(To get this chapter out, I stayed up all night writing for everyone. Even though I couldn't finish before midnight, I managed to knock out two chapters totaling six thousand words in one go. Show your support with some votes!)
Han Li suddenly thought of the young woman he had encountered in the forbidden ground and couldn't help glancing toward Spirit Beast Mountain. He spotted Han Yunzhi sitting obediently on the ground, her expression calm and peaceful, with nothing out of the ordinary. This put Han Li at ease.
As the passage's closure drew nearer, the expressions of the several Moonfall Sect cultivators grew increasingly grim.
The members of the other sects, though they put on outward shows of concern for the Moonfall Sect disciples, were secretly delighted inside. After all, the Moonfall Sect was the number one sect in the Yue Kingdom, and envy toward it was nothing new. The chance to weaken its strength just a little was something they naturally welcomed.
As if their thoughts had a perverse counter-effect, when only a quarter of an hour remained before the passage closed, a white figure suddenly flickered inside the passage, and a squad of over ten Moonfall Sect disciples walked out in orderly formation. Leading them was none other than Nangong Wan, her face radiant and lovely.
Seeing them emerge, old man Qiong merely let out a long sigh of relief. But Fairy Nishang couldn't help herself — she rushed forward, seized Nangong Wan's arm, and peppered her with questions full of concern, worry written plainly across her face.
This scene caught the eyes of the others, and the cultivators from the remaining sects exchanged looks of confusion!
This was hardly surprising. Although Nangong Wan had crossed paths with these Nascent Soul cultivators a few times before, she had always worn a veil over her face and never revealed her true appearance. So none of them had realized that this stunningly beautiful young woman was the very "Fairy Nangong" they had met on several occasions.
Seeing that she had made it out safely, Han Li felt genuinely relieved. After all, she was the first woman in his life to have shared an intimate union with him. Even though he knew there was no chance of such a bond again, he couldn't help but care.
However, Ancestor Li and the Daoist priest wore smiles that were somewhat forced. This was understandable — setting aside however many spirit herbs the Moonfall Sect had harvested, the mere fact that more of their disciples had walked out of the forbidden ground alive than both of their sects combined was enough to leave the two in deep frustration.
"Good, it seems all the disciples should be out by now. Those who haven't come out…" The leader of Spirit Beast Mountain's contingent cleared his throat and began to speak.
But before he could finish, someone came tumbling and scrambling out of the passage just as it was about to close. It turned out to be none other than old Xiang Zhili, the wily veteran from Yellow Maple Valley. The burly swordsman from the Giant Sword Gate and the young Daoist who had been working alongside him collecting herbs, however, were nowhere to be seen.
The moment the old man crawled out of the passage, a tremor rumbled from the direction of the forbidden ground. Then, with a flash of green light, the passage shattered apart and vanished without a trace.
At this point, anyone still inside the forbidden ground could only face certain death. No disciple who failed to exit in time had ever reappeared when the forbidden ground was opened again — they had all vanished for reasons unknown. This was precisely why none of them dared to delay.
Still, the fact that old Xiang Zhili, a mere tenth-level Yellow Maple Valley disciple, had managed to escape with his life at the very last moment genuinely surprised these masters. They couldn't help but cast several appraising glances his way.
"Brother Li, I didn't expect your valley to be so rich in talent! Not only did an eleventh-level cultivator walk out of the forbidden ground, but even a disciple with only ten levels of cultivation managed to save his life. Your sect truly has fine teachings — I'm impressed!" The cultivator from the Giant Sword Gate had watched as only two of his own disciples emerged, and the barefoot man he'd placed the most hope in had failed to return. Meanwhile, Yellow Maple Valley had gotten two of its low-level disciples out alive. Bitter resentment welled up inside him, and he delivered a barbed remark.
Ancestor Li's face darkened upon hearing this. He, too, believed that Han Li and Xiang Zhili were opportunists who had simply hidden away and done nothing. He shot the old fox a resentful glare, but still felt compelled to defend the two:
"These juniors have shallow cultivation. That they were able to preserve their lives is already their fortune. As for the methods they used, there's no need for us elders to press the matter further!"
"Hmph!"
The Giant Sword Gate master found Ancestor Li's sanctimonious posturing thoroughly disagreeable and was about to say more when old man Qiong spoke up, clearly losing patience.
"What is there for the two of you to argue about? The fact that they survived shows the younger generation's capability — would you have had them charge in knowing they'd die? But Li, my boy! Hurry up and check on the wager's result. The sooner we know, the sooner we can put this to rest. Surely you wouldn't make an old man like me wait here much longer?"
The old man made no attempt to hide his arrogant, seniority-wielding manner. But neither the Giant Sword Gate cultivator nor Ancestor Li dared to upset him. They exchanged a glance, let out an awkward laugh, and let the matter drop. After all, earning this old monster's grudge would bring nothing but catastrophe.