178: The red armor breaks the halberd, the black cat goes out

"Golden-armored guards, possessing the strength of the Primordial Realm's late stage, clad in golden armor, boast astonishing defense and formidable destructive power."

Looking at the appraisal information displayed on the azure virtual panel, Mo Fan's face twitched slightly as he hid around the street corner.

Not far from him, a squad of guards was patrolling.

One golden-armored guard.

Three silver-armored guards.

Six black-armored guards.

During his last visit to the secret realm, Mo Fan had already encountered the silver-armored and black-armored guards.

The silver-armored guards possessed Heavenly Mandate combat power.

The black-armored guards possessed Transcendent combat power.

Even then, Mo Fan found it quite outrageous.

Just patrolling the streets, and they were led by someone with Heavenly Mandate power.

Wasn't that too extravagant?

"A golden-armored guard with Primordial Realm combat power leading the patrol?

"How strong is the military camp?"

Mo Fan felt a shiver of apprehension.

The inner city had numerous streets, crisscrossing each other.

With so many streets, the total number of patrolling squads was probably twenty or thirty, or even more.

If each squad had one Primordial Realm expert, that would be twenty or thirty.

And this was just for the patrolling squads.

There must be even more golden-armored guards inside the military camp.

There might even be beings of a higher rank than the golden-armored guards.

No, not 'might be,' but 'definitely'!

The golden-armored guards already possessed Primordial Realm combat power.

If there were beings of a higher rank than the golden-armored guards, they could only be Supremes.

"This is terrifying—"

Mo Fan glanced in the direction of the military camp, momentarily lost in thought.

"Maybe I should just go back and slowly cultivate, no more adding points?"

Mo Fan suddenly felt that his life was more important.

"It's a pity this is a broken space; I can't sense any power of law, otherwise I could just hide and cultivate—"

Mo Fan shook his head, held his breath, and pushed his Aura Concealment Technique to its limit.

"Let's go check other places first. There's still time. I'll consider the military camp last. Safety is the priority!"

Although he had a sword talisman capable of slaying a Supreme.

This item was a one-time consumable; once used, it would be gone.

It was a life-saving measure, and Mo Fan didn't want to use it unless absolutely necessary.

Furthermore, the military camp might not have only one Supreme.

Worst case, he would just go back and upgrade himself slowly.

Worst case, he would only break through once a month.

Worst case, it would take him two or three more years to break through to the Supreme realm in martial arts.

In any case, no matter what, life was the most important thing; there was hope only if he was alive.

Thinking this, Mo Fan made up his mind and patiently waited for the patrol squad to leave.

"With patrol squads this strong, I wonder if Elder Liu will encounter any misfortune—"

Mo Fan started to worry.

Liu Xiyan's aura concealment ability wasn't particularly outstanding.

If she were discovered by a patrol squad, she would likely be in for a fierce battle, and then—

Shaking his head, Mo Fan stopped overthinking.

He felt that Liu Xiyan didn't seem like someone destined for a short life.

She hadn't died during the demon attack on Jade Void Academy last time.

A mere secret realm space surely wouldn't pose a problem for her.

Perhaps the next time they met, she would already be a Sword Immortal.

After a while, the patrol squad slowly vanished from Mo Fan's perception.

His expression firm, Mo Fan identified a direction, transformed into an afterimage, and sped away.

Target: Courtesan Palace!

...To evade the patrol squads.

A mere fifty li journey took Mo Fan over two hours.

Finally, a magnificent manor appeared before his eyes.

Beams of sandalwood, crystal jade walls serving as lamps, golden bases for pillars, complex cloud patterns carved into the vermilion gates, and a plaque inlaid with gold trim and pearls above the entrance.

In front of the magnificent manor stood a half-human-height cyan jade stele, on which were inscribed three large, flowing characters: "Courtesan Palace."

"Is this the Courtesan Palace?" Mo Fan focused slightly, spreading his spiritual power to maximize his perception.

Having read numerous ancient texts in Hidden Sword Villa, Mo Fan had some understanding of the various factions within Po Jun City.

Although the Courtesan Palace sounded like a place of pleasure.

It was actually one of the major transcendent forces in Po Jun City, dealing in intelligence.

It was worth noting that all disciples of the Courtesan Palace were women, each stunningly beautiful, possessing considerable strength, and proficient in formations and domains.

While contemplating, Mo Fan approached the Courtesan Palace, meticulously examining every corner to see if there were any hidden formations or domains.

After all, this was the place of inheritance for Jade Void Academy's formations and domains, so he had to be extremely vigilant.

Fortunately, until Mo Fan entered the manor, he did not encounter any lethal formations or domains.

He felt this was a bit abnormal.

From some books in Hidden Sword Villa, Mo Fan knew that the Courtesan Palace had subtle and complex formations both inside and out.

In addition, the Courtesan Palace's architectural complex was entirely integrated with the world's grand momentum, forming its own domain with unparalleled power.

The subtle formations combined with the unparalleled domain meant that even a Supreme would not dare to act rashly within the Courtesan Palace.

However, now—

Ultimately, Mo Fan discovered a clue within a pitch-black building.

Pushing open the door, extreme luxury greeted Mo Fan's eyes.

The floor was paved with white jade, inlaid with gold beads, with carved lotuses, their petals vivid and delicate, and their stamens finely discernible.

This was a floor made of warm jade.

Mo Fan felt the warmth emanating from it.

"So rich—" Mo Fan felt an urge to dismantle the floor and take it away in his system space.

His gaze continued forward, and Mo Fan saw a vermilion square platform about ten feet high.

On either side of the platform were six tall golden pillars with coiled dragons, gleaming brightly, radiating golden light, so lifelike they seemed about to break free from the pillars.

Looking around, there were rows of white jade cylindrical pillars, carved with various auspicious beasts and complex patterns, shimmering with five-colored divine light.

"This is the core of the Courtesan Palace's formations and domains." Mo Fan quickly scanned the patterns inscribed everywhere and made his judgment.

"It seems like something is missing from that platform—" Mo Fan frowned, deep in thought.

Soon, a scene flashed through his mind: his master Xu Chaomu taking him into a small room to receive the inheritance of Scarlet Cloud Peak.

Inside the small room was a round platform glowing with a faint light.

When Mo Fan received the Purple Jade Smoke inheritance, a faint, mysterious power flowed into his body from the round platform, helping him understand Purple Jade Smoke.

It was just that at that time, Mo Fan had just established his foundation, and many things went unnoticed.

"That round platform was originally stacked on top of the square platform, serving as the core of this place—"

Thinking this, Mo Fan observed carefully.

A moment later, he sighed.

"The core array patterns of the Courtesan Palace have been completely destroyed, causing all the formations of the entire Courtesan Palace to fall into paralysis.

"At the same time, because the power of law no longer exists, the Courtesan Palace's domain naturally has no way to continue operating and has also fallen into paralysis.

"This is why the Courtesan Palace's formations and domains are merely decorative."

Looking at the scenes before him, Mo Fan was reminded of Hidden Sword Villa.

Hidden Sword Villa had experienced a similar fate.

On the surface, it appeared intact.

In reality, its core areas were completely destroyed, and its formations and domains were allAbandoned, with only scattered remnants.

Hidden Sword Villa was even more pitiful; even the Sword Mountain was entirely dug up and taken away.

"The old ancestor of Jade Void Academy was truly amazing—"

Mo Fan couldn't help but exclaim.

It was precisely because the domains and formations were rendered useless that the old ancestor, who had stumbled in, had the opportunity to take away the inheritances of the various major forces.

Otherwise, even in the Age of Dharma Decline, some top-tier formations and domains would retain residual power.

"So, what exactly happened back then? What turned the entire city into a dead city?

"Is it similar to the future described by Yingying? In the era of Po Jun City, it also experienced an apocalypse—"

After a moment of contemplation, Mo Fan shook his head, no longer dwelling on it. Instead, he focused slightly, meticulously studying the formations and domains before him.

Even if the core formations of the Courtesan Palace were destroyed, they must have left behind some spiritual imprints.

Through these spiritual imprints, he could more or less perceive something.

If he could thoroughly research them, Mo Fan's understanding of formations would naturally reach a higher level... Ten days passed in a flash.

During these ten days, Mo Fan finally thoroughly understood the remaining core formations and domains of the Courtesan Palace, gaining a new understanding of formations and domains.

And the levels of his formations and domains, which had been stagnant in his attribute panel, quietly changed.

"Special Abilities: Alchemy (Grandmaster), Formations (King-tier), Domains (King-tier)"

His formation level had changed from the original Grandmaster-tier to the current King-tier.

The same was true for his domain level.

"So, there's a King-tier above Grandmaster—" Mo Fan was a little surprised.

He had thought Grandmaster was the peak.

Now it seemed he had thought too much.

The lack of upgrades before was likely due to the significant leap from Grandmaster to King-tier; now he had finally reached the threshold and stepped into a brand new realm.

Now, Mo Fan's attainments in formations and domains had once again improved.

He estimated that if he were to attempt to decipher the East Gate formation of the inner city again, the time taken would be at least halved.

In fact, during these ten days at the Courtesan Palace, in addition to the improvements in formations and domains, Mo Fan also discovered an extraordinary secret art.

It was a cultivation method carved on the wall with crooked characters, like scribbled talismans.

If not for Mo Fan's astonishing comprehension and his experience of comprehending the stone tablet in the backyard of the Sword Pavilion, he would probably have mistaken it for a formation rune that had lost its spiritual imprint.

Thinking this, Mo Fan focused and glanced at his attribute panel.

In addition to the changes in the special abilities section.

Mo Fan's cultivation method section also looked a bit different.

"Cultivation Methods: Breath Control Technique (Fifth Layer), Sword Nurturing Art (Third Layer), Primordial Sword Canon (Third Layer), Purple Jade Smoke (Third Layer), Azure Flame Art (Third Layer), Innate Skill · Transcendent Chapter."

His cultivation method section now included the Breath Control Technique.

This cultivation method replaced his original Aura Concealment Technique.

The Breath Control Technique and Aura Concealment Technique were of the same type of cultivation method.

However, the Breath Control Technique was of a higher grade, reaching the level of an extraordinary secret art.

Furthermore, Mo Fan had cultivated the Breath Control Technique to the fifth layer.

This was the final layer of the Breath Control Technique, also known as the complete realm.

The Breath Control Technique seemed different from other extraordinary secret arts; it could unleash its full power without needing to be combined with corresponding martial arts cultivation.

It was precisely because of this that Mo Fan was able to cultivate it to completion in one go.

"This cultivation method is indeed profound. When fully unleashed, even a Supreme would likely find it difficult to detect my aura—"

Mo Fan was beaming.

"I knew it. As an organization that sells intelligence, it's impossible for them to only possess the ability to set up formations and domains.

"Now, with a supreme concealment technique, it makes a bit more sense."

Mo Fan smiled. With the Breath Control Technique, his concealment methods were further enhanced, his life-saving ability improved a tiny bit, and his actions would be much more convenient.

"Perhaps I can use the Breath Control Technique to scout the military camp!

"There's still time now; I'll familiarize myself with it a bit more first. At the very least, I need to test its effects on the patrol guards—

"First, let's go check the inheritance site corresponding to Azure Flame Peak!"

Mo Fan made up his mind, stepped out of the Courtesan Palace, identified a direction, and headed towards the Alchemy Tower.

The Alchemy Tower was the inheritance site corresponding to Azure Flame Peak... At the same time.

Main city center.

Guard military camp.

A figure in crimson armor sat on the dilapidated city wall, gazing thoughtfully at the hazy sky.

"Why hasn't he come yet?" The crimson-armored figure's voice held a hint of urgency as he turned to look at the black cat on his shoulder.

"Soon, what's meant to come will come, don't rush," the black cat said somewhat perfunctorily.

"Ten days have passed; he can't stay here for too long," the crimson-armored figure said, displeased.

"Just wait a little longer, just a little longer—" the black cat continued to say perfunctorily, while washing its face with its paw.

"Hmph, if we wait any longer, we'll miss him forever!" The crimson-armored figure snorted, "You stay here at the military camp, I'll go find him."

With that, the crimson-armored figure pulled the black cat from his shoulder and placed it on the city wall.

Then, his expression hardened, and his figure vanished in an instant.

"You're too impatient—" The black cat sighed helplessly.

However, a few minutes later, space twisted, and the crimson-armored figure reappeared on the city wall.

"That fast? Did you see him?" The black cat was surprised.

"Didn't find him." The crimson-armored figure's body trembled slightly, seemingly very angry.

"Was he teleported out?" The black cat was taken aback.

Could it be that they really missed him?

The crimson-armored figure shook his head and explained, "I can confirm he's still in the city, but for some reason, I can't lock onto his aura for the time being.

"I can't leave the military camp for too long, so I had to come back first."

Upon hearing this, the black cat extended a pink paw, first rubbing its face, then patting its head, and looked in the direction of the Courtesan Palace, saying:

"Before his aura disappeared, he was near the Courtesan Palace—"

Hearing this, the crimson-armored figure froze, then said blankly, "You mean, he learned the Courtesan Palace's inheritance concealment technique?"

"As it stands, that's the only possibility—" The black cat nodded.

"But he only stayed there for ten days; it's impossible for him to learn a secret art-level concealment technique that quickly." The crimson-armored figure found it hard to believe.

"For a monstrous genius, nothing is impossible." The black cat still looked in the direction of the Courtesan Palace, wagging its half-broken black tail.

The crimson-armored figure fell silent, sitting back down on the city wall.

After a long while, he looked at the black cat: "Now my strength is less than one-tenth of what it was; if he really learned the Courtesan Palace's concealment technique, I won't be able to lock onto him for a short time."

He paused, then continued, "And I can't leave the military camp for too long."

After speaking, he quietly looked at the black cat, no longer speaking.

The black cat felt its scalp tingle under his gaze, so it had to stand up, saying helplessly:

"Since that's the case, then I'll have to make a trip.

"Although my strength is also less than one-tenth of what it was, when it comes to finding people, I still have some experience."

Hearing the black cat's words, the crimson-armored figure's face lit up. He quickly grasped its front paw and said with emotion, "Then I'll trouble you."

Black cat: "..."

"Hurry up and go." The crimson-armored figure urged, pushing the black cat forward.

"Meow—" The black cat let out a cry, leaped off the city wall, and transformed into an afterimage, speeding towards the Courtesan Palace like a black lightning bolt.

Seeing this, the crimson-armored figure breathed a sigh of relief: "Everything went smoothly."

...At the same time.

Mo Fan had already finished his tests.

After learning the Breath Control Technique, his aura became even more restrained, as if he had merged with nature.

Once, he deliberately made a commotion to attract a patrol guard and test the results.

In the end, he successfully left right under the patrol guard's "nose."

Passing through seven streets.

Crossing three rivers.

Mo Fan finally saw an ancient yet magnificent tall tower.

The stone tablet in front of the tower was inscribed with two large characters: "Alchemy Tower."

"Finally here. I wonder if I can also raise my alchemy level to King-tier."

"If I can raise it to King-tier, perhaps I can truly solve Grandpa Sun's problem—"

Mo Fan focused slightly and stepped towards the Alchemy Tower.