However, when the Formless Demon Corpse concealed itself in the shade of the trees, the Divine Sense spreading through the gentle breeze immediately sensed that the previously wide-open Peak Protection Array had quietly closed. The only ones present were the Spirit Suppressing Army that came with Zang Qianjian and the ten thousand people on the square—no extraneous outsiders were allowed in the Divine Extinction Thousand Peaks.

The so-called Peak Protection Array at this moment seemed more like a cage, preventing anyone from entering recklessly and trapping everyone inside. Even a Golden Core Cultivator would likely find it impossible to escape.

"Something’s not right."

Wen Jiu carefully surveyed the surroundings.

Fortunately, the Peak Protection Array was merely tier three middle grade, and if something truly happened, the East Spring Undying Bone outside could assist. Though Blood Corpse Escape couldn’t pass through the array directly, breaking it with full power wouldn’t be difficult.

Of course.

This was a last resort.

The thousand-year-old foundation of Divine Extinction Thousand Peaks, along with the City Lord Zang Qianjian of East Pole Immortal City being present, who knows what tactics they have.

Thus, the best strategy remains not to expose oneself, to hide among the ten thousand, and use the eyes of the Formless Demon Corpse to see what is inside the Grotto Heaven. If it truly comes to a point where abandoning the Formless Demon Corpse is necessary, it should be done without hesitation.

After all, while the Formless Demon Corpse is strong, it is not irreplaceable. Capturing another Demon Pill Cultivator with the Demon Shadow Formless Technique to replace its Demon Bone wouldn’t render it inferior to the current Formless Demon Corpse. If it’s a Middle Stage of Demon Core, it might even be stronger.

Just after the array quietly closed, a Fake Pill Spirit Suppressing Army member appeared above the square, interrupting everyone’s thoughts with a thunderous voice, "During this extraordinary period, after mutual deliberation between our Qi Family’s Middle Stage of Golden Core Patriarch and your sect’s patriarch, it has been decided to open the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, which has never been open to those below Golden Core for a thousand years. This opportunity is rare and pertains to your sect’s highest secrets, so you must take a Silencing Spell and Heart Demon Oath to ensure absolute secrecy!"

Upon hearing this, none of the Divine Extinction Thousand Peaks disciples on the square were fearful; instead, when they heard about the Middle Stage of Golden Core Patriarch and the unprecedented opening, they were overwhelmingly excited.

Nearly ten thousand people began to take the Silencing Spell and Heart Demon Oath one after another; Wen Jiu controlled the Formless Demon Corpse to also make the vow. Since both the Silencing Spell and Heart Demon Oath only affected the Formless Demon Corpse, there was no issue with whatever was done, but the more this happened, the stranger Wen Jiu felt.

Beside the Formless Demon Corpse, Li Yan also enthusiastically took the Silencing Spell. Afterward, he transmitted to the Formless Demon Corpse, "Senior, our opportunity has arrived. With the Three Life Gates attacking, we have found fortune in misfortune. The Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, usually only open to Golden Core Elders—if we gain any benefit within, it can advance our cultivation further. Oh, senior, perhaps there might even be a treasure like a Yin Sha Evil Spirit inside. If there really is, I will do my utmost to assist in obtaining it for you. I would go through fire and water without hesitation."

"Once inside, do not wander around, stay by my side." Presently, Li Yan was entirely loyal due to being under the Five Ghosts Soul Control, and owing to his extensive connections, Wen Jiu naturally did not want to see Li Yan perish inside, so he emphasized the point to avoid Li Yan being overwhelmed by opportunity.

Li Yan quickly nodded.

Though unclear why, a voice in his heart told him that the senior would not harm him.

Thus, when numerous Foundation Establishment Cultivators invited Li Yan to explore the Grotto Heaven together, he rejected them without hesitation. These invitations included close fellow disciples, even Middle Stage Foundation Establishment senior brothers, and past friends.

The few people who were unequivocally turned down felt inexplicably baffled but were too lazy to say more.

"Since junior brother is unwilling, we won’t force it. However, should anything happen inside, we’ll be powerless to help." Leaving these words, two Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators did not pay further heed to Li Yan.

In their view, the time would come when Li Yan would need their help. Then, if Li Yan asked, they would certainly make him owe a big favor.

This was the consequence of not agreeing initially.

Meanwhile, others began forming alliances, yet Li Yan remained with the Qi Refining Cultivator disguised as the Formless Demon Corpse. To everyone else, the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, previously open only to Golden Core Zhenrens, seemed to promise greater gains to those at the levels of Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment if they banded together.

Wen Jiu stood quietly and silently, pretending to be a junior behind Li Yan, using him as an excuse to decline many invitations. Meanwhile, at an unguarded moment, Wen Jiu observed that Fake Pill Cultivator coldly overlooking the square, a sneer of disdain involuntarily curving at the corners of his mouth. However, this ridicule only lasted a few breaths.

Wen Jiu did not believe it was ridiculing the alliance of the Divine Extinction Thousand Peaks disciples, as cultivators excel at and are wise to form alliances. This is one reason why the Human Race can dominate the Cultivation Realm.

If not mocking the alliance behavior of the Divine Extinction Thousand Peaks disciples, the sneer must be directed at something else.

Perhaps he knows something.

...

A moment later.

As if receiving a command, the Fake Pill Cultivator began to lead, guiding the ten thousand people into the main hall, resembling a long tongue stretching into the passageway, descending a thousand feet to arrive at the stone cave entrance of the Grotto Heaven.

As more people entered, Wen Jiu followed behind Li Yan to the entrance of the Grotto Heaven.

With a single glance, Wen Jiu was utterly convinced that this was a leftover Grotto Heaven of the Blood Demon Sect, and after entering, it became even clearer that Yi Nian Guan Shan and Zang Qianjian must have discovered something inside.

Why do I say this?

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