Chapter 22: Entering the Hall
Lightning filled the sky as if it had eyes of its own, deliberately veering around those rogue cultivators who showed no intent to attack, and instead enclosing the habitual bandits within. The Foundation Establishment realm scar-faced man was especially targeted—at that moment, it was as if he were undergoing a heavenly tribulation, bolts of lightning crashing down on him one after another.
"Flying.... this cultivator is actually flying inside the legacy tomb. She's in the Golden Core realm. But this legacy tomb isn't supposed to allow Golden Core cultivators to enter..."
A Verdant Cloud Sect disciple tilted his head back, staring blankly at the unknown female cultivator as she walked through the air.
Qi Refining was the tempering of the body; Foundation Establishment was merely stepping through the door of cultivation. Only upon reaching the Golden Core realm could one truly soar through the heavens and roam the earth. Yet Lu You, relying on countless Light Rock Talismans and Beginner Wind Talismans, strode through the air. Inside a tomb that barred Golden Core cultivators, it looked like nothing short of a miracle.
"Are those talismans? This has to be an illusion, how could there possibly be so many talismans?"
Some cultivators even tried to count them. Once one stepped onto the path of cultivation, the five senses became several times sharper than those of ordinary people; with a single glance, a cultivator could count every bird in a passing flock. But the talismans in the sky were denser than fallen leaves on the ground. Forget counting, after just one glance, the cultivator felt dizzy.
"It must be an illusion. Even our Verdant Cloud Sect couldn't take out this many Thunder Technique Talismans," someone finally said, forcing himself to calm down.
"This is her sword art. Heavens, so this is the divine ability of a Golden Core sword cultivator. No wonder they say sword cultivators are invincible among peers. With a single sword strike, it rivals a lightning tribulation. How could we possibly be her match?"
"Exactly! With this many Thunder Technique Talismans, even if every talisman master in the main city and the Verdant Cloud Sect worked together, it would take centuries to draw them all!" another cultivator agreed. "Sword Cultivator Senior, please leave your name! Thank you for saving the Verdant Cloud Sect. If we ever have the chance, we will repay you heavily. If not, we will return home, set up a statue in your honor, and worship it day and night."
"Damn it, get lost. You say you're worshiping a statue? I can hear that abacus clacking from my ass," someone snapped.
For a moment, the Verdant Cloud Sect disciples were utterly shaken. Coupled with Lu You's current appearance—dressed in red women's clothing—their reverence was tinged with a hint of infatuation.
Originally intending to gather information, Lu You felt a chill down his spine under the crowd's fiery gazes. He continued stepping through the air on his talismans, heading straight for the treasure hall.
As Lu You departed, the lightning filling the sky gradually dissipated. The once numerous and aggressive rogue cultivators were completely wiped out. Even the Foundation Establishment realm scar-faced man had been reduced to black ash by the overwhelming Thunder Technique Talismans, his remains then scattered by the raging Beginner Wind Talismans.
Every rogue cultivator who had intended to kill and seize treasures was struck down by Lu You—and not a single drop of blood was spilled.
"I only regret that I am not strong enough to know the goddess's name."
Watching Lu You depart into the distance, a Verdant Cloud Sect disciple wore a face full of frustration. Meanwhile, some rogue cultivators who had not taken action were filled with relief.
"Thankfully, that heroine clearly distinguishes grudges and favors and didn't take our lives."
At this point, the remaining rogue cultivators were already fewer in number than the Verdant Cloud Sect disciples. Those who had harbored no killing intent earlier now behaved even more obediently. And the rogue cultivators and Verdant Cloud Sect disciples who had just moments ago been on the verge of a life-and-death struggle were now actually gathered together in a surprisingly harmonious atmosphere, excitedly discussing what had just happened.
Before long, Han Tian—who had narrowly escaped death beneath the spider silk—arrived belatedly. Listening to his fellow disciples' animated chatter, his face lit up with excitement.
"I know who that heroine is! She saved me earlier, and it was I who told the Verdant Cloud Sect to gather here."
Hearing that Dongfang Bubai had saved nearly all of the Verdant Cloud Sect disciples, Han Tian spoke solemnly, "I never expected that heroine to be at the Golden Core realm. This time, we're saved. Even if there's some unknown existence inside the treasure hall, it definitely won't be a match for her. You should know, she's no ordinary Golden Core cultivator. She has a title."
"A title?!"
The Verdant Cloud Sect disciples and the rogue cultivators asked in unison, "Quick, what is the heroine's title?"
Cultivation realms did not necessarily equal combat strength, but a title did. Just like how, though he was also only at the Foundation Establishment realm, Senior Brother Bai Zihua was known as the Mount Tai of the Mortal World. That reputation was earned when Bai Zihua calmly slew more than a dozen evil cultivators of the same realm in succession, a testament to his unmatched courage—steadfast even with Mount Tai collapsing before him.
Noticing everyone's gazes converge on him, Han Tian—accustomed to keeping a low profile—suddenly felt a strange mix of nervousness and excitement. Still, he straightened his chest and took out the section of wooden stump engraved by Dongfang Bubai.
The reason he had arrived so late was precisely because Han Tian had spent time sawing down the tree Dongfang Bubai had carved, carefully preserving the inscribed portion as a treasured keepsake.
"The sun rises in the east, only I shall remain undefeated."
"So the heroine's title is—Dongfang Bubai?!"
Hiss.
Staring at the eleven characters Han Tian cherished like a priceless treasure, everyone sucked in a sharp breath.
What an overbearing title!
The crowd exchanged glances, then looked again toward the eerie ancient tomb. Thinking of the contempt-for-all-under-heaven conveyed in those eight words—The sun rises in the east, only I remain undefeated—they suddenly felt the unease in their hearts ease considerably.
This title wasn't arrogant at all.
In fact, it felt incredibly reassuring.
Lu You had no idea what was happening behind him. He was carefully stepping into the treasure hall.
The vast host of Thunder Technique Talismans also descended from the sky, then densely plastered themselves across the ground and walls. Everywhere inside the treasure hall that was exposed was completely covered by Lu You with Thunder Technique Talismans.
Having witnessed those bizarre eyes before, Lu You knew that no amount of caution could be excessive. In the very center of the great hall stood a golden, gleaming Buddha statue. He couldn't be bothered to inspect it up close and instead wrapped it inside and out with Thunder Technique Talismans, bundling it up like a massive rice dumpling.
"They're not here either. Looks like there are other hidden passages."
The Thunder Technique Talismans plastered all over the hall produced an unexpected effect. If a wall was solid, the talismans would adhere firmly. But if a wall concealed a secret door, then once it was covered in talismans, the faint breeze leaking through the hidden seam would subtly flutter the edges of the talismans. What Lu You had done merely for safety allowed him to discover the hall's mechanisms almost immediately.
Evil-Repelling Talismans, Detoxification Talismans, and Golden Light Talismans were all activated. Instead of opening the door right away, Lu You took out Rain-Calling Talismans and Beginner Wind Talismans, conjuring a violent storm within the hall. Rainwater accumulated bit by bit, slowly rising to his ankles, then was driven by fierce winds to seep along the cracks of the hidden wall.
Thunder Technique Talismans—electrify it.
Using a Divine Eye Talisman to watch the rainwater infiltrate the passage, Lu You released a swath of lightning, exploiting water's conductivity to strike directly beyond the secret door.
Crackle—buzz!
After letting the lightning rage for a while, Lu You took out more Thunder Technique Talismans and blew the hidden door apart.
As expected, several grotesque corpses lay beyond the door. Judging by their clothing, they were disciples of the Verdant Cloud Sect. Under the powerful electric current, their limbs had been scorched black and were extremely fragile, yet they still had not turned to ash.
These corpses all stared at Lu You with blood-red eyes, glaring viciously at him. The appearance of those pupils was exactly the same as what Lu You had seen in the back mountain.
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