Looking up at the pattern above his head, Lin Changâsheng suddenly felt as though heâd glimpsed hope of escaping this place.
No matter whether it really was an array that could get him out, Lin Changâsheng was determined to give it a try.
The pattern overhead was complex and deeply intricate, forming three separate arrays.
It seemed that only by activating all three arrays at once could their effects be unleashed.
Gu Shan and Xiaonan saw that Lin Changâsheng was still busy analyzing the arrays, and didnât disturb him.
They both sat cross-legged to cultivate nearby.
After all, the spiritual energy in this place was incredibly dense, especially atop the Divine Mountain, a perfect place for cultivation.
In the past, Lin Changâsheng only needed about an hour to grasp an array, but these three were so profoundly mysterious that even he couldnât fully unravel them; his divine sense felt as though it was being rapidly depleted.
Time flew by, and three days passed.
Lin Changâsheng still hadnât comprehended even a single grand array.
Meanwhile, several tribes within the secret realm, upon hearing the High Mountain Tribe had been wiped out, began converging on the Divine Mountain.
Finally, they assembled outside the Great Hall.
The chiefs of each tribe all had Mahayana cultivation, but even so, none dared to rush into the Great Hall blindly.
That day, Lin Changâsheng opened his eyes, heard the news from Gu Shan, and came out to stand outside the Great Hall.
Gu Shan and Xiaonan followed behind him.
Outside, the tribe leaders were a bit surprised to see Lin Changâsheng at the forefront.
Why was Lin Changâsheng standing in the lead? Could it be these three were following his command?
"Senior, we heard you destroyed the High Mountain Tribe and the mountain guardian spirit beast. May we ask, have you found a way out of here? Weâve been trapped here for yearsâif you can get us out, weâll serve you with all our strength!"
Among the tribes, an older man stepped forward to speak.
He didnât know why Gu Shan, with his Middle Stage Mahayana cultivation, would willingly follow Lin Changâsheng, who was only at Late Stage Void Refining.
But maybe Lin Changâsheng was deliberately suppressing his cultivation. Regardless, the attitude had to be right.
So he respectfully addressed Lin Changâsheng as "Senior."
After all, being able to wipe out the High Mountain Tribe and the mountain guardian spirit beast proved their strength was extraordinary.
"If you can get us out, we will absolutely repay you with everything we have!"
The rest quickly chimed in agreement.
This instantly gave Lin Changâsheng a bold idea.
Even though not many people had entered the tribes, after years passed, theyâd grown into several tribes here.
If you added them all up, there could easily be thousands.
And since this place was great for cultivation, their cultivation levels werenât weakâhe could mold them into a hidden force.
At a crucial moment, maybe theyâd serve under him.
"There is a way to leave, but that depends on your attitude."
Lin Changâsheng replied.
The old man who spoke promptly took out his storage bag; the others quickly followed suit.
"If we can get out, all our treasures will be yours, Senior!"
The old man said sincerely.
Theyâd been trapped here so long that treasures meant nothing if escape was possible.
"Your treasures donât interest me; what I need is you."
Lin Changâsheng stated bluntly.
This puzzled the crowd. "Us?"
"Exactly. When we get out, you will work for meâyou canât return to your former sects. Are you willing?"
Lin Changâsheng asked.
After a brief thought, everyone agreed. After all, freedom under the open sky beat dying trapped here.
"Weâre willing!"
The old man took the lead in replying.
"Good. Those with Mahayana cultivation, take this pill."
Lin Changâsheng pulled out the Infinite Holy Pill from his pocket.
Then he counted the Mahayana cultivatorsâeight in totalâand gave each one an elixir.
The eight didnât hesitate to swallow their pills.
Immediately, they felt powerful spiritual energy dispersing inside, nourishing body and soul.
One person even had a breakthrough, advancing instantly to Middle Stage Mahayana.
Seeing the elixirâs effects, everyone thanked Lin Changâsheng profusely.
They figured Lin Changâsheng must be suppressing his cultivationâno way could someone at Void Refining make such a pill.
"Thank you, Senior!"
The crowd expressed their gratitude.
"Donât thank me too soon. This pill is called the Soul-Splitting Yin Yang Pill. It boosts primordial power and cultivation, but also plants a Soul Seed in your Divine Soul. If you betray me after leavingâeven at the Ends of the EarthâI can make you wish you were dead, feeling your soul slowly devoured piece by piece!"
Lin Changâsheng threatened them.
Who knew if these people would keep their promise? Better to scare them first.
"Weâwe wonât go back on our word!"
Their hearts skipped a beatâno one expected the pill to be so harsh.
But considering its monstrous effects, the soul-devouring part was probably no joke.
"Good, each tribe leave behind one person. The rest can go backâwhen the time is right, Iâll notify you to leave this place!"
Lin Changâsheng instructed.
Once they were free, these people could found sects of their ownâa force to be reckoned with.
Eight Mahayana cultivatorsâthat was no small matter.
"Understood!"
The chiefs answered, then departed, leaving a handful behind to await Lin Changâshengâs orders.
Soon after, Lin Changâsheng, Gu Shan, and the others returned to the Great Hall.