Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed unblinkingly on the slowly opening gate.
Perhaps behind it lay a long corridor, dimly lit lantern stands, or winding stairs spiraling down to a resplendent underground palace with every luxury imaginable.
Seeing their expressions from the corner of his eye, Song Qianji found these youths utterly naive.
This wasn't a door—it was a teleportation array.
In his previous life, he'd activated three such arrays in secret realms: once landing before the closing jaws of a beast, once plunging into a molten lava pool, and once tumbling into an ice cave where breath froze instantly.
As the saying goes, "All things must come to an end." After narrowly escaping being devoured, burned, or impaled by icicles during their journey together, Ziye Wenshu had reached his limit. He refused to let Song Qianji activate any more teleportation gates.
He also stripped Song Qianji of all decision-making rights.
For instance, when Song Qianji claimed intuition told him the eastern path held more treasures and safety, Ziye Wenshu would immediately head west without another word, using Song Qianji's misfortune for reverse selection.
Wei Zhenyu's tone was mocking: "I'm not the one who's done shady deeds in the dark. Why should I have any regrets?"
Just as Song Qianji's hand touched the icy door ring, a loud shout echoed from afar: "Wait!"
In the blink of an eye, Meng Heze had rushed to the forefront.
"Fellow Rogue Cultivator, is he forcing you to scout the path? He wronged you first—why remain loyal to him? Why not join us in Thousand Canals instead?"
An Immortal Official of Thousand Canals being persuaded to join Thousand Canals?
Song Qianji: "...Thank you for the offer, but no need."
Wei Zhenyu's expression improved, as if he'd captured a city without bloodshed, though he tried not to show his satisfaction: "His task isn't finished. He won't leave with you."
Song Qianji thought, why don't you both stay out and spit at each other, scratch your heads, and have a fight instead?
But then Meng Heze said, "I mean no trouble. If you find yourselves in danger and need help, you can send a signal to me."
Wei Zhenyu's expression shifted from shock to bewilderment before settling: "You should worry about yourself."
Before leaving, Meng Heze straightened his posture and declared loudly to Song Qianji: "Fellow cultivator, Thousand Canals welcomes you anytime!"
In broad daylight, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, murmurs rippled through the gathering.
"Meng Heze stepping forward now makes Wei Zhenyu seem 'unrighteous' instead."
"It's just using a stone to probe the path—how is that 'unrighteous'? Those rogue cultivists following Wei Wang are willing vanguards. Those who achieve great things don't bother with trivialities."
"Wei Wang acts arrogantly and domineeringly, but Thousand Canals' Senior Brother Meng clearly has a more benevolent demeanor. This shows that Song Wang is a truly benevolent ruler."
Song Qianji awkwardly turned away.
"What are you waiting for!" Wei Zhenyu seemed unable to bear it any longer. He grabbed Song Qianji's arm and shoved the gate open violently.
"Bang!"
A bone-chilling fierce wind surged out. The crowd felt the world spin around them as they were instantly swept into the gale, feet dangling in void, plummeting toward an abyss.
When they opened their eyes again, they stood on soft grassland, breathing in the scent of grass and flowers.
Sunlight blazed brilliantly across mountain wildflowers while colorful butterflies danced. A waterfall cascaded like a silver tapestry down the cliff face. Three or four luan birds soared leisurely across the sky, their wings stirring the air and sprinkling hazy cyan light.
Thick Spirit Qi condensed into white spiritual mist, rising slowly from the earth and drifting ethereally.Cultivators tumbled down like dumplings dropping into a boiling pot, plopping one after another into this refreshing white mist. The moment they saw daylight again, they found themselves in a different world.
Everyone looked around and discovered Wei Zhenyu’s team had vanished.
“Wei Wang opened the door first and must have been transported elsewhere.”
“I don’t believe any place could be better than this fairyland.”
“How was my performance before I came in?” Meng Heze transmitted his voice to Ji Chen.
“Quite impressive! No matter where Brother Song is hiding, if he saw you acting like this, he’d surely praise your integrity, courage, and magnanimity!” Ji Chen plucked a wildflower. “This Underground Palace is indeed perfect for farming—no wonder Brother Song wanted to come here!”
“Even if he plans to take the Underground Palace back for planting, he should’ve told me.” Meng Heze frowned, muttering to himself, “What’s on his mind, he never lets others know, nor does he think anyone can help him.”
At the very least, Song Qianji hadn’t considered taking the Underground Palace back for farming.
As he fell, he gripped his sword, mobilized the Fountain of Immortality, and gathered ample Spirit Qi, ready to face any danger.
But nothing happened. He landed firmly on solid ground in an empty square.
The sky was blood-red, and at the edge of sight, sixteen pillars encircled the circular plaza, as if holding up the heavens.
Well then, he had arrived directly at the center of the Underground Palace, where the core inheritance lay hidden.
Was it Wei Zhenyu’s good luck countering his own misfortune? Or was it as Wuxiang said—that in this lifetime, his luck was abundant, protected by a golden aura?
After a brief moment of chaos, the Silver Armor Squad reformed their orderly ranks.
Wei Zhenyu’s voice drifted over eerily: “Aren’t you a Talismaster? Why are you holding a sword? Who do you want to kill?”
Song Qianji calmly sheathed his sword: “...It’s an accessory, for psychological comfort.”
Wei Zhenyu’s gaze seemed to say, “Keep making things up. Let’s see how far you can stretch this.”
An inconspicuous little sparrow circled down, chirping mournfully twice before landing on someone’s shoulder.
That person stepped forward to report to Wei Zhenyu: “There’s not a trace of Spirit Qi here, yet the pressure is immense. The spirit sparrow refuses to fly high.”
After speaking, he glanced at Song Qianji, as if blaming him with his eyes for bringing bad luck.
“If it won’t fly, so be it.” Wei Zhenyu slightly lifted his chin. “We have someone to scout ahead. Let’s go.”
The last words were directed at Song Qianji.
...So my role is “as useful as a bird.”
But having regained a long-lost, rare sense of choice, Song Qianji was in good spirits: “First, let’s greet the senior of this secret realm.”
He raised his hand and scattered a handful of wheat grains: “Those behind, be careful not to step on them.”
Everyone stared at him in disbelief.
Li Ciquan couldn’t hold back: “Fellow Daoist Song, do you think the senior is a bird?”
Zhu Sheng shouted: “What trick are you pulling?!”
Song Qianji: “We can go now.”
Wei Zhenyu remained expressionless, so the small pile of wheat grains was carefully avoided by everyone, creating a rather absurd scene.
“Walk faster,” Wei Zhenyu urged.
Song Qianji strolled leisurely, glancing back as he walked: “My cultivation is lacking, so I can’t walk fast. Is Wei Wang in a hurry?”
Wei Zhenyu: “I am.”
Song Qianji: “Since entering the secret realm, Wei Wang hasn’t taken demon cores or picked Spirit Herbs, heading straight for the Underground Palace with clear purpose. I suppose there’s something here that Wei Wang wants most?”
Wei Zhenyu: “So what if there is?”
“Who told Wei Wang such important news? Since they knew, why didn’t they take it themselves, leaving it for you? Aren’t you afraid they deliberately set a trap to lure you here?”"You're very concerned about my affairs?" Wei Zhenyu lowered his voice, "I could kill you right now, yet you dare care about my matters?!"
Wei Zhenyu felt annoyed with himself. He must have been mad earlier to think this person resembled that man.
That man was never so talkative.
It was all the Sprite's fault. Yes, after seeing too many illusions, he could no longer distinguish reality from fantasy.
Wei Zhenyu had initially felt an inexplicable closeness to Song Xun. This feeling didn't make him relax his guard—instead, it made him more vigilant.
He habitually assumed "traps" and "conspiracies." After learning the other's intentions, rather than feeling angry, it was as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his chest.
How could he encounter someone resembling Song Qianji unless they were an assassin?
His trusted subordinate suggested exposing the other's identity, but Wei Zhenyu didn't want to do that.
Song Qianji could keep an assassin by his side, confidently and calmly eating meals prepared by an assassin without showing any emotion.
Wei Zhenyu felt he could do the same.
Provided this "Song Xun" would stop talking so much.
The sky's color remained unchanged, the distant towering stone pillars seeming forever out of reach.
"Prince Wei, please don't be angry. I'll say no more." Song Qianji pointed, "There."
Wei Zhenyu looked down to see the pile of wheat grains quietly resting on the ground.
Everyone's expressions changed simultaneously.
"Zhu Sheng," Wei Zhenyu said.
Understanding his meaning, Zhu Sheng swung his blade at the stone bricks.
The blade's light vanished upon touching the ground, as if absorbed by an invisible force. Intricate patterns flashed across the rough brick surface.
Song Qianji turned and waved to Li Ciquan: "Formation Master Li, it seems we've entered a maze formation. Quickly think of a solution."
Li Ciquan stared at the wheat pile, his expression grim: "How could this be? I left markers as soon as I entered this place. This area has severed Spirit Qi—how can it support the operation of such a large formation?"
Investigating for formation traces upon entering a new environment was basic practice for a Formation Master.
Li Ciquan took out his Array Disk to probe the Spirit Qi lines, saying guiltily: "I was careless. There's a layer of Runes carved on the ground. All the Spirit Qi in the formation is locked within the underground formation base, making the foundation even more solid."
Wei Zhenyu showed no intention of blaming him, merely looking at the Array Disk and roughly estimating several positions: "Step back."
The crowd moved backward.
"You plan to force your way through and break this formation by killing?" Song Qianji didn't retreat. "Without knowing what lies ahead, you should conserve your Spirit Qi first."
Wei Zhenyu handed him the sword hilt: "You think you can do better? You try then?"
Song Qianji didn't accept it, instead pulling Li Ciquan aside: "Legend says the Blood River Patriarch excelled in both formations and Talismans. The formations and Runes here are perfectly integrated, interdependent and inseparable. If either falters, the Array Lines will break."
Li Ciquan said dazedly: "The Patriarch was truly formidable. I really can't break this formation."
Song Qianji shoved a stack of Talisman paper into his hand: "I made some new Talismans recently. These Talismans have neither offensive nor defensive capabilities, but no matter what Talismans your opponent uses, just activate this one. It can attach to your opponent's Talisman and disrupt its Talismanic Power, like this."
Song Qianji took out an Anti-Miasma Talisman. The two Talismans attached to each other, producing a crisp cracking sound before burning together in midair, turning to ashes in an instant.
Li Ciquan looked shocked, his face clearly saying "What useless garbage is this?"
"Fellow Daoist Song, these Talismans don't seem very practical. Their power isn't even comparable to Explosive Talismans. And who would stand still waiting for you to attach them? If you could hit them directly, why even use Talismans?"
Song Qianji looked skyward. Taking care of children was exhausting.
He pointed at the Runes on the ground: "Explosions aren't the point at all. This formation is too precise, with formations and Talismans interlocking perfectly. We just need to find a few key points—break one link, and the entire chain will collapse layer by layer."Li Ciquan let out a sharp cry: "The strongest formation must be breached from within."
Moments later, explosions erupted one after another, shaking the earth and sky.
Amid the deafening blasts, Li Ciquan shouted: "Thank you for the guidance, Fellow Daoist Song."
"You're the one who broke the formation. Why thank me?"
Li Ciquan smiled bitterly: "With such remarkable talent, would you consider abandoning the darkness for the light?"
Song Qianji: "Hmm?"
Li Ciquan looked at Song Qianji as if wanting to say more but hesitating, then left with a sigh, appearing genuinely pained and regretful.
The dust gradually settled.
Revealed on the ground was a staircase leading underground, about twenty zhang wide. Like a giant gaping mouth, it seemed to mock them for circling aimlessly, passing by the entrance without recognizing it.
"You're quite impressive," Wei Zhenyu stared directly at Song Qianji. "Besides formation talismans, what else can you do?"
Song Qianji understood now—not only the rogue cultivator team, but even Wei Zhenyu suspected him of being an assassin.
What was going through Wei Zhenyu's mind? Seeing sprites at midnight but not killing them, encountering an assassin but letting them live.
Had he taken up Buddhist cultivation?
Still, being suspected as an assassin was far better than being suspected of being Song Qianji himself.
"I can cook," he said.
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