Chapter 53: Hunting Inside the Tower, Undercurrents Surge

The moment he entered the Asking Immortal Tower, Zhou Chen felt as if he had stepped into a primitive, desolate world.

Before his eyes was an endless primeval forest, with towering ancient trees reaching straight into the sky.

The earth was fertile black-brown, carrying the raw scent of fresh soil. The Spiritual Qi permeating the air was extremely dense, at least a hundred times the concentration outside, even beginning to fog and liquefy.

Ancient, mysterious, yet full of vitality.

In the distance, the terrifying roars of Yao Beasts and the booming sounds of fierce battle could be heard.

Looking from afar, the Disciples who had been randomly teleported in earlier were already locked in combat with Yao Beasts like the Barren Lizard and Corrosive Thorn Demon on the first floor of the Asking Immortal Tower.

Judging by the intensity of the fighting, the number of Yao Beasts was likely quite large.

Qi Refinement Stage and Foundation Establishment Stage Yao Beasts were everywhere; one could even sense the terrifying aura of Core Formation realm Yao Beasts from afar.

However, the terrifying things weren't these Yao Beasts, but rather the people one needed to guard against, as the Elder hadn't said that attacking fellow Sect members was forbidden when reading the rules.

"Time is pressing."

Zhou Chen had no intention of lingering; the low-level demonic creatures here posed no threat.

With a thought, he brought up the [Opportunity Panel].

These were the Blood Demon Sect Disciples Zhou Chen had locked onto long before entering the Asking Immortal Tower.

"Lin Hao, Inner Sect Elite, Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer, Blood Demon Sect Dark Guard Blood Seven. Received instructions from the Blood Demon Sect Third Elder to cooperate with Number One and Number Five to seize the Opportunity to kill Ye Chen during the trial. Carries one Blood Demon Summoning Talisman, which can summon the Blood Demon Sect Third Elder's Primordial Spirit to descend and unleash a full-power strike at the Nascent Soul First Layer… Recent Opportunity: Found one Profound Rank High Grade Spiritual Plant, the Black Water Dark Lotus, at the edge of the Black Water Region on the second floor of the Asking Immortal Tower."

"Wang Chong, Core Candidate, Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer, Blood Demon Sect Dark Guard Number Five. Received instructions from the Blood Demon Sect Third Elder to cooperate with Number One and Number Seven to seize the Opportunity to kill Ye Chen during the trial. Carries one Blood Demon Summoning Talisman, which can summon the Blood Demon Sect Third Elder's Primordial Spirit to descend and unleash a full-power strike at the Nascent Soul Second Layer. Will encounter Ye Chen deep within the White Bone Wasteland on the fifth floor, where he and Number Five will set a trap… Recent Opportunity: Obtained a damaged Formation Plate left behind by a predecessor at the bottom of the Wind Erosion Canyon on the third floor, capable of unleashing one full-power strike at the Golden Core Early Stage."

"Chen Feng, Core Candidate, Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer, Blood Demon Sect Dark Guard Number One. Received instructions from the Blood Demon Sect Third Elder to cooperate with Number Five and Number Seven to seize the Opportunity to kill Ye Chen during the trial. Carries one Blood Demon Summoning Talisman, which can summon the Blood Demon Sect Third Elder's Primordial Spirit to descend and unleash a full-power strike at the Nascent Soul Second Layer. Will encounter Ye Chen deep within the White Bone Wasteland on the fifth floor, where he and Number Five will set a trap… Recent Opportunity: Killed the guardian Yao Beast 'Two-Headed Fire Python' near the Lava Waterfall on the fourth floor, obtaining one Earth Rank Low Grade Fire Python Inner Core."

"Zhao Gang, Inner Sect Elite, Wenxian Sect Enforcement Hall Deacon Disciple, Blood Demon Sect Dark Guard Number Zero. Surface cultivation is Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer Late Stage, actual cultivation is Foundation Establishment Tenth Layer. Also carries a Blood Demon Summoning Talisman, responsible for tracking Ye Chen's movements and contacting the various Blood Demon Sect Dark Guards… Recent Opportunity: Found a small amount of rare Earth Rank Medium Grade Artifact Refining material, Starlight Sand, in a corner of the Maze Stone Forest on the fourth floor."

The Blood Demon Sect's scheme is astounding!

It feels like the Wenxian Sect is about to be infiltrated into a sieve.

A cold glint flashed in Zhou Chen's eyes.

"One Foundation Establishment Tenth Layer, two Dark Pawns at the Ninth and Eighth Layers, plus trump cards like the Blood Demon Summoning Talisman—what a massive undertaking! Ye Chen, oh Ye Chen, will your ability to Turn Misfortune into Blessing hold up? However… the Blood Demon Sect's plan is likely to fall through."

He quickly made a decision and proceeded according to the original plan!

First, he would eliminate Dark Guards Number Seven and Number Five, who had slightly lower cultivation and were easier to locate, intercepting the Opportunities that would lead to Ye Chen's advancement. He would leave Number One, Chen Feng, as bait to track Ye Chen!

As for Zhao Gang, he could be left alone for now. After all, Ye Chen's Opportunity Panel showed that Zhao Gang was not participating in this specific operation, suggesting the Blood Demon Sect might have deeper plans.

The first target was Dark Guard Number Seven, Lin Hao, who was relatively closer to him! This person was heading toward the Black Water Region on the second floor.

White Rainbow Pierces the Sun!

Zhou Chen's figure shot out like a phantom, moving silently through the dense forest, avoiding several groups of intertwined Disciples and Yao Beasts.

Everyone held a map issued by the Sect, although the map was not very detailed, only marking general areas and a few extremely dangerous spots where Disciples were advised not to go.

The Divine Concealment Art was operated to its maximum, his aura almost merging with the surrounding environment, yet his speed was astonishingly fast, heading straight for the Spatial Passage leading to the second floor.

Occasionally, some blind Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Yao Beasts blocked his path, and Zhou Chen didn't mind harvesting them along the way.

A few days later, Zhou Chen arrived at the place marked as Black Water Pool.

This was a strange place composed of countless massive stone pillars and an endless black pool.

The dense stone pillars seemed to have grown out of the Black Water Pool, resembling living things.

The stone pillars were over a hundred zhang high, their forms twisted and grotesque. The naturally formed holes on them wailed like ghosts and gods crying in the Fierce Wind.

The Spiritual Qi here was chaotic, making it easy to lose one's sense of direction. It also hid Foundation Establishment Yao Beasts skilled at burrowing and sudden attacks. Just now, Zhou Chen had seen several dormant Rock Scorpions and Black Water Crocodiles.

Fortunately, none of them discovered Zhou Chen.

One day later.

Lin Hao, Blood Demon Sect Dark Guard Number Seven, was walking extremely cautiously beneath the shadows of several massive stone pillars.

This person was very careful, not only concealing his aura but also vigilantly scanning his surroundings.

The next moment, his eyes lit up; a black lotus, faintly glowing all over, came into view ahead of him.

"It's actually a Profound Rank High Grade Spiritual Plant, a Black Water Dark Lotus! I'm rich!"

Lin Hao rubbed his hands excitedly and quickly stepped forward, preparing to pick it.

However, a stream of black water attacked his face without warning—it was a Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer Black Water Crocodile!

Lin Hao's reaction speed was also incredibly fast, and he quickly activated his Protective Spiritual Qi.

"Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle—"

The black water struck Lin Hao's body, continuously eroding his Protective Spiritual Qi.

"What a wicked beast, its poison is actually this potent!"

Whoosh! Lin Hao summoned a Flying Sword and began fighting the Black Water Crocodile.

The Black Water Crocodile failed its sneak attack; due to its low cultivation and monotonous attacks, it was quickly slain by Lin Hao.

Just as Lin Hao finished collecting the Materials from the Black Water Crocodile's corpse and was preparing to pick the Black Water Dark Lotus.

Suddenly! Without any warning!

A blurry white lightning bolt, almost impossible for the naked eye to track, shot out from behind a stone pillar! Its speed seemed to surpass the limits of space!

White Rainbow Pierces the Sun!

Zhou Chen did not probe in the slightest; his attack was full power from the start!

The Tai Chu Chaos Sutra circulated at full speed, and the Blood Soul Burning Flame Sword pulsed with dark light.

Empowered by the Perfection of the third layer of the Undying Golden Body, the Minor Achievement White Rainbow Pierces the Sun erupted with terrifying speed far exceeding what a Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer cultivator should possess!

"Who?!"

The terrifying killing intent made Lin Hao feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

As a Dark Guard, Lin Hao instinctively sensed a fatal crisis.

His reaction was also extremely fast; he instantly activated his Protective Spiritual Power and simultaneously pressed his hand against his Storage Pouch, ready to summon the Blood Demon Summoning Talisman.

But it was too late! Slash—!

A flash of blood light appeared!