Prior to beginning the exploration of the grotto-heaven, Wei Yuan had set up a few traps outside. Only then did he feel confident enough to lead his group through the entrance into the fragment of the grotto-heaven.

A thousand li away, in a hidden location, an old man covered in wounds materialized in midair. Upon landing, he lost his balance and nearly stumbled on his feet. Several people emerged from a building in the hidden location to support him, asking, “Seventh Elder[1], how did you sustain such severe injuries?”

The old man grunted and pushed away those supporting him. He said, “They’re just flesh wounds; nothing to worry about! I wasn’t expecting them to come out in full force—they had even brought their sole Avatar Trueman. Naturally, I suffered a minor setback. Still, thanks to this battle, they’ll surely believe that a great treasure resides within the grotto-heaven fragment and obediently enter the place, exactly as I planned. And once they’re inside, hmph! They’ll not come out!”

A younger disciple nearby whispered, “Elder, your wounds are still bleeding.”

“Like I said, it’s just some minor wounds. Prepare some hot water; I need a bath and a change of clothes.” The old man ignored his still-bleeding wounds and strode into the room with his head held high.

The Seventh Elder was famous for his vanity. This was his way of showing that his injuries weren’t serious. However, judging by the trail of bloodstained footprints on the floor and the fact that his blood was turning a bluish hue by the second, they looked anything but minor...