Chapter Twelve: The Forbidden Grand Array

All along the way, Yang Xiao naturally had to feign ignorance about the ancient cultivator’s abode, for it was tied to matters of his previous life that must remain secret; even if he spoke, no one would believe him. Though he knew the location of that ancient dwelling better than He Ming, Yang Xiao still chose to follow behind him, keeping his past life as his own secret and trump card, never to be divulged.

Both of them were cultivators, blessed with spiritual power, their pace several times faster than ordinary mortals. In the blink of an eye, they had crossed several mountains. After discussing the topic of the ancient dwelling, He Ming turned his attention to Yang Xiao. It was clear that Yang Xiao had changed since before; two months earlier, before his journey to the Endless Sands, his cultivation was at the second tier of the Spiritual Awareness Realm. Now, however, Yang Xiao exuded an air of mystery. Even when He Ming deliberately used his spiritual senses to inspect him, Yang Xiao’s cultivation remained inscrutable, which struck He Ming as exceedingly odd.

Moreover, He Ming could sense a vague pressure emanating from Yang Xiao, as if his cultivation were higher than He Ming’s own. But how could that be? Even the most extraordinary genius could not advance two realms in just two months. The aura of mystery around Yang Xiao was truly inexplicable. Furthermore, when Yang Xiao’s cultivation was lower, traveling long distances with continuous spiritual power would have exhausted him, but now Yang Xiao showed no signs of fatigue—if anything, He Ming himself felt weary. Such a situation was utterly baffling.

“Junior Brother, how has your cultivation progressed these past two months? Have you made any advances?” At last, He Ming could not help but probe.

“Haha, I have indeed made a bit of progress,” Yang Xiao replied vaguely, seeing no need to lie. As for his actual cultivation, he had already employed a secret technique from his previous life to conceal it; unless a cultivator was several realms higher, no one could discern his true level. Such concealment was simply a safeguard—after all, using the heaven-defying Ninefold Golden Body to abruptly advance two realms would seem impossible to others. If his true cultivation were discovered, it would invite suspicion and trouble.

Yang Xiao would not fear those of equal or slightly higher cultivation, but dreaded those far stronger who might harbor malicious intent. In the world of cultivation, murders for treasure were all too common, so caution was essential.

He Ming fully believed Yang Xiao’s explanation; he would never accept that Yang Xiao could catch up or surpass him in two months. Unable to discern Yang Xiao’s cultivation, he simply assumed Yang Xiao had taken some pill to hide his level or practiced a special technique. Certain pills and methods could indeed conceal one’s cultivation.

“Senior Brother, you seem a bit tired. We’re almost at the ancient dwelling now—why don’t we rest for a while and recover our strength before going on? After all, once we arrive, we may clash with other cultivators during the herb gathering. If we’re exhausted, we’ll be at a disadvantage.” Seeing He Ming’s fatigue, Yang Xiao took the initiative to suggest a rest. The dwelling was close, and though Yang Xiao, through diligent cultivation, felt no fatigue, He Ming clearly needed it. Otherwise, lacking strength and spiritual power in front of other cultivators would be troublesome. In the cultivation world, the strong prey on the weak—others might take the opportunity to strike.

Every detail had to be thoroughly considered.

He Ming was indeed tired, but seeing Yang Xiao unbothered, he felt it would be shameful to admit fatigue, given his higher cultivation. So he kept silent. Now, with Yang Xiao suggesting a rest, He Ming assumed Yang Xiao must also be weary—perfect, they could take their final respite together and then proceed in one burst to the ancient dwelling.

For disciples in the Spiritual Awareness Realm, though their bodies held a fair amount of spiritual power, granting them abilities unimaginable to ordinary people, that power remained thin. In most duels, physical prowess still prevailed, and spiritual techniques were supplementary. Only upon reaching the Qi Condensation stage could cultivators unleash earth-shattering powers. As the body was crucial for those in the Spiritual Awareness Realm, rest was necessary to restore their strength.

After meditating for a short while, both Yang Xiao and He Ming had recovered their physical and spiritual energy. At this point, they crossed two more hills and arrived before the ancient dwelling.

By now, over a dozen people had gathered at its entrance: among them, three or four were disciples of Giant Spirit Sect, to which Yang Xiao belonged; the rest included disciples from Hundred Scroll Sect, located nearby, and two or three independent cultivators from the surrounding area. Their cultivation levels were mostly at the fifth or sixth tier of Spiritual Awareness, at most the sixth or seventh.

The Myriad Peaks spanned tens of thousands of miles, dominated chiefly by three sects: Giant Spirit Sect, where Yang Xiao belonged, Hundred Scroll Sect, and Black Tortoise Sect. Together, these three occupied about half the range; the rest was held by lesser sects, independent cultivators, and noble families. The mountains were vast, with regions overrun by wild beasts and devoid of human habitation—such as the area where the ancient dwelling stood, which lay between Giant Spirit Sect and Hundred Scroll Sect, belonging to neither.

In essence, the three main sects claimed the most spiritually abundant areas, leaving the sparse and dangerous regions to whoever dared take them. Yang Xiao and He Ming, upon arriving, surveyed all the gathered cultivators, paying special attention to those of Giant Spirit Sect.

By coincidence, Yang Xiao and He Ming recognized two among their own sect’s disciples, including the senior brother Wuli whom Yang Xiao had offended two months prior.

Wuli, clearly recognizing Yang Xiao and He Ming, was at that moment, alongside several others, jointly assaulting the forbidden array surrounding the dwelling. Under their combined efforts, the array trembled and seemed close to collapse.

Noticing Yang Xiao, Wuli spoke with obvious annoyance, “Yang Xiao, He Ming—you two have come as well? How presumptuous! With your meager cultivation, instead of training in the sect, are you here just to embarrass yourselves?”

To Wuli, cultivators of only the second or third tier were merely a disgrace to Giant Spirit Sect. Even at the ancient dwelling, they could expect no benefit.