Seeing Lady Fox Immortal, everyone’s hearts tightened. To varying degrees, a flicker of wariness surfaced in their eyes.
Lady Fox Immortal was infamous—her reputation both grand and fearsome. Though they hadn’t experienced her power firsthand, they’d heard plenty from their elders.
Thus, her appearance commanded instant respect. Even those of lofty origins, like Linghu Yueyue, dared not show the slightest disrespect.
After all, this was a true demoness—fearless, unbound by anyone’s authority, and heedless of anyone’s face.
Even major powers avoided crossing her, let alone these juniors.
“Friendships are nice, but let me remind you: each of these twelve entrances allows only one person inside. So, out of all of you, only twelve will enter that grand array,” Lady Fox Immortal said.
“Really? Only twelve can go in?”
The juniors’ expressions shifted, some more than others.
They’d obviously heard rumors about this array.
But hearing it confirmed from Lady Fox Immortal’s lips sparked a wave of unease.
Including the eight present Ancestral Martial Ten Stars, there were ninety-eight of them. Ninety-eight vying for twelve spots—that was brutal.
“Entering the array naturally brings great rewards. But those who don’t make it in won’t leave empty-handed.”
“We’ve prepared a grand gift for you. However, that gift requires the combined efforts of those eliminated to obtain.”
“As for what it is, you’ll find out when the time comes.”
With a wave of her sleeve, the ground trembled violently. As it shook, a palace rose slowly from the depths below.
Seeing it, Chu Feng’s eyes flickered, and he smiled faintly, “They’ve really prepared thoroughly.”
He could tell at a glance that the palace was actually an array, linked to the grand array itself.
This sight only solidified Chu Feng’s suspicion: Lady Fox Immortal and the other three had gathered here and held this assessment to use these juniors to get what they wanted.
Of course, that prize wasn’t easy to claim—otherwise, the four of them wouldn’t have gone to such lengths.
“But I’ll warn you: if you do enter the array, the rewards are greater. Inside… are prizes we’ve carefully prepared. How much you get depends on your own strength.”
“And if your strength is sufficient, you might even claim the treasure left by the Realm Spirit Immortal King,” Lady Fox Immortal added.
“The Realm Spirit Immortal King’s treasure?” At those words, the juniors’ eyes gleamed with newfound excitement.
“After years of exploration, we’ve confirmed that within this array lie five barrier swords.”
“Each sword holds immense barrier power—tremendously beneficial to you,” she explained.
Her words sent a surge of excitement through the crowd.
Chu Feng, however, shook his head. Having seen the stone wall in the fiery prison, he knew the barrier swords were real—but they were incredibly hard to find and tame.
If a barrier sword didn’t acknowledge its master, it couldn’t be controlled. Worse, it could be dangerous.
Even if it did accept a master, harnessing its power was no simple task.
It required fusing with another force.
That force was the one capable of elevating a realm spiritist—the very power the stone wall explicitly warned against touching.
Yet, aside from Chu Feng, no one seemed aware of this.
The juniors were buzzing with enthusiasm—even the Ancestral Martial Ten Stars and the Liangqiu sisters were visibly thrilled.
Chu Feng could understand if outsiders were clueless about the barrier swords.
But the Liangqiu sisters, disciples of Grandmaster Liangqiu, shouldn’t be so ignorant of the array’s secrets.
The only explanation Chu Feng could think of was this:
Even Grandmaster Liangqiu, Lady Fox Immortal, and the others didn’t know the true danger of the power hidden within.
“Senior, if we enter, can we find those barrier swords?” someone asked.
“Normally, with your strength, it’d be impossible. But we’ve already gone inside and made arrangements.”
“We’ve located two of the barrier swords and confined them to specific areas.”
“Plus, we’ll activate a barrier array to weaken the grand array’s power, giving you a huge advantage.”
“So fight for it—seize it! Unleash the ambition every martial cultivator should have and claim this rare opportunity.”
“Don’t disappoint me, little ones,” Lady Fox Immortal finished with a charming smile before vanishing from sight.
*Whoosh—*
At that moment, a figure darted forward, charging straight into the Rat zodiac entrance.
It was, of course, Wuma Shengjie.
Her move ignited the crowd.
In an instant, everyone sprang into action, rushing toward their chosen entrances.
Naturally, many opted for the Rat entrance.
They’d heard it was the simplest and easiest to pass.
*Wail—*
Yet, without exception, everyone who entered the Rat entrance was flung back out the moment they stepped inside.
Judging by their disheveled states, they’d clearly been attacked.
So many went in, and nearly all were hurled out—except for Wuma Shengjie, whose figure never reappeared.
It was obvious who’d thrown them out.
“Well, well, that Wuma Clan kid seems pretty impressive,” Linghu Yueyue said, casting an intrigued glance toward the Rat entrance.
“That one’s definitely no pushover,” Liangqiu Lanyue agreed.
