This Must Be an Evil Array That Plunders Surrounding Life Force!

Gui Xi Sect.

The sect's entrance.

There was no scent of grass and trees that should be found in the wilderness, because nothing grew around it.

As far as the eye could see, not a single blade of the lowest grade of grass could be found, let alone any rare or exotic flowers and herbs.

The vitality of the entire mountain peak seemed to have been forcibly drained by something.

The sect's gate was wide open, two massive stone doors just standing ajar.

It was dark and unclear within, looking like a Demonic Dao sect, with no trace of immortal demeanor.

At this moment, a person was crouched behind a gray, withered rock about half a person's height. She only poked out half her head, her eyes full of vigilance.

The Sect Master said that a disciple from a certain sect had been acting strangely recently.

Now that she saw it, wasn't this a bit too blatant?

The land was barren for a hundred miles around, and these two deep gates seemed to lead to an endless abyss.

With such a sight, weren't they afraid of being discovered by the righteous immortal sects?

In Su Ling'er's mind, the Sect Master's face reappeared.

It was in an inconspicuous secret chamber within Qing Xu Temple.

The Qing Xu Temple Sect Master, a cultivator in the Core Formation Realm, whose Daoist name was Xuan Yuan, who was usually aloof.

He dismissed all his disciples, leaving only Su Ling'er.

"You've been in my sect for quite some time now, do you know about Gui Xi Sect, which is located three hundred li to the east?"

Su Ling'er nodded.

"I have indeed heard of it."

It was a new sect that had risen to prominence in recent years.

Rumor had it that they acted strangely, and their disciples' cultivation speed was incredibly fast. There were even many legends about that place in the surrounding immortal cultivation markets.

But the strange thing was, they never seemed to have personally seen that sect. These rumors seemed to arise from nowhere, and no one knew who spread them.

Perhaps they themselves wanted their sect to have some reputation outside?

But a Demonic Dao sect shouldn't be like this.

Su Ling'er only heard the Qing Xu Temple Sect Master say, "I suspect they are very likely the inheritors of an ancient, lost evil cultivation lineage, reappearing in the human world.

Their cultivation methods, their goals, everything about them is a mystery.

This is a sword hanging over the heads of our righteous Xuan Sects."

Su Ling'er remained silent. She knew the Sect Master's words held hidden meaning, and he probably wanted her to do something.

As expected, the Sect Master's gaze fell upon Su Ling'er again.

"Su Ling'er, your talent and aptitude are both the worst. You even have pseudo spirit roots of the four elements: metal, wood, water, and earth.

You've cultivated diligently in my sect for three years, yet you are only at Qi Refining Level 3.

The primal essence you condensed is the lowest grade 'Dust Seal', and I fear you will never reach Foundation Establishment in this lifetime."

Dust Seal.

It was an imprint that mortals in mortal kingdoms could condense after cultivating a fragmented copy of the Primal Dao Canon that had been altered countless times.

It was the lowest imprint on the path of cultivation, a symbol of mediocrity and despair.

And she, an outer disciple, couldn't even enter the inner sect. She usually just did odd jobs for the sect.

Tasks like chopping wood and carrying water were all handled by outer disciples like them.

In exchange for these labors, they received the outer sect cultivation method of Qing Xu Temple.

That was also a cultivation method derived by the Qing Xu Temple Sect Master from a fragmented copy of the Primal Dao Canon bestowed by the upper sect.

It was only the first version, so it was used for recruiting outer disciples, but no one knew which version of the cultivation method the inner disciples practiced.

The Qing Xu Temple Sect Master spoke again, "But now, you have an opportunity."

Here it comes!

Su Ling'er held her breath.

Although her understanding of Demonic Dao evil cultivators was limited to storybooks, the Sect Master was still entrusting this important task to her!

"An opportunity to soar to the heavens,"

The Sect Master continued, "Infiltrate Gui Xi Sect and become their disciple.

No matter what method you use, investigate the truth of their cultivation methods, find evidence that they are evil cultivators, and tell me everything you know."

"Once this is accomplished, not only will I break precedent and accept you as a personal disciple, but I will also personally refine your meridians and rebuild your roots!

Even, I can shamelessly beg the upper sect on your behalf."

That way, there's still a solution for your spiritual roots.

I know you've always wanted Blood Condensing Grass.

Now you have a chance. After this is done, not only Blood Condensing Grass, but also Blood Condensing Pills and Dragon Tiger Pills, I can refine them for you personally.

Even the incomplete copy of the Primal Dao Canon bestowed upon our Qing Xu Temple by the Upper Sect can be yours to study. Furthermore, I can assist you in comprehending it, thereby deriving cultivation techniques suitable for your practice.

In the future, let alone the False Core realm, but Foundation Establishment will surely be within your grasp!"

Afterward, the Sect Master of Qing Xu Temple took out a bronze bell-like insect蛊 from his embrace.

"This flying insect within the gu, remember to keep it safe."

If you cannot send a message back to the sect using the communication jade slip while within the Mo Sect, you can also use this insect, the Gu, to transmit messages.

Remember.

Once this flying insect is fed with vital blood, it can only survive for a maximum of fourteen hours.

Although the number of these insects should be enough for you to use.

But remember, once fed, you must send the flying insect out of the Mo Sect and return the message to Qing Xu Temple within fourteen hours.

I have high hopes for you, so you must be extremely careful."

Su Ling'er carefully accepted the insect蛊.

She recalled the Sect Master's recent furrowed brows and the rumors about the Upper Sect, the Heavenly Furnace Sect, coming to collect the "tithe" again.

Perhaps it was because the quota of spirit stones for this year's tribute was insufficient?

Or perhaps they wanted to use the intelligence on the evil sect to gain a moment of respite from the Upper Sect?

Or perhaps they wanted to uncover the secrets of the evil sect's cultivation techniques to achieve rapid advancement?

She didn't know, nor did she want to know too clearly.

Knowing too much might not be beneficial for her.

And this might be her only chance to climb upwards in this life.

It was her only chance to continue pursuing the immortal path and achieve Foundation Establishment or even higher realms.

She had to do it, even if it meant a near-certain death!

Afterward, she cupped her fists and said, "Thank you, Sect Master. This disciple is willing to go!"

After the Sect Master carefully gave some more instructions, Su Ling'er got up and left.

However, as she walked out of the room, another outer disciple, just like her, was called into the room.

She didn't know what they were going to do.

All she wanted was to quickly complete the mission and continue pursuing the immortal path she sought.

The memory suddenly faded, and the terrifying mountain gate before her became clear again.

Su Ling'er took a deep breath, suppressing all the turmoil in her heart.

She was doing this to uphold the righteous path!

And also for herself to achieve Foundation Establishment and advance further on the immortal path!

She no longer hesitated, flashed out from behind the rock, and walked towards the terrifying mountain gate.

The closer she got, the heavier the oppressive feeling of all things dying became.

Finally, she stepped through the mountain gate.

Suddenly!

The surrounding scene changed drastically!

With just one step, it felt as if she had entered another world.

A rich life aura washed over her, the fragrance so strong it made her step back, almost coughing.

What happened?

The place inside the gate was not the sinister demonic cave she had imagined.

Compared to the outside, it was practically a paradise!

The ground was covered like a green carpet, dew still clinging to the tips of the leaves, and the flowers at the entrance suffused the air with a hint of warmth.

How was this possible?

The mountains outside were almost dead, not a single hair to be found, yet just one step inside the gate, and it was such a world of difference!

Compared to the outside, the inside could indeed be called a paradise.

Su Ling'er's mind went blank, and a thought popped up.

Could I have fallen under some illusion, entered some illusory realm?

It's possible!

She hissed and, as if guided by a ghost, took another step back.

The immortal realm before her vanished, and the surroundings once again returned to their dilapidated state.

Su Ling'er froze. She blinked, then cautiously extended a foot into the area again.

The moment her foot stepped in, it felt as if vitality enveloped her foot once more. However, her other foot and her entire body remained in the ruined world outside.

This sense of division, half immortal realm and half dead land, made her feel dizzy.

Then she began to do something very strange.

She first extended her left foot, stepped in, and then retracted it;

Right foot in, right foot out;

Left foot in, right foot in, left foot out, right foot out...

She seemed mesmerized by the threshold, going back and forth, in and out.

After all, this was a sight she had never even seen at Qing Xu Temple.

The scene before her also continuously switched between the immortal realm and the dead land with her movements.

What kind of terrifying formation was this?

Could it be the legendary Sumeru Mustard Seed technique?

No.

Su Ling'er stopped her foolish actions and stood still before the threshold.

A thought that sent a chill down her spine surfaced in her mind.

This must be some kind of evil cultivation method!

This is an evil great formation that draws the life force from the outside!

Gui Xi Sect used some evil technique I've never seen before, plundering all the life force from the mountain peak outside their sect gate and then nurturing it within their own sect!

They turned the outside world into a barren wasteland, solely to irrigate their own immortal courtyard!

So that's how it is!

What an evil and malicious act this is!

As expected, storybooks never lie to me!

Vile demons and heretics, everyone should strike them down!

Just as she was profoundly shaken by her discovery, a voice came from ahead.

"You've arrived?"

Su Ling'er's body stiffened. She abruptly looked up and saw a tall, straight young man in black robes smiling as he walked towards her. It was Lin Qingfeng.

Looking at this new junior sister, he was already overjoyed.

Our sect has finally welcomed its first native NPC!!!