Righteous Alliance.
Zheng Fu Gong, Pai Lie, Jing Xian, Qi Ling and Su Yuan looked at the contestants that will be entering the fourth stage.
From Zunjingde Sect, there are Jing Cheng, Jing Bai, Jing Hei and Jing Kang. From the Qianxu Sect, there's Qian Lin. From the Shanliangde Sect, there're Xi Ming, Xi Xing and Gong Xian. From the Huakai Sect, there're Tang Zhe, Tang Yun, Shan Lu and Guo Cheng. From Youxiwang Sect, there're Chen Han and Sun Yi. From the Xinfaxian Sect, there're Fei Yin, Cheng Sheng, Li Tian and Feng Mo. From the Huli Sect, there's Kang Ce. Then, there are the rogue cultivators Yu Sheng and Wu Xi.
"Where's Xiao Le?" Kang Ce asked Cheng Sheng.
"He won't be coming." Cheng Sheng answered.
Kang Ce fell silent. "Oh." He just answered and didn't speak again.
Seeing Kang Ce's reaction, Cheng Sheng's eyes narrowed but he didn't say anything.
"The twenty-one contestants..." Zheng Fu Gong spoke. "We won't be taking much of your ti since you still have things to do for today to prepare for the last stage of the competition which is tomorrow." He said. "With the impending danger from the demonic cultivators, we assure your safety through the Cleansing Stone located in the Spring of Life inside the Cave of Retribution. Even though it is inside the cave, but the Cleansing Stone's range of protection is the entirety of the maze we designed. Go outside the maze, and we won't be assuring your safety." He explained.
"So, this is like during the third stage in the secret realm." Yu Sheng said. "The Alliance's protection in the secret realm is limited and the forbidden areas are excluded." He said.
Pai Lie nodded. "That's correct. However, this ti, there will be no disciples from the Alliance to accompany you, as what elder Zheng said before." He said. "Thus, you had to look after yourself." He told them.
"Cheng Sheng." Jing Xian called. "After the multiple failed attempts of the demonic cultivators, they will definitely not give up killing you." He said. "Although we said the maze will be safe because of the Cleansing Stone's protection, but of course, the nearer you are to the Cleansing Stone the better." He said before he turned to the others. "Of course, that applies to all of you. You must be more careful this ti." He told them.
Qi Ling looked at them before he spoke. "The demonic cultivators are cleverly hiding this ti." He said. "Two of them managed to slip inside our net and ss up the competition's second stage and third stage. One even managed to disguise as a disciple, while the other one managed to escape from the Cleansing Stone." He explained.
"Everyone is doing their best to eliminate the demonic cultivators." Su Yuan said. "The security will be stricter this ti, thus the contestants could solely focus on the competition. So of the sect leaders volunteered to also scout the area with the elders and disciples for better security." He explained. "With elder Pai's barrier arrays protecting the capital, there'll be no demonic cultivators that would slip under our watch again." He said.
They all nodded. Indeed, with the sect leaders joining in the fray, their defense will be stronger.
"For more assurance, everyone is required to be tested under the Cleansing Stone." Zheng Fu Gong said.
They were shocked. "What?!"
"The last stage is the most dangerous stage in the competition. Furthermore, everyone will be competing amongst themselves unlike in the third stage where there're walking corpses to divide your attention with from your opponents." Zheng Fu Gong explained. "Jie i used the walking corpses and the monsters inside the secret realm as a cover to sneak attack Cheng Sheng. We can't have another Jie i this ti." He told them.
Everyone fell silent. During the third stage, they are fortunate for Cheng Sheng to notice Jie i's intentions and the demonic qi poison. Jie i wants to wear down Cheng Sheng's group and then kill Cheng Sheng. Fortunately, Cheng Sheng is wise to ditch her. Now their pity on Jie i disappeared.
"Elder Zheng." Cheng Sheng spoke. "I guess it isn't wise." He said.
"What is?" Pai Lie asked.
"To use the Cleansing Stone to check each one of us." Cheng Sheng answered.
"Why?" Su Yuan asked.
"The Cleansing Stone can increase our level." Cheng Sheng answered. "There are many High-Level Golden Core Stage among us now, not to ntion my brother and Sun-shixiong are already in the Peak Level of Golden Core Stage." He said. "The Cleansing Stone might accidentally make us reach the Nascent Soul Stage." He told them.
Jing Xian looked at each of them. Chen Han and Sun Yi, as what Cheng Sheng said, are already in the Peak Level of Golden Core Stage. Jing Cheng, Xi Ming, Tang Zhe, Fei Yin, Cheng Sheng and Kang Ce are in the High-Level Golden Core Stage. Jing Bai, Jing Hei, Jing Kang, Qian Lin, Feng Mo, Li Tian, Shan Lu and Gong Xian are in the Middle-Level of Golden Core Stage while Xi Xing, Tang Yun and Guo Cheng are in the Low-Level of Golden Core Stage. anwhile, Yu Sheng and Wu Xi…
"You two should be in the Peak Level of Golden Core Stage?" Qi Ling asked the two.
Yu Sheng brightly smiled. "Correct." He answered while Wu Xi nodded his head as an answer.
The Zunjingde Sect, the Shanliangde Sect and the Huakai Sect fell silent. Cheng Sheng's group has four Peak Level Golden Core Stage cultivators with them. Not to ntion Fei Yin who's almost touching the threshold, as well as Cheng Sheng who is both a sword cultivator and a mage… no wonder they can easily ss with them.
"Isn't this better?" Pai Lie asked.
"Yes. It can makes us stronger, but – " Cheng Sheng said. " – it can make us weaker, too."
"… you an, the heart demon?" Jing Xian said.
Cheng Sheng nodded. "Yes." He answered.
Everyone fell silent. They knew how dangerous it is to have a heart demon. And the Cleansing Stone can either suppress it, or worse, intensify it.
"What do you suggest we should do?" Zheng Fu Gong asked.
"I can make the Acute Array." Cheng Sheng answered.
Pai Lie's eyes imdiately shone. "As I rember, you also made an Acute Barrier before?" he said. It was because of it he beca interested in Cheng Sheng. "What's the difference of the two?" he asked.
Cheng Sheng nodded. "Yes. The difference of the two is that an Acute Barrier acts as a barrier and tells about the external force and make the barrier capture it inside it. On the other hand, the Acute Array can tell where is the demonic qi." He explained. "It can also be called a Discerning Array." He added.
"It's that convenient?" Jing Xian suspiciously asked.
Cheng Sheng shrugged. "I'm the master in tweaking things." He said. "Because of my cultivation, I am more sensitive to the evil elents." He sighed.
"What's your cultivation?" Jing Hei curiously asked.
"That's a secret, of course." Cheng Sheng said.
"Is this array made you catch Jie i?" Zheng Fu Gong asked.
Cheng Sheng nodded. "It is." He honestly answered. "The Acute Array only uses a small amount of qi, thus I always activate it when I'm outside. After all – " he said and smiled. " – I am a sought-after bachelor. Anyone has different kinds of intentions to , so I've got no choice." He sighed in regret. "It's just hard to be popular." He added.
"…" can we hit him? They thought in irritation. However, Cheng Sheng is speaking the truth. Wasn't that also the reason why Jie i approached him?
"Wait." Qi Ling said. "Since you're the only one who knows how to use the array, what if you'd lie about the others to cover for them?" he sharply asked.
They all looked at Cheng Sheng.
Cheng Sheng smiled. "I know you've already heard about my nasty attitude." He said. "Of course, I can lie. However, since my cultivation prohibits to, then I shouldn't lie." He explained. "After all, my cultivation keeps my body pure, that made sensitive to evil elents – " he looked at Qi Ling with his eyes in crescents. " – including malice." He added.
A deafening silence fell upon them.
"That's how I found out Jie i." Cheng Sheng laughed as if everything isn't related to him, when in fact, it is. "Elder Qi. Should I tell you my evaluation of you just now?" he asked Qi Ling.
Qi Ling's eyes narrowed as he glared at Cheng Sheng. "Cheng Sheng! Don't be too cocky!" he told him and flung his sleeve in anger before he went back to his seat.
Everyone looked at Qi Ling before they turned to Cheng Sheng who ingratiatingly smiled. "So…" Zheng Fu Gong said. Even them could feel Qi Ling's killing intent towards Cheng Sheng. He turned to Cheng Sheng.
"I already said, my cultivation doesn't permit to lie, or I'll suffer a backlash and die." Cheng Sheng said. "So, shall we?" he asked.
"…" why do they get a bad feeling? They thought. However, the contestants didn't have a choice but to follow Cheng Sheng after they saw the Alliance's elders' decided expression.
They didn't know they'd rather choose the Cleansing Stone to examine them than enter the Acute Array.
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