The Colored Mist was instantly swept away, and with the arrival of the third Golden Light, the entire Cave became crystal clear.
“What?!” This sudden change brought no joy to Young Master Shenxu, Bai Su. On the contrary, at this moment, any unknown development was the last thing he wanted to see.
Victory was within his grasp, and now—another accident? This is enough to drive anyone mad.
But when he saw the figure that appeared along with the Golden Light, his pupils contracted violently.
“Chai Old Dog!”
“Father?!”
“Patriarch!”
Three entirely different forms of address rang out at the same time, each revealing the newcomer’s identity.
A middle-aged man held a golden scroll, slowly descending amid the swirling Golden Light.
The aura radiating from him was even denser than the many Ling Kings encircling Bai Su, with an indistinct sense that he was about to break through his limits.
He was a peak Ling King, even stronger than A Meng!
This was none other than the Chai Family Patriarch who had killed Bai Su’s father many years ago and snatched the Cangbaotu!
Upon seeing the Patriarch arrive in person, Xia Lao was overjoyed. He and Chai Xianyun hurried to the Chai Family Patriarch’s side and respectfully handed over the Cangbaotu in Xia Lao’s hand.
“Thank you for your efforts, Xia Lao. You two step back for now.” The Chai Family Patriarch took the Cangbaotu and smiled gently at his loyal subordinate.
A scene of harmony, not evoking the slightest dislike.
Truly in line with the dignified image people have of great family patriarchs.
Yet, Hua Jian couldn’t shake the feeling that this man had the air of a Smiling Tiger.
“Chai Old Dog, you dare to come alone? Looks like today, I’ll finally avenge my father and wipe out your clan!”
Just listen to Bai Su’s words—avenge my father and wipe out your clan! Doesn’t this confirm that the smiling face hides a dagger, a real villain?
Upon hearing Bai Su’s accusation, the Chai Family Patriarch’s expression didn’t change at all.
After slowly fitting together the two Cangbaotu pieces in his hand, he finally glanced over at Bai Su.
“The people back then weren’t very thorough. Still left Brother Bai a bloodline.”
He didn’t refute Bai Su’s accusation, nor did he deny that he was Bai Su’s nemesis who destroyed his family.
His whole attitude was, “I did it—what can you do about it?”
So infuriating, Bai Su’s teeth itched with hate. He decided he’d show no more restraint—it was time to put an end to this decades-old feud!
“Attack! He’s alone—finish him!”
The Ling Kings Bai Su had hired exchanged glances. The Chai Family Patriarch was a peak Ling King, much stronger than any of them individually.
But they had the advantage in numbers. Maybe this fight was still possible.
With that thought, the Ling Kings lunged toward the Chai Family Patriarch, hoping to win by sheer numbers.
The Chai Family Patriarch showed not the slightest fear.
Holding the Cangbaotu in one hand, he drew an ordinary-looking Ling Sword with the other, and engaged the besieging Ling Kings, suppressing them all with ease.
Taking advantage of the battle, Hua Jian quickly whispered with A Meng and Linglong to discuss a plan.
What should they do now?
Should they help the Chai Family or Bai Su? Neither seemed to be the good guys.
If the Chai Family only had Chai Xianyun, Hua Jian would have leaned toward helping them; Bai Su’s group had too rough a look.
But with the Chai Family Patriarch present, it was now a Smiling Tiger versus mercenaries—no one here was good. Hua Jian wanted to help neither side.
“Is there a way to get rid of both sides?” Hua Jian asked.
“If you and I were Ling Kings, maybe.” Linglong told Hua Jian not to dream—after all, the two of them were only Spirit Masters.
Against an ordinary Ling King, they’d have to use tricks and ambushes, let alone these top-level Ling Kings in combat now. There was little hope of getting involved.
As for A Meng, she was still puzzled about why the Colored Mist in the Secret Realm had instantly vanished after the third Golden Light appeared.
With the Colored Mist gone, future Cultivators entering the Secret Realm wouldn’t be pulled into the Dream World—that could be a big problem.
The Secret Realm itself wasn’t that large, only a Cave and a small area outside. Any Cultivator who entered could easily find this treasure cave.
Without the shrouding Mist, she alone couldn’t possibly defend the place against the waves of incoming Cultivators.
But now, the bigger problem was that there might not be a next time—if either side won, all the treasures she guarded would fall into the victor’s hands!
“What exactly is that Golden Light? Why can it dispel the Colored Mist and block my attacks?”
“Still worried about that? No need. Just know that thing is designed specifically for you. Maybe if all three Cangbaotu are combined, the treasure will fly into their hands on its own.”
Hua Jian pursed her lips, gaze falling on the withered Seed floating above the Earth Altar.
She was more curious about the Seed A Meng guarded. It hadn’t sprouted even after being drenched in the Spirit Liquid of the Soul—could it already be dead?
From the previous words exchanged between the Chai Family Patriarch and Bai Su, Hua Jian could guess both parties’ true aim in entering the Secret Realm. They weren’t here for the Seed, but for the Spirit Liquid of the Soul used to water it.
No one cared what the Seed was—what everyone coveted was the Spirit Liquid of the Soul.
“Is the Spirit Liquid of the Soul really that important to Cultivators?” Hua Jian asked Linglong.
“Refining Spirit Liquid of the Soul is clearly listed as a Magic Path crime by Hudaosi. To obtain it, you must either collude with the Magic Path or get it from Secret Realm treasure hunts like this.” Linglong paused briefly, then explained.
The Spirit Liquid of the Soul, refined from Cultivators’ souls, was almost impossible to obtain legally, but its allure was great for those suffering from weak souls.
Even a single drop, if obtained cleanly, was worth a fortune.
And the Spirit Liquid of the Soul in this Secret Realm was the cleanest type—it was a trap and treasure left by a spirit creature to nurture itself, and spirit creatures’ products had no distinction between righteous and evil paths. Cultivators could use it as they pleased.
“What the Seed is doesn’t really matter.” Linglong whispered.
The situation was now very clear. Both the Chai Family and Bai Su wanted the Spirit Liquid of the Soul, and to get it, it seemed they needed to combine the Cangbaotu fragments.
Otherwise, Bai Su would have just gone for the Spirit Liquid and ignored Xia Lao.
Now that the Chai Family Patriarch held a fully assembled Cangbaotu, unless Bai Su sent someone to stop him, the Patriarch would already be on the Earth Altar claiming the Spirit Liquid.
“I don’t think Young Master Shenxu’s men will last much longer. Do we have any way to stop the Chai Family Patriarch? I really don’t think he’s a good person. Once he gets what he wants, he’ll definitely come after us.”
Hua Jian wanted to ruin the Patriarch’s plans—she didn’t like his style. Compared to Bai Su, it was impossible to say who was worse.
Neither side was any good. No need to decide who was better—might as well finish off both.
“Right, we can’t let them succeed.” Linglong agreed completely with Hua Jian. Wasn’t her trial all about punishing evil and upholding good? How could she just watch as evil schemes came to fruition?
While the others fought furiously, they needed to quickly think of a way to prevent either side from getting the treasure.
But here’s the problem—the two groups weren’t after the Seed. If they were, Hua Jian and Linglong could just grab it and run.
But Spirit Liquid of the Soul was collected drop by drop—they’d need a vessel to catch it, and at its slow drip rate, they’d be dead before they even caught two drops, taken out by the surrounding Ling Kings.
This could only be done after clearing the Secret Realm of everyone else, ensuring nobody could interfere.
Otherwise, they’d just get mobbed.
“We’ll have to give it a try. You two hide here—I’ll go scout things out.” Hua Jian thought sitting around here wouldn’t produce any good ideas.
Better to see for herself if she could get up to the Earth Altar without a Cangbaotu.
“Be careful.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t die.”
Linglong’s concern was answered with a quick reply, and Hua Jian snuck to the opposite side of the warring parties, attempting to climb the Earth Altar from their blind spot.
The moment she stepped onto the first step of the Earth Altar, Hua Jian felt as if a hammer had slammed her head—she was sent tumbling straight off.
This commotion caught the attention of Bai Su and Xia Lao. Watching Hua Jian roll off the Earth Altar, they first sneered at her overestimating herself, then started to wonder how this girl was still conscious.
Could she have entered the Secret Realm after the Chai Family Patriarch, thus not affected by the Mist?
No matter the reason, there were now other clear-headed people in this Secret Realm besides their two groups—a dangerous sign.
“Patriarch, someone from outside has gotten in!” Xia Lao immediately warned the Chai Family Patriarch.
The Patriarch glanced over distractedly at Hua Jian. Seeing she was just a mere Spirit Master, he withdrew his gaze. Just a little rat who snuck in—no need to care.
Still, he made a mental note to scold the outside interceptors later. Letting such a little scrap sneak in—useless fools.
“Deal with her.” He ordered Xia Lao without turning his head. “When you’re done, get the Cangbaotu from Bai Su.”
“Understood!”
Xia Lao immediately charged at the still-dazed Hua Jian, thinking that dealing with a mere Spirit Master would take just one move.
His real task was to seize the Cangbaotu from Bai Su.
Just as he was about to reach Hua Jian, ready to finish her off then and there, two blade-like limbs descended from above.
If not for his quick reflexes, he’d have been skewered.
The Dream Butterfly, which had been repelled by the Cangbaotu’s Golden Light earlier, appeared before him once again.
But this time, he no longer had the protection of the Cangbaotu.
A Meng was a peak Ling King. Even though her greatest power could only be unleashed in the Dream World, she could still easily suppress an ordinary Ling King like Xia Lao in the real world.
“Linglong, let’s take down Bai Su!” Meanwhile, the order the Chai Family Patriarch gave Xia Lao sparked a new idea in Hua Jian.
The Cangbaotu was the crucial artifact—both sides were fighting over it, but Hua Jian and Linglong had none, putting them at a clear disadvantage.
They couldn’t possibly snatch it from the Chai Family Patriarch now, leaving only one option: Bai Su.
Bai Su was guarded by only a strange female Ling King. Hua Jian believed that, with some effort, she and Linglong could take her.
Linglong didn’t ask for a reason. She simply drew her Ling Sword and lunged at Bai Su.
“Don’t be hasty, little sister—let big sis…” The female Ling King raised both hands, conjuring a pale red aura barrier to separate herself from Linglong.
She thought that would be enough to block Linglong’s attack. Yet with a single slash, Linglong left several cracks in her shield.
“Genius!” She drew a sharp breath—Linglong’s battle prowess was extraordinary, not inferior to the Saint Sect’s most talented disciples.
Boom! Boom!
Linglong, silent, kept hammering the shield with her sword, soon covering it with cracks.
Meanwhile, Hua Jian took advantage of the opening to toss several Array Base Stones near Bai Su and the female Ling King.
Raising her Array Plate, Mist instantly engulfed the entire area.
“Hmph, a petty trick—watch me break your… Damn, the Huashen Canon!” The female Ling King lashed out with spiritual energy, but it vanished into the Mist as if swallowed by the sea.
She couldn’t help but curse under her breath.
For her attacks as a Ling King to be neutralized by a Mist Array cast by a mere Spirit Master could only mean that the opponent’s techniques were of the same origin but even more advanced.
Only then could her attacks be so heavily countered.
Her soft curse went unheard by Hua Jian, who was wondering why this strange woman’s combat performance was so weak.
She’d been so arrogant earlier, looking like she had everything under control—so why was she so feeble now?