Chapter 64

In the blink of an eye, the ancient land had been open for four days.

Everyone, to varying degrees, had gathered plenty of heavenly treasures within the bubble barriers.

“Perfect—it’s the Xuan Light bubble!”

He Zixuan landed happily, staring at the shimmering Xuan Light bubble barrier, his already small eyes narrowing into slits with joy.

His smile didn’t last long; it vanished quickly, replaced on his round face by frustration and hesitation.

If there was a beast inside, it would surely be dangerous—last time he entered the Five-Color bubble barrier, he barely escaped being entangled by a monstrous serpent.

This Xuan Light bubble barrier was clearly larger; if a beast truly dwelled within, it would be even more perilous—nine deaths, one life wouldn’t be an exaggeration…

He Zixuan didn’t hesitate long. He gritted his teeth hard, a fierce look flashing across his face: “Damn it, fortune favors the bold.”

After a moment of determined resolve, He Zixuan reached out to touch the Xuan Light bubble barrier.

Huh…

Why can’t I get in?

He Zixuan froze, one eyebrow lifting slightly, as if to say, Are you kidding me?

After several attempts confirmed he couldn’t enter, he sighed and shook his head: “Could someone already be inside?”

That doesn’t make sense!

On the way here, every bubble barrier along the path had been empty—no one in sight. Logically, no one should be here.

As He Zixuan puzzled over this, a dark speck flew toward him from afar; as it drew near, he saw it was a Daoist standing on a small Bagua flag.

“Why didn’t you get in?”

The Daoist asked, expressionless.

“Senior Brother Lingxiao.”

He Zixuan bowed slightly; as a child, he had been sent to Qingfeng Monastery to study Daoism for a time, so he knew this emotionless Daoist.

He had challenged Xiao Yunru, the top-ranked seventh-rank cultivator, and refused to yield.

But with Lingxiao Daoist, he had no ire whatsoever—this Daoist was born with extraordinary wisdom, obsessed with Daoist divination and arrays, indifferent to fame or gain, and rarely fought others.

The last time he fought was at fourteen, defeating numerous eighth-rank masters of Qingfeng Monastery with his “Zongheng Array.”

He Zixuan had been there in person, his scalp prickling—how could someone at fourteen master arrays to such a degree?

Over a decade has passed; Lingxiao Daoist’s realm has advanced slowly, and outsiders believe he’s been hindered by his obsession with arrays and divination.

Yet many believe that if anyone could challenge Xiao Yunru for the title of seventh-rank top cultivator, only Lingxiao Daoist might stand a chance.

“I don’t know if someone’s inside—I can’t get in.”

He Zixuan replied.

Lingxiao Daoist made no hesitation—he reached out and touched the bubble. A ripple spread, but he too could not enter.

Without a word, he turned and walked away, not even bidding farewell.

He Zixuan knew his temperament and didn’t mind; instead, he found a comfortable spot and lay down. He had none of Lingxiao Daoist’s detachment—he was deeply curious about who was inside the bubble and what heavenly treasure they might claim.

He’d been rushing nonstop between bubble barriers for days, hadn’t slept in two days; now was a good chance for a brief rest.

Yawning, He Zixuan pulled out a voice-transmitting talisman and sent messages to several friends; after announcing the discovery of the Xuan Light bubble barrier, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Once spectators arrived, he wouldn’t get another chance to nap.

He Zixuan had only dozed for fifteen minutes when a piercing sound woke him. He turned his head and saw three streaks of light speeding toward him from a distance.

The first was the talented girl Tao Yidie.

The second was Pei Kuang.

The third was Wang Teng.

“Looks like there’s no shortage of people who love a good show!”

He Zixuan grinned and spread his arms to block the three: “Let’s get this straight—I was the first to find this Xuan Light bubble barrier. If whoever’s inside comes out empty-handed, I get first entry.”

Tao Yidie rolled her eyes and walked past him, approaching the Xuan Light bubble barrier to examine it, then reached out to touch it; when she couldn’t enter, she frowned: “It’s been fifteen minutes—who’s still inside and hasn’t come out?”

Pei Kuang shrugged, showing no intention of entering, and sat down on a nearby rock: “Could it be the Marquis of Wenguan?”

Wang Teng rubbed his chin: “It must be the Marquis of Wenguan—anyone else who entered would’ve come out by now, either defeated by a beast or fled with a heavenly treasure.”

“Hmm.”

He Zixuan fully agreed.

Tao Yidie crossed her arms and shook her head: “It’s not the Marquis of Wenguan—I just passed him behind me. He was called by someone, so he should be arriving soon.”

Speak of the devil.

Lu Fang, Xue Luo Sha, Shui Yao, and Wei Chaochun arrived together.

He Zixuan and Wang Teng stared at each other, then blurted in unison: “Then who’s inside?”

Xue Luo Sha hurried forward, touched the Xuan Light bubble barrier, and upon finding she couldn’t enter, smiled bitterly: “It seems Shui Yao’s guess was right—entering bubble barriers consumes the Qi Yun granted by the Clan-Kun.”

She and Shui Yao had received the least Qi Yun—only as much as a well’s mouth—and after entering over a dozen bubble barriers, they could no longer enter.

“What? It consumes the Clan-Kun’s Qi Yun!”

He Zixuan’s face twisted in dismay.

Wang Teng rubbed his chin again, muttering: “If entering bubble barriers really consumes Qi Yun, then maybe… we can’t enter because our Qi Yun is depleted—not because someone’s inside.”

The moment he finished speaking—

A faint “pop” echoed.

Everyone turned their heads in unison—the Xuan Light bubble barrier rippled like water.

“What just happened?”

“I thought I heard a sound.”

“Uh… the Marquis of Wenguan is gone?”

“Did he just enter? He was right here a moment ago—and now he’s vanished?”

BOOM! A powerful pressure surged from the Xuan Light bubble barrier, crushing, shattering, and toppling rocks, trees, and peaks as if crushed by immense gravity.

He Zixuan and Tao Yidie, closest to the barrier, were thrown hard to the ground before they could react; the others fared no better, standing firm only through sheer willpower.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

Without a word, everyone activated their techniques to flee the gravity field, each staring at the Xuan Light bubble barrier with lingering dread. The pressure lasted for the span of a tea break before finally vanishing.

“There must be an ancient divine art inside!”

He Zixuan stared at the Xuan Light bubble barrier with a grimace. Though the crushing pressure had faded, it was replaced by thunderous phenomena—lightning crackled and crashed across its surface.

“Will it be dangerous?”

Tao Yidie furrowed her smoke-like brows, her face filled with worry.

Inside the Xuan Light bubble barrier:

Lu Fang was dazed—wasn’t it supposed to be occupied? He’d merely touched the barrier and entered—before he could even move, a vision of “Sui” wielding the power of heaven and earth appeared before his eyes.