Unnamed Territory, Chapter Ninety-Six: An Intriguing Woman…

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Zhou Xuanhong was not surprised by Bai Youxuan’s predicament, for it was he who had orchestrated it. Previously, outside the Xingyan Sect, he had struck a deal with Bai Youxuan’s protector—a middle-aged man. Zhou Xuanhong would help the man win Bai Youxuan’s love, and in return, the man would assist Zhou within the Taiyin Jishi Sect.

The reason this middle-aged man had gone into seclusion was also a strategy advised by Zhou Xuanhong. As a powerful man, he could not constantly trail a woman’s heels, which would only earn her disdain. Thus, Zhou’s first tactic was for the man to retreat into seclusion, letting Bai Youxuan be ostracized by others.

Zhou Xuanhong understood Bai Youxuan well—strong on the surface but fragile inside. This was evident when she clung to Zhou during the arena battle at the Xingyan Sect, pestering him for ways to deepen her inner world. True masters would never behave like that.

Moreover, Bai Youxuan could hardly be called a true human; she was merely a physical body imbued with a spirit. Even if others did not say it, deep down she would always feel out of place in the current cultivation world. Having someone to rely on was the only way for her to find peace.

In Zhou Xuanhong’s heart, although he and Bai Youxuan shared a decent rapport—or rather, she harbored some fondness for him—he held no interest in her. Anyone who could further his plans, even the entire world, was but a pawn to him.

Zhou Xuanhong always prepared multiple contingencies for every plan. This middle-aged man was someone he had barely interacted with, so the detailed arrangements remained to be seen.

“So, you mean Xiaona has already been possessed?” Shangguan Yixin nodded. “Probably. After all, no matter how talented, how could one be born with battle experience?”

Zhou Xuanhong shook his head. He knew Xiaona’s identity, but based on Shangguan Yixin’s description, it was still unclear whether Xiaona had been possessed.

After all, one was a Void Spirit-tier expert, and the other a former Celestial Dao—who would prevail in their battle was difficult to say. Zhou favored the latter’s victory, but if she had won, why had she not sought him out for so long?

“You see, I’ve answered all your questions. Now, look at the formation arrays...” Zhou Xuanhong chuckled as he saw Shangguan Yixin rubbing her small hands eagerly. “You’re quite an interesting woman...”

Shangguan Yixin immediately interrupted with a disdainful look. “Stop right there. Don’t put your attention on me. I have no interest in people like you. In the future, I want to find a battle immortal who is peerless in heaven and earth, especially someone like the Celestial Venerable of the Battle Immortal Sect!”

Zhou Xuanhong was speechless and shook his head. “I haven’t finished. You are indeed interesting, but your brain isn’t quite working right.”

“You!” Shangguan Yixin was about to retort, but thinking of the formation arrays, she let it go.

“Alright, alright. Whatever you say. Anything else you want to ask?” Zhou Xuanhong produced three formation arrays and smiled. “Okay, enough teasing. Let me introduce these three arrays so you don’t get yourself killed later.”

The three arrays looked similar outwardly but felt vastly different in the spiritual formations embedded within them. The only similarity was their overwhelmingly powerful aura.

“This one is the Bone-Cutting Gale Formation. After refining the source of the formation, you can adjust the gale’s intensity. As long as you can endure the flesh-tearing pain, your physical body will be greatly enhanced.

“This one is the Furious Thunder Array. I have limited materials, so you’ll need to ask your father for a thunder-based treasure as a guide. Once activated, it will rain down lightning to temper your body.

“You can also use it defensively against enemies. Since your weakness is in the soul, once the formation is triggered, a layer of thunder shielding will form on your body surface, blocking most soul attacks.

“As for this last one, it’s not for physical tempering but a special Five Elements Entrapment Formation. When activated, it locks your target and yourself inside the formation. If anyone outside attacks the formation, its elemental power will absorb the assault and convert it into elemental spells that counterattack your target.”

Shangguan Yixin looked puzzled, clearly not understanding.

Zhou Xuanhong simplified it: “In other words, when you enter the small world a year later, your personality means you’ll definitely be ganged up on. This formation lets you duel one-on-one. If others try to break the formation by attacking it, their attacks get converted and will strike back at their own allies.”

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“Oh!” Shangguan Yixin’s face lit up with realization. “Really? That’s great! No one’s ever scared me in a duel before!”

But after some thought, she asked, “What if the opponent is stronger than me?”

Zhou Xuanhong shrugged. “Then there’s nothing to be done. You’re alone, challenging stronger foes—you deserve to die.”

She then asked, “There must be formation masters entering the big world. What if they break the formations outside?”

Confidently, Zhou patted his chest. “Don’t worry about a few like that. The cultivation limit is at the Peak Golden Core stage, and the age limit is two hundred years. Even if there are people who can break my Five Elements formation, they won’t number more than a handful.”

Shangguan Yixin gathered the three arrays and was about to leave but turned back. “Are you going into the big world too? You’re just at the first Golden Core level. When the big forces from the Nameless Zone go to the Taiyin Jishi Sect for selection, the spots won’t be handed out casually.”

Zhou Xuanhong sipped his tea. “How does the selection work?”

Shangguan Yixin clenched her fist. “Of course, it’s based on strength. Apart from the sect’s own disciples, there are five hundred spots open.”

“That’s quite a lot. With the power of your Shangguan family, how could you have fewer?”

She said seriously, “Our family is strong, but there are many stronger people than me within. Other big forces also have many. This world is full of geniuses. The Taiyin Jishi Sect will gather a large group of Golden Core cultivators, possibly mixed with prodigies from the Left-Hand Zone. Standing out won’t be easy!”

Zhou Xuanhong nodded. “So no cultivation limit, just under two hundred years old. That’s easy. Just call me when the selection starts.”

Shangguan Yixin didn’t press further. She admired Zhou Xuanhong—his mastery of formations was enough to keep him undefeated. If a fight broke out, she could load herself with a bunch of fourth-grade defensive arrays, and even a Nascent Soul Realist wouldn’t be able to touch her.

After Shangguan Yixin left, the formations merged, and the passage closed.

Drinking tea, Zhou Xuanhong spread out his hand. Three formation sources floated above his palm—these were the core sources of the three arrays. If he wished, he could instantly strip Shangguan Yixin of control over the formations.

He would never be so generous to her. Fourth-grade formation arrays were not gifts to be handed out lightly. Now that Shangguan Yixin controlled the arrays, in essence, Zhou Xuanhong controlled her.

“Next, it’s time to start laying the trap against the Taiyin Jishi Sect. Shangguan Ba, I hope you can bear this grand gift. As head of the family, you should tolerate some ordinary deaths, right? But it depends on Xiaona’s situation. I don’t want to kill indiscriminately.”

Centering on the small mountain, Zhou Xuanhong’s divine sense began to infiltrate the city defense array of Yuandong City, unfolding a grand conspiracy.

...

As the big world’s opening drew near, many forces in the Nameless Zone grew restless. Golden Core disciples flocked to the Taiyin Jishi Sect, vying for one of the five hundred spots.

Suddenly, the Nameless Zone was in turmoil, with frequent clashes among cultivators and factions. The selection had become unavoidable.

The rivalries among the orthodox, demonic, evil, ghost, and sword sects gathered in the Nameless Zone were already sharp. The Taiyin Jishi Sect, a cult disguised as an orthodox sect, paid no heed to cultivators’ disputes.

Sword cultivators, in particular, were ruthless. No matter the sect, if provoked, they’d sever their foes with a single slash, making the chaotic situation even more uncontrollable—the true troublemakers of the cultivation world.

Within Yuandong City, the Shangguan family’s Golden Core disciples had assembled. Being a major force, they could not afford to trickle in like scattered cultivators; they needed to show strength and presence!

Inside the Shangguan mansion, Shangguan Ba summoned Zhou Xuanhong and Li Li, who blended in with the Golden Core disciples. He wondered why Zhou Xuanhong also intended to enter the big world, given his low cultivation.

“Young friends, are you also joining the big world trials?”

Zhou Xuanhong gave a playful bow. “Did Miss Yixin not tell you?”

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Shangguan Ba shook his head. “That girl has been in seclusion since returning from the Taiyin Jishi Sect ten months ago. After requisitioning a thunder-based treasure from our family, she hasn’t emerged. When I asked, she wouldn’t answer. Perhaps she was stimulated outside again.”

Zhou Xuanhong smiled. “That fits her character. I made a secret deal with her, which even you weren’t told about. Head of the family, Li Jian and I do wish to join the trial. We hope to receive your approval.”

Shangguan Ba frowned. “At your current cultivation, going is suicide. Li Jian might stand a chance, but you—”

Zhou Xuanhong shook his head. “I have already advanced to a fourth-grade formation master.”

Shangguan Ba was startled and abruptly rose from his chair. “Really?”

Zhou Xuanhong nodded. “Absolutely.”

Shangguan Ba paused his objection. “Then I cannot let you go. The big world is fraught with danger. Even geniuses from great forces die there. Given your talent and formation skill, I must protect you from risk.”

Zhou Xuanhong laughed heartily. “You misunderstand. I’m not seeking permission—I’m informing you.”

Shangguan Ba smiled and sat down again. “What contributions have you made to the Shangguan family? Our immortal contract states you must provide value equivalent to the formation jade slip we gave you. During that time, you are subject to the family’s orders.”

Zhou Xuanhong pointed at himself. “Head of the family, have you heard of me?”

Shangguan Ba shook his head but had some suspicions about Zhou’s identity.

Zhou Xuanhong placed his hand on his face, removed a mask, and withdrew the powerful spiritual force attached to it.

“Hundred Faces Transformation? How did even I not notice?”

Soon, Shangguan Ba clearly saw the face beneath the mask. His expression showed surprise before settling into calm amusement.

“You’ve caught me off guard. Then this Li Jian must be the sword cultivator who was killed five years ago in the Xingyan Sect after practicing the Ruthless Sword Path. You turned him into a puppet? I never suspected a thing. Fitting, since a puppet is ruthless, and the Ruthless Sword Path is ruthless. A little disguise can easily fool me.”

Zhou Xuanhong nodded. “Now that you recognize me, why don’t we talk cooperation?”

Before Zhou finished, Shangguan Ba struck with a sword light that tore through space, aiming straight for Zhou’s brow.

Zhou Xuanhong smiled slightly, beams shooting from his eyes to form a Dao Path between them. A golden light shot from this path toward Shangguan Ba’s brow, while formation runes for teleportation appeared beneath his feet, ready for instant escape.

Just as the sword light was three inches from Zhou’s forehead, it halted. Shangguan Ba laughed heartily. “Impressive! Even within my Shangguan mansion, you come and go freely. If you stayed in Yuandong City longer, I wouldn’t know what havoc you’d wreak.”

Zhou Xuanhong was untroubled by the sudden attack. If he dared to confront Shangguan Ba face-to-face and reveal himself, he was confident of a clean retreat.