Chapter 81 Entering the Plains

In an unknown grand hall, a young man in black robes stood with his hands behind his back, as though waiting for something. Embroidered on his garment was a serpent, its gaze captivating and unsettling.

“Young Sect Master, the news about the Demon-Breaking Sword has already been released. Princess Qingcheng has entered the Soul-Disarray Plain,” reported a middle-aged man as he entered.

“As expected. She wishes to help her second brother seize the crown prince’s position. Obtaining the Demon-Breaking Sword fulfills the Sword King’s desire. If she manages to present it to him, the Sword King’s neutral stance may well change,” the young man replied coolly.

“That old woman has always remained by her side. Outside, it’s truly impossible to make a move. But once in the Soul-Disarray Plain—even if you are the true phoenix, you’ll have to become a bald chicken for me.” He clenched his fist.

“Come, follow me. After this matter is settled, I’ll speak to my father and secure an elder’s position for you,” he said with a wave.

Joy lit the middle-aged man’s face. In all his years at the sect, he’d only managed to attain the rank of steward. If this task succeeded, he would become an elder—a transformation that would overturn his place in the sect.

“Yes, Young Sect Master.”

…

…

The Soul-Disarray Plain was the most peculiar place in the Great Xia Empire. Once one entered, no matter how powerful they were outside, their cultivation would be suppressed to the third level of the Innate realm.

Its greatest feature was chaos: all kinds of people from various walks of life gathered there. Some fugitives, wanted by the empire, could slip into the Plain, and even the empire would be powerless to apprehend them.

The Plain was rich in resources. Herbs and beasts that could not be found elsewhere existed there. Most enticing of all were the advanced cultivation techniques and martial arts rumored to be hidden within. It was said that in ancient times, the empire’s ten greatest experts entered the heart of the Plain to investigate its mysteries. From that day forward, none of them ever returned.

A legend persisted that each of these ten masters left their legacy behind before venturing into the Soul-Disarray Plain. Imagine—if one could obtain the legacy of any among the Great Xia Empire’s ten greatest, becoming a formidable power would no longer be a dream. One might even join the ranks of the empire’s finest.

Yet, so many years had passed; no one had ever claimed to have acquired such a legacy. Doubt grew as to whether it truly existed. Fewer adventurers came to the Plain, but there were still those willing to test their luck.

Lu Han traveled day and night, following the map provided by Qian Santong.

“Master, in less than half a day we’ll reach the Soul-Disarray Plain. We’re almost there,” Lu Han breathed a sigh of relief.

The Plain lay in the north of the Great Xia Empire, and Lu Han had pressed forward relentlessly, resting only when necessary. After perfecting the Heavenly Garment technique with the Scarlet Flame Lingzhi, the strength of his physical body had increased greatly—his power and speed both enhanced.

Where there are people, there is conflict. Lu Han’s journey was far from peaceful. He had encountered mercenaries, and if not for Old Man Ling’s warning, he would have been deceived. These mercenaries, seeing Lu Han alone and judging him to be a clan scion, had intended to rob him. They weren’t fools; sensing that Lu Han’s aura was far superior to theirs, they first befriended him, planning to poison his food. Of course, Old Man Ling was vigilant and foiled their plot.

This experience made Lu Han even more cautious.

He pressed forward with all his strength, channeling the Frost Qi technique to his feet, greatly increasing his speed though at the cost of immense energy. Often, his internal strength was depleted.

When his energy ran dry, Lu Han would unsheathe the Biluo Sword and rely on his physical strength to advance, while continuing to cultivate and restore his internal energy. Once recovered, he resumed his relentless journey, his muscles nearly numb.

Thus the cycle repeated.

Lu Han felt he was only a step away from the ninth level of the Postnatal realm—a surprising delight. Once he broke through, with his ice attribute and Heavenly Garment technique, he would not fear even the first level of the Innate realm.

In this fevered rush, Lu Han cut the forty-day journey to the Plain in half, arriving in just twenty days.

Before him, the terrain no longer undulated with hills; his view was broadening. The days of tireless travel had left him exhausted in both body and spirit.

But at the sight of the black-gray expanse ahead, Lu Han was suddenly invigorated.

“That’s the Soul-Disarray Plain up ahead?” he murmured.

The black-gray plain contrasted starkly with its surroundings, as if isolating what lay within from the outside world.

Lu Han did not immediately enter.

Having rushed so fervently, his internal energy was nearly depleted.

He needed a place to recover.

Though his energy had been drained repeatedly these days, after each recovery it grew stronger.

Even Old Man Ling said that this was indeed a rapid way to enhance one’s internal strength.

Lu Han soon found a quiet spot, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and formed seals with his hands. White frost emanated from his body as he quickly entered a meditative state.

He remained thus for two hours, and the exhaustion on his face vanished.

Lu Han slowly opened his eyes; the white frost dissipated, and his fatigue was swept away.

“I feel as though I’m only a thin layer away from the ninth level of the Postnatal realm. Just one chance, and I’ll break through. At sixteen, to reach the ninth level—perhaps only Lu Hui…” At the mention of Lu Hui, Lu Han fell silent. With Lu Hui’s talent, he had surely entered the Innate realm by now, and before long would learn of Lu Tianlin and Lu Ran’s deaths.

“What’s the point of thinking so much?” Lu Han shook his head.

What mattered now was entering the Soul-Disarray Plain quickly and capturing the Soul-Stealing Mink to cure his father.

Lu Han strode toward the Plain.

Suddenly, his brow furrowed.

The mysterious cold pearl embedded in his brow began spinning rapidly, and the closer Lu Han drew to the Plain, the faster it spun, as if unusually excited.

“Cold boy, what’s the matter?” Old Man Ling, noticing Lu Han’s anomaly, asked.

Lu Han explained the situation with the cold pearl.

Old Man Ling stroked his beard and said, “I can’t see through the Soul-Disarray Plain. I keep feeling as though something has its eye on us since we arrived. The closer we get, the heavier the oppression—almost as if our souls are being suppressed. I sense it very clearly in this state.”

“Master, perhaps you should wait outside,” Lu Han suggested.

Old Man Ling knew Lu Han was worried, but he had his own plans. “This Soul-Disarray Plain is truly strange. I’d like to explore it myself. No need to say more, cold boy.”

Lu Han saw his master’s determination and said no more.

He drew the Biluo Sword and strapped it to his back, then rushed toward the Plain.

As Lu Han crossed the threshold into the Soul-Disarray Plain—

A piercing cry rang out, seeming to pass through his very soul.

Unconsciously, Lu Han executed the Tenfold Nether Raven Finger.

He stared at the gray-white energy sphere in his hand, dazed. He had acted instinctively upon hearing that cry.

Old Man Ling’s voice sounded: “Cold boy, did you hear something just now?”

“Master, you heard it too?” Lu Han asked.

“I’m quite eager to see what this Soul-Disarray Plain is really like. Let’s go, cold boy,” Old Man Ling replied.

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