Chapter 257: Taking the Initiative

Chen Fei originally just wanted to test things out—but he didn’t expect the manifested figure to suddenly counterattack, catching him completely off guard.

What shocked him even more was that the figure’s strike caused a deep, soul-level pain.

It felt as if his spirit had been ripped open. The attack came and went, but the pain lingered—and for that reason alone, Chen Fei grew serious.

“Again!” he growled, unwilling to concede. He charged at the figure once more.

This time… Chen Fei staggered back, gritting his teeth in pain.

Though the figure didn’t strike first, even defending against it caused unbearable agony. Still, each clash gave Chen Fei valuable insight into his own techniques.

He recalled the sensation of each exchange, adjusted his stance, and went in once more.

This time, he lasted noticeably longer—but when he finally retreated, his entire body trembled, face twisted in pain.

Beyond just the pain, his spiritual consciousness had been drained significantly.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Fei activated the formation and drew in the spiritual energy inside Purple Cleansing Palace like a whirlpool.

Cold Moon, who had been struggling to cultivate due to her disrupted state, suddenly felt the ambient energy drain away. She slowly opened her eyes.

When she saw Chen Fei’s back—tensed, battered, and shrouded in a fierce aura—the fire in her heart was instantly reignited.

She bit her lip hard, trying to suppress the raging desire inside her.

But the formation Peach Blossom had planted in her body was now taking full effect. She couldn’t suppress it by sheer will alone.

Chen Fei, on the other hand, was fully immersed in the searing torment of being beaten by that soul figure. It wasn’t until his consciousness collapsed that the figure finally dissipated.

Even so, he could clearly feel his understanding of combat techniques rising with each engagement—though the price was heavy.

The pain that lanced through his soul was not something the average person could withstand.

Just as he was trying to digest the insights gained, a warm, soft body pressed against his back.

“…Senior Sister Cold Moon?” he murmured in confusion as he looked up—only to meet a pair of eyes burning with passion.

Cold Moon no longer wore a shy expression.

She had only one thought—to burn this fire inside her to ashes.

Before he could speak, she leaned in and silenced him with a kiss.

His eyes widened, stunned—but before he could react further, her soft voice whispered beside his lips:

“Shut up.”

Last time, it had been Chen Fei who took the lead—his near-crazed momentum unforgettable to her.

This time, however, their roles reversed.

Cold Moon pushed him down, waved her hand, and summoned a pink mist that wrapped around them both.

The residual aura in Chen Fei’s body was stirred up again.

Soon, unique sounds echoed throughout the Purple Cleansing Palace…

Outside Mount Tiandang, the miasma began to roil and churn.

Peach Blossom came to check on the situation, as she did nearly every day.

“How’s it looking?” she asked coldly, eyes locked on the increasingly thick haze.

“Reporting to Fairy Peach Blossom,” one of her subordinates replied, “The miasma has started gathering on a large scale. The secret realm should open any day now!”

Peach Blossom nodded and said grimly, “The situation is delicate. No one is allowed to make the slightest mistake.”

“Yes!” her subordinate acknowledged quickly, then hesitated before asking, “Fairy, several forces from the Heavenly Sky Sacred Land are closing in on Mount Tiandang. Should we strike now?”

“No,” Peach Blossom shook her head. “Those people are top-tier sacrificial offerings. Without them, where would we find such perfect vessels once the secret realm opens?”

She smiled faintly. “Let them wander around freely for now. Once they step into Mount Tiandang, we’ll settle the score.”

“Yes!” the man bowed and backed away.

As he was about to leave, Peach Blossom asked again, “Any… other changes?”

He immediately understood whom she was referring to and shook his head. “None. No activity whatsoever.”

“Hmm…” she murmured, nodding slightly. Though she hadn’t received the answer she wanted, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Chen Fei wouldn’t die so easily.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time to dwell on it. More important matters awaited.

This time, the Sacred Sect had placed tremendous emphasis on the Mount Tiandang secret realm.

Not only was Peach Blossom tasked with obtaining the relics within, but she also carried a much heavier burden.

After returning to the outer regions of Lin Nan City, she arrived at a secluded palace.

Lin Nan City now looked like a ghost town. The people walking its streets were dull-eyed and expressionless—more like corpses than the living.

Above the city, a blood-red formation loomed, constantly extracting the life force of the citizens—explaining their frailty and apathy.

Peach Blossom entered the palace. From inside came low, guttural roars.

“If you still can’t control your thoughts,” she said with a sigh, “you’ll end up a slave to the demonic armor.”

From within came Liu Shan’s hoarse, enraged voice:

“Chen Fei! It’s all because of Chen Fei! I’ll kill him!”

His near-insane outburst made Peach Blossom frown.

The deeper Liu Shan’s hatred, the tighter the demonic armor’s grip on him. But he was too far gone to realize this.

And she… couldn’t help him anymore.

Looking at the man half-encased in black liquid armor, with only his head visible, Peach Blossom shook her head.

In the Sacred Sect, she had seen far too many end up like this.

The sect’s cultivation methods were powerful—no doubt. But their side effects were horrifying. One misstep, and even the strongest could lose their mind.

This was why the sect was known as heretical.

Leaving the main hall, she arrived at her true destination.

In front of her sat a blood-red orb, as if forged from pure, living essence.

This orb was condensed from all the blood essence extracted from Lin Nan City’s populace.

With this orb as a guide, Peach Blossom could bypass the secret realm’s barrier and enter directly!

Everyone knew that only Yuan Realm cultivators were allowed inside Mount Tiandang’s secret realm.

That was why the Heavenly Sky Sacred Land and other factions sent so many Yuan Realm elites.

But what they didn’t know was that the Sacred Sect had sacrificed an entire city to send Peach Blossom in—a cultivator already at the Mystic Realm!

Against a Mystic Realm expert, those Yuan Realm elites would be nothing but ants.

Not to mention, the Sacred Sect had also planted numerous Yuan Realm experts inside the sacred grounds.

This time, they were going to cripple the Heavenly Sky Sacred Land’s forces.

Peach Blossom looked at the swirling blood orb, eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Almost there… just a little longer. The timing is perfect,” she whispered. “I wonder what kind of faces those fools will make when they see me inside?”

This opportunity was truly once-in-a-lifetime.

A true forbidden secret realm!

With her near-invincible power, she would sweep through it unhindered.

Never mind the so-called sacred treasures—every last valuable item within Mount Tiandang’s secret realm would be hers for the taking.

“I really can’t wait,” she murmured, gently lifting a finger.

The blood orb quivered in response.

Her eyes narrowed, a mysterious smile curling on her lips.