Volume 3 Chapter 19

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Volume 3 Chapter 19: The First Night (Part Three)

When the "Mirror Technique" suddenly shattered above the Zhantai, the expressions of everyone changed dramatically, whether they were ordinary disciples below the jade platform or sect leaders and elders above.

Everyone understood that the reason the "Mirror Technique" broke was because of the strange Spirit Qi fluctuation that had just come from it, which was clearly done on purpose by someone. But who would dare to cause trouble in front of everyone? It is important to know that at that moment, two-thirds of the elites and masters of the cultivation world were present at the Zhantai. Did he not fear offending the entire cultivation world by doing this?

More importantly, why did they want to destroy the Mirror Technique? What was their true intention?

The Mirror Technique was meant to allow everyone present at the Zhantai to clearly see the scenes of the disciples’ competitions on Huandao Island. Now that someone has destroyed it, could it be that they want to prevent everyone from seeing what’s happening on Huandao Island?

Does this mean someone has plans against the various disciples on Huandao Island?

At this thought, the sect leaders on the jade platform had unpleasant expressions, with anxiety apparent in their eyes, though their demeanor prevented them from showing it outwardly.

As for the sect leaders and elders whose disciples were already eliminated, although their expressions were unpleasant, there was a hint of schadenfreude in their eyes. They had seen through the Mirror Technique how outstanding the disciples still on the island were, far surpassing their own. With such strong disciples, their sects would forever be overshadowed by these major sects, so they couldn’t help but feel secretly pleased despite knowing it was inappropriate.

However, the sect leader of Jiuhua Gate, Zhang Hualing, had a slightly different expression. Though he also appeared surprised, upon closer inspection, one could see a sense of relief in his eyes. He muttered to himself, and if listened to closely, he was saying the words, "It’s finally begun."

Zhou Huahai’s expression, though anxious, was predominantly gloomy, his gaze flickering as if deep in thought about something unknown.

As for Xuan Jian and the other cultivators from Penance Valley, they stood up in shock at the changes before them. They knew very well that since the Newcomer Comparison was entirely organized by Penance Valley, any unexpected incidents would fall on their shoulders. More importantly, Huandao Island not only hosted elite disciples from various sects but also had over thirty cultivators from Penance Valley. The repercussions of losing over thirty Condensed Core Stage cultivators would be unimaginable for Penance Valley.

Furthermore, the cultivators in Penance Valley share a deep bond, having exchanged knowledge and trusted each other over the years—something that other sects’ cultivators might not comprehend.

Although confident in the abilities of the Penance Valley cultivators on Huandao Island, the thought of potential danger prompted Xuan Jian and the others to cast aside their composure. They quickly flew towards the teleportation array on Zhantai to investigate what was happening on Huandao Island.

Seeing the cultivators from Penance Valley already leading the way to the teleportation array, sect leaders and elders from other factions set aside their demeanor and followed Xuan Jian and the others swiftly.

However, upon reaching the teleportation array, the situation they discovered made their expressions even grimmer. They found that the array was malfunctioning and couldn’t transport anyone to Huandao Island.

Among them were experts in formations who, with just one glance, understood there was nothing wrong with the teleportation array on Zhantai. The inability to transport indicated the array on Huandao Island had been sabotaged.

This meant someone truly had ill intentions towards the disciples on Huandao Island!

Confirming their suspicions, the sect leaders and guardians, though seasoned, were filled with confusion and anxiety. They were puzzled as to who orchestrated this and for what purpose. Anxiety stemmed from worrying about their sect’s disciples, who weren’t just ordinary students but the next generation of elites, crucial to their sects’ legacy.

"Fellow Taoist friends, it’s evident that the teleportation array on Huandao Island has been destroyed. Although we don’t know who did this or why, we must hurry to Huandao Island to ensure no harm comes to the disciples and Taoist friends there," declared Li Tianying, the Palace Master of White Lady Palace, decisively after seeing the array was unusable.

The disciple representing "White Lady Palace" in the Newcomer Competition is indeed her direct disciple, who shares a bond with her like mother and daughter. Therefore, sensing her disciple is in danger, she is the most anxious among the crowd.

"Indeed, we must quickly reach Huandao Island," Xuan Jian also said. He was now very worried about the safety of the Penance Valley cultivators on Huandao Island, although he could not fathom what could threaten the safety of over thirty Condensed Core Stage cultivators. But since someone is acting, there must be a reason.

Zeng Lianxian hesitated and said, "But Huandao Island is deep within the Eastern Sea, nearly a thousand miles from here, with the sea in between. If we rush to Huandao Island, it might take two days to arrive, and by then, our Spirit Qi would be exhausted, leaving us vulnerable."

The Eastern Sea is full of windwaves and harsh winds, along with many high-level demon beasts, making it extremely difficult for even Condensed Core Stage experts to fly there. If it were on the Shenzhou Continent, a Condensed Core Stage cultivator could fly thousands of miles in just a few hours, but in the Eastern Sea, the time required is greatly extended, and the exhaustion of Spirit Qi significantly increased.

Hearing Zeng Lianxian’s words, Li Tianying spoke impatiently, "Even if it takes twenty days to reach Huandao Island, it’s better than doing nothing here. If Sect Master Zeng is unwilling, you can stay here and wait for news."

With that said, Li Tianying didn’t care about Zeng Lianxian’s glum expression and took the lead, swiftly flying east.

Watching Li Tianying flying ahead towards Huandao Island, Jiuzezi said to Zeng Lianxian and the others, "We should all go together, taking turns casting protective shields to resist the harsh winds. This way, when we reach Huandao Island, we will still have ample Spirit Qi, leaving no opportunity for others. Moreover, with so many of us, even Mahayana Stage experts won’t be a threat, and it’s too dangerous for Palace Master Li to go alone."

Hearing Jiuzezi’s words, Zeng Lianxian sighed slightly and said, "That’s the only option."

Saying this, he and Jiuzezi also took to the clouds, flying eastward.

"Junior Brother Zhou, esteemed elders, shall we go as well?" Zhang Hualing said to the silent Zhou Huahai and the other elders of the Jiuhua Gate.

Zhou Huahai and the elders of the Jiuhua Gate nodded quietly and followed Zeng Lianxian, Jiuzezi, and the others, flying towards Huandao Island.

In this way, nearly ten sect leaders and elders from various sects that still had disciples on Huandao Island swiftly flew towards it. As for those sect leaders and elders whose disciples had already returned to Huandao Island, after a moment of hesitation, dozens more soared through the clouds heading for the island.

…

Huandao Island remained shrouded in a gentle drizzle, the sound of waves constant, and in the dim night scene, everything seemed tranquil.

In the center of Huandao Island, there was a dense forest spanning several acres, where the teleportation array set by Penance Valley was situated in a clearing.

At this moment, by the teleportation array in the woods, more than ten figures stood quietly. At their feet lay ten corpses, who were originally disciples representing two immortal cultivation sects participating in this Newcomer Competition. Although intimidated by the dangers of Huandao Island, they dared not leave the forest, yet were unwilling to simply return. Thus, they lingered in the woods, but now they were all silently dead.

As for the teleportation array in the woods, it had long been completely destroyed.

"Is everything settled on Zhantai’s side?" one of the figures suddenly asked.

"It’s done. The Mirror Technique has been destroyed, and those cultivators of the righteous path can’t see anything happening on Huandao Island," another shadowy figure slowly said.

"Then let’s begin."

A cold wind suddenly swept through, and with the fall of this voice, the dozen or so figures standing around the teleportation array vanished with the breeze.

…

Xuan Lian was a member of the Penance Valley cultivators, sent by Xuan Jian to secretly protect the disciples from various sects participating in the Newcomer Competition on Huandao Island. Xuan Lian was tasked with safeguarding the disciples of Medicine King Valley.

In this Newcomer Competition, the disciples of Medicine King Valley performed well, even though there was an element of trickery. Under the leadership of a disciple named Kai Huan, they scattered a strong sedative among the grass frequently eaten by the Seven-colored Deer. This sedative was potent enough to knock out even the Seven-colored Deer, which are human-level advanced demon beasts, making them fall into a deep slumber after consuming it.

More importantly, this sedative had a strong allure for the demon beasts like Seven-colored Deer, attracting them from miles around to eat the sedative-laced grass. Within the span of just one day, Medicine King Valley had captured eight Seven-colored Deer, a considerable catch.

For this reason, Xuan Lian had to be extra cautious in protecting these disciples of Medicine King Valley, as they were not very strong themselves, and their abundant catch could easily provoke the greed of other sect’s disciples. If disciples from other sects came to seize the Seven-colored Deer that Medicine King Valley had captured, Xuan Lian could not intervene, but he would never allow anyone to be harmed.

However, Kai Huan of Medicine King Valley was quite clever. As soon as night fell, he found a secluded place to hide, clearly wary of sneak attacks or theft by other sects.

Just as Xuan Lian Yukiyun was flying in the sky, looking down at Kai Huan and the others in Medicine King Valley, he suddenly sensed a figure flashing past him. This person was clearly not a disciple from any sect nor a cultivator from Penance Valley, yet somehow appeared on Huandao Island. What’s stranger was the Spirit Qi they cultivated had a distinct evil aura.

Seeing this person with an evil aura fly past him, Xuan Lian was slightly taken aback. He glanced at Kai Huan and the others below once more, hesitated a bit, and, noticing no one else approaching, decided to follow the figure, thinking he should go quickly and return even quicker, never straying far.