At this moment, a group of Nascent Soul cultivators had already taken their subordinates and flown out of the Ten Thousand Miles of Yellow Sand Formation, heading straight for the third-floor staircase.
Yuan Ming's gaze also shifted away from the Heavenly Sand Gourd, as his Divine Sense spread towards the third layer of the Black Tower, and his eyes widened slightly.
Just as Wan Qi Hong and others successively entered the third layer, they all stopped in their tracks, displaying varied expressions.
The space on the third layer of the Black Tower was almost as spacious as the first and second layers, with not even a Stone Pillar for support, allowing one to see to the very end at a glance.
At the end of everyone's line of sight, there stood a circular stone platform, crafted entirely from white, translucent jade, with a faint glow shimmering across it.
On the platform, there was a blood-colored screen with five peculiar figures embroidered on it, both male and female. The dark red Blood Light constantly shifting across it gave off an extremely eerie aura.
Yuan Ming's eyes flickered upon seeing the blood-colored screen which was two zhang in length and one zhang in height; its size and form were quite similar to the Night Parade of Hundred Demons, with some parts being exactly the same.
"This screen is so similar to my Night Parade of Hundred Demons. Could it be the Shura Blood Devouring Map?" Yuan Ming guessed silently in his heart.
However, above the blood-colored screen, two figures were suspended in mid-air, none other than Su Zimo and the golden-haired youth.
Both of them had their arms outstretched and legs together, as if confined by something, unable to move and with expressions of horror on their faces.
A red-clothed woman stood in the void in front of Su Zimo and the youth. Her facial features were fairly delicate, but her eyebrows carried a severe ferocity, and she wore a loose, floor-length red robe.
This woman was shrouded in a fierce, evil power, unpenetrable by the Divine Senses of Wan Qi Hong and the others. However, the Divine Sense that Yuan Ming extended from the Stealing Heaven Tripod enveloped everything, leaving nothing about the red-clothed woman hidden from his view.
Her cheeks and arms appeared normal, but beneath the red robe was an empty skeletal frame, with remnants of flesh clinging to her bones.
The reason why Su Zimo and the youth were suspended in the air was because their bodies were entwined by several invisible and shadowless transparent cords.
These transparent filaments came from an invisible web suspended in the air, similar to a spider web, with Su Zimo and the youth appearing like two small insects that had collided with it, completely immobilized.
This invisible web seemed like a Magic Treasure, with excellent concealment. Even Yuan Ming, with his Divine Sense descending from the Stealing Heaven Tripod, had almost failed to detect its presence.
The red-clothed woman seemingly indifferent to the arrival of Wan Qi Hong and the others, extended her hands and emitted a mist of blood-red filaments from her fingertips, piercing into Su Zimo and the youth's bodies.
The bodies of Su Zimo and the youth shriveled at a rate visible to the naked eye. Their mouths agape, they were unable to utter any sound.
In just a few breaths, under the watchful eyes of Wan Qi Hong and the others, they withered away into two corporeal husks.
The death of a Nascent Soul ancestor, who could otherwise dominate the Central Plains, occurred silently, causing all onlookers' pupils to constrict sharply, their looks toward the red-clothed woman tinged with wariness.
Even Nascent Soul cultivators like Wan Qi Hong and Thunderbolt Ancestor could not detect the presence of the invisible net, and for a moment, stood still, not daring to make any rash moves.
Yuan Ming, while investigating from within the Stealing Heaven Tripod, discovered some unusual characteristics as well.
Although Su Zimo and the other had perished, their Divine Souls had not left their bodies for some reason and remained inside.
"It seems that Blood Shadow wasn't lying; the Shura Palace has indeed emerged," said the red-clothed woman as she looked toward the people at the entrance of the staircase. She moved her hands slightly, and the blood-red filaments she was emitting snapped.
The transparent web trembled gently, and the bodies of Su Zimo and the youth fell, but instead of hitting the ground, two tentacle-like beams of Blood Light shot out from the blood-colored screen, wrapped around the two bodies, and retracted them back.
Ripples of Blood Light spread across the screen, and the desiccated corpses merged into it, vanishing from sight.
"Your demeanor does not seem that of a living being. Could you be the guardian of this blood-colored screen? We are here following the guidance of the Shura Master, seeking to pass the challenge and obtain treasure," Wan Qi Hong said politely with a cupped fist salute after giving the blood-colored screen a glance.
"I've been refined by the Shura Master into the Tower Spirit, and have been here for over a thousand years, waiting for you all. This screen is the Blood Devouring Map, the proud creation of the Shura Master and your objective," the red-clothed woman said as she looked toward the blood-colored screen.
"So this screen truly is the Blood Devouring Map, but this red-clothed woman..." Yuan Ming nodded silently, a cold smile appearing on the corner of his mouth.
At that moment, Thunderbolt Ancestor and Golden Dawn Fairy revealed excited expressions; the blood-colored screen before them was actually a Spiritual Treasure!
As Nascent Soul cultivators from major sects, both were naturally aware of the existence of Spiritual Treasures. Within Chang Chun Temple was a Spiritual Treasure known as the "Canghai Xuan Water Pearl," which had demonstrated tremendous power that shook heavens and earth on the few occasions it was used.
It was precisely the Heavenly might of the Canghai Xuan Water Pearl that cemented the supremacy of the Chang Chun Temple in the Central Plains.
If they could seize the Blood Devouring Map, there was the possibility for the Five Thunder Sect and Spirit Talisman Sect to take their power to the next level, and perhaps even stand equal to the Chang Chun Temple.
"Fellow Daoist Jin Xi, let's not dwell on our past grudges. With the Spiritual Treasure before us, you and I, fighting alone, I fear are no match for Wan Qi Hong and the Black Desert Scatter Alliance. How about joining forces? Should we succeed in seizing the Shura Blood Devouring Map, not only will the strength of our sects greatly increase, but even the status of Zhao Country's Immortal Cultivation World will rise significantly. We will no longer have to cater to the whims of Da Jin, nor Chang Chun Temple," Lei Ming proposed with suppressed excitement, immediately transmitting his voice to communicate with Golden Dawn Fairy.
"Fellow Daoist Yu's suggestion may have merit, but there is only one Shura Blood Devouring Map. Even if we are lucky enough to obtain it, how should we divide it?" Golden Dawn Fairy responded after a moment of silence.
"The value of a Spiritual Treasure is immeasurable and truly challenging to divide. When the time comes, the Five Thunder Sect and Spirit Talisman Sect can form an alliance and jointly control this treasure. In any case, we must not allow the Shura Blood Devouring Map to fall into the hands of Chang Chun Temple or the people of the Northern Desert," Lei Ming replied through voice transmission.
"Very well, let's proceed as Fellow Daoist Yu suggested," Jin Xi replied.
Lei Ming's heart leapt with joy when he heard her response, though he maintained an impassive face.
Wan Qi Hong and Dugu Feng had a deeper understanding of the Shura Master and had heard that he possessed a Spiritual Treasure. Hearing what the red-clothed woman said, their eyes too flashed with irrepressible excitement.
Although the four Nascent Soul cultivators present were tempted by the Spiritual Treasure, each harboring their own thoughts, none of them made a move.
The fall of the two Su Zimo was still fresh, and they knew that none of them could silently kill them single-handedly. Therefore, no one dared to approach recklessly.
The red-clothed woman said nothing more, only quietly watching everyone below.
For a time, the scene once again fell into silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
"If you are waiting for us to take the challenge, why did you kill Su Zimo and their companion?" Lei Ming was the first to break the silence and asked.
"To claim the Shura Blood Devouring Map, one must pass the trial set by the Shura Master. Just now, those two did not heed my warning and attempted to forcefully snatch the treasure. Those who don't follow the rules must pay the corresponding price. If you wish to forcibly take the treasure, feel free to try," the red-clothed woman replied with a serene tone.
Lei Ming gave an awkward smile and closed his mouth.
"We certainly will not behave as rudely as Su Zimo did. However, the Shura Blood Devouring Map is a Spiritual Treasure of incalculable value. You have guarded it here for a thousand years, are you really just going to let us take it?" Dugu Feng chimed in.
"I am tasked with guarding this place. As long as the Shura Blood Devouring Map remains here, I cannot leave. If you take this map, it is as good as freeing me from my shackles, which is exactly what I desire! Besides, with my current form as the Tower Spirit, I am incapable of wielding the power of the Spiritual Treasure. Why would I bother keeping this white elephant?" the red-clothed woman explained.
The expressions on Dugu Feng and the others' faces relaxed, seemingly believing the red-clothed woman's words.
"May I inquire, what is the trial left here by the Shura Master?" Dugu Feng asked.
"The Shura Blood Devouring Map is an extremely sinister Spiritual Treasure. It cannot be wielded by anyone without a firm mind. You few should first face the challenge of this Blood Soul Domain. Those who pass may then enter the map to undergo the 'Heart Inquiry' trial. The one who ultimately passes will acquire the Shura Blood Devouring Map," said the red-clothed woman, waving her sleeve as she spoke.
The third layer's space began to fill with thick Blood Light, fierce winds howled, and the Blood Mist spread, as distorted ghostly shapes surged out from within the mist, wailing like ghosts and howling like wolves.
The red-clothed woman flicked her fingers several times. The Blood Light and the chill wind suddenly congealed, transforming into a rectangular blood-colored Light Domain stretching in front of Dugu Feng and the others, not far away.
Seeing this, they couldn't help but scrutinize the blood-colored Light Domain, their gazes quickly overwhelmed by the Blood Light, moving forward blankly, and Wan Qi Hong was no exception.
"This red-clothed woman's schemes are profound and her Illusion Technique is masterful!" Yuan Ming thought to himself.
The chilly wind and Blood Light were part of a powerful Illusion Technique. The red-clothed woman had first unsettled everyone's mind with the Shura Blood Devouring Map, then under the pretense of a trial, lured Dugu Feng and the others into lowering their guard, controlling everyone with her illusion in one fell swoop.
It seemed that the red-clothed woman's use of the Illusion Technique simply aimed to draw everyone closer to the Shura Blood Devouring Map.
That clear net-form Magic Treasure hovered above the blood-colored Light Domain, twitching eagerly, seemingly waiting for the crowd to come closer before swooping down to engulf them all in one fell swoop.
At this moment, Yan Sijing also fell into the illusion, advancing in a daze. Her prayers to the Nether Moon God began to break up, and Yuan Ming's vision quickly blurred.
Yuan Ming's expression changed slightly, and after a quick thought, he extended his Divine Sense all around Yan Sijing, unleashing the Ten Directions Soul Wave, impacting the Divine Souls of everyone present.
Yuan Ming wasn't sure what the red-clothed woman was truly up to. Now that Xi Ying also seemed to be controlled by the illusion, and considering the third layer's eerie circumstances and the red-clothed woman's formidable power, he doubted he could wrest the Shura Blood Devouring Map from her hands alone.
Before deciphering the mysteries of the third layer, the others could not die!
Dugu Feng and the others' souls trembled, coming back to their senses.
The red-clothed woman sensed the Ten Directions Soul Wave, her face showing annoyance. Her hands reached out and vanished into the Void!
A blood-curdling scream and the sound of thunder sounded simultaneously. In the crowd, Pi Xiu's chest was pierced by a bloody hand, the very hand that the red-clothed woman had withdrawn. When she reached out again, she held a beating heart, still thumping, with fresh blood dripping down.
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