Chapter 43 – Ambush

Shen Lan’s expression turned icy. She reached out and opened her palm.

“Spell number two hundred and eighty-two! Thunder Whip!”

Crack!

A purple whip burst forth, crackling with energy as it lashed across the man’s face.

Thud!

The force sent him flying several zhang through the air. The impact charred his cheek black.

The man pointed at Shen Lan with a trembling finger, his blood pressure rising.

Shen Lan put away the Thunder Whip and led her group past him.

“You’re a mere administrator of Azure Dragon Island. How dare you speak to me like that?

Hmph!

Hopefully, this will teach you to think before you open your mouth!”

The man seethed with rage but did not dare retort. Shen Lan’s glare made it clear that if he spoke again, she would strike him again.

Once Shen Lan’s party was far away, the man finally dared to curse, “That bitch! Once you guys enter the Cloud Dream Immortal Palace, try to kill a few of them!”

At the very back of the group, Li Guanqi overheard him and smirked coldly.

Hehe, you think you can kill us?

Before long, they reached the meeting point where the disciples of Zhenyue Mountain had been waiting for a long time. The disciples of Zhenyue Mountain wore earth-yellow sect robes.

One of the older elders hurried forward when he saw Shen Lan. “

Hahaha!

I didn’t expect Elder Shen to be the chaperone for Daxia Sword Sect’s disciples this time. I apologize for the humble welcome... My, my, the Daxia Sword Sect has recruited several excellent disciples this time.”

The elder was very polite to his guests, expressing all the usual niceties of a host. He glanced back and said, “These are our disciples who joined this year. They’re still somewhat lacking compared to your kids.”

Despite the modest words, pride flickered in his expression. After all, most of the disciples behind him were at the ninth level of the Qi Refinement Realm, making them outstanding cultivators.

Shen Lan smiled. “Let’s hope our disciples look out for each other in the Cloud Dream Immortal Palace.”

The elder gave a small smile. “Of course, of course.”

With that, he led the group toward the back of Zhenyue Mountain’s main peak.

As they walked along, the disciples of the few sects started to gather. Li Guanqi spotted a familiar figure in the crowd.

That guy...

Li Guanqi’s expression didn’t change, but inwardly, he tried to recall the name.

Luo Hu? So he ended up joining Azure Dragon Island.

Li Guanqi shook his head and sighed.

It looks like not every sect is like the Daxia Sword Sect. Luo Hu showed terrible character during the enrollment ceremony... but with a double-lineage spirit root, Azure Dragon Island still took him in.

Still, Li Guanqi couldn't help but notice another youth—Zhao Xuanzhu. He possessed a certain quality that was difficult to ignore.

***

Before long, all six sects had assembled on a massive altar. The Zhenyue Mountain elder from before took center stage.

“I trust you’ve all explained the rules to your disciples. Once inside the secret realm, you are responsible for your own lives. Any grudges you bear inside, you leave inside.

“Now that everyone is ready, let’s begin.”

The chaperones of the six sects took out special jade pendants and tossed them into the air. The six pendants glowed, and a beautiful, illusory palace appeared in the sky.

Shen Lan suddenly spoke to Li Guanqi via voice transmission.

“If you encounter trouble inside, strike where necessary! Kill if you have to!”

She also transmitted a message to the other disciples. “

Once you all get inside, Li Guanqi will be your leader

!”

Her tone left no room for argument. Lin Dong and Ye Feng remained indifferent, while Ke Qin hesitated briefly before nodding. Only Zhong Lin remained uncertain but said nothing.

The space in front of them distorted, and a spatial crack appeared. The elder boomed, “Remember not to break through to the Foundation Building Realm inside, or you’ll be transported out immediately! Good luck, everyone!”

Buzz!

When the spatial crack stabilized, everyone rushed into the secret realm.

Shen Lan said gently, “You guys may go in too.”

Li Guanqi nodded slightly, then led his team in.

Passing through the spatial crack felt like plunging into water. His consciousness flickered.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Hidden weapons tore through the air!

Clang clang clang!

Li Guanqi suddenly felt the space beneath his feet empty and began to fall. Simultaneously, he drew his sword and skillfully slashed at the hidden weapons flying towards his face.

“Everyone, be careful!”

Whoosh! Whoosh!

They plunged several zhang before landing hard. Their faces paled.

The instant Li Guanqi touched the ground, he shot forward like a hunting leopard. The group only heard a dull thud as a shallow crater formed where he had stepped.

Ye Feng used a sprint technique and followed Li Guanqi with a sword in hand.

The remaining three pulled out their weapons and eyed their surroundings cautiously.

Zhong Lin’s brows furrowed. He made a quick decision. “Go! We’ll head left!”

***

A young man in purple robes frowned at the scene.

He actually deflected all my hidden weapons?

He turned to flee. But the moment he turned, Li Guanqi was already less than twenty zhang away from. At his speed, he would catch up in just a few breaths’ time.

What the hell? How is he so fast?

Behind Li Guanqi, Ye Feng pushed his sprint technique to its limit but still couldn’t catch up. He muttered, “That guy’s physical strength is insane! It’s like he’s practicing Body Tempering cultivation, relying on pure physical strength. And yet, he’s still so fast!”

Li Guanqi frowned and extended his divine consciousness to track the other person’s location more easily. The corners of his lips curled up as he muttered, “Seven Strings Sect?”

Boom!

He accelerated once more, and in the blink of an eye, there was a several-zhang gap between him and Ye Feng.

They were in a vast forest, and the youth they were chasing had jumped up a tree, leaping from branch to branch. As he did, he took out his jade slip and cried out, “Help! I’ve been discovered!”

Suddenly, the youth felt a burning hot breath tickle the back of his neck. He turned around and was met with a creepy sight—a pair of white eyes staring right at him.

“Gotcha!”

Bam!

Li Guanqi kicked him hard in the ribs.

Crack!

He flew backward like a ragdoll, crashing through an ancient tree before slamming into the ground. Blood spurted from his mouth.

The youth lay on the ground screaming in agony, clutching his ribs with his left hand.

Ye Feng saw what happened and finally arrived by Li Guanqi’s side.

“

Tsk.

He’s very unlucky to have met you.”

The others arrived soon after.

Ke Qin frowned at the sight of the youth vomiting blood. Zhong Lin’s expression turned solemn.

Based on his aura, he should be at least at the eighth level of the Qi Refinement Realm... yet he was utterly helpless against Li Guanqi.

Li Guanqi remained silent as he advanced toward the youth, his expression cold and determined, a sword in his hand.

Ke Qin hesitated. “Why don’t we just... leave him? He’s already paid the price. The six sects have worked with each other for many years. We can’t just kill him like that.”

Li Guanqi furrowed his brows upon hearing her words. They did not know where the other participants were. If they killed this youth, there would be no evidence or external witnesses.

Since the youth had attacked them first, Li Guanqi had no intention of letting him go.

Suddenly, the fallen youth’s eyes flashed with venom. He hurled a dagger at Ke Qin’s face with one hand.

“Die!!”

Whoosh!

Ye Feng quickly swung his sword to block the dagger.

“Careful!”