Chapter 832: Lingmiao Garden

"Yes, this is indeed the door." Marquis Nanlong looked at the small stone door, a thoughtful expression on his face, but finally let out a long sigh and spoke.

"The blood aura on this door seems too demonic. There won't be any problems, will there?" Lu Weiying asked with some unease after observing for a moment.

This door was sealed by ancient cultivators using their entire essence blood. It's naturally different from ordinary restrictions, which is perfectly normal. "What, Brother Lu, are you thinking of backing out now?" Marquis Nanlong's gaze shifted as he spoke indifferently.

"Backing out? We've already come this far; how could I do something so foolish? But just to be safe, shouldn't we be a bit more cautious?" The old man shook his head and said solemnly.

"What Brother Lu says isn't unreasonable. This door does indeed give an unsettling feeling. How about this: we'll first set up several layers of restrictions outside the door. That way, if anything goes wrong, our retreat will be secure." Marquis Nanlong thought for a moment, his expression softening as he spoke.

"Good, that's for the best. We'll follow your suggestion." Lu Weiying nodded without hesitation, gladly agreeing.

So, Marquis Nanlong and the old man took out several sets of formation-laying tools from their persons and began setting up magic formations at the bottom of the pool.

However, just as Marquis Nanlong and the old man were preparing to unseal the Blood Curse Door, in another part of the inner valley, within a colossal mountain covered in dark rocks, a group of figures was slowly making their way towards the peak.

Leading them was a middle-aged cultivator with a grim expression, accompanied by an old man in a green robe—they were none other than the Ghost Spirit Sect Master and Wei Wuya.

Wang Tiangu trailed about a zhang behind them.

Behind the three of them, four more Ghost Spirit Sect disciples at the Core Formation stage followed closely.

"This cursed place is really eerie. Hundreds of miles in such a remote area are covered by flight restrictions. We can't even fly a few zhang off the ground." Wang Tiangu glanced at the blood-red clouds not far above his head and suddenly murmured.

"The more difficult it is, the more it confirms we've found the right place. If I were an ancient cultivator, I'd also set up crucial locations in such a remote area. After all, with these kinds of restrictions, few cultivators would be willing to walk for a day or two to get here." The Ghost Spirit Sect Master's expression remained unchanged as he calmly replied.

"After all this effort, I hope we haven't come to the wrong place this time. We've already lost three disciples along the way." Wang Tiangu showed a hint of helplessness.

The Ghost Spirit Sect Master chuckled upon hearing this, but offered no reply.

Just then, Wei Wuya looked towards the peak and spoke dispassionately.

"We've been walking for three days and two nights since entering the inner valley. We should be close, shouldn't we? Don't tell me we still have to walk for several more days!"

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Wei. Once we cross this mountain, we'll reach our destination. There's no need to be impatient! If this matter succeeds, our Ghost Spirit Sect can certainly become the foremost demonic sect, and Fellow Daoist Wei's breakthrough to the Spirit Transformation stage will also be within reach." The Ghost Spirit Sect Master dared not slight Wei Wuya, and his expression softened as he spoke.

"Hmph! To be honest, I don't believe the legends of the Spirit Dimension Garden. They're likely just rumors spread by ancient cultivators. If there truly were such a space located at the boundary between the Spirit Realm and our Human Realm, it would have been found by other cultivators long ago and wouldn't have remained hidden until now." Wei Wuya paused for a moment before speaking with a hint of sarcasm.

"Since Brother Wei doesn't believe it, why did you readily accept my sect's invitation in the first place?" The Ghost Spirit Sect Master showed no surprise, but instead counter-questioned with considerable interest.

"Since Fellow Daoist Wang is taking this so seriously, bringing almost half of your sect's elite, you must have some confidence in this trip to the Demonfall Valley. I presume what you're looking for, even if it's not the Spirit Dimension Garden, must be a secret dwelling of an ancient cultivator. Since I've learned of this matter, it's only natural for me to get involved. You use my reputation to deter other cultivators entering the valley, and I get a share of the treasures. That shouldn't be too much to ask, right?" Wei Wuya said without thinking, quite unceremoniously.

"Haha! Brother Wei is quite outspoken. However, you've misjudged one thing, Fellow Daoist Wei. Our sect has expended such great effort precisely for that Spirit Dimension Garden. The Spirit Dimension Garden is no fabrication; it truly exists. The entire Demonfall Valley was actually built by ancient cultivators specifically to guard the Spirit Dimension Garden. Once we cross this mountain, we'll be able to see it with our own eyes in just a few hours. When it comes time to open this space, we'll need Fellow Daoist Wei's considerable help." The Ghost Spirit Sect Master burst into laughter, a hint of wildness in his expression as he spoke.

Wei Wuya was somewhat surprised to hear this, a flicker of emotion appearing on his face.

"From Sect Master Wang's words, it seems you already possess evidence of the Spirit Dimension Garden's existence."

"Indeed, our sect is seventy to eighty percent confident that the Spirit Dimension Garden exists. As for the evidence, Fellow Daoist Wei will naturally know once we arrive there." As the black-robed middle-aged man finished speaking, a mysterious expression appeared on his face.

This man truly possessed the character of a shrewd leader; despite being only at the early Nascent Soul stage himself, he showed no unease facing Wei Wuya, a grand cultivator at the late Nascent Soul stage.

Wei Wuya nodded, his expression returning to normal, but he couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

Even if the Ghost Spirit Sect Master in front of him made grand claims, he would not believe a single word until he saw evidence of the Spirit Dimension Garden with his own eyes.

Of course, Wei Wuya would not voice these silent criticisms. Instead, he gave a faint smile, then changed the subject, suddenly bringing up another matter.

"Your sect's Elder Zhong separated from us shortly after entering the valley. It's been quite a while now, and we haven't met up. Sect Master Wang, could you tell me Elder Zhong's whereabouts? Surely your sect wouldn't let a Nascent Soul mid-stage elder just wander idly in the Demonfall Valley like other cultivators?" "Brother Wei, you jest. To be frank, Elder Zhong actually went to another secret location in the valley to search for a different treasure. Of course, while this treasure is rare, it certainly cannot compare to the Spirit Dimension Garden." The Ghost Spirit Sect Master seemed unfazed by the question, replying nonchalantly.

Hearing the other party's candid admission, Wei Wuya gave a dry chuckle and found it difficult to press further. The group fell silent once more and continued their quiet ascent towards the mountaintop.

Amidst a rocky, pitted expanse, six or seven Ghost Spirit Sect disciples were scattered, constantly searching beneath boulders for something. Meanwhile, Elder Zhong of the Ghost Spirit Sect floated motionless at the center of this rocky area.

Although his divine sense could easily cover a wilderness spanning tens of miles, finding specific markers proved beyond his current capabilities.

Therefore, even though he felt extremely impatient, he could only rely on his disciples to slowly search, like looking for a needle in a haystack.

At the exit of a large canyon in a certain part of the inner valley, a thunderous rumble suddenly echoed from within the canyon, which was bathed in five-colored light. Following a burst of radiant light and a flash of lightning and thunder, a group of cultivators suddenly rushed out of the valley.

Leading the group were an old Daoist and a green-robed elder. Although neither appeared injured, their appearance was quite disheveled and dusty.

They were precisely True Immortal Tianjing and Elder Dongmen Tu of the Spirit Taming Sect. The five other green-robed cultivators behind them also had torn clothes and pale faces, seemingly having endured some hardship. However, the two fiendish ghost puppets remained exactly as they were, unchanged.

"We finally broke through the restrictions and entered the inner valley. I never thought Fellow Daoist Tianjing's two puppets would be so formidable, almost comparable to peak early-stage cultivators. Truly admirable!" Dongmen Tu stopped his escape light dozens of zhang after rushing out of the valley entrance. He looked back at the canyon behind him, then glanced at the two grim-faced fiendish ghost puppets, speaking with a strange glint in his eyes.

"Puppets are just puppets, no matter how powerful; how can they compare to Brother Dongmen's subordinates? Those five cultivate one of the Five Elements cultivation arts each, and when they join forces, I'm afraid they could even contend with late Nascent Soul cultivators for a time." True Immortal Tianjing was clearly wary of Dongmen Tu. After exiting the valley, he deliberately lagged a little, subtly increasing the distance between them. At the same time, his two mechanical puppets flickered and took positions behind the old Daoist.

Seeing this, Dongmen Tu's face initially darkened, but then he sighed and forced a bitter smile.

"Fellow Daoist Tianjing, you truly are quite cautious around me. I had thought that after two days of working together to break the formation, you would no longer hold any prejudice against me. Why not reconsider joining forces? If the two of us cooperate in searching for treasures, it would be much safer than going it alone."

"Brother Dongmen, what are you saying! I, this humble Daoist, hold no prejudice against you; it's simply that I prefer to work alone. Let's not bring up joining forces again. Now that both of us have entered the inner valley, this humble Daoist shall take his leave." True Immortal Tianjing laughed dismissively, casually rejecting the offer. After bowing, he kept a wary gaze fixed on the other's face, not moving an inch.

Seeing this, Dongmen Tu frowned for a moment, then his face relaxed into a smile.

"Since Fellow Daoist Tianjing truly doesn't wish to accompany me, I naturally won't force you. Let us part ways here, then. I hope Brother Daoist finds great success!" He chuckled softly, his expression unchanged.

"Hehe! Then I'll accept Brother Dongmen's auspicious words." Upon hearing this, True Immortal Tianjing's expression immediately relaxed, and he spoke calmly. Then, the old Daoist, with his two puppets, quickly and unhurriedly departed after confirming his direction. As he watched True Immortal Tianjing's retreating figure fade into the distance, the green-robed elder's face suddenly darkened.

"That old fox is truly cautious. After spending two days with him, he didn't reveal a single flaw. Otherwise, if those two puppets were also present during the treasure hunt in the inner valley, I would have been much safer." Dongmen Tu let out a seemingly unwilling sigh. After glancing around, he patted the spirit beast pouch at his waist.

With a "whoosh," a shimmering silver giant bat flew out of the pouch opening and landed before Dongmen Tu.

He raised his hand, and a dark medicinal pellet shot forth. The silver giant bat swallowed the pellet mid-air, then circled once and abruptly flew off in another direction.

Seeing this, Dongmen Tu hastily signaled the five cultivators behind him, then transformed into a streak of green light and flew away. The five Spirit Taming Sect cultivators followed closely. In a flash, there was no longer any trace of people at the canyon entrance.