Chapter 23: A Startling Turn of Events

In the center of the battlefield in the Hidden Moon Pool Valley, the three disciples of the Profound Origin Sect finally completed their formation.

“Heaven position!”

“Earth position!”

“Wind position!”

“Spirit-Locking Formation—activate!”

With their voices rising in unison, three strands of golden spiritual light intertwined, forming a triangular pattern above the pool. A faint barrier flickered into existence.

Perhaps sensing its space shrinking, the fish demon struggled even more fiercely, its massive body crashing against the barrier again and again. Yet no matter how it thrashed, the golden beams remained unmoved.

“Lock the form!” the three cultivators shouted together.

A resonant hum echoed as the golden lights vibrated, then from each beam, three even finer golden threads spun forth, spiraling inward toward the center.

With a thunderous bang, the fish demon wailed in agony, lashing the icy pool into a spray of waves.

But the Spirit-Locking Formation did not end there. More and more golden triangles shrank, finally pressing against the very body of the fish demon.

In mere moments, its head, body, and tail were each bound by a circle of golden threads.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, if you do not strike now, the efforts of your three juniors will be utterly wasted…”

Chai Yanghui tapped his finger, recalling his jade talisman as a streak of light back into his pouch, casting a cold glance at Wang Xi.

He and Lu Ziye were no fools; they knew exactly how much effort Wang Xi had contributed in this battle.

Chai Yanghui had been willing to let things pass—the fewer troubles, the better, and the Profound Origin Sect was not a force his Spirit Talisman Sect could afford to offend. But with the fight dragging on, their disciples were already sustaining injuries.

A simple inspection turned into a deadly risk for these new disciples; such losses would be entirely meaningless.

“Haha, no need for your reminder, Brother Chai. My Earth-Shattering Spell is ready at last!”

In Wang Xi’s palm, an ochre light flickered as he grasped the air.

With a roar, pure spiritual power condensed into an ochre sphere, pulling stones and earth from all around the Hidden Moon Pool Valley into its orbit.

A brilliant gleam burst from Wang Xi’s fingertips, transforming into a rain of sand and rock.

In just a few breaths, a small mountain, inverted and pointed downward, formed above the fish demon’s head.

A guttural cry burst from the demon, sensing impending doom.

“Fall!” Wang Xi commanded.

With a surge of power, the mountain crashed down, striking the fish demon and plunging it beneath the surface, sending up a spray of water.

Soon after, the pool began to turn red as beast blood stained the Hidden Moon Pool.

Only then did Chai Yanghui’s brow ease. His spiritual inquiry confirmed the demon’s demise, and he immediately flew down to check the injuries of his sect’s disciples.

Wang Xi cast a deep look at Chai Yanghui, then spoke in a clear voice.

“Thank you for your help, fellow Daoists. The beast has been slain. Rest here a while, and then return to the valley with me to report.”

The others obeyed, tending to their wounds and meditating.

Wang Xi’s cultivation was not the highest present; not to mention Lu Ziye, Chai Yanghui had been at the ninth layer of Qi Refinement for years and was about to reach perfection. Yet the Profound Origin Sect was the dominant power in the Chu Kingdom’s cultivation world, and since they had discovered and led the exploration of Silent Valley, it was only natural that their disciples would take charge.

With a sweep of his sleeve, Wang Xi dismissed the three formation disciples to recover on their own.

Shen Huai exchanged a look with Wang Xi, and the two slipped into the depths of the forest.

Wan Songran, who had been watching the Profound Origin Sect intently from the Spirit Talisman Sect’s side, closed his eyes, pretending to meditate though he was unhurt.

Within the soundproofing formation, Shen Huai spoke coldly, “Such a show of force for a fish demon, was it necessary, Senior Brother Wang?”

“When did you become bold enough to question me?” Wang Xi’s face was indifferent. “Mind your own business.”

Shen Huai snorted, then began listing the details of the other sects’ disciples: “Chai Yanghui, ninth layer of Qi Refinement, one foot into the tenth. Besides that jade spirit shield talisman, he has another special talisman, though I couldn’t identify it from this battle. He used only wood spells, but his main practice should be fire. He likely possesses an offensive artifact, but I couldn’t determine its type or element. No sign of a spirit beast.”

“Lu Ziye, ninth layer, barely broke through three months ago. No spirit beast, no powerful artifact—nothing hidden. Quite ordinary.”

“Hah, poor and dull, as always with Dongyuan Sect disciples,” Wang Xi sneered.

For those in the know, this joint mission was not just about extracting a few spiritual veins or compensatory treasures from the Spirit Talisman and Dongyuan Sects. It was also a chance to gather intelligence on the inner disciples of both sects.

In three years, the great event of Chu’s cultivation world would arrive—the Nine Veins Competition at Dragon Pool Mountain. Every sect was “concerned” about the backgrounds of rival inner disciples and personal heirs.

“I wonder if Elder Shen is ready.”

“That secret realm was bound to manifest; Elder Shen simply uses an artifact to control the timing. He can only delay its appearance, and when it opens, he cannot choose who gets drawn in besides Chai Yanghui and Lu Ziye.”

“Then let them all die. Didn’t you pick a scapegoat in the Spirit Talisman Sect, too?”

“What’s his name?”

“Wan Songran, from the Wan family of Danyang Prefecture, Chenzhou.”

“He should be carrying a Wan family heirloom, though I don’t know what it is.”

“In Dongyuan Sect, besides Gu Qingqing, either Shao Sichao or Tang Lin will do, no need to insist on Song Yan.”

Wang Xi waved her off, tired of the nagging. “So, we say the disciples of Dongyuan and Spirit Talisman Sects, seeing me wounded and depleted, tried to kill me for my treasures. I fought back desperately, and all fell together. My own foundation is damaged, and I’ll need years of healing.”

Shen Huai nodded. “Then you’ll need some injuries as well.”

Wang Xi frowned. “Is that necessary? I can simply retreat and not show myself.”

He truly found it all too troublesome.

“If you’re putting on a play, see it through. Besides, I’m only passing on Elder Shen’s message; act as you wish.”

“The secret realm will last only half an hour. Elder Shen can’t control the exit, but it won’t be outside Chu’s borders.”

Shen Huai casually withdrew the soundproofing talisman and left without looking back.

Wang Xi snorted, unconcerned about others overhearing. “If we find them quickly, ten breaths are enough.”

Among the Spirit Talisman Sect disciples, Wan Songran, who had been meditating with closed eyes, suddenly awoke, cold sweat beading his forehead.

He stood up, intending to head for Silent Valley.

“Songran, where are you going?” Chai Yanghui had just finished transferring energy to a wounded disciple and was about to check on Wan Songran, only to see him departing in haste.

“Uh… Senior Brother, I’m uninjured, so I’ll return to the valley first.”

“Junior Brother Zhang Quan is still recovering—wait a bit, and we’ll return together.”

Wan Songran’s heart sank.

“Yes.”

He knew all too well what kind of person Chai Yanghui was—noble, helpful, but at this moment he couldn’t help cursing his meddling.

He could have explained, but the source of his information was too troublesome to reveal. If he lied, any slip would arouse suspicion. If he told the truth, his treasure would be exposed, which was absolutely unacceptable.

Just then, a strange bolt of lightning appeared above Hidden Moon Pool, buzzing loudly, unmistakable to all the cultivators in the valley.

“So soon?” Wan Songran thought, alarmed.

Before anyone could react, the “lightning” tore wide, forming a chasm that split the sky.

A spatial rift!

“What?!”

Chai Yanghui and Lu Ziye leapt to their feet simultaneously.

“All disciples, hear me!”

“Return to Silent Valley immediately!”