Cultivation: Immunity to Negative Effects

"Damn it, who the hell placed this Puppet here? Isn’t it obviously meant to stop us from going deeper?"

"Exactly! We’re all Cultivators from the Ten Great Immortal Sects. How could they do this? This is outrageous!"

Zhang Chi moved a little closer and immediately heard the indignant complaints of the other Cultivators.

Some of the Cultivators were bruised and looked rather pathetic.

But they were the lucky ones. Some Cultivators who lacked the strength had rushed forward rashly, only to be killed by the puppets.

Their corpses were still lying at the entrance to the passage.

The bodies served as a warning, making any Cultivators who arrived later afraid to approach rashly.

Of course, those with high Cultivation were an exception. For example, Foundation Establishment Late Stage or even Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators could withstand the puppets’ attacks and force their way through.

Zhang Chi also spotted Chen Bufan, Zhong Yu, and their group in the crowd, all looking equally indignant.

Although Zhang Chi’s mask and Conical Hat made his attire seem a bit strange, he didn’t attract any attention.

For one, Zhang Chi had already suppressed the aura of his Nine Flames Spirit Devouring Technique.

Secondly, there were many other lone-wolf Cultivators like him, most of whom also wore masks or otherwise concealed their faces.

’What a move!’

Looking at the three puppets, Zhang Chi couldn’t help but feel a little impressed.

These puppets were obviously not native to the Secret Realm. They had been deliberately placed here by a Cultivator who had entered the central area earlier to block those coming behind.

This would block most Foundation Establishment Cultivators. If there was anything good inside, there would be far fewer people to compete for it, and the puppets’ master would naturally get a larger share.

Moreover, by blocking the path here, they could also kill some overconfident Foundation Establishment Cultivators and directly collect the spoils.

"Everyone, why don’t we join forces and shatter these puppets?" Chen Bufan proposed at that moment.

He had clearly just arrived and was unwilling to be stopped here.

"Heh, easier said than done. Do you think these puppets are stupid? The moment we team up, they’ll use an Array Light Curtain to evade. We won’t be able to hurt them, and we might even lose our Magical Artifacts."

"Exactly, and they don’t just do close combat. Even if we take the opportunity to rush in, we won’t be able to escape their ranged attacks."

The other Cultivators just laughed helplessly at his words. They had clearly already tried and failed.

"If we had a Foundation Establishment Late Stage or even a Foundation Establishment Peak expert with us, we might have a chance of dealing with the puppets. But there were masters like that here earlier, and none of them helped us," another Cultivator added.

"That’s right. Even if we’re from the same Immortal Sect, they’d just make excuses. They all pushed through on their own and told us that our Cultivation and Combat Power are too low, that it’s safer for us out here," another Cultivator agreed with a nod.

"There may be Core Formation Spiritual Objects and Tier Two Spirit Medicine out here, but there are definitely more inside. How can this compare?"

The other Cultivators chimed in with agreement, all looking displeased.

But unfortunately, the Foundation Establishment Late Stage and Foundation Establishment Peak masters were extremely powerful; the weaker Cultivators had no way of changing their minds.

Besides, those experts were faster, and there were only a few of them. Most had already gone inside.

At least, there were no visible Foundation Establishment Late Stage or Peak Cultivators on the scene.

Zhang Chi, however, used his powerful Divine Thought and discovered two Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators.

But they had concealed their Cultivation and were disguised, hiding in the crowd with no intention of revealing themselves.

"Forget it, let’s go somewhere else!"

"Alright, let’s not waste any more time here. The Spirit Medicine outside is enough for us anyway. If we go inside, we might not get any opportunities and even lose our lives for nothing!"

Soon, quite a few Cultivators chose to give up.

But many still remained, unwilling to concede. At the same time, slower Cultivators were still converging on the area.

"Sigh!"

Chen Bufan and his group sighed, left with no choice but to leave as well.

Seeing this, Zhang Chi did not stop them.

He had a way to defeat the puppets—by going all out—but there were too many people here, and he didn’t want to reveal his hand.

Besides, he had his own selfish reasons. He knew that if not everyone could get inside, Chen Bufan and his group would be safer staying out here.

After all, the Cultivators who had already entered the central area were far too powerful.

Those left outside were relatively weak, posing much less of a threat to Chen Bufan and the others.

BOOM!

After figuring out the situation, Zhang Chi didn’t waste any time. He immediately stomped on the ground and shot forward like a bolt of lightning, rushing straight for the three puppets.

"Who is that?"

"Is he crazy?"

The Cultivators were all astonished when they saw this.

Even Chen Bufan and his group, who had flown some distance away, couldn’t help but look back when they heard the commotion.

BANG, BANG, BANG!

In the blink of an eye, Zhang Chi was in front of the puppets. Their bodies immediately swirled with black light as they unleashed a fierce barrage of fists and feet.

But Zhang Chi neither dodged nor evaded. He fully activated his Celestial Net Evil Body, covering himself in Invisible Gang Force. He threw three punches in an instant, meeting the puppets head-on.

A deafening blast erupted, sending a gale-force wind flying.

The puppets were all knocked staggering backward, but Zhang Chi was completely unscathed. He forced his way right through the passage.

"He succeeded?"

"Such immense strength and defense! Is he a Tier Two Late Stage Body Refining Cultivator? If not, he must be at least Tier Two Middle Stage with an incredibly powerful Body Refining Technique!"

All the Cultivators were dumbfounded.

They had thought Zhang Chi would be surrounded and killed by the puppets, but they never dreamed that he wouldn’t even reveal his Magical Power, passing through by relying solely on his physical strength—and even seeming to have the upper hand.

"Now’s the chance!"

At that moment, the eyes of the two hidden Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators lit up amidst their astonishment. They instantly transformed into two streaks of Escape Light and shot toward the passage, trying to slip through in the confusion.

The other Cultivators wanted to do the same, but they lacked the Cultivation and were unprepared, so they could only watch helplessly.

They silently cursed the two Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators for being opportunistic bastards, but they were powerless to do anything.

BAM, BAM!

Just then, Zhang Chi suddenly turned around and threw two casual punches. The two Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators had just gotten close and were immediately sent flying backward by his blows.

ROAR!

The three puppets had also recovered and let out angry roars, pouncing toward the two Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators together.

"Damn you!"

"Kid, just you wait!"

Caught off guard, the two Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators were in a pathetic state. They hastily retreated, but not before the combined assault from the puppets and Zhang Chi made them cough up blood. Now, it would take them at least a few days of recovery before they could even think of trying to pass again.

Furious, they could only grit their teeth and shout at Zhang Chi’s retreating back.

Unfortunately, Zhang Chi didn’t even turn his head. He just gave them the middle finger and then swaggered off under the awestruck gazes of the other Cultivators.

The puppets also seemed to know how strong Zhang Chi was, and they had to guard the gate, so none of them chased after him.

"Serves them right!"

"Exactly!"

The other Cultivators at the scene were dumbfounded when they saw this, and then couldn’t help but silently cheer.

"That person’s back looks a little familiar!"

Chen Bufan and his group felt a sense of satisfaction, and only then did they continue on their way.

Chen Ling’Er, in particular, found his retreating figure vaguely familiar, but she quickly dismissed the thought.

Because among the Foundation Establishment Cultivators she knew, there was obviously no one with such powerful Body Refining Cultivation.

’Heh, trying to use me to pave the way so they could sneak in behind me? Dream on!’

Zhang Chi sneered inwardly.