Chapter 907 - 342: What a Beast! (First Update)
Various spiritual lights flickered, and waves of powerful spiritual power slammed into the valley. Dust filled the sky, yet it didn’t shake the valley one bit.
"What’s going on?"
"This is impossible!"
"With so many people attacking, we could flatten a whole city, let alone a valley. How can it be completely unharmed?"
The probing ended, and the array of old monsters retreated back to Song Tianji’s side, their expressions vigilant.
They were wary, not only of Song Tianji, but also of the surrounding movements.
"Mr. Heavenly Mechanism, why didn’t you act just now?" questioned an old monster who jumped down with Mu Qingge. Though Song Tianji’s identity surprised him, it didn’t make him friendly towards him.
On the contrary, after learning about Song Tianji, he became even more guarded.
Song Tianji smiled lightly and said, "I wanted to see if there were any flaws, so I didn’t act."
"Did you see anything then?" he pursued.
Song Tianji slowly shook his head, the smile on his lips unchanged.
"Are there things in this world that you, Song Tianji, the Heavenly Mechanism Scholar, cannot discern?" The person taunted, the sarcasm in his words very apparent.
Yet, Song Tianji remained calm and maintained his smile, saying, "I am but a mortal, naturally, there are many things I do not understand or comprehend."
"I say, you two, now’s not the time for internal strife. Whatever issues we have, let’s discuss them after we escape this damned array. Staying here, who knows what that vile woman is plotting!" At this moment, someone stepped forward between the two, urging them to end their tense exchange.
"Indeed, you’re right," Song Tianji looked at him, nodding with a smile.
The other old monster could only grunt in displeasure.
"Mr. Heavenly Mechanism, most of us have heard of your reputation. You are the most adept among us when it comes to strategy and tactics. What should we do now? If you help us leave this damned place, I’ll owe you a favor," someone in the crowd shouted.
His words were echoed by many.
Many expressed—
"Me too, I’ll owe you a favor!"
"That’s right! If you help me get out of here, I’ll also owe you one."
"Count me in too!"
"..."
Song Tianji smiled silently, his refined features appearing completely harmless, very approachable, warm and graceful. Upon hearing the old monsters’ statements, he thought to himself: ’Favor debts are the hardest to repay. Moreover, to owe such a favor to a Transcendance Tribulation Stage elder? I am already on the same boat as you, didn’t intend to save you especially, saving you is saving myself. But now, since you’re eager to owe me, I won’t hesitate to accept.’
Ending his silent musings, he smiled, clasping his fist to the crowd, saying, "It’s nothing, really."
And on the mountain peak far from the valley, Mu Qingge gazed at the happenings in the valley, the conversation seemed as if whispering in her ear.
Hearing the old monsters’ words and seeing Song Tianji’s warm, graceful smile, she couldn’t help but curl her lips, murmuring, "Interesting, truly interesting."
"What’s interesting? Lass," Hou asked, puzzled.
Mu Qingge’s smile widened, the light in her eyes bright, as though she’d found something intriguing.
Hou’s questioning made her lift her hand, pointing towards the valley, explaining with laughter, "Among those people, I found someone interesting."
Hou, bewildered, said, "Lass, what are you planning? Can you stop being cryptic? You’re driving me crazy!"
Mu Qingge didn’t say more, just instructed Hou, "Patience, the show will start soon."
Hou, confused, could only keep watching into the valley.
In the valley, Song Tianji spoke, "Since we can’t find clues within the valley, we’ll only have to risk breaking out at the exit." Pausing, he continued, "I reacted too slow earlier, stepping forward, then found myself here. This time, I must observe carefully, ponder the peculiarities."
"Among so many of us, not one person understands array formation restrictions?" someone lamented.
Song Tianji smiled, "It’s not hard to comprehend. Array formation restrictions have been lost for tens of thousands of years in the Middle Ancient Realm, not just us, even outside, there may be no one who understands."
"Hmph, not necessarily. Have you forgotten, Mr. Heavenly Mechanism, how we got trapped here?" the old monster who chased Mu Qingge down sneered sarcastically.
His words rendered everyone else silent.
Except Song Tianji, who still had that infuriating smile, softly said, "This City Lord of Luoxing City, her background is mysterious, maybe she encountered some array formation opportunity. Or perhaps, this place wasn’t set by her at all, but existed long ago, only discovered and utilized by her."
His deduction prompted nods from the others.
The old monster wanted to sneer further but was interrupted by others.
"Enough, for now let’s focus on getting out. Let’s follow Mr. Heavenly Mechanism’s suggestion, I’ll probe this exit." Having spoken, he glanced at Song Tianji, "Mr. Heavenly Mechanism, keep your eyes peeled."
With that, he strode towards the exit.
Upon reaching the exit, stepping forward, his whole person vanished instantly.
Seeing this, Song Tianji’s eyes narrowed.
"Where is he?"
"Where did he go?"
"Did he enter another restriction or has he exited?"
Puzzled discussions filled Song Tianji’s ears.
His heart shook, secretly musing, ’Weird! So weird!’
Just then, another old monster walked towards the exit, disappearing instantly.
Song Tianji pondered, then addressed the remaining people, "Let’s go together!" With that, he took the lead towards the exit.
On the mountain peak, Mu Qingge watched the scene with interest, her smile deepening. But Hou still seemed puzzled. Clearly, he saw those who walked out earlier return to the valley, yet they appeared unseen by others.
When Song Tianji’s sight returned, all he saw was red rocks, surrounded by hot gases, those strange faint white mists, especially distinct.
"Mr. Heavenly Mechanism, you’ve come!" The first to enter, upon seeing Song Tianji, immediately walked towards him.
Song Tianji quickly went to meet him, asking, "You came in first, did you notice anything amiss?"
He nodded, "After entering, I saw you all inside, but when I called, no one responded, as if unable to see or hear me."
What!
The person’s words caused everyone’s eyes present to narrow sharply, generating a strange emotion in their hearts.
Song Tianji pressed his lips tightly into a line, his gaze becoming solemn. "It seems that different spaces overlap here. No matter how we move, we are merely wandering within these spaces, unable to leave. Strangely enough, there’s no flaw to be found, making it impossible to break out of the array. If this continues, the people inside will either be trapped to death or driven insane. Whose hand crafted such a bizarre array? If it was left by the ancients, it would be understandable. But if it was created by the Female City Lord of Luoxing City..."
Song Tianji secretly took a breath, sighing, "Then she is definitely a genius with intelligence akin to a demon!"
"Mr. Heavenly Mechanism?" Song Tianji’s silence made the others inquire involuntarily.
Song Tianji regained his composure and slowly shook his head.
He intended to speak, but before he could say anything more, flames suddenly erupted from various places in the now fiery-red valley, attacking them.
"These are Abnormal Fires!" someone immediately recognized.
"Abnormal Fires?!" How could there be Abnormal Fires here?
Abnormal Fires!
When Song Tianji heard this term, he suddenly remembered that Mu Qingge was inherently endowed with a Fire Spirit Root and moreover, possessed the Taichu Urgent Fire. "So this array is not the work of the ancients, but arranged by Mu Qingge!"
This speculation shocked Song Tianji.
He suddenly had an ominous feeling, realizing he might have provoked someone he shouldn’t have. Unfortunately, it was all too late.
The Abnormal Fires in the valley were not just one kind.
Besides the visibly fierce Taichu Urgent Fire, there was also the invisible Eight Desolations Void Flame. As they say, overt dangers are easy to avoid, while concealed threats are hard to fend off.
"Ah—!" Soon, someone cried out in agony from being injured by the Eight Desolations Void Flame.
Although the Eight Desolations Void Flame is an exotic fire of the Linchuan Realm, ever since Mu Qingge acquired a Fire Element Spiritual Root, and with Yuanyuan’s power, as Mu Qingge’s cultivation increased, the fire’s potency within her grew ever stronger.
The valley fell into complete chaos.
At this moment, no one had the leisure to deal with those strange white mists — even Song Tianji, who had clearly sensed something amiss, had no time to delve into it. He was preoccupied with defending against the onslaught of the Abnormal Fires.
This valley was not large, surrounded by Abnormal Fires that rendered them powerless, no matter their abilities.
"Quick, head for the exit!" Song Tianji rushed toward the exit while reminding the group.
On the mountaintop, Mu Qingge watched as the old transcendent tribulation stage monsters in the valley followed Song Tianji into the exit and smiled, nodding, "Not slow to react."
The tone clearly carried some appreciation.
This puzzled Hou, unable to understand why she would appreciate her enemy.
Song Tianji stumbled out, only to find himself still in the valley. It was again white all around, but what’s falling from the sky wasn’t snow, but clusters of white flames.
Bone Demon Flame!
This was also one of Mu Qingge’s Abnormal Fires. Yet, few knew about it.
"Escape again!" Song Tianji quickly turned, again rushing towards the exit. Those old monsters of the Transcendance Tribulation Stage also followed him hastily.
They fled again and again, yet still circled within the valley, unable to escape no matter what.
Eventually, they felt unprecedented exhaustion, their spiritual power seemingly drained, collapsing within the valley, unable to lift a finger.
No one was spared.
Surrendering to the ground, Song Tianji faintly saw someone approaching leisurely, feeling the weakness within his body, murmuring, "Those white mists..."
"You’re clever, but it’s a pity you realized too late," Mu Qingge stood before Song Tianji and said lightly.
Song Tianji wanted to speak, yet his vision darkened and he fainted.
Hou stood beside Mu Qingge and asked, "Girl, what exactly are you planning?"
Mu Qingge curled her lips, finally unveiling the purpose of her elaborate setup, "I want to plant slave marks within their bodies."
...
The next day at the City Lord Mansion, a guard suddenly reported that Xi Qianxue requested an audience.
Xi Qianxue’s sudden appearance surprised Mu Qingge greatly. But she still instructed to bring her in.
When Xi Qianxue appeared before her, looking travel-worn and traumatized, Mu Qingge stood up from the City Lord’s position, shocked.
She quickly descended the steps to greet Xi Qianxue.
Seeing Mu Qingge, Xi Qianxue’s tense emotions seemed to be released. She cried out, directly throwing herself into Mu Qingge’s arms, clinging desperately to her neck, and cried helplessly.
"Qingge... I’m so afraid... why did he become like this..."
Her words were intermittent, spoken incoherently.
But Mu Qingge discerned some clues from her fragmented words.
Her eyes turned cold, signaling everyone in the hall to leave, leaving her with Xi Qianxue alone. Once she finished crying, she pulled her out of her embrace and wiped the tears off her cheeks, asking in a deep voice, "Tell me, what happened? Did you use the medicine I gave you last time?"
The two questions caused Xi Qianxue’s body to tremble, and she began to shake subtly.
Seeing her pale complexion and disheveled hair, Mu Qingge sighed internally, pouring her a cup of warm water and urging her to drink it.
Xi Qianxue’s emotions finally calmed down somewhat, yet she still held the cup Mu Qingge had given her, unwilling to let go. She was reluctant to speak at the moment, and Mu Qingge did not force her but led her to a chair to sit down, standing by her side to soothe, "Qianxue, you are now in Luoxing City, beside me, very safe. No matter what has happened, you can tell me. Since you’ve chosen to come to me, it means you trust me, doesn’t it?"
Xi Qianxue slowly lifted her face, the elegant yet stunning features still marred by traces of tears. Her eyes were helpless and pitiful, reflecting Mu Qingge’s figure as if she were her only solace at the moment.
Mu Qingge’s eyes were clear and bright, peaceful yet transparent, making one feel at ease.
Under her gaze, Xi Qianxue slowly nodded.
Yes, it was precisely because she trusted Mu Qingge that she fled directly to Luoxing City after escaping from Sky City. It was not merely because she felt at ease beside Mu Qingge, but also because she wanted to tell Mu Qingge everything she knew.
"Come, tell me. What exactly happened?" After seeing Xi Qianxue’s mood calm slightly, Mu Qingge asked once again.
Xi Qianxue took a deep breath, her eyes welling up with tears once more.
She accidentally exerted force on the cup in her hand, shattering it.
The crisp shattering sound woke her up. She looked at Mu Qingge and finally uttered in a low and extremely complex voice, "My master... no, he doesn’t deserve to be my master anymore... that Divine Venerable of the Divine Hall, sneaked into my room at night, trying to force himself on me. At the critical moment, I used the medicine you gave me to escape with my life. I didn’t dare return to the Xi Family, so I fled from Sky City to Luoxing City in search of you..."
Mu Qingge’s eyes chilled as the intent to kill rose within her heart, she said coldly, "A beast indeed!"