Chapter 220: Escaping the Circle

In the Shifang Nether Soil, at the inner and outer circle camps, three sect masters sat at the center, surrounded by a group of elders. Each sect had brought their accompanying elders.

An image-recording stone hovered above, but none of the images displayed were calm.

“Hua Qiuxin, could you explain why there are Demonic Creatures above the fifth rank appearing in the Abyssal Circle? If I recall correctly, creatures above the fifth rank are supposed to be confined to the Flat Earth Circle.”

The atmosphere in the tent dropped to freezing point as the Sect Master of the Crimson Sky Sect, with a cold expression, confronted the Sect Master of the Azure Profound Sect.

The Crimson Sky Sect Master, usually seen with a smiling face, was now showing anger for the first time in front of the elders.

Even when the Azure Profound Sect Master previously came to demand an explanation for a demonic beast attack on the Crimson Sky Sect’s barrier, he hadn’t been this furious.

Hua Qiuxin sat at the center, casually tapping her fingers on the table. Unfazed by the question, she replied, “The Abyssal Circle has always had fifth-rank Demonic Creatures escaping from the Flat Earth Circle. This isn’t a recent development.”

Yin Chongyang’s fingers curled slightly, his hand with the red jade ring pressing on the table with a hint of destructive intent. “What a coincidence. Out of the twenty-one teams led by the top disciples of the Four Great Sects, fifteen have encountered Demonic Creatures above the fifth rank.”

“Is it possible that your Azure Profound Sect’s Seven-Element Towers in the Flat Earth Circle have all failed, allowing so many creatures to escape?”

Not only him, but the elders of the other three sects also turned their gaze to Hua Qiuxin. Only Shen Minglu, the Sect Master of the Clear Thought Sect, remained indifferent, sipping his tea.

Yin Chongyang was angered because all four teams from the Crimson Sky Sect, led by their Chief Disciples, had encountered high-rank Demonic Creatures originally from the Flat Earth Circle.

Especially Lu Feishuang’s team, which had been forced into a dangerous confrontation with a fourth-rank Demonic Creature right from the start.

The elders of the Returning Immortal Sect and the Clear Thought Sect hoped Yin Chongyang would speak more, as their disciples were also in danger.

Murong Yi watched the images with a headache. The Returning Immortal Sect was the worst off; not only had their Chief Disciple’s team been attacked by high-rank Demonic Creatures, but even their three Second Seat disciples hadn’t escaped.

Moreover, three members of Lian Mu’s team had been separated from their Team Leader, Pei Yunshang.

Murong Yi felt immensely grateful that Lian Mu had chosen Pei Yunshang. If it had been any other Team Leader, they would have fallen victim to the Ground Skin Infant’s mental manipulation.

The purifying power of sound cultivation spread with music, allowing them to hear despite the Ground Skin Infant’s isolation abilities.

Lian Mu’s luck was extreme, encountering the most troublesome high-rank Demonic Creatures, yet having a teammate capable of overcoming the challenge.

Unfortunately, not all teams were as lucky.

Murong Yi was baffled by the Azure Profound Sect Master’s actions. According to past rules, even if disciples were to encounter high-rank Demonic Creatures, it should be gradual, not face-to-face from the start.

As the questioning looks increased, Hua Qiuxin finally explained, “This is one of their trials.”

Yin Chongyang retorted, “If your sect’s Sword Bone Genius were here today, would you still arrange it this way? Ultimately, if it’s not your prized disciple, Sect Master Hua doesn’t care.”

“This has nothing to do with who is present,” Hua Qiuxin replied. “Even if he were here, high-rank Demonic Creatures would still appear in the Abyssal Circle’s exploration area.”

The elders exchanged glances, and Yin Chongyang pressed further, “So, are you admitting that these Demonic Creatures were placed in the Abyssal Circle by you?”

Hua Qiuxin was silent for a moment. Shen Minglu set down his teacup and looked at the image-recording stone, though he remained silent.

“It wasn’t me,” Hua Qiuxin said, pressing her lips together. “At this point, I can’t hide it any longer. These high-rank Demonic Creatures escaped on their own, bypassing the Seven-Element Towers between the Flat Earth Circle and the Abyssal Circle.”

The crowd was shocked.

“How is that possible? A group of fifth-rank Demonic Creatures can’t be stopped by the Seven-Element Towers?”

Hua Qiuxin explained, “The power source for the Seven-Element Towers comes from the twelve pearls of the Heavenly Return Palace. Since the fall of the old demon lord, no one has been able to ascend the Heavenly Return Palace. Over the centuries, the twelve pearls may have been tainted by Demonic Qi, weakening the tower formations. This has led to more frequent failures, allowing high-rank Demonic Creatures to escape.”

“But rest assured, the elders of each sect are guarding the area. In a true crisis, they will intervene.”

After she finished speaking, the tent fell into a deathly silence.

“So, we can only watch as the tower formations are completely weakened? Without the Seven-Element Towers, the entire Shifang Nether Soil might…”

Hua Qiuxin continued, “Currently, the problem is only in the area under my sect’s jurisdiction. However, as time goes on, other areas will inevitably be affected. I intended to inform you after the Immortal Sect Grand Competition, but since you’ve discovered it, I will explain now.”

“After this competition, I will lead the Azure Profound Sect’s elders to the Heavenly Return Palace to cleanse the twelve pearls of Demonic Qi. If your sects wish to send people, you may submit their names.”

Upon hearing this, Yin Chongyang withdrew the hand he was about to use his spiritual power with and said slowly, “The Heavenly Return Palace is not a place outsiders can enter at will. Not to mention the barrier that no one has been able to break, the twin Spirit Beasts at the palace entrance are formidable enough.”

“Sect Master Hua, no matter how skilled an artifact refiner you are, your three supreme Spirit Artifacts are ultimately made from demonic beast materials. You may control countless demonic beasts, but you cannot handle the twin Spirit Beasts guarding the Heavenly Return Palace.” Yin Chongyang smirked with a hint of mockery.

“I’ve heard that those two Spirit Beasts reached the extreme realm a thousand years ago. Now, their cultivation is unfathomable. Not even your Spirit Artifact, let alone the strongest sword among the famous ones, the Flying Swan Sword, could withstand a single strike from them. Unless you can find a Spirit Beast with even deeper cultivation than theirs.”

Hua Qiuxin said, “The Twin Spirit Beasts, I have my own methods. If I sacrifice my life-bound Spirit Artifact, perhaps I can seize a slim chance. The only remaining issue is the palace’s protective barrier…”

Before she could finish, everyone turned to look at the Sect Master of the Clear Thought Sect.

Undoubtedly, the only person in this era capable of challenging the Heavenly Return Palace’s barrier was Shen Minglu.

Under the gaze of the crowd, Shen Minglu did not comment on the matter. Instead, he remarked, “This batch of disciples is quite good. It’s the first time they’ve encountered high-level demon races and managed to hold out for two quarters of an hour, better than previous batches.”

Hearing him change the subject, Hua Qiuxin withdrew her gaze and sat back down.

Those who knew Sect Master Shen understood that if he intended to get involved, he would help from the start. If he didn’t want to be involved, he wouldn’t even acknowledge the matter.

Yin Chongyang said, “If Senior Shen doesn’t plan to step in, then I’ll just observe for now.”

Hua Qiuxin looked at the two in front of her, closed her eyes, and felt a headache coming on. “…Let’s discuss it in detail after the Immortal Sect Grand Competition is over.”

She felt somewhat helpless: one couldn’t keep his mouth shut, and the other never opened his mouth.

She glanced at the empty seat of the Returning Immortal Sect.

Oh, and there’s one who doesn’t even want to show his face.

She had encountered the most peculiar group of sect leaders.

“If none of you are willing, then our sect will have to venture alone.”

Without their Azure Profound Sect, these Immortal Sects are bound to fall apart eventually.

Shen Minglu nodded slightly. “I wish Sect Master Hua success.”

With that, he continued to watch the image-recording stone. This time, his gaze fell on the area of the Returning Immortal Sect, where he spotted a familiar figure and smiled faintly.