Volume 11, Chapter 766 – I, Am the Immortal Might (Part 5)

“Help!”

The onlookers stood frozen for a long time before they came back to their senses. As cries of alarm rang out one after another, they scattered like frightened birds and beasts, leaving only a few whose legs had turned to jelly, too weak to move from the spot.

The disciples of the Huarong Sect also trembled on their feet. But since several of their higher-ups still maintained a semblance of calm, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and remain where they were.

“Was that done by your main body?”

Hua Ruyi turned her head mechanically to ask Cheng Tian, the lingering charm of her mature face now paling with an unnatural whiteness.

“My main body is no tentacled monster. That trick was the handiwork of Qi Huang.”

A trace of disdain appeared on Cheng Tian’s face.

Hua Ruyi opened her mouth, but for a moment did not know what to say.

“Keep moving forward!”

On the other side, Qi Huang gave instructions to Cheng Tian through mental transmission. Although it was somewhat discourteous to bypass Cheng Hongling, she truly disliked unnecessary trouble.

“All settled? Then let’s go!”

Cheng Tian called out to the disciples of the Huarong Sect, then continued leading the way toward the Panyun Mountain Bottomless Pit.

As time went on, the crowd that Qi Huang had earlier frightened away came back again, joined by new onlookers along the way. Their numbers swelled even larger than before, approaching two million.

Hua Ruyi did not know if among them lurked those harboring ill intent. Her heart grew tense once more, so she said to Cheng Tian beside her: “Qi Huang’s move earlier was indeed formidable, but it was ultimately not the Immortal Might. The deterrence is insufficient. Huarong Sect will likely face further troubles in the future.”

Qi Huang, hearing this, directly transmitted her thoughts to Hua Ruyi: “We haven’t yet reached the Panyun Mountain Bottomless Pit. This immortal is merely fishing. Do not worry, Sect Master Hua, you will see the Immortal Might very soon.”

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“That is good to hear.”

Hua Ruyi breathed a sigh of relief, though envy, jealousy, and bitterness colored her voice as she added: “Forgive me for being frank, but your bait is far too large. I fear no fish would dare take it.”

“It doesn’t matter. If they don’t bite, I’ll cast the anchor. Any fish that appears within my sight won’t be escaping alive anyway.”

Qi Huang’s reply brimmed with dominance. With her power that touched the heavens, how could she possibly return empty-handed?

Hua Ruyi’s words quickly proved true. Those harboring evil intentions had been frightened out of their wits by the sight of those strands of hair, and no one dared make a move. As the group drew closer and closer to the Panyun Mountain Bottomless Pit, those opportunists, realizing they had missed their chance, withdrew one after another.

Qi Huang would not leave hidden threats behind. Her Divine Sense trailed after them, killing all of those schemers in secluded corners. Anyone who had come with the intent of killing Cheng Tian would not be allowed to leave alive under her watch.

The Huarong Sect’s party soon reached the vicinity of the Panyun Mountain Bottomless Pit. When they looked up, they saw that within several dozen miles around the mountain, everything was completely shrouded in Yin energy. Sunlight could not penetrate it at all, leaving the interior pitch-black, where nothing could be seen clearly. Only vague, terrifying shadows drifted within, from time to time giving rise to inhuman noises, as though hell itself had descended.

“Look over there… that… that zombie’s corpse markings are actually golden!”

“And that skeleton… its bones are dark gold… Just how many terrifying fiendish specters are inside?”

“Good heavens… No wonder this is one of the top ten deadly grounds in the cultivation world. Even the weakest fiend within could probably wipe out our sects.”

“Forget the fiends. With our pitiful cultivation, if even the slightest leak of Yin energy reaches us, we’ll turn into puddles of foul water instantly. Let’s get out of here quickly, survival matters most.”

At such a sight, many with timid hearts found their legs turning limp, unable to take another step forward.

“What are you afraid of? Didn’t you see those fiends are sealed by Divine Sense?”

Someone reminded them.

The gathered cultivators spread out their Divine Sense and indeed discovered a protective barrier at the edge of the Yin energy, spanning several dozen miles. It resembled an upturned bowl, covering the Yin energy entirely. No matter how the powerful fiends attacked, it remained utterly immovable.

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“Heavens, whose divine ability is this? Divine Sense actually envelops dozens of miles in radius!”

“Don’t be so ignorant. Any cultivator who has reached the Divine Realm can accomplish that. The true marvel here lies in its strength, it even slightly warps space. Clearly the handiwork of a Heavenly Tribulation Realm expert.”

“That must be the Huarong Sect’s Grand Elder. She is a powerhouse at the early stage of the Heavenly Tribulation Realm.”

“Not necessarily. I heard a stranger at that level lent aid. Otherwise, how could Elder Hua have successfully sealed those fiends? If not, the Yin energy and fiends of the Panyun Mountain Bottomless Pit would have spread to the imperial capital long ago, and none of us would be alive to watch this spectacle.”

Exclamations of wonder erupted from the crowd.

Cheng Tian continued to lead the way. Everyone held their breath, moving their steps with extreme caution, afraid to startle those horrific figures inside.

“Holy Maiden, are you certain you want to go in? The source of the Yin energy within is very strong. Even the Grand Elder cannot guarantee your safety.”

Hua Ruyi once again voiced her unease.

“No need to say more. Invite the Grand Elder here. Have her open a gap in the Divine Sense barrier to release the fiends. Today, before these millions of onlookers, I shall prove that the Huarong Sect’s Immortal Stele remains unscathed.”

Cheng Tian’s words were concise and decisive.

Hua Ruyi hesitated, but in the end sent a mental message to Hua Man.

Before long, a middle-aged beauty with snow-white hair appeared in a flash. She was Hua Man, the Grand Elder of Huarong Sect stationed here, also the only Heavenly Tribulation Realm expert in the entire Mingyue Empire.

Though aged, Hua Man’s cultivation was profound, leaving her skin smooth and fair without the blemishes of age. However, days of contending against the fiends of Panyun Mountain had left her expression fatigued.

“Since the Holy Maiden is confident in handling this, this old woman will not say more. But for the sake of safety, I should still protect you closely.”

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Hua Man offered.

“No need. If you stay close, I won’t be able to trigger the Immortal Might. That will bring endless troubles to Huarong Sect in the future. You, of all people, should understand that.”

Cheng Tian naturally refused.

Qi Huang, feeling impatient, transmitted her voice to Hua Man: “Elder Hua, just do as asked. Surely I would not gamble recklessly with my own life.”

“Very well.”

Helpless, Hua Man led Cheng Tian toward the Divine Sense barrier, while the others of Huarong Sect remained behind.

“Look! Look! The Holy Maiden of Huarong Sect is heading over!”

“She truly dares? Without the Immortal Stele’s protection, those fiends will tear her apart alive.”

“Don’t you see Elder Hua at her side? Perhaps she intends to protect her closely.”

“What good is mere protection? The crowd came to witness Immortal Might. If today she cannot prove that the Huarong Sect’s Immortal Stele is intact, the sect will never know peace again.”

“I think it’s not just the sect. The entire Mingyue Empire will be thrown into chaos. Without the deterrence of Huarong Sect, this country will fall into disorder.”

“Or maybe she’s counting on Elder Hua to release Divine Sense and impersonate Immortal Might?”

“Who would believe such a ruse? Elder Hua may be strong, but she’s only at the early Heavenly Tribulation Realm. How could she possibly imitate Immortal Might?”

The distant masses erupted into noisy debate.

By now, Cheng Tian and Hua Man had reached the barrier. The fiends inside sensed someone approaching and immediately swarmed like caged beasts, pressing toward them. They clawed at the barrier with fangs and talons, unleashing terrifying howls.

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“Holy Maiden, I am going to open a gap. Be careful. If you handle it, tell me immediately.”

Hua Man warned once more.

“Do not worry. If I cannot even handle these few fiends, how could I dare kill the Vice Leader of the Immortal Alliance?”

Cheng Tian countered.

After thinking it through, Hua Man found the logic sound, and so she quickly withdrew.

Cheng Tian refocused her gaze on the interior. In the briefest of moments, thousands upon thousands of fiends had already gathered. They threw themselves savagely against the barrier, yet could not leave the faintest mark. Precisely because of this, their faces became ever more hideous, their features twisted beyond recognition, no longer human or beast, but utterly monstrous.

Just then, a small gap appeared on the barrier, slowly widening.

Shhh…

A pair of claws marked with golden corpse spots suddenly thrust out of the gap, seizing the barrier’s edges and tearing with savage force.

Riiip!

With a sharp tearing sound, the gap abruptly widened to over a yard long.

Rooar…!

At once, countless fiends began to surge out from the opening.

In the distance, the eyes of a million spectators widened like saucers, terrified of missing even a moment if they so much as blinked.