The ancient Life and Death Arena stood like a colossal beast within the ruined sect.
Its towering stone walls were covered in countless weapon marks that had survived the passage of untold years. Every crack radiated an ancient aura, while the formation beneath the arena floor pulsed rhythmically with spiritual light.
Unlike the Scripture Pavilion or the Medicinal Garden, the arena remained almost perfectly preserved.
Its purpose had never been storing treasures.
Its purpose was to forge warriors.
At that moment—
Boom!
A violent collision shook the arena.
Lou Han slid several meters across the stone platform, his feet carving two deep grooves before he stabilized himself.
His breathing had become heavy.
Across from him stood a muscular man nearly three meters tall.
Bronze skin.
Explosive muscles.
No weapon.
Only fists.
Every inch of his body looked like tempered steel.
Beside Lou Han, Lin Xiaolu was similarly engaged against another illusionary opponent.
Unlike ordinary illusion formations, these holographic cultivators weren't mindless puppets.
They possessed combat instincts.
Battle experience.
Techniques.
Even their killing intent felt almost real.
The body cultivator before Lou Han suddenly stomped.
Boom!
The stone platform shattered beneath his feet.
His figure disappeared.
Lou Han's pupils shrank.
Fast!
The next instant, a fist already appeared before his face.
Without hesitation, Lou Han raised his forearm.
Bang!
A terrifying impact erupted.
His entire arm became numb.
The force sent him flying backward before he twisted in midair and landed safely.
Not far away—
Lin Xiaolu's sword danced gracefully.
Cold ice qi swept through the arena like blooming snowflakes.
The illusionary body cultivator completely ignored the freezing qi.
Instead, he allowed the ice to spread across his body before shattering it through pure physical strength.
Crack!
Ice exploded everywhere.
Before Lin Xiaolu could react, the illusion had already entered close combat.
His palm struck toward her shoulder.
She immediately shifted sideways.
The strike missed.
Yet the shockwave alone shattered the stone pillar behind her.
Boom!
Dust filled the air.
Lou Han seized the opportunity.
His Gang Qi surged.
His entire body erupted with explosive force.
Like a blazing cannonball, he charged directly toward his opponent.
Since the opponent preferred close combat—
Then he would answer with even fiercer close combat.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Fists collided continuously.
Every exchange sounded like metal crashing together.
Neither side retreated.
Neither side yielded.
The surrounding spectators watched with increasingly shocked expressions.
"These two..."
"They've actually forced the arena illusions this far."
"They're only Xuan Gang."
One Foundation Establishment cultivator couldn't help sighing.
"The Heaven Seal Gate truly lived up to its reputation."
"Even their training formations are terrifying."
"They deliberately match opponents capable of exposing your weaknesses."
Another cultivator nodded.
"That's why everyone keeps coming here."
"This place isn't for rewards."
"It's for tempering combat experience."
Indeed.
Since entering the arena, Lou Han and Lin Xiaolu had challenged numerous illusionary opponents.
Sword cultivators.
Spear users.
Sabre masters.
Archers.
Spell cultivators.
Every battle taught them something new.
Every defeat exposed another weakness.
Neither cared about losing.
Because nobody truly died.
The moment one's life reached genuine danger—
The arena formations immediately teleported them outside.
It was the perfect place to fight without fear.
Unfortunately...
Today's opponents proved overwhelming.
Ancient body cultivators.
During the ancient cultivation era, body cultivation had once rivaled every major cultivation path.
Unlike modern cultivators who treated physical refinement as supplementary, ancient body cultivators dedicated everything to tempering flesh, blood, bones and organs.
Every punch carried terrifying destructive power.
Every movement represented years of refinement.
Their techniques were equally profound.
Current body cultivators still existed.
Many Foundation Establishment and Purple Palace cultivators refined their physiques to improve breakthrough success rates.
However—
Few specialized in it completely.
The cost was simply too great.
Body cultivation required enormous resources.
Pain beyond imagination.
Constant tempering.
Many abandoned the path halfway.
Only monsters persevered.
Facing two illusionary ancient body cultivators simultaneously had become an invaluable lesson.
Boom!
Another collision erupted.
Lou Han was struck squarely in the chest.
At nearly the same time—
Lin Xiaolu's sword was knocked from her hand.
The arena formations immediately reacted.
A gentle light enveloped both of them.
The next instant—
The world blurred.
They appeared outside the arena.
Both landed safely.
Lou Han exhaled deeply before laughing.
"Again defeated."
Lin Xiaolu rubbed her aching wrist before smiling helplessly.
"They're ridiculously strong."
Lou Han nodded.
"But we learned a lot."
"Especially their close-combat techniques."
"My reactions improved considerably."
Lin Xiaolu agreed.
"My sword movements also became smoother."
"Even losing wasn't a waste."
They had just begun regulating their breathing when nearby conversations suddenly entered their ears.
"...Have you heard?"
"They've finally cornered her."
"Who?"
"Lin Yan."
Both Lou Han and Lin Xiaolu immediately turned.
The cultivators nearby continued speaking excitedly.
"They say she possesses two Heaven Mending Fruits."
"Half the secret realm has already gathered."
"I heard even Peak Foundation Establishment cultivators have joined."
Another person shook his head.
"The Lin Family's reputation means nothing inside the secret realm."
"Once everyone leaves, who's going to know who attacked her?"
Someone else whispered,
"They've forced her near the entrance of the Scripture Pavilion."
"The ancient formation there is still functioning."
"It temporarily blocked everyone."
"But more cultivators keep arriving."
"Eventually they'll overwhelm her."
Lou Han's expression changed immediately.
His eyes became serious.
Lin Xiaolu looked equally alarmed.
Neither questioned the rumor's authenticity.
Whether Lin Yan truly possessed the Heaven Mending Fruits or not no longer mattered.
If enough people believed it—
Then she was already in danger.
Lou Han clenched his fists.
"We have to go."
Lin Xiaolu nodded instantly.
"She's Brother Lin Sheng's elder sister."
"And she's our ally."
Without another word, both figures burst forward.
Their speed exploded to its limit.
Like two streaks of light, they shot across the ruined sect.
Behind them, countless cultivators were already rushing toward the same destination.
The Scripture Pavilion.
The atmosphere throughout the secret realm had quietly changed.
What began as a search for opportunities...
Was rapidly becoming a struggle for survival.
--------
The ancient Scripture Pavilion had become completely surrounded.
Cultivators stood upon broken rooftops.
Others floated upon flying artifacts.
Many more occupied the shattered courtyards surrounding the pavilion.
Hundreds of pairs of eyes stared toward the entrance.
Nobody moved first.
Nobody wished to become the person facing Lin Yan's sword.
The ancient formation protecting the Scripture Pavilion continued to shimmer faintly, creating a translucent barrier between those outside and those taking refuge within.
Its power had already weakened after countless millennia.
Yet it remained sufficient to stop ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.
For now.
Inside the formation, Lin Yan stood calmly with her sword resting at her side.
Although her robes bore several cuts from earlier battles and a faint trace of dried blood stained one sleeve, her expression remained indifferent.
Her breathing was perfectly steady.
Her gaze slowly swept across every face gathered outside.
She recognized quite a few of them.
Some belonged to rogue cultivators.
Some came from nearby provinces.
Others had even entered alongside the Lin Family.
All of them shared the same expression.
Greed.
Suddenly—
A commotion erupted near the back of the crowd.
Several Lin Family disciples were shoved forward violently.
Each had their cultivation sealed.
Blood stained their clothes.
Their expressions were pale.
One of them struggled violently before being kicked to his knees.
The surrounding cultivators immediately fell silent.
A middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator stepped forward while gripping one of the Lin disciples by the neck.
His voice echoed throughout the courtyard.
"Lin Yan!"
"If you value the lives of your clansmen..."
"Come out obediently."
The hostage coughed violently but still shouted,
"Senior Sister!"
"Don't listen to them!"
"They—"
Before he could finish—
Bang!
The middle-aged man punched him across the face.
Blood sprayed onto the ground.
"Quiet."
Inside the formation...
Lin Yan's eyes narrowed slightly.
A terrifying chill silently spread from her body.
She didn't speak.
She simply looked at the man.
Carefully.
Slowly.
As though engraving every feature upon her memory.
His face.
His aura.
His cultivation.
Everything.
The murderous intent within her heart quietly intensified.
No one noticed.
Yet she had already made a decision.
This man...
Would not die quickly.
He would experience every punishment she could think of before his final breath.
Beside the hostage holder, another cultivator's expression became uneasy.
He lowered his voice.
"Brother..."
"Isn't this going a little too far?"
The first man frowned.
"What do you mean?"
The other cultivator glanced toward Lin Yan before whispering nervously,
"She's the Lin Family's greatest genius."
"If we truly force her into desperation..."
"And somehow she survives..."
"The Lin Family won't simply let this matter go."
He swallowed hard.
"They'll hunt us to the ends of the Eastern Region."
"Their Purple Palace experts alone are enough to make our lives worse than death."
Several nearby cultivators silently nodded.
That concern wasn't unreasonable.
Robbing opportunities inside a secret realm was one thing.
Taking Lin Family disciples hostage...
That crossed another line entirely.
The middle-aged cultivator merely sneered.
"Cowards."
He suddenly turned toward the surrounding crowd before raising his voice.
"Everyone!"
Countless eyes immediately focused upon him.
A sinister smile gradually spread across his face.
"Whoever helps me break this formation..."
"I guarantee rewards."
His voice became louder.
"A Foundation Establishment Pill at the very least!"
The surrounding cultivators immediately became restless.
Foundation Establishment Pills...
Were treasures many Qi Refining cultivators spent their entire lives chasing.
Seeing everyone's attention, the man smiled even wider.
"But that's only the minimum."
"If the Heaven Mending Fruits truly exist..."
"The rewards may even reach..."
"A Rank-3 breakthrough treasure."
Silence.
Then...
The atmosphere exploded.
"A Rank-3 treasure?"
"Seriously?"
"He wouldn't dare lie in front of this many people."
"My chance has finally arrived!"
Even many Foundation Establishment cultivators revealed greedy expressions.
A Rank-3 spiritual item capable of assisting breakthroughs into Purple Palace...
Such treasures were almost never seen outside large sects.
The temptation proved overwhelming.
One cultivator stepped forward immediately.
"I'll help!"
Another quickly followed.
"So will I."
Within moments...
Dozens had already volunteered.
The first man laughed loudly.
"Excellent!"
"I knew fellow Daoists understood righteousness."
He pointed dramatically toward the formation.
"Lin Yan selfishly monopolizes two Heaven Mending Fruits."
"Those treasures belong beneath Heaven!"
"They should benefit everyone!"
"Yet she keeps them entirely for herself."
He spread both arms.
"Tell me!"
"Isn't that a crime against the Heavenly Dao?"
His words immediately resonated with those already blinded by greed.
"Exactly!"
"The opportunity belongs to everyone!"
"She's being selfish!"
"Such heavenly treasures shouldn't belong to one person!"
Countless voices echoed one after another.
Soon...
The crowd had completely convinced itself.
They weren't robbing someone.
They weren't bullying a lone cultivator.
They were...
"Upholding justice."
Inside the formation, Lin Yan quietly watched the farce unfold.
Not once did her expression change.
She simply tightened her grip upon her sword.
Sometimes...
The ugliest thing in the cultivation world wasn't demonic cultivators.
Nor murderous beasts.
It was ordinary people...
Who could justify any act of greed by calling it righteousness.