Chapter 9: The Killing Symbol Array (Part 1)

They killed two groups of mutated green grasshoppers—both were level 7 or 8 mutated symbol worms, with many mutated green grasshoppers mixed in. Not a single high-level mutated green grasshopper was seen, so the top professionals didn’t worry and continued descending quickly.
Guo Shier knew these people were powerful. In their eyes, even mutated symbol worms, as long as they weren’t at an extremely high level, could be easily defeated. If it were a Grand Sage or a professional from the Void Form Altar, entering this demonic gully would likely result in more deaths than survivors.
Due to the obstruction of demonic mist and mutated symbol worms, their descent wasn’t very fast. However, the speed of the altar-driven flight was much faster than normal flying. In about half an hour, they reached the bottom of the demonic gully. Below was a pitch-black, murky water, from which faint black smoke rose.
The group hovered about a hundred meters above the water’s surface. Yan Ruodai asked, “Which way?”
Feng Xilong said, “Follow me!”
Before Feng Xilong could move, Ling Zhenren shouted, “Be careful!”
With a loud explosion, a giant head emerged from the murky water and swallowed Feng Xilong in one bite.
Shi Yanxilong cursed angrily, “Damn it, seeking death!”
Boom!
In an instant, that head exploded. Feng Xilong stood on top of the altar and flew out. He said, “Go, don’t stay!” The murky water was churning, and it was unknown what lay beneath. Without another word, everyone activated their altars and quickly followed Feng Xilong away.
That mutated symbol beast was unlucky too. Instead of swallowing something else, it swallowed a professional with an altar, resulting in its head exploding instantly.
Guo Shier didn’t even see clearly what was attacking—only black liquid splashing and fragments of a head flying around.
In less than a minute, the group saw the entrance to the Magic Rock Secret Realm. It was a fixed secret realm entrance, with faint light shining from within, standing out sharply against the thick black mist.
Feng Xilong said, “Enter!”
The group entered one after another. The entrance was small and circular, with a diameter of about five meters. Even slightly larger mutated symbol beasts couldn’t enter. Guo Shier and the others followed inside while sitting on Juehu Miluo’s altar.
As soon as they entered, Guo Shier felt a bone-chilling cold. The ground was covered in black ice, and there were large black rocks. Dark clouds rolled in the sky, with lightning flashing from time to time, producing thunderous booms.
Guo Shier whispered, “Is this… an extreme-type secret realm?”
Juehu Miluo replied, “That’s right. This is an extreme-type secret realm—extremely rare and extremely dangerous.”

Guo Shier asked curiously, “Will there be powerful mutated talisman beasts?”
Juehu Miluo replied, “Not necessarily. Secret realms with extreme properties often have extreme climates, extreme mutated talisman beasts or worms, as well as various precious materials, all used to train the younger members of the sect.”
Guo Shier nodded and asked, “What are they looking for this time?”
Juehu Miluo said, “I don’t know. But secret realms with extreme properties are the favorite of every top-tier professional. As long as we get the chance, we usually won’t miss it.”
Bao Chengyong asked, “Feng Xilong, have you been here before?”
Feng Xilong replied, “Of course not. I just have a clear talisman map and know the exact location of this secret realm.”
Bao Chengyong cursed under his breath and said irritably, “What are the characteristics of this secret realm? What dangers are there… Feng Xilong, you know too that in such a place, we might also make mistakes!”
Feng Xilong said, “Nonsense! Of course I know. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have invited everyone here.”
Shi Yanxilong added, “With so many of us here, even if it’s very dangerous, it’s no big deal. Our strength is sufficient.” The two encouraged each other in unison.
Bao Chengyong said, “Where is that thing you mentioned? Get it out first.”
Feng Xilong perked up and said, “It’s not far from the entrance and exit of the secret realm. It takes about a day and a half to fly there. Flying here is a bit restricted—we can’t teleport directly. With the altar for protection, we should be able to arrive quickly… I need everyone’s help. There’s a naturally formed talisman array there that requires our combined efforts to break it.”
A naturally formed talisman array!
Ling Zhenren showed a look of shock and asked, “What kind of naturally formed talisman array is it?”
Feng Xilong replied, “A killing-type naturally formed talisman array.”
Bao Chengyong cursed, “Damn it, Feng Xilong! You’re tricking us… A killing-type naturally formed talisman array? That’s not easy to deal with!”
Feng Xilong’s expression darkened. “Bao Chengyong! Who are you cursing?”
Bao Chengyong retorted, “You!”
Feng Xilong flew into a rage. “Try cursing me again!”
Ling Zhenren shouted, “Enough! Stop arguing! Shut up all of you! Feng Xilong, explain the characteristics of this naturally formed talisman array, its size, and… clearly state what you know.”
Feng Xilong said, “I only know it’s a naturally formed killing talisman array. But I’ve never seen it before, so I can only make a judgment once I get there.”
Now, not only was Bao Chengyong cursing, but the expressions of the others also looked grim.

Master Ling fell silent for a moment before saying, “If we can’t master this natural talisman array, I… will withdraw!”
Yan Ruodai nodded and said, “Natural talisman arrays are extremely powerful. Once formed, they’re terrifying. It’s unclear whether it’s a fully developed one or one that’s just been formed recently—there’s a big difference between the two. If it’s a fully developed natural talisman array with great power, I’ll also withdraw.”
Juehu Miluo said, “I still need to take care of a few kids.” His attitude was clear—he would take advantage of any opportunity, or protect those kids if there was no gain, acting flexibly depending on the situation. Shi Yanxilong couldn’t help but mutter, “Sly guy.”
Guo Shieru watched coldly. He knew these people weren’t friends but merely a group united by interests, each with a clear goal. As long as there was enough profit, they would take appropriate risks; if not, they would leave without hesitation.
Feng Xilong’s face turned pale. He was annoyed by these people and said, “Let’s go check first. Who knows if it’s really that powerful? I’ve seen natural talisman arrays before…” He didn’t dare anger everyone either and said, “Let’s go!”
Guo Shieru sat on the altar and whispered to Eagle Demon, “Uncle Eagle Demon, aside from the entrance and exit, we can’t use any talisman gates in this secret realm.”
Eagle Demon nodded and said, “Let’s be careful.”
Zhou Xiaoling said softly, “Being careful won’t help.” Everyone felt helpless.
Luo Zhan said, “Let’s act according to the situation.”
Juehu Miluo said, “Don’t worry. With me here, there won’t be any problems.”
The group flew quickly, each bringing out their own altar. The gloomy atmosphere made Guo Shieru uneasy, and even Eagle Demon and Luo Zhan activated their rune protections.
Suddenly, strong winds blew, and countless ice shards fell, hitting the altars’ defenses with crackling sounds. Guo Shieru said, “What huge ice shards!”
The ice shards, as thick as an adult’s finger, fell from the sky, producing a whooshing sound, leaving everything around in darkness.
Zhou Xiaoling said softly, “I can’t see anything.”
Guo Shieru shook his head and sighed, “I can’t see either. Ding ding… This really isn’t a place we should enter. Without the protection of our altars, I guess… we couldn’t even block these ice shards.”
Eagle Demon sighed, “An extreme secret realm… Sigh, it’s beyond our means.”
Guo Shieru felt dizzy, even his soul seemed sluggish. But he didn’t dare chant any spells because Juehu Miluo was sitting right beside him. Such soul fluctuations might deceive a Great Sage, but they could never fool a top-tier professional with a soul altar.

A day and a half passed in no time. Feng Xilong stopped and said, “Everyone, wait a moment. Bao Chengyong, please go and investigate.” Bao Chengyong took the cypress wood, as that was the agreed condition. He snapped angrily, “Damn it… I was blinded! Wait!” As a top-tier professional, he couldn’t be deceitful or fearful. In an instant, he flew off. By then, the ice crystals had stopped falling, but snowflakes began to drift again. The snowflakes here were actually black—hard to notice unless you paid attention, as they were hidden outside the altar. The surroundings were extremely gloomy, like night. Even with the vision-enhancing spell, Guo Shier could only see black shadows around him, unable to make out what was there. Besides Bao Chengyong going to investigate, five more altars hovered in the air, emitting a faint light. Yan Ruodai said, “Feng Xilong, now you can tell us what’s in the natural talisman array.” The five altars immediately moved closer together. Ling Zhenren also said, “Yes, there’s no need to keep it secret anymore.” Feng Xilong smiled slyly and said, “That depends… on whether you’re willing to break the natural talisman array. If not, it’s useless for me to say anything.” Juehu Miluo hardly spoke; he was the weakest among them, so he was also the most cautious. Ling Zhenren shook his head and said, “Feng Xilong, you really are a bastard!” Feng Xilong chuckled and said, “Ling Zhenren, I’m just being honest. If you’re willing to help us break the array, everything will be fine.” Ling Zhenren asked, “What if I refuse?” Feng Xilong spread his hands and said, “Since you refuse, you won’t enter the array. It doesn’t matter whether you know or not. Right? Hehe.” Yan Ruodai couldn’t hold back either: “Feng Xilong, you’re not only a bastard but also a scoundrel!” Feng Xilong smiled triumphantly and nodded, “You know our Gu Xilong family’s tradition—it’s always been like this. Of course, I’ll consider sharing the benefits with everyone, but… everyone should also contribute a bit, right? Otherwise, why tell you? If it weren’t for special reasons, I wouldn’t have come to you. Our Gu Xilong family can certainly find a few experts on its own.” Guo Shier smiled bitterly. “The Gu Xilong family!” Ever since he was captured by them and brought to the Ancient Talisman Continent, although he didn’t hold much resentment, he didn’t have any good feelings toward this family. It was clear that the other ancient families felt the same way.