Gu Han furrowed his brow at the empty pool. “It’s gone?”

He clearly remembered that there had still been some liquid treasure not long ago. Jiang Xuan had even mentioned something similar before. Where had it all gone?

Chu Kuang’s expression darkened. “Fellow Daoist Jiang, what exactly is going on here?!”

“I don’t know.”

“Are you toying with me?”

Gu Han spread his hands. “Toying? Why would I toy with you? What good would it even do?!”

Chu Kuang fell silent. There really was no point in lying about such a thing.

Gu Han thought for a moment. “Either these things were taken by those monsters, though that possibility is very small, or...”

A cold light flashed in Chu Kuang’s eyes. “Or there are people here we don’t know about!”

Gu Han sighed. “Right! Besides that point, I can’t think of any other reason! These treasu—ahem... these divine essence couldn’t possibly dissipate on their own, right? Or this secret realm wouldn’t exist!”

Chu Kuang sneered coldly. “Whoever they are, this matter isn’t over!”

“It’s not simple. If there really is someone, they can slip right under our noses! If that isn’t a mark of extraordinary strength, then I don’t know what it is! The fact that they left no trace shows just how well-prepared they are! I’m afraid finding him won’t be easy!” Gu Han shook his head. “Fellow Daoist Chu, treasures in this world belong to those who have fate with them. What is destined for you and me won’t get away. What isn’t destined for us cannot be forced. Take it easy, just take it easy.”

Chu Kuang’s expression turned even uglier. The divine essence has mostly been consumed by you, of course you can take it easy! I’ve got nothing!

In reality, Gu Han’s heart ached even more than his. Despite enduring so much hardship, he gained no benefits whatsoever. He snuck a glance at Chu Kuang. This loss absolutely couldn’t be overlooked.

Each harboring their own ulterior thoughts, the two discussed a bit more, before deciding to leave the place for now. As the mist grew thicker, they gradually began to feel somewhat strained. Staying here any longer held little meaning.

***

Meanwhile, somewhere in the secret realm, the earth trembled. Amid the rolling red mist, a monster furiously and relentlessly chased the nimble and agile figure ahead. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

It wasn’t as powerful as the one Gu Han had faced, but its size was still comparable. Yet no matter how hard it tried, the figure ahead kept getting farther and farther away.

Faintly, tinkling laughter drifted over from ahead. “You’re so slow, you truly shame your god. I’m getting a bit tired, I won’t play with you anymore...”

“My God must not be defiled!” The monster abruptly stopped in its tracks, panting heavily with bloodshot eyes. A trace of eerie red beam flew from its vertical eye. “You must die!”

Following its roar, the surrounding red mist seemed to gain life, swirling and rushing into its body. With each surge of mist, its muscles grew thicker. Drool was dripping from its mouth. In mere moments, it had doubled in size.

It raised its head, revealing clear, lucid eyes. Explosive power surged through its knotted, muscular arms. Faint traces of the eerie red mist flickered across them, adding to its imposing aura.

Slowly, it said with a cold, domineering, and lofty voice, “Insignificant ants dare to steal the power of my God! All of you will be executed!”

Suddenly, it threw back its head and let out a roar. Sonic waves spread out in all directions, dispersing the red mist for a hundred zhang around, revealing the ominous blood-red earth. The sound spread across most of the secret realm.

Over ten li away, a muddled, wandering monster immediately froze. “My God must not be defiled!”

Its arms abruptly pushed against the ground, propelling it toward the source of the sound. For a moment, every monster that heard the roar acted similarly, converging toward the same location.

A tremendous crisis was brewing!

***

At the edge of the secret realm, Murong Yan and her group also heard the same roar.

She was somewhat puzzled. “That’s strange. What madness has struck these monsters?”

Murong Chong became concerned. “Miss, should we continue?”

Murong Yan glared at him. “Nonsense! Have we finished gathering the spirit herbs? We won’t rest until we’re done. Everyone, keep going!”

Murong Chong smiled wryly. Is there even an end to this?

Although the secret realm had existed for over a thousand years, its lack of spirit qi had prevented it from producing any truly valuable spirit herbs. Not that there weren’t countless ordinary ones. Constantly bathed in the red mist, their outward form stayed similar, but their inner nature had undergone drastic mutation. Who would dare consume such things?

Murong Chong had a bellyful of doubts. Of course, with that Purple Golden Hammer present, he didn’t dare speak up.

Right at that moment, Yang Ying walked over, looking somewhat grave. “Something’s wrong! Haven’t you noticed? These monsters aren’t just getting stronger, but also smarter!”

Murong Yan grew thoughtful. “Is that so? It seems they are getting a bit stronger.”

During the herb-gathering process, they had encountered solitary monsters, which they had slain with relative ease. Nevertheless, she could still perceive the changes in the monsters.

As if remembering something, she was filled with worry. “This is bad! Brother Gu is still inside! If he encounters these things, he might not be able to handle them!”

Nevertheless, Yang Ying’s trust in Gu Han was almost unquestioning. “Relax. My intuition tells me that even if the worst happens and we all die, he’ll be the last one standing!”

***

Within a valley, Meng Xing’s expression changed slightly after hearing the roar. “These monsters’ strength seems to have increased again! This is bad!”

Yuan Gang remained calm. “It doesn’t matter. With Chu Kuang here, there definitely won’t be any problems.”

Meng Xing sighed. “He left almost a day ago. Who knows when he’ll return? You have no idea how quickly these things grow!”

Having fought the monsters several times, his understanding was much deeper than Yuan Gang’s.

Right then, a Qingyun Pavilion disciple seemed to discover something and lit up with joy. “Hm? It’s Junior Brother Chu! He’s back!”

In the distance, two figures walked side by side, stirring up endless red mist as they steadily approached the group.

Everyone was stunned. Hmm? Two people?

They recognized Chu Kuang immediately. As for the one beside him... they couldn’t put a finger on it. Soon, they were dumbfounded as they realised the other person was actually Gu Han!

Watching Gu Han and Chu Kuang conversing incessantly, Yuan Gang was filled with shock and suspicion. “That’s impossible! How could Junior Brother be with him?”

Meng Xing’s eyes turned red. “It’s him! Daring to walk right into the trap!”

Out of everyone there, he hated Gu Han the most.

Silver light blazed brightly around him as he unleashed a full-power palm strike toward Gu Han. “I want your life!”

Gu Han was stunned for a moment, then erupted in fury. “Huh? Fellow Daoist Chu, who is this person?! What is the meaning of this?!”

Chu Kuang’s expression darkened slightly.

“Stop!” Without needing Gu Han to act, he already stood before Gu Han intercepted Meng Xing’s attack. “Hear me out first!”

Meng Xing was extremely displeased. “Brother Chu, why are you protecting him?!”

By now, Yuan Gang and the others had also arrived beside them.

“Don’t be rash! He has his reasons for acting this way. Well, who would’ve thought...” Yuan Gang glanced at Gu Han, full of emotions. “In the end, you still chose to submit to Chu Kuang!”

Gu Han scoffed. “Huh? What do you mean? And who are you?”

Chu Kuang smiled. “Senior Brother, you’ve misunderstood. Actually, this fellow Daoist is not Gu Han. He is Jiang Xuan, Fellow Daoist Jiang! A friend I made during this journey.”

Everyone was stunned again. Jiang Xuan?

Gu Han cupped his hands in salute. “Greetings, everyone!”

Meng Xing was shocked and suspicious. “You’re Jiang Xuan...?”

Gu Han glanced at him. “Friend, in truth, whether it’s Jiang Xuan or someone else, a name is merely a label for us cultivators! If it makes you happy, call me Ma Xuan, or even Zhao Xuan, it’s all the same! What’s most important is that Gu Han has now completely vanished like smoke. Standing before you is me! A reborn me! A man given a second chance at life!”

Silence followed. A bunch of random nonsense, spoken with utter confidence, left everyone dumbfounded. Even the corner of Chu Kuang’s mouth twitched uncontrollably.

A Yuqing Sect disciple blinked. “What is he even saying?”

“I don’t understand.”

“Me neither.”

Yuan Gang looked at Meng Xing, somewhat hesitant. “What he described sounds like possession?”

Meng Xing nodded. “Indeed. It’s somewhat similar.”

Gu Han looked at them as if they were idiots. “It is possession! Was my explanation not clear enough?”

Everyone was speechless. Damn, that was an explanation?

Yuan Gang’s expression was complex, still a bit confused. “Junior Brother, what exactly is going on?”

Gu Han shook his head. “Forget it. Let me explain for you again—”

Chu Kuang didn’t dare let him speak anymore. “I’ll do it!”

He recounted the previous experiences of the two, also taking the opportunity to introduce both sides to each other. Of course, he omitted some minor details. For instance, his hidden means, the strange fruit Gu Han mentioned, and that ancient relic site...

Only then did it make sense to everyone. “So that’s what happened!”

Everyone soon basked in a deep sense of vindication.

“Gu Han is dead after all!”

“Haha, good, good, good! Who told him to be so arrogant!”

“Exactly, he dared to refuse the Qingyun Pavilion’s invitation, serves him right to end up like this!”

Yuan Gang sighed profoundly. “You’re right! To die by possession, hehe, that manner of death is quite fitting for him.”

They didn’t doubt Chu Kuang’s words for a second. After all, he had already demonstrated too many methods that convinced them.

Gu Han also smiled. Enjoy this while you can. I’ll remember your faces.

Meng Xing coughed lightly twice, appearing somewhat awkward. Although he knew Gu Han was no longer with them, he still felt somewhat uncomfortable inside.

“I was too rash just now. I hope you won’t mind...” he said.

Gu Han waved his hand with unruffled calm. “No problem at all! As the saying goes, friends are made through hardship. The fate between you and me runs deep. However, Brother Meng, as cultivators standing between heaven and earth, our vision should be long-term, our minds broad. We will only degrade ourselves by clinging to fleeting grudges. Eventually, flaws will form in our Dao Hearts, becoming major detriments to our future cultivation paths!”

Meng Xing was disgusted. “I... will remember your teachings!”

Actually, it wasn’t just him. Yuan Gang and the others also wore strange expressions. What’s this guy’s issue?

Upon seeing Gu Han about to continue, Chu Kuang immediately stopped him. “Alright! Fellow Daoist Jiang, discussing important matters is more urgent!”

Gu Han stopped talking. “Fine.”

It wasn’t that he wanted to stop, he was also running out of topics to make up. He had to admire Jiang Xuan a bit. Endless nonsense, flowing from his mouth like poetry. A marvel of the ages, really.

Chu Kuang’s expression turned serious. “Senior Brother, you all must have heard the commotion just now?”

Everyone began discussing with unmistakable worry.

Yuan Gang nodded. “Yes. The monsters seem to have grown stronger than before!”

“I never imagined they could grow so fast!”

“We should temporarily avoid going out. Let’s just wait here!”

“That makes sense. We have enough pills anyway. When the secret realm opens, someone will deal with them!”

Gu Han glanced at the group. “Hiding? How foolish!”

Of course, Chu Kuang valued Gu Han’s opinion highly. “Fellow Daoist Jiang, what brilliant insight do you have?”

Gu Han smiled smugly. “I won’t call it brilliant insight. It’s just a small suggestion! Actually, for us cultivators, we contend with heaven, earth, and people. Throughout life, who knows how many hardships and tribulations we must face. If every time we encounter difficulty, we stop and dare not advance, we will lose our enterprising spirit in the long run. As for cultivation, then—”

Meng Xing couldn’t take it anymore. “Enough! What exactly are you trying to say?!”

He felt that this person before him was even more hateful and despicable than Gu Han.

Gu Han smiled. “You can’t understand? Let me be more direct. Eliminate them while they are still weak. Wipe them all out. Can you understand me now?”