Chapter 494: Chapter 113: Cranes Fly Away Outside Qingcun Mountain (Part 2)
Outside the Da Xu Formation’s array gate stood a Flying Sky Gate, faintly enshrouding the entrance.
Beneath the gate hung a golden bell, and a few Taihao Sect disciples stood guard on either side. Among them was a Hua Dan Cultivator with a cold demeanor and a towering presence stationed directly at the gate. Any cultivator exiting the formation had to hand over their Command Token to him. He would then compare it with the entry register’s images to ensure no one was impersonating another before granting passage.
The golden bell hanging on the gate was a secret treasure of the Taihao Sect. If a cultivator bearing a Copper Bamboo Token attempted to take too much Medicine Mushroom, the clash between its wood and metal energies would cause the bell to ring. At that moment, the Hua Dan Cultivator would confiscate the mushrooms, ensuring rules were followed.
Dong Jinzi had originally planned to make his move when rushing the gate. However, due to the Five Spirit White Carp Shuttle, his figure was exposed prematurely. Realizing his cover was blown, he decided to drop his pretense. With a loud shout, he summoned the Green Cloud above his crown, transforming it into a streak of green light and charging directly toward the gate.
The Hua Dan Cultivator saw Dong Jinzi approaching without any hesitation or fear. Enraged, he widened his eyes and shouted, "Audacious!"
Lifting his hand, he summoned a stream of smoky energy, which broke through the air and bore down on Dong Jinzi.
Dong Jinzi narrowed his eyes but did not evade. Instead, he directed the Green Cloud above him to meet the smoky energy head-on.
A sound like muffled thunder erupted. The Green Cloud scattered as if buffeted by a fierce storm. Dong Jinzi spat out several mouthfuls of fresh blood but wiped it away with his sleeve and continued rushing for the gate without pause.
The Hua Dan Cultivator had not anticipated that Dong Jinzi would dare to confront him head-on. Seeing him charging forward with a face full of Evil Qi brought an inexplicable chill to his heart. After a brief hesitation, he sidestepped and allowed Dong Jinzi to pass, but as they brushed past each other, he sneered, "Heh," and raised his hand to release another blast of smoky energy.
Prepared for this, Dong Jinzi turned his head sharply and expelled a breath of green energy. The green energy entwined with the smoke, creating a crackling sound, successfully neutralizing it. Unscathed, he broke through the gate just as the golden bell above the gate rang out in a deafening alarm.
The Hua Dan Cultivator, intending to subdue Dong Jinzi with his strike, was astonished and suspicious upon seeing him unharmed. At that moment, Huo Jinglan arrived. Waving his sleeve, he sent a beam of white light hurtling toward Dong Jinzi.
Though Dong Jinzi outwardly appeared unaffected, his physical body was nearly at its limit. Seeing the ferocity of the incoming white light, he could only twist his body slightly to avoid it. Even so, he let out a scream as half of his shoulder was sliced away!
Hovering in the air, Huo Jinglan shouted, "Senior Brother Qi, be careful! This man is a devil from the Jiuling Sect! We cannot let him escape!"
"A Demon Sect Practitioner!"
The Hua Dan Cultivator addressed as "Senior Brother Qi" darkened his expression. "Junior Brother, don’t worry. With me here, he won’t leave this place alive."
Dong Jinzi surveyed the scene and saw a dozen cultivators closing in on him. Realizing he could not hold out even briefly against such odds, especially with the Hua Dan Cultivator aiding them, a cruel and sinister expression suddenly emerged on his face.
Senior Brother Qi suddenly sensed spiritual energy around him roiling like a tide. His expression changed drastically as he cried out, "This isn’t good! Everyone, retreat quickly!"
Dong Jinzi forced out his spiritual breath and let out a frenzied scream, detonating his avatar in a thunderous explosion. A massive wave of green light erupted, scattering in all directions.
The dozen cultivators present let out a collective wail. Several were instantly knocked from the clouds.
Senior Brother Qi bore the brunt of the blast. But being a Hua Dan Cultivator, he managed to sweep his sleeve, releasing streams of smoky energy to block the advancing green light. However, in doing so, he could no longer lend aid to his fellow sect members.
Despite his profound cultivation, Huo Jinglan was caught off guard. Struck by a green light, he was almost forced to cough up blood. He hastily retreated dozens of meters but soon felt a piercing, needle-like sensation course through his body. Alarmed, he plummeted toward the ground, taking out an elixir pill from his sleeve and swallowing it. After hastily operating his Mysterious Skill, wisps of smoky green energy emerged from his senses. When his cultivation cycle was complete, his complexion eased slightly.
Zhang Yan, who had been trailing Dong Jinzi from a distance, saw him sacrifice his avatar to force the gatekeepers back. Recognizing his chance, Zhang Yan seized the wind and leapt forward, darting through the array gate in a single bound.
Not only was Zhang Yan carrying the Ganoderma Ancestor’s remains, but even the Transformed Ganoderma he possessed contained wood energy far beyond that of ordinary Medicine Mushrooms. The moment he crossed through the gate, the golden bell above swayed violently, emitting resounding chimes that echoed across the Heavenly Han.