Chapter 24: The Fleeing Wind

In the southwest of the human realm, in Fufeng City—the city closest to the Southern Heavenly Boundary—an inn was bustling with noise and excitement.

The aroma of steaming food and wine filled the air. Amidst the fragrant haze, Qinglan and Yuedong sat at a corner table by the window, quietly listening to the discussions around them.

A middle-aged man’s voice rose above the din: "Have you heard? The mountain gate trial for the Array Sect this time was set by the new Sect Master, and it carries great significance."

The woman beside him nodded. "Indeed. Rumor has it that the Array Sect is casting a wide net for disciples this time, no longer limited to the path of array cultivation. Practitioners proficient in any path—soul cultivators, artifact refiners, or talisman masters—all have a chance to sign up."

A raspy, elderly voice interjected dismissively, "The path of the soul has been withered for a hundred years; what kind of soul cultivator would even bother to sign up?"

The atmosphere grew slightly awkward. A man who appeared a bit older smiled and interjected, "Look at the ambition of this new Sect Master! It is clearly a move to recruit talent far and wide. This is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity! If one can be admitted into the Array Sect, their future prospects will be limitless!"

The crowd nodded in agreement. One person took up the thread, their tone filled with yearning: "Even if one fails to become a formal member of the Array Sect, just being able to train within the 'Array Realm' would surely be immensely beneficial and rewarding."

The conversation shifted as someone asked curiously, "Speaking of which, does anyone know anything about the trial content within the Array Realm?"

"I only know a little. In the Array Realm, it doesn't just test your mastery of arrays; you must also learn to navigate and adapt to the environment of heaven and earth. It is said that the Array Sect has even introduced demon beasts into the realm for the cultivators to contend with."

People nearby couldn't help but whisper, "They even have demon beasts? Those are man-eating creatures; that sounds incredibly dangerous."

"Danger is to be expected. How could a practitioner of our human race fear danger?"

A young man nearby laughed. "You are all too nervous. The Array Sect's recruitment criteria are very high—the bone age cannot exceed thirty. Isn't that just seeking young, talented cultivators?"

A middle-aged man chuckled, "I’m out of the running. My bone age is too high; I’m already forty, so there’s no way I could pass." He sighed, then joked, "My son is only three, and we don't even know his spiritual root quality yet. Maybe when he grows up, he can give it a try."

The surrounding crowd burst into laughter. Someone teased, "You'll have to take your son with you then and see if he can break the Array Sect’s examination record."

...

Listening to these words, Qinglan remarked offhandedly, "This mountain gate trial is not simple. What exactly is the 'Array Realm'?"

Yuedong’s expression turned fascinating. "The Array Realm is a high-level, complex type of array that is nearly a miniature world in itself. You can imagine it as a secret realm where living beings can reside, and the vitality and activity of all things are preserved."

A flash of surprise crossed Qinglan’s eyes. "Oh? So it’s like another continental space?"

Yuedong’s tone carried a hint of awe. "You could say that. The Array Realm is far superior to mere barriers or illusions; it is an array that only a great expert of the Dao Profound Realm can manifest."

Qinglan narrowed her eyes. "It seems this trial will be quite extensive..."

Yuedong nodded, a look of solemnity appearing on his face. "The competition will be intense as well."

...

The wind outside the window blew gently. The atmosphere remained lively, yet carried a trace of an imperceptible chill.

As the surrounding clamor wove together, Qinglan and Yuedong remained immersed in their discussion, contemplating the details of the Array Sect's recruitment. They completely failed to notice a middle-aged man silently sitting down beside them.

The scene carried a touch of inexplicable eeriness.

The man had a strange red mark between his brows, and his skin possessed a faint bronze luster. He sat down calmly and even began to eat on his own, his movements leisurely and natural, as if he were an old friend already well-acquainted with Qinglan and Yuedong.

"That's right, the Array Sect is certainly making a grand gesture this time. The tests won't be easy."

It wasn't until he spoke that Qinglan and Yuedong suddenly realized, jolted by the presence of the stranger sitting right next to them.

The two stood up abruptly, breaking into a cold sweat.

The man continued to eat leisurely, seemingly indifferent to their shock.

Qinglan’s gaze snapped to the center of the man's forehead; the flame pattern there was all too familiar.

"Are you from the Zhu family?" she asked coldly.

The man halted his movements and slowly lifted his eyelids. A playful smile flashed in his eyes as he looked at Qinglan. "You are quite sharp. That’s right, I am indeed from the Zhu family."

His voice was low, carrying an irrepressible chill. "However, since you carry a tracking spirit mark from my clan, I’m afraid you are people who must die."

As soon as he finished speaking, the expressions of Qinglan and Yuedong changed drastically. A sharp, overwhelming killing intent descended, instantly engulfing them.

"The Third Realm—the Spirit Origin Realm!" Yuedong was inwardly horrified. He instinctively stepped in front of Qinglan.

He knew what this aura meant; this was absolutely not an opponent they could face!

Seeing their expressions shift, the man sneered, "You have some measure of insight, at least."

"I received a message from the family two days ago that Ning'er had her spiritual roots destroyed and has been reduced to a cripple."

A flicker of fury and murderous intent appeared in his eyes. "The one who did it was a Wood-element female cultivator."

The man’s gaze locked onto Qinglan, growing colder and colder, as if she were already a corpse. "What a ruthless hand you have... Do you think that after destroying Zhu Ning, you can still survive?"

"Boom!"

Qinglan felt a surge of intense pressure. Both she and Yuedong reacted simultaneously—Yuedong grabbed Qinglan’s hand without hesitation, and the two bolted toward the exit.

...

The man remained composed, finishing his meal in a measured, unhurried manner. He meticulously wiped the corners of his mouth, then slowly rose and gently brushed the dust from his lapels.

Once everything was in order, he lifted his head, his eyes as cold as ice and as scorching as flames. "Can you really escape?"

...

Qinglan and Yuedong had already left the outskirts of Fufeng City, speeding toward the border where the human realm met the Southern Territory.

Though they traveled with great haste, the man caught up to them in no time at all.

The man’s gait was light, as if he were walking upon the wind. He said with composure, "Too slow. You are far too slow."

The disdain in his voice seemed to come from a higher plane, carrying the contempt of one looking down upon ants.

The man smiled slightly and flicked his fingers. In an instant, a ball of scorching magma, fueled by violent momentum, whistled through the air, weaving into a massive ring that tightly imprisoned Qinglan and Yuedong.

Qinglan gripped her sword, *Qingying Luo*, her gaze sharp.

Yuedong quickly unfurled an array, his spiritual power surging to instantly wrap them both in a billowing sandstorm.

Yellow sand danced in the sky, repeatedly shattered by the magma only to rise again. The scene grew increasingly hazy, and their silhouettes became more and more blurred.

A hint of playfulness flashed in the man’s eyes. Like a cat playing with a mouse, he hooked the corner of his mouth into a smile. "The array is not bad. It’s worth a look."

As he spoke, he continued to control the trajectory of the magma spheres, gradually tightening the perimeter.

The two were being pushed into a dead end.

He stood still on the perimeter, watching the magma ring shrink smaller and smaller as the quicksand churned frantically within it.

...

However, as time passed, the man’s smile gradually faded, and he felt a hint of something amiss.

His expression changed. "This isn't right. What is going on?"