There's still a hidden core Array Eye that hasn't collapsed?
True Monarch Qingning looked suspiciously at Gu Qingfeng. Clearly, she didn't believe him. After all, she had just used her divine sense to meticulously probe the area; all the arrays and array eyes inside had completely collapsed. How could there be another array eye?
"True Monarch Qingning, this person's origins are unknown. I'm afraid he's deliberately stalling for time. He might have already sent word and is waiting for reinforcements to come and seize this cave dwelling."
The white-clad man named Li Qiandong transmitted a secret message. True Monarch Qingning's expression stiffened. Thinking about it carefully, that seemed like a possibility too.
"I think he's just stalling, waiting for backup. True Monarch Qingning, let me cripple him first!"
Just as Huang Yao was about to summon his flying sword, a violent roar suddenly erupted from within the cave, shaking the surrounding earth.
"Not good! Fall back quickly!"
True Monarch Qingning's expression changed drastically as she hurriedly retreated. The others were also frightened, leaping up and darting back.
At the same time, a powerful force exploded out from the cave entrance, immediately shattering and dispersing the formation True Monarch Qingning had previously set up at the entrance. A flash of light flickered and then vanished instantly. Soon, the explosion sounds also ceased one after another.
Witnessing this scene, True Monarch Qingning seemed somewhat unable to believe it and felt a wave of lingering fear. Judging from the force of that explosion just now, if she had gone down earlier...
Thinking of this, True Monarch Qingning truly didn't dare to continue that line of thought. Instead, she looked at the unfamiliar man standing under the great tree, munching on a Redleaf Monster Fruitlet. She couldn't understand—she had clearly probed carefully, so how could there still be an array eye?
And how did he know about it?
Without overthinking, True Monarch Qingning quickly expressed her gratitude: "Thank you for the warning just now, Fellow Daoist, otherwise I would have..." She paused, then introduced herself: "I am Qingning, from the Nine Hua Alliance. May I ask your esteemed name, Fellow Daoist?"
The Nine Hua Alliance?
Gu Qingfeng had heard Elder Huode mention the name Nine Hua Alliance before. It was said this alliance rose during the Great Calamity and had grown to become an immense force today, covering almost the entire Qingyang Region. It even controlled many sects, with Yunxia Sect being one of them.
Gu Qingfeng truly hadn't expected to encounter not only disciples of Yunxia Sect here today but also someone from the Nine Hua Alliance. Seeing True Monarch Qingning's inquiry, he only replied that he was just passing by. As he walked over, he glanced into the cave entrance. With the recent explosion inside, the spiritual energy was extremely chaotic. He figured it would be better to wait a bit before going down.
Seeing that the other party wouldn't even give his name, True Monarch Qingning, though puzzled, couldn't press further. She just felt this person was rather peculiar because she couldn't detect any trace of spiritual power aura on Gu Qingfeng—not even the slightest bit.
This was truly bizarre.
All those who cultivate possess a spiritual aura.
How could this man have none?
Could it be he isn't a cultivator?
Impossible!
She hadn't detected the hidden array eye within the cave dwelling, yet he knew about it, indicating his divine sense was stronger than hers.
How could someone like that not be a cultivator?
While True Monarch Qingning was lost in thought, Li Qiandong, Huang Yao, and the others were all frowning deeply, their expressions a mix of awkwardness and wariness. Awkward because they had underestimated this man earlier; wary because this man's origins were unknown, and his cultivation and strength were also unclear.
"I am Huo Yong of the Windfire Sect. Thank you for the warning just now, sir."
A tall, burly man stepped forward, cupping his fist in gratitude.
The Windfire Sect?
Gu Qingfeng thought for a moment but had no impression of it.
Perhaps because this Windfire Sect disciple had stepped forward to give thanks, Li Qiandong over there also stepped out, cupping his fist: "Li Qiandong of Yunxia Sect. Thank you for the warning just now, sir."
Gu Qingfeng looked them over and asked, "Are you all disciples of Yunxia Sect?"
The young man named Huang Yao stepped forward proudly. "That's right. I am one of the Chiefs of Yunxia Sect's Twelve Courtyards. My Senior Brother Li is also one of the Chiefs. My Eldest Senior Brother, Mu Zibai, will be arriving shortly. I presume you've heard of my Eldest Senior Brother's name."
"Mu Zibai?"
Gu Qingfeng truly hadn't heard of him and asked, "Also a Chief of Yunxia Sect?"
"Of course. My Eldest Senior Brother Mu Zibai is the foremost among the Twelve Courtyards Chiefs. He established a Colorful Foundation."
A Colorful Foundation?
Gu Qingfeng raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.
He knew a Colorful Foundation was also a legendary special foundation.
Ordinary people who successfully establish their Foundation mostly form ordinary foundations. A Colorful Foundation, however, is far, far superior to an ordinary one. Whether it's the meridians, the dantian, or even the bones and sinews, they all transform into color. The speed of absorbing spiritual energy is much faster than normal, and refinement is also extraordinary. Most importantly, this kind of foundation is exceptionally solid, said to possess the protection of colorful spirits. Even with severe injuries, it's very difficult to damage the foundation itself.
A Colorful Foundation is certainly good.
But not everyone can establish one.
Legend said the more colors one's spiritual root possessed, the greater the chance of establishing a Colorful Foundation. Forget about one, two, or three-colored spiritual roots—the chance was too low. At least a four-colored spiritual root or above was needed for a chance.
What made Gu Qingfeng sigh somewhat was that back when he cultivated in this world, if someone could establish a Colorful Foundation, it might not shake the entire world, but they would absolutely be a genius fiercely fought over by a major region. He never expected that now, someone with a Colorful Foundation in Yunxia Sect could only manage to be a Chief Disciple, and not even the most formidable one at that. He'd heard Elder Huode say that above the Twelve Courtyards Chiefs, there were also something called the Nine Halls Chiefs.
If that fellow Mu Zibai, with his Colorful Foundation, could only be a Twelve Courtyards Chief, then what kind of characters must the Nine Halls Chiefs be?
Just then, a voice suddenly came from mid-air.
"Junior Brothers, am I not too late?"
As the words fell, a handsome man in white jade robes came riding the wind. The man had a handsome face, a tall and slender figure, and stood upon a white flying sword. As he flew, his long hair streamed behind him, looking quite dashing.
"Eldest Senior Brother!"
Seeing the newcomer, both Li Qiandong and Huang Yao looked rather excited.
Clearly, the newcomer was none other than the one they spoke of—Mu Zibai, who possessed a Colorful Foundation and was hailed as the foremost among the Twelve Courtyards Chiefs.
Mu Zibai retrieved his flying sword, then offered a faint smile and a greeting to True Monarch Qingning. However, he didn't address her as 'True Monarch', but simply as 'Qingning', suggesting their relationship was quite good.
"Isn't your Yunxia Sect being a bit too underhanded? Actually calling for backup? If that's the case, then I'll go call my Windfire Sect Senior and Junior Brothers over too!"
An ancient rule had always circulated in this world: for any ownerless object, all who see it have a share. However, the premise was that one couldn't call for backup. This was an old rule passed down from ancient times.
"Heh, Brother Huo, I, Mu, was not called here as backup. This cave dwelling was discovered by Qingning and me first. I just had some urgent matters to attend to and left for a while. If you don't believe me, you can ask."
True Monarch Qingning nodded in confirmation. "That's indeed the case. Qingning and Mu Zibai..." Just as she was speaking, Gu Qingfeng beside her suddenly jumped into the cave dwelling without a word.
"Huh? Who was that just now?"