As Lu Qingyun and Qian Jingjing ran deeper into the maze, they saw more and more of the other cultivators that were running into the same maze corridor as them.
All of them quickly formed into a much larger group as it was too dangerous to solo the dangers of the maze. A few of the cultivators were even heavily wounded.
Among the cultivators that they saw was Yu Tianjian and Gongsun Ya.
They were equally surprised to see that Lu Qingyun had actually made it so far into the maze.
Although all the cultivators had viewed one another as potential competitors, they were not stupid and quickly exchanged notes; they were all racing against time to exit this maze. It was because nearly thirty minutes had passed since the countdown had startled.
"This way is where I've come from."
"This way is a dead end."
"We have not tried this path yet. Let's go."
Altogether there were thirty of them.
Soon they had come to a path that split into two. Both the paths were new and the black light was shining brilliantly from beyond the imposing walls of the maze. They were so near to the black portal now.
The group of cultivators were immediate excited.
They were now faced with two choices; the path to the right and the path to the left.
Qian Jingjing asked Lu Qingyun in a half jest, "Shall we take the path to the left or right?"
Yan'Er was saying to Lu Qingyun, "Master, the path to the right has two sixth rank desolate beasts. It is an ambush."
Lu Qingyun was startled by Yan'Er advice as he quickly replied to Qian Jingjing, "We ought to take the path to the left."
He turned to say aloud to the rest of the cultivators, "The path to the right is extremely dangerous. Follow me to take the path to the left."
Yu Tianjian smirked coldly, "Why should we trust the words of a good-for-nothing cultivator? At this crucial junction, are you trying to be a hero? If you have guessed correctly then you will be a hero. If you have guessed wrongly then we will all be your stepping stone."
Another cultivator nodded and said coldly, "Precisely. We should take the path to the right instead."
Lu Qingyun immediately said with a weak smile, "I have no ill-intentions. The path to the right is indeed dangerously."
Yu Tianjian hummed coldly, "We have some of the best talents here. If we stick together then nothing will happen to us. It doesn't matter if the choice is wrong. If it is just desolate monsters, we can simply demolish it with the strength of our group. If it is just a dead end, we can always backtrack later."
Qian Jingjing was unhappy that they were criticizing Lu Qingyun so she said aloud, "Brother Qingyun, I believe in you. We shall take the path to the left. Who is with us?"
There was a dead silence and a lack of response from the rest of the cultivators.
Qian Jingjing grabbed Lu Qingyun's arm, "Let's ignore them. We shall go our way then."
Lu Qingyun smiled weakly as the two of them walked toward the path to the left. As he left he was still saying, "Fellow cultivators, you must believe me…"
But Qian Jingjing had interrupted him with an unhappy countenance, "If they want to die, let them die. They are just looking down on you."
Yu Tianjian smiled coldly, "Everyone, follow me to the path on the right."
"Wait!" It was Gongsun Ya.
She looked at the other seventy-seven cultivators before she smiled coldly, "I've decided to take a gambit with them."
With that she had hurried to the path on the left.
It was because she had a dislike for Yu Tianjian who was taking the lead and was giving orders to everyone. This was probably the most irrational decision that she had ever done in her entire life.
Yu Tianjian scoffed coldly, "It seemed that there are some foolish cultivators in our midst."
With that Yu Tianjian and the rest of the twenty-six cultivators had hurried to the path on the right.
Gongsun Ya had quickly caught up with Lu Qingyun and Qian Jingjing.
Qian Jingjing looked at her coldly, "Why did you choose to come this way with us? I've thought that you are taking the path to the right? Why did you make a reversal now and decide to come with us?"
Gongsun Ya smiled as she looked at Lu Qingyun, "I just decide that maybe his advice is worth taking note of. Or am I disturbing the two lovebirds here?"
Lu Qingyun: …
"We are not an item." Lu Qingyun said firmly.
Qian Jingjing looked suddenly looking at Lu Qingyun to protest but she was suddenly looking shyly away. It was true that they were not an item…
Gongsun Ya smiled, "Really? How come I keep seeing the two of you together? I can't remember that the Spirit Sword Manor and the Heavens Ridge Villa are connected in anyway."
Qian Jingjing had a flustered look as she said coldly, "You are such a busybody. We just happen to get along well with each other. That is all."
Gongsun Ya was about to argue back when Lu Qingyun quickly said gravely to them, "This way quickly and be quiet!"
He quickly led them to another path and barely had had they concealed themselves, the gigantic shadow of a sixth rank desolate beast could be seen moving silently along the wall.
After a while, the desolate beast had quietly disappeared.
Lu Qingyun heaved a soft sigh as he grinned. "Now it is safe to move on. Come."
Gongsun Ya was startled. How was he able to tell that a formidable desolate beast was lurking quietly around the corner?
Qian Jingjing gave her a playful look, "Brother Qingyun will get us out of this maze in no time. All we need to do is to follow him."
Gongsun Ya: …
Minutes later, a black portal could be seen within a circle of walls.
Lu Qingyun was delighted to find the black portal as he said excitingly, "We have finally found the way out."
Qian Jingjing looked at Gongsun Ya with a wry smile, "See! You've made the right choice in following us."
Gongsun Ya smiled weakly, "I think it is just luck."
The three of them quickly entered into the black portal and they emerged on a platform where there were thousands of other cultivators.
"Look! There are three cultivators that have completed the second trial!"
"I wonder who they are?"
"Isn't that Gongsun Ya and Qian Jingjing. Who is that man?"
"He is the good-for-nothing cultivator. You mean you didn't know?"
"Brother Qingyun!"
"Senior brother!"
It was Fairy Ling Xiu and Leng Qiuyue and they had quickly surrounded Lu Qingyun.
"You are safe and sound."
There was a burning envious look in Qian Jingjing when she saw Fairy Ling Xiu. She asked unhappily. "Who is this beautiful maiden here? Brother Qingyun, you know her?"
"Brother Qingyun?" Leng Qiuyue and Fairy Ling Xiu were both startled. When did this Qian Jingjing become so close to Lu Qingyun?
Fairy Ling Xiu ignored her and asked Lu Qingyun, "Did you see my brother inside?"
Lu Qingyun was startled, "Brother Ling Chong is inside?" But he quickly shook his head, "I didn't see him at all."
"Senior sister! We are so happy to see you…" It was the two protégés from the Alluring Blossoms Palace."
Gongsun Ya smiled, "I have thought that I am a goner. So who else has emerged from this black portal?"
"Senior sister, your group is the first."
"Oh?" Gongsun Ya was surprised and she had noticed that there were thousands of eyes that were looking their way.
Lu Qingyun was also aware of the thousands of eyes that were looking their way, including that of Yue Lingxi.
So he said, "Let us go to one side first."
Ling Xiu and Leng Qiuyue were both nodding.
Gongsun Ya had suddenly appeared in their midst as she smiled at Lu Qingyun, "Thank you for bringing me out of the maze."
"It is nothing really." Lu Qingyun smiled weakly.
Gongsun Ya smiled before she turned to say to her protégé sisters, "Let us go to one side first. I shall share with you my experiences inside."
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Qin Keqin was delighted when she saw that Lu Qingyun had emerged from the black portal. This means that he had completed the second trial and could be qualified for the third upcoming trial.
However as soon as she saw that Lu Qingyun was being surrounded by so many beautiful maidens, there was a dark look on her countenance.
She muttered almost incoherently, "Are you here for the trial or are you flirting with the other maidens. What are they saying to one another…"
Shen Yufeng was smiling when she saw the look that was on Qin Keqin. It was a rare expression that she had not seen before. It was obvious to her that the Great Saintess Yuqing was unhappy with the attention that Lu Qingyun was getting.
She quietly took a glance at Zhao Xingye and Zhao Riyue and noticed that they too had a dark expression on their countenances.
When her eyes fell upon Yin Shisi, it was the same as Zhao Xingye, Zhao Riyue and Qin Keqin.