World of Cultivation

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Chapter 101: Hidden Intentions

"Ye Yun, oh no, Senior Brother Ye Yun, please don’t dwell on our previous conflict. I’ll fully assist you upon our return."

Luo Wencheng hesitated briefly before bowing stiffly to Ye Yun. His desperation resembled a drowning man clinging to driftwood – he’d seize any lifeline, however fragile.

"Since you’ve pledged loyalty, I’ll let past matters rest," Ye Yun replied gently.

Relief washed over Luo Wencheng, but his expression suddenly changed. He jerked his head upward.

The sky-spanning rift now dominated the heavens. Yellow sand poured into the fissure like water through a broken dam, transforming from scattered grains to raging torrents.

"Hmm?"

Luo Wencheng’s eyes flickered intensely.

"What is it?"

Ye Yun’s eyelids lowered slightly. Until Su Ling returned with reinforcements, his safety remained precarious – Luo Wencheng’s shifting loyalties could prove fatal.

"The spatial magical array…" Luo Wencheng stared at his feet, pupils dancing nervously. "It feels like complete structural collapse."

Ye Yun knew the collapsing realm resulted from him claiming the Fire Flame Explosive Cloud and Ice Spirit Soul Lock – two powerful medium-grade spiritual weapons. He kept his voice neutral: "The collapse doesn’t endanger us directly."

"Not our immediate safety." Luo Wencheng moistened his lips. "But such total array failure might disrupt other restrictions. This could reveal… access to the third layer."

"Third layer?" Ye Yun’s gaze sharpened.

"The rift bisects the Yellow Sand Desert." Luo Wencheng’s finger traced the jagged sky-wound. "My entry point lies here. By spatial passage symmetry principles, the opposite side might hold the third layer’s entrance."

Excitement colored Luo Wencheng’s voice as he added, "I’ll investigate. If others find it first…" Without finishing, he lightning-dashed toward the distant dunes.

Cold dread prickled Ye Yun’s spine. While most disciples would leap at third-layer prospects, he remained wary. Valuable treasures meant nothing if dead. Luo Wencheng’s eagerness felt wrong – especially after nearly dying here earlier, even expending his precious green jade divine rune.

Any third-layer entrance would surely have deadly restrictions. Why rush ahead alone?

Ye Yun’s muscles tensed. Before he could react, Luo Wencheng skidded to a halt, glancing back with feigned concern. "Senior Brother? Is something wrong?"

The respectful facade couldn’t mask the dangerous glint in Luo Wencheng’s eyes. Ye Yun’s stomach dropped – he’d miscalculated.

Survival remained Luo Wencheng’s priority. The third layer offered not just treasure, but escape routes. If Ye Yun showed hesitation now, his earlier deception would unravel. Death would follow.

"Proceed cautiously." Ye Yun forced calm into his voice, drifting after Luo Wencheng. "Powerful restrictions likely guard any entrance."

Internally, he calculated timelines. Su Ling should’ve exited the great tomb by now, gathering reinforcements. Buying minimal time meant safety.

Luo Wencheng slowed, unnerved by Ye Yun’s composure. After thirty breaths, he froze mid-stride, pupils contracting.

Before them shimmered an expanding Blue Light veiled in mist. Oppressive spiritual power weighted the air. Remarkably, no yellow sand penetrated this zone – all grains streamed toward the overhead rift, revealing bare black soil beneath.

Luo Wencheng extended a spiritual power tendril. The mist repelled it gently. Gritting his teeth, he sword-fingered a concentrated spiritual strike.

CRACK!

Invisible force rebounded violently. Only quick sidestep saved him from impalement.

"Responds to force with equal counterforce," Luo Wencheng muttered, studying the transparent shield’s array restrictions. A realization dawned. He turned slowly, face carefully blank.

"Well?" Ye Yun stood ten zhang away, watching.

Luo Wencheng bowed slightly. "Array expertise belonged to Yin Tianxing and Song Zilin. With them dead…" He spread his hands helplessly.

"Is that so?" Ye Yun’s lips thinned.

"Truthfully, it matters little now."

As Ye Yun spoke, he explosively retreated. "You’ll join your comrades in death."