While Wen Ran leisurely enjoyed his journey, savoring the peaceful yet fleeting moments of tranquility, he’d unknowingly traveled an incredible distance. Now, standing at the foot of an imposing mountain, he paused, raising his gaze toward its peak, which was shrouded in perpetual snow. The mountain stood tall and majestic, like an ancient giant whose crown pierced through the heavens, cloaked in dense mist. Streams of melting snow cascaded gracefully down its slopes, forming gentle rivulets that merged into a crystalline river at the mountain’s base.
The river was a breathtaking sight, curling and twisting through the land like the elegant body of a celestial dragon. Its shimmering waters glistened under the sunlight, reflecting dazzling flashes of silver and azure, creating a vivid, lifelike illusion. From above, one could clearly see the graceful curves of this natural phenomenon, and it felt as though the dragon itself had descended to rest upon this mystical valley, bestowing upon it a sense of serenity and grandeur.
Yet Wen Ran’s attention was barely captured by this extraordinary scenery. His eyes instead sparkled with anticipation and determination as he quickly surveyed the surrounding lush greenery. His heart fluttered slightly as he noticed a distinct, vibrant green leaf hidden among the roots of a towering tree. The leaf, delicate and glowing with spiritual energy, matched perfectly the description of the rare Spirit Leaf he had been tasked to find.
A satisfied grin curled Wen Ran’s lips. He was genuinely pleased, not only because he found another precious medicinal herb but also because his task seemed to be going much smoother than he had initially anticipated. At this pace, he could complete his mission ahead of time, granting him a precious opportunity to enter secluded cultivation. What could be more satisfying than cultivating alone, away from the annoying disturbances of this chaotic world? Well…
As Wen Ran squatted down, carefully reaching his hand toward the Spirit Leaf, completely immersed in his task, he failed to notice the shadows that abruptly sliced across the sky above him. Several powerful figures, clad in dark violet robes bearing the distinctive lotus emblem, rapidly descended toward his location. Their expressions were grim, their eyes sharp like those of predatory birds fixated on their prey. These cultivators belonged to the same group that had meticulously tracked Wen Ran’s careless trail, determined to uncover his involvement in the disappearance of their treasured disciples.
Suddenly, without warning, an overwhelming aura violently crashed down upon Wen Ran, as if the entire heavens themselves had collapsed upon him. It was so heavy, so forceful, that it compressed the air around him, turning it thick and viscous, making every breath agonizingly difficult. His body became rigid, his limbs frozen, immobilized by a crushing, invisible force.
Who the hell?! Wen Ran cursed fiercely in his mind, his heart racing wildly as panic and anger surged within him. His muscles tensed, veins bulging beneath his skin, as he desperately struggled to break free. Yet the force was utterly domineering, unyielding as a mountain, rendering his struggles meaningless. Like a helpless puppet, Wen Ran’s body was slowly lifted off the ground, carried upward by an invisible hand.
He tried to resist, his eyes flashing with defiance and fury, but all his efforts were in vain. From his elevated position, suspended mid-air, he could clearly see the formidable faces of the cultivators who had descended upon him. Their cold, ruthless gazes pierced straight through him, like arrows aimed to take his life.
"Caught the little bastard!" shouted the man with long black hair, his slightly plump face full of excitement as if he’d just captured a prized trophy. He roughly grabbed Wen Ran around the waist, tucking him beneath his arm as effortlessly as if he were a mere sack of rice. Discover exclusive tales on Freewebnovel
Shit! Who are these people? What did I ever do to offend Nascent Soul Realm experts… Wait a moment… their clothes...Wen Ran quickly took note of the distinct deep violet robes, clearly recognizing them from earlier, though these robes were far more luxurious and extravagant, embroidered meticulously with patterns of pure gold thread. Even the lotus insignias adorning their chests seemed significantly grander, each displaying numerous petals compared to those he’d encountered before. Wen Ran’s heart sank further as realization struck him, these were no ordinary cultivators—he had attracted the attention of the true elites of their sect.
He desperately wanted to speak, to protest and clarify his innocence, to question why these powerful cultivators would stoop so low as to capture someone like him who had never knowingly crossed their path. However, the suppressive aura surrounding him completely sealed his voice, leaving him utterly helpless and fuming inwardly.
Soon enough, the lush mountain range beneath him faded slowly from his sight, gradually replaced by an oppressive landscape of molten fire and roaring volcanoes. The sound of countless hammers striking metal resonated clearly in the distance, the rhythmic beats echoing like powerful heartbeats. Numerous forges dotted the area, clouds of smoke billowing upward and blending seamlessly into the heavens, making the atmosphere hot, dense, and suffocating.
Are these bastards really taking me straight to their sect? If they wanted to question me, they could’ve easily done it on the spot... A bunch of pig-headed, brainless juniors! Who do they think they are, snatching me up like some damned wild chicken?!
Yet no matter how fiercely he cursed in his heart, Wen Ran soon found himself descending toward an immense mountainous region. Massive walls stretched endlessly around the base of towering, thin peaks that pierced through swirling layers of mist. At the foot of these peaks sprawled countless buildings, beautifully arranged in clusters, giving off an aura that felt like a true cultivation paradise hidden within clouds.
The atmosphere around this place brimmed with powerful spiritual energy, but Wen Ran couldn’t even appreciate it. Instead, he felt only frustration as the elders descended rapidly, landing at the heart of a crowded town square bustling with disciples.
"Place him in the center of the town square!" commanded the leader, his tone harsh, cold, and authoritative. "If we find he’s hiding something, we’ll hold a public execution to set an example!"
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Without any hesitation, Wen Ran was ruthlessly forced to his knees, his hands quickly chained behind his back. All around, countless curious eyes locked onto him, filled with shock, confusion, and growing excitement.
Instantly, hushed whispers exploded throughout the square, like the sound of bees buzzing in a hive, disciples speculating wildly among themselves. Why would their esteemed elders personally capture this seemingly ordinary young man? And what kind of grievous crime could he possibly have committed against their powerful sect to deserve such treatment?
Just great, Wen Ran cursed again, maintaining his calm facade despite the dire situation. Now what mess have I stumbled into this time...?