Five Immortal Sects
Chapter 151: Changes Upon Changes

Gan Shi did not notice the shift in Li Yan's expression. He found that his flying speed in this space was at least three times that of the outside world, an unprecedented experience.

As the purple light ribbon in his divine sense drew ever closer, a surge of battle intent rose within him. This intent was a repressed hatred, once he reunited with his fellow disciples, a climax of slaughter would ensue.

Soon, the two arrived before the swirling purple light ribbon. A dozen li away, another black light ribbon was slowly approaching!

...

When Bai Liyuan saw Gan Shi and Li Yan suddenly appear before him, his honest face showed no surprise. Instead, it was Gan Shi and Li Yan who found their expressions quite remarkable when faced with Bai Liyuan's placid demeanor.

"Bai, it seems you anticipated our arrival."

Gan Shi landed before Bai Liyuan, his face full of bewilderment. Li Yan descended alongside him, glancing around. They were currently at the very beginning of this trial stage.

What astonished Li Yan and Gan Shi most was that there were still twenty Qi Condensation cultivators here, including familiar faces like Du Sanjiang and Lu Qiutong.

Upon seeing the sudden arrival of the two, only a few individuals showed surprise. The rest looked at them with peculiar expressions.

Bai Liyuan maintained his unhurried expression and first offered Li Yan a brilliant smile.

"To think it's Junior Brother Li of Little Bamboo Peak."

"Bai, I asked you a question!"

Gan Shi, still perplexed, directly interrupted Bai Liyuan.

Bai Liyuan cast a glance at Gan Shi, then slowly spoke.

"Actually, it's not strange at all, I have encountered stranger things. What happened on your side?"

...

Li Yan flew through the resplendent, multi-colored space, his divine sense constantly sweeping while his mind raced.

"I wonder how Sixth Senior Sister is faring now? As Senior Brother Bai mentioned, could a great upheaval be about to occur here?"

Half an hour earlier, Li Yan and Gan Shi had rendezvoused with Bai Liyuan in the passage. Li Yan first concisely explained the Grand Profound Sect's three sects' secret plot for entering the Wheel of Life and Death, a plot he had overheard from Wang Lang and Quan Jiuxing. He then elaborated on the uses of the blue prism crystal and the green gourd.

This seemed to enlighten Bai Liyuan and his group, but Bai Liyuan's subsequent words stirred emotion in both Li Yan and Gan Shi.

In the previous stages, Bai Liyuan and his group had fought their way through bloody battles to reach this point. Bai Liyuan truly was someone Li Wuyi had to be wary of; his power had been fully displayed in these numerous clashes, preserving most of the Qi Condensation disciples through several stages.

However, a sudden change occurred in the last stage. At the end of that stage, inside the yellow sphere, they encountered a team from the Grand Profound Sect led by Qiu Jiu, who had only eleven remaining members.

Upon meeting, there was naturally no exchange of words; both sides immediately unleashed their spirit artifacts and treasures.

Yet, just as a great battle was about to erupt, the yellow sphere unexpectedly shattered, and at that moment, the massive dark shadow in the sky enveloped its walls.

This sudden turn of events instantly struck terror into the hearts of dozens of people from both sides. As they watched the colossal shadow invade through the cracks in the sphere wall, despair filled everyone's minds, and their faces were etched with unwillingness.

"Could it be that the Wheel of Life and Death has gone awry?"

This was the last thought in everyone's mind. As the encroaching shadow drew closer, everyone, in their final moments, desperately unleashed various talismans. For a time, protective spiritual shields glowed brightly, interweaving into chaos within the sphere.

And at that moment, a heaven-shaking flash of lightning, rumbling down from the dark shadow in the sky, brutally split the chaotic crowd of both factions.

All that remained in their eyes was the dazzling dance of electric light. When Bai Liyuan and his group gradually regained their vision, they found themselves at the beginning of the current stage. Not a single member of the Wraith Sect was missing, while the Grand Profound Sect members had all vanished.

Such an abrupt change left everyone stunned, utterly bewildered as to what had transpired.

While the group remained bewildered, Li Yan and Gan Shi suddenly appeared. Their arrival, for these cultivators still in a state of confusion and disorientation, caused no surprise or delight.

After hearing Bai Liyuan's account, Li Yan and Gan Shi exchanged glances, equally unable to comprehend what had occurred. This only deepened Li Yan's concern for Gong Chenying's situation.

He wondered if the actions of the three sects had altered the rules here, or if his own departure from the passage had caused a series of unforeseen events. He had a faint feeling it must be one of these two, as such circumstances had never been heard of in previous Wheel of Life and Death trials.

After a brief discussion, Bai Liyuan believed that the final stage would entail significant changes and required even greater caution.

...

Gazing at Rui Feikai and Dai Jing, who had been brought forth from their spirit-storage bags, their Qi Condensation combat strength had now reached twenty-three, led by two formidable Foundation Establishment experts.

Li Yan took out the green gourd he had obtained from Miao Zhengyi and handed it to Bai Liyuan, explaining its usage in detail. He believed that this single green gourd should be enough for them to pass this final stage.

Seeing Li Yan about to depart, Bai Liyuan considered for a moment, then stopped him.

"Junior Brother Li, it would be best if either Senior Brother Gan or I accompany you to find Senior Sister Gong."

Li Yan fell silent for a moment. He knew Bai Liyuan was right; whether for the range of divine sense or for combat within the passage, having a Foundation Establishment cultivator's assistance would undoubtedly make things more secure.

However, he ultimately rejected the proposal!

"Both Elder Brothers, while this method is the safest, changes have already occurred here, and what happens next is unpredictable. Once we leave, it's hard to say if we can re-enter the passage.

"Those who leave are very likely to be permanently stranded outside. And there is only one green gourd for your use here. Senior Brother Gan's current condition isn't too good, and I can no longer assist him.

"Outside the passage is the Five Elements space. This junior brother possess a mixed spirit root and have some understanding of the Five Elements' operations, so I don't require the green gourd's assistance, making my journey outside somewhat more certain."

With that, he pointed to Gan Shi and the purple prism crystal in Gan Shi's hand, which had already begun to dim.

Gan Shi let out a bitter laugh upon hearing this. His current state would allow him to assist Bai Liyuan, but fully aiding Li Yan might be impossible.

The "Aging-Reality Pill" poison had not yet completely dissipated, requiring a certain amount of time for recovery, and he still needed to constantly divert a portion of his spiritual power to suppress it.

If Bai Liyuan were to leave, leading these twenty-three cultivators in his current condition would undoubtedly result in significant casualties. This only fueled Gan Shi's anger towards the three sects. If it had been a one-on-one situation, he would never have consumed the "Aging-Reality Pill."

Bai Liyuan listened to Li Yan's explanation and then to Gan Shi's words, and could only nod. Given his status, he naturally knew Li Yan possessed a mixed spirit root, but he hadn't expected the unique nature of this space to grant Li Yan's Five Elements mixed spirit root such wondrous utility.

"Then, Junior Brother Li, be careful on your journey. If… if something unforeseen happens… you are still close to here, you can return promptly."

Bai Liyuan considered for a moment. Gan Shi's condition was very poor, and he truly couldn't entrust this team of cultivators to him.

Ultimately, he adopted Li Yan's suggestion, though his words were hesitant. After definitively learning of the three sects' plot, he was extremely worried about Gong Chenying and her group.

...

Li Yan flew, his mind racing, as the 'Guishui True Scripture' circulated ceaselessly within him, continuously absorbing the incredibly dense spiritual energy from the surroundings.

Just as Li Yan had flown three or four li from the purple light ribbon, a sudden, heart-wrenching sensation emanated from behind him. He instinctively turned his head and his face immediately changed.

He saw that above the previously calm and undisturbed multi-colored space, a colossal vortex had suddenly appeared, as if twisting and churning a piece of multi-colored fabric. With a single churn, the vortex had already reached directly above Li Yan's head.

In his haste, Li Yan urgently circulated the spiritual power within his body, intending to flee swiftly, but an irresistible suction had already emanated from above. It seemed as though it wanted to draw the entire multi-colored space into itself.

Although Li Yan reacted with extreme speed, his entire body's spiritual energy surged uncontrollably, and his body glowed brightly, he was utterly unable to resist the immense suction emanating from the sky's vortex.

His body was pulled diagonally upwards. At the same time, in Li Yan's line of sight, several light ribbons were rapidly being pulled and flown towards this direction.

Veins bulged on Li Yan's forehead, and his dark green robe flapped furiously. He had circulated the 'Guishui True Scripture' to its utmost limit, but his figure continued to fly backward, towards the colossal vortex behind him. This immense force was simply beyond his current ability to resist.

Li Yan let out a bitter laugh and simply gave up circulating his spiritual power.

"I should have stayed in the light ribbon. Perhaps there would have been a sliver of hope."

As Li Yan aribbononed his resistance to the suction, his figure shot backward like an arrow, swiftly moving towards the vortex.

Just as Li Yan was about to be sucked into the vortex, his eyes suddenly lit up, he saw in the sky, among the various light ribbons being drawn in, two distinct purple light ribbons.

Then, these light ribbons, before reaching the vortex, fused into a single massive ball of light. Following this, Li Yan's head grew heavy, and everything vanished from his sight.

...