Zhou Yan put away his folding fan, dusted off his hands, and once again wore that harmless smile.
"Oh dear, look at the mess this turned into."
"Actually."
Zhou Yan continued, his tone exceptionally sincere, "We really aren't bad people."
Black Mountain nodded beside him. "This humble scholar and his companions are most reasonable."
"Exactly!"
As Zhou Yan spoke, he pulled a stack of yellow talismans from his sleeve, held them between his fingers, and waved them in the air.
"We cultivators of the Eastern Region have always delighted in doing good and giving generously."
"Today, we'll perform a ritual for you all free of charge, to dispel your bad luck and clear your minds."
He turned to Xie Changsheng. "Old Xie, lend a hand?"
Xie Changsheng nodded, walked over, and stood shoulder to shoulder with Zhou Yan.
Both raised their hands at the same time and formed a simple hand seal.
"Mind-Clearing Formation, arise."
The instant their voices fell, pale blue-green lines spread across the ground with the two of them at the center.
The formation swept over every bound cultivator.
Those from the Western Region, the Northern Frontier, and Great Yin.
Hui Chen's eyes widened. He wanted to say something, but his eyelids grew heavier and heavier.
Xiao Lin clenched his teeth, trying to resist, but his consciousness still blurred.
One after another.
Thud. Thud.
The cultivators who had been glaring furiously and grinding their teeth just moments ago were now all lying down.
Their breathing was steady, their expressions relaxed.
They had fallen asleep.
And were sleeping quite soundly.
A few had even started snoring.
Black Mountain scratched his head as he looked at the "sleeping beauties" covering the ground.
"That's... it?"
"What else?"
Zhou Yan put away the yellow talismans and clapped his hands. "Were we