43: Chapter 43 A Deadly Situation?

"The Secret Realm is open!"

The thin mist on the plain completely dispersed.

A pillar of light shot out from the valley, soaring straight into the sky.

"Go!"

Led by their two Family heads, the Lai and Xie families took the lead.

Xiao Tongguang and Fourth Disciple followed closely behind.

This Withered Wood Secret Realm was located at the border of the Lai and Xie families and was under their joint jurisdiction.

Even during its peak period, there weren't many valuable spiritual materials to be found; the Chixiao Sect and Yellow Ox Immortal City didn't care about such a Secret Realm at all.

Unlike the families who had committed nearly half their clan's manpower, they only brought a few disciples, essentially bringing them for a trial.

Chen Xuan followed behind Xiao Tongguang.

Behind Fourth Disciple followed two grand-disciples of Yellow Ox, a male and a female.

The boy had delicate features and bright eyes.

The girl was a modest beauty, gentle and lovely.

Xu Changsheng was in the middle of the Xie Family's large contingent, not standing out at all.

However, he didn't feel relaxed in the slightest.

The reason being...

Chen Xuan, who was behind him, was acting a bit strangely.

His sharp gaze would occasionally dart toward him.

"As expected, that scoundrel Chen Xuan is here for me. No wonder he appeared in the Prefects Mansion that day."

Inside the river valley, the wild grass spread out in blue, and the scenery was picturesque.

The group soon discovered some spiritual materials.

"Look, that's Dew Condensing Grass."

"There's even Miasma-Warding Grass."

Under the strict supervision of several Foundation Establishment Cultivators, there was almost no fighting; these First-rank Low Grade Spiritual Plants were basically first-come, first-served, depending on who was faster.

Soon.

The main group arrived before the Flowing Light Talisman River.

"Hiss!"

Seeing this river for the first time, many people couldn't help but gasp.

Compared to a river...

The Flowing Light Talisman River was more like a strange, spanning energy band.

It wasn't composed of liquid, but of countless shattered, flowing Talismans of various colors, as thick as molten glass, slowly "flowing" forward.

Its length had no end in sight.

Its width had no shore in sight.

The surface of the river was not calm either; ripples would occasionally appear, but they weren't water waves—they were the intense flickering and reorganization of local Talismans.

It was also Xu Changsheng's first time seeing such a wondrous sight.

A bitter smile touched the corners of his mouth; it would have been fine if he were here for the scenery, but he was here to cross the river.

After a while.

Under Xie Chengming's arrangement, he and Ding Zhengxiang stepped out from the crowd.

The former stepped forward to give instructions.

"Two Guest Officials, I just discussed it with Elder Xiao. Your light-crossing boat will be responsible for carrying Fellow Daoist Chen Xuan of the Chixiao Sect."

Ding Zhengxiang had known about this beforehand and nodded thoughtfully.

"What!"

Hearing that he was to share a boat with Chen Xuan, Xu Changsheng was stunned and stood frozen on the spot.

"Impossible!"

He had originally thought he would only be carrying Xie Wantang, and the overall risk would still be within his control.

But now that he had to be on the same boat as Chen Xuan, the risk would become infinitely large. He had heard the story of "grasshoppers on the same boat" before.

Moreover, looking at the expression of the old man beside him, he seemed as calm as if he had known about this for a long time.

He suddenly remembered that it was this person who had requested a Mid-grade Talisman Master to help out.

He cursed inwardly, "This guy probably has some secret deal with Chen Xuan too. This shameless old fogey deserves a beating."

Facing two Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivators on this trip was extremely risky; he would never agree.

Hearing Xu Changsheng's firm refusal...

Xie Chengming's face immediately darkened.

"Hmm? Does Guest Official Xu intend to violate the spirit contract?"

"Or do you intend to defy us two Foundation Establishment Cultivators?!"

At the same time...

The pressure of the Foundation Establishment realm pressed down like a heavy winter quilt.

Xu Changsheng immediately felt the pressure.

Golden light erupted from his body, and his blood energy surged outward.

He actually managed to withstand the pressure by fully circulating the Great Sun Fusang Scripture and the Cloud Sand Body Refining Art.

Though his back was hunched, he ultimately remained standing.

He said through gritted teeth, "I've had some friction with that Fellow Daoist Chen before."

The pressure on him suddenly vanished.

"Guest Official Xu, you should have said so earlier!"

An amiable smile returned to Xie Chengming's face.

"Don't worry, I've already informed Elder Xiao about this. Fellow Daoist Chen only intends to go to the other side for training; he won't do anything to harm Guest Official Xu."

Xu Changsheng suppressed his anger and said word by word, "Is... that... it?"

"Of course. After all, Chen Xuan is just a Qi Refining Cultivator; he will surely show me some respect."

"Fine, fine, fine!"

Xu Changsheng trembled with rage, his chest heaving violently. It seemed Xie Chengming had truly lost all sense of shame; he probably didn't even believe his own words.

Just then, Xie Wantang's Divine Sense transmission reached his ears.

"Guest Official Xu, rest assured. In a moment, I will have the biluo flying boat follow you closely."

"With me and my... husband's presence to restrain them, they won't dare to make a move against you."

Hearing this...

His clenched fists slightly relaxed.

Regardless of whether Xie Wantang was playing the "good cop" or truly felt she owed him, he had no other choice.

At this point, he couldn't violate the signed spirit contract, nor did he have the ability to deal with Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

He thought to himself, "I can only take it one step at a time."

Previously, the Xie Family had sent the refinement method for the Spirit Siphoning Talisman. As a First-rank High-Grade Talisman Master, he was already able to refine this Talisman independently.

In other words, he could create a light-crossing boat and cross the Flowing Light Talisman River on his own.

"Chen Xuan, I hope you don't try anything funny on the boat. At worst, we'll all die together. I'll flip the boat and see who dies first!"

Unfortunately, he had never been able to obtain a second-rank talisman Legacy, so he couldn't advance to a Quasi Second-Rank Talisman Master.

In the depths of the Black Wolf Gang's warehouse, there was not only the refinement method for the Spirit Siphoning Talisman but even the higher-rank 'Spirit Condensing Talisman.' The latter was a second-rank talisman that could be used to refine a 'ningguang boat.'

The ningguang boat could not only carry Foundation Establishment Cultivators across the river but was also said to be able to withstand the Talisman Explosion River Roar within the Flowing Light Talisman River.

He shook his head; it was impossible for everything to go smoothly.

Turning back, his gaze swept through the crowd and looked directly at Chen Xuan, who was behind the Xie Family.

As if sensing something...

Chen Xuan also looked over.

Their eyes met, and sparks flew.

After only a moment's contact, they both looked away.

Both of them had their own sources of confidence.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn...

The first light-crossing boat of each faction had already been refined.

The hull was like paper, white and translucent.

Standing at the bow, Ding Zhengxiang made an inviting gesture. "Guest Official Xu, please."

Behind him, Chen Xuan wore a smug smile and said politely, "It's been a long time, Fellow Daoist Xu. Please board the boat first; it will be easier for you to assist Fellow Daoist Ding on the river."

And so...

Sandwiched between Ding Zhengxiang and Chen Xuan, he was ushered onto the paper boat.

A smile spread across his lips. "My cultivation is the lowest, so I ask for your care along the way!"

"Of course!"

As Ding Zhengxiang formed a hand seal...

A magical scene occurred.

The ningguang boat, as thin as sandpaper, began to float slowly over the Void Realm-like cluster of Talismans, like a mortal boat crossing a river.

Just then...

Xie Wantang paused slightly, cupped her hands, and whispered something into Jiang Wenzhou's ear.

The latter turned red in the face, looking highly excited.

He quickly summoned his biluo flying boat and followed the Xie Family's light-crossing boat.

At this moment...

The sky turned overcast, and dark clouds gathered, as if something significant was about to happen.