Chapter 78

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Chapter 78: Transformation of the Magical Array

"What?" Yu Minghong and the others turned ashen-faced. Would all their efforts collapse at the foot of the mountain? Could they truly not ascend it?

Even with defenses multiplied several times, neither Ye Yun nor Duan Chenfeng—the ones with the highest cultivation levels among them—could strike with power several times greater than Qu Yiping’s.

"What should we do now?" Ye Yun asked Su Ling quietly.

His expression remained steady, sensing Su Ling’s unusual calmness—more composed even than during their time in the stone chamber.

Su Ling’s lips trembled slightly as if holding back words.

"Senior Sister Su Ling, speak your plan. Let me face any danger," Yu Minghong stepped forward, bowing respectfully after noticing her hesitation.

Su Ling glanced at him before turning to Ye Yun. "See how polite he is? Unlike you, who ignores seniority."

Ye Yun’s face darkened at her untimely teasing.

"Truthfully, I’ve no solution."

Meeting Ye Yun’s stormy gaze, Su Ling sighed and whispered in his ear, "We must wait. If my father’s words prove false… we may be trapped here forever."

Ye Yun studied her sudden solemnity. "What did he say?"

"He claimed some people take foolish risks when blinded by greed," Su Ling murmured. "Like body refinement stage disciples abandoning reason for a Spirit Gathering Pill."

Ye Yun’s eyes sharpened—her words igniting sudden understanding.

"I once believed my father infallible," Su Ling’s mood lightened unexpectedly, a faint smile appearing. "Yet you—also body refinement stage—remain clear-headed despite the pill’s temptation. Though you scold me, I know you mean well. Would I let others call me ‘Senior Sister’ so freely?"

Ye Yun maintained stillness, though unfamiliar emotions stirred within him.

"If trapped here… having you nearby lessens the fear." A gentle blush colored Su Ling’s pale cheeks.

"Was that Spirit Gathering Pill your father’s protective gift?" Ye Yun asked after measured silence.

Su Ling nodded. "They’re rare—I carry only one. But I’ll give you mine if we escape."

Ye Yun’s gaze intensified. "We may not escape, but entering this green mountain remains possible."

"Really?" Su Ling’s blush deepened as she averted her eyes.

"Any actual plan?" Duan Chenfeng finally interjected, having observed their hushed exchange.

"We wait."

Ye Yun’s deep breath emphasized the words.

"Wait?" Duan Chenfeng’s brow furrowed.

Without explanation, Ye Yun nodded.

The group exchanged bewildered glances.

"Then we wait."

After scrutinizing Ye Yun, Duan Chenfeng settled on a nearby rock. The others followed reluctantly, anxiety thick in the air.

An hour, two hours, three hours…

As time dragged on, Qu Yiping and the others grew more restless, seeing little purpose in this endless waiting.

Yet Ye Yun kept sitting motionless beside Su Ling, eyes shut as if in deep meditation.

Five full hours later, his eyelids abruptly snapped open with an odd gleam flashing through them.

"You were right after all!"

Su Ling sprang up, her face alight with excitement.

Unrestrained delight bloomed across Duan Chenfeng’s features too.

The others sensed the sudden shift in the air and turned as one toward the source.

A shrill hiss pierced the silence – like scalding steam escaping narrow cracks.

Translucent ripples shimmered into existence where nothing had been moments before.

Then space itself seemed to warp, yanking a distant indistinct figure into sudden clarity.

"Senior Brother Jin?!"

The yellow-robed Chen Yun blurted out in shock.

The newcomer wore matching yellow robes – unmistakably the same Senior Brother Jin who’d disappeared after obtaining a Spirit Gathering Pill.

But the man before them now bore crimson radiance pulsing beneath his skin, bloody light leaking through his pores. Twisting bands of pale gold energy coiled around him like living streamers.

His face held conflicting emotions – astonishment battling disbelief, joy mingling with confusion.

"Qi refining stage!"

Qu Yiping sucked in a sharp breath as realization struck.

"What?!" Chen Yun trembled, the same understanding dawning through his shock.

In stark contrast, Ye Yun and Duan Chenfeng remained stone-faced, as though this development came as no surprise.

"But… entry’s forbidden for Qi refining stage practitioners?" Yu Minghong stared dumbfounded, muttering to himself.

"Fools cling to hope," Duan Chenfeng sneered. "He lingered five hours precisely where the green mountain’s energy couldn’t reach. No risk of being overwhelmed by indigestible spiritual energy here. That Spirit Gathering Pill’s temptation proved too strong – either betting survival odds improved at Qi refining stage, or planning permanent seclusion after breaking through."

"HA!"

Senior Brother Jin’s wild laughter shattered the tension. He glared at Su Ling with manic intensity.

"Hand over all your possessions! Unless you prefer being looted as a corpse!"

Yu Minghong stepped forward, eyes blazing. "She gave you that Spirit Gathering Pill! How dare you turn on your benefactor?"

"You vermin!" Senior Brother Jin’s hand flashed. "Think I can’t reach you from here?"

Black true qi streaked across the distance. Yu Minghong barely twisted aside, collapsing with a bloodied shoulder.

Ye Yun inhaled sharply, truly grasping the Qi refining stage’s might now.

Body refinement focused on channeling spiritual power through flesh and bone – foundation of the cultivation path. But Qi refinement transformed power into tangible true qi that could strike from afar. That a first-layer novice like Senior Brother Jin could pierce Yu Minghong’s defenses at such range defied belief.

"Fools!" Senior Brother Jin brandished a foot-long black spike. "This medium-grade spiritual weapon amplifies true qi! With it, even higher-layer Qi refiners would cower before me!"

He swept his gaze across the group. "All of you! Empty your belongings now… or die!"

Chen Yun paled. "Even me, Senior Brother?"

"What difference does that make here?" came the icy reply.

"How pathetic."

Su Ling’s mocking voice cut through the tension. She yanked Ye Yun’s arm, sending them both floating toward the green mountain.

Duan Chenfeng’s eyes narrowed before he swiftly followed.

Senior Brother Jin looked up instinctively – and froze.

Thunderclouds now swirled overhead, electric snakes writhing within their depths. The gathering storm crackled with apocalyptic fury.