Chapter 51 Returning to the First Layer, Leaving the Group
Looking at the endless plain, the few of them finally believed they had escaped from the second layer.
Each layer had a special Barrier, and the Demon Beasts from the second layer could not come to the first layer, so as long as they left the second layer, they were basically safe.
At this moment, the first layer was not empty. Many disciples were waiting here, and seeing that someone had actually come out alive, they all looked over with curiosity.
It turned out that the three Sect disciples who were guarding earlier could only open the entrance when the time came, but they had wanted to enter first. However, shortly after entering, the disciple from the Immortal Dao Merchant Association with the highest cultivation had staggered out vomiting blood.
He claimed there were powerful Demon Beasts at the second-layer exit, and that only he had managed to escape before collapsing unconscious.
The others had not believed him, thinking the Immortal Dao Merchant Association was deliberately putting on a show. This secret realm was not being opened for the first time, and everyone understood the usual strength level of the second layer.
Afterwards, several other skeptical disciples had entered the second layer, but none returned. Disciples kept trying, but it was a case of come and never return. Eventually, no one dared to enter anymore, and everyone stayed here waiting for someone to emerge from the second layer so they could ask about the situation.
They had waited until now, until Qin Xiao and the others finally appeared.
"Junior Brother Qin, what happened to you all? What exactly transpired on the second layer?"
Among all the disciples remaining on the first layer, only Lin Shimeng possessed the highest cultivation, making her the natural leader. Seeing Qin Xiao and the others emerge in such a disheveled state, she hurried forward to ask.
"Well, how should I put it? The second layer cannot be entered anymore. Not only are there numerous Nascent Soul stage Demon Beasts, but there are even Soul Formation stage ones. This second layer is comparable to the fifth layer."
Qin Xiao did not know how best to explain everything, so he simply told them the second layer was inaccessible.
"How could this be? In previous years, the second layer only held Foundation Establishment stage Demon Beasts. Why would so many Nascent Soul stage Demon Beasts appear this year, let alone Soul Formation stage ones?"
Lin Shimeng had not expected this to be true. If so, the disciples who had gone down earlier were likely all dead.
"As for the exact reason, you should ask Brother Ling. It seems to involve some sect from several hundred years ago, called the Beast-Control Sect or something similar."
Qin Xiao was only half-clear on the details and naturally did not know much, but Ling Wushuang and the others certainly knew more.
"Kid, you aren't deliberately trying to scare us, are you? If there really were Soul Formation stage Demon Beasts, how could someone like you come out alive?"
Yao Kaidong had long disliked Qin Xiao, and seeing him make such grand claims, he stepped forward to interrupt.
"Indeed, a mere mortal managed to come out alive? These Nascent Soul and Soul Formation stage Demon Beasts must be something you made up."
Knowing that Yao Kaidong wanted to suppress Qin Xiao, Li Cheng quickly chimed in.
"Shut your mouths, both of you. If you don't believe it, go down there yourselves. To slander Brother Qin like this-do your skins itch for a beating?"
Although Cang Xing had lost an arm, his life had been saved by Qin Xiao. Seeing someone provoke Qin Xiao, he immediately stepped up to make his stance clear.
"Indeed. If you dare slander him again, I, Su Lin, will not mind helping your Tianyuan Sect teach you a lesson."
Su Lin also stepped forward. His condition was far better than Cang Xing's; at least he still had both hands.
"What? That is Cang Xing of the Pure Yang Sect and Su Lin of the Mysterious Yin Sect?"
"And isn't that Young Master Ling Wushuang of the Immortal Dao Merchant Association?"
"It truly is. They were covered in blood and filth earlier with disheveled hair, so I did not recognize them for a moment."
"If even they say so, it must be true. Even Cang Xing, a mid Nascent Soul cultivator, lost an arm. Just how dangerous could it be?"
Only when Cang Xing and Su Lin spoke did the surrounding crowd recognize the three disheveled figures covered in dirt and stains.
This could hardly be blamed on the onlookers. After all, the three had suffered severely under the torment of Demon Beasts, bearing wounds of all sizes and tangled hair. Having been busy fleeing for their lives, they had not even had a moment to cast a Cleaning Spell.
Realizing the disciples were whispering, the three hurriedly cast a Cleaning Spell to tidy themselves and restore their original appearances.
"An unexpected situation has occurred within the secret realm, making the second layer impassable. This trip has thus lost its purpose. We would do well to honestly remain on the first layer and wait out the remaining time until we can safely leave."
Only then did Ling Wushuang speak. As the highest-cultivation individual present, it fell to him to issue arrangements.
"Since Young Master Ling has said so, I shall follow these arrangements."
Yao Kaidong had never imagined that Qin Xiao would associate with these three figures. He had no choice but to restrain himself; though he was arrogant about his talent and cultivation, he remained far inferior to them.
"Since there is nothing else, my disciple and I will go wander about this layer. You may chat at your leisure."
Qin Xiao had no desire to linger with this crowd. He was accustomed to solitude, and staying here would only draw endless inquiries from inquiring disciples, so he preferred to leave the explanations to Ling Wushuang and the others.
"Brother Qin, this layer has long since been swept clean; there is truly nothing to see. It would be wiser to rest here."
Seeing Qin Xiao prepare to leave, Ling Wushuang spoke up, as he still had many questions he wished to ask.
"No need. My disciple and I are here for the first time after all. Since the second layer is closed off, looking around the first layer will suffice. I leave the matters here in Brother Ling's hands."
Without giving Ling Wushuang a chance to reply, Qin Xiao leaped onto Yun Man's flying sword and departed.
Yun Man had remained silent throughout. With Ling Wushuang present, she had kept her veil on and avoided speaking to prevent her identity from being exposed, and Qin Xiao's decision suited her perfectly.
In truth, Qin Xiao had no intention of wandering aimlessly; he simply wished to avoid the crowd. After flying a considerable distance,
"Master, we have flown straight this entire way. Are we not afraid someone might follow?"
Yun Man asked with a hint of curiosity. Ordinarily, one should alter direction multiple times to shake off potential pursuers.
"Your master's strength has greatly increased, and you have also reached the Nascent Soul stage. The reason I did not change direction is precisely because I am waiting for someone to follow. If they do not come, so be it; if they dare pursue us, we will ensure they come and never return."
If anyone still harbored malicious designs against him within this secret realm, Qin Xiao did not mind ending a few lives.
"So Master is doing this intentionally."
Yun Man understood at last. Her master was fishing, and whichever fish took the bait would meet its doom.
"Enough of that. Do you still have Spirit Liquid? We have plenty of time ahead, so we must not waste it. Those others cannot cultivate here, but we can."
Setting the matter aside, Qin Xiao asked if she had any Spirit Liquid remaining, noting that letting such a long stretch of time pass without cultivation would be a waste.
"This disciple still has some left. If it runs short, I can ask Master for more."
Yun Man was not greedy and still retained a small stockpile.
"Very well. Then you may cultivate. Your master also needs to cultivate for a bit; we will likely need you to help temper my body later."
Seeing that she still had Spirit Liquid, Qin Xiao wasted no more words and immediately began his cultivation.
Not long after Qin Xiao left, Yao Kaidong also slipped away from the crowd, taking Li Cheng with him.
Though disciples continued to trickle downward into the lower layers one after another, over seven hundred people remained behind. Among such a large group, the disappearance of one or two went entirely unnoticed.