The sky was clear, scattered with white clouds. Without warning, dark clouds gathered, and a storm swept in with fierce winds and heavy rain.0

The weather in the illusory realm shifted wildly—wind, frost, rain, and snow striking without warning, likely designed to force the disciples of the immortal sects to fight in every kind of environment.0

Thunderstorms had little effect on cultivators of this cultivation; at most, walking in the rain was mildly uncomfortable.0

Chu Liang pushed forward through the rain. After dealing with the Daoist monks from Wandering Deities Temple on the hilltop earlier, he and his team pressed on, sweeping through nearby hilltops as they moved farther from Misty Waters City.0

If they kept to the flat plains, they'd be easily spotted by the enemies ahead. Chu Liang slowed his pace, careful not to miss anything, while Jiang Yuebai and the others followed at a distance, keeping their formation.0

At that moment, Chu Liang detected another figure through his divine sense.0

It was a young man in black, sprinting across the plains. The moment Chu Liang spotted him, the young man seemed to have noticed him as well.0

They reacted simultaneously.0

Chu Liang sped toward him, while the black-clad youth turned back and retreated, moving away like a whirlwind.0

It was unclear whether the youth retreated because the sight of people made him scared or if he recognized Chu Liang. But the moment Chu Liang saw him sprinting away so quickly, he summoned his sword and leaped into the sky. A brilliant arc of light followed,...0