Chapter 376

Chapter 376: Breaking the Formation

A peril-free illusion didn’t guarantee an effortless passage.

Zhou Luo approached the figure. He saw a middle-aged man clad in a green robe.

The man’s resolute gaze remained fixed on the bamboo before him.

His wooden sword struck its surface time and again.

Just then, the man abruptly ceased moving.

He shifted position, looking towards the approaching figure.

"Who are you?"

He gripped the wooden sword.

His square face bore a serious expression.

Zhou Luo’s eyes glinted.

This illusion formation seemed far mightier than anticipated.

The conjured figure might even possess independent thought.

Was this the power of a Third Level formation?

With this realization, Zhou Luo feigned surprise.

"I merely chanced upon this place by accident. Friend, I hadn’t expected to find someone practicing swordsmanship here?"

The middle-aged man eyed him with suspicion.

His voice deepened. "This location is exceedingly remote. Could your arrival truly be coincidence? Are you an assassin dispatched by the Da Qian Kingdom?"

The term "Da Qian" felt unfamiliar to Zhou Luo – belonging to a very distant past.

Zhou Luo responded earnestly. "I am a cultivator. I bear no ill will."

"A cultivator?"

The man’s voice trembled.

An expression of utter shock spread across his face.

He involuntarily staggered backwards several paces.

"You mustn’t deceive me."

Zhou Luo raised an eyebrow slightly.

He wondered why the man seemed so panicked.

He released his mental strength.

To his surprise, he sensed the man possessed Second Grade Spiritual Roots yet lacked any cultivation.

This implied he’d reached middle age without stepping onto the path of cultivation.

Zhou Luo found this genuinely startling.

"I am indeed a cultivator."

Following his words, he extended his right palm.

Spiritual energy shimmered into visibility.

Pale blue flames flickered gently across his hand.

The sight jolted the man like a thunderclap.

His face drained of color.

He collapsed abruptly onto his backside, terror-stricken.

Pointing a shaking finger at Zhou Luo, his eyes flooded with dread.

"You… you… truly are a cultivator?"

"Without a doubt," Zhou Luo stated calmly.

The man seemed to regain his senses.

Scrambling up, he immediately dropped to his knees.

He slammed his head against the ground with frantic urgency.

"Oh, Immortal Being," he pleaded, voice thick with terror. "This humble fool failed to recognize your esteemed presence! I’ve offended you gravely! I beg for your forgiveness!" He kowtowed relentlessly.

"This is unnecessary." Zhou Luo lifted his hand slightly.

An unseen force effortlessly raised the kneeling man.

The man stared blankly, stunned.

He kept his head bowed low, eyes glued to the ground, not daring to meet Zhou Luo’s gaze.

"What is your name?" Zhou Luo inquired.

This middle-aged man before him most likely represented the illusion of that Golden Core master.

The entire scene likely unfolded from the master’s own life history.

It now appeared that although this Golden Core master possessed high-grade spiritual roots, he seemed to have embarked on the path of cultivation quite late in life.

"Immortal, this lowly one is named Zhao Zhi Xuan," the middle-aged man replied with utmost reverence.

He hadn’t expected to encounter an Immortal while secluded in the mountain forests practicing his sword.

At this thought, his heart began pounding.

Simultaneously, he desperately hoped to earn the favor of the Immortal before him, ascending directly to become an Immortal himself.

Of course, these were merely his private thoughts—in the Immortal’s presence, he dared not act upon them.

He had heard these Immortals were lofty beings devoid of emotion and desire. Unpredictable in temperament, no one could guarantee they wouldn’t incur their wrath.

Recalling his earlier actions toward this Immortal, Zhao Zhi Xuan shuddered with retrospective fear.

Fortunately, though the Immortal remained silent, he likely harbored no intention of reprimanding him.

Zhou Luo indeed did not speak.

He silently observed the other, his face contemplative.

This Golden Core master had deliberately reconstructed a scene from his mortal life at the illusion formation’s outset—it was clearly no coincidence.

He pondered: how could he find the key to breaking the situation?

Whoosh—

Wind howled, rustling bamboo leaves.

Zhou Luo suddenly spoke, "Zhao Zhi Xuan, do you wish to learn the sword?"

From the start, the man had ceaselessly practiced sword swings—impossible to be accidental.

Zhou Luo decided to follow this thread and teach him sword techniques.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhi Xuan’s heart seized with terror. He dropped to his knees, "Thank you for your grace, Immortal! Thank you for your grace!"

Zhou Luo gave a slight nod. "Rise. I shall impart a sword technique to you."

Possessing the Five Elements Sword Technique, Zhou Luo’s mastery over sword intent had long reached perfection. Teaching a mortal was but a trivial effort.

He then began instructing him step by step.

This process proved brief.

Though merely mortal, Zhao Zhi Xuan possessed exceptional aptitude, grasping concepts almost instantly.

Combined with Zhou Luo’s profound familiarity with swordplay, the instruction flowed seamlessly.

Within a single day, Zhao Zhi Xuan mastered the essential principles of the sword technique.

Naturally, lacking spiritual energy, he only learned its form, not comprehending its true intent.

Yet Zhao Zhi Xuan felt utterly fulfilled.

To him, receiving instruction from an Immortal and advancing his swordsmanship in this lifetime constituted immense fortune.

Just as Zhao Zhi Xuan absorbed the final sword stance, the scene before Zhou Luo began to warp and distort.

Evidently, the first trial of the illusion formation was complete.

It seemed this Golden Core master had never intended to trap intruders with his formation.

Still, this initial trial hadn’t been as straightforward as anticipated.

Had Song Zhan not tested it for him, Zhou Luo would have immediately sought ways to break the formation upon entering—never considering teaching swordsmanship.

Completing the first challenge gave Zhou Luo keen insight into forthcoming scenarios.

As expected, the next scene unfolded within an Immortal Sect.

Zhao Zhi Xuan now sat beneath an ancient, colossal tree, gazing at drifting clouds.

Before him stretched a sheer cliff, its bottomless chasm veiled in mist where spirit cranes soared faintly visible.

Zhou Luo stood silently nearby, extending his mental strength to perceive Zhao Zhi Xuan’s subdued expression.

Life within the Immortal Sect seemed difficult for the Golden Core master.

Zhou Luo approached, drawing close to him.

"Senior Brother."

Assuming a familiar presence, Zhao Zhi Xuan looked up—then his face lit with surprise.

"Immortal Senior, you… are you also of this Immortal Sect?"

He sprang to his feet, joy dispelling the shadow from his features.

Zhou Luo felt a jolt of surprise; this illusion formation could imbue phantoms with prior memories.

A high-level formation truly proved extraordinary.

"I merely linger here as a guest," Zhou Luo stated.

"Ah, I see."

Zhao Zhi Xuan straightened his posture, his demeanor reverent.

That fleeting instruction years ago had elevated his swordsmanship to perfection.

Later, he avenged his loved ones, slaying their murderers.

Only then did his master discover and accept him as a disciple, formally beginning his cultivation journey.

Never had he imagined meeting his benefactor once more.

Zhou Luo regarded him and asked:

"What troubles you?"