Entering the Formation

Ouyang Li was annoyed. He didn't want to expose his strength this early, and he was displeased that the Fire Mountain Sect sent their Inner Court disciples here. After all, it was their strength that forced his hand!

Seriously, wasn't it a bit of an overkill to send two powerful cultivators to investigate one mortal village?

"I suppose they are being too cautious." He shook his head. "Evidently, their Nascent Soul patriarch is exactly as the rumors pertaining him to be, namely a coward. No wonder that their whole sect always acts overly prudent." He muttered.

Still, Ouyang Li approved of such behavior. He understood the dangers of the cultivation world well. Even if a Heavenly Lord is wary of everything, what right does he have to act arrogantly in this continent?

Still, he was in the secular world now. He could let loose for a few weeks, and he didn't mind provoking these Inner Court disciples. He had his own backing, after all.

That's right!

He didn't have to fear the Fire Mountain Sect. Although they were famous for their artifact crafting masters, when it came to the number of Heavenly Lords, it was said that his Gentle Wind Valley had more!

"Well, this girl named Ying Yue and the boy Tan An are quite powerful. From what they said, there is more than meets the eye to this mission. Could it be that they are trying to deceive me?" He wondered.

The two immortal cultivators walking in front of him clearly heard his murmurings, and they were boiling with anger. However, they forced themselves to maintain their silence. They didn't dare to voice their dissatisfaction at all. After all, they were still at his mercy.

Ouyang Li found out that their sect Elders purposefully increased the reward for this mission. Apparently, it was because they had some records describing events similar to these. They happened during the Great War thousands of years ago, and they lost many disciples back then.

It was no wonder the Fire Mountain Sect determined that it was way too dangerous for their Outer Sect disciples to take this mission.

"So, what exactly indicates that this… spirit or something is different from other ghosts?" He asked.

"It's the demonic technique that it uses to strengthen itself, senior."

The boy answered.

"Usually, ghosts are not interested in abducting mortals. They would choose a yin-attributed place and stay there. However, this one settled in the woods located near a yang-attributed spirit ore. It is most definitely a remnant of some diabolic cultivator."

Ouyang Li flinched. As expected, there was something wrong with this mission. He quietly reminded himself to never choose any assignments that offered relatively high-end rewards.

"Perhaps there was some truth in the words of the Sage Pavilion Elder? A gardening task might really suit me better than all this wandering."

Although he said those words under his breath, the senses of cultivators are not to be underestimated. Disciples of the Fire Mountain Sect looked at each other bewildered. Obviously, they heard him loud and clear. As a result, they continued to wonder… Could it be that there is some problem with this guy? Why does he seem to be so contradictory?

Soon, they arrived at the crossroads between three mortal villages. As they were told by the chief, it was the point of no return. During the last few months, merchants who set foot on these roads never returned.

That's why no one was willing to stay here. Even the nearby farm owners decided to leave their fields and hide in the villages.

"Have you all noticed? There is something strange here. I can feel it in the air." It was the girl who voiced out her thoughts. "It's too quiet here too. It looks like even the animals are gone!

"That's right." Ouyang Li felt the same. "It's as if the minuscule amount of Qi was moving here very chaotically…" He looked at the nearby stones. "It's very subtle, though. I suppose we can only feel if because there is too little energy present in this forest. It's a mortal country, after all."

"I believe it might be a formation." The boy's hesitant voice sounded. "I'm not good at setting them up, but I can recognize a few. This one, however… I guess it seems to be luring all living beings to enter the grove." He pointed towards the nearest patch of trees.

One could clearly see a long line of insects moving quickly towards the stones.

"Could it be that the merchants weren't killed by a ghost, after all? It might be the work of the array! Perhaps, they are alive but stuck in the formation." She looked at the near grove."

"Don't be naïve!" Ouyang Li ruthlessly smashed her fantasies. "It isn't natural. The array didn't appear all by itself. Someone must be controlling it. In fact, we are probably already being watched from the shadows."

"That's right, senior sister." Echoed the boy. "Besides, arranging such a huge array is not cheap either. We would never be able to afford it. Even the Elders might find it troublesome to set up."

He then looked at Ouyang Li with fear in his eyes.

"Senior… what shall we do now? There might be an expert hidden within. Do we still enter?"

"There is no other choice. Anyways, it's too late to leave. Besides, I don't want to lose my reward, do you? Don't worry, though. I won't let you go in alone. We'll enter together.

The girl relaxed. Although she was too proud to admit that, she felt relieved. Intense emotions and struggle were clearly visible on her face. Obviously, that she was still inexperienced.

They slowly walked forward.

Nearing the grove, they soon noticed some discrepancies. The nearby trees were different from the typical woods of the mortal world.

However, it was very hard to put a finger on what was wrong. It was a feeling and it was vague.

"This feeling is probably caused by the holistic arrangement of the terrain!"

Ouyang Li had once again hidden his cultivation base. It only showed the 5th stage of the Qi Gathering Realm now. Although he felt some strings pulling him closer to the grove, he was still able to resist them. However, Fire Mountain disciples were soon hypnotized.

Ouyang Li tried to mimic facial expressions of the two cultivators treading before him. He could only hope that his acting was convincing enough to whoever set up this trap.

Soon, the scenery around them changed.

It was as if they entered into a completely different world. One that was overflowing with an aura of peace and tranquility. Ouyang Li felt incredibly comfortable. A simple action of breathing in the air made his whole body relax.

It was as if he's just eaten a whole root of ashwagandha and finished the meal by drinking up a pot of melissa tea.

If it wasn't for the Mysterious Beat, it would be extremely difficult for him to fight against these feelings. His treasure hidden deep within his soul pulsated, and its cold weaves helped him regain some rationality.

Suddenly, they heard mournful music from up ahead. Ouyang Li stepped forward. He passed by his hypnotized companions. Soon, they all entered a small meadow.

It looked too idyllic to be true. The sun was shining brightly. There was also a warm breeze moving the buds of blossoming flowers. Green treetops cast long shadows on the grass, and dancing bees were seen busily moving around. The fragrance of the air was simply mesmerizing!

"What a powerful formation!" Ouyang Li marveled. "Not only did it lure us in, but it also had us covered by such a realistic illusion!"

Ouyang Li was scared out of his wits. "Where the heck did we end up at? Who is powerful enough to set up such a place in almost completely barren mortal kingdom?"

As if to answer his questions, bright sun rays appeared. They sprinkled on the meadow. The light then gathered in its center and started to condense into something physical. It was as if an immortal descended from beyond the heavens!

After a moment, it formed a humanoid shape.

It turned out to be an old man. With each passing second, his ethereal body was becoming less and less translucent. However, he looked sacred. He was actually glowing, emanating terrifying but also entrancing force. He seemed powerful and majestic.

"Finally, some immortal cultivators!" His melodic voice sounded in their minds. "Now, I can rest assured that my legacy will not be lost to the rives of time! What a fateful encounter!"

He looked at them, and a frown appeared between his eyebrows. It caused the whole scenery to suddenly turn cold. It only transformed for a second, though. Soon, everything returned to normal.

"Unfortunately, your aptitudes are not up to standard." He sighed. "Even the highest is only a mid-grade Spiritual Root. What a waste!"

He raised his hand, and a terrible wind arose. He could dispose of them at any time now. Ouyang Li subconsciously felt that it would only take a second.

However, the man hesitated, seemingly stunned.

"You, come here!" He waved his hand, and Ouyang Li's body suddenly moved. He appeared right in front of this monster.

That's right, this expert was a monster! His eyes were cold, and his face remained expressionless. It was clear that there was no humanity left in this man.

"What a fascinating phenomenon! The Qi seems to naturally enter your body, boy. And... it's happening even though you're in a space where everything is controlled by me. Oh, yes. You are worthy, boy. You must have some rare body constitution, and it will serve me well!"

Ouyang Li wanted to curse. What the heck? This bead! How dare it raise his cultivation level in such a dangerous environment! Why did it keep on attracting spiritual energy here? What a ridiculous thing!

Sadly, he wasn't exactly in control of his treasure. Besides, right now, he wasn't even able to move his body. He could only watch as the old man transformed. In his place, a heavily injured Nascent Soul appeared.

To Ouyang Li's horror, disciples of the Fire Mountain Sect didn't even notice anything wrong. They didn't even realize the danger!

Even though the surrounding illusion shattered, he was the only one who could see it. And he was presented with a terrifying scene!