Chapter 175: Stance

About a hundred strong individuals successfully arrived at the core area of this desolate realm, barely making up less than ten percent of the total number.

Those who made it this far were certainly no ordinary folk, but it seemed that for now, no one could break through the terrifying space rift blocking entry into the “Core Area.”

The “ghosts” bound to the earth spirits were still hot on their heels, and coupled with the bizarre and unpredictable closed environment, if the situation remained unresolved, even the strong present might find it hard to ensure their own safety.

The key issue was that they were taking enormous risks entering this place, hoping to find the opportunity related to the Spiritual Fox Priestess— which was likely already within their grasp.

Driven by great benefits and implicit threats, they naturally sought ways to break through the predicament.

“Everyone! Listen to me for a moment!! Everyone understands the current situation, and now is not the time for intrigue and deceit!”

“I possess an ancient formation called the 【Protective Mystic Barrier】. As long as sixteen or more experts channel their power simultaneously, it can protect everyone inside from external harm temporarily. Let us unite and enter the core of the desolate realm first. As for the opportunities, we can each rely on our own abilities later!”

Watching the old man in a light gray robe with white hair busily persuading the crowd like he was conducting a pyramid scheme, Miss Vilyric couldn’t help but curiously hop closer to a certain Spirit Girl beside her.

“Who is that old guy? He doesn’t seem like he can guarantee others’ safety, but he’s so full of confidence?”

Though Hen had only been in this world for six or seven years, as a Spirit Girl of the Western Spirit Nation, her information channels far surpassed most people, and with the insight bestowed by fate, she could say she had access to much of the world’s intelligence, which enabled her to come up with that targeted chain strategy earlier.

Sure enough, upon hearing the Priestess’s inquiry, the silver-haired girl replied calmly.

“The Master Xuanmen of Feihong Temple from Dongyuanzhi Kingdom, male, human, 72 years old, mid-level of Seeking Immortality Realm, ranked fifty-fourth on the 【Top Hundred of Ancient Spirit Realm】 list. He specializes in Xuanmen formation techniques and isn’t skilled in one-on-one combat, but can exert strength comparable to a peak seeker in group battles.”

“Feihong Temple used to be a small sect, but after the Master took over thirty years ago, it experienced rapid growth, merging with several similarly-sized temples, and now has risen to a first-rate sect, second only to top-tier sects like the Five Great Guardian Sects and the East Yuanzhi Sacred Sect.”

“Although he’s ostensibly a righteous faction member, he has a narrow mind, is only profit-driven, enjoys deceitful words to manipulate others into working for him, and later uses various methods to stab them in the back. He has previously killed or incapacitated twelve competitors to secure his position as the Master of Feihong Temple, so he is not to be trusted.”

“Uh, actually, I just wanted to know his name and identity…”

Listening to Hen recounting all his dirt with a poker face like listing a menu, even though Vilyric had already suspected Hen wouldn’t disappoint her, she couldn’t help but feel both amused and exasperated.

“So what do you think we should do now?”

Honestly, if it was just the spatial rift, Vilyric wouldn’t really care much; with the defense of 【Feather Garb of Glarya】, even if it slammed into her, it wouldn’t cause harm… but others might not be so fortunate.

Normal defensive magic merely expands the barrier and cannot turn the internal environment into a complete vacuum; it probably wouldn’t block the appearance of the space rift unless Vilyric forcibly used some special, powerful ability.

She could overlook the others, but with Hen and Miss Xiao Kong—especially the weaker self-defense capability of the former—Vilyric had to ensure their safety at all costs.

Understanding the Priestess’s concerns, the silver-haired girl shook her head.

“I’ll stay outside. The rest of the way, you’ll have to manage on your own. My task was to bring you here. Don’t worry, Vilyric. As long as you accomplish the goal in the core of the desolate realm, everyone, including me, will be safe.”

Saying this, she turned to the Cat Daughter and patted her on the shoulder.

“Kong, you accompany her. This also requires your strength. I’ll handle any unsettling factors from outside.”

Being called directly, Miss Xiao Kong immediately looked puzzled.

“Help us hold them off? Relying on you now? Are you serious?”

“Haha… Just go.”

Xiao Kong frowned, seeming to want to say something more, but the Priestess had already nodded toward her, taking a step forward.

“Then, let’s go.”

“Vilyric? But what if she’s alone…”

The Priestess turned around and smiled.

“You don’t really think she’s as weak as she looks, do you? She’s the one who escaped the Seven-Day Demon Lord’s pursuers all by herself. Sometimes, we need to give others some space to shine, now let’s go ~”

“Wait? Hey! I got it, I got it, don’t pull me!”

“Hey! Someone’s gone in!”

The two girls’ sudden dash into the forbidden area immediately broke the stalemate where everyone else was at a loss. Even though they didn’t understand the basis of their actions, these strong individuals drawn here by “opportunities” couldn’t just sit by and watch others seize the advantage.

“Quick! We’re going in too! Everyone, get in position, I’ll activate the formation immediately!”

The Master Xuanmen had already used his silver tongue to successfully convince a batch of workers to help maintain the formation. Seeing someone actually faster than him, he instantly panicked, wanting to lead his people into the forbidden area and catch up to Vilyric and the others.

However, a flash of silver light suddenly burst through the air, forcibly breaking through the formation that had just emerged, which was said to easily block space rifts, even grazing his hair as it passed by, causing the Master to freeze in place.

“What! What was that?!”

“Daring to block our way, are you seeking death?!”

Amid the shouting and cursing from the crowd, the silver-haired girl caught the peculiar short dagger that flew back to her hand, stepping onto a flying dart hovering mid-air, her expression indifferent. Waves of vast aura surged around her, as she stood before nearly a hundred elite warriors.

Her equally indifferent warning echoed in the air of the ancient town.

“This is not a place you can tread upon. No one is allowed to advance; this is not open for discussion, but a command. Those who disobey… will bear the consequences.”

“Uh…?”

Seeing her splendid silver hair fluttering in the wind, the Master’s expression suddenly changed, taking in a sharp breath, but on the surface, he reacted as though enraged and burst into loud laughter.

“What an arrogant little girl! Oh… you’re with those two girls from earlier, trying to stall for them, right? Ultimately, you just want to hoard the Spiritual Fox Priestess’s treasures for yourself! So arrogant and self-important; don’t you think too highly of yourself against us strong figures?”

This declaration was cleverly timed, with not a single substantial stance but almost instantaneously pushed Miss Hen to the opposing side of everyone present, the effect immediate.

“Kill her! Anyone who blocks us dies!”

“Don’t waste time; her companions have already run far away!”

Among the dozens of strong individuals gathered around, at least more than half began looking at Hen with hostility, especially as they noticed the figures of Vilyric and Xiao Kong had disappeared into the depths of the spatial rift, their anxiety further heightened.

Seeing the opportunity ripe, the Master Xuanmen suddenly roared!

“What are you waiting for? Let’s work together to take her down first!”

“Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!!”

In response to his call, several short arrows instantly shot out from the crowd, unrelentingly heading straight for the silver-haired girl!

Hen remained motionless, yet a chilling light flickered in her silver eyes as she raised the short dagger in her hand.

But just at that moment.

“Whooooo!!!”

A whirlwind whipped up, sending the arrows flying back. A figure dressed in formal robes, seemingly a high-ranking member of a certain sect, appeared, floating on the wind before the silver-haired girl, smiling at the crowd.

“Mu Ze from the Spirit Awakening Sect is here, everyone… teaming up to bully a weak girl, doesn’t that seem a bit unreasonable?”

   

---