Qi Yelan’s delicate face turned pale as she gasped for breath, clutching her chest. The spear had struck like a flash of lightning just moments ago, and if not for Zhang Yan rescuing her in time, she would have been pierced through.
Seeing her escape danger, Mu Hongchen, who had been prepared to act, halted his step and silently exhaled in relief, offering Zhang Yan a grateful glance.
Qi Yelan had long been cultivating within the sect and was one of the most outstanding disciples of her generation—one of the mere three who had reached the Xuan Guang Realm. Inevitably, she carried some arrogance in her heart. Seeing that Zhang Yan was also merely in the Xuan Guang Realm, she had always assumed their abilities were not far apart. Thus, her prior words showed little reverence toward him. How could she have known that while their cultivation levels were the same, comparing her mystical skill to that of a disciple from a Great Sect was akin to comparing heaven and earth—an insurmountable divide.
Mu Hongchen noticed that she still bore an unsettled expression of lingering fear and could not help but shake his head. Approaching Zhang Yan, he performed a formal gesture of respect and said, "Hongchen offers thanks on behalf of Junior Sister Qi for Daoist Zhang’s assistance."
Zhang Yan smiled faintly and replied, "Fellow Daoist, there’s no need for formalities. It was merely a trivial effort." He stepped forward, his gaze falling upon the set of armor beneath his feet, and commented, "This Devil is clad in armor; such an item could not have originated from the Nether River."
Mu Hongchen also moved beside him, a contemplative expression appearing on his face as he said, "The late elder once remarked that this Demon Storage had drifted beneath the Nether River for untold ages. As a result, its prohibitions collapsed and openings formed, causing its secret volume to scatter and eventually fall into our sect’s possession. This Devil’s armor might very well have come from that Demon Storage."
Zhang Yan’s eyes narrowed as he remarked, "That explanation does make sense. However, I fear this Devil is not alone. Allow me to blaze a trail ahead while Fellow Daoist Mu exercises caution."
Understanding that this was no time for polite courtesies, Mu Hongchen quickly replied, "Then I shall trouble Daoist Zhang."
Noticing that Zhang Yan appeared indifferent toward both the armor and the divine weapon, she hesitated briefly before extending her hand to retrieve the two items. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel·fıre·net
Zhang Yan observed that earlier, her reliance on the Heart Protecting Lamp had slowed her response in combat. After a moment’s thought, he waved his sleeve, releasing three talismans that hovered in the air. He said, "If any of the fellow Daoists inadvertently fall outside the lamp’s illumination, these talismans can provide a brief safeguard."
Mu Hongchen raised her hand to accept the talismans. Upon grasping them, she felt as if holding a warm furnace, its heat dispelling the chill throughout her body. Startled, she mused, "This Daoist Zhang actually understands talismanic techniques? Rumor has it that if mastered authentically, this practice can directly lead to the Great Dao."
A wave of envy stirred within her heart. Within the Chenxiang Sect, there were seven or eight cultivation techniques, but only her Chenxiang Xuan Technique could reach the Hua Dan Realm. However, when compared to the Mysterious Skills of the Great Sects, they were naturally overshadowed.
The path ahead had already been clearly scouted by Zhi Ma. Zhang Yan summoned his sword light and relied on the guidance from his inner perception, directly rushing towards the entrance to the Sixth Layer without bothering to discern the route.
Mu Hongchen hurriedly followed him, maintaining a slight offset in position. Holding her Heart Protecting Lamp aloft, it radiated a gentle glow that illuminated the road ahead.
For this stretch of the journey, they faced no additional obstacles, yet she kept her guard up, tense and unwilling to relax for even a moment.
The underground ravine seemed bottomless. After flying for an entire day, Mu Hongchen’s condition remained steady, but behind her, Qi Yelan and Hu Jue appeared fatigued, their sword lights dimming—evidently running out of stamina.
Suddenly, Zhang Yan’s voice rang out, resonating with vigor, "Up ahead is the Sixth Layer’s Netherworld Qi. Fellow Daoists, proceed with caution."
Mu Hongchen, hearing this, promptly reawakened her focus and raised her Heart Protecting Lamp higher. Despite her preparations, as soon as they ventured just a few dozen feet, an oppressive force surged from all directions. The lamp’s flame wavered suddenly, as if on the brink of extinguishing. Its former area of illumination shrank inward drastically, compelling her to halt in her tracks with a jolt of terror. Only then did she grasp the dire menace of the Sixth Layer’s "Hooking Injury Resentment," far surpassing the Netherworld Qi in severity.
Qi Yelan, who had been barely trailing at the rear, lost the protection of the Heart Protecting Lamp in an instant. She let out a sharp cry of alarm. At that moment, the talisman on her person ignited spontaneously with a sizzle, pushing back the encroaching Netherworld Qi slightly. Seizing this opportunity, she anxiously rushed forward a few steps and re-entered the lamp’s illuminated zone, finally settling her panicked heart.
Once her emotions calmed, she saw that Zhang Yan had stopped and was looking back. She quickly performed a distant gesture of respect but dared not meet his gaze directly. Lowering her head, she stammered, "I am greatly indebted to Brother Zhang’s talisman; otherwise..."
Zhang Yan cast her a glance and smiled faintly. "It was but a minor matter, Junior Sister Qi; no need for excessive courtesy."
Qi Yelan, realizing the talisman did indeed offer protection, initially intended to request another from him. However, noticing Zhang Yan’s detached demeanor towards her, an inexplicable surge of irritation arose within her. She thought to herself, "You merely entered a Great Sect, which enabled you to learn these superior skills. Once I’ve studied the secret volumes from the Demon Storage, I may not necessarily be weaker than you."