Chapter 424 - 304: Evil Cultivator
To a Cultivator like Rhonda Rhodes, traversing to another plane of existence was a rare, but not unheard of, occurrence.
For instance, what mortals called "ascension" was actually when a Cultivator reached a certain realm of Cultivation. The plane they were on could no longer withstand the Spiritual Power they wielded, forcing them to leave and teleport to a High-level plane.
Subjectively speaking, everyone wanted to go to a High-level plane, but due to various accidents, it was also possible to end up stranded on a low-level plane via an Array.
Case in point: the current Rhonda Rhodes and this still-unseen Evil Cultivator.
This situation usually fell into two categories.
The first was to arrive as a Primordial Spirit, like him.
They could survive by reanimating a corpse or by outright seizing a body, since not even a Cultivator could exist for long without a physical form. However, this also meant they would lose their original Spiritual Power and have to start their Cultivation from scratch.
The second type was to arrive in one’s original body.
A Cultivator who could arrive in their original body had to be incredibly formidable, able to withstand the torment of being torn apart by the chaotic currents within the Array. But regardless, upon arriving here, their own Spiritual Power would inevitably be suppressed by this plane’s Heavenly Dao Laws!
Rhonda Rhodes’s expression turned grim, and not just because he had discovered an Evil Cultivator.
Rather, he suspected this Evil Cultivator had somehow found a way to escape the suppression of the Heavenly Dao Laws and retain their original Spiritual Power.
’This Amador Forest extends hundreds of meters underground, yet there are no signs of excavation, nor is there a lack of air. This is absolutely beyond the capabilities of this plane’s Superpower Users! Creating a secluded sanctuary like this is one thing, but if that Evil Cultivator were to use this Spiritual Power for combat... this plane might not be able to withstand such immense pressure and would be pushed to the brink of collapse!’
’If it really came to that, then he, and everyone else on this plane, would likely be doomed!’
"Is what we’re looking for here?"
Paige Summers’s question broke Rhonda Rhodes out of his deep thought.
He paused, slightly taken aback. He had just used his Divine Sense to detect something strange underground, which was why he had led them here. ’I completely forgot about the Binding Insect Grass...’
"I’m not sure. Let’s look around."
Paige Summers raised an eyebrow slightly. She could see his discomfort and didn’t press him, simply saying, "Alright."
As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but peach trees. They picked a direction and started walking.
The surrounding peach trees were in full bloom, their branches laden with blossoms that gave off a rich fragrance. It wasn’t unpleasant; in fact, it even made one’s body feel lighter.
Unsure if it was poisonous, Paige Summers took an Antidote with Marcus Monroe as a precaution.
Rhonda Rhodes had been about to warn them, but seeing her actions, he kept silent.
’There is indeed something wrong with this fragrance.’
’It’s not lethal, but it’s like an aphrodisiac. Prolonged exposure will stir one’s carnal desires.’
’It isn’t a strong effect, though. Levi Young’s Antidote is enough to purge it.’
However, his expression grew even grimmer.
They wandered through the Amador Forest for a long while, but besides the peach trees, there was nothing else—not even an exit.
Marcus Monroe stroked his chin. "Is there some kind of illusion here?" According to legend, places like the Amador Forest often gave rise to things like a Peach Blossom Barrier.
But Rhonda Rhodes shook his head. "No."
Marcus Monroe and Paige Summers exchanged a look, both sensing that something was off.
Rhonda Rhodes seemed preoccupied, as if he were waiting for something. ’Needless to say, it’s probably the master of this place...’
Just as they were thinking this, a soft chuckle drifted from an unknown direction. "To think I’d have guests. How rare! Hmm... no wonder. So there’s someone from the Taoist Sects here. Tsk, tsk. You people are like lingering ghosts. Can’t even find peace after coming all this way!"
Rhonda Rhodes’s face darkened. He was one of the Righteous People, always held in high esteem, and had never looked upon Evil Cultivators with anything but contempt. To be mocked by one now naturally infuriated him to no end.
"Are all disciples of the vile Carmine Sect this sneaky?!"
The moment his voice fell, a figure appeared under a peach tree several meters in front of the three of them.
It was a man who looked very young, no more than in his early twenties.
Although he was a man, his features were exceptionally stunning. He had sharp, angled brows and eyes full of flirtatious charm. Against his fair skin, his lips looked even fuller and more vibrant, as if stained with the deepest red from a peach blossom’s tip.
Paige Summers blinked.
’He’s absolutely dazzling!’
’In her past life, girls were always talking about being "blinded" by someone’s looks. It was only today, at this very moment, that she truly understood what they meant.’
’If a pretty boy like him were to show up in her world, quite a few people would probably be "blinded"!’
Seeing her expression, Marcus Monroe frowned and resolutely placed his hand over her eyes. He, on the other hand, brazenly sized the man up and down.
’Who in this day and age wears an old-fashioned long robe? It looks so out of place! His long, unkempt hair... And that face, tsk tsk, is that even a man?!’
After a moment of observation, he relaxed and lowered his hand.
’A pretty boy like that is only surprising at first glance. A few more looks and he’s sure to be sickening!’
Paige Summers pressed her lips together and shot him a sideways glance, the hint of a smile playing on her lips.
’Even though they’d been together for quite some time, she rather enjoyed seeing him this flustered.’
During this time, the man opposite them had finished sizing them all up.
In the end, however, his gaze landed on Rhonda Rhodes.
"I see. Where are you from?"
Rhonda Rhodes’s expression returned to one of indifference. He said pointedly, "Where I come from isn’t important. What’s important is what one plans to do in the future!" ’His Power is currently inferior to his opponent’s, so killing him is out of the question. He can only warn him that if he dares to cause chaos in this plane, the result will be mutual destruction for everyone!’
The man twisted his vibrant red lips into a sneer. "A mere disciple of the Taoist Sects, fallen to such a state. Instead of focusing on your Cultivation... Hmph. If it weren’t for the fact that you’re somewhat easy on the eyes, you’d have become flower fertilizer long ago. Do you think I’d let you stand there spouting such nonsense?"
Just as Rhonda Rhodes was about to speak, Marcus Monroe suddenly cut him off, speaking directly to the man opposite them. "We wandered in here by mistake. We’ll leave now."
’Although he looked down on the man’s appearance and didn’t know his origins, he could feel that his opponent’s strength was immense! If it were for the Binding Insect Grass, he would’ve been willing to fight. But that clearly wasn’t the case here. He was afraid Rhonda Rhodes’s initial purpose for bringing them down here had nothing to do with Binding Insect Grass at all!’
’So why waste any more time?’
The man looked at him but didn’t respond to his words. As he stared, a slow smile spread across his face. "You... are not bad..." He sized him up again, the corners of his lips curving as he said, "You are very good! A rare find, indeed!"
He offered three praises in a row, each comment more melodious than the last.
Listening to him, Paige Summers couldn’t help but shudder.
’This guy’s attitude is so strange!’
’His tone is completely effeminate, just like a female impersonator!’
’Don’t tell me he’s taken a liking to Marcus Monroe?!’
At that thought, she immediately pressed her lips together and narrowed her eyes at the man.
Sure enough, the man continued, "How about you stay behind... and be with me?"