NOVEL NEXT Chapter 79: Zhiran Is Exposed?
Zhiran perfectly knew how troublesome an aristocratic noble family could be.
Despite the storage ring of Han Luo seeming unguarded and tempting, Zhiran was one hundred percent sure that there must be some kind of trick inside.
Moreover, since Han Luo was from the Han Family, which was known for its expertise in soul arts, Zhiran would never dare to touch that ring.
In fact, if not for the dire situation, he would never dare to kill Han Luo, at least not like this and without a plan.
But since the deed was done, Zhiran did everything to eliminate his traces.
After leaving the chamber, he directly bombarded the nodes around the natural array, collapsing the entire vault from within.
After that, he left the Dark Wood Forest, making sure he wasn't seen by anyone. During the entire process, he never used his true spiritual energy even for a moment.
He was a rogue cultivator who practiced demonic methods in his previous life after all, and he knew how to erase his traces.
'Hah…finally back.'
After making countless maneuvers and ensuring he couldn't be tracked, Zhiran finally removed his disguise, returned to Azure Flame City, and came back on the spirit boat normally.
Only when he passed through the barrier, entered the inner sect, and arrived at his peak did he breathe a sigh of relief.
This time, he was truly in extreme danger.
Really, if he hadn't gritted his teeth and bought that Wuyin Puppet with twenty Middle Grade Spirit Stones from a demonic cultivator at the last moment in the black market, his situation would be too dire.
Just one misstep and his life would be over.
That was the case when he tried to take Tianyu's opportunity from Elder Shuren before, and it was the same when he tried to take the Royal Wine.
Although he benefited both times because of his golden finger, how long could he keep going like this before everything went wrong?
'It seems I should go to that secret realm ahead of time.'
Zhiran thought of the map he got from Elder Shuren's storage ring, along with the hidden technique inside.
Now that he had divine sense, he felt he should take a risk while he still could. After someone from the Han Family came to investigate, it would be far riskier.
He also thought about the graveyard behind the Ember Lotus Peak, but shook his head, thinking it was too dangerous.
He would rather go outside.
The outer and inner sect graveyards were completely different in importance.
"Zhiran? You are here?"
Just as Zhiran was making preparations for his next move, he suddenly heard someone's voice.
"Xiao Lan?"
It was Senior Xiao, who seemed to have come down from the peak. She appeared to be quite trusted by Elder Yan Yue.
For a moment, Zhiran wondered whether she was also a spy.
'Maybe not?'
"Good that you are here. Hurry up. Peak Master has summoned you just now."
Xiao Lan looked happy to see Zhiran and quickly delivered the message she got from Elder Yan Yue.
"Hmm? Peak Master summoned me? Why?"
Zhiran was surprised to hear that. After all, he just joined this peak yesterday and already met her.
Why would she summon him again?
"Who knows? Just go and ask Peak Master. Maybe she has some plans for you?"
Xiao Lan also didn't know the reason, but she thought that since Elder Yan Yue was giving him so much attention, it must be a good thing.
To be honest, she felt a little jealous.
She never received such attention, even once, always being used as an errand girl since Peak Master didn't have any disciples of her own.
"Okay, then let's do that. Thank you, Xiao Lan."
Zhiran had no idea why he was summoned, but since it was an order, he couldn't ignore it.
He bowed lightly to Xiao Lan with a faint smile before heading up the Ember Lotus Peak.
Now that he looked at the peak closely, although it appeared beautiful with its unique scenery, it felt kind of barren.
Barren in the sense that the peak was too quiet. In two days, he hadn't seen many disciples.
Not to mention, there were no spiritual beasts in sight at all.
Not even the flocks of white cranes flying high in the sky that could be seen around the main peak and others.
'When I have time, I should bring a few spiritual beasts. Otherwise, it's too bland.'
Zhiran randomly thought as he quickly arrived beneath the huge fiery lotus.
"Elder, I am Mo Zhiran. Did you summon me?"
Zhiran didn't enter the premises and bowed slightly, waiting for instructions.
"Come in."
Only when he heard the slightly lazy voice of Elder Yan Yue in his mind did he step inside.
Now that it was his second time here, Zhiran couldn't help but observe the peak carefully.
The first thing he noticed was a small hut at the far end beside a pond, which seemed to be Elder Yan Yue's residence.
Other than that, Zhiran found nothing noteworthy.
Aside from the vast Ember Lotus flowers surrounding the peak in every direction with their fiery petals and the steady sound of the Silvermist River, nothing stood out.
Still, the place was rich in spiritual energy and incredibly serene.
Even after stepping here, Zhiran strangely felt that his throbbing head and tense mind felt a bit lighter.
'Does this place have spirit arrays?'
Zhiran was lost in thought when a soft female voice drifted from ahead.
"Do you know Elder Shuren?"
"Hmm?"
The voice belonged to Elder Yan Yue, who stood below the lotus platform beside the pond.
She looked as stunning as ever, her subtle charm almost imperceptible yet impossible to ignore.
However, Zhiran's attention wasn't on her beauty but on the unexpected question that made his heart skip a beat.
Fortunately, he was a veteran and didn't let his emotions show.
Even so, it would be a lie to say he wasn't nervous as the query came far too suddenly.
For a moment, he thought he was exposed.