Chapter 379

Chapter 379: The Secret of the Third Level Formation

In the first four illusions, the opponent’s strength had always been lower than his own, so he had constantly regarded the other with the aura of a senior.

But now, the opponent was only one step away from the Golden Core, and he himself had no Little White by his side. If they truly fought, his chance of victory was likely very slim.

So he had to be vigilant.

Who knew if at this final moment, the opponent might strike directly.

Previously, the opponent’s respect had stemmed from the imbalance in their strength.

Now that the opponent’s power far surpassed his own, who knew if this illusion formation might produce other unexpected changes?

Fortunately, the other party seemed not to intend to attack him.

With a smile on his face, he appeared before Zhou Luo.

Although Zhou Luo’s current cultivation level was no longer on par with his, he still maintained a calm demeanor.

Because he felt something was off.

Why, after hundreds of years, had the other’s appearance not changed in the slightest, and why did his strength seem to have stagnated?

"Friend Zhao, it seems you’ve gained much this time."

Seeing the other’s beaming smile, Zhou Luo let out a faint chuckle.

Zhao Zhi Xuan didn’t hide anything and said directly, "After this, I should be able to enter the Golden Core stage."

As he spoke these words, his face was full of pride.

Recalling back when he first entered the Immortal Sect, he had faced oppression from his Senior Brothers due to his age.

Later, he focused entirely on cultivation, and through his talent and opportunities, he slowly left those who scorned him behind. Now, he had finally achieved his wish and become a figure respected by all.

Hearing this, Zhou Luo nodded slightly, while pondering inwardly how he should help the other this time.

Could it be to aid him in a breakthrough?

For Zhou Luo, this was no simple task.

Because he himself had only a superficial grasp of the Golden Core stage, let alone the ability to assist anyone else.

While he was thinking this, Zhao Zhi Xuan voiced his own doubt: "Hundreds of years have passed, friend, yet you haven’t changed at all. I’m wondering if you’ve encountered some problem?"

"If possible, I’m willing to help you."

For Zhao Zhi Xuan, offering help was a way to repay past karma.

Moreover, he already harbored doubts in his heart, so he was even more curious.

Zhou Luo raised an eyebrow, thinking: Could this fifth trial involve having the other help him instead?

As soon as this thought arose, he quickly formed a plan and said, "Friend Zhao, I have indeed run into some trouble. Could you enlighten me on this?"

"Oh? Friend, please come this way."

Zhao Zhi Xuan led him aside and cast a Second Level formation to shield their auras, preventing any spying or disturbance.

At this stage, he had already shown powerful talent in formations, and his skill at setting them up had vastly improved.

Once everything was ready, Zhou Luo relied on his techniques to use his energy to depict the written symbols on the tombstone.

The vivid pattern of characters surged into Zhao Zhi Xuan’s eyes, startling his mind.

"Friend, is this… a Third Level formation?"

He hadn’t yet become a Third Level Formation Master, but he’d already touched the threshold. With just one glance, he recognized it as a formation—and an extraordinarily complex one at that.

Zhou Luo nodded. "Unknown friend, do you have a way to break this formation?"

He tossed the question directly back to its creator.

Perhaps this was the key to breaking the situation.

Zhao Zhi Xuan stared intently at the pattern, sinking into deep thought.

Zhou Luo wasn’t impatient either, waiting silently beside him.

After roughly half an hour, Zhao Zhi Xuan’s eyes suddenly lit up.

"Friend, this formation should be a sealing-type. While I cannot dismantle it, I can open an escape passage for you."

His voice held excitement, eyes gleaming with a peculiar glimmer of light.

For a formation master, studying high-level formations deepened his insights into the art.

"Truly? Then I must trouble Friend Zhao." Zhou Luo feigned pleasant surprise.

So the solution indeed lay with this man.

"Yet friend, do you understand formation arts yourself?"

Zhao Zhi Xuan asked abruptly then.

He had found an escape method, but if the other wasn’t a formation master, it remained unusable.

Zhou Luo chuckled softly. "Though not as gifted as you, I am still a top-level First Level formation master."

Hearing this, Zhao Zhi Xuan nodded. "Excellent."

He and Zhou Luo began collaborating on the escape technique immediately.

Another hour passed before Zhou Luo finally grasped the formation’s core mechanism.

"Friend, do you understand it now?" Zhao Zhi Xuan asked with a smile.

Zhou Luo cupped his hands respectfully. "My deepest gratitude."

The moment he finished this gesture, Zhao Zhi Xuan’s body dissolved into shimmering points of light. The surrounding scenery began crumbling.

The illusion formation had ended.

In the real world, Zhou Luo shuddered, slowly opening his eyes. It felt as if a long while had passed.

But less than half an hour had actually elapsed.

Feeling weight on his shoulder, he turned to look behind him.

Song Zhan remained trapped in the illusion. Shangguan Qianxue watched him with a complex expression.

"You truly seize opportunities amidst others’ misfortune."

Zhou Luo stared at her calmly.

Clearly, they had intended to strike while he was ensnared in the illusion.

This was perfectly normal—he would have done the same.

Thus, he remained utterly composed.

Understanding didn’t equate to acceptance, however.

"You misunderstand," Shangguan Qianxue replied awkwardly.

Since he’d awakened unharmed, hostility served no purpose.

"Is that so?"

Zhou Luo glanced at Song Zhan, his tone indifferent. "If it’s a misunderstanding, should you not leave now?"

Having discovered the tomb’s entry secret, he wouldn’t let these two profit from his labor.

Shangguan Qianxue’s expression tightened, realizing he must possess critical knowledge.

"Zhou Luo," she intoned gravely, "I hope you understand: possessing jade invites guilt. Whether it’s us or that unseen royal family disciple, none are lightly backed."

A clever man would weigh the consequences, she reasoned. Surely he’d make the wise choice.

But Zhou Luo shook his head. "No. Here, your backgrounds mean nothing. Furthermore, that royal family disciple stands with me. You have no alternatives."

"Even if conflict were inevitable"—his gaze fixed on Song Zhan—“do you truly believe victory is yours?"

Song Zhan remained helplessly entranced. Should Zhou Luo attack now, resistance would be impossible.

The threat hung heavy in the air.

Shangguan Qianxue pressed her lips thin, acknowledging his words as truth.

She drew a deep breath. "We seek only that spiritual artifact. Name your price. I will trade."

If intimidation failed, negotiation remained.

"That depends," Zhou Luo observed her with open interest, "on whether your offering proves sufficiently precious."