Cultivation Starting from Choosing Augments

Chapter 318 - 177: White Lanterns, Maze, and a Unique Way to Advance

At the end of the corridor was a wide plaza.

When Xiao Chen arrived before the plaza, it had already returned to a state of calm.

But the numerous broken Artifact Fragments on the ground, the chaotic traces of various magic, and the lingering scent of blood in the air all declared that this place was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

’Strange. It doesn’t look like they were fighting Demon Cultivators.’

Xiao Chen observed the traces around him as he walked.

There wasn’t the distinct aura of a Demon Technique here, so it was highly likely there was some kind of trap inherent to the Yellow Springs Traveling Palace itself.

Sure enough, as he reached the center of the plaza, white lanterns suddenly lit up in all directions.

These lanterns materialized out of thin air, with white candles burning inside.

There were twelve in total—in front, behind, to the left, and to the right. Each was inscribed with the conspicuous word "Kill."

Despite the lack of wind, they swayed and drifted toward him.

"Sky-Filling Flame Radiance."

Seeing this, Xiao Chen calmly flicked his sleeve, releasing twenty-seven crimson Cloud Mists that formed a barrier in front of him.

The instant the lanterns made contact, a Red Flame Radiance erupted, burning them to ashes.

But at the same time, a new lantern would appear in the distance, one after another, endlessly.

’This revival trick again?’

Seeing this, Xiao Chen gave up on attacking and instead quickened his pace, running toward the grand hall on the other side of the plaza.

Logically, as long as he left this area in time, the white lanterns should disappear on their own, just like the dummies from before.

The entire plaza was only 333 zhang wide, and he had already crossed half of it.

At the speed of Vertical Earth Golden Light, it would only take a few breaths’ time.

However, after running a few steps forward, Xiao Chen immediately realized something was wrong.

He was still in the middle of the plaza, standing right in the center of the Flame Radiance he had released.

Huh?

’What’s going on?’

He tried taking a step forward and noticed no problems.

When he activated Vertical Earth Golden Light again, he saw a new radiance erupt before his eyes, but he remained rooted to the spot.

’No flying? Or no running?’

Xiao Chen frowned and simply began walking forward, one step at a time.

He soon discovered that as long as he maintained a normal walking pace, he could advance without issue.

But the moment he tried to speed up, the space beneath his feet would stretch out infinitely.

And this rule applied whether he was moving forward or backward.

For other Cultivators, this was undoubtedly disastrous news.

Not only were the nearby lanterns endless, but ordinary attacks were not enough to destroy them. Any Cultivator with a slightly lower Cultivation would have to constantly cast magic just to resist.

In fact, just three days ago, at least half of the Cultivators who reached this plaza were left here forever.

Their flesh and blood were absorbed by the plaza’s ground, leaving behind only shattered Artifact Fragments.

Many of the survivors only made it through by relying on safety in numbers.

Especially on the third day, when the most Cultivators were present, the entire plaza was practically a pool of dissolved blood, looking like a living hell.

However, when it was Xiao Chen’s turn, the situation was completely different.

Considering there were no outsiders around anyway, he directly summoned his long-unseen Profound Fire Crows.

With a limitless supply of Flame Light Spiritual Sand, this magic had successively reached three new Realms: Limit-Breaking, Add Fire, and Zengyu.

Now, not only had their total number exploded to 10,000, but a small cluster of Luotian Sacred Fire burned on each Fire Crow’s head.

At the same time, a closer look would reveal three extra Feathers on their tails.

Each one glinted with a cold light, poised and ready to strike.

With this great flock of Profound Fire Crows surrounding Xiao Chen, the mere twelve lanterns couldn’t even get close; they were burned to cinders the moment they appeared.

The entire plaza was filled with the orange-red glow of the Luotian Sacred Fire.

From a distance, it looked as if a red carpet had been rolled out to welcome Xiao Chen’s arrival.

’It’s a shame this magic doesn’t seem to have any follow-up techniques. I’ll probably have to phase it out after I reach Core Formation.’

’Otherwise, it’d be so imposing to go out with this many Profound Fire Crows.’

But the thought was fleeting.

Xiao Chen didn’t actually place much importance on this aspect. It was nice if magic could be a bit flashy, but he would always prioritize practicality.

He would use whichever magic possessed the greatest Magic Power.

After he exited the plaza, the white lanterns did indeed cease their activity.

Ahead was a palace with its great doors wide open. Inside, one could see wisps of pitch-black Demonic Qi flowing about.

It was just that an invisible barrier at the palace entrance prevented the qi from flowing outside.

As he slowly stepped into the hall, the surrounding Demonic Qi sensed the presence of a living person and instantly boiled over, like water splashing into a pan of hot oil.

It surged toward Xiao Chen like a tide, seeking to corrupt his Magical Power and assimilate him.

Dealing with this situation was very simple; all he needed was the most basic Golden Light Technique.

As a faint layer of golden light completely enveloped him, the surrounding Demonic Qi instantly lost its target.

Even the Demonic Qi that managed to touch the golden light was repelled to the side, completely unable to invade Xiao Chen’s body.

However, the dense Demonic Qi still presented many problems, such as obstructing a Cultivator’s Divine Sense and vision, while also constantly draining the golden light on their body’s surface.

Maintaining the Golden Light Technique only required a small amount of Magical Power.

It wasn’t much of a burden for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

But this corrosive property concealed a hidden danger: in a place teeming with Demonic Qi, Magic Power would also be greatly suppressed.