As the light faded, Fang Yun found himself atop the raised platform. Red earth stretched into the distance, and strange poisonous gas filled the air. This was the place he had passed through before entering the Three Valleys Ancient Land.
Fang Yun immediately used his Literary Guts to block out the poisonous gas.
Twelve Great Scholars stood beneath the platform.
Thirty had entered. Now only one remained.
The instant they saw Fang Yun, some looked startled, some showed sorrow in their eyes, some sighed softly, and others remained expressionless, as though nothing could move them.
Even at the sight of the twelve Great Scholars, Fang Yun did not completely lower his guard.
The memories of the Three Valleys Canyon were too painful.
He Qionghai, a Great Scholar of the War Hall, stepped forward and asked, "What happened?"
Fang Yun was about to speak when another Great Scholar said, "Delay could invite trouble. Let us return to the Sacred Academy before discussing anything else."
He Qionghai nodded, then invited Fang Yun onto his Walking the Blue Clouds. The twelve sped toward the gate of the Confucius Literary World as fast as they could.
The twelve Great Scholars maintained their utmost vigilance. Five even lifted the lids of the book chests on their backs.
Each book chest seemed to contain a blazing sun. Vast power surged upward, suppressing everything in all directions.
He Qionghai said quietly, "We have five sets of Half-Sage Regalia. We can stand against a Half-Sage of the Demon Race!"
Fang Yun nodded and relaxed a little. These Great Scholars were all scripture bearers. Even if a Demon Sage came, they could hold out for a long time.
They entered Sage Kong's Literary World without incident, disappearing from that nameless celestial body.
On the platform leading to the Three