Entering the Sandpit and Meeting the Old Ancestor of the Mysterious North

"Be careful!"

Zhao He urgently shouted, but his warning came just a moment too late. The Wolf King viciously swiped its claw at Qin Shu, who barely managed to withstand the blow, but was still sent tumbling several meters away.

"It's you," Qin Shu exclaimed as he quickly got back on his feet, circulating his blood essence to mend his injuries. However, he was met with the sight of Li Wen holding a talisman and standing within the array.

"Of course it's me, but I won't be your playmate today. How about letting this wolf entertain you instead?" 

Li Wen promptly produced another talisman and vanished before Qin Shu's eyes.

Meanwhile, the Wolf King's fur bristled, and its eyes glowed with a fiery intensity. Nearby, Xuanyuan Quanlong, Zi Yue, and the others rushed over to support Qin Shu.

But to their surprise, five armored soldiers descended from the sky, blocking their path.

Li Wen stood atop a distant mountain peak, looking even more emaciated than before. The spiritual energy around him swirled chaotically as if he were gravely ill.

"Since I have no chance, why don't we leave this illusion realm together? No one here will secure a place in the inner sect!"

Li Wen's eyes reddened. After escaping from Qin Shu, he realized he had given all his Beast Cores to him and was left without a single one. Starting anew would be an arduous process.

Resigned, he could only lead them back to the real world. Upon learning of their intention to hunt the Desert Wolf King, a suicidal plan had taken root in his mind.

"Everyone, be cautious. This individual is teetering on the brink of demonic transformation." 

Xuanyuan Quanlong cautioned as he brandished his sword, positioning himself in front of Qing Yuan and Zi Yue.

"Very well, very well. You wish to play the hero, don't you? I'll grant your wish! Armored soldiers, listen up! Eliminate them!" Li Wen laughed malevolently and ordered the armored soldiers to attack.

Meanwhile, Qin Shu and Zhao He found themselves grappling with the relentless Wolf King. With Qin Shu's nursing injuries, he narrowly dodged several of the Wolf King's strikes thanks to Zhao He's assistance.

"Why is this creature's spiritual energy so boundless? Something's amiss!"

Zhao He panted heavily, their strength waning. Conversely, the Wolf King was brimming with spiritual energy, constantly launching assaults.

"That tree!" Qin Shu finally realized something was awry. Whenever the Wolf King was injured or attacked, it would retreat to a specific distance and return to attack within five minutes. It seemed to possess an inexhaustible wellspring of spiritual energy.

"Tree?"

Zhao He turned to observe the tree behind the Wolf King. Despite its small stature, the leaves gleamed like jade, and countless markings adorned its trunk, resembling both words and origin patterns.

"What kind of tree is that?" Qin Shu inquired as he retreated.

"I've come across this tree in my family's ancient records. It's called the Spirit Guiding Tree. Legend has it that it absorbs the spiritual energy of the heavens and nourishes all living beings around it. That's why the Wolf King can maintain its incessant attacks." 

"The tree bore fruit that not only prolonged one's lifespan but also elevated their cultivation."

Zhao He also had a surprised expression and explained to Qin Shu. This can be said to be a rare opportunity. However, Xuanyuan Quanlong and the others were currently entangled by Li Wen, and the Wolf King's ferocity escalated with each passing moment. Both Qin Shu and Zhao He displayed signs of fatigue.

"Let's give it our all!" Qin Shu declared resolutely as he rushed toward the Wolf King, brandishing a few yellow talismans.

"Haha, go ahead! I want to witness the Wolf King tear you apart!" Li Wen grinned malevolently as he stood on the mountain peak with his hands clasped behind his back.

"This lad is too impulsive."

"However, Li Wen appears to be worn out as well. This battle may very well be his last."

The Fifth Elder observed the disciples' battle from nearby.

In a flash, Qin Shu drew close to the Wolf King, which could easily swipe its claws and eliminate him. 

However, Qin Shu hurled several yellow talismans that promptly transformed into pillars of light, ensnaring the Wolf King. Qin Shu maneuvered past the struggling beast and made a beeline for the Spirit Guiding Tree.

Upon realizing that the Beast Trapping Array was only a momentary constraint for the Wolf King. He had to seize the fruit within this limited time frame to advance his cultivation.

"How is this possible? How can he know the Beast Trapping Array?" 

At this moment, everyone was astonished by Qin Shu's mastery of the Beast Trapping Array. Li Wen's expression grew even colder. It was clear to him that Qin Shu could quickly come to the aid of Xuanyuan Quanlong and the others because he was familiar with this array.

This Beast Trapping Array had been one of Li Wen's secret weapons, but Qin Shu's ease in using it suggested that he possessed significant strength. 

Li Wen couldn't help but wonder where Qin Shu had learned this array. According to what Wang He had told him, Qin Shu was just an ordinary outer sect disciple with no special background. It was surprising that he had access to such knowledge.

"I didn't expect Brother Qin to have such a powerful skill. No wonder he boldly charged at the Wolf King," Xuanyuan Quanlong exclaimed after fending off an armored soldier.

The Wolf King had also realized Qin Shu's intention. Its body trembled, causing the Beast Trapping Array to shatter instantly. Then, it leaped toward Qin Shu.

"Allow me to assist you," Zi Yue said as she created an ice crystal in her hand and hurled it toward the Wolf King. 

The ice crystal burst in mid-air, sending countless icicles flying at the Wolf King from various directions.

The Wolf King sensed the danger and turned to defend itself. The icicles fell within three feet of the Wolf King and transformed into pools of water.

"A spiritual shield?!"

Everyone was astounded by this revelation. Li Wen discreetly shifted a few steps toward the outside, preparing for an escape later.

Only cultivators at Level 11 Qi Refinement or Level 9 mid-stage fierce beasts could employ a spiritual shield. This meant that the Wolf King had advanced to the Level 9 mid-stage to withstand Qin Shu's attacks.

"I get it now!"

Qin Shu realized. He had reached the tree and plucked a fruit about the size of an apple. 

However, the Wolf King lunged at him with its bloody mouth open. Qin Shu tried to dodge, but he slipped and fell into the sand.

The Wolf King ceased its pursuit and watched Qin Shu gradually sink into the quicksand. With regret in its eyes, it turned away to confront the others.

"I've won, I've won! That kid has finally left the illusion realm!" Li Wen jubilantly exclaimed. To him, he had achieved his revenge, and all he needed to do was defeat the others to obtain their Beast Cores and advance to the inner sect disciple level.

As for the Wolf King, he had no intentions of attempting to tame it. The difference in strength was simply insurmountable.

"We got in trouble now."

Zhao He retreated to Xuanyuan Quanlong's side. They were cornered by the Wolf King in front of them and Li Wen, who had turned demonic, and his armored soldiers behind them. They knew they would sustain heavy casualties no matter what they did.

Just as Li Wen approached, a massive sword descended from the sky. A figure appeared before Li Wen, wielding the sword with a chilling expression.

Meanwhile, Qin Shu opened his eyes to find himself in a boundless place. His surroundings were empty, except for a white-robed figure seated cross-legged in front of him.

"This is indeed unexpected. After so many years, someone finally dares to challenge the Desert Wolf King," the white-robed elder said, his tone filled with satisfaction. He waved his hand, indicating for Qin Shu to sit.

"May I ask where we are and who you are?" Qin Shu inquired cautiously. He was aware that if he had exited the illusion realm, he should be in the hall rather than this unfamiliar place.

"Haha, I am the creator of this treasure, the Sect Master of the Blackheaven Sect, the remnant soul of the Northern Mysterious Old Ancestor," the old man replied, stroking his beard with a smile.

"How can you prove that?" Qin Shu inquired skeptically. 

He found a place to sit down but remained cautious. He knew that if this old man could bring him here, he could also end his life, making obedience the wisest course of action.

"Tsk tsk, quite the clever young one," the old man chuckled. 

"This illusion realm you entered was created by Fifth Elder Mo Tianhe, am I correct? I believe the one who admitted you was a chubby fellow named Pang Yuan."

"In addition, you've practiced our sect's forbidden technique, the Blood Burning Technique," the old man continued. 

His smile faded as he sensed Qin Shu's aura, and he shifted slightly as though preparing for an attack.

"I was framed by others and had no choice but to learn the Blood Burning Technique," Qin Shu explained quickly, feeling the pressure from the old man.

"I see. If you're not deceiving me, then the Blackheaven Sect has truly changed since I last left." The old man sighed.

Suddenly, he gazed at Qin Shu as if remembering something important. "Are you intending to compete in the assessment for inner sect disciples?"