Dimness lay before the hall. Sunlight passed over ridge after ridge, unable to reach into this deep valley.
The aura of Foundation Establishment spread out. Many disciples at the Fetal Breath realm turned deathly pale, but they held their formation without panicking.
Xu Xuan looked at Liang Yong and gave him a few instructions, sending the guardian to watch over the disciples first.
He stepped forward slowly, sensing the cultivation of the person inside the hall. It was exceptionally deep and powerful, with a savage, primeval air. The man was probably at the Foundation Establishment middle stage or higher, not some rogue cultivator trained in makeshift methods.
The towering black iron doors collapsed, crashing to the ground and throwing up dust.
A rough-featured barbarian emerged, tattoos covering his face and beast hides and bird feathers adorning his body. He looked middle-aged and powerfully built. His eyes gleamed fiercely as he swept his gaze over them like a tiger or leopard.
Xu Xuan remained still. Their eyes met in the air, an unspoken confrontation taking shape.
"Have you come from the Wilderness of Witches?"
Xu Xuan's expression remained impassive. He did not know who this man was or why he had been waiting in the valley.
A playful look crossed the barbarian's face. He stepped forward, and the vegetation beside him withered. Putrid water overflowed, corroding pits into the earth and stones as wisps of blue smoke rose.
Water virtue?
Xu Xuan wondered inwardly. He had never heard of such an Immortal Foundation manifestation. The barbarian gave a derisive laugh and said:
"You're the head of that Great Red Abbey?"
"East Secret Mountain already belongs to me, Xiong Youqi. Xie Shu offered me this entire territory. Since your disciples helped me clear out the monsters, I won't hold your trespass against