Zhao Lei knew that the hidden cultivator was deliberately trying to provoke him, and no doubt he was confident in being able to do so. But how? His strength really was at the late stage of Core Formation realm.
Bai Lian and Zeng Rong were thinking the same now. They wouldn’t have fared any better if they were in Zhao Lei’s place. There was definitely something not normal with this hidden cultivator.
They were so engrossed in their thoughts that they didn’t even notice another cultivator who had arrived above them. He frowned and landed near the group. "What’s wrong?"
The voice broke the thought process in everyone, and they all turned to look at the newcomer.
Zhao Lei sighed while Zeng Rong frowned as it was a disciple of the Yin Yang Harmony Sect.
"Glad you are here, Lou Ming. Now we need only one more cultivator to open the ruin," Zhao Lei stated. Having another disciple whom he knew increased his broken confidence a little.
Zeng Rong, who was thinking of teasing Zhao Lei again, held back. Who knows what the test and rules inside the ruins were?
Maybe they could attack each other. Then wouldn’t Zhao Lei try to kill him with Luo Ming? It wasn’t looking good for him. Where were his sect mates?
Luo Ming looked at everyone. His eyes stayed on Bai Lian a little longer. Then he looked at Lin Feng and frowned. "What is this weakling doing here? Are we taking him inside with us?"
Zhao Lei immediately clenched his fist but made sure not to lash out unnecessarily. "No, we need a total of six cultivators to enter. With you, we have five Soul Sea realm cultivators here. We need just one more. Although I would have preferred if this bastard came with us inside."
Luo Ming raised his eyes hearing the last sentence. "Why would you say that? You sound like you are pissed at him."
"Forget it. It wasn’t a big deal," Zhao Lei wasn’t going to tell the truth, and he hoped that Zeng Rong wouldn’t mention it either.
Zeng Rong was tempted to say that it really wasn’t a big deal—as Zhao Lei had just kneeled and made a fool out of himself—but he still held himself back because of the fear.
Luo Ming nodded. After all, what could a late-stage Core Formation realm cultivator even do? It must be some small mistake. He turned around and cupped his fists to Bai Lian. "Greetings, Sister Bai..."
Bai Lian nodded as usual, while her thoughts were still fixed on how she had met the hidden cultivator the first time. Was he taunting her too when he showed her his back?
Lin Feng looked at the five gathered cultivators. Counting him, there were exactly six cultivators inside the safe zone.
The entrance wasn’t opened yet, and it wasn’t surprising as it was mentioned on the pillar that six cultivators had to stand in front of the entrance for it to happen.
He was thinking about what would happen when six cultivators opened the entrance but one of them didn’t enter inside. The rule only said that you needed 6 cultivators to open the entrance gate, after all.
After the gate was opened, it seemed like entering and not entering was up to you. It was quite tricky if he thought about it.
The tests were definitely designed keeping in mind how many minimum cultivators would enter, so if at the last moment someone just decided to ditch their companions and didn’t enter, then wouldn’t those who entered inside fall into a dangerous situation?
Maybe he was just thinking too much. Since the entrance was open, those who entered could leave too before thirty breaths of time. So if someone wasn’t entered with them, then they could come out too.
Well, it didn’t matter. He stood up as he saw one more cultivator coming towards this ruin.
It was time to open the entrance.
Others also looked at the new cultivator. She was a woman and didn’t belong to any of these sects.
Zeng Rong, however, was happy because she was from one of the sects which belonged to the Southern Region, and he had seen her before, although he didn’t know her name.
The woman landed and cupped her fist. "Greetings, everyone..."
Zeng Rong delightfully greeted her back. "Greetings. Congratulations on successfully reaching the Soul Sea realm."
Others nodded while cupping their hands too.
"Now that we have enough cultivators, should we open the ruin?" Bai Lian was already tired of waiting with these fools. She wanted to get it over quickly. It would be better if she was able to somehow shake off Zhao Lei and Luo Ming later.
"Alright, let’s do it," Zhao Lei spoke enthusiastically too.
They all were here for good treasures anyway, so others nodded too.
The woman who had come nodded too. It seemed six cultivators were needed. She had seen a late-stage Core Formation cultivator and was surprised like the rest, but she doubted he would enter with them.
She naturally moved closer to Zeng Rong as he was from the same region. Zeng Rong was happy to see this, while Zhao Lei wasn’t because this would give Zeng Rong some courage to act unnecessarily.
All six of them came to the entrance where Lin Feng was already standing. Looking at him standing so near raised some eyebrows. It was clear that he was going to enter with them.
"Friend, you should reconsider. You have given me such a good show. I don’t want you to waste your life here," Zeng Rong spoke with a smile. He really began to like this hidden cultivator.
No matter what, he had flawlessly humiliated a Soul Sea realm cultivator—a feat which he himself might not be able to pull off, even though he was a Soul Sea realm cultivator.
He didn’t know how this hidden cultivator had done it, but there definitely was some trick which he wasn’t able to see through, or maybe it was pure luck, which was a little doubtful.