Chapter 73
Mei Liangyu's mind flashed with golden light, memory fragments flying past so quickly they were almost invisible.
The next moment, a fierce fist wind grazed his cheek. Gu Qian thought Mei Liangyu had paused due to the power of Divine Mechanism: Heavenly Official, and seized this opportunity to launch a surprise attack. However, Mei Liangyu's reaction remained swift. The instant he sensed danger, his body had already made evasive movements.
This punch from Gu Qian still carried the power of Legalist School Judgment Heavenly Mechanism: Thunder Punishment. His knuckles scraped a red mark on Mei Liangyu's cheek, and under the faint lightning flicker, the skin split open in a bloody line.
Mei Liangyu blocked this punch again, looking up at Gu Qian. School of Names Word Command black chess pieces merged into the darkness before materializing. As Gu Qian was about to speak again to break the technique, a black piece pierced through his throat.
Gu Qian defended quickly. Though the black piece blocked his voice, it was also stopped by his Five Elements energy protection.
The two thus created distance between them again.
"So you do know," Gu Qian said in the darkness with a deep voice.
Mei Liangyu knew about his Divine Mechanism Arts, which could be seen from how he had just used black pieces to block his speech.
"Using Divine Mechanism Arts in a mere Dragon Slaying Cave?" Mei Liangyu said with cold indifference.
Gu Qian also said: "Rather than having to guess on my own, better to use it and let myself know clearly what the enemy has discovered."
Moreover, since the other party already knew, he could use it openly.
Mei Liangyu ignited golden Five Elements energy protection around himself, laughing lazily: "Your skill at making enemies for yourself is quite impressive."
As soon as he finished speaking, the two fought again.
Though Divine Mechanism: Heavenly Official's power was strong, it also had obvious weaknesses. Effective distance and vocalization were necessary. Precisely because this weakness was well known, even though it possessed the power to remove all Nine Schools Arts materialized by Five Elements energy, it only ranked ninth.
At this moment, Mei Liangyu could also confirm that Gu Qian's Divine Mechanism: Heavenly Official could indeed affect the seal deep in his consciousness.
His memories were sealed by artificial power, and every time Heavenly Official removed Five Elements energy, even though it wasn't targeting the seal, it still affected it due to the power of Divine Mechanism Arts.
Divine Mechanism: Heavenly Official's "Law Breaking" removal also required specific targets to work.
Both inside and outside the cave, fierce battles raged.
Outside, Li Jin Shuang's Sword Spirit had gone mad, beginning to attack indiscriminately. Except for Li Jin Shuang, everyone was attacked by sword blades. Its attacks were swift and continuous, with no gaps between assaults, overwhelming everyone.
Mu Mengbai had been trying to cast trigrams but needed time, and was constantly interrupted by the Sword Spirit. Sheng Hao blocked sword energy for him several times, saying irritably: "Can you do it or not!"
"I can't, can't, can't!" Mu Mengbai's half-drawn trigram was interrupted again. He said frantically: "Why do I feel her Sword Spirit is even more powerful when it goes mad?! Can't you have Mei Liangyu make her return to normal!"
Sheng Hao didn't respond.
Though this Sword Spirit was more dangerous when mad, it attacked indiscriminately, which was advantageous. If Li Jin Shuang regained consciousness, even if she couldn't unleash her Sword Spirit's full power, she would still be very threatening.
Gu Qian was specifically targeted by Mei Liangyu and forced into the cave. He had nearly escaped several times but was cut back by the mad Sword Spirit.
Mei Liangyu had no intention of leaving, as their position was too close to the Sword Spirit. The moment they left the cave entrance, they would be face-to-face with the Sword Spirit, becoming its first priority target.
After trying several times and discovering this, Gu Qian prepared to knock Mei Liangyu out of the cave entrance first, making him attract the Sword Spirit's attacks.
Pang Rong was called to watch Qian Ying but ended up fighting Xun Zhiya.
Qian Ying concentrated on forming seals amidst the chaos, Five Elements energy spreading along the ground's shallow water.
"Hey!" Mu Mengbai shuddered. "Pang Rong, Medical School!"
Pang Rong was blocked by Xun Zhiya. Seeing Qian Ying forming seals, he gritted his teeth and formed seals with one hand to deploy a Military Formation, but was interrupted by both Xun Zhiya and the wildly slashing Sword Spirit.
Sheng Hao used instant movement to intercept. Qian Ying looked up with cold eyes, pearl light flowing in her pupils.
Medical School Nine Schools Pupil Technique: Firefly Light.
An illusion-type pupil technique that made Sheng Hao freeze unprepared, multiple overlapping images appearing in his eyes. Unable to distinguish which was the real Qian Ying, he only attacked phantoms.
Pang Rong struck Xun Zhiya back with his sword, coming before Qian Ying, but saw golden mist rising from the ground. His expression changed instantly as he rapidly retreated, unwilling to be contaminated by that golden mist.
Medical School Heavenly Mechanism Art: Five Profound Poison.
Five Elements energy transformed into poisonous gas spreading and expanding, maintaining a fixed range. Those entering the poison formation would suffer Five Elements energy chaos.
Medical School disciples' cultivation involved both medicine and poison, capable of offense and defense.
Just like the Five Profound Poison before them, it could both guard the cave entrance and attack those entering the formation.
Qian Ying led Xun Zhiya to retreat behind the Five Profound Poison, coming before Li Jin Shuang. She used pupil techniques to break Mei Liangyu's Heart Through the Eyes, trying to awaken Li Jin Shuang.
Zhongli Shan dodged the Sword Spirit's attack, circling behind the white bones to land beside Qian Ying. Though Xun Zhiya noticed, she was immobilized by Xing Chun's Yin-Yang Arts.
These two had somehow circled past the Sword Spirit's assault. Rather than retreating, they advanced, approaching the cave.
Just as Qian Ying awakened Li Jin Shuang, from the corner of her eye she met the gleam of Zhongli Shan's long sword, her heart trembling. Li Jin Shuang, just awakened, hadn't yet reacted, only feeling the surrounding space trembling as if intimidated by something, unable to resist, with all Five Elements energy flowing in the same direction.
As Li Jin Shuang looked up, Zhongli Shan's long sword had already pierced through Qian Ying's Mechanism Exquisite Heart, killing her with one strike.
Previously, Qian Ying's distance was too far, giving Zhongli Shan no opportunity. Now that she had returned to save Li Jin Shuang, she was eliminated.
Zhongli Shan's assault didn't stop. His sword tip turned, striking toward Xun Zhiya who was immobilized by Xing Chun's Yin-Yang Arts.
But golden mist had already drifted over. Five Profound Poison was about to reach his sword tip. Zhongli Shan's brow twitched slightly as he decisively retreated. Xun Zhiya also broke free from the immobilization, creating distance and hiding behind the Five Profound Poison.
Xing Chun shouted toward the cave: "Mei Mei! Five Profound Poison!"
His ice frost giant python also retreated. Even if Nine Schools Art materializations were contaminated by Five Profound Poison, they would be eliminated while transmitting poison to their master, causing Five Elements energy chaos.
Gu Qian emerged from the cave using shadow movement, appearing before Xun Zhiya, looking somewhat injured.
"Let's go." He glanced at the Five Profound Poison, and not seeing Qian Ying, knew what had happened. But now without Qian Ying, they couldn't continue fighting head-on.
Gu Qian's group used the Five Profound Poison's cover to leave the shallow water beach, their figures disappearing into the thick night.
Mei Liangyu emerged from the cave entrance. He and Xing Chun avoided the Five Profound Poison, coming to the cliff's base, temporarily unable to leave the shallow water beach.
Sheng Hao's group also hid at the cliff's base.
The two teams pressed against the cliff wall, staring at each other.
"How did you kill Qian Ying just now?" Mu Mengbai looked at Zhongli Shan puzzledly.
Zhongli Shan sheathed his sword. Just as he was about to explain, Pang Rong spoke first in a deep voice: "Sword Technique: Summon Fixed, Military School's Heavenly Mechanism sword technique. Targets within the sword technique's range are affected by the sword technique, unable to seek survival, Five Elements energy converges, certain death."
Mu Mengbai nodded in understanding, thinking Military School had too many blade and sword techniques for him to memorize completely.
After finishing, Pang Rong looked at Zhongli Shan: "Why wasn't your next sword aimed at Li Jin Shuang?"
Zhongli Shan said: "Xun Zhiya posed a greater threat."
After speaking, he frowned slightly, looking at Pang Rong: "How did you let Qian Ying release Five Profound Poison?"
Pang Rong said angrily: "Is this just my problem?"
Mei Liangyu looked toward Sheng Hao and Mu Mengbai.
Sheng Hao was happy about Qian Ying's elimination but unhappy that Gu Qian had escaped. In his emotional struggle, suddenly having blame thrown at him, he also said angrily: "How is this our problem? Didn't you also fail to stop Qian Ying?"
Mei Liangyu laughed: "Then how did Qian Ying die?"
Mu Mengbai waved his hands: "What death? Haha, just eliminated!"
Xing Chun spread his hands: "But you all fought for so long without eliminating anyone."
Sheng Hao retorted: "Wasn't that because you made the Sword Spirit go mad and block us?"
Zhongli Shan said: "The mad Sword Spirit attacked everyone, Qian Ying was also getting hit."
"But when it went mad and attacked everyone, I still had to save Mu Mengbai while he cast trigrams!" Sheng Hao's temple twitched severely.
Mu Mengbai nodded: "My trigram casting kept getting interrupted, so it didn't work. I even told Pang Rong to watch Qian Ying!"
Now everyone looked at Pang Rong.
After going full circle, the blame was thrown back to him. Pang Rong was furious, pointing at Sheng Hao and Mei Liangyu as he cursed: "Wasn't it because you two started attacking Gu Qian without a word? I said not to fight, but you insisted on fighting. Now look, trapped by Five Profound Poison and can't leave!"
After this outburst, the others fell silent.
Pang Rong angrily scolded everyone, ending up cursing alone while the others minded their own business, each finding their own spots to wait for the Five Profound Poison to dissipate.
Mei Liangyu's group could wait for Cang Shu and Shi Yuezhen to come remove the poison, so they weren't panicked.
Sheng Hao's group, wanting to leave without being affected by Five Profound Poison, had to wait with them, so they couldn't fight with Mei Liangyu's group for now.
……
When Yu Sui returned with Xue Mushi, it was still windy and thundery outside.
Yan Xiaochuan was guarding Su Tong. After seeing she was fine, he crouched at the cave entrance to patrol outside while waiting for Yu Sui's return.
He saw two returning figures from afar and was somewhat puzzled, but seeing Yu Sui was unharmed, he didn't attack.
Xue Mushi carried the firewood while Yu Sui explained to Yan Xiaochuan: "His name is Xue Mushi, a Taoist School disciple, also like me, a freshman who just arrived this year. We attended classes together at Yin-Yang School's Third Practice Hall."
She simply explained Xue Mushi's background and indicated their good relationship. Yan Xiaochuan had no wariness, naturally greeting Xue Mushi and helping him stack and light the firewood.
Yu Sui checked on Su Tong, touching her forehead. Her temperature was normal, she should be fine. Letting her rest well was also a form of recovery.
The three chatted quietly in turns keeping watch.
Yu Sui couldn't sleep well. Xue Mushi said he was embarrassed to rest immediately after arriving and would keep watch, so Yan Xiaochuan also went to sleep for a while, leaving the two of them guarding the cave entrance.
In the latter half of the night, thunder and rain came. The rain was initially heavy but gradually lessened as dawn approached.
Yu Sui only dozed briefly against the stone wall near dawn. Since they were waiting for Su Tong, she slept longer until Su Tong woke at noon.
After resting, Su Tong's complexion and condition were much better than yesterday.
Su Tong's gaze swept over the extinguished fire pile on the ground, looking up at the three people ahead. Yu Sui noticed her first, saying softly: "Senior Sister Su is awake?"
"Sister, can you still hold on?" Yan Xiaochuan turned his head. "We're discussing which transmission point to go to next."
Su Tong glanced at Xue Mushi: "I'm fine, nothing serious. Who is he?"
"He's Taoist School disciple Xue Mushi, his fortune-telling and divination skills are amazing!" Yan Xiaochuan praised.
Yan Xiaochuan praised him so much because Xue Mushi had just complimented his handsome appearance, saying he was an unparalleled talent who would have extraordinary encounters in the future. These flattering words made Yan Xiaochuan grin foolishly, greatly increasing his favorable impression of this new companion.
After all, even if Taoist School divination was one part truth and nine parts fiction, there was still that one part of truth. And who doesn't like hearing good things?
Hearing Yan Xiaochuan's praise, Xue Mushi's heart trembled. He hung his head, maintaining his usual wooden expression, saying to Su Tong: "Hello, Senior Sister."
He seemed like a well-behaved junior, and being Yu Sui's familiar friend, Su Tong only looked at him briefly before nodding, covering her shoulder as she stood: "I can't easily use Five Elements energy now. Having someone skilled in Taoist divination to help is perfect."
Though she could endure the lightning fire burning, it didn't mean it didn't hurt.
Yu Sui said: "Xue Mushi's luck is even better than mine. His copper coin divination seems to guide us to safer places."
Xue Mushi reluctantly took out copper coins, spreading them in his palm: "It might not be accurate, but if we try following this route, there shouldn't be any losses."
Su Tong's divination sense about Xue Mushi was also good. She nodded: "Then let's try it."
With Su Tong's approval, Yu Sui proceeded according to her planned route. Along the way, she constantly observed the movements of surrounding red dots. When they needed to avoid something, she would signal Xue Mushi to divine a route to the side.
Xue Mushi complied. The two cooperated seamlessly, traveling smoothly to the transmission point leading to dragon belly.
Yan Xiaochuan gave Xue Mushi a thumbs up in praise: "Having you in Taoist School is truly Taoist School's blessing!"
Xue Mushi scratched his head, saying slowly: "I guess so."
"If Senior Sister Su weren't here, you'd be the number one diviner in my heart." Yan Xiaochuan said with a serious face. "Really, we didn't encounter a single living person this whole way."
Xue Mushi said: "Maybe it's because the disciples over there all moved forward, and we're taking the rear route, so they couldn't encounter us."
Yan Xiaochuan came to the cave, looking at the School of Names "Mountain Stone Road Opening" formation ahead, rubbing his hands excitedly: "If we continue like this, smooth sailing all the way to the twelve sections of dragon belly."
Xue Mushi thought to himself, that really might not be the case.
Yan Xiaochuan activated the transmission array, and the four walked through the stone gate together, being transmitted to dragon belly's location.
The connecting transmission point showed no signs of people, only birds and beasts. Even the terrain seemed quite remote, with fewer trees, tending toward sandy stone ground. Even the mountains had become bare, with only exposed ridges remaining.
Yu Sui hadn't altered the terrain but used undiscovered, non-public transmission arrays with high concealment that wouldn't overlap with other Class A disciples' attack routes.
If she frequently altered terrain, it might attract the attention of instructors or Saints, so she chose to be conservative first.
Under Yu Sui's guidance and Xue Mushi's divination cooperation, they transmitted frequently. Though the route was somewhat circuitous, it was very safe.
Yan Xiaochuan was having a blast, exclaiming about so many transmission arrays. They advanced great distances in short time with no enemy pursuit. It didn't feel like challenging a trial but more like playing.
Su Tong looked at Xue Mushi with new respect, praising his divination skills.
Xue Mushi remained silent, being a "master" who only acted without speaking, since saying more led to more mistakes.
All four used Wind-Riding Techniques to travel, plus frequent transmissions greatly shortened time and distance. By nightfall, they had transmitted to the eighth section of dragon belly.
Red dots in this area were increasing. Besides main gathering points, scattered individuals were also in more remote places. They weren't the only ones wanting to avoid crowds and advance alone.
Yu Sui looked at the Dragon Slaying Cave map. Many people had reached the tenth section of dragon belly, with hundreds of red dots moving rapidly.
She crouched by the seawater washing her hands, considering whether to continue forward or try to find where Shi Yuezhen was.
Transmission arrays only went to the dragon throat position. Though some artificial scenery could be controlled, not everything in Dragon Slaying Cave was artificial. One-third of the natural scenery couldn't be altered through Five Elements energy received and converted by Number Mountains.
This meant the trial secret realms at dragon throat and beyond required breaking through with one's own strength.
The area before dragon throat was all transmission array battles between Class A disciples.
Yu Sui could now easily reach dragon throat, but to continue forward to dragon head required real strength.
She could guess that Saints from Taiyi Academy were definitely guarding the secret realms at dragon throat.
Yu Sui cupped seawater and let it scatter, listening to the splash sounds, glancing back: Yan Xiaochuan was asking Su Tong, who was crouching and resting, if she was hungry. Xue Mushi was fiddling with several copper coins in his palm, seemingly absent-mindedly playing with them while keenly noticing Yu Sui's glance.
Should they separate or continue together?
Yu Sui turned her eyes back, shaking off water droplets and standing to walk toward Su Tong.
They were at a seaside. Tonight the moonlight was brilliant, reflecting on the azure sea surface with sparkling waves. Distant islands appeared and disappeared in the night mist. Behind them were giant stones and sand forests. The terrain looked like the beach where Gu Qian had tried to kill Mei Liangyu that night.
This area was also artificial scenery, but the seawater hid natural scenery beyond control. Yu Sui observed at the seaside briefly before cautiously retreating.
Su Tong crouched under a giant stone, shadows covering her.
This afternoon and evening, she had been using Wind-Riding Techniques to travel, consuming excessive stamina. Her mind was somewhat dizzy. Half her body struck by golden thunder was burning with lightning fire heat, while the other half was chilled by the nighttime sea breeze.
Su Tong couldn't help pressing her temples. Even Mei Liangyu's Junior Sister could endure lightning fire burning, I can't show weakness like this!
But... it really hurts!
She mentally cursed Wen Yanghui again.
"Senior Sister Su, our current position is quite close. It's only the fourth day, Sister Yuezhen might also be nearby. Do you have any way to contact her?" Yu Sui walked to Su Tong's side and crouched down, asking obediently.
Su Tong blinked. Her reactions seemed slower due to pain. She turned to look at Yu Sui, saying slowly: "If there were Agricultural School transmission beasts, maybe we could contact her."
But their team had no Agricultural School disciples.
They hadn't encountered many living people along the way, much less been able to steal other Agricultural School disciples' transmission beasts.
Yan Xiaochuan looked at the azure sea surface thoughtfully: "I heard Senior Brother Sheng say that Dragon Slaying Cave has a rare treasure called 'Sound Crossing Water,' something that looks like a conch shell. Its transmission can reach from dragon head to dragon tail, covering all of Dragon Slaying Cave."
"Sound Crossing Water is underwater throughout Dragon Slaying Cave, with a chance of being found."
He turned back, his young face confident and bold: "Senior Sister Su, wait a moment. Maybe we'll find it right here in this sea."
Yan Xiaochuan turned back: "Divine Calculator Xue, let's go down and search together."
"Ah?" Xue Mushi was stunned. "I have to go too?"
"Of course, more people means more strength. Searching won't hurt." Yan Xiaochuan put his arm around his shoulder, leading Xue Mushi toward the seawater.
Su Tong watched them and smiled: "Sometimes I don't know whether to call him too optimistic or too much of a jinx."
No matter how desperate the situation, Yan Xiaochuan still believed there would be a solution and would work hard to break through.
"Yan Xiaochuan said something good this time." Yu Sui also smiled. "Maybe he'll really find it, and then we can call for Sister Yuezhen to find us."
She added: "Besides, there's Divine Calculator Xue. His divination has been perfect all along, avoiding many risks and letting us reach here smoothly. Senior Sister Su, we've been very lucky this trip."
Su Tong pressed her temples, smiling: "Too smooth. This speed is unbelievably fast. They ran for four days to get ahead, and we caught up in one day."
Because it was too smooth, she had even tried divining herself but found that the direction Xue Mushi led was indeed more fortunate than dangerous.
Su Tong could distrust others, but she would trust herself.
Yu Sui blurred the focus: "Because they started from dragon belly, it's about the same as us when you calculate it."
During their conversation, she was searching for "Sound Crossing Water's" location in the Number Mountains while monitoring Yan Xiaochuan and Xue Mushi's coordinates in the seawater, hoping they wouldn't enter the natural scenery sections, or she couldn't deliver the Sound Crossing Water to be "coincidentally" discovered.
Yan Xiaochuan was closer, and Yu Sui almost directly delivered "Sound Crossing Water" to his face.
Yu Sui patiently waited for Yan Xiaochuan to swim toward Sound Crossing Water's position, then retrieve it from underwater coral stones. Seeing Yan Xiaochuan beginning to surface, Yu Sui stood and walked toward the seaside, wanting to see what it looked like.
She had only found symbols corresponding to Sound Crossing Water in the Number Mountains to swap positions but had never seen the actual object.
Yu Sui stood by the seaside. Waves surged forward, wetting her dress hem. Just as Yu Sui lifted her skirt to retreat two steps, she felt dark clouds covering the moon. The sparkling water surface darkened, a huge shadow enveloped her, and ahead seemed to raise giant waves, making her look up in shock:
Heaven and earth were inverted.
She stood in clouds and mist, seeing ocean waves in the sky.
……
Su Tong stared blankly at the sea. Yu Sui's sudden disappearance left her stunned. She instinctively rubbed her eyes but still saw no trace of Yu Sui.
Her heart sank as she supported herself against the giant stone to stand, but heard splashing sounds.
"Senior Sister Su, I found it!" Yan Xiaochuan burst from the water, holding a snow-white conch shell carved like ice, excitement uncontainable in his eyes and brows.
"Stop, don't come over!" Su Tong said alertly. "Sui Sui just stood there and disappeared."
Yan Xiaochuan made a surprised sound, shocked by the changes outside the water.
Xue Mushi also emerged, but he appeared in the direction where Yu Sui had disappeared, coughing water as he swam forward.
Su Tong and Yan Xiaochuan simultaneously called out to warn him: "Divine Calculator Xue..."
Xue Mushi swam and swam until he disappeared too.
Yan Xiaochuan: "......"
Su Tong: "......"
The waves continued their unhurried lapping against the sand.
Yan Xiaochuan's eyes widened as he stared at where Xue Mushi had disappeared. After reacting, he shivered. That sea area seemed problematic.
"There might be a formation that was triggered. Try not to move toward that area." Su Tong said.
After Su Tong spoke, she looked at Yan Xiaochuan in surprise: "What you're holding... why is it melting?"
"Melting?" Only then did Yan Xiaochuan come to his senses, looking at the conch "Sound Crossing Water" in his hands. He found his hands full of cool water traces, and the ice-carved conch was indeed melting. "Oh no, does this thing have time limits too?"
Su Tong pondered: "Let's call for help, or I'm afraid Sui Sui and Xue Mushi will be eliminated in the formation."
Since they had reached the eighth section of dragon belly, she had no qualms about calling Shi Yuezhen back.
Yan Xiaochuan dared not rashly come ashore. The ice-carved conch was melting, so he could only inject Five Elements energy to activate "Sound Crossing Water." Because Yu Sui had disappeared, his call was somewhat anxious: "Medical School Senior Sister Shi Yuezhen!"
Sound Crossing Water transmitted his call to every part of Dragon Slaying Cave.
Disciples hearing someone use "Sound Crossing Water" for the first time were startled, and those already lying down to rest sat up, looking around for people.
At the shallow water beach of the ninth section, Mei Liangyu's group had waited a whole day for Shi Yuezhen's group to arrive and remove the Five Profound Poison.
As soon as the Medical School poison formation was lifted, Pang Rong and Sheng Hao immediately distanced themselves far from them.
With Yan Xiaochuan's call, everyone was stunned.
"Yan Xiaochuan?" Mu Mengbai was first to recognize. "Why is he calling Shi Yuezhen?"
Yan Xiaochuan continued: "Senior Sister Su Tong and Little Princess... Nangong Sui were struck by golden thunder. Senior Sister Su is calling you to help remove lightning marks. She's overexerted from casting formations and can't hold on!"
Su Tong on shore said irritably: "Don't talk nonsense!"
Shi Yuezhen, standing at the cliff base of the shallow water beach, raised an eyebrow slightly.
Zhongli Shan frowned, his expression darkening.
Sheng Hao, who was far away, first froze, then became furious: "Who used golden thunder? Where's Sui Sui? Yan Xiaochuan, explain clearly!"
Gu Qian, still wandering in the ninth section of dragon belly waiting for people, was also stunned. He instinctively looked toward the sky. Sui Sui was struck by golden thunder? When did she come to Dragon Slaying Cave?
Li Jin Shuang by the riverside frowned, a hint of worry in her eyes.
"We're at the eighth section of dragon belly, go south, follow the Big Dipper to the end at the sea area!"
Just as Yan Xiaochuan finished giving the location, the ice-carved conch in his hands completely melted.
After hearing the specific location, Mei Liangyu and Zhongli Shan were first to turn back and head south. Shi Yuezhen waved to Cang Shu: "You continue forward with Yi Yi and the others. I'll go back to check on Su Tong and Sui Sui."
Cang Shu nodded: "Alright."
"The eighth section of dragon belly?" Mu Mengbai was shocked. "Sister got here so fast!"
Sheng Hao walked toward the cave's transmission array with a dark expression. Pang Rong called out: "Why are you going back too?!"
Mu Mengbai explained: "Nangong Sui is his sister! You didn't know?"
Pang Rong, who really didn't know: "......"
Pang Rong gripped his sword hilt, his temple twitching severely, mentally roaring to disband the team!
……
Qingyang Imperial Capital had just welcomed sunset, with red fire filling the sky. Open red wooden windows faced the evening glow, and white paper on the desk was also tinged with yellow.
Zhongli Que had been painting halfway when she felt drowsy, unconsciously putting down her brush and dozing briefly on the desk.
Heavy consciousness rested in darkness but was awakened by prophetic visions that suddenly invaded her mind:
Yu Sui lay curled on an unknown ground, blood flowing like rivers around her. Though Zhongli Que couldn't see any wounds on her body, she could see invisible forces cutting her flesh and bones, removing them inch by inch, piece by piece.
Hysterical screams echoed in Zhongli Que's ears, heart-shattering.
She foresaw Yu Sui being tortured to Death by a Thousand Cuts.
Zhongli Que woke from the dream with a start, supporting herself on the desk with both hands, breathing rapidly, trembling as she reached for her Wind-Listening Ruler.