Chapter 781: Forced into a Corner, the Mysterious Stone Stele (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Song Qingming was only able to kill Qiu Wuxin so quickly because his cultivation technique countered and outmaneuvered his opponent. He did not have enough confidence to face top-tier Golden Core experts like Xiao Haoran and Han Feng, so seeing that the situation was unfavorable, he could only retreat first to avoid them.

Fortunately, Han Feng and Xiao Haoran were locked in a fierce battle, trading blows back and forth, and they didn't notice Song Qingming, who was concealing his presence and quietly slipping away in the distance.

Taking this opportunity, Song Qingming successfully moved far away from the two. Only when he had gradually left the range covered by their spiritual sense did Song Qingming slowly heave a sigh of relief in his heart and slightly increase his escape speed.

Just as Song Qingming thought he had shaken off Xiao Haoran and the other, a bolt of lightning suddenly flashed beneath the ruins of a great hall not far in front of him, heading straight for his position.

Just now, in order to avoid Xiao Haoran and the other, Song Qingming’s attention had been focused entirely on them, and he hadn't noticed that his position had unknowingly brought him above a circular formation emitting white mist.

And this bolt of lightning that attacked Song Qingming was fired from the white mist formation below.

Seeing that the power of this lightning was somewhat extraordinary, Song Qingming dared not face it carelessly. He hurriedly revealed his form and cast a spell to release his natal magic treasure, the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror," which transformed into a huge bronze mirror to block in front of him.

The lightning struck the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror," splashing a burst of sparks before quickly vanishing.

But before Song Qingming could heave a sigh of relief and escape the formation's attack range, more than a dozen bolts of lightning with no small power struck from the white mist below.

These lightning bolts were extremely fast, reaching Song Qingming in an instant and converging in mid-air into a lightning net, sealing off his surroundings and trapping him firmly within, making it impossible for him to break free and leave.

Although Song Qingming relied on his natal magic treasure, the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror," to forcibly block the attacks of these lightning bolts, he was momentarily entangled by the continuous appearance of lightning from below, leaving him only able to cope wearily and unable to forcibly break away.

Xiao Haoran and Han Feng, who were fighting in the distance, also discovered the lightning that had suddenly appeared. Not knowing what was happening on this side, they temporarily stopped their battle and approached Song Qingming’s direction.

Facing this sudden situation, Song Qingming knew he must have inadvertently trespassed into a formation here and triggered the restrictions, which was why he was being continuously besieged by the white mist formation below. For a moment, he could only blame his own luck for being truly poor.

He had already escaped to the edge of the "Wind-Thunder Hall" just now, and was only one step away from leaving this place.

He never expected to encounter Xiao Haoran and Han Feng here, and before he could shake off this danger, he ended up triggering the white mist formation halfway and getting trapped in this restriction.

Seeing Xiao Haoran and Han Feng not far away, who had already discovered the commotion on his side and were closing in, Song Qingming felt a sense of impending doom. He hurriedly cast a spell to take out a golden sphere and hung it above his head.

A moment later, most of the surrounding lightning was suddenly absorbed into the golden sphere above Song Qingming’s head, reducing his pressure significantly.

With the help of the "Lightning-Gathering Bead," Song Qingming was finally able to free up his hands and cast a spell again to attempt to break out of the surrounding lightning restriction.

But when Song Qingming rushed out of the lightning net, a huge suction force suddenly came from the location of the white mist formation below, directly pulling Song Qingming’s entire body toward it.

This suction force came very suddenly, and by the time Song Qingming reacted and circulated his magic power to resist, his entire body had already been sucked into the white mist below.

Before long, bursts of thunderous sounds suddenly came from within the white mist, followed immediately by lightning flickering incessantly around the entire white mist, occasionally accompanied by sparks flying out.

But not long after, when Xiao Haoran and Han Feng arrived at this place, those dazzling lightning bolts and the white mist formation had already suddenly disappeared.

All that remained were the palace ruins, now reduced to broken walls and debris, as if nothing had happened here just a moment ago.

"Eh! What is going on? I clearly saw such powerful lightning appear just now; someone must have triggered the nearby restriction. Why is there no one to be seen now!"

After scanning the surrounding scene, Han Feng, who had arrived a step earlier, furrowed his brows slightly.

And after Xiao Haoran arrived here, a look of surprise also appeared on his face, and he then began to search the vicinity carefully.

After a good while, Xiao Haoran, who was standing in place, suddenly looked up and said earnestly to Han Feng: "Fellow Daoist Han, could that lightning just now have been a diversionary tactic you had someone use to lure me here!

If you feel you cannot defeat me and do not wish to continue fighting, then just hand the Lightning Infant Fruit in your hand directly to me.

I can guarantee that I will no longer cause you trouble, and we will not block your Jade Sword Sect people wherever they wish to go next.

How about it? Would you like to consider it? There are restrictive formations everywhere in this inner hall, which shows that there are still many places hiding good things. Why must you and I keep wasting time here!"

Hearing the proposal from Xiao Haoran’s mouth, Han Feng let out a laugh, shook his head directly, and refused: "Hehe! Fellow Daoist Xiao, those words are a bit too much.

I admit that you are indeed extraordinary in strength, worthy of being the number one Golden Core expert in our Tianhai cultivation world.

However, for you to want to get the Lightning Infant Fruit from my hands with just a few words, that is a bit wishful thinking.

If you want to obtain this item from me, unless you can truly beat me until I admit defeat, otherwise, even if I have to risk my life, I absolutely cannot yield this spirit fruit."

Seeing the look of determination on Han Feng’s face, his natal flying sword had already flown out from his body, ready to fight at any time.

Xiao Haoran, however, had no intention of attacking at this moment. He suddenly let out a loud laugh and waved his hand directly at Han Feng not far away.

"Haha... Fellow Daoist Han, to be able to prefer death over surrender, you are indeed a person with a firm Dao heart, not so easily persuaded.

Our six major sects once had a prior agreement not to kill each other. If we keep fighting, I fear it will be very difficult for us to determine a winner.

Today’s battle with you can be considered quite satisfying. I think we should end it here!"

"What does Fellow Daoist mean by this? Are you going to let me leave?"

Seeing Xiao Haoran suddenly change his mind and no longer compete with him for the Lightning Infant Fruit on his person, Han Feng also showed a trace of surprise on his face, still somewhat disbelieving of the other party’s words.

Seeing the doubt on Han Feng’s face, Xiao Haoran nodded directly to him in response: "There are still many places in the secret realm hiding good things. I do not wish to keep fighting with Fellow Daoist Han here, only to end up leaving other opportunities and spirit items to others.

After all, this place only opens once every hundred years. By the time it opens next, you and I might have already reached the Nascent Soul realm and won't have the chance to enter again. It is better not to easily miss this good opportunity to seek opportunities.

Fellow Daoist Han, don't you agree!"

"Fellow Daoist Xiao’s words are correct. This spirit fruit is a task entrusted by my master. If it weren't for you pressing me so hard, I would not have wanted to waste time here with you either; I would have long wanted to go elsewhere to seek opportunities.

Since you have already thought it through, then I will not stay here to keep you company. I will ask for your guidance another day when there is an opportunity. Farewell!"

Confirming that Xiao Haoran truly did not want to fight him anymore, Han Feng did not hesitate too much and hurriedly transformed into a streak of light to move far away from this place.

Facing Han Feng’s departure, Xiao Haoran, who was standing in place, did not choose to block him. Only after the other party’s figure had moved far away from this place did he turn his gaze toward the ground below.

"It cannot be wrong. Why does this scent resemble the Lightning Infant Fruit so much? The person who triggered that lightning restriction just now must still be carrying a Lightning Infant Fruit on them!

No matter where you are hiding now, I will definitely be able to find you!"

Just when Xiao Haoran arrived here, he happened to smell a trace of the residual scent left by the "Lightning Infant Fruit" on Song Qingming. He also quickly deduced that there might still be a cultivator hiding in the vicinity carrying a "Lightning Infant Fruit."

Xiao Haoran had fought with Han Feng for so long, yet he had never been able to take down his opponent and snatch the "Lightning Infant Fruit" on him.

Compared to Han Feng, whose strength was not much different from his own, whoever this hidden opponent was, they would certainly be easier for Xiao Haoran to deal with than Han Feng.

Therefore, upon discovering that there might still be a "Lightning Infant Fruit" hidden here, Xiao Haoran immediately changed his mind, let Han Feng go, and shifted his target to this stranger cultivator.

After muttering to himself, Xiao Haoran first took out a sound-transmission talisman to notify his fellow sect members nearby of his location.

Only then did his figure descend from mid-air and begin to search carefully through the ruins below, looking for places where someone might be hiding. —— Outside the secret realm, at the seaside thousands of miles away from "Wind-Thunder Island."

A figure draped in a green robe was standing alone on a huge reef by the sea, eyes fixed intently on the setting sun slowly sinking into the sea on the distant horizon.

Before long, a streak of white light suddenly flew from not far behind the green-robed person and landed beside him.

Immediately after, a young man in green clothes walked out from the white light and bowed respectfully to the green-robed person.

"Senior! Everything is prepared over there, and the Heaven-Stellar Five Elements Formation has also been set up according to your requirements!"

Hearing the report from the person behind him, Feng He turned around, withdrew his gaze, nodded slightly to Song Yuanli, and replied: "Hmm! You have done well. Next, we just need to wait for Little Brother Song to return! Rest assured, as long as this matter can be completed smoothly, I will certainly not treat you unfairly. If there are any spirit items you desire, you can tell me first, and I will try my best to satisfy you."

"Senior has a great kindness of teaching and preaching to me. It is only right and proper for the junior to come and help. How could I dare to ask for spirit items from Senior!" Facing Song Yuanli’s refusal of his good intentions, Feng He did not show much surprise on his face and said directly with a serious expression:

"I have known Song Qingming for over a hundred years. The reason I saved you back then in the Lu Kingdom, although there was some fate involved, was actually also out of consideration for his sake.

And the reason I supported you in successfully forming your Golden Core was also to have you contribute to helping me take revenge and wipe out my grievances now. I just needed a reliable Golden Core cultivator to help."

"This... so that is how it is!"

Hearing Feng He suddenly change his attitude and directly confess the reasons and purposes for saving his life and supporting his Golden Core formation, Song Yuanli was slightly stunned.

Seeing the trace of disappointment on Song Yuanli’s face, Feng He continued to speak with a smile: "Therefore, if we are talking about repaying kindness, the one you should be even more grateful to is Song Qingming, not me!

I am a person who does not like to owe others any favors. There is still half a month left. If you have thought about what you need, just tell me. It will be too late to come find me after this matter is over."

"Senior’s words are understood by the junior, but the junior truly has no requests for you.

Seventh Grand-Uncle has taught us since childhood that those of us who cultivate the Dao should repay even a drop of kindness with a gushing spring. No matter the reason Senior saved me back then, this kindness is something the junior must remember."

"Hehe... you are truly a bit pedantic, wanting to remember a small favor for a lifetime! In this cultivation world, there are plenty of people who repay kindness with enmity and forget righteousness for profit. Even Song Qingming, do you think he has truly never done anything against his conscience?"

Seeing that Song Yuanli still insisted on not easily letting go of this kindness, Feng He couldn't help but shake his head at him with a smile and offer some instruction, but his words failed to shake Song Yuanli’s inner thoughts.

"Senior, Seventh Grand-Uncle also taught us that it is inherently difficult to have a perfect person in this world. If a good person encounters a situation where they have no choice, they might also do bad things because of it.

I believe that Seventh Grand-Uncle, even if he has done things against his conscience, it must have been because he was forced into it!"

Seeing the very firm look in Song Yuanli’s eyes, Feng He was stunned in place for a moment, and only after a good while did he sigh and turn to look at the sea in front of him.

"You go back first! That kid Song Qingming is shrewder than you; there shouldn't be any issues. I still need to leave for a while, and I will return on time in half a month."

After giving instructions to Song Yuanli, Feng He waved his hand, took out a flying boat of ordinary appearance, and then transformed into a green streak of light, quickly disappearing from the spot. —— Inside the secret realm, in the "Wind-Thunder Hall."

Luo Liangshan, leading a few people from "Falling Maple Valley," stood above a forest destroyed by cultivators' fighting, carefully searching for abnormal situations in the vicinity.

"Sect Master Senior Brother, we have been searching for several days in a row, and we still haven't found Senior Brother Qiu’s figure. The Star-Gathering Plate also doesn't show Senior Brother Qiu’s natal talisman seal. Could it be that Senior Brother Qiu is not in this vicinity at all?

If Junior Brother has truly encountered some mishap, do you think we should send someone out first to report this matter to the Ancestor."

"Junior Brother Li, you must not. The matter of Junior Brother Qiu’s disappearance has not yet been concluded; it is better not to rush to inform the Senior Uncle. If Junior Brother Qiu is fine, he will surely blame us for this later.

Junior Brother Qiu is the person the sect intends to cultivate to form a Nascent Soul in the future. If he is fine, it is well and good, but if something truly happened, the Senior Uncle will certainly not spare us from blame. We had better hurry and find him first!"

Luo Liangshan, who had a look of difficulty on his face, heard what the person beside him said, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded: "Two Junior Brothers, let us wait a few more days, and we will search this surrounding area carefully once more.

If there is still no news of Junior Brother Qiu after three days, then we will discuss whether to inform Senior Uncle Qiu. But before that, everyone must absolutely not let others know about this matter."

Ever since Qiu Wuxin’s disappearance, these past few days had also left Luo Liangshan lost in deep thought.

As the Sect Master, he also had a chance to form a Nascent Soul, but Luo Liangshan had failed his first attempt to impact the Nascent Soul realm. Facing Qiu Wuxin, who was deeply favored by the sect’s Ancestor, it was already very difficult for him to compete with the other party.

But at this moment, Qiu Wuxin’s sudden disappearance had revived the hope that had originally been lost in his heart.

Luo Liangshan did not truly wish for Qiu Wuxin to die here, but if the other party were truly unfortunate enough to fall here, it might not be a bad thing for him. Perhaps this was also an opportunity to change his path and destiny in the future.

Hearing Luo Liangshan’s decision, the others from "Falling Maple Valley" did not say anything more, but their expressions were different, each having their own thoughts.

And above a palace ruin hundreds of miles away from them, the group from "Green Sun Sect" also had looks of difficulty, searching carefully among the ruins.

Xiao Haoran, standing in mid-air, was currently sitting on a flying boat, holding a book and reading slowly, not paying attention to the fellow sect members who were busy below.

Not far away, a tall and thin man carefully approached another elderly man with a fat face beside him and asked in a low voice: "Senior Brother Wu, we have been searching for three days in a row, and we have turned this place over, but we haven't seen the restrictive formation Senior Brother Xiao mentioned at all.

Do you think Senior Brother Xiao could have made a mistake? There is no one hidden here at all, and that guy might have already escaped long ago!"

The fat-faced elderly man, upon hearing this, also sighed and said: "I also feel it is a bit strange, but this matter was seen by Senior Brother Xiao with his own eyes. If you don't believe it, why don't you go and ask him?"

"This... how would I dare to go alone? I wanted to ask your opinion. If you also feel something is wrong, then we can go and talk about it together, so we don't keep busy for nothing here."

"Don't. At worst, we just stay here a few more days. I don't want to accompany you to be the one to stick my neck out. Why don't you go ask Senior Brother Chen and the others? Anyway, I don't want to go."

Upon hearing his companion’s suggestion, the fat-faced cultivator glanced at Xiao Haoran, who was focused on reading not far away, hurriedly shook his head, and then turned to leave the spot.

And at this moment, their conversation had unfortunately already fallen into the ears of Xiao Haoran high above.

"Strange! It has been so long, and we still haven't found it?"

Xiao Haoran, with a trace of doubt on his face, took the initiative to put away the book in his hand. After scanning the surroundings, his figure flashed and he arrived beside an elderly man with white hair below.

"Senior Brother Chen, how is it? Have you found any restrictions in the vicinity?"

Facing Xiao Haoran’s inquiry, the white-haired elderly man sighed and shook his head directly in reply: "Junior Brother Wu and I have already searched within a radius of several dozen miles around here these past few days.

Apart from finding a few restrictions that had already been broken by others long ago, we haven't discovered any new formation restrictions, nor have we found any traces of cultivators having been active in the vicinity."

"How can this be? I clearly saw that guy disappear in this vicinity after triggering the restriction.

And I have been guarding here the whole time. If he had come out and escaped, he certainly couldn't have avoided my eyes, unless he is still hiding somewhere we haven't found! But there are no restrictive formations in this vicinity. This is truly strange. Where on earth could he have hidden?"

Hearing the doubt in Xiao Haoran’s mouth, the white-haired elderly man didn't know how to answer for a moment. After hesitating in place for a moment, he carefully said: "By the way, Senior Brother Xiao, this situation you mentioned reminds me of something I heard about in the past. I don't know if it might be related to this."

"Please enlighten me, Senior Brother!"

The white-haired elderly man, upon hearing this, waved his hand with a smile and said: "I learned of this matter from another Senior Brother when I entered two hundred years ago. It is somewhat similar to the situation you mentioned, Junior Brother.

It is said that in this Wind-Thunder Hall, people have encountered a special type of restriction in the past. Just like the teleportation arrays outside, after a cultivator triggers it, they will be sent directly hundreds of miles away, and there are also those who have been swallowed by it and died directly in the spatial channel of the teleportation.

If what you saw, Junior Brother, is true, then the restriction this person triggered might be this type. Perhaps they have already fallen in the spatial channel, or have been sent hundreds of miles away and left this vicinity."

"How can this be? Even if it is a teleportation array, there should be a formation left in place, but there is no such formation restriction found in this vicinity at all."

Hearing Xiao Haoran’s inquiry, the white-haired elderly man could only shake his head helplessly and say: "I am just suspecting and speaking; I haven't confirmed whether it is true or not.

Junior Brother also knows that many of the restrictions in this Wind-Thunder Hall have very little documentation outside, and even our six major sects keep secrets from each other regarding this.

In the notes left by our Green Sun Sect predecessors, there is no record similar to what you mentioned, Junior Brother. It is indeed very difficult to know what on earth happened."

"Hmm! Senior Brother Chen’s words are also reasonable. Then why don't we search carefully one more time? If there is nothing, we will go elsewhere to take a look!"

For several consecutive days, the "Green Sun Sect" group had not gained anything. Seeing that everyone was losing patience, Xiao Haoran could only change his own thoughts. —— In the "Green Sun Sect" group, Song Qingming, who was being painstakingly searched for, was currently standing in a circular stone room with a headache, looking carefully at a tall stone stele in front of him.

This stele was carved from a single piece of bluestone. On it were drawn some magnificent palace patterns, looking like a map, while the back was a full-body portrait of a man holding a precious sword and wearing Daoist robes.

Apart from these patterns, there was not a single character on the stele, making it impossible for one to tell for a moment what the figures and palaces drawn on it referred to.

That day, after Song Qingming was swept into the suddenly appearing white mist restriction, he immediately suffered a fierce attack from the surrounding lightning.

Fortunately, he was still carrying the "Lightning-Gathering Bead" on his head at the time to help him offset most of the lightning’s power, which prevented Song Qingming from suffering too much damage.

Just as Song Qingming was topping the "Lightning-Gathering Bead" and wanting to rush out of the white mist, he didn't expect that suddenly, with a dizzying spin, his entire body was teleported into this mysterious stone room.