40: Using a clever plan, the abrupt palace...

"The South Region?"

"Luoshui Sect?"

Shi Tian, Xiao Bufan, and Su Muhuang all looked bewildered.

It seemed they had never heard of this Sect before.

However, the South Region was vast with numerous Sects; since they had never been there, it was normal not to have heard of it.

"Careful, these people aren't quite normal."

Inside the jade bracelet, Chu Nansheng frowned and warned the three.

Chu Nansheng did indeed know of the Luoshui Sect and even had some history with them.

But judging by the aura fluctuations emanating from the three, they didn't seem like people from the Luoshui Sect; instead, they resembled certain ancient grand Sects from the Imperial Continent.

The other party was hiding their identity and inviting them to travel together.

It was bound to arouse suspicion.

"Senior, we understand."

Shi Tian and the other two exchanged glances, their hearts growing wary.

They decided to turn the tables.

Shi Tian smiled and said, "In that case, let's go together! One more person means more safety."

"Senior Brother is right," Xiao Bufan and Su Muhuang chimed in.

Xiao Bufan and Su Muhuang also chimed in.

"Excellent!"

Wu Zhixiong was overjoyed. A trace of sinister malice flashed through his eyes but quickly vanished.

After exchanging names, the group headed toward the depths of the Secret Realm together.

Meanwhile.

Deep within the Secret Realm.

Inside a lair wreathed in Devilish Qi, tens of thousands of demon creatures emitted black mist, cackling weirdly.

Each one was hideous, with savage fangs and blood-red eyes.

Skeletons littered the lair.

Among the remains was a high platform built of bone, upon which sat a bone throne.

A demon creature several dozen meters tall, radiating an extremely powerful aura, sat on the throne. It bit off half the body of a Human Race Cultivator, chewed it a few times, and swallowed.

Holding a massive goblet in one hand, it guzzled fine wine.

This scene made the tens of thousands of demon creatures below salivate, their throats bobbing in envy.

But not a single demon creature dared to step forward and compete.

"Ah—"

A moment later, the Devil King let out a satisfied burp.

Only then did it sigh, "The Physical Body of a Human Race Cultivator is indeed delicious. This King hasn't tasted one in a hundred years!"

"It's just a pity the Azure Dragon Secret Realm only opens once every hundred years!"

"If only it opened every year, then this King would always have Human Race Cultivators to enjoy!"

The voice was hoarse, as if coming from Hell.

To the side, the dozens of Human Race Cultivators who were tied up tightly were scared out of their wits.

Some were so terrified they went limp and fainted.

"You can say that again!"

"According to our scouts, there are significantly more Human Race Cultivators entering the Secret Realm this time than before!"

"We can also follow the Great King and enjoy such worldly delicacies!"

"..."

The demon creatures below chimed in one after another.

They were descendants of the Demon Race that survived the ancient war. Most of their strength was only equivalent to the Golden Core or Nascent Soul Realm of humans, with only a very few demon commanders reaching the Body Integration Realm.

However, each of their Physical Bodies was extremely tough and difficult to kill.

With this advantage, at the same Realm, one demon creature could at least fight three Human Race Cultivators of the same level to a draw.

And this Devil King was at the Early Stage of Undergoing Tribulation.

If placed outside the Secret Realm, it would be a mere nobody, perhaps easily wiped out by a passing Mahayana Cultivator.

But within the Secret Realm, it was the undisputed King!

Therefore.

Even though there was an endless supply of Human Race blood-food outside the Secret Realm, it refused to leave, staying in the Secret Realm to be its own local tyrant.

Due to the Secret Realm's rules, Cultivators above the Integration Realm could not enter.

And the Cultivators at or below the Body Integration Realm who could enter were nothing more than fresh blood-food delivered to its doorstep!

"Refreshing—"

The Devil King couldn't resist eating another Human Race Cultivator.

It tossed the leftover bones aside, immediately causing countless demon creatures to scramble for them!

The Devil King laughed loudly, seemingly enjoying the spectacle.

Afterward, it looked at the demon strategist beside it: "The main force of those humans is about to reach the depths of the Secret Realm. Do you have any ideas?"

"Great King, it's the same as in previous years."

The demon strategist replied flatteringly.

"Good, then proceed as usual!"

The Devil King cackled, and the demon strategist immediately went to make arrangements... "Come quickly, I've discovered a sacred temple!"

A palace abruptly appeared before their eyes.

Ancient and desolate.

It was covered in the traces of time.

"Let's go inside and take a look!"

A 'Luoshui Sect' Disciple suggested.

"Alright."

Wu Zhixiong agreed with a smile, his eyes glancing at Shi Tian and the others.

Shi Tian also agreed.

But he stood still.

This was too cautious!

But... as long as you step into this palace, you're dead!

Wu Zhixiong sneered inwardly, but a smile appeared on his face: "My cultivation is the highest here; I should be the one to lead the way."

With that, Wu Zhixiong was the first to walk into the palace.

The people from the 'Luoshui Sect' followed him inside.

"There are Formations and ambushes set up in this palace; it looks like they were just arranged recently."

"Do not go in."

Since Chu Nansheng's Divine Soul had solidified quite a bit, her Divine Sense had become much stronger.

Sensing something was wrong, she hurriedly sent a voice transmission to warn them.

"It seems these people really aren't good people!"

A flash of killing intent appeared in Shi Tian's eyes.

These people had been making a fuss since they first arrived; the traces of their acting were too obvious.

Coupled with the fact that Shi Tian and the others were already on guard, they naturally wouldn't fall for it so easily.

"Senior Brother, let's go!"

Su Muhuang was used to being cautious since childhood and didn't want to look for trouble now.

She just wanted to get away from this group quickly.

"No, we can't let them off that easily!"

Shi Tian's temper flared; he didn't go looking for trouble, yet others came to provoke him.

"Right, let's get them!"

Xiao Bufan felt the same way.

Having followed Lin Chen for a while, neither of them was the type to swallow their pride.

Besides, they both had the strength to fight above their level.

Although the other party's cultivation was higher than theirs, they might not necessarily be their match.

But... they still had to continue exploring the Secret Realm, so there was no need to fight to the death with them.

Shi Tian took out over a dozen Formation Flags.

*Bang, bang, bang, bang—*

He directly set up three grand formations, one nested within another.

Locking down the entire palace.

Even if the other party had several in the Integration Realm, wanting to get out of the Formations would take quite some effort.

"Fellow Daoist Shi, what is the meaning of this?"

Wu Zhixiong noticed that Shi Tian and the others hadn't entered for a long time and immediately felt something was wrong.

Hearing movement outside, he rushed out to check.

At this sight, he was stunned.

He questioned sternly.

"You know very well what this means!"

"From the beginning, you harbored ill intentions, trying to lure us into the palace and then using the pre-arranged Formations to kill us and steal our treasures!"

"I don't care who you are!"

"Provoking us means you've kicked a steel plate!"

"This time is just a small lesson for you; if there's a next time, we won't be so polite!"

After Shi Tian spoke, he ignored Wu Zhixiong and the others and left directly with Xiao Bufan and Su Muhuang.

Even if they started a fight, they wouldn't be able to kill them in a short time.

Instead of wasting time, it was better to enter the depths of the Secret Realm to find Opportunities.

By the time these people broke through the Formations, the Secret Realm might already be closed.

Let them fend for themselves.

"You can't leave!"

Seeing the departing backs of Shi Tian and the others, Wu Zhixiong was exasperated.

He didn't know why the trap he had painstakingly designed and sent people to set up in advance was seen through.

*Rumble—*

Wu Zhixiong threw out a palm strike, and a ripple of light appeared on the Formation with a thunderous roar.

However—

It was completely useless.

It remained motionless.

"Damn it!"

"This guy actually set up three grand formations!"

"Dammit, this infuriates me!"

"I will definitely kill you after I get out!"

Wu Zhixiong roared at the sky, his face twisting with rage.

The other Disciples, seeing the Saint so furious for the first time, were all pale with fright and quickly sacrificed their trump card Magic Treasures to help the Saint break the Formation.