"Nanlong, did I hear you right? Are we really going to the Muklan Prairie?" The cold-faced cultivator frowned, seemingly taken aback by what he had heard.
The expressions of the other cultivators were equally grave. However, these Nascent Soul old monsters had all experienced countless storms to reach this point. Although internally alarmed, they maintained their composure, waiting to see how Nanlong Hou would respond.
"You misunderstand, my friend. I said we are going to the Muklan Prairie, but we only need to reach the edge, within a hundred miles." Nanlong Hou explained without changing his expression.
"Even that is very risky. I've heard that the Muklan people have been recuperating and are now stirring again. The edge of the prairie is currently the most dangerous place. There must be many spell warriors of our level gathered there. Even though their magical tools are simpler, their cultivation and techniques are no less formidable than ours. They excel in spirit arts, which are surprisingly powerful and very adept at coordinated attacks. If discovered, we might escape with our lives, but it would be hard to retreat unscathed." The cold-faced cultivator shook his head, evidently apprehensive.
"I'm well aware of how troublesome spell warriors can be. Years ago, I fought a Nascent Soul spell warrior for three days and nights. Although his cultivation and magical tools were inferior to mine, we ended in a stalemate." Nanlong Hou's face darkened as he spoke.
"In that case, you still plan to go to the Muklan Prairie. There must be something extraordinary there for you to take such a risk." Wang Tiangu smiled slightly and leaned back leisurely.
"Haha, Brother Wang understands me best. Have any of you heard of 'Master Cang Kun'?" Nanlong Hou's tone shifted, mentioning a name that seemed somewhat familiar to the others.
"Master Cang Kun! The mad cultivator who dominated both the righteous and demonic paths five thousand years ago?" An elderly woman, who had been silent, exclaimed, her murky eyes suddenly brightening.
"That's correct. The very madman who wreaked havoc on both paths. Although never formally acknowledged, this audacious mad cultivator was undoubtedly the foremost among Tainan's rogue cultivators of his time. His profound abilities swept through Tainan, leaving few able to challenge him. Even the recognized top figures of the righteous and demonic paths, the Hehuan Sect's grand elder and the Righteous Alliance's leader, dared not claim superiority over this half-crazed rogue." Nanlong Hou spoke with a tinge of awe.
"Why bring up this person now? Does this have something to do with him?" Wang Tiangu asked curiously.
"Heh, Brother Wang is correct. The place we are heading to is the secret cave residence Master Cang Kun meticulously prepared before his death." Nanlong Hou said solemnly.
"Impossible! Didn't that madman get killed on the spot by an alliance of cultivators?" The elderly woman shook her head vigorously, clearly in disbelief.
Nanlong Hou smiled lightly, about to explain, when the white-robed mid Nascent Soul stage elder interjected.
"Master Cang Kun wasn't killed. He escaped by self-destructing his two puppet avatars, using a deceitful technique to fake his death. The attacking cultivators didn't realize this, thinking they had slain Cang Kun and one of his avatars. However, he was severely injured and went into hiding after recuperating for several years. He then vanished without a trace until we found his final resting place and learned from the remaining information that he had ventured into the Demonic Abyss and survived, becoming the first to do so."
"Survived the Demonic Abyss? How is that possible?" The elderly woman shrieked, her face full of disbelief.
Everyone, including Han Li, gasped in astonishment. They were all shocked by this revelation, trying to gauge its authenticity and implications.
"Even if this is true, what does it have to do with the Muklan Prairie? Are you saying Master Cang Kun buried the treasures he obtained from the Demonic Abyss in a hidden cave there?" The dark-skinned cultivator asked skeptically.
"Your guess is largely correct. According to the information left at Cang Kun's death site, he spent years in the Demonic Abyss and emerged shortly before his death, likely due to old or new injuries. He must have brought out many treasures from the Abyss. Treasures that impressed even such a legendary figure are undoubtedly extraordinary. His personal secret techniques and magical tools were also exceptional. Are you truly willing to miss such an opportunity?" Nanlong Hou stroked his beard, his expression unchanging.
"And with so many Nascent Soul cultivators, ordinary spell warriors won't be able to stop us. If we encounter trouble, we can always split up and break through. If anyone is unwilling to take this risk, feel free to leave. We will find others. But let me clarify something first," the white-robed elder added nonchalantly.
Hearing this, Wang Tiangu, the elderly woman, and the other cultivators hesitated. Han Li then spoke up, breaking the silence.
"One thing puzzles me. Since you know the location of the treasure, why gather us here? Why specifically those with strong spiritual sense? Is it difficult to locate or access the cave?" Han Li asked calmly, voicing his long-standing doubt.
"Friend Han, this is exactly what I was about to explain. If we could retrieve the treasure ourselves, we wouldn't involve others. However, when we secretly ventured into the Muklan Prairie and found the cave, we discovered an ancient and mystical formation guarding it. Despite our efforts, we couldn't break through. We had to return to Tainan to study ancient formations and discovered it was the 'Too Miao Divine Restriction,' one of the top ten ancient prohibitions." Nanlong Hou explained with a hint of frustration.
"The Too Miao Divine Restriction! One of the top ten ancient prohibitions? How could it be there?" Wang Tiangu was visibly surprised.
Most of the others hadn't heard of this term, but its association with the top ten ancient prohibitions made them wary. Han Li's eyes flashed briefly but quickly returned to normal.
"I've heard Brother Wang is a renowned expert in formations. It seems your reputation is well-deserved if you even know about such a rare ancient restriction," Nanlong Hou praised with genuine surprise.
"You're too kind, Brother Nanlong. I only know the name, but I have no idea how to break it." Wang Tiangu quickly replied, humbly.
The white-robed elder smiled and continued.
"After years of research, we found two ways to break this restriction. Either use brute force, which would take months, or use the spiritual sense transformation technique with eight powerful cultivators. We can't afford to spend months on the prairie, but with your strong spiritual senses, we can break the formation in a day."
Now, everyone understood why Nanlong Hou had gathered them. While other mid-Nascent Soul cultivators might also be able to help, they didn't want to involve too powerful individuals who might take over. With a balanced group, they maintained a delicate equilibrium.
The allure of treasures from the Demonic Abyss tempted everyone, including Han Li. Though the edge of the Muklan Prairie was risky, the potential rewards far outweighed the dangers.
Seeing no objections, Nanlong Hou smiled.
"But let me make one thing clear. If we succeed and enter the cave, my friend and I will each choose one item first. The rest will be divided equally. Do you have any objections?"
