The two walked for half a day without seeing a soul, and a seed of doubt began to sprout. "Strange, after walking for so long, not a single person. Where has everyone gone?"
"Perhaps there's some treasure somewhere, and they've all gone to snatch it?" Nangong Yu said with a chuckle. Great treasures moved hearts, and this was a trial ground, so it wouldn't be odd to find valuable items.
Xiao Man immediately extended her senses, but even after searching far and wide, she couldn't detect any signs of living beings. Her confusion deepened.
"How is it?"
Xiao Man shook her head. They had only been here for three days, and everyone had vanished. This was truly bizarre.
"I'm a little worried. I have my people among those who entered this time." Xiao Man immediately mobilized the connection between herself and Xi Wen. However, while she could sense Xi Wen's location, she received no response.
"Did you find them?"
"They're probably in trouble," Xiao Man said, her brow furrowed. "Xi Wen isn't responding to me."
"Do you know their location?"
"Yes."
"Let's go and see."
"Alright."
The two quickly headed west. Thirty miles to the west, Xiao Man sensed Xi Wen's presence. Xi Wen was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and more importantly, Bai Chen was by his side. Bai Chen was a Golden Core cultivator, yet they were unable to respond. This left only two possibilities: either they were severely injured and incapacitated, or they were being controlled.
Xiao Man and Nangong Yu exchanged a glance, then parted ways, concealing their presence as they approached Xi Wen's location.
In the west, in an open space, Xi Wen and the others stood like stakes, unmoving. Bai Chen struggled with all his might, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't break free from the control.
Wen Ting glanced at Bai Chen. He had been the first to enter, indicating he was an acquaintance. Yet, she hadn't come for him yet. Was it because he hadn't been heavy-handed enough, or did she not even know?
Suddenly, Xi Wen stirred, his gaze vacant as he looked in a certain direction, a strange light flickering in his eyes.
Wen Ting followed Xi Wen's gaze but saw nothing. Nevertheless, a sinister smile curved his lips as he crossed his legs. "Since you're here, stop hiding. Come out."
Xiao Man remained still. Her skill in concealing her presence was superb, and she knew her abilities well. Wen Ting was bluffing.
Just then, a figure slowly emerged. It was Nangong Yu.
Upon seeing Nangong Yu, Wen Ting slowly straightened up, a flicker of killing intent in his eyes. Nangong Yu did not miss it. This person wanted to kill him? Why? This was their first meeting, yet Wen Ting already harbored a desire to kill him. It was no wonder people outside said he was moody and unpredictable, bloodthirsty, and prone to killing. It seemed the rumors were true.
Wen Ting retracted his gaze, his expression composed as he asked, "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"
Nangong Yu did not approach. The opponent's cultivation was not low, late-stage Golden Core, a full stage higher than him. Furthermore, he was unaware of this person's background. Approaching rashly would only put him at a disadvantage.
"I'm looking for my friend." Nangong Yu's gaze swept over those standing like radishes, then to Bai Chen, who was still struggling. Bai Chen seemed to be resisting something. Was this person skilled in mental attacks?
No, if it were mental attacks, the others wouldn't be in this state. What was going on? Nangong Yu's eyes fell on the blood-jade flute Wen Ting was playing with. The Beast Taming Sect excelled at controlling beasts, and even those with low cultivation could control much more powerful demonic beasts to serve them. Powerful demonic beasts also possessed strong spirits. Trying to resist the sun and moon with a firefly's glow was akin to courting death. Therefore, they must have another method of restraining demonic beasts.
"Your friend?" Wen Ting said slowly. "Which one here do you think is your friend?"
Nangong Yu's gaze swept over everyone present. After a moment of silence, he pointed to one person. This person was dressed in the robes of a Canglang Sect disciple. As far as he knew, Xiao Man had no one from the Canglang Sect.
"Him."
"Oh." Wen Ting nodded in understanding and reached out, snatching the person Nangong Yu pointed at into his hand. "Since he's your friend, should I give him special treatment?"
"What do you mean?"
Wen Ting smirked wickedly and suddenly twisted. The person's neck snapped.
Nangong Yu narrowed his eyes. As expected, this person harbored great hostility towards him. This animosity was inexplicable, as if he had wanted to kill him the moment he saw him.
"Have we met before?" Nangong Yu asked softly.
Wen Ting opened his fingers, and the corpse dropped to the ground, kicking up a bit of dust. "I've met countless people. I don't remember every stray cat or dog."
Nangong Yu took two steps back. This person clearly held great, murderous hostility towards him. This killing intent was extremely strong. This person must have a grudge against him. Nangong Yu mentally reviewed everyone he had offended since arriving in the Cangxuan Continent. He had only wiped out the Yan Family Fort, but the Yan Family Fort had been completely annihilated, so it was impossible for anyone to know. Could it be that the enemy was not from here?
Nangong Yu's mind raced. If there were people who wanted him dead, two names came to the forefront: Feng Moran, but they had joined forces to kill him, scattering his soul, so he couldn't possibly be alive. The other was Murong Sheng Rui!
But Murong Sheng Rui was also dead. He had died before Nangong Yu came to the Cangxuan Continent. So, everyone who wanted him dead was dead. Who was this person then?
Wen Ting noticed Nangong Yu's hesitation, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Since you're here, you shall stay."
Wen Ting brought the blood-jade flute to his lips, and a strange melody filled the air. Nangong Yu's mind reeled, and he spat out a mouthful of blood instantly.
"Seal your hearing, he's using sound attacks," Xiao Man's voice echoed in his ear. Nangong Yu quickly steadied his mind and sealed his hearing, barely managing to stand. Wen Ting, sensing that Nangong Yu had discovered the weakness of his attack, his eyes flashed with murderous hatred, and he charged rapidly towards Nangong Yu.
Nangong Yu's expression was cold. He drew his sword to block Wen Ting's attack. As a Golden Core cultivator himself, as long as he could resist Wen Ting's sound attacks, he had not yet conceded in terms of cultivation. He did not fear cultivators of the same level, nor did he fear those a level lower.
In a short span of time, the two had exchanged dozens of blows. When they landed on the ground, the people on the ground had all vanished.
"A clever feint." Wen Ting didn't know whether to be angry or amused. These two were always calculating and skilled in strategy. With them working together, even in his late-stage Golden Core cultivation, he was no match for them.