A startled cry came from deep within the cavern, and thoughts of shock and fear instantly filled the air.
But those thoughts soon faded.
Chen Cuo narrowed his eyes. A cold glint flashed in their depths.
Rumble!
As the stone stairway collapsed, the entire cavern shook violently again, as though it might cave in at any moment!
Chen Cuo stamped his foot. At that instant, the solid earth seemed to turn to water, rippling in waves.
The ripples raced outward and spread throughout the cavern in the blink of an eye.
At once, the entire cavern seemed to soften, losing its momentum toward collapse.
As the ripples swept over the cultivator disciples sprawled on the ground, their minds cleared and their strength returned. Some even slowly climbed to their feet.
Though Xiang Ran, Dianjuezi, and the others still looked battered, their strength had returned. They gazed with lingering dread into the fragment-strewn depths of the cavern, then turned eyes full of awe toward Chen Cuo.
"Changing void and reality, turning what lies outside oneself into one's own..." Xietongzi had barely suppressed the wicked thoughts within him. Seeing the changes around him, he understood what had happened and gave a self-mocking laugh. "Sure enough, no matter when it happens, merely seeing a True Person—or even hearing news of one—stirs the Desire Demon in my heart."
"Wicked thoughts invaded you because there was already a crack in your heart. Don't shift the blame." Chen Cuo looked at him. "These formless evil things can breed desire, but desire itself is no sin. Quite the opposite—it's indispensable. Isn't seeking Longevity a desire too?"
Xietongzi froze, then smiled bitterly. "This place is strange and secretive. If it can bewitch those who seek Longevity, it must hide a heaven-shaking secret. But when that path appeared in