The result left everyone stunned, and even Fang Zhuo's perpetually indifferent expression shifted dramatically.
Less than ten breaths after he had completed his formation, that stretch of void distorted once more before reverting to its original state. Gong Yue's figure emerged from within, clutching several formation flags in his hand — clearly the very ones Fang Zhuo had previously hurled into the void.
He had taken a mere ten breaths to unravel Fang Zhuo's formation. The depth of his mastery in the art of formations was plain for all to see.
Gong Yue stood within the void with a pleasant smile, exuding an air of unfathomable mystery. "A Small Heaven and Earth Inversion Formation. This friend's technique in laying it out was perfectly fine, but these formation flags are a touch crude in their refinement, unable to draw out the formation's full power. With further polishing, its strength could be significantly enhanced."
As he spoke, he tossed the formation flags back toward Fang Zhuo.
Fang Zhuo caught them, lowered his head in earnest thought for a moment, then clasped his fists solemnly to thank Gong Yue for his guidance.
Yang Tai roared with laughter. "Brother Gong's mastery of formations is truly extraordinary — a real eye-opener. Having Brother Gong join us on this venture is our good fortune." He turned his head and looked at Yang Kai. "Young Brother Yang Jiu, do you have any further questions? If so, ask them now."
Yang Kai shook his head. "No."
Yang Tai said, "In that case, I trust no one has any objections to Brother Gong accompanying us?"
After what had just transpired, naturally no one had any objections. With someone of Gong Yue's caliber lending his aid, everyone was delighted. It was only Yang Kai's pointed questions that had forced them to verify his identity. Now that Gong Yue's reputation as a formation grandmaster had been thoroughly confirmed, and with the golden nameplate of the Gong Family of Tianhe Valley backing him, everyone felt completely at ease. Not a soul harbored any further suspicion.
Wu Kuangyi even shot Yang Kai a venomous glare, apparently feeling he had made a mountain out of a molehill and dragged everyone else into a faulty judgment.
Yang Kai's tardiness had already left a bad impression, and now it was worse. Had there not been an prior agreement, he likely would have cast Yang Kai out on the spot.
With no dissent from anyone, the matter was settled. Yang Tai, having been the one to recruit such a powerful ally as Gong Yue, seemed to have elevated himself into the de facto leader of the small group, enthusiastically urging everyone onward.
The Southern Marsh was vast, and the gathering point the group had agreed upon was far from the location of the ancient cave abode — roughly three to four days' journey away.
Seven Emperor Realm cultivators set off together, their auras spreading wide as they flew. No daring beast dared show its head. Gong Yue and Yang Tai led the way up front, engaged in animated conversation, their camaraderie evident as they periodically burst into hearty laughter.
The woman called Shen Bingru walked in the middle alongside Wu Kuangyi and Fang Zhuo, while Yang Kai and Hua Yulu brought up the rear, subtly excluded by the others. This inevitably left Hua Yulu feeling anxious.
Within the group, apart from the chattering leaders Yang Tai and Gong Yue, everyone else remained silent.
Yang Kai had his mind split in two. One part followed the group's pace while the other digested the fruits of his tribulations within the Thousand Illusion Dream Butterfly's secret realm. Every experience within that dream realm was an invaluable treasure, a stepping stone on the path of growth — especially the knowledge inheritance he had received from Qing and everything he had witnessed within the Witch God Temple.
Hua Yulu tried several times to strike up a conversation with Yang Kai, but seeing him project an air of aloof detachment, she didn't have the heart to intrude. After all, she and Yang Kai were barely acquainted — they had met only a handful of times and had no real relationship to speak of.
Among the seven present, she alone was the most nervous about this treasure hunt. The others had paired off in their own way, but Yang Kai showed no regard for her whatsoever. If they actually found something of value and a conflict arose, she had no idea how much Yang Kai would be willing to help her.
She was even beginning to regret coming along. She would have sooner forfeited this opportunity than taken the risk.
Time slipped by amid her anxious vacillation.
The seven Emperor Realm cultivators penetrated deep into the Southern Marsh's poisonous mist. A full four days passed before Yang Tai, at the lead, suddenly came to a halt. Wu Kuangyi's expression sharpened, anticipation flashing across his face.
"Are we there?" Gong Yue asked curiously. He glanced around but couldn't spot anything remarkable.
Yang Kai likewise pulled himself from his thoughts and observed his surroundings. Like Gong Yue, he saw nothing unusual — though the massive expanse of poisonous mist ahead did catch his attention.
The Southern Marsh was filled with toxic barriers everywhere. Over the past several days, the group had effectively been traveling through poisonous mist the entire time. But their cultivation was not insignificant, and they possessed considerable resistance to toxins, so it had caused them no real trouble.
However, the wall of mist ahead was clearly different. Yang Kai actually sensed threads of danger emanating from within — a feeling that charging in would bring real peril of death.
He was about to release his spiritual sense to probe it when Hua Yulu hurried over and whispered in his ear, "Be careful. That poisonous mist is extremely potent."
A fragrant scent suddenly enveloped Yang Kai, and his nose tingled faintly. He gave a slight nod. Hua Yulu, meanwhile, suddenly realized how close she had gotten, blushed deeply, and stepped back two paces.
Yang Tai spoke up at just the right moment. "We've arrived. The ancient cave abode is hidden within this stretch of poisonous mist. But this mist is so potent that even we Emperor Realm cultivators cannot withstand it, so no one should act rashly."