This is related to the loss of the Taijing Demon-Subduing Treasure Record, which, along with the Taijing Yuanjing, belonged to this sect as a single volume. That is why Eric Bennett had no choice but to order this outer disciple, Gavin Clark, not to reveal himself before fully mastering the Shaoqing Yuanjing. Before leaving, he was granted a Taijing Leaf Talisman for protection, which was sufficient to defend against ordinary magical attacks.

However, the Taijing Leaf Talisman has already turned to ashes, clearly indicating that the enemy has surpassed its defensive capabilities. At the brink of collapse, this disciple, Henry Cooper, only then returned it as a message.

There are very few disciples in this sect’s Zixia Cave Mansion, only four in total. The younger sister, Crystal Bennett, is out accumulating merit and has not yet returned. The maid Grace Bennett is a thousand-year-old ginseng spirit and cannot leave. As for his own disciple, there is only Edward Foster. Once he completes the Shaoqing Yuanjing, he can be formally admitted and inherit the Zixia Cave Mansion.

This person is loyal and honest, upright and resolute, clever within and steady without. In every word and deed, no matter how subtle, he is always composed and follows the middle path. He is truly excellent material for cultivation. Thinking of his former respectful manners, every smile and word, and now having suffered such a great calamity, even his soul may not be preserved— even with Eric Bennett’s cultivation, a surge of murderous intent could not be suppressed.

The moment this killing intent arose, it disrupted his usual state of mind. Eric Bennett immediately became aware of it. Being a clever person, a flash of insight told him the origin. He had already comprehended eighty to ninety percent of the Taijing Yuanjing, only lacking the final touch. Just now, he had even attracted the descent of the Taijing Sacred Dew. Even without cultivating the sect’s Zixia Ascension Scripture, white-feathered ascension was within reach.

Thus, the heavenly demons would surely obstruct him, and the heavenly tribulation would arrive. He was within the Ziluo Heavenly Barrier, said to be impenetrable by immortals or mortals, and also possessed the sect’s supreme treasure, the Zixia Heavenly Tribulation Thunder. If he did not leave, he truly could withstand all heavenly and external tribulations.

Therefore, the flow of fate implicated his only disciple, Edward Foster, to lure him out.

In an instant, Eric Bennett clearly understood the true purpose of this calamity. If he truly did not leave, disregarded his disciple’s life or death, and focused solely on cultivation, in just thirty years he would surely ascend to celestial immortality, fearing neither heavenly demons nor tribulations.

But if he went out, the ninefold heavenly tribulation and the heavenly and demonic forces would strike him in waves.

To stay or to go? The thought arose in Eric Bennett’s mind, and a cold smile appeared on his face. He stretched out his hand, treasure light swirling around it, and his inherently forceful nature immediately stirred up the will to destroy all external enemies.

“No matter if it’s heaven or demons, do you want to be my enemy? If you want war, then war it is! Let’s see how many tricks you have up your sleeves!” Even heaven and heavenly demons are bound by rules and cannot use unlimited power. There are only three things they can do.

First, to cause inner turmoil and make one lose composure. Second, to manipulate fate and have other cultivators or demons become enemies—this is called killing with a borrowed knife. Third, to send down heavenly thunder and forcibly destroy.

Now, the calamity has befallen his beloved disciple. Knowing that going out would surely bring endless troubles, Eric Bennett still made up his mind to go out and challenge this net!

Eric Bennett stood under the moon for a long time, waiting for his resolve to settle—neither wavering nor reckless—before calling out, “Grace Bennett, are you there?”

“The sect master summons me. What are your orders?”

In the sea of flowers, a voice appeared. Then, a beam of clear light floated out and drifted before Eric Bennett. As the radiance faded, a woman was revealed. She was dressed in red, her skin like snow, kneeling on the ground.

“Listen carefully. I have matters to attend to outside the mountain. As soon as I leave, you are to immediately activate all eighty-one layers of the Ziluo Heavenly Barrier. Except for me and Crystal Bennett, if anyone else intrudes, if persuasion fails, kill them on the spot and imprison their soul, awaiting my further orders!”

“Yes!” Grace Bennett asked again, “No matter who it is?”

“That’s right, no matter who!”

With a wave of Eric Bennett’s hand, a thunderclap sounded from the central palace. Three streaks of purple rainbow, bright as lightning, soared into the sky. They seemed to possess intelligence, sometimes separating, sometimes merging, rainbows flying and lightning dancing, endlessly changing.

“I have already coordinated with the Ziluo Heavenly Barrier and activated three Heavenly Tribulation Thunders. With these two combined, even a Great Luo Celestial Immortal would not fare well!” As Eric Bennett spoke, within the Ziluo Heavenly Barrier, a layer of purple fire was already burning. The entire mountain was instantly engulfed in a sea of fire. At the same time, a jade-green peak, just over a foot tall, exquisitely sharp and radiant, emerged from the ground, emitting a verdant glow.

Grace Bennett saw this and couldn’t help but gasp. The Ziluo Heavenly Barrier, famed as impenetrable by immortals or mortals, has eighty-one layers, encompassing all five elements, generating and overcoming each other, endlessly changing, forming its own world and isolating all things. Once activated, unless stopped, it will never be extinguished. The purple fire just now was heavenly fire, capable of refining both immortals and mortals. Coupled with the Heavenly Tribulation Thunder, it truly deserves its reputation as something even a Great Luo Celestial Immortal cannot withstand.

Usually, only seven layers of the Ziluo Heavenly Barrier are open, and that alone keeps Ziluo Gorge as steady as a mountain.

“What are you waiting for? Hurry and take charge of the Jade Peak!” In Eric Bennett’s hand, a beam of purple light shot out. As soon as the Jade Peak received it, it immediately emitted a purple radiance.

“Yes!” Grace Bennett hurried forward. This Jade Peak was the treasure that controlled the Ziluo Heavenly Barrier; in fact, it was the incarnation of the Ziluo Mountain Gorge itself. Normally, only Eric Bennett could control it; she was not allowed to touch it.

Grace Bennett extended her hand and released a beam of green light. The Jade Peak, upon receiving the green light, emitted a faint sound. The green light spread from the summit, gradually extending down the mountain, and after half a moment, finally reached the base.