The situation is a dead end, catching a turtle in a jar

Sunset Abyss.

Situated at the border between Tianji City and the Frontier Wasteland.

There was no sunlight here, only a purple poisonous mist that lingered year-round.

Within the toxic mist surged violent currents of spiritual energy, remnants of ancient cultivators' battles. These turbulent flows acted like invisible blades, ready to tear any low-level cultivator who wandered in by mistake to shreds.

Even Nascent Soul stage mighty figures had to keep their protective aura active at all times. A moment of carelessness could result in being swept into a spatial rift by the turbulence, leaving not even bones behind.

Shen Fei walked into this dead zone half a month in advance.

He wore an ordinary gray rogue cultivator's robe and did not put up any spiritual energy shield.

The moment the purple toxic mist touched his skin, it was completely neutralized by the formidable resistance of his Heavenly Demon Body. As for the lethal spiritual energy turbulence, the moment it came within three feet of his body, the passively operating devouring power of the Heaven-Swallowing Demon Art silently dissolved and absorbed it.

This forbidden land that struck terror into the hearts of countless cultivators was like a backyard garden to Shen Fei.

He spent three whole days.

Measuring every inch of land from the outer perimeter to the core area of the Sunset Abyss with his footsteps.

He didn't search for any heavenly treasures.

He only did one thing: look for a location.

Finally, he stopped in a low-lying basin surrounded by cliffs on three sides in the center of the abyss.

In the middle of the basin sat a massive black meteorite.

From the cracks in the meteorite, an extremely cold nether aura faintly emanated.

This was the perfect growth environment for the Nine Nether Yellow Springs Grass. It was also the inevitable destination of Li Miaoyuan's journey.

Shen Fei stood beside the meteorite.

In his mind, the three sets of incomplete array blueprints redeemed from the system—illusion array, trapping array, and killing array—began to operate rapidly.

He wasn't a grandmaster of arrays.

But he possessed the top-tier mindset of crossfire coverage and terrain utilization from modern Earth warfare.

Arrays were simply another form of booby traps and fire networks.

Over the next fourteen days.

Like the most patient and ruthless hunter, Shen Fei began laying out his web of death within this three-hundred-zhang basin.

He emptied all the spirit stones he had looted from the Blood Fiend Sect and rogue bandits to use as the power source for the arrays.

The first layer, the illusion array.

Shen Fei cleverly hid the array core of the illusion array in the densest part of the purple toxic mist on the outskirts of the basin.

Utilizing the natural hallucinogenic properties of the toxic mist, he expanded the range of the illusion array threefold. As long as a cultivator entered this area, their sense of direction would be silently stripped away, eventually leaving them to wander blindly toward the center of the basin like headless flies.

The second layer, the trapping array.

This was the layer Shen Fei spent the most effort on.

He covertly carved the runes of the trapping array onto the three cliffs surrounding the basin.

The core logic of this trapping array was law blockade. Once triggered, the space within a fifty-zhang radius would be forcibly locked down, and everyone's cultivation base would be brutally suppressed by an entire major realm.

Nascent Soul stage would be suppressed to the Golden Core stage.

To ensure the power of the trapping array, Shen Fei didn't even hesitate to slit his wrist, using his lifeblood essence imbued with Heavenly Demon spiritual energy to reinforce the array core.

The third layer, the killing array.

Shen Fei didn't use a conventional spiritual energy killing array.

He directly connected the array core of the killing array to the most violent main vein of spiritual energy turbulence deep beneath the Sunset Abyss.

Borrowing strength to strike.

Once the killing array was activated, the spiritual energy turbulence of the entire abyss would be instantly drained, transforming into countless wind blades capable of shredding Peak Golden Core cultivators. They would execute an indiscriminate, saturation-style slaughter within the confined space of the trapping array.

Late at night on the fourteenth day.

The three-layered interlocking grand array was fully set up.

Shen Fei stood in the center of the basin and closed his eyes.

In his mind, he repeatedly deduced the trigger mechanisms, chain reactions, and possible unexpected scenarios of the entire array layout hundreds of times.

Confirming there were no logical loopholes.

He walked up to the black meteorite.

From his system inventory, he took out the Nine Nether Yellow Springs Grass he had snatched from Gu Yan in the Azure Wood Secret Realm.

He carefully planted the spirit herb into the crack of the meteorite.

A faint blue light flickered amidst the toxic mist, exuding a fatal temptation.

The bait was set.

Shen Fei turned around and walked into a crevice in the cliff that was closest to the meteorite and offered the best vantage point.

This crevice happened to sit in the absolute blind spot of the three-layered grand array.

He sat down cross-legged.

He concealed all of his aura, dropping even his heartbeat and breathing to their absolute lowest points.

His entire person seemed to turn into a cold stone.

He began to wait.

Wait for the big fish to swim into the net on its own.

...

The fifteenth day.

Noon.

The outer perimeter of the Sunset Abyss.

Three streaks of light sped over from the horizon, stopping at the edge of the toxic mist.

The light faded.

Revealing the figures of three people.

The leader was exactly the Outer Domain Holy Son of the Grand Mystery Holy Land, Li Miaoyuan, wearing a purple and gold Daoist robe.

His face was slightly pale, and a hint of unconcealable irritability and hostility showed between his brows.

Ever since he was severely wounded by Shen Fei in the mortal realm and forced to make a Heavenly Dao Blood Oath, that humiliation and hatred had become a lingering inner demon.

In the span of a year, under the Grand Mystery Holy Land's cultivation that poured all its resources into him, he forcefully broke through to the early Nascent Soul stage.

But the backlash from his inner demon grew increasingly severe.

If he couldn't obtain the Nine Nether Yellow Springs Grass to refine the Nine Revolutions Clear Heart Pill, he could forget about taking another step forward in this lifetime, and even faced the danger of cultivation deviation.

Holy Son, the Sunset Abyss is just ahead.

Behind Li Miaoyuan, a haggard-looking old man wearing a gray robe spoke in a deep voice.

Peak Golden Core cultivation. One of the Dao Protectors sent by the Grand Mystery Holy Land, named Kumu.

The other Dao Protector was a burly, muscular man, also at the Peak Golden Core stage, named Tieyan.

The toxic mist and spiritual energy turbulence here are no trivial matter. The Holy Son has a precious body; it would be better for the two of us old bones to go in and pluck the spirit herb while the Holy Son waits outside, Kumu respectfully suggested.

No need.

Li Miaoyuan coldly refused.

The Nine Nether Yellow Springs Grass will wither half an hour after leaving its companion meteorite; its medicinal power must be refined on the spot. I will go in personally.

A flash of impatience crossed his eyes.

Can a mere natural perilous land stop this Holy Son?

Li Miaoyuan waved his hand.

The formidable spiritual energy of the early Nascent Soul stage burst forth from his body, forming a golden spiritual energy shield around him that forcefully pushed the purple toxic mist three feet away.

He was the first to step into the Sunset Abyss.

Kumu and Tieyan exchanged a glance, not daring to say more. They immediately put up their protective auras and followed closely behind Li Miaoyuan, guarding him from the left and right.

The three went deeper along the way.

Relying on their formidable Nascent Soul and Peak Golden Core cultivations, the outer toxic mist and ordinary spiritual energy turbulence could not cause them any substantial harm.

Two hours later.

They arrived at the central zone of the abyss.

Holy Son, the mist here seems a bit strange.

Kumu suddenly stopped in his tracks, furrowing his brows slightly.

He felt that the surrounding purple toxic mist was more than ten times denser than on the outskirts. Moreover, the detection range of his divine sense had unexpectedly been compressed to less than ten zhang.

It's nothing but a natural miasma illusion array.

Li Miaoyuan didn't care in the slightest.

He took out a jade pendant exuding a cool aura from his storage ring and held it in his hand.

This is the Illusion-Breaking Jade bestowed by Master. What can a mere fog do to me?

The jade pendant emitted a halo of soft white light, and the surrounding poisonous mist seemed to thin out a little.

Li Miaoyuan continued moving forward.

He did not realize that their direction of travel had already imperceptibly shifted by a slight margin.

The first layer of the bewildering formation had been activated silently.

It lacked any offensive capabilities; it merely distorted their spatial sense of direction quietly under the cover of the poisonous mist.

The three of them walked for another incense stick's worth of time.

The poisonous mist ahead suddenly parted.

A basin surrounded by sheer cliffs on three sides appeared before them.

In the center of the basin.

Upon a massive black meteorite.

A spirit herb emitting a faint blue light swayed gently.

Nine Netherworld Spring Grass!

An ecstatic light burst from Li Miaoyuan's eyes.

He had finally found the item he had been searching for over three whole months!

As long as he refined this spirit herb and suppressed his inner demons, he would smoothly break through to the mid-Nascent Soul stage. At that time, he would even have the qualifications to compete for the position of a core Holy Son of the Taixuan Sacred Land!

As for Shen Fei, the one who had subjected him to endless humiliation in the mortal realm.

Once his cultivation was complete, he would definitely cross realms to go down there, rip the tendons and skin off that demon, and slaughter his entire family!

Li Miaoyuan was so excited that his breathing became rapid.

He even forgot to maintain his vigilance, directly withdrawing more than half of his protective spiritual energy as he walked quickly toward the meteorite in the center of the basin.

Careful, Holy Son! There might be accompanying demonic beasts here!

Kumu and Tieyan were alarmed. They hurriedly drew their magical artifacts and followed closely behind.

The three of them stepped into the central area of the basin entirely off guard.

They were now within fifty spans of the meteorite.

Just at the moment when Li Miaoyuan's hand was about to touch the Nine Netherworld Spring Grass.

Within a crevice in the sheer cliff.

Shen Fei, who had been sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed.

Suddenly opened his eyes!

From his pitch-black pupils, a murderous intent shot out as if it were tangible.

Pull the net.

Shen Fei coldly spat out the words in his heart.

His hands instantly formed a bizarre hand seal.

Om!!!

On the three sheer cliffs surrounding the basin, countless formation patterns hidden in the rock crevices simultaneously lit up with a blinding blood-red light at this exact moment!

The second layer, the trapping formation.

Triggered!

A terrifying power of law confinement, impossible to describe with words, crashed down upon the three people in the center of the basin like the weight of Mount Tai!

What is going on?!

The ecstasy on Li Miaoyuan's face instantly froze.

He horrifyingly discovered that the vast, ocean-like early-Nascent Soul spiritual energy within his body seemed to have been frozen, its circulation speed becoming extremely sluggish.

Not only that.

Under the forced suppression of this power of law, his cultivation realm began to plummet like falling off a cliff!

Early-Nascent Soul... half-step Nascent Soul... peak Golden Core!

It's an ambush! Protect the Holy Son!

Kumu and Tieyan reacted extremely quickly, roaring as they tried to block the path in front of Li Miaoyuan.

But they sadly discovered that their original peak Golden Core cultivation had also been forcefully suppressed down to the early-Golden Core stage!

They couldn't even fully prop up their protective aura!

Who?! Who dares to plot against the people of the Taixuan Sacred Land!

Li Miaoyuan's eyes almost split open in rage. He drew the top-grade magical artifact longsword from his waist and frantically looked around.

No one answered him.

What answered him.

Was the full eruption of the third layer's killing formation!

Rumble!!!

The underground spiritual veins of the entire Setting Sun Abyss seemed to be viciously stirred by a pair of invisible giant hands.

Countless streams of incomparably berserk spiritual energy turbulence were forcefully drawn over by the killing formation, transforming into a sky full of cyan wind blades!

Densely packed.

Blotting out the sky and covering the sun.

Within the fifty-span space sealed by the trapping formation, a metallic storm with no blind spots was formed!

Ah!!!

Tieyan's miserable scream was the first to ring out.

His burly body, after being suppressed to the early-Golden Core stage, was completely unable to withstand this level of spiritual energy storm.

In a mere three seconds.

His protective aura was torn to shreds, and his entire person was instantly shredded into a mist of blood and flesh by countless wind blades!

Even his Golden Core didn't have time to escape before it was sliced into powder by the wind blades!

Tieyan!

Old tears streamed down Kumu's face as he desperately summoned a bronze shield, rigidly protecting the area in front of Li Miaoyuan.

Holy Son, run quickly! This is a linked absolute killing grand formation! This old man will stall...

Crack!

Kumu's words were not even finished.

That bronze shield, which was sufficient to block a blow from a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, shattered with a boom under the continuous slicing of the spiritual energy storm.

Countless wind blades pierced through Kumu's body.

Kumu's eyes widened, and he fell straight down, dying with remaining grievances.

In less than half a cup of tea's time.

Two peak Golden Core Dao Protectors had turned to ash and smoke within the killing formation meticulously arranged by Shen Fei.

In the center of the basin.

Only Li Miaoyuan was left alone.

His hair was disheveled, his purple-gold Daoist robe was cut to tatters by the wind blades, and his body was covered in deep wounds where bone could be seen.

Relying on a damaged defensive secret treasure bestowed by the Taixuan Sacred Land, he bitterly held on amidst the strangulation of the wind blades.

But his spiritual energy had already bottomed out.

His cultivation was firmly suppressed at the peak Golden Core stage.

Despair.

A despair even more profound than when he was in the mortal realm enveloped Li Miaoyuan's heart.

He was pushed to a dead end without even seeing the face of his enemy!

Who on earth is it...

Li Miaoyuan knelt on the ground, vomiting large mouthfuls of fresh blood, his eyes full of unwillingness and madness.

The attacks of the wind blades finally slowly subsided after lasting for an incense stick's time.

The energy of the killing formation was exhausted.

Within the basin, there was a dead silence.

Only a thick stench of blood permeated the air.

Li Miaoyuan collapsed beside the meteorite, lacking even the strength to stand up.

Just at this moment.

Step.

Step.

Steady, familiar footsteps.

Slowly drifted over from the crevice in the sheer cliff at the edge of the basin.

Li Miaoyuan struggled to lift his head.

Through the gradually dissipating poisonous mist.

He saw it.

A man wearing a gray rogue cultivator's robe was walking toward him step by step.

The man took off the bamboo hat on his head.

Revealing a cold, profound face that would wake him up in terror from his dreams for the rest of his life.

Shen Fei walked to a spot ten paces away from Li Miaoyuan.

He stopped.

He looked at the once high and mighty, insufferably arrogant Destiny Holy Son on the ground.

His voice was so calm that it lacked even a trace of a ripple.

You said we would meet in the upper realm.

Shen Fei looked at Li Miaoyuan's instantly widened eyes, which were filled with extreme terror.

I have come to keep the appointment.