Xi Qing suddenly raised his eyes.
His expression was as cold as frost as he said, word by word,
“That person is a demon. He set up a barrier beforehand and severed the Life Tokens’ connection to the outside world.”
The moment those words fell, everyone present was shocked.
“What?”
“How could demons have infiltrated the competition?”
“That’s an ancient ferocious beast that feeds on human flesh! How can those children possibly resist it?”
“What are we supposed to do? The disciples inside are all the elite talents of our sects. If they die in there, our sect will decline for a hundred years!”
An elder cried out in despair.
His words struck every heart present.
The consequences would affect far more than a single sect.
The Hundred Sects Tournament was the grand event of the entire cultivation world. Any disciple with even a little reputation would participate.
If all of them perished inside…
The demons would undoubtedly launch a massive invasion.
The cultivation world would lose its future.
Perhaps that had been the demons’ objective all along.
The elder from Huayang Formation Sect had long since lost his earlier arrogance.
He anxiously urged,
“Sect Master, open the secret realm and bring them out!”
The Jianyue Sect Master looked deathly pale.
“I can’t.”
He clenched his fists.
“We can only wait.”
Although Chaohu Secret Realm had been left behind by Jianyue Sect’s founding ancestor, the sect could only open it once every twenty years.
The disciples could leave only when the trial ended and the realm opened automatically.
Unfortunately, there were still ten days remaining.
Ten days were insignificant to cultivators.
Yet at this moment, they felt unbearably long.
And if they felt that way outside, the people trapped inside must be suffering even more.
Xi Qing’s eyes darkened.
His figure disappeared instantly.
Moments later, he arrived at the residence Jianyue Sect had prepared for Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.
With a flick of his sleeve, the doors burst open.
The doors slammed against the wall with a harsh crash.
Inside, however, the black-robed man seemed entirely unaffected and continued leisurely brewing tea.
Xi Qing stared at him.
His voice was icy.
“A demon infiltrated the secret realm.”
“Oh?”
Guan Hen replied calmly.
“So Jianyue Sect is capable of making such mistakes.”
Though he said that, there wasn’t a trace of surprise in his eyes.
“You already knew.”
It wasn’t a question.
It was a certainty.
Guan Hen poured the freshly brewed tea into two cups.
One was placed before Xi Qing.
“Yes.”
“I knew.”
Xi Qing’s dark eyes resembled a dried-up well.
Desolate.
Exhausted.
“If you knew, why didn’t you warn everyone so the danger could be avoided?”
Guan Hen took a sip of tea.
“Fate may be observed, but it cannot be changed.”
“The exception I made for your disciple was already breaking the rules.”
He glanced at the tea in his cup.
“My tea still can’t compare to the tea in Wuya Hall.”
Xi Qing paused.
Then replied flatly,
“Of course it can’t.”
After a moment, he asked,
“Is this their destined tribulation?”
Guan Hen’s eyes became unfathomably deep.
“The smallest cause can create the greatest effect.”
“Some things cannot be changed.”
“And should not be changed.”
He looked at Xi Qing.
“Do you know?”
“Ever since I helped Jian Fei’er, I’ve been unable to see either her fate or that child’s fate clearly.”
For someone who controlled heavenly destiny, that was almost fatal.
For years, he had observed the Star Compass daily.
The future of the cultivation world.
The destinies of individuals.
Everything lay clearly before his eyes.
Everything except that child.
Her fate was blurry.
And worse, it was beginning to affect everyone around her.
The first person affected had been Jian Fei’er.
Initially, Guan Hen assumed it was because the girl had become Jian Fei’er’s substitute for disaster.
But later he realized the influence was spreading.
It was gradually changing the destinies of everyone around her.
“How is that possible?”
Xi Qing murmured.
Guan Hen took another sip of tea.
His expression remained mysterious.
“Go back.”
“This time, even I can do nothing.”
“All we can do is leave it to heaven and see where the distorted fate we created eventually leads.”
Xi Qing closed his eyes.
Pain stabbed through his temples.
“I will repay the karma I owe one day.”
…
Meanwhile, inside the secret realm, An Jin and the others remained unaware of the approaching catastrophe.
After saving Gao Wanyu, the four of them continued traveling together.
What puzzled them was the eerie silence.
They had encountered almost no demonic beasts along the way.
The entire secret realm felt unnaturally peaceful.
“Could that bastard Qiu Kecheng have hunted everything already?”
“If he takes first place, I’ll never accept it.”
Xiao Jiang’s expression became increasingly grave.
Something felt wrong.
Instinctively, he stopped walking.
“Fellow Daoist Xiao?”
Hua Yi asked in confusion.
At that moment, several figures suddenly came sprinting toward them at high speed.
It was Qiu Kecheng and his group.
“So those thieves aren’t giving up!”
Gao Wanyu gritted his teeth.
“They actually dare show up again.”
“Something’s wrong.”
Xiao Jiang’s voice sank.
The instant he spoke, the colossal creature chasing behind Qiu Kecheng emerged from the forest.
“Holy hell! What is that thing?!”
Weren’t seventh-rank beasts supposed to be the strongest creatures in the realm?
Could a seventh-rank beast possibly possess such terrifying pressure?
Xiao Jiang’s pupils contracted sharply.
“It’s Taotie!”
“Why is there a Taotie inside the secret realm?”
An Jin sighed inwardly.
Of course.
There was no way this trip would be peaceful.
Fortunately, they were inside a dense forest.
The tightly packed trees greatly restricted Taotie’s movements.
Unfortunately, this only enraged it further.
Trees shattered wherever it passed.
Without hesitation, Xiao Jiang grabbed An Jin’s hand.
“Run.”
Against an ancient beast like this, they had absolutely no chance of victory.
Gao Wanyu had barely recovered from his injuries before being thrown into such a desperate escape.
Pointing at Qiu Kecheng, he cursed furiously.
“What the hell did you provoke?”
“Why didn’t it eat you first instead of dragging us into this?”
Qiu Kecheng looked exhausted beyond words.
For once, he didn’t argue.
“The Life Tokens have failed.”
“Even if it eats me, it won’t spare any of you.”
It was Taotie.
Several of the junior disciples he brought had already been fed to the beast just so he could survive this long.
Seeing Xiao Jiang’s group actually eased his nerves slightly.
After all, the more people there were, the easier it would be to escape.
Gao Wanyu’s face turned pale.
“What?”
“The Life Tokens don’t work anymore?”
An Jin’s complexion immediately whitened.
A trace of helplessness appeared on her delicate face.
The Life Token had been her final escape route.
Now even that was gone.
Was she truly destined not to leave this secret realm?
Mistaking her silence for fear, Xiao Jiang tightened his grip on her hand.
“As long as I’m here, don’t be afraid, Junior Sister.”
…
Elsewhere, Jian Fei’er had just successfully condensed a perfect Golden Core.
She exhaled deeply and withdrew her protective barrier.
Immediately afterward, she ran into the fleeing crowd.
“Why do all of you look so miserable?”
The red-clad girl hugged her sword and looked at them with disdain.
Seeing her, Xiao Jiang’s expression changed.
“Junior Sister Jian!”
“Run!”
At the same time, Jian Fei’er finally noticed the monster chasing behind them.
Her brows lifted slightly.
With a dismissive snort, she drew the Phoenix Cry Sword.
The crimson blade gleamed brilliantly.
A streak of sword qi shot directly toward Taotie.
“To think Senior Brother would be forced into such a state by a mere beast.”
“You’re really embarrassing Jianyue Sect.”
She hadn’t recognized it as Taotie.
Having just formed her Golden Core, she was eager to test her strength.
An Jin’s eyelids twitched.
Jian Fei’er always spoke like this.
And every single time, trouble followed.
Outside the secret realm, the elders watching through the light screen nearly died from frustration.
Since Xi Qing wasn’t present, they no longer held back.
“Oh dear.”
“How can Venerable Swordmaster’s disciple be so reckless?”
Xiao Jiang’s face darkened.
Jian Fei’er truly was too impulsive.
Meanwhile, Qiu Kecheng was delighted.
The more people distracted Taotie, the better.
He immediately continued running.
Then, only a few steps later, he came back.
His face was ashen.
“We’re finished.”
“There’s a cliff ahead.”
A cliff in front.
Taotie behind.
And Jian Fei’er had already charged forward.
Xiao Jiang could never abandon a fellow disciple.
Immediately, he made his decision.
“Hua Yi, Qiu Kecheng.”
“Come with me.”
“We’ll hold Taotie back.”
“Gao Wanyu, your injuries haven’t fully recovered. Take Junior Sister Chu and leave.”
Gao Wanyu stared blankly.
“Wait… we’re fighting?”
“Can we even win?”
“And isn’t it a little wrong to just leave?”
An Jin stood her ground.
Her gaze was firm.
“Senior Brother, I’m not a burden.”
“I can heal everyone.”
“I’m staying.”
Xiao Jiang froze.
For so many years, he had grown accustomed to protecting her.
Pitying her.
Looking after her.
He had almost forgotten that this junior sister was extraordinary in her own right.
Everyone mocked her lack of talent.
Mocked her for returning empty-handed from the Blessed Land.
But only Xiao Jiang knew the truth.
Back then, both the Heart-Questioning Sword Intent and the Phoenix Cry Sword had originally chosen her.
She was the one who rejected them.
…
Boom!
Jian Fei’er’s sword struck first.
Yet it failed to even scratch Taotie’s skin.
Instead, it only provoked its fury.
Roaring, Taotie unleashed a shockwave that blasted Jian Fei’er backward.
She crashed through two trees before finally stopping.
Blood spilled from her mouth.
Disbelief filled her eyes.
For the first time, she felt regret.
She had acted too rashly.
But before she could recover, Taotie slammed a massive paw downward.
The speed was so overwhelming she couldn’t even raise her sword.
Without hesitation, Xiao Jiang rushed forward.
His sword pierced through Taotie’s palm.
With his other hand, he grabbed Jian Fei’er and pulled her away.
“Are you alright?”
Picking up her sword, Jian Fei’er looked at him.
Fear lingered in her eyes.
Her voice trembled.
“Senior Brother…”
“I’m sorry.”
“I was too impulsive.”
Though Xiao Jiang was angry, there was no point blaming her now.
“This is Taotie.”
“We can’t fight it head-on.”
“Escaping is our priority.”
The moment Jian Fei’er heard the name, her face turned white.
An ordinary demonic beast was one thing.
An ancient beast with intelligence was another entirely.
…
“Hua Yi.”
Xiao Jiang’s voice became calm and decisive.
“I’m counting on your command.”
Hua Yi stepped beside him.
“I’ll follow your lead.”
Xiao Jiang quickly arranged their strategy.
“Hua Yi, provide long-range control.”
“Qiu Kecheng, set up formations and slow it down.”
“Junior Sister Chu, heal Junior Sister Jian.”
“I’ll engage it directly.”
Gao Wanyu raised a hand weakly.
“What about me?”
“Protect my junior sisters.”
Even the elders outside couldn’t help praising him.
“To remain so calm under these circumstances and make such detailed arrangements…”
“What a remarkable young man.”
Perhaps.
Just perhaps.
These children might truly create a miracle.
…
The battle began.
Hua Yi summoned countless vines to bind Taotie.
The beast roared and tore through them almost immediately.
Qiu Kecheng began weaving formation seals.
The slowing formations took effect.
That brief delay was exactly what Xiao Jiang needed.
His sword descended.
Spiritual power gathered at the tip.
The strike appeared light as a dragonfly touching water.
Yet it carried the force of thunder.
The blade shot directly toward Taotie’s heart.
At the same time, An Jin hurried to Jian Fei’er’s side.
“What are you doing?”
Jian Fei’er asked warily.
An Jin ignored her.
Green light bloomed from her palm.
The Great Spring Restoration Art activated.
If not for the emergency, she wouldn’t have bothered helping her.
Still, every extra fighter increased their chances of survival.
The green light enveloped Jian Fei’er.
The heaviness in her chest disappeared.
Her spiritual energy rapidly recovered.
Jian Fei’er’s eyes widened.
For the first time, she looked at this junior sister as if seeing her anew.
“You…”
…
Meanwhile, Xiao Jiang’s attack succeeded only partially.
His sword penetrated three inches into Taotie’s flesh.
For such a massive beast, it was little more than a scratch.
The enraged Taotie swung a paw toward him.
Xiao Jiang dodged immediately.
But not fast enough.
Its claws tore through his left arm.
Blood sprayed everywhere.
“Senior Brother!”
An Jin quickly finished healing Jian Fei’er.
“Hurry.”
“Go help Senior Brother.”
Jian Fei’er looked slightly uncomfortable.
“I know.”
She rejoined the battle.
Hua Yi’s vines struck again.
Taotie dodged.
Jian Fei’er seized the opportunity and stabbed toward its chest once more.
Meanwhile, An Jin rushed to Xiao Jiang’s side.
She continuously activated the Great Spring Restoration Art.
Her face turned pale.
Her hands trembled.
Yet she gritted her teeth and continued.
Seeing this, Xiao Jiang frowned.
“Junior Sister…”
At that moment, Taotie made a choice.
Compared to Xiao Jiang, Jian Fei’er posed little threat.
It ignored her completely and shielded its chest with both arms.
As it moved, the eyes beneath its armpits became exposed.
An Jin’s eyes sharpened.
“Senior Brother!”
“Taotie’s weakness is the eyes under its arms!”
Without hesitation, Xiao Jiang trusted her completely.
His sword changed trajectory.
“Heart-Questioning Sword Intent.”
The sharpest sword intent in the world.
His greatest trump card.
Realizing the danger, Taotie abandoned everything else and rushed to protect its eyes.
Too late.
Xiao Jiang’s sword pierced directly into the eye beneath its left arm.
Black blood erupted.
Taotie roared in rage.
And then it spoke.
“Damned humans!”
Its demonic aura exploded skyward.
At the side, Qiu Kecheng’s eyes flickered.
Silently…
He withdrew his formation.
The greatest obstacle standing between him and first place was Xiao Jiang.
And if Xiao Jiang died…
The first person to notice was Hua Yi.
Without the formation’s assistance, his vines alone couldn’t restrain Taotie.
Every vine snapped.
Freed, Taotie swept its tail.
Xiao Jiang was sent crashing to the ground.
A furious paw slammed into his chest.
“Senior Brother!”
“Fellow Daoist Xiao!”
Crack.
Several ribs shattered instantly.
Blood poured from Xiao Jiang’s mouth.
Using every last bit of strength, Hua Yi summoned more vines.
Jian Fei’er rushed forward and dragged Xiao Jiang away.
Only then did he avoid a second strike.
But Taotie’s attention had shifted.
It charged directly toward An Jin.
It had noticed.
This was the one constantly healing everyone.
This was the one who revealed its weakness.
This was the reason it had suffered such severe injuries.
An Jin’s pupils contracted.
The next instant, a terrifying shockwave struck her.
Her body was flung backward toward the cliff.
Like a kite with its strings cut.
She fell.
“Junior Sister!”