering the formation. Even the Great Qian had silver bells to communicate with one another; how could the Xuan Guang Cave possibly lack something similar?

Furthermore, the formation was damaged, and everyone had been randomly teleported to different places.

In other words, as long as the Shen Zongshi guarding the Xuan Guang Cave stepped into the formation, there would be a chance to send out a message.

Under such circumstances, the Bai Yu Yao Huang was actually able to stride boldly right up to Zhang Mingyang, who was completely unprepared.

He was at least a Shen Zongshi of the Hunyuan Realm with profound foundations; to be beheaded without even taking a single step out was too absurd.

If my guess is correct, there is probably another entrance.

Once Ah Qing figures out this formation, we can summon the Bai Yu Yao Huang then and ask him.

"..."

Shen Yi's expression fell into Ah Qing's eyes, but the meaning was entirely different.

Knowing they could not enter, he was still willing to waste precious time staying behind to accompany her in copying the formation.

Since leaving home, where had Ah Qing ever encountered such a powerful person with such a good temper?

Even at home, only her father would be so patient with her, his daughter.

She said softly, "Thank you, Shen Zongshi."

"Just call me Shen Yi."

Shen Yi nodded, turned around, and left the place, no longer disturbing the other party.

He understands formations, has broad knowledge, and even knows the whereabouts of a supreme-grade spiritual root.

This time, we have truly struck a treasure.

I must find an excuse to keep her by my side.

"Shen Yi."

Ah Qing murmured the name softly, staring at the other party's receding figure, helplessly clenching her hand.

Given the decisive and ruthless manner the other party had shown earlier, calling him by his name was something she would not dare to do even if she were lent several more courage.

"Better get to work first!"

She took out paper and brush again; this was the opportunity given by Brother Shen, and she could not waste the other party's time any longer.

For a Hunyuan cultivator whose lifespan often spans several thousand years,

three days is merely the blink of an eye.

Chen Zhong swooped back from a distance: "Senior Shen, I have taken a look around. Occasionally, I see a few juniors of the Embracing Elixir Realm passing by; there should be no danger."

Ah Qing carefully finished the last stroke, then hurriedly ran over to the two of them.

"Hurry! Hurry! We won't make it in time!"

Seeing her innocent appearance, unfamiliar with worldly affairs, Chen Zhong helplessly sighed.

Within the Great Qian Dynasty, those who possess the cultivation of the Embracing Elixir Realm are all those who have fought their way out of bloody storms.

Only a family that does not contend with the world could raise such a junior.

It is just that the Nine Provinces are too vast; otherwise, if we asked the Xu family to build a similar concealment formation to cover the entire Great Qian, letting everyone live their own lives, it would be quite relaxed and straightforward.

"Let's go."

Shen Yi rode a red cloud, making no attempt to conceal his aura, and followed Ah Qing's guidance toward the main entrance of the cave dwelling.

Chen Zhong realized his thought, summoned the Dao Infant of the Upper Hunyuan Realm, and likewise let his momentum spread out.

Two Hunyuan experts were withdrawing.

Anyone with a bit of sense should follow and leave as well.

As for those who are still unwilling to leave, let them leave it to fate.

At this moment, somewhere within the cave dwelling.

A man with a black mole on his face spat angrily: "Pah!"

He had been searching carefully in this place for many days, yet had not found a single thing.

"Damn it, damn it!"

After cursing, the man with the black mole felt an immense headache.

Originally, for a cultivator of the Hunyuan Realm, there should be very few things in the world that he would find difficult to handle.

But he borrowed something from others only to exchange it for a useless, worthless treasure.

He hoped to profit from the price difference by relying on his connections.

Yet no matter how eloquent he became, he could not sell it, and he had already incurred ridicule inside the Eight Directions Dining Hall for nothing.

Ridicule was one thing, but now he owed treasures to several friends and truly had no way to explain himself.

He could only try his luck inside the cave dwelling.

"Last time! Give me another chance, and I promise I will never do such a foolish thing again!"

The man with the black mole continued deeper inside, when suddenly two overwhelming auras caught his attention.

"What is going on?"

He looked up and saw two Hunyuan Sect masters exerting their full strength, flying outward.

Something is wrong!

His heart tightened, and he quickly stopped his steps.

Hesitating for only an instant, the man with the black mole summoned his Dao Infant without looking back and leaped into the air, following that direction.

Whatever happened, it certainly was not good news.

He had no confidence in his luck at all now; fleeing first was the only way to show respect.

Two lush, beautiful Gaoshan mountains reflected each other.

Between them, dense weeds swayed in the wind.

Dim light radiated from within.

The formation seemed long neglected and had lost its former splendor.

As time passed, that already dim radiance was even fading further...

Shen Yi descended from the sky with Chen Zhong and A Qing.

He saw that over a dozen figures had gathered around.

Among them were several familiar faces.

The Yu brothers from before, along with the other three Hunyuan Sect masters, were all present.

Yu Yuehu held his elder brother's broken body, his face filled with intense anger, yet his eyes flickered with suppressed grievance and worry.

"Why haven't you left yet?"

Chen Zhong frowned as he looked; the other's elder brother was severely injured, and if not treated immediately, serious trouble would arise.

"Senior."

Hearing this, Yu Yuehu's face turned bitter; he did not answer immediately but turned to show Chen Zhong the palm print on his back.

Only then did he say, "We already went out, but were driven back again... The Xuan Guang Cave wants to search my brother and me. I do not care about the few treasures on my person, but he also wants to search my elder brother!"

"Given their reputation, how could I dare hand my elder brother over to them?"

Upon hearing these words, a wave of anger rose, and everyone began to curse.

"A Peak Realm Slain Hunyuan expert, how shameless! Right in front of the Eight Directions Dining Hall, he tried to forcibly seize us! Does he not fear ruining the dining hall's reputation and provoking True Person Xuan Jian?"

"Indeed, he is a Peak Realm Hunyuan Sect master from the Xuan Guang Cave; I fear only a Soul Transformation True Person could deal with him."

Yu Yuehu sighed; having taken a palm strike, he knew best of all. He had expected Chen Zhong to be deeply worried as well, since the other had lingered in the cave dwelling for all this time and must have gained some rewards.

What he did not expect was...

"Oh."

Chen Zhong nodded, his expression utterly calm, and retreated behind Shen Yi.

(End of this chapter)