Upon hearing the word "rescue," Ji Yuan didn’t know what came to his mind, but a slight smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"I merely have a slight understanding of arrays, how could it be called a rescue? Brother Zhao flatters me."

As Ji Yuan spoke, he stroked the beard on his chin, looking every bit like an old Daoist.

"Regardless, my life was saved by you, Daoist friend. May I know your esteemed surname?"

Zhao Yao shook his head, with a resolute demeanor.

"No need for formality, I am called Changgeng."

"Changgeng? That’s a good name, from now on, I’ll call you Elder Brother, and you call me Old Zhao."

Upon hearing this title, Ji Yuan couldn’t help but have his lips twitch slightly.

But Zhao Yao seemed oblivious, turning to look at the position he’d sat in for who knows how many years, with a look of uncontainable fear.

"Such an illusion realm is too frightening. If Elder Brother hadn’t come to rescue me, Old Zhao might have perished sitting here."

Hmm?

Perished?

Ji Yuan seemed to have caught something, immediately releasing his divine sense, sweeping toward the desert ahead.

If it is truly as Zhao Yao says, then there should be many cultivators’ corpses and storage bags in that desert ahead.

But why haven’t any been seen?

Ji Yuan guessed that the array must still be concealing them.

Only by entering the array can they be seen.

Or could it be... they’ve been picked up by Xing Shuang and the others who ventured in earlier?

Ji Yuan couldn’t help but think so.

"Hey, Old Zhao?!"

A familiar voice came from behind, followed immediately by a chaotic rush of footsteps.

Evidently, Xing Shuang and the three had finally passed through the first layer of the illusion realm and arrived here.

"Xing Shuang!"

Zhao Yao quickly went forward to greet them and didn’t forget to say hello to the other two.

"Daoist Ling, Daoist Su."

You could tell by the familiarity from afar.

Xing Shuang was naturally excited about Zhao Yao’s rescue.

Ling Jueshao and Su Yuan, however, had a cautious look, sizing up Ji Yuan. Indeed, this early-stage Core Formation old man was somewhat unexpected for them.

Not only able to pass through the first layer of the array quickly but also able to rescue Zhao Yao...

Ling Jueshao took a step forward, formally cupping his hands in a salute to Ji Yuan.

"I misunderstood Daoist Changgeng earlier, I ask for forgiveness."

"Daoist Changgeng, hope you forgive us."

Su Yuan followed suit with a salute.

Before Ji Yuan could speak, Zhao Yao stepped forward in front of Ji Yuan, frowning at Ling Jueshao.

"Daoist Ling must be judging people by their cultivation level again, right? Now seeing Elder Brother’s exceptional strength, you want to smooth things over?"

With a cold hum, Zhao Yao continued.

"Regardless of whether you are or aren’t, it has reached this point."

Ling Jueshao rose, with a righteous attitude, "The weak should have the awareness of being weak, respect is reserved for the strong, evidently, Daoist Changgeng is such a strong individual."

"No need to be so polite, Daoist friends."

Ji Yuan remained with his indifferent demeanor.

As for Ling Jueshao’s words, perhaps they held some truth, but Ji Yuan knew that he wasn’t so easily cowed now.

It’s simply because he saw Ji Yuan could rescue Zhao Yao, guessing that most likely he could pass through this second layer of the illusion realm.

He’s worried that if relations aren’t smoothed over, Ji Yuan won’t aid him in passing through the illusion realm... then it would be a loss.

After all, passing through this layer of the illusion realm grants an opportunity for a treasure.

Such a chance shouldn’t be wasted.

Especially Ling Jueshao, Ji Yuan had heard from Xing Shuang.

He hadn’t even obtained the treasure from the first challenge.

"Enough, as long as it’s understood."

Xing Shuang hurriedly stepped in to mediate, "The road ahead is uncertain, everyone should indeed help each other."

"Indeed so."

Ling Jueshao nodded slightly.

Ji Yuan smiled, "In that case, without delay, let’s proceed quickly through this second-layer illusion realm."

With the prior experience of rescuing Zhao Yao, Ji Yuan already knew this illusion realm was ineffective on Dream Butterflies.

As such, there’s no point in waiting further.

"Alright, should we wait for Daoist Changgeng to break the array, or proceed together?"

As Ling Jueshao spoke, his eyes fell on Ji Yuan, showing a friendly demeanor.

"Let’s go together. I tried this during the first challenge, the array and secret realm appear to be merged. Without the strength of the Nascent Soul Stage, it’s impossible to break through."

Since Ji Yuan is the only one present skilled in arrays, such a lie naturally came out smoothly, without fear of being seen through.

"But I have methods to resist the illusion realm, rest assured, I will aid you in passing through this illusion realm."

"That would be good."

Upon hearing this, Ling Jueshao was somewhat relieved.

But then Su Yuan’s voice sounded in his sea of consciousness, "Brother Ling, can we really trust Changgeng?"

Ling Jueshao discreetly replied, "From the path we’ve taken thus far, he seems to be the good-natured type, so there’s nothing to worry about."

"And we have the Bodhi fruit kernel, even if he refuses to lend a hand, we won’t end up stuck here like Zhao Yao. At most, we can return by ourselves."

"Alright."

Listening to Ling Jueshao’s arrangement, Su Yuan responded silently.

"Please, everyone, move forward."

As Ji Yuan said this, Xing Shuang and the others began moving.

Only Zhao Yao, who had just awakened from the illusion realm, seemed somewhat fearful.

But seeing Xing Shuang and the others take a few steps forward, eventually sitting down in the realm of illusion, he gritted his teeth.