This is Too Much of a Rip-off

After his breathing evened out, Ye Xuan felt his head was as big as a bucket, his eyes filled with deep worry.

This wasn't him being a Cassandra, but the enemy was truly powerful.

That Netherworld Hall, while not a top-tier sect, wasn't far from it. Their ranks were filled with experts, their methods were ruthless and merciless, and their reputation was fearsome.

Even some sects wouldn't easily provoke them.

With his current strength, challenging the Netherworld Hall was akin to a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Therefore, the most important thing right now was to find a safe haven.

A moment later, a cold voice emanated from the pendant again, "Right now, you can only leave this barren land as quickly as possible and head directly east."

"If I remember correctly, thousands of years ago, there was a small sect thousands of miles to the east of here, one that didn't draw much attention."

"If you join this sect, you can hide your identity and not attract attention, likely allowing you to escape the Netherworld Hall's pursuit."

Hearing this, Ye Xuan's eyes lit up.

Right! Hiding his identity and joining another sect, then returning to settle the score once he was strong enough – what could be better?

What a great idea!

With that thought, he ignored his exhaustion, got up, and sprinted towards the east.

"Hmph, if I had even half my strength, why would I fear the Netherworld Hall one bit?"

"One sword strike would be enough to turn them to dust!"

At this moment, a barely audible voice came from the pendant. Although faint, the world-dominating arrogance was undiminished.

Half a month later.

Ye Xuan arrived at the foot of Misty Peak, his exhaustion evident on his face.

He looked up at the summit, his sword-like eyebrows furrowing slightly. "Senior, the small sect you mentioned, it wouldn't be the Divine Sword Sect, would it?"

The cold voice replied, "It is indeed the Divine Sword Sect. Is there a problem?"

Upon hearing the affirmative answer, Ye Xuan felt like crying and laughing at the same time.

What a predicament! If he had known earlier that the "small sect" the senior mentioned was the Divine Sword Sect, he would have refused outright and wouldn't have had to travel thousands of miles.

According to rumors, the Divine Sword Sect could no longer be called a sect. Their martial skills had long since lost their inheritance, their disciples were few and far between, and the place was in ruins, utterly dilapidated. It had fallen to the extreme.

Given any other choice, no one would want to come here.

Moreover, not long ago, there were rumors that the Sect Master of the Divine Sword Sect had offended the Iron Sword Sect and was killed by them. Now, only a novice disciple at the Body Refining realm remained.

With such a sect on the verge of extinction, what could he possibly achieve by joining it?

It would be a complete ruin of his future!

Ye Xuan shook his head and gave a wry smile, "Senior, you are unaware. The Divine Sword Sect is no longer the sect you remember. It's practically extinct now."

"What did you say?"

The cold voice suddenly rose in pitch, "The Divine Sword Sect is extinct?!"

"This... this shouldn't be..."

Ye Xuan said with some disappointment, "Senior, I think we should forget about joining the Divine Sword Sect. Let's think of another way."

He glanced at Misty Peak again. "Even if I joined, it would just be a waste of time. I wouldn't learn anything useful."

"Foolish!"

The cold voice couldn't help but scold, "The Divine Sword Sect is in decline, which is precisely why you should join it. It's your best choice."

"Firstly, since the Divine Sword Sect is in decline, it means there are no strong individuals. Your secrets won't be discovered, and your identity won't be exposed."

"Secondly, precisely because the Divine Sword Sect is practically negligible, the Netherworld Hall would never expect you to willingly hide there, thus allowing you to escape their pursuit."

"Thirdly, whether the Divine Sword Sect has any cultivation techniques or martial skills is irrelevant to you. You only need to cultivate diligently within the sect. With your talent and physique, along with your own techniques and skills, you will eventually make a name for yourself."

Hearing this, Ye Xuan pondered for a moment and suddenly understood. "Senior's words are wise. This junior will join the Divine Sword Sect immediately!"

With that, he took off and soared towards Misty Peak.

A quarter of an hour later, Ye Xuan arrived at the mountain gate of the Divine Sword Sect.

Instantly, he was dumbfounded, his eyes widening uncontrollably.

"Huh?"

"What's going on?"

"Did I come to the wrong place?"

"According to the rumors, wasn't the Divine Sword Sect completely in decline? Has even the mountain gate collapsed?"

"Why is there such a huge difference? There's no sign of collapse at this gate at all. It's clearly magnificent and spectacular!"

Ye Xuan couldn't help but feel a surge of doubt, secretly wondering, "Could it be that the Divine Sword Sect intentionally put up a grand gate just to save face?"

As Ye Xuan was filled with doubt and uncertainty, the Sword-shaped Pendant suddenly let out a hum. The gaze of the owner of the clear, cold voice within it suddenly fixed on the three large characters "Divine Sword Sect" on the mountain gate.

In that instant, her eyes, like autumn water, widened abruptly. Her pretty face couldn't hide her surprise, and she fell into deep thought and enlightenment.

It took a full quarter of an hour before she woke up, but her pretty face now held a trace of solemnity.

"How is this possible?"

"These mere three characters, 'Divine Sword Sect', actually contain such rich Dao Rhyme Laws and Sword Dao intent!"

She was utterly shocked.

How could such a supreme treasure be casually placed here as a gate plaque?

Shouldn't it be preserved carefully, for the purpose of comprehending the Dao Rhyme Laws and World-Shaking Sword Intent contained within?

This was simply a terrible waste of a treasure!

Even some super sects couldn't afford such extravagance!

This display of wealth was truly terrifying!

Setting aside the profound Dao Rhyme Laws, just the Sword Intent contained within the three characters "Divine Sword Sect" made even a powerful expert like herself feel a sense of dread.

Soon, her gaze inadvertently fell upon the dark, unremarkable stone tablet next to the mountain gate.

At this, her mind erupted with a roar, and she gasped, "This... this is an Immortal Tier treasure?"

"That's right, it's definitely an Immortal Tier treasure containing infinite power!"

"When did this Divine Sword Sect become so extravagant?"

She couldn't help but click her tongue repeatedly and subconsciously looked towards the inside of the mountain gate.

She saw that the entire Divine Sword Sect was shrouded in mist and enveloped in auspicious energy, appearing and disappearing intermittently.

Especially a central peak that pierced straight into the clouds; even from such a distance, she could feel an oppressive aura washing over her.

At this moment, a hint of apprehension gradually appeared in her autumn-water-like eyes.

Just as she was about to warn Ye Xuan not to be reckless, she discovered that Ye Xuan had already stepped through the mountain gate.

And as soon as Ye Xuan stepped through the gate, before he could even observe his surroundings, he felt dizzy and his vision swam. After shaking his head, he realized that everything before him had changed, as if he had entered another world.

Like Ye Jingyun before him, he had fallen into the Mountain Protecting Array.

While he was stunned, an incredibly sharp pressure, like crashing waves, swept towards him, as if intending to crush him, the intruder, into pieces.

In that instant, Ye Xuan was dumbfounded, with a million wild beasts roaring in his heart.

Damn it!

Didn't they say the Divine Sword Sect had completely fallen into decline?

What the hell was this Mountain Protecting Array?

Did such a declining sect even exist?

Whoever said that, come out here right now, and I guarantee I won't beat you to death!

Ye Xuan felt utterly exasperated, his mouth twitching uncontrollably, because he could clearly feel the terrifying power of this Mountain Protecting Array. Just this sharp pressure alone made his hair stand on end.

Who knew what other terrifying existences were inside? One wrong step and he would be doomed forever.

With his current strength, forcing his way through the array would be no different than being tired of living.

This situation might even cost him his life!

At this moment, Ye Xuan felt an urge to cry.

This was too much of a scam!

He didn't dare to move at all