Chapter 77: Come with Me

The little flag’s surface trembled violently, and in the next instant, a dazzling beam of golden light shot out, striking the horrified Yang Xiong with pinpoint accuracy!

“No—!”

Yang Xiong had only enough time for a short, desperate scream before his entire body, like a rag sack struck by a giant hammer, was swept up by the golden light.

In a blur of motion, with a sharp “whoosh,” he disappeared completely from the cave in the Secret Realm.

He was forcibly ejected.

“Huh? I’m not dead?”

Yang Xiong patted himself down, finding nothing missing.

But when he looked up, he saw several Shenxiao Sect disciples in black robes pointing their swords at him.

“Damn!”

“Haha. This kid’s in trouble now. Zongzhu Yun, what do you plan to do with him?”

Luo Yan glanced at Yun Yan.

“Take him away, interrogate him thoroughly. See if he has accomplices. Those who offend Shenxiao, no matter how far, must be punished!”

Yun Yan’s words didn’t quite sound like his usual lines, but before his disciples, he occasionally put on a bit of authority.

Hearing this, Yang Xiong instantly understood the situation and knew he was done for!

He suddenly reached quickly into the inner pocket of his robes!

He clutched a clearly extraordinary yellow talisman tightly in his hand.

“Oh no! That’s a Qianli Teleportation Talisman!”

No one knew whether it was a sharp-eyed disciple or a spectator who shouted in alarm the moment the talisman appeared.

Just as a few disciples moved to stop him, Yang Xiong gave a mocking laugh: “Too late!”

As he spoke, his figure began to vanish rapidly.

Just when everyone thought he was about to escape—

Bang!

With a muffled thud, Yang Xiong’s disappearing figure was suddenly slammed back into place, as if by an invisible giant hand!

The flagstone ground beneath him instantly exploded, spiderweb cracks spreading outward, debris shooting everywhere, leaving behind a deep, sharply defined palm print!

Yang Xiong slumped in the center of the pit like a rag, vomiting a huge mouthful of blood, face as white as paper, his bones shattered who knew how many times—he was already gravely injured and unconscious.

“Heh.”

On the high platform, Yun Xing was already standing, raising his right hand, a faint smile still lingering on his face.

Luo Yan was taken aback, glancing at the unconscious Yang Xiong in the pit, then at Yun Xing, his eyes full of shock and suspicion.

This Yun Xing! Incredible! To be able to slap someone back out of spatial teleportation, his cultivation was truly unfathomable!

Even the always-languid Female Emperor Xiyue, who lounged on her couch, couldn’t help but raise her brows slightly, her gaze pausing on Yun Xing for a moment.

But Yun Xing merely lowered his hand, smiled calmly, and stroked his beard.

“Why are you all looking at me? That boy just had a third-rate Invisibility Talisman in his hand. He never actually left this spot. I simply broke his illusion and used a little force to make him ‘show himself,’ that’s all.”

Luo Yan immediately burst out laughing, slapping his thigh as if suddenly enlightened.

“Ohhh! So that’s it! No wonder! I thought so.”

He slapped his leg, acting utterly convinced.

But in his heart, he was muttering: Like hell I believe you! Even if it was just an Invisibility Talisman, it couldn’t have fooled the divine sense of those present. Yang Xiong had clearly vanished just now.

He was forcibly dragged back from teleportation! This old man hides himself well!

At this time, Yang Xiong lying in the pit had already been carried away.

A moment ago, because of Little White’s Lion’s Roar, many had already awakened from the Illusion Realm.

The little flag flashed golden once, and in the blink of an eye, everyone returned to the Central Arena.

Wang Hao jerked upright with a start, his eyes wide, shouting without thinking.
“Mom, I’ll never dare again!”

After yelling, he finally saw his surroundings, his face flushing red as he glanced around awkwardly.

Sure enough, nothing scares a child like their own mother.

Hu Qiao’er frowned slightly, slowly opening her eyes.

The scenes from the Illusion Realm still made her uneasy, but the moment her consciousness returned, she immediately pushed herself up, anxiously searching the crowd of people lying scattered all around.

Very quickly, she spotted a familiar figure lying not far away.
“A’Che!”

She called softly, almost pouncing over, carefully lifting Jiang Che’s head and cradling it in her arms.

“A’Che, wake up.”

The person in her arms seemed stirred by that familiar voice. His tightly pressed lips finally moved ever so slightly, letting out an almost inaudible murmur.

Feeling Jiang Che’s faint response, Hu Qiao’er’s heart eased a little, only to tighten again in worry.

It was then that she noticed something strange about Jiang Che: “A’Che, are you alright? Why are you sweating so much?”

Distressed, she kept wiping the cold sweat streaming from the boy’s icy forehead and temples with her sleeve, sweat so much it nearly soaked his hair.

However, Jiang Che only pressed his lips even tighter, his body tensing up in her arms, as if caught in an invisible nightmare, unable to utter a single word.

“A’Che, just now I saw a little golden figure tell me I could cultivate Dan Dao and Sword Dao, but I still want to join Lingjian Peak. What do you think?”

There was a hint of excitement in Hu Qiao’er’s tone.

Jiang Che just sat up, ignoring Hu Qiao’er.

Noticing his mood, Hu Qiao’er’s heart tightened, feeling like Jiang Che had misunderstood something.

She was just about to explain when she was interrupted by Yun Yan’s voice from the high platform.

On the high platform, Yun Yan faced the sea of young faces below—some excited, some confused, some dejected—and said in a clear voice:

“Everyone, I am Yun Yan, Zongzhu of Shenxiao Sect. Congratulations on making it through the tempering of the Illusion Realm. This Secret Realm was not only a trial, but also a rare opportunity for self-reflection.”

I believe all of you have seen some shortcomings in your own character, and have also sensed the direction most suitable for your path forward.

He paused, his tone remaining gentle: “Of course, there are some who did not sense the Inheritance Guidance. This does not mean you are denied, nor that you are lacking. It simply means that, for now, your path may not be within Shenxiao Sect’s boundaries.”

The world is vast, opportunities are countless. As you venture outside, you may find a path that suits you even better, and achieve things beyond imagination.

Hearing this, Jiang Che knew the Zongzhu was up to his old tricks again, but there was always some truth in his words.

“Alright. Those who did not receive guidance from the Secret Realm may leave. The rest will be assigned lodgings and interviewed one by one to determine if you’ll join Shenxiao Sect.”

As soon as Yun Yan finished, his figure blurred like a phantom, suddenly appearing in the center of the arena and heading straight for Jiang Che.

His withered hand gently rested on Jiang Che’s slightly thin shoulder.

“You, come with me.”

Hu Qiao’er’s heart jumped, and she immediately took a step forward: “Zongzhu, where are you taking him?” Her voice was full of worry.

Yun Yan turned, smiling kindly at Hu Qiao’er.

“Hu Qiao’er, right? I like polite girls. You’re all tired today. Go rest first. I’ll just have a little talk with this boy, and return him to you soon.”

Before his words had finished, the hand on Jiang Che’s shoulder flashed with light, and both their figures vanished from sight as if they’d never been there.

At the same time, the other figures on the high platform turned into streams of light and departed.

Only Luo Yan remained, grinning and rubbing his hands, ready to scout out some promising new disciples.