Why Stop Us from Moving Forward

Su Luo and Little Yu left the Water City and continued their journey toward the Thousand Peaks Mountain.

By now, they could already see the mountain in the distance.

Towering into the clouds.

Though the actual distance was still great, the sheer size of the Thousand Peaks Mountain made it visible from afar.

"It looks so magnificent from here," Little Yu remarked, gazing at the mountain. It was even more impressive than the peaks of the Seven Stars Sword Sect.

"Let’s go. It’s right before us, and I’m sure you won’t regret climbing it."

"I think so too."

Though Little Yu’s voice grew noticeably quieter as she said this.

Just then, a demon beast suddenly charged at them with a furious roar.

Su Luo dispatched it effortlessly.

But it wasn’t just one—several more appeared, and they were of different species.

Wild demon beasts of different races usually didn’t act together.

Of course, these were all weak creatures, hardly a threat, not even intimidating.

"This is strange. There shouldn’t be so many demon beasts around here," Su Luo mused, as if they were being deliberately blocked from advancing.

It then occurred to him that he hadn’t visited this area during this time before.

"Why are they trying to stop us?"

"Should we go take a look?" Little Yu suggested.

"Sure."

Since they were already here, there was no reason not to investigate.

The further they went, the more demon beasts they encountered—clearly not a coincidence.

Moreover, these beasts seemed to be under some kind of control.

They weren’t particularly strong, mostly at the Foundation Establishment level or slightly higher.

Su Luo and Little Yu eliminated them all.

"You two are incredibly skilled, fellow cultivators! Please, I beg you, help me!"

Suddenly, a man stumbled before Su Luo, severely injured.

"Explain yourself first."

The man was gaunt, almost emaciated.

"Could you heal me first? Someone as powerful as you must be able to help me," he pleaded urgently.

Su Luo simply stared at him, unmoved.

"Please, you seem like good people!"

"The demonic energy is practically oozing out of you. Drop the act."

"Hahaha, no need for that. If you could just leave, that would be great."

His initial plan to feign weakness and ambush them had failed, so he abandoned the pretense.

"Why?"

"Our master has urgent business nearby and doesn’t want any disturbances. Please take a detour."

"Sorry, but our destination is straight ahead. We can’t go around."

"You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"

He lunged at them, but Little Yu cut him down with her usual swift precision.

"You’re a little too efficient," Su Luo remarked.

He had hoped to use the man as a guide, but it didn’t matter. If they kept advancing, the mastermind would reveal themselves soon enough.

Sure enough, the further they went, the stronger their opponents became—both human and demon beast.

At first, the attackers were still somewhat polite, but soon they grew ruthless and silent.

"I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!"

"I can’t resist—just let me kill you!"

"No passage ahead. Stay here forever!"

Their words were arrogant, but it didn’t matter—Su Luo would teach them manners with his strength.

And if they refused to be polite, they’d never speak again.

The mastermind behind the scenes soon realized Su Luo and Little Yu’s power couldn’t be ignored.

"My master is the Heartless Elder of the Earthly Fiend Sect. Please, show some respect and leave."

When brute force failed, they resorted to name-dropping.

But Su Luo and Little Yu weren’t swayed.

They cut him down without hesitation.

Finally, following the trail of enemies, they reached the mastermind—an old woman, the Heartless Elder.

"So, you’re the ones ruining my plans?" The Heartless Elder felt insulted.

"I’m more curious why you’re driving people away."

"Isn’t it obvious? There’s something here I want for myself."

"You won’t talk, and I wasn’t planning to interfere—but you provoked me."

"Hmph, you think killing a few ants makes you strong? But I won’t kill you. You’ll become my puppet instead."

The Heartless Elder produced a treasure—a multicolored mirror.

This was an ancient artifact capable of controlling minds, not just humans but even demon beasts.

A dazzling light burst from the mirror, enveloping Su Luo.

Yet nothing happened.

What’s going on?

This had always worked flawlessly before. How could this young man resist it?

The Heartless Elder refused to believe it.

Crack!

The mirror split.

"No, this can’t be!" The Heartless Elder panicked. This mirror was priceless—it couldn’t be destroyed!

But in the next moment, the mirror shattered completely.

"No! Impossible!" She stared at the broken pieces, desperately trying to piece them back together.

But it was useless. Once broken, it couldn’t be fixed.

Su Luo wasn’t so easily controlled.

His mental fortitude was unparalleled.

Little Yu, not being the primary target, remained unaffected as well.

The Heartless Elder wanted to retaliate, but her instincts screamed that attacking meant death.

Why hadn’t she realized sooner?

"I surrender! You can have the secret realm here. Just spare me!"

The reason she kept others away was because of a hidden realm nearby.

She had tried everything to enter but failed.

This realm was unusual—its treasures could be glimpsed from the outside.

Greed had consumed her, and she wanted it all for herself.

But she had overestimated herself, assuming no strong cultivators would come this way.

She had even planned to control any intruders with the mirror.

Su Luo had heard enough. He executed her on the spot.

She tried to resist, but it was futile.

In the current world, only the absolute strongest could survive Su Luo’s attacks.

And how many of those existed in the cultivation world?

"A secret realm, huh?" Su Luo gazed at the entrance.

This was a completely undiscovered one.

Through the entrance, they could see glimpses of treasures inside, like fleeting images.

Yet something felt off.

"Let’s go."

But Su Luo had never been one to fear danger.

However, the entrance was blocked by a powerful force—the same reason the Heartless Elder couldn’t enter.

Su Luo began deciphering the barrier.

And he succeeded.

Being knowledgeable had its perks.

"I knew it. This isn’t a good place."

Rather than a secret realm, it was a trap.

Inside lay an army of thousands of demon beasts, lying dormant to conserve energy.

The moment someone entered, their eyes snapped open, gleaming with bloodlust.

Who was this meant to ensnare?

In a way, Su Luo had inadvertently saved the Heartless Elder.

Had she entered, she might not have been able to control all those beasts.

Then again, since she died by his hand, it didn’t matter.

Su Luo and Little Yu drew their swords, facing the horde.

There were many, but they were nothing compared to previous demon beast armies they’d faced.

Still, some were powerful, reaching the Nascent Soul level.

After a fierce battle, Su Luo and Little Yu exterminated every last beast in the realm.