Chapter 453

Chapter 453: Exploring the Path

Just as the situation in the hall became awkward, a figure slowly walked into the chamber.

From his attire and realm, he was a Mid Void Refinement stage cultivator from Qianji Gate.

As this person stepped into the main hall, he instantly captured the attention of all the cultivators present.

The Blood Separation Sect cultivator, who had been contemplating how to conclude the situation, also revealed a glimmer of interest in his eyes.

However, the Mid Void Refinement stage cultivator from Qianji Gate sensed something was amiss, especially since he did not see any other Qianji Gate cultivators in the hall.

Realizing the strange atmosphere, he immediately wanted to leave, but as luck would have it, he caught sight of a lone cultivator, also from Qianji Gate. The others would not let him escape; two Blood Separation Sect cultivators immediately blocked his retreat.

“Fellow Daoist, why rush to leave? Reaching this place is fate; why not seek opportunities together?”

“Is that…appropriate?”

The Qianji Gate cultivator glanced around nervously, speaking with hesitation.

“There’s nothing inappropriate about it. Does your Qianji Gate not have Life Puppets? Now is the perfect time; come on, Fellow Daoist!”

Seeing the predatory gazes of the surrounding cultivators, this Qianji Gate cultivator realized he likely could not escape this predicament. At that moment, he had no courage to resist; after all, he recognized a few of the cultivators present, including those who grasped the essence of the Way.

Noticing that the Qianji Gate cultivator did not resist like Ji Yang, the expressions of several Blood Separation Sect cultivators gradually returned to calm.

With someone to explore the path, the crowd refocused their attention on the bronze door deep within the hall.

Before that bronze door lay an invisible line; any cultivator who crossed that line would face inexplicable attacks.

The bodies lying nearby were the remnants of those who had previously overestimated their defenses.

With danger ahead, even those cultivators who comprehended the essence of the Way did not wish to take risks, opting instead to advance cautiously.

Now that someone was probing the path, the others naturally stood on high alert, prepared to see what awaited beyond the door, which was so stealthy and elusive.

“Alright, Fellow Daoist, it’s your turn to act.”

Amid the low murmurs from the two beside him, the Qianji Gate Void Refinement stage cultivator nervously glanced at the situation ahead but reluctantly took a Life Puppet out from his storage bag.

The other cultivators observed quietly, without further comment.

The puppets they had previously produced were all ordinary, yielding no results, but since Qianji Gate specialized in puppets, theirs should possess higher strength and potentially reveal some secrets.

Soon, the Qianji Gate cultivator activated the puppet in hand, and the originally palm-sized puppet instantly grew to match the cultivator’s figure.

However, upon sensing that this puppet was only at the Spirit Transformation Stage, many furrowed their brows slightly.

It appeared this Qianji Gate cultivator was exceedingly cautious and had not brought out his Life Puppet but was prepared to test the waters with the current puppet.

Though the others felt displeased, they said nothing further at this moment.

If this person’s puppet couldn’t ascertain the consequences, then he would have to go himself!

He had chosen this path; it was his choice to explore this great hall alone!

Feeling the gazes of the others, the Qianji Gate cultivator dared not delay any longer. He directed the Spirit Transformation Stage puppet forward into the unknown area.

As the puppet stepped into the invisible line, everyone held their breath to watch closely.

The first two steps showed no abnormalities, but when the Spirit Transformation Stage puppet took its third step, it suddenly collapsed without any visible injuries.

Despite the absence of damage, no matter how the Qianji Gate cultivator commanded it, the puppet’s responses sank like a stone into the sea, and the connection between them was abruptly severed.

Facing the sudden loss of control of the puppet, the Qianji Gate cultivator’s face flickered slightly pale.

In such a crisis, how could he dare let his Life Puppet explore the path?

If his Life Puppet lost contact, the injuries he would suffer would be even more severe.

At the moment the puppet fell to the ground, the other cultivators present were also stunned. The previous puppets had similar symptoms, and while the puppets were one thing, the cultivators collapsing without any sign of life was another. It was precisely this unknown danger that made the cultivators hesitate to cross this place.

The fall of the Spirit Transformation Stage puppet still yielded no new insights for the observers.

They felt neither the emergence of essence nor any fluctuations of magical power.

The more they sensed nothing, the more fear gripped their hearts.

Ji Yang, observing the situation, flashed with uncertainty. It seemed he had just caught a hint of profound essence. Although very faint, his own essence of War resonated with it.

Clearly, the strange scene before them must contain some essence; otherwise, it wouldn’t make the cultivators uneasy.

Yet, Ji Yang did not rush in. It was better to be cautious without understanding what kind of essence was involved.

If he encountered a formidable essence, he might not be able to escape.

“Continue!”

Seeing that no new observations had emerged, a Blood Separation Sect cultivator urged the Qianji Gate cultivator to proceed.

Upon hearing this, the Qianji Gate cultivator’s expression changed instantly. However, facing the scrutinizing stares of the other cultivators, he had no choice but to take out another puppet from his storage bag.

This time, he produced yet another puppet at the Spirit Transformation Stage, but soon, he heard the impatient voice of a Blood Separation Sect cultivator beside him:

“Swap it for a Void Refinement stage puppet.”

The Qianji Gate cultivator revealed a bitter expression but complied and retrieved another puppet.

This one had a higher realm, at the early Void Refinement stage. Although it wasn’t his Life Puppet, it was certainly one of his treasured items.

Yet now, he had to use it as a tool for exploring the path under the pressure of the crowd.

As this puppet stepped forward, everyone’s gazes converged once more.

However, the result was no different; this Void Refinement stage puppet fell silently after taking only a few steps, losing contact yet again.

The cultivators frowned, but they also made a new observation: this Void Refinement stage puppet had taken two more steps than the previous one.

This suggested that the higher the realm, the greater the chance of survival within.

Yet, even the farthest corpse was still about ten steps away from the bronze door, belonging to a late Void Refinement stage cultivator. This made them hesitant to advance.

“Try again!”

With a Blood Separation Sect cultivator’s prompt, the Qianji Gate Void Refinement stage cultivator finally couldn’t hold back and said,

“Everyone, this is my strongest puppet; all my other puppets are of this realm. Continuing into the unknown will yield no results.”

As he spoke, while the crowd offered no response, their silence was acknowledgment; even if this person’s puppet were two small realms higher, the outcome would likely remain the same.

However, two puppet explorations had still not unveiled any strange phenomena, plunging the crowd into silence.

Seeing this, the Qianji Gate cultivator let out a sigh of relief. In such a short time, he had already lost two puppets; if this continued, he would have no chance of survival in this secret realm.

After all, the most crucial fighting force of Qianji Gate relied on the puppets he had refined himself.

Just as everyone felt at a loss, a figure stepped forward from the crowd and slowly approached the bronze door.

Seeing a cultivator willing to risk himself, many in attendance couldn’t help but show their surprise.

When they recognized that it was Ji Yang stepping out, many cultivators’ expressions shifted slightly.

They had all witnessed Ligang’s prowess, and now Ji Yang was about to step inside. Did he already uncover the secrets within?

Did this mean he could enter the bronze door ahead of them?

This thought floated through many minds, but to be safe, they remained silent, choosing to observe further; perhaps Ji Yang’s fate would be similar to that of the other cultivators.

Another reason was Ji Yang’s overwhelming strength and the unpredictable nature of his actions, making them hesitant to question or stop him.

As Ji Yang stepped forward, the other cultivators automatically made way, allowing him to pass.

The Qianji Gate cultivator, witnessing this, couldn’t help but show astonishment.

The cultivators present were either from the same sect or small groups, yet this person appeared to be entirely alone. Why had no one else used him for exploration? Instead, he was taking advantage of his situation?

It felt unfair!

While these thoughts ran through his mind, seeing the fear in the other’s gazes directed at Ji Yang made him quickly realize that Ji Yang’s power was extraordinary; otherwise, he wouldn’t evoke such apprehension.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Ji Yang soon stepped into the invisible line.

The other cultivators concentrated intently, for no one with such strength had entered before; perhaps they could glean a method from Ji Yang’s approach to safely enter.

Additionally, if Ji Yang couldn’t pass safely, then their hopes of doing so were slim.

Ji Yang paid no mind to the gazes behind him. After the second puppet entered, he detected the presence of essence again.

Although he still had not fully comprehended what kind of essence it was, relying on his own powerful strength, Ji Yang chose to act without hesitation.

Besides, he was just one step away from breaking through to Unity with the Dao stage; absorbing even a hint of essence would allow him to successfully reach that realm! He actively urged the essence within him.

As Ji Yang stepped into the invisible line, he felt something unusual around him. Although nothing appeared different, the sensation was distinctly off.

Ji Yang attempted to scan his surroundings with primordial spirit energy but found nothing.

Seeing no signs of abnormality, Ji Yang continued forward.

One step, two steps…

When Ji Yang took his third step, the bodies that had previously collapsed around him vanished without a trace, even the primordial spirit energy could not detect the remains that had just been left behind.