Chapter 93: The Mysterious Orchid
"This is the Soul-Devouring Array of Three Calamities. It's said to have been created by a powerful cultivator, modeled after the heavenly tribulations. Not only does it recreate the three calamities[1], but it also confuses the mind and induces the evil within. Even a Golden Core cultivator would struggle to escape if trapped by the array."
Zhao Yan warned them, "You must fully activate the Four-Clouded Divine Seal and call upon the power the sect leader left in the Cloud Flag for protection. Only then will we be safe. If we fall into the array, there’s no chance of escape. Even if we don’t die from the three calamities, we’ll be trapped until our vital energy is exhausted and we perish. Once inside, we all share in success or failure—no one can afford to be careless."
Upon hearing about the effects of the Soul-Devouring Array, Qin Sang was alarmed. He wondered if his Jade Buddha could help him resist the evils within.
Keeping a calm expression, he followed Zhao Yan's instructions, fully activating the Cloud Flag. The five of them took their positions, and the four-colored clouds around them grew denser.
Then, Qin Sang saw the sect leader's phantom rise from the Cloud Flag. With a single gesture, four streams of spiritual power shot from the Cloud Flag and struck the transparent jade in Zhao Yan's hand.
The transparent jade radiated brilliantly, and as its light touched the surrounding shifting clouds, it immediately transformed into a solid protective barrier, enveloping the five of them.
Once they entered the Soul-Devouring Array, the scenery around them changed dramatically. Suddenly, there was thunder and lightning everywhere—they had entered a vast lightning swamp. Endless bolts of lightning raced above them, painting a doomsday-like scene that turned their faces pale. The terrifying thunderbolts were far beyond what ordinary cultivators could endure.
Even Zhao Yan was somewhat shaken as he observed the dense lightning in the swamp, hesitating for a moment before shouting, "Let’s go!"
As soon as they stepped into the lightning swamp, dozens of lightning serpents lunged at them. Startled, everyone panicked. Zhao Yan hurriedly raised the transparent jade, and the jade’s light surged, revealing the phantom of Sect Leader Yi. The terrifying lightning dissolved as soon as it reached the sect leader's phantom.