Chapter 604: Where to Go From Here?

The eyes of the many Demon Kings lit up.

"My lord, you’re truly brilliant."

"How did I not think of such a great idea?"

"As expected of you, my lord."

"Hehe, if we have the Demon Emperors deal with that human Martial Emperor, victory is guaranteed."

"With such a brilliant lord, how could our Wolf Emperor Hall not prosper?"

All the Demon Kings grew excited. They felt Lord Jin Lin was simply too intelligent, truly worthy of his reputation as the great strategist of the Demon Race.

Jin Lin wiped the cold sweat from his brow. ’Trying to communicate with this group of Demon Kings who couldn’t even graduate elementary school is a real damn headache.’

「At that moment, in the Silver Peak Mountain Range.」

As soon as Ye Xuan and the others entered the void, they discovered the valley contained a world of its own.

The valley’s interior was vast and filled with abundant Profound Qi, giving it a refreshing and revitalizing atmosphere.

"This should be... a Void-Hiding Array."

After a brief observation, Ye Xuan immediately gained some understanding of the valley’s arrangement.

The Void-Hiding Array was a very special type of Array. It could conceal an entire space within the void, making it impossible for anyone to find. It was an excellent defensive Array for evasion.

However, this type of Array was extremely difficult to deploy. Unless one had profound mastery over spatial arts, it would be nearly impossible for an ordinary person to set it up successfully.

’It seems Huangfu Xiuming has not only improved his cultivation significantly, but has also made considerable achievements in the field of Arrays over the years.’

Ye Xuan remarked with a hint of admiration.

WHOOSH!

At that moment, several streaks of light shot over. Upon seeing Ye Xuan’s group, the figures immediately revealed expressions of pleasant surprise.

It was Jiuchen and his group.

After a brief exchange, they entered the valley’s interior.

Countless students and masters rose to their feet.

Their martial robes were tattered and stained with blood, clear evidence of a great battle.

Due to their hasty escape, many had no spare clothes and had been forced to remain in this state for the past few days.

Even after three days of rest, many people’s injuries had still not healed, a testament to the severity of the wounds they had sustained.

"Young Master Ye! Father!"

A sudden cry rang out as Luo Cheng rushed out from the crowd, overwhelmed with excitement.

"Cheng’Er."

Luo Min embraced Luo Cheng, his eyes welling with tears. "As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters."

"Father, you’re safe too!" Luo Cheng exclaimed.

Luo Min said with deep emotion, "This time, it was all thanks to Young Master Ye. Otherwise, I’m afraid I would have met a grim fate."

Luo Cheng gave Ye Xuan a grateful look. After they spoke for a moment, Luo Cheng seemed to remember something and asked, "Where’s Uncle Xiang?"

Luo Min choked on his words, his expression turning somber.

Seeing this, Luo Cheng understood instantly, and his eyes turned red.

Meanwhile, Ye Xuan’s gaze swept anxiously through the crowd.

He finally felt his heart settle after seeing that Dongfang Zisi, Yun Aoxue, and Xia Qixi were all safe and sound.

It wasn’t just them. Some of the friends Ye Xuan had made in the inner courtyard, like Tianlun, Gu Qingxuan, Hua Xiuhong, and Lin Yuan, as well as Master Qingfeng, were also unharmed.

However, many familiar faces had also fallen. Among the masters were Lu Jun, Wang Feng, and Wu Qing. Among the students were Liu Wentao and Xu Wenqing from the inner courtyard, and Hou Fei from the outer courtyard. Ye Xuan couldn’t find any sign of them in the valley, and the implication was clear.

After everyone had a chance to get reacquainted, Ge Puzi and the other senior members of the academy quickly gathered to exchange information.

"Jiuchen, what on earth happened at the academy? How did it fall?"

The fall of Gale Light Academy was Ge Puzi’s primary concern.

With a somber expression, Jiuchen began to recount the events.

It turned out that while Ye Xuan and his group were fighting in Ancient Yang City, Gale Light Academy had been simultaneously targeted by a surprise attack from three major powers, led by the Profound Mystery Sect.

Dozens of Martial Kings descended upon Gale Light City, blockading it completely and launching a ruthless slaughter.

Their leaders included several Tier Seven Peak Martial Kings from the Bright Moon Empire’s Sacred Grounds, all of whom possessed extraordinary strength.

Jiuchen and the others didn’t dare to launch a rash counterattack. They could only watch helplessly as the slaughter unfolded, focusing all their efforts on desperately defending Gale Light Academy.

Ultimately, thanks to the grand Array laid down by Director Huangfu Xiuming, Jiuchen’s group not only withstood the combined assault of the three powers but even managed to slay many of their experts.

But at the critical moment, three powerful experts suddenly appeared on the Profound Mystery Sect’s side.

All three were at the Tier Eight Martial Emperor Level. Jiuchen knew the situation was dire and immediately pulled back their defensive line, preparing to use the Array to defend the academy to their last breath.

Unexpectedly, one of the three Martial Emperors was a master with profound knowledge of Arrays. With his help, the grand Array that Director Huangfu Xiuming had deployed years ago was breached time and again.

At the critical moment, Jiuchen risked his life to quickly gather what he could from the academy. He then led the surviving masters and students through an escape teleportation Array, also set up years ago by Director Huangfu Xiuming, and teleported directly into this valley.

However, many students and masters fell during the escape. Lu Jun, for example, willingly stayed behind to defend an Array in order to stall the enemy for even a moment. He bought Jiuchen and the others precious time, but ultimately met a tragic end.

Next, Vice Director Ge recounted the events that had transpired in Ancient Yang City to Jiuchen and his group.

Jiuchen and his people had been isolated in the valley ever since escaping Gale Light Academy and had no news of the outside world. Hearing what happened in Ancient Yang City left every single one of them shocked and dumbfounded.

"So the Profound Mystery Sect is trying to take over the entire Dream Realm Plain."

The small group of leaders looked at each other in horror, their expressions aghast.

"We cannot allow such a conspiracy to succeed," Jiuchen said, his eyes turning cold and hard.

At this, Su Xiuyi suddenly spoke up. "From what I understand, while the major powers of the Dream Realm Plain each have a Martial Emperor overseeing them, it’s usually just one or two. Furthermore, they are almost all at the Tier Eight First Layer. How did the Profound Mystery Sect suddenly produce so many Martial Emperors? And how could one of them be capable of breaking the grand Array that Director Huangfu Xiuming himself laid down?"

The grand protective Array of Gale Light Academy was deployed by Director Huangfu Xiuming decades ago. Although the Director’s strength had not yet reached its apex back then, he was already a Peak of Seventh Grade Array Master. With his later reinforcements, the Array could even withstand attacks from the Martial Emperor Level. It wasn’t something just anyone could unravel.

Ge Puzi smiled bitterly. "Those Martial Emperors... they must be from Infinite Mountain in the Profound Domain."

Infinite Mountain?

GASP!

Su Xiuyi couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath. As someone who had traveled the continent, he naturally knew the name of Infinite Mountain.

The other masters, however, looked confused, having clearly never heard of it.

Ge Puzi said, "Let Xuan Ye explain it. I only learned of this from him myself."

Ye Xuan then explained the situation regarding the Golden Palace Celestial Lock Seal, adding, "We suspect Infinite Mountain is meddling in our affairs because of a treasure in Gale Light Academy, but we have no idea what it is."

"Back in Ancient Yang City, Qi Cheng was likely a genius from Infinite Mountain, and Qi Tuo was probably one of their elders."

Su Xiuyi looked horrified and smiled bitterly.

If a behemoth like Infinite Mountain truly was involved, then they were in deep trouble. Before Infinite Mountain, Gale Light Academy was no different than an ant before an elephant.

One of the masters said angrily, "Infinite Mountain is one of the continent’s top powers, yet they’re interfering in the affairs of our Dream Realm Plain! Can’t we report them to the authorities in the Profound Domain? I refuse to believe the Profound Domain would just let them run rampant!"

Su Xiuyi gave a bitter smile. "You don’t understand the way things work. If we managed to get word to the Profound Domain, they would indeed investigate Infinite Mountain. But what is Infinite Mountain’s standing? They have a thousand ways to absolve themselves of blame. Besides, they aren’t acting openly; they’re secretly propping up the Profound Mystery Sect. Ultimately, this is still considered an internal matter of the Dream Realm Plain. A warning from the Profound Domain would be completely useless to them."

Many of the masters were dumbfounded. ’Is that even possible?’

"So we’re just supposed to let them occupy our academy and do nothing?" many of the masters asked, their voices filled with anger and indignation.

Su Xiuyi smiled bitterly. "It’s not that we’re completely out of options. From what I know, Director Huangfu Xiuming has made many connections in the Profound Domain over the years. If he were here to maneuver on our behalf, he might be able to force Infinite Mountain to withdraw from the Dream Realm Plain."

Everyone grew excited. "That’s right! Vice Director Ge, we just need to contact Director Huangfu Xiuming! With the Director here, we can surely turn this crisis around!"

Ge Puzi and Jiuchen exchanged a glance, a flicker of despair in their eyes. Ge Puzi gave a bitter smile. "There’s something I haven’t told you. I haven’t been able to contact the Director for a full year. I suspect... that he has already fallen."

"What?"

The news left everyone completely stunned.

Su Xiuyi’s expression changed drastically. "Ge Puzi, those aren’t words to be spoken lightly!" he exclaimed in shock.

"I don’t want to believe it either," Ge Puzi said in a pained voice, "but judging from the attitude of Infinite Mountain, the power behind the Profound Mystery Sect, as well as their words and actions... I fear it might be true."

Su Xiuyi then recalled that Elder Tianyi had indeed once said that Director Huangfu Xiuming had fallen.

Given Elder Tianyi’s standing, he couldn’t possibly have known about matters in the Profound Domain on his own. The ones who told him must have been from Infinite Mountain.

And as one of the Seven Great Sects of the continent, the words of Infinite Mountain were, more than likely, true.

Everyone felt as if they had been struck in the chest by a heavy hammer, and they couldn’t help but be overcome with grief.

"Damn it! Damn it all! No wonder the Profound Mystery Sect dared to act so arrogantly... so it was because..."

"Director Huangfu Xiuming... No, it’s impossible."

They were completely unable to accept this reality.

Su Xiuyi’s gaze was ice-cold. "I will get to the bottom of this. But now, as for Gale Light Academy..."

He trailed off into silence. With his strength alone, he stood no chance against Infinite Mountain.

For a moment, everyone felt lost, unsure of what the future held.

"Hm?" Suddenly, Ye Xuan snapped his head up, his brows furrowing.

Ge Puzi asked, confused, "Xuan Ye, what is it?"

Ye Xuan’s expression was grim. "Someone is attacking the Void-Hiding Array from outside the valley."

"What? Impossible." Ge Puzi and the others were shocked.

Just then, Su Xiuyi shot to his feet. He looked up at the sky and said in a heavy tone, "Xuan Ye is right. Someone is indeed attacking the Void-Hiding Array."

With Su Xiuyi’s confirmation, everyone now believed it. They all frowned. "But how?"

Who could possibly be attacking their Void-Hiding Array at a time like this? The mere thought sent a chill down everyone’s spines.