BXBX NOVEL Chapter 325 - 323: Entering the Secret Land 1
“Sure, we will help each other once we enter the Secret Land.”
Shi Zhong said with a smile.
This fellow seems unfamiliar. Is it your first day here outside the Secret Land? How shall we address you?”
Just as Lu Xuan was about to meet with Shi Zhong, a gruff voice suddenly came. Looking back, he saw a burly middle-aged cultivator emerging from the crowd, sizing up Lu Xuan from head to toe.
The middle-aged man was a Foundation Establishment Mid-term cultivator, emitting a faintly murderous aura.
“I’m Lu Xuan, an Inner Sect Disciple of the Sky Sword Sect stationed on Void Nether Island. I wonder what you would like to talk about, fellow daoist?”
Lu Xuan replied neither subserviently nor overbearing.
So, you re a disciple of a great sect. No wonder you behave this way.”
The middle-aged cultivator sneered.
“I’m just an unknown Loose Cultivator, juxtaposed to your great sect disciple, there is a world of difference.”
“However, Friend Lu wants to enter the Secret Land directly, that seems a bit against the rules.
We’ve toiled to crack the formation restriction for more than half a month, while you, Friend Lu, appears to be reaping the benefits, which is rather overbearing.”
As soon as the middle-aged cultivator finished speaking, Lu Xuan noticed that the crowd’s gazes towards him faintly held hostility.
Just as he was about to retort, Shi Zhong flew over in an instant and glared coldly at the robust middle-aged man.
“As soon as the Secret Land emerged, we notified him and agreed to explore it together. Lu just happened to be in retreat and didn’t arrive until today.” “Among the present crowd, many Foundation Establishment cultivators did not contribute much to breaking the formation restriction. What difference does it make to arrive early or late?”
Shi Zhong slightly lifted his head, his eyes carried a hint of pride typical of a major sect disciple facing a Loose Cultivator.
Both Friend Zhou and I have contributed as much as ten of you during the breaking of the formation. Lu’s share is naturally included as well. Does anyone disagree?”
All around, there was silence.
The cultivators on the islands were aware of the origins of Shi Zhong, Lu Xuan and others. They often had to deal with Lu Xuan and the sect behind them, and naturally would not refute Shi Zhong at this moment.
Ning DeShan’s eyes flickered during this time, seemingly wanting to object, but ultimately held back, tacitly accepting Shi Zhong’s claim.
He had significant grievances with Lu Xuan, but didn’t dare to become an open adversary. Simply annoying Lu Xuan at the auction had already been his limit. “Friend Han, the disciples of the sect are arrogant. Why don’t we make concessions for now and settle scores with them once we’re inside the Secret Land?”
“Now that there are many watchful eyes, it’s not suitable to start a fight. There’s nothing to gain by winning a war of words either. Once we are in the Secret Land, it will all come down to our true abilities.”
“From the cultivators on the island, I learned that this disciple of the Sky Sword Sect, despite his prominent status, ordinarily spends his time cultivating Spirit Plants. Presumably, his Cultivation Technique and treasures are mediocre. Even if Shi Zhong accompanied him, it wouldn’t make much difference.” Suddenly, a voice as thin as a mosquito’s hum reached the ears of the robust middle-aged man, who nodded imperceptibly to acknowledge it.
This small disturbance was thus quelled.
Lu Xuan and Shi Zhong united.
“Thank you, Friend Shi, for speaking up for justice, and thank you, Friend
Zhou, for your supportive help.”
He expressed his gratitude.
“It’s nothing. That Foundation Establishment Mid-term Loose Cultivator just bullies the weak and fears the strong. If he really wanted fairness, he wouldn’t have oppressed those small family cultivators who were the first to reach the Secret Land.”
Shi Zhong said dismissively.
When he first met Lu Xuan, he somewhat looked down upon him for his fascination with Spirit Plants, but gradually accepted him since they shared a similar status.
After inviting Lu Xuan to go fishing at sea, his admiration ripened. He regretted not having met him earlier to learn his fishing experiences.
More importantly, Lu Xuan’s daily conduct, coupled with the image of a Spirit Plant Master he had painstakingly built, convinced Shi Zhong without a doubt that Lu Xuan’s cultivation base and treasures were ordinary.
“Friend Lu, let’s work together to confront the giant Jiaolong beast illusion on the water wall of the Secret Land.”
“The formation restriction inside has cultivators who are skilled in formation techniques trying to break it. We don’t need to be distracted by other matters.” Zhou Bingyu, with her sharp features, said indifferently.
“Sure.”
Lu Xuan readily agreed.
He channeled his spiritual power into his eyes, with a phantom-like thing appearing on his pupils.
The spiritual power flowing on the water wall was all in his sight under his gaze. The spiritual energy nodes of the formation were clearly visible, and he could even vaguely sense the presence of the formation’s eye.
The Breaking Illusion Eye Technique’ is indeed extraordinary, I only have a superficial understanding of formations, but under the effect of the ‘Eye Technique’, I can directly see through the spiritual power of the formation. If I practiced some formation-breaking techniques, perhaps I could be a master of formations in a short time.”
He caught his breath and whispered to himself.
The roar of a dragon resounded, and a huge Jiaolong illusion attacked from the water wall.
Lu Xuan, standing still, had his Purple Lightning Sword roar out of his hand, filled with violent sword intent, striking on the head of the Jiaolong.
Meanwhile, in front of Shi Zhong, a Silver Ruler was emitting a great light, expanding dozens of times in an instant, with flowing runes, following right after Lu Xuan’s Purple Lightning Sword.
Zhou Bingyu didn’t say a word, held a chilling white spear in her hand, her figure flickered, appearing right in front of the Jiaolong illusion.
Under the joint efforts of the three, the Jiaolong illusion was easily defeated in a head-on confrontation.
I didn t expect Friend Lu’ s swordsmanship to be so exquisite. You truly are a disciple from the Sky Sword Sect.”
Shi Zhong reclaimed his Silver Ruler, marveling.
“My swordsmanship is just average compared to those swordsmanship geniuses in the sect, I am far behind.”
Lu Xuan modestly said.
“The water wall restriction is about to break.”
Zhou Bingyu looked at the huge water wall whose spiritual power had become stagnant and said softly.
As soon as she finished speaking, a large column of light rose up not far away, directly landing in the center of the formation. The sound of water splashed as a huge hole appeared in the water wall.
Through the hole, one could see a corner of the Mysterious Palace inside.
“The restriction is broken!”
There was a stir in the crowd.
Friends Lu and Zhou, I hope that once we enter the Secret Land, the three of us can work together and help each other. If a situation arises where we must fight for treasures, we will rely on our respective abilities, but remember not to kill.”
The three exchanged glances and, along with a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators, flew into the Secret Land.
Once they passed through the water wall, the cultivators scattered, alertly watching each other.
Lu Xuan followed Shi Zhong and the others, with the Roaring Sea Sword Charm and Great Sun Sword Charms in his sleeve, ready to be activated at any time.
What appeared in his sight was a vast, dark water region, with surging waves, without a clue of what was hidden inside.
In the middle of the water region was a deserted island with no traces of cultivators’ activity on it.
On the island was a giant palace, its architectural style suggested it had a long history.
Lu Xuan had little experience in exploring Secret Lands, but he knew well that although there were numerous treasures and opportunities in the Secret Land, they were often accompanied by traces of powerful demon beasts and Demon ’ Envoys. He needed to be cautious.
Just as he carefully proceeded, one eager Foundation Establishment First- period Loose Cultivator rode a Sword Light, rushing straight towards the deserted island.