Chapter 081

Chapter 81: Entering the Secret Chamber

The Three-Headed Serpent had advanced swiftly to the late second rank by relying on an undiscovered underground spirit vein. Now that the treasure aiding its advancement had disappeared, the serpent’s hateful gaze landed upon the human cultivators who had attacked it. It was convinced these humans had stolen its precious resource.

“Hateful human cultivators!” The serpent’s three heads roared in fury. Its tail whipped wildly, attempting to bury these humans forever beneath the collapsing tunnels.

Mu Ning Zhu and Du Yu Ling had already reunited with Sheng Yu Hong and his group. Sensing the dire situation, Sheng Yu Hong immediately shouted, “Everyone, retreat from the underground cave—it’s about to collapse!”

“Yes, Senior Brother Sheng!”

At once, everyone activated their techniques or slapped teleportation talismans onto themselves, swiftly transforming into streaks of light as they escaped the cavern.

Seeing these hated humans flee, the serpent refused to let them go. It broke through the earth above, chasing after them relentlessly.

When Sheng Yu Hong and his companions emerged onto the surface, the Three-Headed Serpent burst forth right after them. Before the disciples could react, its tail swept fiercely, knocking two early Foundation Establishment disciples flying. Sheng Yu Hong swiftly evaded with a graceful leap.

“Disciples of the Grand Righteous Sect, heed my command—form the array!” Sheng Yu Hong shouted loudly, pouring spiritual energy into his sword to block the serpent’s next strike.

The Three-Headed Serpent spat venom everywhere, swinging its enormous tail again.

Mu Ning Zhu wiped blood from the corner of her mouth, flashing forward to join the forming array.

Du Yu Ling skillfully dodged another tail attack, already unleashing her first sword-light, connecting it seamlessly with a fellow disciple’s attack.

With each flash of sword-light interwoven, a sword formation soon took shape. Sheng Yu Hong, as the formation’s core, guided the array to slowly press down, narrowing the serpent’s movements.

Meanwhile, Yun Xi found herself inside a stone chamber. The walls were smooth, clearly carved by human hands. The room was small, only about thirty square meters, and in its center sat a white-haired, white-robed man meditating upon a woven mat. He was utterly alone.

Alarm bells immediately rang in Yun Xi’s heart. She respectfully bowed and said, “Senior, forgive this junior’s intrusion! I was chased into this space by a powerful enemy and did not intend to disturb your meditation!”

As she bowed, she watched him carefully from the corner of her eye. However, even after speaking, the man remained completely motionless and did not open his eyes.

All sorts of tales of possession flashed through Yun Xi’s mind. Not daring to approach, she activated every defensive artifact she possessed and repeated her respectful apology twice more. Yet still, silence was her only reply.

Finally raising her head, Yun Xi cautiously extended a wisp of divine sense toward the man. The moment her divine sense touched his figure, a soft white glow emerged, and a faint phantom appeared in front of the white-robed man.

“Someone has finally come. Had no one entered, my soul fragment would soon have faded entirely,” the phantom sighed softly. Its appearance mirrored the meditating man precisely, likely a remnant of his spirit. Yun Xi did not relax her vigilance, still bowing respectfully, “This junior sincerely apologizes, senior. I was forced into this place by a rank-two Three-Headed Serpent. I truly did not wish to disturb your peace.”

The white-haired phantom looked at Yun Xi, disappointment briefly flickering in his eyes. “Since you have awakened this wisp of consciousness, would you be willing to do me a favor? If you agree, my storage ring shall be yours as payment.”

Yun Xi glanced quickly at the seated body, but saw no storage ring. Still, she replied respectfully, “Senior, this junior’s cultivation is limited. I am unsure how I can assist you.”

“I seek someone to inherit my legacy. I only ask you to bring my cultivation technique back to the outside world.”

Relieved at the simplicity of this request, Yun Xi agreed easily. “Senior, this junior is a disciple of the Grand Righteous Sect. I can certainly deliver your technique to my sect, where it will surely find a worthy inheritor.”

The phantom sighed softly in resignation. The girl before him was too young, and her three spiritual roots were average at best. Even possession would hardly aid his quest for the Dao. Finally, he flicked his sleeve, pushing a jade slip toward Yun Xi.

Yun Xi respectfully accepted the jade slip with both hands enveloped in spiritual energy. Glancing down, she saw the words “Peerless Sword Lightning Manual.” Joy surged wildly in her heart, though she forced her face to remain calm as she asked quietly, “Senior, does this technique require a lightning spiritual root to cultivate?”

“Indeed. I’ve waited here a thousand years and found no disciple with a lightning spiritual root. Thus, I entrust it to you. My storage ring holds another technique suited to water spiritual roots, though that one can only be cultivated up to the Nascent Soul stage.”

Feigning delighted surprise, Yun Xi answered, “Many thanks, senior! A technique that can reach the Nascent Soul stage is already wonderful. This junior dares not be greedy.”

“Very well. Make a vow, and you shall be free to leave,” said the phantom, watching Yun Xi attentively.

Solemnly, Yun Xi raised her voice, “This junior, Wei Yun Xi, swears to help senior find a lightning spiritual root disciple to inherit this technique. Should I fail this vow, my cultivation will stagnate forever, and my path to immortality shall end.”

Satisfied by her obedience, the white-haired phantom waved his sleeve. Instantly, a white jade storage ring flew gently into Yun Xi’s palm.

“This is your reward.”

Yun Xi openly displayed delight, rubbing the storage ring as if seeing a treasure for the first time. In front of the spirit’s fading eyes, she quickly performed a blood-bond, slipping it onto her index finger. Instantly, the ring disappeared from sight. She bowed again respectfully, “This junior thanks senior deeply and promises to uphold your trust.”

The phantom sighed softly again, slowly dissolving away, leaving behind his final words: “The teleportation array to leave is beneath the mat I was sitting upon. Good luck!”

Even after the phantom completely vanished, Yun Xi remained vigilant. Carefully approaching the seated body, she bowed deeply once more, murmuring “Excuse me,” and gently placed the body into her storage bag to bury later.

Remembering her habit to never leave treasures behind, Yun Xi also took the woven mat. Only then did she see the small teleportation array beneath. Familiar with its design, she quickly inserted nine low-grade spirit stones. The array activated, and Yun Xi stepped into its glow.

The formation enveloped her completely, whisking her away instantly. Behind her, the teleportation formation cracked, and the stone chamber collapsed, erasing all signs of its existence.

The next instant, Yun Xi reappeared in midair, suddenly dropping straight down. She crashed into something soft with a muffled “thump!”

“Pfft! Is this teleportation array broken? Why’d it put me in midair?” Yun Xi grumbled, spitting dirt from her mouth as she climbed to her feet. Thankfully, the fall wasn’t high; otherwise, she might have suffered serious injury.

Suddenly, something pecked her sharply from behind, sending chills down her spine. Her divine sense swept out instantly, and in the next heartbeat, Yun Xi nearly screamed aloud.

She had landed directly in a massive nest. And the creature that attacked her was a baby bird with red beak and downy feathers barely grown in.