Chapter 42: Trouble on the Second Layer, Surrounded by Demon Beasts

The second layer of the secret realm was a dense forest. The Spiritual Qi here was also bizarre, mixed with other energies that made it extremely difficult to refine and absorb. A moment of carelessness could lead to Qi Deviation.

The first layer had been mainly plains, scattered with ore piles, along with occasional herbs and ordinary Demon Beasts.

But the second layer was entirely different: a vast forest teeming with Demon Beasts and a greater abundance of spiritual herbs. What one might find here varied widely. Someone had once even discovered herbs suitable for refining Nascent Formation Pills.

In previous openings, the factions had left some disciples to explore the second layer. But as more and more people came in over the years, the chances of finding high-grade spiritual herbs had dwindled. Usually only smaller factions too weak to go farther stayed here.

Clearly, the second layer was not Qin Xiao’s destination. Yun Man checked the direction with her map and continued flying toward the entrance of the third layer.

“Keep your Spiritual Qi replenished. Something feels wrong about this second layer. Stay at full strength.”

Although Yun Man was already at the Nascent Soul stage and should have had no trouble on a layer normally inhabited by Foundation Establishment beasts, Qin Xiao still offered a reminder.

“I know, Master. We can’t absorb the Spiritual Qi here directly, so I’m replenishing mine with pills and Spirit Stones.”

Yun Man’s perception of Spiritual Qi far surpassed Qin Xiao’s. She had already sensed the abnormal Spiritual Qi and prepared accordingly.

Meanwhile, the three factions that had entered ahead of them were running into major trouble.

“This is only the second layer! Why are there such powerful Demon Beasts?”

“And there’s more than one! What on earth is going on?”

“Stop standing around! Set up the Formation, quickly!”

Ling Wushuang quickly took out a set of Formation Flags and placed them. Everyone began pouring Spiritual Qi into the formation.

Immediately, a massive protective Formation materialized, blocking all the Demon Beasts outside.

The three factions, numbering over two hundred people in total, were already surrounded by the horde of Demon Beasts.

“What is happening? Nothing like this has ever occurred before. What is going on?”

Ling Wushuang’s brow was furrowed deeply. Although he was a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, the three leading Demon Beasts possessed peak Nascent Soul strength. Fortunately, they were surrounding the group without attacking; if they launched a sudden assault, these two hundred-plus people would likely suffer catastrophic casualties.

“When the secret realm opened in past years, many disciples stayed behind in the second layer, and the strongest Demon Beasts encountered were only at the peak Foundation Establishment stage. Why, after a mere three years, has the second layer produced peak Nascent Soul Demon Beasts?”

Cang Xing, leader of the Pure Yang Sect team, asked in confusion.

Cang Xing was one of Pure Yang Sect’s gifted disciples of this generation and had reached mid Nascent Soul. But these beasts were at peak Nascent Soul. He might not beat one even at the same cultivation, let alone from two subrealms below.

“Something must have happened in the second layer, or perhaps some treasure has emerged that allows these Demon Beasts to advance rapidly. Though this is a calamity, it is also a rare opportunity. Do the two of you dare to risk it?”

Su Lin, the team leader of the Mysterious Yin Sect, did not seem particularly worried; instead, his face was alight with excitement.

Su Lin was also one of Mysterious Yin Sect’s gifted disciples and was likewise at mid Nascent Soul. Their sects would certainly have given disciples like them plenty of ways to stay alive. If they fought to the death, they might not lose.

“Do not act rashly. I suspect these three Demon Beasts are not the strongest. There should be a Soul Formation beast lurking behind them. We might manage against Nascent Soul beasts, but what if a Soul Formation beast appears?” Read the latest chapters at novelping(.)com.

Ling Wushuang was relatively calm. He reasoned that since the three Demon Beasts had not attacked, something stronger must be behind them. It had given no order, so they did not dare attack. Otherwise, the beasts’ nature would have sent them charging in long ago.

“What? A Soul Formation beast too? Brother Ling, don’t scare me!”

Cang Xing’s expression changed. If they faced only the beasts before them, they still had a chance to win. But if there was also a Soul Formation beast, probably no one but their three leaders would escape.

“Surely not? Nascent Soul beasts on the second layer are strange enough. If there’s a Soul Formation beast too, wouldn’t this place be as dangerous as the fifth layer?”

Su Lin could hardly believe it, but he knew Ling Wushuang’s guess might be right.

“Master, I sense a lot of people and Demon Beasts ahead. We should go around them.”

Yun Man halted abruptly. With so many auras concentrated ahead, ignoring them was impossible.

“Go around them. We need to reach the fourth layer quickly, or the others will divide up all the good stuff.”

Qin Xiao readily agreed. He could not be bothered getting involved in that trouble.

But although Qin Xiao and Yun Man went around the beasts and the three factions, they had not flown far before a powerful presence locked onto them.

“Master, watch out! A Soul Formation Demon Beast!”

Yun Man was the first to detect it and urgently issued a warning.

“Fall back! Fly back the way we came!”

Qin Xiao had no time to wonder why a Soul Formation beast was on the second layer. They had to get away and stay alive.

Before they could retreat far, however, a peak Nascent Soul Demon Beast intercepted them from the front.

Yun Man had no choice but to alter their course once more.

Yet no matter which direction they took, the Demon Beasts drove them back until they ended up with the three factions.

“Hm? Tianyuan Sect disciples?”

Everyone looked on in astonishment at Qin Xiao’s arrival. Hadn’t the entrance to the second layer been manned? Could these two have entered before them?

“Greetings, Fellow Daoists. What a coincidence to meet here.”

Realizing evasion was impossible, Qin Xiao stepped forward to offer a greeting.

Yun Man had already put on a veil, afraid Ling Wushuang would recognize her.

“Hm? A mortal paired with a Nascent Soul cultivator? What sort of combination is this?”

Instead of answering, the assembled cultivators stared in bewilderment at the mismatched pair.

“How did the two of you get down here?” This chapter was copied from novelping . com without permission.

Ling Wushuang wanted to know how they had reached this layer. Given where each group had arrived, no one should have gotten here before his group. Tianyuan Sect had entered after them, after all.

“Disciple, show him the token.”

Realizing the question came from a representative of the Immortal Dao Merchant Association, Qin Xiao knew how to handle it.

Without a word, Yun Man retrieved the Supreme Membership Card.

“I should be allowed down here with this, shouldn’t I?”

Unaware that Ling Wushuang was Ling Ruoxue’s older brother, Qin Xiao looked rather pleased with himself.

“My Immortal Dao Merchant Association’s Supreme Membership Card? Who on earth are you? Why was I never informed that the association added another supreme member?”

Ling Wushuang was taken aback. As the Ling Family’s successor, he knew exactly who held the association’s Supreme Membership Cards, yet he did not recognize Qin Xiao.

“Who are you? Does everyone who gets a Supreme Membership Card have to report to you? Enough of that. We’ve got a difficult situation here. We can discuss the card later.”

Qin Xiao was utterly speechless. With their lives on the line, the man was still fussing over a card!

“Since you hold a Supreme Membership Card from our Immortal Dao Merchant Association, enter the Formation.”

Ling Wushuang let the matter drop after hearing that. As honored guests of the association, Qin Xiao and Yun Man should be protected, so he allowed them inside the formation.

Even inside the formation, there was not much difference. It was only a question of dying sooner or later.

“A moment ago, we encountered a Soul Formation Demon Beast along with several Nascent Soul beasts converging on this location. They appear to be sweeping through the entire second layer for cultivators, tightening their encirclement from the outside in.”

Now that they were inside, Qin Xiao had to give them some information. He told them what he and Yun Man had just encountered.

“What? There really is a Soul Formation Demon Beast?”

Cang Xing felt as if the sky were falling. He was afraid he would die here.

“Are these Demon Beasts that clever? They know how to sweep through an area and surround us?”

Su Lin lost his earlier exhilaration entirely. What on earth was happening in the second layer?

“This formation can only block Nascent Soul attacks. It can’t stop Soul Formation. We have to think of something. The beasts will probably gather here soon.”

Forcing himself to remain calm, Ling Wushuang took charge of the situation.

“Not good! The Demon Beasts are about to strike!”

Before they could come up with a plan, a disciple suddenly shouted.