The Nameless Zone: Chapter Six - Xiaona’s Crisis

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A series of crashes resounded one after another. The young people without any talent for cultivation were, as expected, smashed into pulp.

Zhou Xuanhong watched as Xiaona was seized and carried off by the Old Fiend of the Corpse Mountain. He snapped out of his daze in an instant. Within that fleeting moment, he drew five talismans from his storage pouch, activating them to form layers of circular light shields, much like the ones the head of the Wang family had used. In addition, he donned a tattered suit of armor—another trophy of his.

Boom!

He crashed heavily onto a small hill, sending up a thunderous roar and clouds of dust. The hilltop was left with a gaping hole, yet Zhou Xuanhong inside was not reduced to a bloody mess. The final layer of light at his body’s surface flickered, then shattered into a talisman and vanished.

The dirt-yellow armor he wore emitted a faint earthy glow that slowly dimmed, but remained intact, having shielded Zhou Xuanhong’s body effectively.

Coughing harshly and spitting out several mouthfuls of blood, Zhou Xuanhong felt as if his entire body had been disassembled. His breathing was labored and shallow, though at least he hadn’t ended up like the others.

He hastily assumed a meditative posture, swallowed several healing pills, and grasped a spirit stone in his hand, beginning to absorb spiritual energy and heal his wounds.

“Junior Brother, are you all right?”

Hua Yuanyuan approached on her flying sword. Seeing that Zhou Xuanhong only suffered some internal injuries, she finally relaxed.

Zhou Xuanhong pocketed the spirit stone, feigning weakness. “Senior Sister Hua, I’m fine. What about the others?”

She sighed. “Only a few survived. The rest are dead.”

Zhou Xuanhong, of course, cared nothing for the others; his concern was solely for Xiaona’s safety. “What about my wife? Where did that old thing take her?”

Hua Yuanyuan shook her head. “That’s no longer our concern. Come, let’s return to the sect.”

Zhou Xuanhong, deep down, was well aware of the situation. His show of anxiety was just that—a performance for others’ sake. Having mingled in the world of cultivation for years, he was no ignorant fool.

Even without this accident, Xingyan Sect lacked the strength to guarantee Xiaona’s safety. Sooner or later, a more powerful sect would come to claim her. Could they possibly refuse?

At least within Xingyan Sect, her life was protected. Unlike with the Old Fiend of the Corpse Mountain, that notorious demonic cultivator—his intentions were anything but pure. The look of ecstatic delight on his face convinced Zhou Xuanhong that he had far more in mind than accepting Xiaona as a disciple.

But even knowing Xiaona was in grave danger, what could Zhou Xuanhong do? With his current strength, he was utterly powerless—one flick of the old fiend’s pinky could kill him.

Power. That was what he lacked.

Yi Xiaozi was gravely wounded, having received special attention from the Old Fiend of the Corpse Mountain. He’d need ten days at the very least to recover, so they had to hurry back to the sect.

Sensing Zhou Xuanhong’s anxious demeanor, Hua Yuanyuan offered no words of comfort. To her, he was just a mediocre, down-and-out young master—not worth wasting time on. Besides, with Xiaona captured and her life hanging by a thread, currying favor with him was pointless.

“Junior Brother, don’t be disheartened,” Hua Yuanyuan finally said. “Junior Sister Xiaona will surely be safe. Our Grand Elder of the inner sect, at the peak of the Golden Core stage, went after them. There’s a good chance he’ll rescue her. And with Xiaona’s talent, even the Old Fiend of the Corpse Mountain would likely want to take her as a final disciple.”

Zhou Xuanhong, outwardly grateful for the comfort, only felt his urge for revenge grow stronger.

He’d been immersed in the cultivation world for years—how could he not know of the sinister secret art called Possession? When a powerful cultivator neared the end of his lifespan or suffered fatal injuries, he could use this forbidden technique to seize another’s body, consuming their soul and taking over.

Judging by the Old Fiend’s expression, it was clear he intended to possess Xiaona. Zhou Xuanhong could only hope the Grand Elder of Xingyan Sect would arrive in time.

Such enforced helplessness made him deeply uncomfortable—his fate was not his own to control. If only he were strong enough, how could his wife have been stolen from him?

Yet words were useless. At this moment, Zhou Xuanhong’s heart brimmed with dark thoughts. He shed his carefree façade, for what awaited him now was the brutal world of cultivation—a world where the strong preyed upon the weak.

By the time they reached the gates of Xingyan Sect, the team that had once numbered nearly twenty was reduced to just six: three disciples of Xingyan Sect, Zhou Xuanhong, Miss Chen, and the lucky young boy.

This boy, the same one who’d wanted Xiaona as his child bride, possessed a green-grade talent. He’d been flung in the same direction as Hua Yuanyuan and was saved by her. Now, his face was as pale as death, and he was so terrified that his snot nearly reached his lips.

“Senior Brother Yi, Senior Sisters! Why are you back so soon—and so badly injured?”

At the gate, two late-stage Qi Refining disciples were idly standing guard. Noticing something amiss, they hurried over.

But someone moved faster—an imposing elder appeared before them in a flash, radiating a presence as powerful as the Old Fiend and the Grand Elder. His very bearing inspired awe.

“Inner disciples Yi Xiaozi, Hua Yuanyuan, Chen Lian, pay respects to the Sect Master!”

The three immediately bowed with fists clasped and knelt on one knee. Zhou Xuanhong and the other two, not yet official disciples, did not kneel.

“Yi Xiaozi, kneel!” the Sect Master snapped, his brow furrowing as he released a crushing pressure.

Yi Xiaozi, forced from one knee to both, was instantly subdued. The rest merely felt as if they faced not an old man, but a mountain—one now erupting in fury.

“Do you admit your guilt?”

Yi Xiaozi’s hair stood on end, all trace of his former elegance gone. He was utterly disheveled.

“Disciple admits guilt!”

The Sect Master pressed, “Yi Xiaozi, I thought you were clever, yet you acted so foolishly! Having discovered a red-grade genius, why did you make the rash decision to leave early? You all but broadcasted our secret to every covetous sect! Idiot! If I didn’t know you so well, even I would suspect you of being a spy for the Corpse Yin Sect!”

With that, the Sect Master pointed a finger, sending a stream of light into Yi Xiaozi’s forehead. “Today, I place a restriction within you, sealing your spiritual power and consciousness. You will be confined on the Cliff of Penitence for three years. Do you accept your punishment?”

“Disciple... accepts!”

Turning to a gatekeeper, the Sect Master tossed him a jade slip. “Transmit my decree: Inner disciple Yi Xiaozi acted without authorization, causing loss to the sect. However, his motives were for the sect’s good. He is to be lightly punished—confined to the Cliff of Penitence for three years, as a warning to others!”

Yi Xiaozi was led away. The Sect Master turned to the two female disciples and sighed, “You two stood by while he made his mistake, so all rewards for this mission are revoked. Tend to your injuries.”

Finally, he looked at Zhou Xuanhong and the other two. Without another word, he beckoned a gatekeeper over. “Take these three to the Administrative Hall to complete their entry procedures.”

Just then, Zhou Xuanhong stepped forward, falling to one knee with fists clasped. “Sect Master, my wife was taken by that old monster. Can you rescue her?”

The Sect Master asked, “The red-grade genius is your wife?”

“Yes, Sect Master.”

The Sect Master gave Zhou Xuanhong a strange look. “You chose well. The Old Fiend of the Corpse Mountain is rumored to have reached the peak of the Golden Core stage. But don’t worry—our Supreme Elder is already in pursuit and should be able to save the girl. Still, don’t place too much hope in her. It’s not that she can’t be saved, but as a chosen daughter of heaven, her destiny lies far beyond this humble region. You and she are of different worlds.”

Zhou Xuanhong replied earnestly, “No matter—as long as she’s safe.”

The Sect Master’s expression softened. “You are a devoted man. Very well, when there’s news of her, you’ll be informed.”

With that, the Sect Master disappeared in a single stride, vanishing into the distance.

The late-stage Qi Refining guard called to the three, “Come with me.”

Xingyan Sect was nestled among a cluster of mountains, with pavilions and grand halls rising from the peaks, surrounded by lush greenery and tranquil waters. White cranes circled the sky, occasionally joined by disciples flying their swords, painting a scene of immortal grace.

Atop one mountain, four figures emerged from a hall, having completed their induction. The guard led the three newcomers to the residential quarters.

Along the way, the guard incessantly questioned them about the recent events. Zhou Xuanhong, realizing he was a notorious gossip, didn’t mind telling him everything—in fact, the more people knew, the better for Zhou’s plans.

By the time they reached their quarters, Zhou Xuanhong had recounted the entire story. The guard shook his head in amazement. “I always thought Senior Brother Yi was clever, yet he did something so foolish. Well, it’s late. Get some rest, and don’t forget to gather at the martial arena tomorrow morning. If you’re hungry, just take a fasting pill.”

After the guard left, Miss Chen snorted dismissively and was the first to find her room. Zhou Xuanhong ignored her, intending to change clothes—he had matters to attend to.

The snot-nosed boy stood bewildered, too young to know what to do, so he went to ask passing outer disciples for help.

Zhou Xuanhong examined the key in his hand, infused it with spiritual power, and watched as it dissolved into a thin thread of light, merging into his palm. He stood outside his door, pressed his hand toward the lock, and a ripple shimmered—the door opened by itself.

Inside, Zhou Xuanhong sat cross-legged on his bed and took another healing pill. Though not gravely injured, the violent crash had left him with some internal wounds.

“Xiaona, with your destiny, you should be safe. But why is my mission to devour you? Whether or not there is a so-called Child of Destiny, you can only belong to me!”