Chapter 377

Chapter 377: Infiltrating the Jingling Institute

Shortly after the female cultivator led everyone through the mountain gate, they encountered disciples of the Jingling Institute. She explained her purpose, and only then did the disciples accept the group of men, guiding them on clouds toward the floating peak.

Along the way, they saw many busy disciples of the Jingling Institute. Their guide also seemed rushed, hastily leading them to a small courtyard for servants. After instructing them to wait there for further arrangements, the guide left without even counting their numbers.

The men exchanged puzzled glances and reluctantly settled into rooms, which conveniently allowed You You to slip away with Feng Rong and Yuan Qi. While the others were distracted, she concealed their presence and sneaked out of the courtyard.

You You glanced around. Coincidentally, they were still on a floating peak, not the main peak. Earlier, she’d noticed that while many disciples roamed the floating peaks, the central main peak remained eerily quiet.

Typically, a sect’s main peak bustled with activity, housing meeting halls and offices as the sect’s public face. But here, that clearly wasn’t the case.

“Yuan Papa, did you notice anything? Where should we go next?” You You turned to Yuan Qi, the most skilled in formations.

“The Jingling Institute’s grand formation is unusual,” Yuan Qi frowned. “It’s not just the protective mountain formation—there are hidden formations throughout the sect. But until activated, their purpose is unclear. However…” He pointed to the main peak. “All formations center there.”

You You studied the largest floating peak. “You think the main peak holds secrets?”

“Every formation connects to it, and the sect’s spiritual energy…” He paused, uncertain. “It all seems to originate from that peak.”

“Spiritual energy!” You You gasped. Feng Rong added, “But the spiritual veins are on the surrounding peaks. How could the energy come from there? Is something stronger hidden on the main peak?”

Yuan Qi’s expression darkened. “Perhaps… there truly is.”

The three froze. If something nourished the spiritual veins across the peaks, its power must be immense.

“We need to investigate!” You You summoned her Spirit Sword and flew toward the main peak with the others. As they prepared to land, Yuan Qi suddenly tugged her back. “You You, wait!”

She halted mid-air. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s something ahead.” He gestured to her intended landing spot.

You You saw nothing at first. Probing with her divine sense, she detected a web-like layer of spiritual energy five feet ahead. It resembled natural energy but was meticulously arranged—a detection grid, not a formation.

“This energy senses anyone on the peak,” Yuan Qi explained. “The entire main peak is covered. Stepping there reveals your location and numbers instantly.”

A surveillance net? Why such strict monitoring?

“So we can’t land?” You You frowned.

Touching the ground would trigger the grid, nullifying their invisibility.

“Let’s search for a safe spot,” Yuan Qi suggested.

They flew onward. The main peak was oddly deserted compared to the others, overgrown with weeds and lacking proper paths.

“Look, a clearing!” Feng Rong pointed ahead.

A small, empty patch lay ahead, surrounded by trees that seemed to avoid the area. Crucially, no energy grid covered it.

They landed. Yuan Qi studied the ground. “Another formation is here, extending underground.”

Before You You could ask, she sensed approaching spiritual energy. “Someone’s coming!”

They retreated to the clearing’s edge as several figures descended—three Immortal cultivators and two peak-stage Mo Immortals, all in Jingling Institute robes.

The lead Immortal muttered while casting a spell, “Why activate the Four Methods Formation now? It’s never been used!”

“The head’s orders,” another replied. “This Sacred Trial is different. The formation is necessary.”

“Even the head’s worried?” The lead Immortal paled. “Can we suppress the incoming cultivators?”

“We’ll activate it repeatedly if needed. If that fails, nations must send more cultivators. The Holy Spirit should prevent disaster.”

“But why is the Holy Spirit stirring now after millennia of silence?” The lead Immortal’s face tightened.

“The Holy Spirit’s will is beyond us,” another sighed. “Troublesome, but perhaps beneficial.”

“Let’s hope.” The Immortal finished his spell.

White light flashed as the clearing’s formation activated. The ground shuddered, sinking to reveal a passage underground.

A wave of icy black energy erupted from the passage.

The hidden trio stiffened.

This was… Demonic Energy!