Chapter 181: CH. 181 | Sealed Saintess Spring Valley
Zhu Zirong reacted immediately. He grabbed Zhu Xian’s arm and pulled her behind his back by force. Zhu Yan stepped forward as well, standing beside Zhu Zirong.
Si Lingxi looked surprised and turned toward Lin Tian. Although they were acting aggressively, Lin Tian showed no excessive reaction.
Judging from the qi aura radiating from his body, killing them would be effortless for him. However, Si Lingxi was curious why Lin Tian chose not to do so.
The man stepped forward toward the golden array dome he had created.
Zhu Zirong looked frightened, yet he did not back down from opposing Lin Tian’s principles.
"I won’t kill any of you. Zhu Wei asked me to save the two of you. I’ll keep that promise," Lin Tian said.
Lin Tian extended his hand and recalled the four array flags, storing them back into his soul.
The moment the array flags were withdrawn, the golden array dome vanished instantly.
Snowflakes fell onto their bodies as the bone-piercing Yin energy invaded them, disrupting the circulation of spiritual qi within their meridians.
Zhu Xian and the others immediately activated their qi to burn away the Yin energy, and Zhu Zirong did the same.
"We’re leaving this place," Lin Tian said, "Follow me."
Lin Tian turned around and leaped into the sky. Si Lingxi chose to follow the man in the black robe rather than side with the Zhu Clan.
Zhu Xian and the others were about to follow Lin Tian, but they suddenly stopped.
Zhu Zirong had held them back.
"Brother Zirong? What are you doing?"
"Don’t follow him! He might have some sinister scheme!" Zhu Zirong warned.
"A scheme? Have you lost your mind? He just saved us."
"Not a single thing he’s done has threatened our lives."
"Exactly!" Zhu Zirong replied, "He’s trying to build a good impression in your mind so he can manipulate you later."
"You’re crazy, Brother Zirong!"
"I’m going with him. I don’t want to die in this place!" Zhu Xian declared.
She struggled free from Zhu Zirong’s grip and flew away from Yin Palace Ruins Island.
Zhu Xian left together with the two Zhu Clan members, while Zhu Zirong remained behind with Zhu Yan.
"Young Master Zhu?" Zhu Yan asked.
"What do you think we should do? I don’t want to fall into that demonic cultivator’s trap."
"Your caution may be justified, but we can’t stay here any longer," Zhu Yan said.
"Clan Head Zhu Wei asked him to come here. That means we’ve already been trapped in this place for a long time."
"Our only choice is to trust Lin Tian. If he really intends to trap us, we’ll deal with it when the time comes," Zhu Yan added.
Zhu Zirong fell silent for a moment, staring into the sky where Lin Tian and the others had already flown.
Since no one supported his opinion, he had no choice but to follow Lin Tian.
"Fine. Stay on guard around him, Zhu Yan."
"I will."
In the end, Zhu Zirong and Zhu Yan left the snowy island and followed the trail left by Zhu Xian and the others.
Elsewhere, Lin Tian glanced behind him. Zhu Xian was following him, but Zhu Zirong was nowhere to be seen.
"Where’s your brother?" Lin Tian asked Zhu Xian.
"I... I don’t know."
"Forget it," Lin Tian said, "Saintess Ling Weixi plans to seal this valley completely. If he doesn’t come back, then let him stay trapped here forever."
"You’ve already met the Saintess?" Si Lingxi asked.
Lin Tian gave a slight nod.
"But why would she want to seal this valley completely? That’s rather strange."
Lin Tian heard the question and noticed the confusion on Si Lingxi’s face. However, he could not explain everything in detail.
He simply said that Ling Weixi had to seal the valley because something had happened here, causing its primordial energy to become depleted.
After hearing Lin Tian’s explanation, Zhu Xian resolved to return and force her brother to come with them.
However, before she could turn back, she saw Zhu Yan and Zhu Zirong flying toward them.
Lin Tian showed no reaction. He simply told everyone to continue toward the cliff where the valley’s exit was located.
As they flew, Zhu Xian noticed something strange about the valley’s dimension.
Some floating islands had been devastated by battle. Others had completely lost their spiritual energy, their withered trees serving as proof.
"What happened here?" Zhu Xian asked.
Lin Tian did not answer. He allowed Zhu Xian to figure things out on her own. He was certain she knew about the Yuanmo Sect.
"It looks like the work of those demonic cultivators," one of the Zhu Clan members beside Zhu Xian said.
They continued their journey while observing the miserable condition of the valley’s dimension.
Their travel time felt short because of their incredible flying speed, made possible by their high cultivation realms.
Ahead of them, Lin Tian spotted the cliff.
It stood on an island covered with lush forests and towering trees. Near the cliff was an ancient gate.
It was their way out.
Lin Tian landed on the cliff and formed a series of hand seals.
He began activating the ancient gate.
A blue portal appeared before them.
It would carry them out of the valley.
Zhu Zirong was the first to step through, Zhu Xian followed, and Si Lingxi entered last.
Lin Tian intended to leave last.
There was one final thing he needed to do before departing.
After everyone had gone through, he turned around and spoke loudly toward the valley’s inner dimension.
"Thank you for your help and guidance, Senior Ling Weixi."
"This junior now takes his leave from your dimension," Lin Tian said as he cupped his fists and bowed respectfully before leaving.
A towering pillar of blue light suddenly rose into the sky from the center of the valley’s dimension.
Within the blue pillar were countless intricate array runes, sealing the entire place so that no one could ever enter or leave again.
From within the pillar of blue light, a woman gracefully walked forward wearing a beautiful blue gown.
She stepped across the sky, her gaze fixed on the island where the ancient gate stood.
"Take good care of yourself, Lin Tian!"
"I’ll remain here, waiting for the person you’ve chosen to arrive."
"Until that day comes, the Saintess Spring Valley Dimension will remain completely sealed!"