Soon, led by Yu Wen and Yu Wu, Li Xuan arrived at a small city, only a hundred li from his previous location. Throughout the journey, Yu Wen and Yu Wu observed their surroundings with great caution, clearly worried about something.
Li Xuan did not inquire, as doing so might expose him. He still intended to ask Yu Wen and Yu Wu about the Ghost Realm, so he avoided such foolish actions.
"Brother Li Xuan, we are safe now." After entering the city, the three arrived before the entrance of a collapsed palace.
Li Xuan glanced at the palace and then turned his gaze to Yu Wen. "Brother Wen, have you been hiding here for the past year?"
"We had no choice. The Ghost Concubine's subordinates are searching everywhere, forcing us to move our hiding spot constantly. Based on past experience, we should be safe here for about half a month." Yu Wen nodded.
"Brother Li, brother, let's go inside and talk," Yu Wu said, glancing around.
"Brother Li, please." Yu Wen nodded and gestured for Li Xuan to enter.
Li Xuan nodded and followed Yu Wen and Yu Wu into the palace. As they ventured deeper, Li Xuan discovered that the palace held a hidden world within. With a hand seal from Yu Wen, a concealed entrance appeared.
After a full minute, Li Xuan's feet touched the ground. He sensed that they were nearly five hundred meters below the surface.
Li Xuan's expression grew serious. He hadn't expected the inhabitants of the Ghost Realm to hide underground to evade pursuit.
However, Li Xuan also pondered if Li Yao and her subordinates were doing the same. If so, finding them would be extremely difficult.
"Brother Wen, Brother Wu, what's the situation outside?" At that moment, a voice called out. Li Xuan looked and saw three more people underground, all with cultivation levels of late-stage or peak Dunyi realm.
"Same as before, no changes. The Ghost Realm is still sealed, and the Ghost Concubine's search continues." Yu Wen replied with a hint of helplessness.
"Right, let me introduce you. This is Li Xuan, who, like us, is trapped in the Ghost Realm." Yu Wen finished speaking and noticed the three looking at Li Xuan behind him, so he promptly made the introductions.
"Brother Li, these three are Brother Tian Man, Brother Meng Lang, and Brother Zhou Qi." Yu Wen then introduced them to Li Xuan.
"Greetings, everyone." Li Xuan nodded and cupped his fists towards Tian Man and the other two.
"We are all in the same predicament, Brother Li. No need for formalities." Meng Lang and the other two also cupped their fists in return.
After a brief chat, everyone dispersed. Though not large, the underground space contained several chambers. Following Yu Wen's instructions, Li Xuan chose a chamber at random and entered.
"Young Master, staying with them doesn't seem to help you find Sister Li Yao," the Heavenly Dao Brush's voice echoed as Li Xuan entered the chamber.
Li Xuan pondered for a moment and then replied, "No rush for now. Let's gather information first. Besides, if I hadn't met them, I'd likely be searching like a headless fly. Since I'm already in the Ghost Realm, there's no need to be impatient."
"Young Master, there's another question. You have no prior connection to Yu Wen and Yu Wu, and this is your first meeting. Why did they so readily bring you here?" the Heavenly Dao Brush asked again.
Li Xuan pondered again and shook his head with a wry smile. He wasn't entirely sure either. However, if Yu Wen and Yu Wu had intended to harm him, they could have done so earlier. Even for safety, they could have acted after returning here and meeting Tian Man and the others.
"Perhaps they are simply kind-hearted." Ultimately, this was the only explanation Li Xuan could come up with.
Boom!
Three days passed in a flash. Li Xuan, who was in the chamber, was suddenly awakened by a colossal roar. The next moment, Li Xuan appeared in the underground cavern. Yu Wen, Yu Wu, and the other five also instantly appeared beside Li Xuan.
"Why is the frequency of their search increasing so rapidly!" Tian Man frowned.
"Let's wait and see. Perhaps they won't discover this place." Yu Wen said.
Li Xuan looked at Yu Wen. "What is the strength of the search party outside?"
Yu Wen, Yu Wu, and the other five showed bitter expressions. "If we are discovered, we likely have no escape. The lowest strength of the search party is at least mid-stage Dao Proving realm, and their leader is at the peak of the Dao Proving realm."
Li Xuan's brow furrowed. The strength of this party was something Yu Wen and the others would struggle to resist.
Boom!
The underground cavern shook violently. Even the solid mountain rock began to crack.
"Not good, we've been discovered!" At this moment, Yu Wen's expression changed drastically. He had set up a barrier at the entrance, and it had now been destroyed.
"Move!"
Meng Lang's eyes flashed with ferocity. He immediately shot upwards. Yu Wen, Yu Wu, and the other four showed resolute expressions and followed Meng Lang, charging outwards.
Li Xuan stood still for a moment, then followed.
"Hmm, as expected, someone was hiding here." As Li Xuan and the other five emerged into the collapsed great hall, a playful voice echoed.
Li Xuan looked and saw a squad of eight surrounding them. The leader wore armor, and dark energy emanated from him.
At that moment, Li Xuan finally understood why Yu Wen and Yu Wu had trusted him. The search squad before them was all covered in that eerie black energy.
"Do you intend to surrender, or do you want to resist?" The leader walked step by step towards Li Xuan and the other four. The clang of his armor as he moved made the atmosphere even more somber.
"Brother Li, let's escape individually." Yu Wen whispered to Li Xuan, and his aura instantly surged. The next moment, a long spear appeared in his hand. Yu Wu and Meng Lang were also prepared for battle.
It was clear that none of them intended to surrender.
"Mere Dunyi realm cultivators, even at the peak, what can you do? However, your courage is worthy of my respect, Meng Zhan!" Meng Zhan waved his hand, and the eight figures around him immediately attacked Li Xuan and the other five.
"Everyone, hold on." Li Xuan glanced at Meng Zhan, then with a thought, he vanished from his spot.
Yu Wen, Yu Wu, and the other five's expressions tightened. Although they didn't understand why Li Xuan chose to attack Meng Zhan, they had no time to ponder. Soon, Yu Wen, Yu Wu, and the others were locked in a fierce battle with the eight search squad members.
"Interesting, you want to attack me... You, how is this possible?!" Meng Zhan had seen Li Xuan's actions and let out a cold laugh. However, his expression quickly changed. Li Xuan's sword was now pressed against Meng Zhan's brow.
Li Xuan glanced at Yu Wen and the others, who were already at a disadvantage. He slowly pushed his sword forward by half an inch and said, "If I were you, I would order them to stop right now."
Meng Zhan's brow furrowed at his words, but the next moment, a terrifying sword qi suddenly tugged at his nerves.
"Stop!"