Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

“Ah, we’ve been struggling to hold on these days.”

Wei Songnian paused for half a breath and transmitted,

“I feel the Mountain Protection Array’s defensive strength is not as it used to be. Either the Spirit Stone consumption is too great to maintain, or the Earth Vein Spiritual Energy has been excessively drained, causing the Spiritual Vein’s grade to gradually degrade.”

Ji An fell silent. If it’s the latter, Mingfeng Mountain wouldn’t be able to hold much longer.

Once the Spiritual Vein’s grade declines, the Mountain Protection Array would be unable to provide strong defense, making it more difficult for cultivators to resist the wave-like attacks of Demon Beasts.

If the higher-ups decide to retreat, how to retreat will become a problem.

The Teleportation Array cannot be used as a regular retreat method; they can only withdraw using Spirit Ships and various flying magical artifacts.

By then, they will inevitably face pursuit by the Demon Race, and the retreat path would surely be a bloody road, not knowing how many cultivators will spill blood across the sky.

…

At noon, in the Desolate Mountain forbidden area, the sun hung high.

The Loose Cultivators were anxious, waiting for the opening of the Secret Realm, hoping their friends and family would return from it with treasures.

Everyone stood on tiptoe, looking forward eagerly.

Lin Jiuxiao and others inserted the Array Banners underground at certain positions, a turquoise pillar of light ascended, manifesting a pitch-black “curtain” in the air.

“Two fellow Daoists, shall we begin?”

A three-layer Profound Yellow Little Tower flew out from Daoist Master Zhengyang’s Dantian, and as the magical treasure appeared, it instantly radiated myriad lights.

The tower grew with the wind, revealing dense Treasure Prohibition Patterns on it.

This is his Lifebound Magical Treasure, the Profound Yellow Tower, which serves as both a defensive and offensive tool.

Yellow Spirit Light enveloped the tower, and as the Treasure Tower spun, a beam of treasure light condensed like a shockwave, blasting towards the revealed portal to the Little World.

“Boom!”

As the treasure light exploded, the black portal rippled with massive waves.

Qingxu Daoist Master’s magical treasure was a bronze-colored ruler-shaped object covered in silver lines.

The magical treasure shimmered with gold and silver hues, striking the portal in the next moment, just as the treasure light from the Profound Yellow Tower had faded. The timing was precise.

The world portal was struck again, the ripples growing larger, as if stirring a black tidal wave.

Daoist Master Nanshan’s magical treasure was a Treasure Wheel, shining with golden light, exuding a sharp aura.

The Treasure Wheel spun and flew towards the black portal, bursting into countless golden beams upon collision.

The three Golden Core Daoist Masters took turns operating their magical treasures to attack, and momentarily, the world portal was blasted open, revealing a space passage.

Two double hours passed, and not a single soul appeared.

The Loose Cultivators felt uneasy, whispering among themselves.

Lin Jiuxiao’s heart tightened, his gaze sharply fixed on the entrance of the passage.

Theoretically, many disciples should be waiting at the designated location for the passage to open; by previous experience, a hundred or so should have emerged.

The passage would only remain open for two double hours; if missed, these disciples wouldn’t have a chance to come out.

’Could it be that they’re all dead?’

A terrifying thought arose in his mind, as he was well aware of the extinguishing of soul lamps of many disciples who entered the Secret Realm.

He felt a pang at his heart.

Others could sacrifice themselves, but the Yingyue Peak disciple Li Haoran mustn’t come to harm!

As a cultivator possessing the Metal Element Dao Body and Celestial-Grade Talent, this disciple already has one foot into the Golden Core Stage.

Once his merit reaches perfection, breaking through to the Golden Core Stage is almost certain.

This disciple has also comprehended Sword Intent, not inferior compared to the top talents of the Central Continent Sect.

Lin Jiuxiao turned his head, exchanging a glance with Zhuu Xiangrong, both saw each other’s tension.

He stepped forward and transmitted,

“Ancestor, shall we dispatch some disciples to check?”

Daoist Master Zhengyang shook his head gently, “Let’s wait a little longer.”

The situation inside is unknown; due to the World Law of the Little World, they could only wait outside.

To dispatch disciples, they could only send Foundation Establishment disciples.

Sending them in would be pointless; if the situation is dire, they might end up losing them too.

If there are no disciples emerging half an hour before the passage closes, it won’t be too late to send people to investigate.

Soon after, a figure flew out from the passage, immediately inciting cheers from the Loose Cultivators.

However, their cheers abruptly stopped.

The figure fell, a headless corpse, blood spraying from its neck.

The body was not clad in distinctive clothing, likely a Loose Cultivator.

“Wasn’t it said that the Secret Realm exit was established in a safe place?”

The Loose Cultivators became agitated, rushing to where the body fell, trying to identify whether it was someone they knew.

“Quiet!”

Daoist Master Nanshan exclaimed angrily, Golden Core Cultivator’s Spiritual Pressure surged forth.

The Loose Cultivators immediately fell silent, subdued.

Like the Golden Spirit Sect, Yuanhe Mountain had sent forth their elite for this Secret Realm journey.

A resource Secret Realm that had been explored dozens of times and confirmed to be safe, would naturally see the dispatch of skilled hands to seize resources.

The Three Sects communicated with each other, dividing territories to minimize the possibility of conflict erupting among the disciples within the Secret Realm.

A figure flew out of the passage again, wearing the uniform Daoist robe of Luofeng Valley.

This disciple, upon exiting, immediately activated the flying shuttle, looking around anxiously, and hastily rushed towards his sect’s team upon sight.

Qingxu Daoist Master showed a faint smile, having a disciple come out alive could unravel the situation inside, revealing what caused such heavy casualties among the disciples.

Cultivators continued to fly out from the Secret Realm, belonging to various sects, including some Loose Cultivators.

Upon seeing returning disciples, Lin Jiuxiao immediately inquired,

“Are you injured? What exactly happened in the Secret Realm?”

The disciple cupped his hands, opened his mouth to speak, but no sound emerged.

His Daoist robe was shattered, hands incessantly trembling, face showing relief of surviving a disaster.

Daoist Master Zhengyang sensed the disciple’s heartbeat like dense drumbeats and soothed,

“Don’t be nervous, take a breath and speak slowly.

Jiuxiao, give him an Anshen Pill.”

The disciple was clearly overly shocked, now rendered speechless.

“Yes,” Lin Jiuxiao agreed, slightly embarrassed, shaking his head.

He looked at Zhuu Xiangrong, grinning wryly,

“Junior Martial Uncle, I don’t have such pills, do you?”

Cultivators can usually calm themselves during meditation; such pills are rather rare.

He did have pills that could nourish the Spirit Soul, but giving them to a disciple felt too wasteful.

Zhuu Xiangrong showed a similar awkward expression, replied,

“I don’t have such pills either.”

The disciple had somewhat recovered during their exchange.

He coughed a few times and raspily said,

“Greetings, Ancestor, Junior Martial Uncle. Some Loose Cultivators who entered the Secret Realm apparently used some means causing the Demon Beast Group inside to riot.

Later, they even lured the Chao Origin Stage Demon Beasts in the forbidden area to the Secret Realm exit.

If not for Senior Brother Li Haoran rallying everyone and slaying two beasts, there might’ve been no survivors.”

He still felt fearful.

Lin Jiuxiao secretly let out a sigh of relief, moderating his tone, asked,

“How is Haoran now, why hasn’t he come out yet?”

Being able to unite disciples to slay the Chao Origin Stage Demon Beasts, this disciple will surely lead the sect to prosperity someday.

“Senior Brother Li is incredibly brave; fighting the Chao Origin Stage Demon Beasts turned out to be a blessing, perfecting his Sword Intent.

Senior Brother and several other prodigy disciples are currently battling the remaining two Chao Origin Stage Demon Beasts, buying time for everyone’s retreat.”

“That’s good, go rest on the Spirit Ship.”

Lin Jiuxiao felt completely relieved, Li Haoran being a Sword Cultivator, swift and agile, choosing to stay behind must mean he’s confident.

Through this battle, his reputation within the sect will surely rise significantly.

Liu Yu and Ge Luoying subsequently flew out of the Secret Realm, each bearing injuries, their Daoist robes tattered like beggars.

They wore expressions of resolute defiance against fate, their eyes shimmering with hidden light, as if sheathing a tempered sword.

Li Haoran was the last to fly out of the Secret Realm; as the sword light swept past, icy pale blue particles drifted in the air.

This was the Ice Crystal manifested by Sword Intent, beautiful yet deadly.

The sword light paused before the Spirit Ship of the Golden Spirit Sect, he took out a black Jade Bottle, gently said,

“Greetings, Ancestor and Junior Martial Uncles, I may have discovered the reason behind this Demon Beast riot.”