Chapter 522 - 392: The Strange Number, Thirty-One
As Chen Minzhi flipped over his half of the Jade Carving.
Cong Lv also helplessly turned over his own half.
On the back of the Jade Carving, one bore the number "three," while the other had "eleven."
Feng Xun, ever so astute, instantly understood.
To enter Cave No.2, two conditions had to be met simultaneously. The first was to unify the two halves of the Jade Carving into one.
The second was to fulfill the requirements stated on the back of the Jade Carving.
"Thirty-one people, which means we must have thirty-one people to enter Cave No.2," Chen Minzhi spread his hands.
He originally had eleven under his command, but unfortunately, one was not careful and died in the Array, plus the recent arrivals of Hong Mingyue and Feng Xun and others, now, the total headcount within Cave No.3... Beiqing was short of one person, with ten.
Daxia was short of three including Xiahou Qi, with two dead, totaling six people.
Kaijiang Prince Manor had one dead, making a total of ten people.
Heavenly Armor Sect had only Zhuge Yi.
Feng Xun and Sword Slave made two.
All the people together totaled up to twenty-nine.
Originally upon entering Xingxiu Cave, everyone hoped for fewer people, thinking that the fewer there were, the more resources each would receive.
Yet who could have imagined that the condition to enter Cave No.2 was so tricky, requiring thirty-one people to gain entry.
Thirty-one, a number without any significant connotations.
Chen Minzhi stopped Feng Xun because, at the moment, it was hard to find even one person.
After all, those who drew Cave No.3 and Cave No.4 were almost all present here.
Even then, they were still short of the required headcount.
Under these circumstances of last resort, Chen Minzhi and Cong Lv both considered the idea of venturing into Cave No.4 to snatch a few people to bring over.
The arrival of Feng Xun and Hong Mingyue was just in time, so Chen Minzhi, no matter what, would not let Feng Xun and Sword Slave leave.
"We are still short of two individuals. Just bring over Lan Cai'er and that little girl who were with Prince Feng earlier," said Hong Mingyue from the sidelines. Cave No.3 had been occupied by the Beiqing Delegation and people like Chen Minzhi, leaving no Spiritual Artifacts or Spirit Pills behind.
Both of the Nine Revolutions Reincarnation Elixirs had fallen into the hands of others. If she were to return empty-handed from this trip to Xingxiu Cave, Hong Mingyue would truly feel so frustrated she might injure herself internally.
She was eager to get into Cave No.2, even if it meant she had to personally go back and capture Lan Cai'er and Little Wuya as well.
"Those two cannot enter Cave No.2." Ling Yue's whereabouts were unknown, and Feng Xun was filled with anxiety. Under such circumstances, he could not allow Lan Cai'er and Little Wuya to be put in danger.
Hong Mingyue scoffed coldly.
She despised Prince Feng, for he had embarrassed her at Fengming Manor, and what she loathed even more was that Prince Feng fancied Ye Lingyue.
Hong Mingyue was just about to utter a scornful remark when she abruptly found herself the target of an icy, furious glare.
She noted Feng Xun's gaze, which was starkly different from that of Prince Feng previously; it was wild beast-like, capable of tearing someone apart in an instant.
A shiver ran down Hong Mingyue's spine, an inexplicable chill creeping into her heart. For a moment, she forgot to mock Feng Xun.
"Princess Qing Bi said that we should bring Brother Qi over too."
"I have no objections. We just need to make up the two people," Chen Minzhi said with a playful lift of the corners of his mouth, looking rather wicked.
Cong Lv remained silent, as if pondering something.
For a moment, opinions from all sides differed.
It was at this time that a voice, not too light nor too heavy, floated over.
"Why not include us?"
The light and breezy voice, upon reaching Feng Xun's ears, was like a thunderclap, causing him to suddenly look up.
He saw Ye Lingyue, standing not far away, with bright eyes and a light smile. It seemed as though the light of the sun, moon, and stars had gathered upon her in that moment, captivating and impossible to look away from.
Ye Lingyue passed through the Jade Carving and entered Cave No.3, happening to overhear the conversation of several people.
Little did she know that just as she began to speak, a familiar presence hit her.
"Feng..." Her words were not yet spoken when her slender waist was tightly embraced by a pair of unyielding arms, and Feng Xun, before the eyes of all present and without any reservations, pulled her into his embrace.
Ye Lingyue felt a bit stiff, aware that dozens of gazes were now focused on her and Feng Xun.
It was only a short separation, but Feng Xun felt as if it had been centuries. The person in his arms, her soft hair, warm and smooth skin, that same breath, it really was Ling Yue.
His Ling Yue, safely returned.
"Feng Xun, I'm fine," Ye Lingyue stuttered, quickly pushing Feng Xun away.
Feng Xun then realized there was a crowd behind him. He nonchalantly released her and after a final thorough glance at Ye Lingyue, confirmed she was unharmed except for a slight blush on her face.
Seeing Ye Lingyue suddenly appear, and observing Feng Xun and Ye Lingyue's interaction, the expressions of the crowd varied: Cong Lv looked somewhat helpless, Princess Qing Bi and Hong Yuying gritted their teeth, cursing the vixen under their breath.
Hong Mingyue's face was clouded with gloom.
Chen Minzhi, however, was examining Ye Lingyue as if he'd discovered a new continent.
Before he had a clear look, a tall figure blocked his view.
During his time in Beiqing, Feng Xun had several encounters with Chen Minzhi.
He never found Chen Minzhi disagreeable before, but today, for some reason, he felt a sense of aversion at the sight of him.
"Miss Ye, it's good to see you return safely. However, even with your addition, we are still one person short," Cong Lv coughed a few times, dissolving the awkwardness amongst everyone.
"Then what about adding it?"
As Ye Lingyue spoke, she raised her hand, and only then did everyone notice the small beast she was holding.
"What a cute little creature," Princess Qing Bi finally saw Little Zhiyo, realizing that the mongrel she previously spoke ill of was actually adorable.
Princess Qing Bi's eyes shone brightly, eager to go forward and hold Little Zhiyo.
"Qing Bi, Little Zhiyo doesn't like strangers getting too close," Feng Xun stopped Princess Qing Bi, who was still not giving up. She glanced at Little Zhiyo again and saw the small creature growling at her, baring its sharp teeth.
Princess Qing Bi was startled.
"The Jade Carving only mentioned thirty-one participants, but it didn't expressly state they must be thirty-one people. Since the number has been reached, let's rest for a bit before we enter Cave No.2," Cong Lv and Chen Minzhi quickly came to a decision after a brief discussion.
While resting, Feng Xun inquired about Ye Lingyue's experiences. She didn't mention the matter with Xue Pianran, only briefly recounting her encounter with Noble Princess Consort Luo, and remembering Noble Princess Consort Luo's final words, Ye Lingyue hesitated then decided to tell Feng Xun after leaving Xingxiu Cave.
As they were chatting, Ye Lingyue suddenly felt a chill on her back and turned to see Hong Mingyue staring at her intently.
"You're still not dead?" Hong Mingyue's gaze bore into Ye Lingyue.
"Heh—Princess Ming Yue, you wouldn't still be thinking of snatching the Nine Revolutions Reincarnation Elixir from me, would you? Let's not forget, we're all in the same boat now. Thirty-one people, and not one less," Ye Lingyue replied with a smile.