Chapter 335: A Trap, a Girl, and Lin Dong Appears
Within the Ancient Secret Realm
After eating his fill and getting some rest, Xiao Tiance awoke to find a bright full moon hanging high in the sky. He was initially surprised but quickly returned to his calm demeanor.
The "moon" in the sky was clearly an illusion created by a powerful spiritual array. As a Grandmaster of Spiritual Arrays, Xiao Tiance's formidable soul power allowed him to see through the mechanism at a glance.
Still, it was a marvel. The Heavenly Dao Sect, which had once made even the ancient god clans tread lightly, had created this secret realm that remained functional after tens of thousands of years. Even in their downfall, the sect's power and skill were evident.
The moonlit effect was no simple feat. It wasn't something an ordinary spiritual array master could achieve. Even with his current expertise, Xiao Tiance doubted he could replicate it. This level of skill suggested that the person who had arranged this formation must have been, at minimum, a Spiritual Array Grandmaster.
Though spiritual arrays rarely reached the offensive power of a Saint level Heavenly Supreme, they could be nightmarish to even an Immortal level Heavenly Supreme if used strategically.
"Truly remarkable," Xiao Tiance mused, a glint of admiration in his eyes. "If the sect I establish one day reaches this level of power, I'll consider it a success."
A Call for Help
Suddenly, the communication jade in his hand lit up. Upon activating it, he received a message from Luo Tianshen.
"Master Tiance, the old man and I have been ambushed by two Earth Supremes from the Shumen Sect, along with the array master, Zi Wuji of the Purple Mountain Sect. We request your assistance urgently."
Xiao Tiance glanced at the location sent alongside the message and vanished in an instant, racing to their aid.
Luo Tianshen and the Trap
Elsewhere in the secret realm, Luo Tianshen and Tianqiong Academy's headmaster, battered and bloodied, were trapped within a spiritual array. The array had been constructed by none other than Zi Wuji, the Purple Mountain Sect's leader, who had also called upon two upper level Earth Supremes from the Shumen Sect to ensure the duo's demise.
Inside the array, both Luo Tianshen and the headmaster were in dire straits. Their energy was nearly depleted, and their injuries made it evident that they wouldn't last much longer.
Within the Array
"Elder, do you think they're using us as bait to lure Master Tiance?" the headmaster asked grimly.
Luo Tianshen's expression was equally dour. "Most likely. If they wanted to kill us outright, the two Earth Supremes from the Shumen Sect would've already made their move. They're deliberately stalling, likely hoping that Master Tiance will come to rescue us.
"Unfortunately, we're trapped within this array. Even if we wanted to warn Master Tiance about this trap, we can't get a message out now."
The headmaster clenched his fists. "If only we'd chosen to retreat earlier. Now, we've fallen into their trap and are forcing Master Tiance to come to our aid."
Luo Tianshen sighed deeply. He had anticipated that the Western Heaven Battle Hall wouldn't let Xiao Tiance off easily, but he hadn't expected them to use such underhanded tactics. If he had known, he and the headmaster wouldn't have engaged Zi Wuji in the first place.
Outside the Array
Zi Wuji smirked as he turned to the two Earth Supremes from the Shumen Sect. "What do you think? Will Xiao Tiance come to their rescue?"
Tang Chen chuckled darkly. "Hard to say. If it were me, I'd probably come."
Tang Yu, his younger brother, scoffed. "Whether he comes or not doesn't matter. If he shows up, Elder Winter and the leaders of the two divine clans will handle him. If he doesn't, we can simply kill Luo Tianshen and the headmaster as consolation."
Zi Wuji nodded in agreement. "Either way, our mission is complete. Whatever happens next isn't our concern."
Tang Chen grinned slyly. "The Western Heaven Battle Hall's humiliation has already spread across the entire continent. I wonder how furious the Battle Emperor will be when he emerges from seclusion."
"Silence!" Tang Yu barked, glaring at his brother. "The Battle Emperor is not someone we're allowed to speculate about."
Despite being the elder sibling, Tang Chen immediately adopted an apologetic expression, clearly cowed by his younger brother's authority.
Zi Wuji intervened with a smile, "No need to be so harsh, Sect Master Tang Yu. We meant no disrespect. It was just idle chatter."
"Still, words can bring disaster, Zi Wuji," Tang Yu warned curtly.
The three men turned their attention back to the array, waiting patiently for Xiao Tiance to appear.
A Hidden Observer
Not far from the scene, a young girl stood atop a tree, gazing at the unfolding situation with a faint smile.
"To think the Western Heaven Battle Hall would gather so many forces just to deal with one Earth Supreme," she mused. "Elder Winter must see him as a considerable threat."
A man in his twenties, standing behind her, spoke respectfully, "Miss, there's more to it. I've learned that this Xiao Tiance isn't even a native of the Great Thousand World.
"He brought a powerful Earth Supreme level puppet called the Heavenly Monster Puppet, and two of his companions are also Earth Supreme level experts.
"During their confrontation in Luo Shui City, when Elder Winter saw that Xiao Tiance had four Earth Supremes on his side, he didn't dare act rashly. Instead, they retreated to regroup. Since then, the Western Heaven Battle Hall has been rallying every ally they can find to eliminate Xiao Tiance here in the Ancient Secret Realm."
The girl chuckled softly. "Interesting. A newcomer to the Great Thousand World has caused such a stir. Xiao Tiance… I look forward to seeing how this plays out."
Within the Ancient Secret Realm
"Miss, if you plan to watch the excitement, please don't stray too far from me. If you get hurt, I won't be able to answer to the Grand Elder," said the young man respectfully.
The girl giggled in response. "Uncle Lin, with a powerful Earth Supreme at the pinnacle like you by my side, who could possibly harm me in this secret realm?"
The girl was extraordinarily beautiful, her every movement exuding an air of nobility. Despite her cultivation being only at the peak of the seventh rank, the young man beside her didn't dare show even a hint of disrespect.
"Miss, you jest," said the man addressed as Uncle Lin, his expression a mix of helplessness and affection as he continued, "If all the strong contenders show up, even I might not be able to protect you."
"Don't worry," she replied with a grin. "Worst case, we reveal our identity. No one would dare involve us."
From her words, it was evident that the girl came from a powerful background one that commanded respect even in a place like the Ancient Secret Realm.
A Mission Beyond the Secret Realm
"Miss, we must remain cautious," Uncle Lin said earnestly. "We didn't come to participate in this secret realm's competition; we're here because you insisted on exploring. I'm already worried about how the Grand Elder might scold us when we return."
The girl waved off his concern with a laugh. "The Grand Elder adores me. He wouldn't dare! And besides, Uncle Lin, relax. I'm just curious about this Xiao Tiance. He should be arriving soon, shouldn't he? I've never met a strong cultivator from a lower realm before."
Uncle Lin chuckled at her excitement. "Miss, who said you haven't? Do you remember the Sword Saint of the Green Robe?"
"Huh? Oh! You mean the Green Robe Sword Saint?" Her eyes lit up with realization.
"That's right," Uncle Lin nodded. "Not only him, but that Lin Dong fellow you met earlier also hails from a lower realm."
"Lin Dong?" she murmured thoughtfully. "Now that you mention it, he was interesting. There was something about him something that made even the treasure in my body tremble in fear. I wanted to ask him about it, but it didn't feel right to pry into his secrets. Next time I see him, I'll make sure to find out!"
Uncle Lin chuckled again, though his tone turned serious. "Miss, you may not realize it, but Lin Dong isn't someone to underestimate. He may not seem too powerful now, but I have a strong feeling he'll become one of the Great Thousand World's top figures in the future.
"That's why I didn't stop you when you approached him for a chat. After all, meeting someone like him is a rare opportunity."
The girl tilted her head, her curiosity piqued once more. "Do you think Xiao Tiance will be as remarkable as Lin Dong?"
Uncle Lin's expression turned wry. "Miss, every person who ascends from a lower realm to the Great Thousand World is extraordinary. Let's wait and see what this Xiao Tiance is like."
A Sudden Turn of Events
Just as Uncle Lin finished speaking, his eyes narrowed, and he turned sharply toward the area where Zi Wuji and the Shumen Sect duo were.
"They're here," he said solemnly.
The girl followed his gaze, her eyes widening as she saw what unfolded next.
Within the spiritual array that had trapped Luo Tianshen and the headmaster of Tianqiong Academy, a figure appeared. In the blink of an eye, the intricate spiritual array shattered with a single punch.
"Whoa! Uncle Lin, is that Xiao Tiance? He broke a Grandmaster level spiritual array with one punch? That's incredible!" the girl exclaimed.
Uncle Lin shook his head, his expression turning serious. "Miss, it wasn't brute force that broke the array. If I'm not mistaken, Xiao Tiance is also a Spiritual Array Grandmaster.
"That punch struck directly at the core of Zi Wuji's array, causing it to collapse. It wasn't mere strength it was precision."
The girl's astonishment deepened. "So, Xiao Tiance is not only a peak Earth Supreme but also a Spiritual Array Grandmaster?"
Uncle Lin pointed toward Xiao Tiance, who now floated in mid air, exuding an aura of absolute confidence. Below, Luo Tianshen and the headmaster quickly moved to his side. But most impressively, the Shumen Sect's two Earth Supremes and Zi Wuji were suddenly trapped in a Grandmaster level high tier spiritual array.
"What incredible speed," the girl whispered in awe. "Even the Third Elder of our clan couldn't match this."
Uncle Lin furrowed his brow. "The speed is remarkable, but something feels off. That array... it doesn't seem like something he set up himself. Yet, I can't sense any other strong presences nearby. It's as if the array appeared out of nowhere."
The girl's eyes glowed briefly with golden light as she observed Xiao Tiance closely. "Uncle Lin, there's something unusual inside him," she said thoughtfully.
Before Uncle Lin could respond, Xiao Tiance turned his gaze directly toward them, his sharp eyes locking onto their location. A faint smile curved his lips.
Uncle Lin's expression shifted, and he pulled the girl protectively behind him. "Such sharp perception," he muttered under his breath.
The Trap Springs
Xiao Tiance didn't linger on the girl and her companion. His attention shifted instead to three overwhelming presences approaching from the void.
One of them was familiar the dreaded Elder Winter from the Western Heaven Battle Hall. The other two were equally imposing, emanating the aura of peak Earth Supremes. Xiao Tiance immediately deduced their identities: Bone Clan Leader Gu Changming and Strength Clan Leader Ao Tianxiu.
Xiao Tiance laughed loudly, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "So, you've gone to such great lengths to lure me out. Now that I'm here, why not come out and greet me properly?"
In an instant, three spatial ripples appeared. From within the void, Elder Winter's cold voice rang out.
"Xiao Tiance, I didn't expect you to walk into the jaws of death so willingly. You've truly chosen hell over heaven. Your bravery is commendable, but it will be your undoing."
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