At the core of the Baohua Mountain Range, in the dead of night.
Cultivators from all five domains were stationed outside the secret realm, prepared for any unexpected incidents. Just as the moon reached its peak, the Divine Transformation Zūnzhě all suddenly seemed to sense something, and their gazes turned in the same direction.
Without warning, a black hole appeared in midair. In the next moment, a black figure was expelled from it, and the black hole quickly closed and vanished.
"Hmph! It's him!"
Hao Hui Zūnzhě flashed into view, facing the black figure. With a casual gesture, a dazzling white light pierced straight into the figure's dantian.
In the next moment, more Divine Transformation Zūnzhě appeared, their divine senses locking onto the severely injured figure.
Li Chang spat out a mouthful of blood, his face turning gray. His spiritual energy was rapidly leaking from his body. Already burned by Mystic Thunder Violet Flame and with his meridians and spiritual root damaged, his dantian now shattered by Hao Hui's strike, he was utterly finished.
Ming Hong Zūnzhě arrived beside Hao Hui Zūnzhě, calmly forming a sword formation with sword qi to trap Li Chang. He then announced:
"Daoyou, this man is the former city lord of Shuangshan City, Li Chang. He and his son collaborated with evil cultivators to set up a Nine-Round Sacrifice Formation in Shuangshan City, attempting to break through to Ascension. Later, they refined evil corpses using human lives in the mortal realm. He is already on the West Domain cultivation wanted list. His appearance here is definitely suspicious. Each domain should send a representative to participate in his interrogation."
Ming Hong Zūnzhě's explanation clarified why Hao Hui Zūnzhě acted, and also publicly revealed Li Chang's identity, ensuring everyone paid attention.
The Divine Transformation Zūnzhě from each domain bowed slightly in acknowledgment. They had noticed that this cultivator was in Divine Transformation stage, but clearly, the secret realm had rejected him. Yet when the realm opened, he had not been among the entering cultivators. How did he get in? And how did he evade all of them? This required careful thought.
The calm at the Baohua Mountain core was shattered. The domain stations stirred. The old white-browed ape, leader of Baohua, was summoned to a temporary law chamber. He shook his white eyebrows and stared with wide copper-colored eyes at the listless Li Chang.
To prevent Li Chang from self-destructing his sea of consciousness, Hao Hui Zūnzhě had already suppressed all his powers. Any unusual movement would be immediately detected.
Because Li Chang was from the western domain and captured in Baohua Mountain, Ming Hong Zūnzhě would be the chief examiner, while the other four domains observed, as a precaution.
Ming Hong Zūnzhě said solemnly: "Daoyou, this man has a sealing formation in his sea of consciousness. We cannot probe his soul, so we might not learn anything."
Lin Lang Zūnzhě of Kunmo Zōng touched her black hair over her chest and said coldly: "If there is a formation in his sea of consciousness, then separate his spirit from his body. We will surely get answers."
"Isn't that a bit cruel?"
"Hmph! Does Huaxian Gate expect morality from evil cultivators? Do you think he entered the secret realm without intending to kill Divine Transformation cultivators?
Don't forget, he is a Divine Transformation cultivator. Even we must be cautious against him. Everyone saw several Divine Transformation cultivators enter the realm. Avoiding them is easy. Facing Nascent Soul or Golden Core cultivators, he may show no mercy."
Lin Lang Zūnzhě's sharp words shut Huaxian Gate's Hua Yu Zūnzhě up immediately.
The Zūnzhě from the other three domains remained composed. Kunmo Zōng and Huaxian Gate had long-standing tension, and their disciples often clashed privately, but neither sect escalated matters openly.
Now, since this involved the safety of secret realm entrants, Lin Lang Zūnzhě was anxious. The other three domains subtly supported Kunmo Zōng. Compared to Huaxian Gate, losing a hundred disciples was no big deal. Ming Hong Zūnzhě had not spoken either.
Ming Hong Zūnzhě twirled his fingers, glanced at Hua Yu Zūnzhě, then said to Lin Lang Zūnzhě:"Lin Lang Daoyou, can you separate Li Chang's spirit from his body? We must extract information from him. Otherwise, we cannot ensure the safety of the young cultivators in the secret realm."
Lin Lang's expression eased considerably. She nodded and took a black-gold bell from her waist. Slowly, she said: "This is a Spirit-Control Bell, which I use to control demonic puppets. It should be able to draw out his spirit."
Ming Hong Zūnzhě immediately said: "Then please, Daoyou Lin Lang, cast the spell. We will protect you."
"Very well!"
Lin Lang nodded, her slender, jade-like hand gently shaking the black-gold bell. An inaudible sound wave radiated from the bell, reaching Li Chang. His body twitched involuntarily.
All Zūnzhě could see concentric ripples entering Li Chang's body. After five breaths, a shadow slowly rose above his head.
The shadow mirrored Li Chang's appearance, even wearing the same robe. As the shadow wavered, Lin Lang shook the bell again, and Li Chang's spirit flew uncontrollably into the Spirit-Control Bell.
"No!!!"
Li Chang screamed, but he was drawn in helplessly.
"Amitabha!"
Master Yun Yi of Yunmen Temple chanted, fingers moving over prayer beads, not interfering. Their Fózǐ were in the secret realm too. This was no time for mercy.
After Li Chang's spirit was successfully drawn into the bell, Lin Lang raised her eyebrows: "No wonder it was so easy. His spirit was burned by a strange flame."
Ming Hong Zūnzhě frowned: "A strange flame in the secret realm? He was expelled because he failed to control it?"
Lin Lang gave a chilling smile: "Do not worry, Ming Hong Daoyou. I will question the spirit carefully."
Li Chang, trapped in the Spirit-Control Bell, had no consciousness left, curled up within the bell's inner space.
Yun Xi exited the spatial channel again, finding herself suspended in midair. She stabilized and quickly sent out her divine sense. She realized she was at the far rear of the giant beast tide. She could see a massive number of giant beasts attacking the valley, and the third line of defense on the outer perimeter had already been breached.
"How is this possible? I severely injured Li Chang, and the realm spirit expelled him from the secret realm. Why are the corrupted giant beasts still here?"
Yun Xi frowned and muttered.
"Master, the corrupted beasts were brought in by Li Chang. Now that he is expelled, your deal with the realm spirit is complete. However, that thing remains in the secret realm. To survive until it closes, you must destroy it."
"Tsk. This realm spirit really plays a clever game. Why do I feel like it gave me one reward but wants me to do two things?"