Chapter 111: Trap
The Ascendant Realm elder silently followed Liang Feng deeper into the Silent Sword Sect’s territory, his keen eyes continuously sweeping across every floating island, every mountain, every river of spiritual energy, and every disciple cultivating below.
Everything appeared peaceful on the surface, almost deceptively so, and that very tranquility made him even more cautious. During his long cultivation life, he had learned that truly terrifying places rarely revealed their dangers openly.
The greatest predators seldom announced themselves, and the strongest experts almost never displayed their strength without reason.
Because of that, he trusted his instincts more than appearances, and at this very moment, every instinct he possessed warned him that this seemingly declining sect concealed something that even he could not comprehend.
Liang Feng quietly led the group without saying another word.
Every step he took was steady, yet his heartbeat grew faster the deeper they entered the Silent Sword Sect.
The memories from earlier remained vivid inside his mind. He could still remember the immense faceless figure overlooking the world, the stars drifting beneath its skin, and the countless galaxies slowly revolving inside its colossal body.
Even recalling those images made his scalp tingle.
He secretly prayed that Senior Deity would still be present. If not, no matter how much his master trusted him, the story he had told would sound no different from a madman’s fantasy.
The accompanying Azure Cloud disciples gradually became impatient.
The peaceful scenery around them stood in complete contrast to Liang Feng’s terrifying description, and several of them slowly began exchanging doubtful glances.
One disciple finally stepped forward before lowering his voice just enough for Liang Feng to hear.
"Senior Brother Liang, I have followed you for many years, and I have never once questioned your judgment. However, everything you described earlier simply defies common sense. You claimed that a single breath erased all of our immortal arts as though they had never existed. You claimed that an unfathomable being stood above the heavens themselves. If such an existence truly resides here, then why does this place appear no different from an ordinary sect protected by a powerful formation?"
Another disciple nodded before adding in a more serious tone, "Our master personally left the gathering of Ascendant Realm experts because he trusted your report. If the existence you spoke of does not appear after all the confidence with which you described it, then the Azure Cloud Sect itself may become the subject of ridicule among every great sect gathered outside Silent River Hill."
A third disciple frowned before speaking more bluntly.
"I am not saying you lied, Senior Brother, but perhaps what you witnessed was an ancient illusion or the remnant will of some long-dead supreme cultivator. Such inheritances are not unheard of. Many ancient formations possess the ability to project overwhelming illusions capable of suppressing one’s Dao Heart."
Liang Feng immediately shook his head.
"No."
His answer came without the slightest hesitation.
"It was not an illusion."
His voice became firmer.
"It was not a remnant soul."
"It was not a projection."
"It was not a formation."
"I stood before it. I challenged it. I attacked it with everything I possessed, and I watched every technique I had spent centuries cultivating disappear before a single breath. I know exactly what I experienced."
Before anyone could continue questioning him, the Ascendant Realm elder slowly raised one hand.
The group immediately fell silent.
His calm gaze swept across every disciple before finally stopping upon Liang Feng.
"There is no need to continue questioning him."
His voice remained composed.
"If Liang Feng truly intended to deceive me, he would not have requested that I personally accompany him. He understands the consequences of making false reports before an Ascendant Realm elder better than anyone present."
The elder slowly looked toward the endless floating islands ahead.
"Whether his words are true or false..."
He paused briefly.
"...we shall soon discover the answer ourselves."
Those words immediately silenced every remaining doubt.
The group continued forward.
The spiritual energy surrounding them became increasingly dense.
Ancient trees swayed gently despite the absence of wind.
The waterfalls descending from the floating islands shimmered beneath the sunlight like streams of liquid jade.
Everything remained peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Then Liang Feng suddenly stopped walking.
His breathing unconsciously became heavier.
The disciples behind him instinctively halted.
Even the Ascendant Realm elder noticed the sudden change.
"What is it?"
Liang Feng slowly raised a trembling finger.
His voice had unconsciously become quieter.
"Master..."
He swallowed.
"...he is here."
Every disciple instinctively followed the direction of Liang Feng’s finger.
At first, they saw nothing.
Then their gazes slowly continued upward.
Higher.
Higher still.
Beyond the floating islands.
Beyond the drifting clouds.
Beyond the mountains themselves.
Then...
Their bodies froze.
Suspended high above the heavens stood an indescribable existence.
It possessed a humanoid shape so enormous that even the floating islands appeared insignificant beneath it. No face existed where one should have been.
Instead, the smooth surface of its head reflected neither light nor shadow, making it impossible to determine where its gaze rested. Yet every cultivator present instinctively felt that the being was looking directly at them.
Its body was unlike flesh.
Unlike stone.
Unlike spirit.
Entire galaxies slowly revolved beneath its skin.
Countless stars shimmered across its colossal frame.
Nebulae drifted through its torso like rivers flowing through an endless universe.
Every slight movement caused entire clusters of stars within its body to shift, as though countless heavens existed inside the being itself.
The sight surpassed every legend they had ever heard.
No ancient record.
No immortal scripture.
No forbidden inheritance.
Nothing in their countless years of cultivation had ever prepared them for such a scene.
Meanwhile, Clayne looked down at the tiny newcomers with obvious satisfaction.
"Perfect."
He grinned to himself.
"They actually came back."
His eyes immediately wandered toward the complicated formation he had recently learned after observing Liang Feng and the others previously activating similar techniques.
He had spent quite some time studying the countless glowing patterns, modifying them according to his own understanding, and combining them with the spiritual energy naturally flowing throughout Silent River Hill.
"I’ve been wondering whether this thing actually works."
He smiled.
"No better time to test it."
Without hesitation, Clayne placed his enormous fingertip upon the prepared formation.
The countless runes instantly lit up.
Blue light rapidly spread through every line carved into the land.
Within moments, the entire formation awakened.
The Azure Cloud cultivators immediately sensed the terrifying fluctuation.
Every face changed.
The Ascendant Realm elder’s pupils suddenly contracted.
"What is this formation?"
Spiritual pressure exploded throughout the surrounding floating islands.
The ground itself began glowing.
Ancient runes emerged beneath everyone’s feet.
Liang Feng’s expression instantly turned pale.
"Master..."
His voice trembled.
"...it’s already activated."
The Ascendant Realm elder reacted immediately.
"Retreat!"
His command echoed like thunder.
Every Azure Cloud disciple instantly moved.
One crushed a spatial talisman.
Another formed dozens of teleportation seals in rapid succession.
Several activated escape treasures refined over centuries.
Others burned spiritual essence to increase their speed.
Brilliant lights erupted everywhere.
Golden teleportation arrays.
Silver spatial gates.
Ancient jade talismans.
Escape techniques filled the sky one after another as every cultivator desperately attempted to flee before the mysterious formation completed its activation.
Unfortunately...
They were too late.
The glowing lines beneath their feet had already connected into a complete array.
The formation released a brilliant pillar of blue light that enveloped every cultivator present before a single escape technique could fully activate.
From high above, Clayne watched everything unfold with an excited smile.
"So it really works..."
He couldn’t help laughing.
"Finally..."
His eyes shone brightly as he looked across the glowing formation below.
"...now I can start expanding."