Chapter 179

Chapter 179: The Unknown Magical Beast

Before the Illusionary Forest, a group had prepared themselves and were ready to enter.

In the midst of the crowd, Zhou Luo didn’t speak with anyone, instead positioning himself slightly closer to Shangguan Qianxue’s side.

This wasn’t because he coveted her beauty.

Primarily, he felt that someone with her significant background likely possessed many hidden cards. If any danger arose, perhaps she could provide aid.

As for Wu Gang and the others, these individuals were all cultivators from the Longfeng Mountain range, who knew what thoughts they harbored.

It was entirely possible that when danger struck, he’d be pushed forward as a human shield.

Entering the Illusionary Forest required passing through a transparent membrane.

As a formation master, Zhou Luo keenly sensed this was a kind of restriction.

This Illusionary Forest was enveloped by some sort of restriction-type magic formation; it was unknown whether it had functions beyond limiting cultivation realms.

Since it was used by the Qinyuan Sect to temper its disciples, it undoubtedly concealed multiple dangers. Extreme caution was necessary.

The scenery within the Illusionary Forest appeared identical to the outside.

According to Wu Gang, though these plants and trees looked ordinary, they could harbor a massive crisis.

That’s because Illusionary Power pervaded the forest. This force could attach itself to any object. Upon contact, it would affect a person’s mind, triggering their innermost fears and desires, generating a multitude of hallucinations and illusory environments.

Unless one’s mental strength was powerful enough to resist it, they would sink completely into its grasp.

Possessing a map, Wu Gang led the way, so their journey remained relatively safe thus far.

Following behind their little group were some other cultivators.

They had no map, yet chose not to join the team, opting instead to trail silently from behind.

Wu Gang didn’t prevent this, allowing them to follow.

Along the way, Zhou Luo had also managed to gather some intel about these people.

The four men he saw earlier, along with Wu Gang, were all comrades. They often explored the Longfeng Mountain range and were even rumored to own a courtyard in the Eastern District of the city marketplace.

As for Shangguan Qianxue, like him, she traveled alone.

The brother-sister pair who joined later were also cultivators from the marketplace.

They were reserved in character, having spoken only a few brief words with Wu Gang, they maintained silence thereafter.

"After we obtain the treasure this time, old man’s definitely buying a Lifespan Pill," said a middle-aged fellow named Liu Tie to his companion ahead of them.

"Don’t dream about it. Lifespan Pills are now going for a thousand spiritual stones each," his companion shook his head.

"So what? Didn’t Brother Gang say the treasure this time is enough for our whole crew to make a huge profit? Plus with what I’ve saved before, it’s definitely enough," Liu Tie retorted, unconcerned.

For cultivators, lifespan had always been paramount.

The so-called cultivation was, after all, merely the pursuit of longevity and carefree existence.

"Wonder where Zhen Yuan Tower managed to secure so many Lifespan Pills this time," his companion couldn’t help musing aloud.

"Who cares? It’s a once-in-a-thousand-lifetimes opportunity. Word is the Qingyuan Sect is starting to control the supply; they might be impossible to buy later," Liu Tie lowered his voice conspiratorially.

Since numerous Lifespan Pills suddenly flooded the market, the Qinyuan Sect swiftly launched an investigation while simultaneously restricting sales of the main ingredient.

This was inevitable.

Such immensely profitable potions as Lifespan Pills had always been monopolized by the Qinyuan Sect.

Even the Chimagong Sect, lacking a certain main ingredient, couldn’t sell them on a large scale.

The sudden emergence of so many Lifespan Pills threatened the Qinyuan Sect’s monopoly, making a response necessary.

Had the Zhen Yuan Tower not had formidable backing, it would likely have already been investigated and punished by the Qinyuan Sect.

This action, however, further fueled the surge in Lifespan Pill prices.

Hearing the price of one thousand spiritual stones per pill, Zhou Luo’s heart ached, feeling as though he’d lost a billion.

Regrettably, selling them in the future probably wouldn’t be possible.

After all, once those in power paid attention to such matters, the path forward was essentially sealed.

Zhou Luo listened silently while also observing Shangguan Qianxue’s demeanor beside him.

He noticed the woman’s expression remained consistently unchanged throughout, always carrying that cold, unapproachable air, seemingly indifferent to everything.

"Everyone, proceed with caution later," Wu Gang’s voice soon came from the front.

After passing through a dense patch of woods, the group was about to enter a valley.

According to him, the valley housed various magical beasts.

Having lived here long-term, they possessed diverse special abilities, requiring extreme vigilance.

The moment he spoke, the others tacitly produced their magical artifacts.

Zhou Luo gripped a blue long sword named "Qing Hui," his expression alert.

This high-quality magic sword came from Lu Chou and was far more powerful than his mid-grade magic sword.

With no Lu Family disciples present, he doubted anyone would recognize the sword anyway.

Conversely, the high-quality magic sword previously obtained from Wang Tong bore the mark of the Hehuan Sect. To avoid exposure, he’d sold it outright.

The nine passed through the valley entrance and entered the densely vegetated interior.

Rarely visited, the plants here grew larger than outside. Towering trees blotted out the sky, wild grasses and flowers flourished abundantly, and countless vines entangled everything.

A protective golden light emanated from all nine as they cautiously scanned their surroundings.

Whoosh—

At that very moment, a sound pierced the air.

A small black beast shot towards them with incredible speed.

It swung its sharp claws, unleashing cold gleams in the air.

Wu Gang reacted swiftly, his broadsword slashing out violently. A dazzling blue light surged forth with a powerful aura, aimed directly at the beast.

Bang—

The black beast didn’t evade. It was instantly cleaved in two by the blue light, exploding mid-air and transforming into countless particles of radiance.

Sunlight catching them, the radiance appeared dreamlike and illusory, shimmering with kaleidoscopic colors.

"Secure your mind immediately!" Wu Gang shouted urgently.

Everyone hurriedly shielded their consciousness sea.

Bathed in the multicolored light, Zhou Luo felt an extraordinary, peculiar force descend upon him. A faint tremor struck his dormant consciousness sea, but protected by his mental strength, the impact was minimal.

Heeding Wu Gang’s warning spared the group from the light’s effect.

However, the cultivators trailing behind, touched by the light, instantly froze in place. Grinning foolishly, they entered a state of besotted stupor.

The remaining, unaffected cultivators watched in panic.

"Move fast!" Wu Gang offered no further explanation, striding swiftly forward.

The others quickly followed.

Only Zhou Luo took a deep look at those left behind, his gaze somber.

Clearly, the multicolored light had ensnared them in an illusion.

Evidently, the Illusionary Forest was even more treacherous than imagined. No wonder Wu Gang allowed these people to trail the group.

Without prior warning, those with weaker mental strength could easily fall victim.

He then turned his gaze to where the colorful light had already dissipated mid-air, wondering what kind of magical beast it was that possessed such an ability after death.