The Master and His Wealthy Fiancée

Chen Dong had arrived in a hurry and had no time to procure some mission Sword Book. He quickly asked, "Excuse me, Martial Uncle, how many people are already waiting here?"

The Golden Core Cultivator replied, "Thirty-seven so far."

Chen Dong's brow furrowed. "Martial Uncle, I have urgent business that requires me to leave the Array. I'm willing to cover the cost in Spirit Stones for the remaining spots!"

For Chen Dong, it was all about saving time. He had no idea how long he would have to wait for another sixty-one people to show up, and he'd much rather spend extra Spirit Stones than waste a single moment.

But the Golden Core Cultivator shook his head. "I cannot grant your request. If your 'urgent business' is just to go out on patrol, it's much safer to wait for a full group of one hundred. Martial Nephew, your cultivation Realm is too low!"

Chen Dong was about to press the issue, but then Liu Ling sent him a voice transmission: "Master, it's best if we wait for the full hundred. My chances of slipping past the great Array will be much higher that way."

Hearing Liu Ling's transmission, Chen Dong realized some things couldn't be rushed. If Liu Ling's identity was exposed here, he might never escape the Cyan Sky Sect's Battle Array.

So, Chen Dong had no choice but to say, "Since that's the case, I will do as Martial Uncle says!"

Seeing that Chen Dong wasn't being reckless, the Golden Core Cultivator nodded slightly. "I am Ji Yixin of Proud Sword Peak. You may call me Martial Uncle Ji. The others waiting to depart are over this way. Follow me, Martial Nephew."

Chen Dong followed Ji Yixin into the Border City within the Guardian Array. In an area surrounded by countless restrictive seals, there was an open space where thirty-seven people were already waiting.

"Martial Nephew, wait here. You will be notified to depart once the group is full." With that, Ji Yixin left.

The people in the clearing shot Chen Dong and his companion a couple of glances when they arrived, but didn't pay them much mind.

These were all Loose Cultivators who risked their lives outside the Array to fight for resources; they couldn't be bothered with anything else.

Only a short while later, Ji Yixin returned.

"Everyone, the exit can be opened now. Follow me."

A flicker of joy went through Chen Dong. 'There aren't a hundred people yet, so why are they opening the Array?'

Nearby, some Loose Cultivators were discussing it with hints of joy in their voices. "Looks like a mission team from the Cyan Sky Sect is heading out."

"We're lucky. This way, the first ten li will be safer."

"Hush, stop talking about it! It's enough that we all know!"

Chen Dong pretty much figured it out. A mission team from the Cyan Sky Sect was departing, and they were letting this group of cultivators go along with them.

'But with so few people,' he thought, 'I wonder if Liu Ling can still fool the Guardian Array.'

Chen Dong glanced at Liu Ling and saw that she looked a bit nervous.

At that moment, Liu Ling drew closer, pressing herself against Chen Dong as she sent a voice transmission: "Master, envelop me with your Divine Sense. Also, extend your cultivation-concealing Cultivation Technique to cover me as well."

Chen Dong did as she asked. However, the technique concealing his cultivation was the Void Sword Intent being cast by Mu Qingzhu. Chen Dong was met with two cold snorts, but Mu Qingzhu grudgingly complied.

Chen Dong followed the crowd, slowly approaching the Extreme Celestial Light Curtain. Liu Ling's expression grew increasingly grave.

There were too few people. She didn't have enough human presence to conceal herself.

The group filed into a tunnel within the light curtain. Liu Ling's body began to tremble slightly. It was a combination of the Array's repulsive force and her innate fear of the All Heaven Guarding Array. A normal demon would have been forced to reveal their demonic aura by now.

They passed the halfway point, and Chen Dong let out a huge sigh of relief. 'I don't know what trick Liu Ling used,' he thought, 'but it seems she really evaded the Guardian Array's detection.'

But suddenly, Liu Ling's grip on Chen Dong's arm tightened, and a powerful demonic aura erupted from her body. 'What is this? Did she fail to hold it back?'

Chen Dong wasn't the only one to sense the demonic aura; the thirty-seven others in their group noticed it as well, to say nothing of the Cyan Sky Sect disciples standing guard nearby.

Chen Dong broke out in a cold sweat. 'It's over. I'm caught colluding with the Demon Race. At this point, even my master's reputation won't be enough to save me.'

Countless streams of Divine Sense instantly locked onto Chen Dong and Liu Ling. The Cyan Sky Sect disciples who had sensed the demonic aura quickly surrounded the pair. The Guardian Array itself seemed to trigger, and a beam of yellow light shot directly toward them.

The light from the Array transcended multiple cultivation Realms, leaving Chen Dong utterly powerless to resist. Liu Ling clung tightly to his arm, looking completely helpless. Not only was she still severely injured, but they were also trapped inside the Guardian Array with no hope of escape.

Chen Dong cursed inwardly. 'So this is your "hundred percent certainty"?! You've really screwed me over!'

The light from the Array enveloped them, but Chen Dong was baffled to find that he felt no harm at all.

'Is it possible the Guardian Array doesn't harm members of the Human Race?' he wondered. 'No, that can't be right... Liu Ling is fine, too. What is going on?'

While Chen Dong was still confused, Ji Yixin, who had drawn his sword, sheathed his Spirit Sword again.

He barked coldly, "Martial Nephew, are you messing with us?! Why didn't you tell us you had a tamed great demon with you? You gave us all a scare for nothing!"

Only then did Chen Dong notice a contract inscription flashing on Liu Ling's forehead.

'This... Does having a Beast Taming Contract let you bypass the Guardian Array's detection?' he thought. 'No, she was detected. It must be that the Array recognized her as an allied force of the Human Race, which is why its attack had no effect?'

That had to be it. Chen Dong said apologetically, "My apologies, Martial Uncle Ji. This is my first time leaving the Guardian Array, so I wasn't aware!"

Ji Yixin waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it. I imagine Peak Master Zisang failed to explain the rules to you. That's just her personality; it's not your fault. And no wonder you two dared to leave the Array alone. It turns out you have a great demon for a guardian!"

Chen Dong bowed in apology once more, while simultaneously sending a voice transmission to Liu Ling: "So this was your 'hundred percent certainty'?"