After his spiritual power breakthrough, Lin Xiao cultivated primordial force for several more days.
A few days later, the second group from the Azure Dragon Sect that had entered the Domain of Evil returned.
This group suffered far fewer casualties than the previous one. Only a handful had fallen, and no high-rank Martial Emperor elders had perished.
At the same time, they brought back major news: a great opportunity had appeared inside the Domain of Evil.
An ancient temple had emerged. The moment it appeared, golden light illuminated an area tens of thousands of miles around, shaking all directions.
However, the ancient temple was surrounded by a restriction. According to estimates, that restriction would take more than ten days to dissipate.
Thus, the group that had entered the Domain of Evil hurried back.
They left behind one Eighth-layer Martial Emperor elder with a team to stand guard.
Because, apart from the restriction around the ancient temple, many areas inside the Domain of Evil were filled with all kinds of restrictions and limitations.
Overall, the Domain of Evil had one distinctive feature: the deeper one went, the greater the suppression on high cultivation levels.
Ten thousand miles away from the ancient temple, Ninth-layer Martial Emperors were blocked by mysterious restrictions and could not proceed further into that region.
Only Eighth-layer Martial Emperors could reach the outskirts of the temple.
That was why the Azure Dragon Sect had an Eighth-layer Martial Emperor elder remain on guard.
Of course, those mysterious restrictions that suppressed cultivation were gradually weakening. In a month or half a month, Ninth-layer Martial Emperors might also be able to enter the area around the ancient temple.
Another Eighth-layer Martial Emperor elder from the Azure Dragon Sect had taken a group of elders and disciples to explore other locations.
Only one Ninth-layer Martial Emperor elder had rushed back with the rest of the elders and disciples.
After this news spread, the Azure Dragon Sect immediately convened the various peak masters for discussion.
The most outstanding geniuses of the Azure Dragon Sect therefore stepped forward one after another, preparing to head to the Domain of Evil.
Lin Xiao learned of this news when Bi Zhuang came straight to his door.
Right now, many disciples were waiting for orders from their respective peak masters.
Bi Zhuang was also waiting with Lin Xiao in the same room.
“Your cultivation has broken through?”
After hearing the news, Lin Xiao turned his attention to Bi Zhuang.
Bi Zhuang seemed skilled at concealing his aura, preventing Lin Xiao from probing his exact cultivation level.
Still, Bi Zhuang gave him a much stronger impression.
Of course, this was only Lin Xiao’s guess.
“Hehe, that pill you mentioned really worked. I did break through one layer,” Bi Zhuang said with a proud grin. “However, you have to keep it secret for me. I want to give those few from the Azure Dragon Sect, the heavenly genius from the Ji family, and the top geniuses of our sect a nice surprise.”
“Also, my younger sister has been refining that kind of pill and hasn’t come out of seclusion for almost a month. If nothing unexpected happens, she’ll very likely break through too.”
Bi Zhuang added.
“Just how many pills did you pick up?”
Lin Xiao could not help asking.
“Secret!”
Bi Zhuang gave a sly smile.
Lin Xiao responded with a roll of his eyes.
At that moment, the Grand Peak Master returned from the meeting and swept directly into the building that had not been closed, appearing before the two of them.
“We have decided to enter the Domain of Evil on a large scale this time. Two half-step Martial Saints will go, one openly and one in secret. Lin Xiao, are you also preparing to enter the Domain of Evil?”
Seeing Bi Zhuang here, the Grand Peak Master naturally understood Lin Xiao’s intention.
Lin Xiao nodded and replied, “Where there is opportunity, I naturally have to go and try my luck.”
“The half-step Martial Saints our Azure Dragon Sect is sending this time are the Third Peak Master and the Fifth Peak Master. People from the Azure Dragon Sect will not make a move against you.”
The Grand Peak Master reminded him, “However, the Sacred Heaven Sect and the Ji family will probably also send half-step Martial Saints to lead their groups. The Sacred Heaven Sect is hard to predict, but you have completely offended the Ji family. The Ji family will definitely target you with all their strength. If you go, it will be extremely dangerous.”
Lin Xiao answered without hesitation, “Wealth and honour are sought amidst danger. As long as no half-step Martial Saint personally acts, and I can enter smoothly, even when facing high-rank Martial Emperors I have ways to escape. It won’t be that easy for them to kill me.”
“Since that is the case, this old man will say no more. Still, rest assured, if a half-step Martial Saint from the Ji family moves against you, the Third Peak Master and the Fifth Peak Master will not stand by and watch.”
As the Grand Peak Master spoke, he took out several layers of special masks from his storage ring and said, “These are human-skin masks I refined in the past. You can completely conceal your aura. As long as you do not attack, no one should recognise you.”
Lin Xiao was slightly surprised and quickly accepted the masks.
He had planned to wear a mask anyway, but only an ordinary one. If he wore a mask and travelled with the Azure Dragon Sect crowd, the Ji family could easily guess his identity.
These human-skin masks, however, were extremely refined. Once worn, and combined with the heavenly eye in his body concealing his aura, it would probably be very difficult for the Ji family to identify him.
Lin Xiao was also a little curious. What exactly had the Grand Peak Master done in the past?
To think he could even refine human-skin masks.
One should know that these masks were made by skinning living people’s faces, then using special secret methods to preserve the skin long-term and keep it lifelike.
Even spirit controllers might not be able to achieve that.
“Hehe, no need to be surprised. The Grand Peak Master used to be…” Bi Zhuang started laughing from the side.
“Hm?”
The Grand Peak Master shot Bi Zhuang a fierce glare, causing Bi Zhuang to sensibly shut his mouth at once.
Naturally, Lin Xiao did not pry further.
After expressing his thanks, Lin Xiao immediately put on one of the masks and changed his clothes.
At this moment, Lin Xiao looked like a completely different person, almost impossible to recognise.
Afterwards, Bi Zhuang returned to the Ninth Vein to join the disciples there.
Following the Grand Peak Master’s instructions, Lin Xiao went alone to the First Vein, where the elders and disciples were gathering.
It was a mountain peak. When Lin Xiao arrived, many people were already discussing matters.
However, the Azure Dragon Sect had numerous disciples. Even within the same vein, not everyone knew each other.
Lin Xiao entered discreetly and did not attract much attention.
Of course, not just any disciple could come here freely to gather.
Only those approved by the elders were allowed, so the number of people was not large, just twenty or thirty in total.
After Lin Xiao blended into the crowd, another young man arrived.
This youth appeared to be about twenty-eight years old, with cold and handsome features. His entire aura was steady and reserved, his eyes extremely sharp. At first glance, anyone could tell he was no ordinary expert.
“Senior Brother Leng Rong!”
Upon seeing this youth, a group of young people grew excited and greeted him together.
“Who is Leng Rong?”
Lin Xiao wondered silently. He reacted quickly, his lips moving naturally as though greeting as well, yet he said nothing.
He truly had no prior knowledge of this person called Leng Rong and did not dare to ask. He could only keep quiet.
Presumably, this was the most outstanding genius of the First Vein.
