The mysterious cave dwelling is truly worthy of being built by a mighty expert of the Heavenly Realm.
From the outside, it looks like just a mountain gate, but stepping inside reveals the vastness hidden within.
The space is grand, almost resembling a small world, making one feel insignificant in comparison.
However, the cultivators gathered here at this moment are too preoccupied to be amazed. Their attention is entirely drawn to the strange scene before them:
In the flat area, an eight-zhang wide emerald green vine stretches out unexpectedly.
In the center of the vines, a delicate small tower stands quietly, its body emitting a faint glow, as if it contains hidden secrets.
Eight zhang is nothing more than a single leap for cultivators, but curiously, no one dares to approach recklessly. The vines tremble slightly... as if they are breathing.
They have tried attacking the vines, but it was completely ineffective.
"There must be some precious treasure inside the tower," said a female cultivator dressed in green, a faint smile on her lips. "I wonder if any fellow cultivators would like to take the lead and explore?"
Two individuals stood beside her, dressed similarly, one on the left and one on the right, subtly forming a surrounding position.
The other cultivators' faces turned grim. They secretly cursed their bad luck. The teleportation array was supposed to be random, but they had ended up with these three people.
This female cultivator, named Luo Yao, came from the Sword Treasure Pavilion.
While not as renowned as the Sun and Moon Sect, Sword Treasure Pavilion was still a powerful force in the region. When the three of them came together, they often commanded others under the pretext of "strength in numbers."
However, no one had expected that they were plotting to send others to their deaths by having them explore first!
Even stranger, the cave's mechanisms were endless. In a short time, they had encountered two deadly traps but had not found even a single treasure, while losing several people in the process.
No one responded to Luo Yao's words, so she casually looked at one of the cultivators and said, "How about you, fellow cultivator? You seem to have a kind face and are likely a warm-hearted person."
The short cultivator stiffened, and the blood drained from his face. He had volunteered, after all...
But he dared not refuse, as his cultivation was far inferior to Luo Yao and her two companions, and the others stood by, indifferent.
If everyone united, they might be able to resist Luo Yao and her group, but no one wanted to be the first to step forward.
After all, the one who steps up first will be the primary target for attack.
Everyone hoped that someone would rise to lead them in resistance, but that person certainly couldn't be themselves.
Each person thought this way, which made it impossible to unite in opposition.
"I... I will try."
The thin cultivator suppressed the anger in his chest, not daring to show it, and slowly moved toward the strange vines.
His muscles tensed, and when he reached the vines, he suddenly activated his escape technique.
This should have been a distance that could be crossed in an instant.
However, when he reappeared, he found himself inexplicably in the middle of the vines. His limbs thrashed and struggled, and the escape technique that he had once mastered was now completely ineffective.
His spiritual energy was quickly consumed and absorbed by the twisting vines, and in an instant, he fell silent, without a trace.
This terrifying scene made everyone present shiver in fear.
Clearly, charging through directly was not an option.
"What should we do..." Luo Yao tilted her head and thought for a moment. "How about this: let's send two people together for mutual support!"
As soon as these words were spoken, someone could no longer hold back.
"We can't stand being sent ahead any longer. How dare you act like masters? My sect's elders are no worse than you!"
A man with a scar on his face suddenly stood up, glaring angrily. "I suggest you think twice!"
Luo Yao coldly glanced at him, no longer pretending. "Very well, since you volunteered, you can go!"
In this secret realm, time was incredibly precious.
If they waited for other powerful cultivators to arrive, the opportunity in the tower might be taken away by someone else.
Since things had already turned sour, why not make it straightforward? These people's lives could be used to clear the path.
"Go? You filthy woman, do you really think you're a martial saint?!"
The scarred man laughed in fury, his face turning red. His long knife flashed with cold light. "Do you all see the true nature of the Sword Treasure Pavilion now? Do you still think they'll let us off?!"
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sounds of weapons being drawn rang out as the other cultivators unsheathed their swords, eyes burning with anger, all staring at Luo Yao and her companions.
Before Luo Yao could react, the seemingly ordinary middle-aged man beside her stepped forward.
In an instant, crimson spiritual light shot up to the sky, and the pressure he emitted was far greater than Luo Yao's by several times.
Under this suffocating pressure, everyone's hands holding weapons began to tremble uncontrollably, and the once gleaming weapons suddenly lost their brilliance.
This was clearly a Grandmaster who had cultivated to the seventh level of Dao Body!
The middle-aged man's gaze was indifferent. "You want to win just by having numbers? How foolish!"
"Obey and explore the path, and you might have a chance to survive. Otherwise, I'll just kill you all on the spot!"
...
Hearing the tense atmosphere outside, a figure in the tower let out a sinister chuckle.
It was a seemingly ordinary peacock, only about five feet tall, but within it... contained terrifying power that surpassed even a Grandmaster!
Indeed, this secret realm was built by an expert of the Heavenly Realm, but it had long been occupied by the demon race.
And the demons had cleverly spread the news, luring these cultivators here.
"Fight, struggle... I hope you kill each other off..." The peacock's eyes flashed with amusement. Its name was Qing Ni, and it was guarding this place on purpose.
There were many demons like it in the secret realm, all guarding places that seemed to have treasures, waiting for prey to come by.
"I'm curious to see what expression the last victor will have when they push open the tower doors, only to find that what awaits them is not a priceless treasure..." It elegantly flicked its tail feathers and let out a meaningful laugh.
...
In front of the tower, the three members of the Sword Treasure Pavilion and the other cultivators stood in a tense standoff, the middle-aged man's pressure causing everyone to hesitate.
At this moment, a dark figure appeared silently between the two groups!
Everyone was startled, not noticing when this figure had arrived!
The scarred-faced cultivator was the first to react, shouting, "This fellow cultivator arrived just in time! The Sword Treasure Pavilion is scheming, wanting to use us as cannon fodder. Please, judge for yourself!"
"If you stay out of it, the next victim might be you!"
Luo Yao and her companions changed their expressions, hurriedly defending themselves: "Don't listen to their slander! It's clearly them who are using their numbers to force us into submission!"
At that moment, the mysterious figure in black became the focal point of everyone's attention.
Both sides tried to win him over, as anyone who could appear without a sound and whose cultivation remained unclear was strong enough to change the course of the battle!