C230 Playing Tricks

The practitioners from the Thunder Temple who had arrived with the woman dressed in black listened to her words with clear malice in their eyes.

Deep within Chilly Wind Valley, they had cautiously steered clear of the lethal plumes of poisonous smoke that wafted from the earth.

And then there was the bone-chilling wind.

Mysterious holes pockmarked the ground, their destinations unknown, emitting toxic fumes that fed into the Ghost Poisoning Array. The second layer's miasmic clouds continued to pump out deadly power.

Even those of formidable strength were wounded when they dared to probe with their soul sense or spiritual awareness. The smoke corroded both soul and spirit.

Yu Yuan had ventured deep into the valley, skillfully avoiding those perilous holes, only halting behind a rock face.

Now, the woman in black stood there, inexplicably commanding Yu Yuan to scout ahead...

She appeared somewhat appeased, not dwelling on Yu Yuan's brashness. Yet, what she was asking of Yu Yuan was, in essence, a death sentence.

The fate of those who crossed such a woman was truly pitiful.

The onlookers lamented internally, silently grateful for their swift allegiance, aligning themselves with her.

From afar, Loong Tianxiao, with his arms folded and his dragon form levitating, drifted closer with an odd look in his eyes, scrutinizing Yu Yuan.

"What would you do?" Loong Tianxiao mused.

Back in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, Yu Yuan, recognized by the Heaven Sealing Soul Transformation Formation, wielded its formidable power and the sword will of the Soul Transformation Pool without yielding to anyone.

Not even the elders from the Rainier Empire or the Silvermoon Empire, nor Earth Demon Xiquan, could compel Yu Yuan to act.

But this was Jade Peak Mountain Range.

Here, amidst these sprawling mountains, there was no ancient formation like the Heaven Sealing Soul Transformation Formation to harness.

The woman in black was no ordinary practitioner from minor families like those of the Rainier or Silvermoon Empires.

She hailed from the Mysterious Heaven Pavilion!

"May I inquire the esteemed name of my master?" Yu Yuan asked, his demeanor suddenly serene, as he bowed once more to the woman in black.

"Mei Qiurong," she replied, her expression chilling. "Why do you ask?"

"It is an honor, Master Mei," Yu Yuan acknowledged with a slight nod, his voice tinged with unease. "Master, your insight is unparalleled. Even with the Evil Body Refining Skill perfected, one is not immune to all poisons. By asking me to navigate the tunnel, to delve into that cavern, you are essentially sending me to my death."

"How can you know without trying?" Mei Qiurong's lips curved into a smile as she said, "You don't strike me as someone with meager fortune. Why not find a cave and give it a shot? Rest assured, if you emerge unscathed and can help us find a way to leave this place alive, I'll take you to the Heavenly Source Continent."

Yu Yuan was taken aback.

"With your abilities, don't even dream about the three upper sects. But securing a spot as an outer disciple in one of the seven lower sects? That I can manage," Mei Qiurong stated earnestly. "You should realize that not many from the Silvermoon Empire are selected as disciples by the seven lower sects."

"Yet, I believe my cultivation talent is enough to become a direct disciple of the three upper sects," Yu Yuan said with conviction.

At his words, the crowd didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Mei Qiurong couldn't help but grin. "Kid, where does this confidence come from?"

Loong Tianxiao, Kuan Xianyun of the Ghoul Glyph Sect, Jin Fann, and the other sinister cultivators all wore bizarre expressions.

Then, Yu Yuan began his slow ascent up the rock face to the only cave that wasn't emitting smoke, situated halfway up the mountain.

He perched at the cave's entrance, legs dangling, his demeanor suddenly serene.

It seemed as though the simple act of sitting there shielded him from Mei Qiurong's intimidation.

"I'm genuinely curious," Yu Yuan said, his mouth twisting sardonically. "Here in the valley, all of you are ensnared by the Ghosts Poisoning Array, unable to ascend to the heavens or delve into the earth, left with nothing but to await death. How do you find the time and mood to squander on a junior whose realm is far beneath yours?"

As if in answer to his provocation, the toxic cloud above commenced its feeding once more.

This time, three gleaming, bone-white blades shot out from the dense fog.

For a brief moment, the three bone segments detached and plummeted like three streaks of frosty, ghostly lightning, impaling the corpses in the valley and whisking them into the heavens.

Before long, the chilling sound of its feasting echoed again.

Not a single corpse remained on the valley floor.

This signaled the end of one feeding cycle and the imminent onset of the next assault.

Those with weaker defenses and insufficient strength will inevitably become the prime targets in the next wave of attacks.

"Ah, I get it now. You believe you're strong enough that, even facing death, you'd be the last one standing," Yu Yuan said, a light of understanding in his eyes. "I suspect there are more from your Profound Sky Sect than just you. You must have already covertly sent word that you're trapped here."

"You're counting on your sect mates to come and shatter the formation."

"Because you're powerful, you'll be the last they strike at. You're betting that you can hold out until your comrades come to your rescue, confident you'll survive."

With that, Yu Yuan gave Mei Qiurong a knowing smile.

Mei Qiurong's expression darkened ever so slightly.

"I'm puzzled, though. If you could just sit tight and wait, you'd likely live through this. Why then reveal yourself and meddle in the affairs of the valley?" Yu Yuan wondered aloud.

Mei Qiurong's brow furrowed, and she remained silent.

"Is your Profound Sky Sect after the fabled spiritual materials of Chilly Wind Valley, or perhaps... the Poisoners who've been held captive for years?" Yu Yuan hummed thoughtfully. "Or is it something else you're after?" He gestured upwards.

Mei Qiurong continued to say nothing, instead giving him a scrutinizing look.

Yu Yuan met her gaze unflinchingly.

After a moment, Mei Qiurong shook her head. "You're a clever one. It's a shame you practice the Evil Body Refining Skill; no amount of denial will align you with the noble sects. You're smart, but you're unruly and too clever for your own good."

Her fingers aligned like a miniature sword, pointing at Yu Yuan.

It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck out of nowhere in the darkness!

A brilliant beam of light burst from her fingertips, aiming straight for Yu Yuan's chest.

At the Spirit Accumulating Stage, there's no need to shatter the spiritual sea within the mind—a burst heart is a certain death.

Yu Yuan, sitting casually at the cave's entrance, legs swinging, squinted slightly, the hint of a smile still playing on his lips.

"Pfft!"

The dazzling beam of light, mere meters from Yu Yuan's chest, burst into nothingness mid-flight.

In the cave, from the myriad holes in the rock wall where Yu Yuan stood, smoke wafted out, forming an invisible barrier that shimmered with an ethereal light, crafted in the moments before his demise.

Mei Qiurong flicked her finger at the barrier, but it simply exploded on its own, dissipating without effect.

"Master Mei, you seem to think you'll be the final target," Yu Yuan said with a smile. "You're mistaken. This is no mere object; it possesses intelligence and the capacity to adapt."

No sooner had he spoken than Mei Qiurong's gaze shot to the heavens, her mind reeling in astonishment.

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