The three Golden Core cultivators sat cross-legged in the air, keeping the secret realm open.
The Foundation Establishment cultivators either meditated on deck or returned to their rooms to cultivate in seclusion.
"So it was him!"
A middle-aged man in black robes stood aboard Great Jin's warship, his expression dark as stagnant water as he watched Xu Chuan enter the cabin.
He was the demonic cultivator at the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment whom Xu Chuan had encountered in the Azure Sea Forest.
His name was Ding Chunshan, and he came from the Ding Household, a first-rank aristocratic clan of Great Jin.
"I know all the first- and second-rank aristocratic clans of Great Wei. He must come from a third-rank aristocratic clan. Looks like I'll have to ask around.
I must repay that grudge from last time!"
Inside the Wuhua Secret Realm.
The spiritual energy rushing toward her was so thick it was visible to the naked eye.
Xu Mingshu looked around at the black-tinged miasma, immediately patted her Storage Pouch, and took out a Hundred-Grass Pill to swallow.
It was a second-tier Detoxification Pill.
"What rotten luck. I ended up in the Black Marsh, the place with the worst conditions."
Xu Mingshu surveyed her surroundings again. Much of the ground was muddy, and bubbles occasionally rose from the bottomless pools of mire.
Suddenly, a streak of demonic flame shot toward her from the left.
Xu Mingshu hurtled backward, taking out the Black Baleful Flag to protect herself.
"A top-tier magical artifact! Run!"
Behind a massive boulder several hundred yards to the left, two black-robed figures instantly fled into the distance.
Xu Mingshu smiled coldly, patted her Spirit Beast Pouch, and said, "Ah Ying, kill them!"
Screee!
An eagle's cry rang out.
A streak of purple-and-azure light burst from the