At this moment, these people resembled monkeys scratching their ears and cheeks, constantly drawn by the treasure on the other side of the valley.

Now, it seems they’ve somewhat tasted the temptation of pulling chestnuts from the fire.

Despite knowing the danger, they never contemplated giving up, even for a moment.

Waiting around here is impossible; who knows how long the remnants of the Heavenly Thunder will take to disappear.

The treasure in the valley endured the Heavenly Tribulation and is at its most vulnerable now, it cannot be allowed time to recover.

Otherwise, they might find themselves going home empty-handed.

Right now, time is incredibly crucial for them—every second and every moment cannot be wasted.

Finally, the forces behind each Dark Master couldn’t bother hiding any longer, each displaying their trump cards.

Xuan Chu’s Array wasn’t one that would grow more resilient against attacks or even resist them.

Those outside trying all sorts of antics are unable to break this Array.

Instead, once inside and after activating its protective and entrapping effects, the Array slowly loses its power.

The Array naturally breaks when the energy of the Demon Core and Heavenly Thunder is fully consumed.

After the thunderstorm in the valley ceases, the stench from the baking and terrain starts to seep outwards.

At this moment, it begins slowly wafting outside.

By the time these Dark Masters arrive outside the valley, this stench has already spread quite a bit.

Those with sharp noses sniff and frown as they look at those nearby: "Do you smell anything foul?"

Initially, no one noticed it, but after the reminder.

The stench, like a mischievous little child hiding away, becomes noticeable and suddenly jumps to scare everyone.

In an instant, the foul odor diffuses around them.

"Damn, what is that smell? It’s awful!"

These people, having gone to many places to take jobs, encountered foul-smelling places filled with Evil Spirit.

But they’ve never smelled anything this putrid; strangely, the stench feels somewhat sticky.

Once it clings to them, that odor won’t go away, as if it integrated into them.

Someone’s face changed right then: "Could this smell be from the treasure?"

Thinking the treasure is so stinky, they can’t help but wonder if the treasure is a foul lump.

This feeling is like swallowing a fly!

Those with cleanliness OCD began to hesitate; though the treasure entices them, what if it’s really a foul creature? What then?

The Little Paperman floating above chuckled quietly upon hearing their guesses.

These people couldn’t identify the scent, but it could; the stench clearly emitted from its master.

If it guessed correctly, its master received some miraculous opportunity, reaching a state of purity.

This means its master will face no barriers in further cultivation, and even these Little Papermen would benefit.

While the Little Paperman chuckled, the Dark Masters below quickly devised a strategy.

They equipped lightning-proof devices, thinking they could easily evade the Heavenly Thunder and enter the valley smoothly.

Half of them were weakened by the stench.

Yet, faced with the treasure’s allure, some overcame such difficulties.

The Little Paperman watched as several cautiously entered Xuan Chu’s Array.

Its small eyes revealed a hint of mischievous wit.

Those entering the Array were in for just that—they’d be trapped inside for a long time.

The Little Paperman suddenly thought Xuan Chu was quite sly.

Not entering the Array meant being blocked by the Heavenly Thunder, but inside awaited no clear path either.

Soon, those within the Array realized they’d been tricked.

Inside the Array, they weren’t threatened by the Heavenly Thunder but lost all sense of direction.

No matter what means they used, they couldn’t ascertain the way forward.

Even when several proceeded in different directions, they’d all return to the start.

One person was amused by this occurrence.

The scene was akin to the principle of the Ghost Wall, where they couldn’t escape no matter their paths.

They were, after all, Dark Masters, Dark Masters!

Admitting this would leave them unable to show their faces again.

"I refuse to believe this wretched place can truly trap us!"

Reality proved that on the wrong track, the more effort, the more heartache!

Upon realizing they were caught in the ’Ghost Wall’, those who calmed down suffered less.

Those struggling faced eyes growing vacant, even feeling their Dao Hearts beginning to shatter.

The Little Paperman initially watched intently, even betting on who would give up first.

But eventually, the Little Paperman felt numb; these people truly adored the treasure post-Heavenly Tribulation.

The Little Paperman yawned repeatedly, uncertain how long they’d be trapped before entering the valley smoothly.

Time ticked away slowly.

For the Little Paperman, it wasn’t a tough wait, but for the Dark Masters facing countless trials below, it felt like eternity.

Oh dear, how tragic!

As dusk began to fall, the Little Paperman glanced skyward and realized half a day had passed.

A faint ’crack’ echoed.

This sound went unnoticed by others, focused only by the Little Paperman.

Or, they didn’t understand it, thus overlooked it.

Only the Little Paperman knew this sound meant Xuan Chu’s buried Demon Core energy was depleted.

Soon after, several similar ’crack’ sounds followed.

The Little Paperman flew towards the valley, ready for them once the Array broke.

The Demon Core anchoring the Array crumbled to dust, and the Heavenly Thunder empowering the Array lost its support, dissipating slowly.

The Dark Masters, whose shrunken eyes regained shine upon witnessing the broken Array.