Chapter 194: The Sole Core Disciple

“I know what’s going on!”

The people who had just fled in panic returned. Leading them was a handsome young man who, upon seeing Chen Fei, cupped his fists and said, “I, Gong Tianshou, thank Senior Brother Chen for lending a hand. If not for you, we would have likely perished while fleeing in chaos.”

“You recognize me?” Chen Fei was a bit surprised.

Gong Tianshou smiled lightly. “Senior Brother Chen is the only core disciple who entered the Xianle Mystic Realm. Of course, I’ve heard of you!”

Then his expression grew serious. “Senior Brother Chen may not be aware, but three hours ago, a change occurred within the Xianle Mystic Realm. The protective multicolored light failed, and a strong stench of blood started spreading from the Scarlet Lands in the southeast.”

“I contacted a few people. According to them, there’s no longer any trace of life over there! Even the demon beasts had their essence drained dry!”

“What?” Chen Fei was clearly shocked by this.

Gong Tianshou gave a bitter smile. “Although I’m not certain what happened, something unusual must’ve occurred inside the Mystic Realm. It’s very likely that some of the sealed demon beasts have broken free. One of them must be powerful enough to forcibly take control of the Mystic Realm, causing the protective multicolored light to fail. Several of our fellow disciples have already been killed.”

Chen Fei’s heart suddenly jolted.

Three hours ago?

Could it be because he killed the giant python? Otherwise, the timing was far too coincidental! Could he have unintentionally caused a great disaster?

Wait!

Chen Fei suddenly realized something. Gong Tianshou had mentioned that the blood stench came from the Scarlet Lands. If this had all been triggered by the python’s death, then it wouldn’t explain the release of other demon beasts.

There had to be something more going on here.

If this were an ordinary external mystic realm, Chen Fei might be worried. But this was no ordinary place.

This was the Heaven-Piercing Holy Land! Even the guardian spirit watching the gates was half a step into the Heavenly Dao Realm. What was there to fear?

“Do you know the way out?” Chen Fei asked Gong Tianshou.

Gong Tianshou smiled bitterly and shook his head. “Right now, the only way out is to wait—for the Xianle Mystic Realm to open again.”

However, his expression then turned firm. “Given the anomaly inside the Mystic Realm, the outside world must’ve sensed it by now. I believe it won’t be long before we can leave safely!”

After his words, the other disciples, still reeling from fear, also showed a trace of hope on their faces.

But Chen Fei wasn’t optimistic. On the contrary, he felt a stronger sense of danger.

If what Gong Tianshou said was true, then the person overseeing the Xianle Mystic Realm from the outside was none other than Sect Master Mu Yunsu!

With her strength, opening the Mystic Realm should be an easy task. Yet despite this great disturbance, she hadn’t intervened. Didn’t that imply things were even worse than they seemed?

This thought brought a sense of urgency to Chen Fei’s heart, and he activated his spiritual vision to the fullest.

The thick stench of blood in the air made his heart tighten.

“It seems this is no longer the treasure-laden sanctuary I had in mind,” Chen Fei muttered as he turned to leave.

Gong Tianshou’s expression changed. He quickly stepped forward. “Senior Brother Chen, wait!”

“Something you want?” Chen Fei looked back coldly at him.

He already had a good idea of what Gong Tianshou was going to say. Trying to guilt him into protecting these people? Chen Fei had no interest in that kind of moral coercion. Anyone who chose the path of cultivation should be prepared for danger at every turn.

He had no desire to be the one standing out in this unknown crisis.

After all, Chen Fei didn’t believe he could handle a crisis that even the Heaven-Piercing Holy Land found troublesome.

Gong Tianshou clearly understood Chen Fei’s stance, but he gritted his teeth and looked up. “I’ve heard about your achievements, Senior Brother. Do you want to live in mediocrity, or rise to fame in a single stroke?”

“As far as I know, the position of Holy Son in the Heaven-Piercing Holy Land has been vacant for years. If you desire it, it might just be within reach.” Seeing Chen Fei’s amused smile, Gong Tianshou couldn’t help feeling nervous.

“Looks like you know quite a bit about me,” Chen Fei said, narrowing his eyes.

Gong Tianshou sighed inwardly. For a registered disciple to rise within the Heaven-Piercing Holy Land, the easiest way was to find a powerful backer. Unlike others, once he heard that Chen Fei was the personal disciple of a grand elder, he began to observe him.

Although time had been short, Gong Tianshou had already gathered some useful information.

First, Chen Fei’s identity was unique—but this uniqueness made his path within the sect especially difficult. Second, his strength wasn’t particularly outstanding—considered his main weakness within the sect.

Yet that banquet battle had drawn even the sect master’s attention, clearly showing Chen Fei’s strength wasn’t as weak as rumored.

If this were another time, Gong Tianshou would’ve waited for a more suitable opportunity to approach him and gain his trust.

Such an approach ran counter to pure cultivation—but it was Gong Tianshou’s way of survival.

The Heaven-Piercing Holy Land was still subject to worldly schemes.

Now that the Xianle Mystic Realm had undergone such a massive change, Gong Tianshou had no other choice.

“I wouldn’t say I know a lot,” Gong Tianshou said sincerely. “But I do believe you’re not someone who will settle for mediocrity. I may be unworthy, but I can still assist you in some ways.”

Chen Fei couldn’t help feeling a bit sentimental.

Since he was already within the Heaven-Piercing Holy Land, he never intended to cultivate alone forever. But forming a loyal team wasn’t easy. Right now, his strength and status were severely mismatched.

Still, he was surprised at how intelligent some people in the sect really were.

“What exactly do you want to say?” Chen Fei no longer beat around the bush and looked straight at him.

“Senior Brother Chen, this is an opportunity,” Gong Tianshou met his gaze directly. “Registered disciples may not be worth much in the sect, but if you gather enough prestige, you could become a force to be reckoned with.”

“So you want me to take on the danger within the Mystic Realm for the sake of some vague ‘prestige’?” Chen Fei sneered.

But Gong Tianshou didn’t back down. Instead, he replied firmly, “Isn’t that so? A crisis is a crisis. If we join forces, we too can become a force to be reckoned with. And since we’re already trapped in this Mystic Realm, who can truly escape it?”

Chen Fei stared at him for a moment. “Can you handle this?”

“Thank you for giving me the chance, Senior Brother!” Gong Tianshou cupped his fists with a smile.

Chen Fei didn’t think much of it. Though he didn’t know what danger awaited him, Gong Tianshou wasn’t wrong—crises couldn’t simply be avoided by hiding.

If the sky were to fall, someone strong would have to hold it up. And at present, Chen Fei likely was the strongest in the Mystic Realm.

Under such circumstances, could he really avoid stepping forward?