C170 A City(1)

In the Sunset Canyon, chaos reigned as voices clashed in a cacophony of noise. The ancient cave, once sealed, had been breached by the combined efforts of the elders and sect masters from the major sects of the region. Students from the Heavenly Martial Academy and the three major sects entered in an orderly fashion, leaving everyone else outside.

The four major powers claimed they needed to assess any potential dangers inside and promised to allow others in after three days. However, the crowd wasn't fooled; they knew this was just a ploy to let their own people loot the treasures first, leaving only scraps for the rest.

Nearly ten thousand cultivators were unwilling to accept this and surged toward the canyon. Yet, with experts at the Shape Gathering Stage standing guard, forcing their way through was impossible.

As tensions reached a boiling point, the canyon suddenly trembled. Before anyone could react, a massive force pulled everyone through the Light Door, even the powerful experts left outside by the four major powers couldn't resist.

A flash of white light, and then nothing...

The once bustling canyon was now eerily empty.

...

In the herb garden.

"Hehe, wasn't my decision spot on, sister? If those old geezers hadn't messed with the formation, we wouldn't have had so much spiritual energy to absorb!"

Before Loong Zhiwu even arrived, her excited voice echoed in the air, suggesting she had made significant progress, inching closer to the Reality Condensing Stage. Woo Zhengyang was speechless; she really knew how to pat herself on the back, but it was true. If the formation hadn't been broken, the spiritual herbs would have been snatched up by everyone, leaving Woo Zhengyang and Loong Zhiwu empty-handed since they didn't have extra containers.

Although it felt a bit wasteful now, both of them benefited greatly, especially Woo Zhengyang. The absorption speed of the formation at the Ice Crystal Fire Hall was incredibly intense. Seeing Woo Zhengyang remain silent, Loong Zhiwu slapped her forehead and said, "Oh, I almost forgot, you're practicing the Body Tempering Technique, so your speed of absorbing spiritual energy isn't as fast as those using the Vein Refining Technique. But don't worry, stick with me, and you'll definitely reap the rewards!"

Woo Zhengyang didn't say much, but his impression of Loong Zhiwu kept improving. No matter how she teased others, she was considerate of those around her, at least thinking about his well-being.

Just then, the sky suddenly filled with a dazzling white light. Woo Zhengyang and Loong Zhiwu looked up to see the entire sky raining down white specks, like a shower of stars falling from above...

"This..." Woo Zhengyang stared at the countless white specks descending from the sky, finding it hard to believe.

As people first entered, they came in one by one, but now they're rushing in all at once. Is the Light Door really that big?

Loong Zhiwu noticed something was off. Her lips parted slightly as she said, "This is unusual. Those old folks are even more selfish than I am. Why would they let so many people in? Judging by the numbers, it seems like everyone has come through!"

While the two were puzzled, a light spot landed right in front of them. It moved incredibly fast, touching down in an instant. After a flash of white light, a figure appeared.

Woo Zhengyang, familiar with these ancient Light Doors and their short-distance teleportation arrays, was seeing their operation for the first time and couldn't help but marvel at their intricacy.

By now, the figure had fully materialized, looking utterly terrified. Upon seeing Woo Zhengyang and Loong Zhiwu, the person was initially stunned, then exclaimed with delight, "Sister!"

It was the same student from the Heavenly Martial Academy who had greeted Loong Zhiwu earlier.

"Weren't you assigned outside? How did you get in?" Loong Zhiwu asked, surprised.

"I have no idea. The entire canyon suddenly started shaking, and the Light Door burst with white light. It seemed like everyone got sucked in!"

Hearing this, Woo Zhengyang was alarmed. He recalled that when he had examined the array, its coverage was vast, encompassing the entire canyon.

Woo Zhengyang initially thought that the vast area was merely supplying energy to the formation in front of the Light Door. However, after listening to the conversation, he sensed something unusual. The purpose of the formation was far more complex; otherwise, so many people wouldn't have been drawn in all at once. It seemed the formation had another function.

Woo Zhengyang exchanged a grave look with Loong Zhiwu. The sky suddenly displayed strange phenomena, attracting numerous cultivators. The extensive formation absorbed everyone present. This intricately designed place had ensnared so many people, and it surely had a purpose. That purpose was likely not an opportunity, but a disaster!

"Haha... this isn't so bad. I thought I wouldn't have a chance to get in, but not only did I make it, I also ran into you, my dear sister. It's fate! But the spirit herbs here have withered. Let's head somewhere else!" the disciple exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Loong Zhiwu gave a sly smile and glanced at him. "That sounds great. I might have upset some people, and I'm worried they might come looking for revenge!"

The disciple was dumbfounded upon hearing this.