Inside the Ancient Temple.
Lingya, Ling Mei, and the others all had their eyes on Chen Cuo. Even Dugu Xin, who had been a pillar of Northern Zhou before his death, was no exception.
Over the past half day, they had tried every method they could think of, yet found no way out!
The temple seemed entirely cut off from everything else. No matter what they did, they could not escape!
After all that effort, they were still helpless. Their only hope of leaving rested with Chen Cuo.
With their fate in another's hands, the mood inevitably grew heavy.
He Ziying of the Sword Sect sighed. "I hope Lord Chen truly has a way to get us out. If even he can't, then never mind the distant future—we'll probably starve to death before long."
He spoke of an immediate threat, and everyone knew it.
They had all made progress in cultivation, but apart from Dugu Xin, a Ghost God, none could live without food. A few days would be fine, but given long enough, hunger and thirst would weaken them and lead them toward death.
"If that happens, it'll be a fine joke!"
Zhang Jingbei actually laughed. "A group of Dao Foundation cultivators trapped in a Secret Realm, every last one of them starving to death. Maybe they'll even start killing and eating each other to survive. If word gets out, then..."
"Pah, pah, pah!" Ling Mei was the first who could bear no more. "Can't you say anything good?"
The others said nothing, but most looked troubled.
Dugu Xin hesitated, then said, "If it's food you need, I have some. The Treasure Pagoda holds meat and vegetables as well, though as a Deity, I have little need for them and have never checked closely."
"So it really is a