The ten Ancient Giant Demons charged across the ground, shaking the entire world violently.
The presence of these massive creatures was enough to make anyone's spirit crumble.
At the same time, others who had been absorbed into the Golden Illusion Spirit Array were likewise trapped in illusions, facing Devils from Beyond with strength almost equivalent to half-step demon kings.
According to the rules of the Golden Illusion Spirit Array, they needed to defeat these demonic illusions to earn the chance to proceed to the next trial.
With ten half-step demon king level devils, this setup could only be described as monstrous. Even for someone like Ling Feng, not to mention Feng Yan or Murong Wu, survival alone was a challenge in this nightmare.
One of the Ancient Giant Demons bellowed, and all the Devils fixed their gaze on Ling Feng. They'd finally found his location on the cliff, and now they barreled toward him, seeming intent on flattening him into pulp.
"Is this really still the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons?"
Ling Feng rubbed his temples and, watching the Ancient Giant Demons rapidly close in, forced himself to stay calm.
"Heavenly Dao Divine Inscription, condense!"
In Ling Feng's right eye, two divine inscriptions gathered at once. The power of his Heavenly Dao Eye allowed him to see through any illusions or magical arrays.
Sure enough, as Ling Feng activated his Heavenly Dao Eye to its limit, he saw that everything around him was an illusion. In reality, he was fighting imaginary Devils from Beyond within his own mindscape.
"So, it was just an illusion!"
Ling Feng let out a cold laugh, pushing the Heavenly Dao Eye to its limits. He managed to break the rules of the Golden Illusion Spirit Array, escaping the illusion altogether.
Soon, his awareness returned to his physical form.
He then realized he'd been floating in midair the entire time. Around him, others were also suspended, their brows furrowed, faces showing various expressions, but they all seemed troubled.
"It looks like they're also fighting illusions of Devils from Beyond."
Ling Feng smirked. He had been lucky to have the Heavenly Dao Eye's abilities; otherwise, he might have been struggling against illusions just like everyone else.
"Let's see what treasure could possibly be worth protecting with such a bizarre illusionary array."
Ling Feng raised his sword-like brows, drifting downward to approach the core of the golden vortex.
Getting closer, he realized that on the first floor of the scripture depository was an unassuming desk with an oddly-shaped treasure box on top. The golden vortex seemed to originate from this box!
"What could this thing be?"
Ling Feng stared at the treasure box intently. Though it had an unusual shape, it didn't seem particularly special. He couldn't understand why it would be placed in the scripture depository. Could this box hold the secret teachings of the ancient Huangji Sect?
"No matter. I'll take it and study it later."
Ling Feng raised his eyebrows and grabbed the treasure box. The moment he touched it, a clicking sound echoed, and the golden vortex instantly dissipated. In the next moment, the martial artists suspended mid-air, struggling within the Golden Illusion Spirit Array, began to fall to the ground one by one.
"You've got to be kidding!"
Ling Feng's pupils shrank as he quickly stowed the treasure box and moved swiftly among the falling group to select his companions. He needed only to find his targets and open the portal to the Five Elements Heavenly Palace to safely transport them there.
Of course, Tuoba Yan was an exception. She could only stay within the same space-time as him.
Ling Feng caught the unconscious Tuoba Yan last, cradling her in his arms, and with a leap, he exited the scripture depository, stepping onto a broken beam. As for the others, they could deal with things themselves.
(Don't question why Ling Feng didn't take this opportunity to kill Yan Jinghong. Ling Feng wasn't willing to stoop so low; he wanted to use the pressure Yan Jinghong posed to push himself to grow stronger.)
Ling Feng traveled to a secluded spot and released Feng Yan and his group. He knew the array outside the scripture depository would eventually reset, so he'd brought them along to avoid wasting time breaking through again later—consider it repaying a favor to Feng Yan.
Based on his guess, the treasure box was likely the core of the illusionary array and was now in his possession. Feng Yan and the others would likely wake up soon.
"Brother Feng, I'll be taking my leave. Until we meet again!"
Ling Feng, holding Tuoba Yan on his shoulder, he fist-and-palm saluted toward the unconscious Feng Yan.
He'd hidden them well enough that no one would find them before they awoke.
However, at that moment, Ling Feng sensed a dangerous presence, like a predator lurking in the shadows. He felt a chill of murderous intent lock onto him.
His pupils contracted, and he dodged just in time to evade a hidden weapon.
A sharp, acrid smell filled the air where he had just been standing. A poisoned dart had embedded itself in the ground, emitting thick smoke and corroding the ground—clearly laced with deadly venom.
A young man dressed in black emerged from behind a broken wall, approaching Ling Feng with a slow clap and a sinister grin. "You've got sharp instincts!"
Ling Feng narrowed his eyes. In the Golden Illusion Spirit Array, he'd noticed someone was missing; he hadn't expected it to be this guy.
From the first time he'd seen Shen Lang, the man had seemed unusually reserved, hardly speaking at all, save for the times he'd sip his wine.
But he exuded an unmistakable sense of danger.
For instance, just now—had it not been for Ling Feng's attunement to the Slaughterous Sword Will, allowing him to detect killing intent, he might have been ambushed.
It turned out Shen Lang was the last, hidden threat in the shadows!
Shen Lang lifted his wine gourd, taking a leisurely sip as he smirked. "Brother Ling, I didn't expect you'd be the first to make it out. Now, hand over that treasure box from the scripture depository, and I might spare your life."
"Treasure box? What treasure box? I have no idea what you're talking about."
Ling Feng narrowed his eyes, watching Shen Lang carefully as his mind raced.
Shen Lang's strength likely matched that of Yan Jinghong. Considering his current power, Ling Feng knew he wasn't a match for Shen Lang, especially while trying to ensure Tuoba Yan's safety.
For now, his only option was to stall until Feng Yan regained consciousness.
"You're stalling for Feng Yan to wake up and help you fight me?"
Shen Lang, grinning like a venomous snake, sneered. "Do you think I'm as stupid as Yan Jinghong?"
With a flick of his long sword, Shen Lang's cold eyes locked on Ling Feng. "If you won't cooperate, then I'll just kill you and take your belongings myself! Heh heh heh..."