157: Chapter 157 A Bunch of Fools!

"You..." Zhong Yuan really wanted to retort, but he simply couldn't.

In the end, he could only endure... and endure.

The Formation platform was quite spacious, more than enough to accommodate over a hundred people.

Beneath their feet were blue-gray stone slabs, each one engraved with dense runes.

Standing in the center of the Formation, one could feel a faint spatial fluctuation, as if an invisible giant hand were gently plucking at the surrounding Void Realm.

Just then, from the rift above, the experts among the demonic Cultivators and Loose Cultivators finally arrived.

Their numbers were few.

Aside from a few daring Foundation Establishment Cultivators, only seven or eight Golden Core experts remained.

As soon as they saw the Ancient Teleportation Formation below, a commotion broke out among them, their eyes gleaming with greed.

To them, Top-Grade Spirit Stones were treasures, let alone the Opportunity behind such an Ancient Teleportation Formation.

If they could follow along, even picking up mere scraps would be enough to change their fates.

"You... want to come up?"

Looking at this motley crew, a hint of a smile curled at the corner of Chu Feng's mouth.

"That's right! We want to go across as well!"

A Golden Core Loose Cultivator spoke up, "Fellow Daoist, be straightforward. If you have any conditions, just say them!"

The other Golden Core Cultivators nodded one after another, their eyes fixed intently on Chu Feng.

Chu Feng chuckled and glanced toward the grooves of the teleportation Formation. "Do you see? There are thirty Top-Grade Spirit Stones embedded there. If you want to come up, you'll need to provide at least ten, right?"

There was a hint of undisguised mockery in his gaze.

His meaning couldn't be clearer.

Could you poor wretches even afford it?

"This..."

The Loose Cultivators and demonic Cultivators looked at each other, momentarily speechless.

Thirty Top-Grade Spirit Stones was a massive sum for any power; even a Golden Core Family would find it hard to produce easily, let alone Loose Cultivators like them.

"This... this is way too expensive!"

A Loose Cultivator couldn't help but grumble in a low voice, a trace of resentment flashing in his eyes.

Although he was at the Golden Core Realm, his cultivation resources were normally scarce. He even had to be frugal with the Medicinal Pills he used for cultivation, so how could he produce so many Spirit Stones at once?

He only had a total of one Top-Grade Spirit Stone in savings, which he had accumulated by risking his life on missions.

Another Loose Cultivator also frowned and said in a heavy voice, "While we Golden Core Loose Cultivators have some savings, ten Top-Grade Spirit Stones... is indeed more than we can produce. Could Fellow Daoist be flexible and ask for less?"

"Your Duobao Sect and Tianyang Sect have already activated the teleportation Formation; can't you show some flexibility?"

The Golden Core Loose Cultivator who spoke earlier piped up again, "Who knows what dangers lie on the other side? If we join forces, it'll be safer, right? There's strength in numbers, isn't that so?"

"Flexibility?!!"

Chu Feng sneered, his gaze sweeping coolly over them. "Do you think this is child's play? If you don't pay, then just stay there and watch!!!"

In the cultivation world, the strong prey on the weak; resources are never given away for free.

These people wanted a free ride but couldn't pay the price; it was pure wishful thinking.

However, hearing this, the people from the Duobao Sect and the Tianyang Sect felt a stir in their hearts.

Especially the Tianyang Sect.

If they let these people hitch a ride and earned back some of the Top-Grade Spirit Stones they had just paid, wouldn't that be wonderful?

As True Disciples of the Tianyang Sect, they were wealthy, but no one would ever complain about having too many Top-Grade Spirit Stones.

Even Mu Xuanyin was slightly tempted.

She had contributed fifteen Top-Grade Spirit Stones on her own. While she was indeed wealthy, even a rich person's money didn't just fall from the sky.

It would naturally be for the best if she could recover some of it.

Moreover, just as the old Loose Cultivator said, the situation on the other side of the teleportation Formation was uncertain. Having more cannon fodder to scout the way seemed advantageous.

She and Zhong Yuan exchanged a look. The two captains shared a tacit understanding and silently approved of Chu Feng's actions.

As for why everyone would rashly teleport in despite knowing the danger? Why not report it to the Sect and wait for the higher-ups to decide?

That, of course, was out of the question.

A Cultivator's journey is inherently a struggle against heaven for one's life.

If one doesn't struggle, how can one talk about cultivation?

If you don't struggle, you might as well go home and raise children.

For the sake of one's own path, what is risking one's life?

What if the other side is a safe place with only treasures and no danger?

If they reported it to the Sect, wouldn't the higher-ups take the lion's share, leaving them with only scraps?

Sect rules were strict; once reported, any discovered Opportunity would belong to the Sect, and the explorers would only get a share based on their contribution.

If it were an ordinary Secret Realm, it would be fine, but this Ancient Teleportation Formation clearly led to an extraordinary place. If there truly was some Heaven-Defying Opportunity inside, wouldn't handing it over to the Sect be a massive loss?

No one was willing to settle for that.

Even knowing the hopes were slim, Cultivators still harbored a sliver of fantasy and would never give up easily.

In the cultivation world, there were certainly Cultivators without desires or demands; they were honest and Law-abiding, never making enemies or snatching others' resources.

But almost none of those people could ever reach the Peak.

The path of cultivation is long and difficult. Every increase in Realm requires a massive amount of resources. Without resources, one can only stagnate until their Lifespan is exhausted and they turn into a pile of bones.

In the cultivation world, everyone is short on resources.

Did Chu Feng have many resources? Did he have many treasures?

But in Chu Feng's own view, the resources he had were still not enough!

Even a 'wealthy' person like him felt this way, let alone others.

Once there's a chance, one must take a gamble.

The first Law of the cultivation world is that humans die for wealth as birds die for food.

For resources and Treasure Troves, one's life can be placed on the gambling table.

As for whether they would regret it when they actually lost their lives?

Anyway, after a moment of pain and the world going dark, this life would be over.

Those who survive can soar to the heavens; those who die can only blame their own bad luck.

This is the cruel Law of the cultivation world.

"Wait a moment! Ten Top-Grade Spirit Stones is no small amount. We need to discuss this."

The Golden Core Loose Cultivator looked around, and seeing that the other Golden Core experts had no objections, he gritted his teeth and spoke.

He knew in his heart that although the price was outrageous, if he missed this chance, he might never get a second one in his entire life.

An Ancient Teleportation Formation—that was an Opportunity that could be encountered but not sought!

"Fine. Once you've gathered ten, we'll take you with us." Chu Feng nodded.

Seeing that Chu Feng agreed to wait, the old man turned and began discussing in low voices with the others.

Ten Top-Grade Spirit Stones was a huge sum to them.

But faced with the temptation of the Ancient Teleportation Formation, they finally decided to grit their teeth and scrape it together.

"A bunch of fools!!!"

Chu Feng looked at those busy figures, a cold sneer curling at his lips.

He saw through their thoughts clearly; for the sake of an Opportunity, they were even emptying out their life savings.

But had they considered how they would get back after teleporting over?

This is the fee for going. When it's time to return, will you still have Spirit Stones?

Of course, that's assuming you're still alive!!!

A moment later, the Golden Core Loose Cultivator handed ten Top-Grade Spirit Stones to Chu Feng. "Fellow Daoist, here are the ten Top-Grade Spirit Stones we've gathered."

Chu Feng nodded. "Good. Since you've paid the Spirit Stones, get on the teleportation Formation."

As soon as he spoke, those Loose Cultivators and demonic Cultivators hurriedly stepped onto the Formation platform.

Their movements were urgent, as if they were afraid Chu Feng would go back on his word.

The Foundation Establishment Cultivators were even more flushed with excitement, as if they could already see the Opportunity on the other side beckoning to them.

Chu Feng secretly noted their auras and cultivation levels.

While their strength was negligible, they might prove useful at a critical moment.

Then, Chu Feng turned and smiled at Mu Xuanyin and Zhong Yuan. "Senior Sister Mu, Fellow Daoist Zhong, you two can split these Spirit Stones. Is that alright?"

"No problem."

Zhong Yuan nodded. Being able to recover a portion was already an unexpected pleasant surprise.

"Senior Sister, this is yours."

"Alright."

Mu Xuanyin gave Chu Feng a deep look before taking the Spirit Stones.

No wonder Revered Master seemed inclined to support him in becoming the Saint.

This person's ability was indeed extraordinary.

The selection of the Duobao Sect's Saint wasn't just about cultivation and background; it also depended on ability and Heart-Nature.

"Buzz!!!"

The teleportation Formation activated.

The Spirit Stones in the grooves burned simultaneously, and majestic energy surged into the Formation lines like a tide. The entire ancient Formation was fully activated, and a vast spatial power spread out.

The thirty Top-Grade Spirit Stones were consumed at a visible rate. As the spiritual light flowed, the Formation lines grew brighter and brighter, as if invisible flames were burning.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz..."

"Boom!"

The light surged violently!

The Formation lines shone as bright as day, and the surrounding air was torn apart. Everyone felt a powerful suction coming from deep within the Formation, as if it wanted to swallow them all.

That suction didn't come from the outside but from within the Formation, from the depths of the distorted space.

Some were unsteady on their feet and nearly fell, quickly circulating their dharmic power to stabilize themselves.

"The teleportation Formation is about to start! Everyone, get ready!"

Hearing this, everyone circulated their dharmic power to protect their bodies.

Some summoned protective Magical Artifacts, some propped up protective Protective Aura, and others moved closer to each other, forming simple defensive Formations.

The Foundation Establishment Cultivators were the most nervous, their faces pale as they tightly gripped the corners of their companions' robes, fearing they would be separated during the teleportation.

The light grew more and more intense, finally turning into a massive pillar of light that shot up into the sky.

"Rumble!!!"

The dark underground rift was completely illuminated by the light.

The underground Yao Beasts and malevolent ghosts lurking in the shadows were hit by the intense light. They let out shrill screeches and fled, not daring to look directly at it.

Some Yao Beasts were burned by the light, screaming as they fled into the deeper darkness.

Some malevolent ghosts were directly purified by the light, dissipating into a wisp of blue smoke.

The entire underground world seemed to be torn apart by this pillar of light.

The phenomenon lasted for ten seconds.

The pillar of light gradually dissipated, and the teleportation Formation returned to calm.

In the grooves of the Formation platform, the thirty Top-Grade Spirit Stones had turned to powder and were blown away by the wind.

Everyone on the platform felt their vision go dark as they fell into an endless void.

Time, space—everything vanished.

It was as if everyone had been stripped of their five senses, existing in a mysterious state of Chaos.

The sensation was like being thrown into a whirlpool; the world spun, and up, down, left, and right became indistinguishable.

Someone tried to circulate their dharmic power to stabilize themselves, only to find that their power seemed to be imprisoned and couldn't be mobilized at all.

Everyone waited obediently for the teleportation to end.

The light from the Formation platform protected them; otherwise, the force of the spatial distortion alone would have been enough to tear any of them to shreds.