Black Crow Secret Realm.
Countless bloodthirsty crows filled the sky, their dark and piercing cries echoing everywhere.
Most of the cultivators who had come seeking treasure had already left. Even those geniuses with natural-colored spirits who could withstand the green mist's toxicity dared not linger at this moment. Even Nascent Soul experts had departed one after another.
The Black Crow Secret Realm was perilous to begin with, and now with the appearance of so many vicious, bloodthirsty crows, no one dared to stay any longer.
Everyone wanted spirit treasures, but life was more important.
Spirit veins had erupted within the Black Crow Secret Realm, revealing many mysterious cave dwellings.
Among them was one cave dwelling that resembled an ancient temple.
Unlike the outside, there was no green mist inside this temple cave dwelling—not even a wisp. Instead, there was only a sacred aura.
On the temple walls, one profound scripture after another shimmered.
This was true for the walls, and even more so inside the temple's main hall.
The hall was ancient and solemn. At the front stood a somewhat dilapidated Buddha statue, covered in dust and riddled with cracks.
In the very center of the hall hung an ancient bell.
The ancient bell was also very worn, covered in profound scriptures that changed endlessly, appearing like a Buddhist swastika symbol.
Inside the hall stood four people.
A seemingly calm and composed man in a green robe.
A youth with graying temples who appeared mature beyond his years.
An Elder leaning on a cane, with a somewhat gloomy demeanor.
A woman dressed in black robes, veiled, holding a black cat in her arms.
"Who was that strange fat monk just now?"
The Gloomy Elder's voice carried a chill that matched his expression. "Why wasn't he affected by the Buddhist swastika seal and could enter so easily?"
The White-Templed Youth responded, "That monk carried turbid breath. He should be like us—a reincarnated soul."
The Green-Robed Man said calmly, "Not just turbid breath, but also pure breath."
"Oh?"
The Gloomy Elder uttered a sound of surprise. "What do you mean? Could it be that after reincarnation, he also became a Child of Destiny?"
Both the White-Templed Youth and the Green-Robed Man shook their heads.
This was a question they also wanted answered.
The White-Templed Youth sighed. "Unfortunately, I know very little about Buddhist Dharma."
"Buddhist Dharma is like a taboo between heaven and earth. Those who understand it are already few and far between."
As he spoke, the Green-Robed Man turned to look at the woman holding the black cat, cupping his hands in salute. "Might I ask how much you know about Buddhist Dharma?"
The veiled woman remained silent, merely holding the black cat as if she hadn't heard.
Seeing she didn't speak, the Green-Robed Man said nothing more.
He had lain low within the Jiuhua Alliance for many years and knew most of the reincarnated souls across the Four Great Regions. For example, he knew the White-Templed Youth and the Gloomy Elder. Even if he didn't know them personally, he at least knew of their existence.
However, he had never seen this woman holding the black cat before.
Not even once.
The Gloomy Elder glared unfavorably at the veiled woman, saying coldly, "We have spoken to you several times, yet you ignore us. Though we are all reincarnated souls, your airs are rather too great."
The veiled woman still paid no heed.
"Oh?"
The Gloomy Elder sneered. "It seems you truly do not hold us in any regard. Today, this old man will see what ability you possess to dare be so arrogant."
As his words fell, the Gloomy Elder waved his hand. Light blossomed as a boundless black mist palm strike slashed toward the woman.
The woman flicked her finger. A streak of light, like a shooting star, flashed and vanished. The Gloomy Elder's black mist palm strike instantly dissipated into nothing. At the same time, the Gloomy Elder's figure flashed, arriving instantly, transforming into a sinister and terrifying flaming skull that sought to devour the woman in one bite.
The woman slightly raised her arm. Light blossomed like a sacred lotus flower. Whoosh!
The flaming skull disintegrated and vanished. The Gloomy Elder's figure reappeared, grunting as he staggered back three steps.
"You!"
The Gloomy Elder was about to attack again but was stopped by the Green-Robed Man. "Brother Jin, do not act rashly."
As the saying goes, when experts make a move, one knows if they have skill or not.
Whether it was the Gloomy Elder, the Green-Robed Man, or the White-Templed Youth, they were all reincarnated souls. From the two spells the woman had just displayed, they knew this woman was no simple figure. Though they didn't know who she was before reincarnation, one thing was certain: the Gloomy Elder in his current reincarnated form was no match for this woman.
At that moment.
Boom! A violent sound echoed, as if the entire temple were trembling.
"Whatever lies beneath the seal, it seems about to break free."
The Green-Robed Man pondered for a moment. "Since it was suppressed by the Buddhist sect, it must be extraordinary. In my opinion, perhaps we should leave as soon as possible?"
The White-Templed Youth nodded.
Although they were reincarnated souls, former immortals, that was only in the past. After reincarnation, everything started anew. Their current cultivation was merely at the Nascent Soul stage, their strength greatly diminished. Facing an unknown existence, it was best to be as cautious as possible.
"Brother Wan, Brother Qin, your courage is rather too small."
The Gloomy Elder was somewhat unconvinced, looking at the two men. "No matter what is sealed, even if it's a true demon, after being sealed for so many years, it will inevitably be extremely weak upon emerging. If we leave now, we'll only be letting others take advantage."
Clearly, the "others" he referred to were the woman holding the black cat.
"Brother Jin, reincarnation is not easy, and cultivating anew is even harder. We should still prioritize caution."
The Green-Robed Man advised calmly. During his years lying low in the Jiuhua Alliance, he had seen many reincarnated souls who ultimately met untimely ends. Some died on the path of cultivation due to rushing for success or an urgent desire to become immortals. Some died in the world's changes after the great calamity. Others died in rather humiliating ways, killed by various powerful geniuses who emerged after the calamity.
Boom! Another violent sound came.
Suddenly, a person inexplicably barged into the hall.
It was a man.
A man in white robes.
A young man who appeared fair and clean, with a tall and straight posture, a leisurely expression, eyes slightly narrowed, a light breeze-like smile playing at the corner of his mouth, peeling a demon fruit.
Who else could it be but Gu Qingfeng.
When he appeared, the expressions of both the Green-Robed Man and the White-Templed Youth froze. They clearly remembered encountering this strange fellow when they first arrived here earlier.
Gu Qingfeng walked in casually, his dark gaze sweeping over the Gloomy Elder, the Green-Robed Man, and the White-Templed Youth one by one before finally landing on the veiled woman. He glanced at the black cat in her arms, a trace of surprised amusement flashing in his eyes.
"Meow!"
The black cat let out a cry, seeming somewhat afraid as it burrowed deeper into the woman's embrace.
Hmm?
The woman stared at Gu Qingfeng, her eyes filled with particular surprise and doubt.
Gu Qingfeng said nothing, walking directly into the hall. He looked at the ancient bell in the center, observing the faintly visible Buddhist swastika seal on it, and chuckled. "Interesting..."