At the same time they exited the secret realm, the Nascent Divided Pearl flew out. Along with the other four pearls brought out by the other secret realm teams, they merged together. Then, they turned into several rays of white light and entered the foreheads of every single person that came out of the secret realms. A talisman inscription of the number '1' could be faintly seen floating off their foreheads.
The stone stairs to the second floor that they were basically unable to step on earlier, automatically floated under their feet, and then they dragged the groups up towards the bright place above them. Zhu Yao curiously touched the number '1' inscription on her forehead. It seemed like the inscription was their proof of passing the first floor, and the number was recorded based on the number of floors they passed.
The first floor was '1', so the second floor should be…
Wait a minute!
The thought of having the number '2' hanging above her head in the future instantly made her feel uncomfortable.
With the successful gathering of the five Nascent Divided Pearls, there were a total of nineteen people this time that passed the stage, and together, they flew towards the white light above them. In just a few moments, the crowd was enveloped by the white light. Zhu Yao watched as the white light flashed in front of her, and she could see flowing streams of light encircling their bodies. She suddenly felt like her mind was clear and refreshed, and the speed of her internal breathing seemed to have increased twofold. In the next instant, the crowd was already standing on a white stone stage, and the names above the heads of these Deities had all been refreshed as well. 'Level 1' could no longer be seen, and most of them were all 'Unknown Deities (Level 2)'. Was this a group level up?
This went the same for her squad as well. Above the squad captain's head was 'Nangong Huang (Level 3)', while next to him, the muscular group member's was 'Little Teal (Level 2)'.
Eh, something seems off?
Zhu Yao once again glanced at her master next to her and Yue Ying who was at the back. The names and levels of the three of them were still not shown. Could the system have glitched out or something?
However, even though they all fought the same mobs, why did Nangong Huang's level rise twice while Little Teal only leveled up once. Was it because as a party leader, he gained more experience?
The white light in the surroundings scattered off, and suddenly, a cry could be heard up ahead.
"He's here! Hurry and surround him so that he won't escape."
Zhu Yao heard a few shuffling sounds, and then, in front of her, she could see a large crowd of unknown Deities, with all their levels ranging between two and three. In an instant, they surrounded the nineteen of them with no paths of escape. Their pairs of eyes stared at the new groups intensely, and then, they looked at each one of them interrogatively and excitedly.
Zhu Yao was frightened as she looked at the people that surrounded them. Are they about to bully newbies to show off their power?
"Stop them. He's definitely among them."
"Inspect them carefully. Do not let him escape."
"This bunch is the first to come up here after receiving the news. He's definitely here."
"This is such a good opportunity, do not let him run."
A large crowd of Level 2 and Level 3 Deities began to discuss among themselves, anxiety and excitement could be faintly felt. They seemed to be looking for a person. Zhu Yao's heart clenched as she had a bad premonition. She could not help but tug onto her master.
"No need to worry." Her master instantly sent a voice transmission over. "We've never received the Floor Master's divine imprint. As long as we do not expose our mystic arts, they won't be able to recognize us."
Oh!? No wonder master wouldn't become the Floor Master no matter what. So it's not because of the trouble, but to prevent this? Master sure has thought things too far ahead, but isn't this unfair for a certain Floor Master? But… I still have to give him a thumbs up!
"Eh? None of these people have the aura emitted out by the divine imprints of the Lightning Divine Palace at all. Could it be that he isn't here?" As expected, a Deity that was among the pursuers frowned as he scanned the few Deities that had just entered the lower second floor carefully.
They're really looking for them!
"How's that possible?" Someone else discovered the problem as well. "Didn't the person that came up here before mention that he saw someone use lightning-type arts on the first floor? Theoretically speaking, he should be up here by now? Even if the Floor Master's divine imprint has been passed down, its aura shouldn't disappear so quickly. Could it be that we have to wait for the next batch?"
The surrounding crowd of Deities instantly had disappointed looks on their faces, and some of them had already begun to leave. Some still did not give up and squeezed their way in to inquire about the groups. "I don't believe it. The new Lightning Divine Palace disciple is definitely among them. What are all your names? Every one of you take turns. Is there anyone here with the Daoist title 'Yu'?"
Though the nineteen people that had just ascended were a little irritated and furious, they had just arrived here and they were not in the place to offend others. Every single one of them reported either their names or their Daoist titles. As more people reported their names, the more disappointed the surrounding Deities became. Very quickly, it was the fifty-fifth squad's turn.
Zhu Yao was instantly filled with confidence, and she lied without the slightest hiccup.
"I'm called Third Zhang".
Yu Yan: "Fourth Li."
Yue Ying: "Fifth Wang."
Zhonggu Lu: "Sixth Zhao." What the hell?
Nangong Cheng: "Seventh Sun." Eh? Why do I have to follow their naming conventions?
The faces of the Deities faintly twitched. Why did they feel as though something was off?
Only when the nineteen people had all reported their names did the crowd finally scatter with disappointed look on their faces. All of them returned to their various homes and find their mothers.
The bamboo-figure student Squad Captain Nangong was stunned for a moment as well. Why did I unconsciously speak out the name 'Seventh Sun', hey? Whatever. He turned to glance at his party members behind him. "Dongfang girly, we have to hurry to the Amway Hall to receive our next quest."
"There's an Amway Hall here as well?" Zhu Yao was stunned.
"But of course." Squad Captain Nangong said proudly, acknowledging that there were someone of higher rank than his. "Our Amway Group can be found in every floor of the lower ten floors."
"…" Just how many people do you have in your Amway Group?
The divine city in the second floor was much larger than the one in the first floor. The five of them searched around for a long time before they found Amway Group's sign at the corner of the east street. Compared to the first floor, there were more Deities in the Amway Hall in the second floor. They also saw the same flight of stairs at the very center of the streets, which should be headed to the lower third floor.
This time, when they returned to the Amway Hall, there wasn't a Deity at the counter. Instead, there was a small formation currently flashing in the hall. After looking at it carefully, the formation seemed to be similar to the one that led to the third floor, just that it did not have the layers of stone stairs.
Only after she asked did she find out that the formation was used to send messages to newcomers. Zhu Yao immediately placed the jade tablet, that she received on the first floor, into the formation. She then scanned it with her divine sense, and as she was told, there were now many additional things in the jade tablet, including the quest clear requirements and the map for this floor. After taking a closer look, compared to the previous floor, the quest of this floor was much harder. In summary, in the previous floor, it was a quest that made a group of people attack a single monster, while in this floor, it was quest that made a single person go up against a group of monsters.
The description was similar as well. Gather the Nascent Divided Pearls in order for them to merge and form into a gate access key. However, the number of pearls this time was a little much. Every single person needed ten.
"This jade tablet did not mention how we should go about obtaining the Nascent Divided Pearls. This quest is surely more difficult than the previous one." Squad Captain Nangong frowned. "Furthermore, the materials needed this time are too much. With just the five of us combining our forces, it would most likely still be a difficult task to achieve. Why don't we…" He suddenly turned to look at Zhu Yao, his eyes were burning with sparkles as he said. "Dongfang girly, let's use some backdoor methods!"
"…"
In a flash, a cold sword reflecting a chilling light was already hanging next to his neck.
"W-W-W-Wait, Daoist Beichen, don't be too agitated… I'm talking about taking people in… taking people in… I made a mistake with my choice of words, it's my mistake."
This mistake of yours is too far off the mark, right? Are you certain you didn't accidentally expose your true nature?
"Fellow Daoists, are you all from Amway as well?" A gentle, resounding voice suddenly rang out behind them.
When they turned to look, they saw a blast of clear wind. Radiant figures appeared in the entrance, and Zhu Yao suddenly felt the aura of bastar… Ah pui! She felt a tyrannical aura assaulting in their direction.
Chapter 368: Meeting Another Mary SueAmong the people that came, the woman was gentle and beautiful, while the men were dashing, making up a total of five men and one woman. At first glance, they were pleasing to the eye. Their bodies even seemed to be glowing, as though they were carrying special effects for making their first appearance. It would have been perfect if there was background music playing behind them.
The person who called out earlier was the woman walking at the center. She wore a pink long robe and had an especially sweet smile. She walked straight over and sized up the few of them. When her line of sight landed on Yu Yan who was next to Zhu Yao, she was slightly stunned for a moment. She then took a few steps forward and lightly asked. "Fellow Daoists, are you worried about the matter concerning the Nascent Divided Pearls as well?"
Though her words were directed at their entire group, her eyes were fixated on Yu Yan. She strangely blinked a lot more than normal, looking as though there were some things she wanted to say, but was too shy to do so. Clearly, Zhu Yao and Nangong Cheng were nearest to her, yet she covered a longer distance to ask her master. Zhu Yao's heart turned stiff for a moment as she took a step forward. What are you doing, huh? This man has an owner.
"Fellow Daoist, we are also worried about being unable to find helpers. Why don't we work together?" The woman acted as though she did not see Zhu Yao, and continued to look at Yu Yan with a face filled with smiles. Her smile carried a hint of playfulness, like the typical neighbour's little daughter next door. As for the five men next to her, they were looking at her with coddling smiles the entire time.
Yu Yan glanced at the person that suddenly barged her way in front of him and habitually frowned. The chilling air around his body grew a little heavier as he pulled over Nangong Cheng who was next to him. "Decide." This is your job, why are you slacking?
Nangong Cheng: "…" She didn't look for me, and you're blaming me?
"Fellow Daoist, I'm the captain of this squad. May I know what you mean by working together, young lady?"
"Ah, so you're the squad captain." The woman was stunned for a moment, and then her expression changed. Her face turned red from shyness, as she meekly glanced at Yu Yan. "I'm sorry, I…" With pure eyes similar to a fawn, and the hint of redness on her cheeks, her gesture could arouse the feelings of pity in every male creature's heart, making it unbearable for others to reprimand her for her actions. As a woman, Zhu Yao expressed that this was a skill that she hadn't witnessed before.
As expected, Nangong Cheng's expression immediately softened. "No worries. Daoist, do you plan on grouping with us?"
"Mn." She nodded. "I'm Mei Xue, and I'm a recent newcomer in the Amway Group as well. Ten Nascent Divided Pearls are simply too many. Also, the places with the Nascent Divided Pearls on the second floor are all extremely dangerous. That's why I wish to invite all of you to work together. May I know your answer?"
Nangong Cheng had a joyous look. The other party had six people, and including them, their numbers would total up to eleven. Their strength would ultimately double. Even if they had to face three demonic beasts at the same time, it wouldn't pose a problem.
"What a coincidence, we wanted to find more people as well. Daoist Mei Xue, your invitation is well-timed. Let me discuss about this with my fellow teammates, as long as they…"
"I object." Zhu Yao raised her hand.
"Dongfang girly!" Nangong was stunned for a moment.
Zhu Yao patted on Nangong Cheng's shoulder. "Squad Captain Huang, you and Little Teal can join their squad. My master and I shall not intrude."
"Don't do that, Dongfang girly. We all came from the lower first floor together, so we're already considered to be tied by fate. Why do you want to leave?" Also, I'm not Squad Captain Huang.
Just as Zhu Yao was about to explain, Mei Xue suddenly stepped out and butted in. "This big sis… These Nascent Divided Pearls are very hard to obtain. With every new member, there will be a higher chance of success. Also, we have already been on this floor for several days, so we are extremely familiar with the terrain. With more helpers, we can definitely reach the third floor faster. Why is big sis making it difficult for your squad captain?" She said with a painful expression, as though Zhu Yao's rejection towards teaming up with them was something unfair.
"Does this concern you?" What does this have to do with you!? This person must be sick, right? Why the hell did you pull aggro towards me for no reason?
Zhu Yao rolled her eyes. She did not have a good impression of her in the first place. This time, she couldn't be bothered to care about her and continued to speak with Nangong Cheng. "Squad Captain Huang, the Nascent Divided Pearls of the second floor are not in secret realms, and there's no requirement of activating them altogether at once. Though the required amount is a little more than before, it isn't impossible for us to gather them all slowly by ourselves. For now, I have no intentions of forming another group, let us say our goodbyes here then." Actually, when she saw the information earlier, she already had the intention of moving alone. The hatred towards Lightning Divine Palace was simply too large, if they were to move together, not only wouldn't they be able to cast lightning-type arts, there might be possibilities that they would be exposed somehow. If it was just her and her master, then they wouldn't have much scruples about such things.
"Wait!" Mei Xue realized that they were truly intent on leaving. She suddenly stepped forward and tugged onto her sleeves. "Big sis, you…"
"Stop!" Zhu Yao interrupted her. "One, I don't have a younger sister. Two, you already said that you've been on this second floor for several days. It's my first day today, and I've never heard of you in the Divine Realm either, which proves that your stay here in the tower is much longer than mine, so you're definitely older than me. Calling me big sis… don't you feel you're acting a little too cutesy? Third, this is our first encounter, so why the hell are you pestering me this much?"
"…" Mei Xue's face stiffened, and suddenly, her eyes reddened, as though she had just suffered some great injustice. Zhu Yao instantly received five sets of killing intent from behind. "I… I'm doing it for your own good too. I want everyone to be together… If big sis isn't willing, then I… I…"
"It's fine, Xue'er." A green-robed man on her right suddenly stepped out. He glared at Zhu Yao for a moment, and then coldly snorted. "In this world, there are always such people who are blind and do not know their place. Not everyone is as kind as you. You do not have to feel sad for such people."
"…" The hell. I just want to leave the party, and I'm not leaving your party either. How am I blind and unaware of my place? Who are these brain-deficient people?
"I'm alright." Mei Xue shook her head. Then, she looked at Zhu Yao again and said. "I just feel that big sis will definitely regret her insistence on acting alone, and it will definitely implicate the Daoist that is with you." She then looked at Yu Yan with sincere eyes. "This Daoist, I hope that you think this through as well. The second floor cannot be compared to the first floor."
"Hoho!" Zhu Yao side-stepped and stood in front of her master. Those eyes of hers gave Zhu Yao the feeling that she was being robbed. "From what you're saying, for someone like me who insists of working alone, all the more I shouldn't join your group and drag all of you down. Shouldn't you thank me for that?"
Mei Xue was stunned for a moment, and instantly, her eyes turned even redder. Her expression grew even pitiful than before and the glittering from the reflection of tears could be seen. "I… I, big sis doesn't like Mei Xue? Is that why you don't agree to teaming up with my group?"
"That's right!" Zhu Yao nodded.
Everyone present was dumbfounded. No one had expected that she would admit it so directly.
"I don't like you!" Zhu Yao seriously said. "I don't even know where you come from, yet you insist of preventing me from leaving. There must be something wrong with me if I were to like you. I thought you knew, but you actually didn't?"
"You…" The green-robed male Deity from earlier was instantly enraged. "You dare to be impolite towards Xue'er!" In an instant, a powerful pressure came pressing down at her, and it was filled with killing intent.
Zhu Yao was startled. She never expected that he would attack her so straightforwardly, and she couldn't react at that moment. Just as the pressure was about to land on her, the side of her waist tightened as she was pulled directly into Yu Yan's embrace. In the next moment, an even more powerful pressure that carried a chilling intent was sent back. In an instant, a terrifying aura enveloped the entire Amway Hall. The green-robed male Deity was unable to stabilize himself, and he puked out a mouthful of blood from the divine energy rebound.
"Big brother Ye Yu!" Mei Xue cried out in surprise. She hurriedly held onto him before he could fall onto the ground. The others were not in great shape either. Though the pressure was not targeted at them, their hearts clenched, and cold sweat dripped down.
The other four men instantly paled as they looked at Yu Yan with bewildered eyes. Someone who had just arrived on the second floor actually had such incredible strength.
Yu Yan coldly glared at the crowd. In an instant, the temperature of the room fell by a few degrees. "Argument, yes. Fight, no!" Daring to injure his disciple right in front of him, were they treating him as blind?
At that moment, everyone present did not utter a sound. The few men with peerless looks especially had heavy expressions on their faces. The female Deity called Mei Xue on the other hand, had a hint of dazzling light flashing past her eyes as she looked at Yu Yan. Then, the light immediately disappeared as she changed into a worried expression and held onto the injured green-robed male Deity. Zhu Yao frowned. A strange feeling welled inside her the depths of her heart. She faintly sensed that something was amiss, but she couldn't figure it out.
Yu Yan turned around, looked at Nangong Cheng, and coldly spoke these two words. "Leaving group!"
"Ah?" Nangong Cheng was stunned for a moment, and then he immediately nodded. "Ou."
Yu Yan did not stay for idle chatter either. He grabbed onto his disciple and left. This time, their exit was a success with no one daring to stop them. See? Who says violence can't solve problems?
They flew straight towards a forest south of the divine city, seeking the whereabouts of the Nascent Divided Pearls. Recalling the incident from earlier, the strange feeling in the depths of Zhu Yao's heart grew even heavier. That Mei Xue was constantly giving her a strange familiar feeling, especially that party configuration consisting of five men and one woman.
The looks and demeanour of those five male Deities were all decent. Even in the Divine Realm where the people's appearances were beautiful to the point of being off the charts, they were considered to in the upper tier, and they were not lacking much compared to her master either. Furthermore, their levels were all three, which meant that they were leaders in their own rights on this second floor. She just couldn't figure out why they would bring along Mei Xue who was level one.
That's right! Mei Xue was level one! When Zhu Yao noticed her level, she was shocked as well. She was the first level one player that Zhu Yao saw in this lower second floor. Furthermore, from the eyes of those few men, they were not your average companions among Daoists. Instead, they looked like… the eyes of lovers! Five to one, uh… their taste was incredibly heavy.
Wasn't this the standard of a Mary Sue story?
Zhu Yao stopped her feet, as something rang in her mind. She linked up the clues and figured out what this strange feeling was. She was too similar to Yi Ling from before. They both had appearances of a white flower, they both had the Mary Sue attribute, and they were both surrounded by a bunch of men that would die for their sakes. Furthermore, they both wanted to pull beautiful men into their harems at first sight. However, why didn't her face have the word 'bug' on it?
She was simply walking on the harem route, but not the world destruction route? Or was the Lightning Divine Tower a separate world? Why did she feel that a person like that was even more terrifying!? That girl's a human-shaped biological weapon that attracts attention wherever she goes!
"Master…" She pulled the man next to her and hugged him tight. Raising her head, she said with a stern tone. "Promise me, just like how the Fifth Prince promised Xiao Yanzi, cherish your disciple and stay far away from Mary Sue Mei Xue, alright?" If you dare to have a change of heart, I will take my revenge on society.
Yu Yan was stunned for a moment. He looked at stupid disciple a little strangely, and then, with a frown, he asked. "Who is Mei Xue?"
"…"
Alright then. Face-blindness saves the world.
Chapter 369: Please Call Me Lei FengZhu Yao carefully looked at the map, and then glanced at the surrounding trees that were as tall as the clouds.
"Master, why are we here?"
"Naturally, to find the Nascent Divided Pearls." Yu Yan replied seriously.
"Are you certain we can find one here?"
He reached out his hand to stroke her head. "Previously, the Nascent Divided Pearl was inside a demonic beast's body, and demonic beasts usually conceal themselves within dense forests."
"But master… We have already circled around for a month?"
"Demonic beasts do not emit out auras, so we are unable to find them with our divine senses."
"But we have already walked through this path three times today." Are you sure we're not lost?
The white figure in front of her stiffened for a moment. Then, he immediately said with a stern look once more. "Do not be anxious." Saying that, he turned towards another small road.
"Master, we came from that road earlier."
"…" His figure paused for a moment, and then, he decisively turned towards another road. Mn, he simply wanted to have a closer look. He definitely wasn't lost.
Zhu Yao caught up to him with a darkened expression. So her master was not just face-blind, but had a poor sense of direction as well. Without the GPS known as divine sense, he was completely unable to find his way. It's no wonder he's a shut-in?
In the next few days, a certain master completely demonstrated his basic conduct as someone with no sense of direction.
"Master, we walked through that road before."
"Master, at the end of this road is the riverside which we rested at earlier."
"Master, we crawled up from that boulder over there earlier. Did you forget?"
"Master, stop marking on this tree. You have already marked it four times, this makes it the fifth."
"Wait! Master, why are you turning back? We just came from there."
"Master…"
"Yu… Yao!" Yu Yan frowned as he finally stopped. He pulled in his disciple and said with a stern expression. "Your master feels that it's best that we search from the sky, and use our divine senses to probe the area."
The corner of Zhu Yao's lips twitched. "Master, weren't you the one who said that we can't use our divine senses to search for demonic beasts?" You're just trying to escape the fact that you have no sense of direction, right?
"Your master feels that for something such as Nascent Divided Pearls, they might not all be inside demonic beasts." He analyzed with a serious look.
"… Master, are you certain you're not lost?" Enough, enough! I know you have no sense of direction already. Please pass me the authority to lead the way, alright?
"Nonsense." A certain master still kept up his stern expression. "Previously on the first floor, among the five Nascent Divided Pearls in the five secret realms, not all of them were found within demonic beasts. It must be the same for this place as well."
"Then master thinks that…" Enough! Though having no sense of direction isn't an illness, please do not give up treatment!
"The Nascent Divided Pearls. They might be somewhere else."
"Hoho…" Master, the way you're quibbling is so refreshing. She took a deep breath, and casually picked an unknown fruit from the tree next to her. "If it's not inside demonic beasts, are you saying they can even be grown from trees?"
Ting!
You received 1 Nascent Divided Pearl. Gate Key 2 – Completion Rate: 1 / 10
Zhu Yao: "…"
Yu Yan: "…"
Yue Ying: "…"
She looked at the fruit in her hand that suddenly turned into a green pearl, staring at it silently for three seconds…
They're really growing from trees, hey!
Where's your most basic conduct as a quest item? Do you have to be this random?
"Mn, it seems the path that your master has chosen isn't wrong."
"…" Master, do you have to be this shameless?
Zhu Yao carefully inspected the tree, and it looked extremely normal. If not for it being filled with fruits hanging on its branches, it wouldn't even have any decorative value either. Furthermore, the fruits on the trees were extremely green. Just by looking at it, she knew that they were the type where their sourness would seep into her tastebud with just a single bite. However, a tree like this was actually filled with Nascent Divided Pearls. At that moment, Zhu Yao felt that she had truly stepped on dog shit.
It seemed like them circling around this forest for more than a month was not a fruitless effort.
All of them grabbed ten each. After hearing a series of notification bells, the ten Nascent Divided Pearls merged into a colourful marble-like pearl. Written on it was 'Gate Key (2)'.
Zhu Yao never expected that they would pass this stage so easily this time. It was so easy, she couldn't believe her own eyes. After adjusting themselves, they decided to hurry back to the previous divine city and head up to the third floor.
This time, they did not need to look for demonic beasts, and so they could wantonly use their divine senses to look for the path back. In the end, after scanning through, she found out that they were actually at somewhere extremely north of the second floor. Zhu Yao recalled that when they left the city back then, they had clearly gone south. Yet, they actually managed to find their way to the northern side. She had to admit that her master's standard of direction sense was already beyond godlike.
"Let's go." Yu Yan held his disciple with his usual look, and flew up into the air. They, he headed straight in the direction of the divine city. In the depths of his heart, he was already experiencing waves of joy. With the powerful GPS known as the divine sense, a certain master had instantly turned into an expert guide as he picked the nearest road. He could finally fly confidently, fly freely, and fly willfully! His disciple no longer had to worry about him not having a sense of direction either!
Because they made an incredibly huge detour in the beginning, they naturally did not pick the same road as before. Zhu Yao thought that their speed would increase dramatically, but her master suddenly stopped after flying for an hour and stayed in the air.
"What is it?"
Yu Yan frowned as he looked towards the distance. "There's people in front of us."
Zhu Yao swept her divine sense through, and indeed, there were auras of Deities in the surroundings. However, they were quite a distance away, so she couldn't get a clear sight of them. Furthermore, a faint scent of blood was lingering in the air. "Who is it?"
He did not reply, instead, his expression simply turned heavier.
Though, Yue Ying at the side spoke up. "It's the people we formed a squad with before."
"Our former squad?" Zhu Yao was stunned. "Squad Captain Nangong Huang!? Let's go over!"
She increased her speed and immediately flew in the direction where the scent of blood was coming from. As she had expected, fifty kilometers away, Former Squad Captain Nangong was lying on the ground covered in blood. He was missing an arm, and the wound there was uneven, as though it was tore out by something. A large pool of fresh blood stained the ground as he panted, half-kneeling on the ground. His aura was unstable, and even the number above his head was constantly flashing between '2' and '3'. Was he about to drop a level?
"Nangong Huang!" Zhu Yao could not help but call out.
"I'm called Nangong Cheng." The person on the ground roared back out of habit, and then he was stunned when he saw Zhu Yao. "Why is it you? Why… are you all here…"
"I'm the one who should be asking you that. Why are you injured so heavily? Where's the others?" Zhu Yao cast a few arts to stop his bleeding. Wasn't he in a squad with that Mary Sue? Why was he here alone?
"The others…" Just as he was about to explain, he suddenly recalled something and pushed her away. "Hurry and leave this place. Otherwise, it will be too late."
"What?" Before Zhu Yao could even figure out the situation, she hearing a sharp and terrifying roar. The surrounding atmosphere felt as if it had dropped by several dozen degrees as a bone-piercing chilling wind blew.
"It's too late!" Squad Captain Nagong's face instantly turned miserably pale.
"Yu… Yao!" Yu Yan pulled up his disciple and shielded her behind him. Forming hand seals with his two hands, various inscriptions instantly flew out of his hands. At that moment, spanning a territory of several dozen meters in radius, a transparent barrier was instantly erected. Dozens of enormous spiritual swords descended from the sky, circling around the surroundings and firmly protecting the people within.
This was… the Five Ways Sword Spirit Formation! A defensive formation that merely second to the Nine Tribulations Five Ways Lightning Formation of Lightning Divine Palace!
The moment the formation was completed, the surroundings rumbled. Several hundreds of demonic beasts of various types and sizes appeared. They then began to wildly crash against and bite the barrier.
Zhu Yao was stunned. Earlier, there wasn't even a single movement. Just where the hell did all these demonic beasts come from?
"It's no use." Nangong Cheng's face turned ash-grey in defeat as he looked at the three people in front of him with eyes filled with guilt. "This demonic beast is lured over by an Annihilation Formation. More and more of them will appear. Forget about the three of you, even if there's thirty of us, we definitely wouldn't be able to defeat all of them."
Annihilation Formation…
The Annihilation Formation that would annihilate all living beings! Who would place down such a formation?
Yu Yan frowned even deeper. He directly called out his own Life Artifact, the lightning sword, and took a few steps forward.
"I'm sorry… for pulling you all down." Nangong Cheng looked at Zhu Yao with a face filled with guilt.
"Do not speak for now." Zhu Yao cast an art to temporarily stop his bleeding, and then entered his body to inspect it with a strand of divine sense. She realized that his internals were damaged especially heavily, and even his meridians were about to turn into mush. His Dantian even had the dangerous traces of cracking. She immediately sat down in a lotus position behind him. "Focus and calm yourself, I will help restore your Dantian and heart meridians.
"Nevermind!" Nangong however shook his head. "We are not even able to escape now. You will just be wasting your divine energy. Dongfang girly, don't care about me any longer. I can't live for long anymore. If you all of you charge out with all of your strength, there might be a sliver of hope…"
"What's with all these nonsense that you're spouting!" Zhu Yao ignored his words and immediately slammed her palm onto his chest and inserted a strand of divine energy into his body. This strand stabilized his collapsing Dantian with all its might.
Nangong Cheng still insisted on explaining. "There are so many demonic beasts, and not to mention, they are demonic beasts with an extremely dark attribute. If you bring me along, you guys basically can't escape at all. Take this opportunity where the demonic beasts are not stacking up yet and flee."
"Shut up!" She did not realize it before, but he was even a chatter.
"I'm being serious, Dongfang girly!" Nangong Cheng was anxious. He persuaded her while spitting out blood. "This gratitude for helping me, this old man shall pay back in my next life.
However, this crowd of demonic beasts are all extremely dark beasts that stay in the north. Only lightning can deal with them effectively. You guys beat them." The more he spoke, the more he felt despair. "If we don't leave now, we won't make it in time. Unless you guys are capable of inviting the people of Lightning Divine Palace…"
Rumble!
Before he could even finish, lightning sparks lighted up the entire sky. Lightning bolts with the width of a bucket and descended from the sky. The lightning bolts that surrounded the encircling demonic beasts struck fiercely. In the sky, a snow-white figure was currently holding onto a lightning sword. Even with a light swing, lightning sparks continued to fill the sky.
Eh!?
"Light… Lightning… Lightning Divine Palace!" There must be something wrong with how I got injured. Why the hell does Daoist Beichen know how to wield lightning-type arts!? "Dong… Dongfang girly!"
"What?" Zhu Yao used this opportunity to guide out her divine energy and sealed four out of five of his damaged meridians. Then she stabilized his near-collapse Dantian, before standing right up.
"He… Is he really your master?"
"Mn."
"Direct disciple?"
"Of course!" If he's not my direct master, are you telling me that you're my master?
"…" Didn't they say that only a single person from Lightning Divine Palace had entered? When did it become a total of three?
Chapter 370: It's Definitely Not That Easy"Yu… Yao." Yu Yan swept away the demonic beasts and immediately flew over. He glanced at Squad Captain Huang who was no longer in a critical state. "Let's go."
Zhu Yao nodded and then grabbed Nangong Huang off the ground. "Off we go!"
"Wait!" Nangong Cheng reached out towards the ground and seemed to have picked something up, before allowing himself to be pulled by Zhu Yao. Following Yu Yan, they flew towards the cleared path which was blasted open by the lightning strikes.
After flying up did they realize just how many demonic beasts were roaming in the surroundings. The entire place was shrouded in thick darkness. At the very least, their numbers were up in the high thousands. It was no wonder they had circled around the forest without bumping into a single demonic beast. They had all run over here.
Yu Yan summoned a lightning dragon. Zhu Yao did not stay idle either and directly summoned her Life Artifact – 'Patch' Sword. With a light swing, she easily released her sword intent. A phoenix which was formed by red lightning bolts, along with her master's lightning dragon, instantly swept open a single road in front of them.
The demonic beasts that were scattered towards the surroundings, once again began to gather.
"Charge out!" Yu Yan grabbed onto his disciple and flew towards the swept-open path while blowing away the leftover demonic beasts. Zhu Yao was just about to catch up, when she suddenly stopped once more. Lowering her head, she looked at the bottom, at the figure that was standing at the very center of a formation. She could not help but call out. "Hurry."
The figure below was stunned for a moment, and then immediately after, the corners of his lips stretched upwards, looking as if he had just felt the spring breeze. His smile, that looked as though he had been given a new lease of life after being frozen in ice for so long, was as if he had just found hope to continue living on.
Zhu Yao's heart sank, and she somehow began to feel a little irritated as she continued forward. Only then did the figure on the ground flash and appear behind her. He still maintained that considerable distance, but compared to the complete lack of presence before, he seemed to now possess a hint of life.
They flew straight back towards the forest they got lost in, and only after they could no longer hear a single beast howl did they finally stop.
Yu Yan searched for a rather concealed valley so that Nangong Cheng could tend to his wounds. Though his injuries were really severe, since Zhu Yao was able to seal his meridians and protect his Dantian in time, his foundations were not damaged. Adding that he was Demonic Immortal in the first place, he had a powerful body and his recovery power was much faster than regular Deities. After a few hours, the wounds on his body had all begun to close,. Though, a little more time was needed for his severed arm to regrow.
The level above his head dropped by one, from the initial '3' to the '2' now. He was now exactly the same as his gay friend Zhonggu Lu.
"Dongfang girly, really, thank you very much. I… I…"
"No need for thanks, call me Lei Feng! Oh right, where's Little Teal?" Zhu Yao suddenly recalled. "Did the two of you split up? Why are you the only one here?"
"I'm not. He's right here!" Nangong Cheng reached out his hand to pick up a bloodied object that had been placed next to him.
Zhu Yao took a serious look at the thing in his hand. It was completely stained in blood, and was something similar to a bundle of withered grass roots. "This… Is this straw?" And it's harvested too.
"This daddy is a Flower Deity!" The withered grass on Nangong Cheng's suddenly leapt up, and then shook four of its branches about. "You actually compared me to those extremely ugly grass roots. How are they as handsome and suave as me?"
This voice is…
"Little Teal!?" Zhu Yao was shocked. She cast a Dirt Removal Art on it, revealing a yellow branch that looked as though it hadn't been watered for several hundred years. A flower was grown at the center of it, though its four petals were all distorted together, as though they could wilt and fall off at any moment. "You're actually a Flower Deity? There are not many spirits capable of cultivating in High Deities. You're rather incredible." The cultivation of spirits were usually quite low. This was the first time she saw one that could reach the level of a High Deity and enter the Lightning Divine Tower.
"W… Well, at least you have some… eyes." It shook about its dried plum-like leaves, and then, at the same time, folded them a little. "But, even if you praise me like that, I… I won't be really happy either."
(￢_￢)
Even though he was clearly really happy!
"Why are you back in your original form?" Zhu Yao looked at the two of them back and forth. Did you two formed a group with Mei Xue? Why are you two the only ones left here? Where are they?"
The leaf that Zhonggu Lu raised once again wilted down. Nangong Cheng had a furious look as well, as he gnashed his teeth audibly.
"Don't bring it up. My eyes were blind for mistakenly trusting those shameless people." Nangong Cheng angrily told them the events that happened after they left. "Initially, we agreed to come over to the north to search for demonic beasts with Nascent Divided Pearls in them. However, that ridiculous Mei Xue wanted to head to the depths of this dense forest, explaining that she had just obtained an ancient secret formation. She said that as long as we bring in all the demonic beasts inside the formation, we can obtain Nascent Divided Pearls without even lifting a finger. However, who knew that the so-called formation she spoke of, was actually an Extermination Formation?"
"This daddy here has lived for so long, yet I've never seen such a stupid person before." Zhonggu Lu interrupted. "That Extermination Formation is capable of exterminating all living beings, but those demonic beasts cannot be considered living beings in the first place. They are unkillable and unexterminable, their births are tied to fate itself. They are creatures without souls. The moment she unleashed the Extermination Formation, all other living beings died, leaving behind the demonic beasts. How is that seeking Nascent Divided Pearls? We're clearly seeking a beating there!"
Uhh… She certainly was not aware that this particular Mary Sue's thought process would be this surprising and fresh.
"Haah… We actually had a chance to escape." Nangong Cheng continued. "The moment the Extermination Formation activated, I realized something was amiss, and informed everyone to hurry and retreat. However that girly called Mei Xue insisted that the formation was effective, and wasn't willing to leave even if she had to die. And those squadmate of hers, every single one of them was blind as well. The moment she put it that way, all of them actually believed her. Only when the demonic beasts come chasing were they finally willing to believe that was an Extinction Formation."
"Then why were you two there?" When she discovered them earlier, there weren't presences of any other formations in the surroundings, and the place did not look as if a formation that could exterminate all living beings had been activated. This proved that they had already escaped.
"Haah…" Nangong Cheng's expression grew even uglier. "We desperately wanted to slaughter out way out. By combining the strength of all eight of us, it shouldn't have been impossible. Who knew that the female Deity Mei is merely a decoration? Forget about crying throughout the entire journey, the others even had to split some of their attentions to protect her. There were several times where we were this close to being devoured by demonic beasts, but those five people seemed to have taken the wrong medicine and all went to protect her. In the end, Brother Zhonggu Lu and I were the only ones left killing the enemies." The longer he spoke, the angrier he became as he painfully gritted his teeth. "I simply told her off a little, and then she began bursting out in tears, making a ruckus and saying things like wanting to commit suicide, not wanting to pull us down. The hell, just what kind of situation did she think we were in back then? Yet she still wanted to make a ruckus. If she wanted to cause a ruckus, then do it. Charge right into the mouth of a demonic beast and end it right there and then. Yet she still wanted to go crazy and wanted to snatch my weapon away to commit suicide using it."
"Uh…" This is an Oscar award nominee, young man. "And then?"
"Then…" His expression darkened, his teeth gnashed resoundingly. "After that, the other five Daoists went crazy as well. They actually wanted to fight me because of her, initiating duels and whatever! The hell, just what kind of situation did they think we were in? They actually wanted to duel me right there and then! If not because she was female, I really wanted to bite her to death!"
It seemed like there were deep internal conflicts huh. "Then… how did you guys get out?"
Nangong Cheng took a few deep breaths, before he slowly said. "Brother Zhonggu Lu used up all the divine energy in his body and ignited a shattering technique, blasting open a crack. We were then able to escape the Extermination Formation and arrive in that dense forest. That was how my arm was shredded off as well. After we got out, we split from the group. After that, because my injuries were too severe, I could no longer muster any energy to fly and fell into that dense forest. I was then caught up by those demonic beasts."
It's no wonder Little Teal reverted back to his original form.
"If Dongfang girly hadn't appeared in time, even if I wasn't eaten by those demonic beasts, my Dantian would have most likely been shattered, and my cultivation would been destroyed." He said with a gratitude. "Thank you, Dongfang girly."
"We were passing through anyway." Zhu Yao patted on his shoulders and said with a proud look on her face. "You don't have to be courteous with me now, Squad Captain Nangong Huang."
"…" I'm Nangong Cheng!
"Your Dantian is fine now, but it will take some time for your meridians. As for Little Teal…" She looked at the withered plant next to her, and inspected it with her divine sense. She discovered that there really wasn't the slightest bit of divine energy in his body. How was she going to heal a damaged plant? Could it be…
"Hey, what's with that face of yours that looks like you're about to give me fertilizers?" Zhonggu Lu suddenly straightened up. It shook its two leaves forward, making a large cross.
"Little Teal, you don't have to be so sensitive! I never thought of giving you fertilizers."
"Then it would be something close to…"
"I just wanted to water you."
"…"
Student Zhonggu Lu firmly resisted against all unreasonable cultivating actions. Through its words, it resolutely rejected all of Zhu Yao's kind intentions of watering it and providing it fertilizers. Zhu Yao expressed that she was really sad. Raising flowers or whatever, was something she specialized in. In the modern era, the flowers and plants that she raised were all immensely beautiful. Her techniques were definitely on the professional level. She never expected she would be despised for it.
Left with no other choice, they could only plant it in soil. In order to make it convenient for travel, she even especially used earth-type mystic arts to make it a flower pot, so that it can be carried around easily. Mn. I'm a little excited as to what type of plant Little Teal is!
The moment student Little Teal entered the flower pot, it sank into deep sleep. Squad Captain Nangong's injuries still needed to be tended to as well. Zhu Yao had no choice but to put aside her floor rising plan and stay in this valley for a night. Tomorrow, she would then head over to the center of the divine city and raise her level.
Turning around, she glanced at the two people who were in meditation and deep sleep. She could not help but let out a sigh. "They sure were unlucky." Mary Sues were terrifying alright. She didn't do anything much, and she ended up landing them in such pitiful states. Zhu Yao then pulled her master over from the side and once again reminded him. "Cherish your life, stay far away from Mary Sues."
"Yu… Yao." Yu Yan glanced at the two people and frowned. "I'm afraid this matter isn't that simple."
"Ah?" Zhu Yao was stunned for a moment.
"From what I know, though Extermination Formations are powerful, they do not have the capabilities to lure in demonic beasts."
"What do you mean?"
"Have you ever wondered why these two people were still constantly chased by those demonic beasts even after they left the formation?" He said with a calm look. "Or should I say, just the two of them?"
"…" Zhu Yao's heart sank, her eyes widened. "Master, you're saying…"
He nodded. "I believe the Nascent Divided Pearls within the Extermination Formation had all been cleared out by now."
"…"
Chapter 371: Two-Person InstanceZhu Yao returned to investigate the Extermination Formation, and as her master had said, the place had been cleared up nicely. It was a barren wasteland within a hundred kilometers radius. Forget about Nascent Divided Pearls, even the demonic beasts had disappeared. She even intentionally circled around the area, yet she did not even discover a single one.
"Other formations have been mixed within the Extermination Formation." Yu Yan solemnly said. "Most likely, one of the formations was used to lure in demonic beasts, and the formation core was on one of their bodies."
Zhu Yao's heart turned chilly for a moment. She thought that Mei Xue was like Yi Ling, a white lotus with excessive hormones. Never did she expect that she was actually a black-hearted lotus. Most likely, she had already planned on using Squad Captain Nangong and Little Teal right from the start.
Though there were many ways to obtain Nascent Divided Pearls, they were all in this dense forest. There were many living creatures in the forest, and they were extremely hard to find. That was why she decided to exterminate all living beings, and after that, finding Nascent Divided Pearls would turn much more convenient.
However, the moment this formation were to active, other than Nascent Divided Pearls, there were still demonic beasts in the dense forest. In order to buy more time to collect the scattered Nascent Divided Pearls, she needed a cannon fodder to help her lure away the demonic beasts. That's why she chose Nangong Cheng and Zhonggu Lu.
She secretly placed the formation core for the demonic beast luring formation on them, and as long as they split up, the demonic beasts would naturally chase after Nangong Cheng and Zhonggu Lu. All they had to do was return to collect the Nascent Divided Pearls and they would be done with their work. Such convenience.
"Then where are they now?" Zhu Yao's heart sank. The demonic beasts can't possibly chase all the way here, right?
"No need to worry." Yu Yan shook his head. "That demonic beast luring formation must be time-limited. By now, it should be ineffective."
With a wave of his hand, a dull-coloured formation inscription floated out of the two were meditating.
Zhu Yao heaved a sigh of relief. Thinking back for a moment, she suddenly felt that Mei Xue was rather terrifying. In order to obtain Nascent Divided Pearls, she would actually slaughter all the living beings within a hundred kilometers radius without batting an eye. She sure was ruthless. Furthermore, the Extermination Formation was just a thousand kilometers away from the divine city. Zhu Yao wondered if there were any unlucky Deities who came walking into the forest and were killed along with all of the living creatures. Let's not forget there were definitely several demons, beasts, or spirit among them.
As an honest person with great EQ and IQ, Zhu Yao felt that she definitely had to stay away from this black-hearted lotus in the future. She might one day be conned into her schemes.
Zhu Yao directly told Squad Captain Nangong the truth, and his face instantly blackened. He looked as if he badly wanted to head back immediately and beat up the other side. Little Teal's leaves even turned black from anger. This seed of vengeance had truly been planted deep.
Though by now, they must have already flown up to the third floor. They did not idle for long. After student Nagong's injuries were better, they immediately plucked out a few Nascent Divided Pearls and stepped onto the level-raising elevator.
Zhu Yao was awakened by the cold. There was cold wind assaulting her, and it was bone-piercing chilly. Startled up, she opened her eyes and what she saw was complete darkness. The entire place was pitch-black. She instinctively reached out for her master beside her, but she grasped empty air instead.
"Master!" Zhu Yao was shocked. She reached out left and right, and only then did she grab onto a gentle hand. She instantly heaved a sigh of relief. Her sight was still covered in darkness. "This is… We're on the lower third floor?" It's a little too dark, isn't it? Isn't the exit supposed to be the divine city? Why isn't there the slightest bit of divine energy around here?
Zhu Yao casually whipped up a fire art and glanced around. "Where's Nangong Huang and Little Teal?" Weren't they in front of me? How did they disappear? "Master, you…" When she turned around, she was stunned. "Yue Ying, why is it you?"
She subconsciously swung her hand away and raised up the ember in her hand, beginning her search. "Master, Nangong Huang, Little Teal…"
Yue Ying's eyes which were dark in the first place, instantly dimmed quite a bit. He slowly tightened his hand, and only after a short while did he retract the hand which she had mistakenly grabbed onto. Moving his lips, he spoke a moment later. "He's not here… There's no one else here…"
Zhu Yao's feet stopped, her eyes instantly sharpened. "Is it your doing?" Bringing her here all alone.
Yue Ying was startled, his eyes instantly widened. His stunned face instantly turned miserably pale as he strongly shook his head. "Big sis Yao…"
"It best not be!" Zhu Yao turned her head around and took a deep breath. Not bothering about him any longer, she immediately flew up and materialized a fire dragon. In an instant, a streak of light cut across the sky.
When she took a closer look below, she realized that this place was a tattered divine city. The entire place was filled with broken walls and collapsed buildings. As Yue Ying had said, other than the two of them, there wasn't a single other human figure around.
Why was she here? She recalled that she was clearly standing on the elevator to the third floor. When she reached the top, a white light assaulted her. She simply felt a light headache, and immediately after, she found herself here.
Was this truly the lower third floor? Where was her master and the rest? Could it be that the third level had different exits?
The surrounding winds grew stronger, and they were turning colder as well. It was as if they were blowing through the gaps of the bones. The winds were accompanied by strange howls, causing one's heart to feel chilly.
Zhu Yao decided to first look around and search for other people. She immediately chose a direction and flew towards it. Yue Ying immediately followed after her as well.
However, the further she searched, the darker it became, and the winds were so strong they could blow away a human being. The defensive barriers that Zhu Yao placed down were not very effective either, and she had no choice but to stop. She could not help but feel a little worried. Just what was this hell of a place? She had flown for half a day, but she did not spot a single person. Furthermore, there wasn't a single hint of divine energy in her surroundings. She couldn't be trapped here, right?
She took a deep breath and calmed herself. Then, she used all of her strength to release her divine sense to investigate. She realized that in a hundred kilometers radius, the scenery was all the same. A barren wasteland. Forget about Deities, even a small animal or a plant couldn't be seen. There wasn't divine energy, nor spiritual energy in the air. Other than the constantly howling winds, there was nothing else around.
Wait a minute!
Her divine sense swept towards a place several dozens of kilometers in front of her. There seemed to be something as huge as a mountain? And why did it feel familiar? Zhu Yao's heart shook, and she immediately flew in that direction. After closing in, she then discovered that they were actually a huge bones. She wondered what kind of demonic beast they belonged to, as the bones were extremely enormous. At the very least, they could reach up to a height of five or six floors. Strangely, they was actually entirely red and was emitting out flowing light like a gem. Furthermore, they were all ribcages, while some of them were buried in the ground. What was exposed were sharp and pointy bones that reached out to the sky.
"What are these?" She hadn't seen any red bones before. Yue Ying took a few steps forward as well, and then, lowering his head, he looked at the strange bones in front of him.
Zhu Yao stared at it for half a day, but she still couldn't figure out what's strange about it. Though, the sinister winds in the air grew even stronger. Whatever, let's first locate master for now.
"I'm leaving." She called out. Just as she was about to cast an art and fly, her side tightened, and she was pulled back. When she turned back to look, Yue Ying was currently grabbing tightly onto the corner of her robes. Zhu Yao frowned. "Let go!"
"…" Yue Ying did not reply. He simply lowered his head, and held onto the corner of her robes tightly just like in the past.
Fury instantly enveloped Zhu Yao. After not being able to jerk out after a few shakes, she immediately cast an art and sliced off that piece of cloth.
"What are you trying to pull?"
He still did not reply as the hand he was holding onto the piece of cloth with, trembled. He took a step forward, as though he was still trying to pull onto her. This action reminded ZHu Yao of his previous actions, and immediately swatted his hand away. Just as she was about to fly up into the air, a very soft voice called out behind her.
"Egg…"
Zhu Yao's feet stopped. It was as if her heart had been slammed heavily by something, as she hurriedly turned her head around.
Yue Ying who was still a head taller than she was earlier, actually began to slowly shrink. In just a few moments, his height was merely at her waist level, and his clothes had turned tattered and broken as well. The flesh on his face caved in, as though his moisture had all been sucked out in an instant. What remained was a bone-skinny skeleton figure.
This appearance…
"Shao Bai."
The skinny-figured child walked over shakily. Opening wide his branch-like arms, he tightly hugged her waist. A voice that was so coarse which made it unclear, sounded. "Egg… Don't be afraid! I will protect you, don't be afraid."
Zhu Yao was stunned.
Just what was going on?
"Yue Ying! Stop fooling around." She immediately pulled his hand away. "Just what is going on? Why did you become like that?"
However, he seemed to ignore her. Suddenly, he raised his hand and slit his wrist, the surrounding winds instantly turned wild. Like sharp blades, they came assaulting towards her. Yue Ying used all of his strength to scatter his blood towards the air, angrily shouting. "Go away, don't you all dare touch her!"
This… This was the same scene she saw in the Nether Abyss back then. He was Shao Bai?
"Yue Ying! What's wrong with you?" Zhu Yao's mind was in a mush. She turned to look at the red bones. Could those bones be the reason? Could they possibly be capable of confusing the hearts of people? Was all these an illusion? However, Yue Ying's cultivation was clearly higher than hers. Why was she fine, while he turned out that way?
Zhu Yao hurriedly cast a few dispelling arts, but they were all ineffective.
Yue Ying was still scattering his own blood, constantly slitting his own wrist.
"Are you crazy!?" If he continued to slice his wrist, he would empty all the blood in his body. They were just dark winds, not devillic energy!
Zhu Yao grabbed his hand, stopping him from his self-harm. She turned to look at those red bones, and immediately carried Yue Ying off with her fastest speed.
However, Yue Ying did not recover his reason in the slightest. Instead, he raised his head and looked straight at her. Then, he reached out to hug her neck. Using his pair of withered small hands, he patted slowly on her back.
"Egg, don't be afraid, don't be afraid… I will protect you. Second elder brother will protect you!"
"…" Zhu Yao instantly felt as if her heart had been stabbed a little. A bone-piercing pain welled up, and even her heart began to ache. She could not help but call out. "Second elder brother…"
The moment her words fell, the surrounding scenery instantly began to distort, as though something had been triggered. The darkness in the sky disappeared and the surrounding boundless wasteland disappeared without a trace. What replaced it was a huge green plains. The sky was covered by enormous leaves, only small bits of light could seep through the cover. Like a starry sky, the light that landed on her body felt warm and fuzzy.
—— Parasol Tree.
"Little sister, this is for you!" In front of her, Shao Bai's large face suddenly appeared. He no longer had the look of a child like before, instead, he turned into his previous handsome appearance. He was currently holding onto a bag of something which he stuffed into her hands. She unconsciously opened it up, and they were all melon seeds.
"…"
Chapter 372: National Big Giveaway"What is it? Don't like them?" Seeing her unmoving, Shao Bai gave an even warmer smile as he reached out to stroke her head. "It's fine, second elder brother prepared others as well." As he said that, he pulled out bags and bags of snacks and stuffed them in her hands.
Zhu Yao was a little stunned. She glanced at the various familiar bags in her hands. "Second elder brother…" Just what was going on?
"Hurry and eat them, before your teacher discovers them." Shao Bai helped combed her hair and gently said. "If he discover them again, he would once more…"
"…"
"What did you get this time?" Before he could finish, a figure dressed in snow-white robes appeared from not far away.
"Master!" As expected, he was here as well. "This place is really strange…"
Before she could finish, the person in front of her frowned. With a cold face, he walked over. Then, he turned towards a rock at the side and began his lecture. "Your teacher has told you several times that you've already abstained from food. There's no benefits to your cultivation if you constantly take in mortal food."
The corner of Zhu Yao's lips twitched. "Master, I'm over here…" Please forgive that rock.
The person in front of her stiffened for a moment, and then he immediately turned around with his usual look. Facing a tree at the side, he continued with his justifications. "I've mentioned it to you yesterday, and what did you promise to this teacher? Does that still count?"
Zhu Yao sighed. Left with no choice, she grabbed onto the person in front of her and turned him around. "I'm over here!" This face-blindness that did not discriminate across races could only belong to one person. "… Teacher?" He was the Far Ancient Highgod? Wasn't he already…
"What is it? Did you even forget about your teacher?" His frown grew deeper. With a long sigh, he said. "Yu… Yao. Though you're a Phoenix, you cannot slack on your cultivation."
"What did you call me?" Zhu Yao was stunned. She had never told her teacher her name, and the only person who could possibly call her Yu Yao was her master! Just what was going on?
"Mn?" He looked at her, confused.
Zhu Yao immediately stepped forward and grabbed his hands. "Who are you?"
Before the person in front of her could speak, Shao Bai next to her stepped forward. Bowing forward, he then courteously said. "Sovereign Yu Yan, please forgive her. These snacks were something I brought over, and it's not related to her. You should be aware that Little Seventh is my only sister, so naturally I pamper her a lot more. Please do not blame her because of this."
Sovereign Yu Yan? Master! He's really my master, but…
"Nevermind." Yu Yan's expression slacked a little. Lowering his head, he glanced at Zhu Yao and habitually stroked her head. A familiar warmth surfaced in his eyes, and he lightly said. "No more exceptions in the future. Tomorrow…" He turned his head away a little unnaturally, and then after a moment, he said. "Head up the mountain a little earlier."
After saying that, his figure flashed.
"Master, wait…" Before Zhu Yao could even react, he had already disappeared. Her mind was growing confused by the moment. Yue Ying, Shao Bai? Master, Teacher? Just what was going on?
"What is it? You're afraid that he's angry?" Shao Bai smiled and revealed a pair of relieving eyes. "Don't worry. You're already about to get married, so why would he blame you?"
"Get married!?" Just what kind of godly development is this?
"That's right, isn't it next month?" Shao Bai gave an even gentler smile. Just as he was about to explain, he suddenly sensed something. He turned around, and with a sunken expression, he sharply called out. "Stop there!"
Behind a boulder, a little red figure that was about to leave instantly stiffened. He stopped in his tracks, and turned his little pitiful face around. "Second elder brother, seventh elder sister."
"Little Eighth!" Wasn't he with the Wood Spirit? Why was he here? And he was even his child form.
Shao Bai shook his head as he reached out one of his hands. "Take it out."
"Second elder brother…" Little Eighth's voice grew even more pitiful.
"Mn?"
Little Eighth pouted with his lips up high, and then took out a bag of melon seeds from behind him, something that he was about to slip away with. Yet, he still held tightly onto the bag. "I will give it to you, I will give it to you! I will give them all to you! I knew second elder brother will only pamper the ugliest seventh elder sister, and not Little Eighth the slightest bit. Little Eighth's life is so hard…"
"…" Then release your grip on the bag!
"Nonsensical!" Shao Bai knocked heavily onto his little head, and then heartlessly took away the bag of snacks from his hand, which he then passed back to Zhu Yao's hands.
"Seventh… elder sister…" Little Eighth hurriedly changed his target and looked towards Zhu Yao. He pointed at the other bags that she placed on the boulder. "You already have so many of them, just give Little Eighth one! Though you're ugly, I won't despise your melon seeds."
"…" So I should thank you for not despising my melon seeds, is that it?
"Seventh elder sister…" Seeing that she wasn't replying, Little Eighth had no choice but to hold her hand and began to shake it in a flighty manner.
Zhu Yao instantly felt something crawling all over her body. This glutton has sacrificed enough morals just for a bag of melon seeds alright. Zhu Yao immediately stuffed the bag in his little hands. "I'm giving it to you!"
"Thank you, seventh elder sister!" He voiced out in joy. Carrying the bag, he turned around and quickly ran far away. He even intentionally ran in the opposite direction he came from, afraid that she would mince her words.
"You will spoil him like that." Shao Bai sighed.
Zhu Yao shook her head. "Little Eighth is still young."
"He's a Phoenix, not an emperor." Shao Bai said with a sunken voice. "Men of our Phoenix race should've long known to be obedient at his age. How should him being such a glutton be allowed? How can he take up challenges by himself in the future?"
Zhu Yao's heart sank, and she could not help but recall the moment when Little Eighth was trapped in that spatial dimension. The pool was filled with his fresh blood, and the mountain wall was dyed red. She felt a sharp pain in her heart, and she took a deep breath to toss away these unknown emotions.
She turned around a looked at Shao Bai who had a heavy look on his face. Then, she pointed at the other bags on the boulder and said. "Aren't you the same towards me?" The snacks were clearly things that he brought for her, right?
"You're different." Shao Bai's expression instantly turned gentle, as water could flow out at any moment. He looked straight into her eyes, and his were reflected with her figure, as though she was the only person remaining between this heaven and earth. Pulling her hand, he placed it on his own cheek and then showed a smile that instantly greyed out the entire sky. "Because you're my little sister, my only… and most important little sister."
"…"
Dong!
An olden and distant bell ring sounded, and it instantly reverberated across the entire Parasol Tree.
Zhu Yao was stunned. Wasn't this bell…
"It's the bell of Ancient Hill Sect." Shao Bai suddenly said.
"Ancient Hill Sect!" How was that possible? How was the world of the God race tied together with Ancient Hill Sect?
"Little sister, let's take a look?" Shao Bai however looked as usual. "Something must have happened at Yu Luo's side."
"What?" Little Radish?
Before she could even reach, Shao Bai had already brought her up into the air and flew towards an enormous Parasol Tree leaf at the top. Several extremely familiar floating mountains suddenly appeared in the sky before her. The Main Mountain at the center was the largest, while the other mountains were surrounding the Main Mountain. There was one single mountain that was floating high up above the various mountains.
That was… Jade Forest Peak.
This really was the Ancient Hill Sect! But when did Ancient Hill Sect become neighbours with the divine Parasol Tree of the Phoenix race?
"Master." The moment they landed, a red-robed female practitioner welcomed them. With a joyous face, she looked at Zhu Yao. "You're here."
"Little Radish!?" It really was her. How was this possible? Was this all an illusion? Zhu Yao instantly pinched her cheeks and then twisted them up and down. They were warm. "Does it hurt?"
"Mush… twrr. (Master)" Little Radish's face darkened. After enduring for a long while, she pulled down Zhu Yao's hands. "Should I try pinching master then?" Don't force me to go against my teacher and disregard my ancestors.
"…" She was the real deal!
Shao Bai faked out a few coughs. "Yu Luo, what happened?"
"Divine honour Shao Bai." Yu Luo then released Zhu Yao's hands and bowed in front of Shao Bai. With a frown, she said. "It's Mu Meiyan. She has once again infiltrated into our sect's Great Mountain Barrier Formation."
"Mu Meiyan!" Zhu Yao was stunned. "Wasn't she dead?"
"How can she possibly die so easily after hooking up with the Devil race?" Little Radish looked at Zhu Yao with puzzled eyes, and then said with a worried expression. "Master, what's wrong?"
"…"
"Let's go take a look for now!" Shao Bai reminded.
With a stomach filled with questions, Zhu Yao arrived in front of the hall of the Main Mountain. As expected, there were several people engaged in battle, and at the very center, concealed within a mass of devillic energy was someone's face. It was actually Mu Meiyan who had already died in the past! Next to her were also a few familiar figures. After having a better look, they were actually Xiao Yi, Cheng Qingdiao, Wu Hua…
Uh… All of the bugs are actually gathered.
Is this the National Boss Big Giveaway?
There must be something wrong with how I entered the plaza.
"Little Radish…" The corner of Zhu Yao's lips twitched. She nudged Yu Luo next to her. "Why don't you really try pinching me?" I want to see if I'm really dreaming or not.
"Master?" Little Radish's expression looked as though she was looking at someone who had no hope left whatsoever. She glanced at Zhu Yao from head to toe several times. Suddenly, as though she had thought of something, she said with an enlightened look. "Oh! I know now. These the premarital doubts that master had mentioned before, aren't they? Don't worry, though Mu Meiyan has hooked up with the Devil race, you're a Phoenix of the God race. Furthermore, divine honour Shao Bai is here. Nothing will happen to you."
"Premarital?" This was already the second time she heard a relevant term. "What premarital?"
"It can't be, master!?" Yu Luo was stunned. With a lecturing gaze, she looked at Zhu Yao. "It's only a few days left till the big day. It's already too late for you to go back on your words."
"…" Just what's with this mess? "Just who is marrying who?"
"Naturally, it's your and grandmaster's. Haven't you two been engaged for several years?" Yu Luo said matter-of-factly. She looked around, and then carefully leaned closer to whisper in her ears. "Grandmaster has already sewn your wedding dress for several months. I had a slight glance of it, and it's incredibly beautiful!"
"Uh…" Master…
"Don't worry, don't worry. Master, the fact that you're not good at needlework and have instead forced grandmaster to sew your wedding dress for you, are things that I will definitely not speak to others of."
"…" When did I force anyone to do things, hey!? Don't charge me with a crime so randomly!
But, marrying master… What's with this slight excitement that I'm feeling?
"How far are we from the marriage date again?"
"One month."
"So long…"
Eh! Wait, she was here to investigate just what in the world was going on here. She shouldn't be enticed by these illusions! Calm down, calm down!
"Little sister." Shao Bai held Zhu Yao's hand tightly, and instructed her with a solemn voice. "Wait for second elder brother here, don't run off."
After saying that, his figure flashed. Turning into an enormous red Phoenix, he flew towards the battlefield at the front.
In an instant, monstrous flames began to ignite and burn…
Chapter 373: Evolved Heart Demon TribulationThe final outcome of the huge battle in the sky was naturally a victory towards Shao Bai's side. All of the enemy bugs had all been captured and locked behind bars.
From that day on, time seemed to flow especially quickly. Using the reason of sending the wedding invitation cards, Shao Bai brought her around every corner of the world, and even to where the Dragon and Qilin races resided. She met many old friends, every single person that she had met ever since she transmigrated. Even though they clearly lived in different worlds, they seemed to have all gathered together here in an instant. Furthermore, the Three Realms were experiencing peace and harmony. Other than the occasional harassments from the Devil race, the life here was considerably calm.
Everything in the world was becoming perfect, as though there was no longer an endless stream of bugs to fix. There was thus no need for her to die and resurrect again. Master, Little Radish, everyone in Ancient Hill Sect, Little Sixth, Little Eighth, all of the people of the Phoenix race, even Little Tyrant, Ye Qingcang, the Little Qings of the dandelion race and Mushmush. All of them had appeared in their best state in this present life of hers. There was no need for her to fuss about anything, and she merely had to peacefully and calmly wait to be married to the person she loved.
Everything was really perfect. So perfect, it felt as if everything that happened in the past had never occurred. However… It was just too perfect.
"Let's go, little sister." Shao Bai reached out for her hand. "Your practitioner-pair ceremony is about to begin. Sovereign is waiting for you. Let second elder brother bring you over to the celebratory hall."
His smile was especially brilliant, and his entire body was emitting out a sunny glow which made people feel warm and fuzzy. It was as if as long as she reached out her hand, she would be able to hold onto the entire world. Zhu Yao however blanked while staring at his slender and long fingers.
"What is it? Are you afraid?" Shao Bai took a step forward and directly held onto her hand. "Don't be afraid. If he dares to bully you, then let your second elder brother know. Second elder brother will always stand by your side and protect you."
His words were sincere. Though they carried some intentions of teasing behind them, every single word of his was serious and true. It was as if she was looking at the second elder brother that came to fetch her from the bunch of large rocs. "Little sister, let me bring you home."
Shao Bai pulled her and was planning to walk her out, but Zhu Yao did not budge.
"Little sister?"
She raised her head and stared intensely at Shao Bai's familiar face, till a slight sense of anxiety that could not be easily detected flashed across his eyes. Only then did she slowly retract her hand.
"Little sister, what's wrong?" Shao Bai turned around and looked at her with the usual smile, though his eyes were a little anxious.
Zhu Yao took a deep breath. "Shao Bai, thank you! You will always be second elder brother."
He stiffened for a moment, and then immediately recovered his usual demeanour. "What kind of nonsense are you spouting? I'm naturally your second elder brother. It's your bid day today, if we don't head off now, we will miss the auspicious time." As he said that, he once again reached out his hand to pull her, but Zhu Yao dodged it this time.
"Second elder brother." Zhu Yao raised her head and looked deep into his eyes. "Actually, I've always… I've always wanted to tell you something." She paused for a moment, and then said with emphasis on every word. "Second elder brother, I'm sorry!"
"…"
"I'm sorry… I'm not a good little sister. I'm sorry… I didn't save you. I'm sorry… I wasn't able to find a better path for the God race. I'm sorry… It's my fault for making you turn towards the side of the Devils. Back then… when I activated the World Crossing Door, I initially wanted to save all of you. However, the outcome of the world crossing… did not seem to be as perfect as I thought it would."
"You…"
"I saw Little Eighth!" He… didn't have a good time. The others… don't seem to have a good time either!"
"Little sister…" The smile on his face had stiffened. He finally caught her hand, but his was faintly trembling a little. "You… What kind of nonsense are you spouting?"
"I'm not sure now. Was it right for me to have forcefully sent all of you into the Three Realms?" Zhu Yao took a deep breath and suppressed the sense of fatigue in the depths of her heart. "However… I didn't have any other choice back then. If I simply let all of you stay in that collapsed world, most likely, none of you will even have the chance to reincarnate. This is simply too unfair for all of you, who have always been suppressed by the Devil race! That's why… even if I was wrong, I don't regret my decision!"
"…"
"But… You're the only guilt that I have." A hint of pain surfaced in the depths of her heart. "Sometimes, I wondered if I've clearly told you all of the causes and effects, would things be different? That way, he wouldn't have turned towards the side of the Devils, and maybe… just like Little Eighth, I would have been able to meet him again in another world."
"… He won't." He replied solemnly.
Zhu Yao sighed. "That's right, he won't! Given his personality, most likely, he won't simply stand idly by and watch me die!"
"Little sister…" He stepped forward and grasped her hand tightly, his face was filled with anxiety. "Aren't things good right now? Is this really bad? Can't we stay like this forever?"
"Good!" She nodded heavily. Looking at him for a short moment, she then said. "But it's just too perfect, to the point where…" Everything is just too unrealistic.
His expression instantly paled.
In the beginning, Zhu Yao thought that this place was just an illusory realm. However, she had tried to use arts to break through it, but they were all ineffective. After that, she then thought that it was some sort of illusion art. However, everyone here was clearly behaving and acting the same way as they were in reality. Finally, she thought that this was her heart demon. However, the so-called heart demon would simply expose all of the perfect things in her heart, and then give her the final fatal blow. However, she had stayed here for so long, yet she didn't feel the slightest bit of evil intentions. Instead, things were so perfect that one could sink into it, as if this place was trying to keep her here through all means possible. More importantly, she clearly knew what her own heart demon was, and it was far from what she was seeing here. Not to mention, back then, Realmspirit had given her a heart demon barrier.
That was why everything was was unreasonable, except for…
"This place is indeed really great." Zhu Yao grasped back onto the person in front of her instead. "Unfortunately, everything here isn't real. I am no longer Little Seventh of the Phoenix clan, and you… are no longer my second elder brother Shao Bai. The past in the past, and it can never return. Don't you think so… Yue Ying?"
He was stunned, and then, the light in his eyes instantly extinguished, turning misty and dull. Something seemed to be slowly collapsing as tears flowed out just like that. The tears fell onto her arm, filled with the pain of heartburn. "Big sis… Yao."
Everything that happened here was not her heart demon, but Yue Ying's.
The scenery in the surroundings instantly began to distort and change. Ancient Hill Sect disappeared. The Parasol Tree began to collapse, as though it was returning to the day where the world of the God race was being destroyed. The heaven and earth was in chaos, and the place was filled with the cries of the three God races as one enormous figure after another fell from the sky.
A moment later, the ground turned into a barren wasteland. Corpses filled the place, piling up like a mountain. She once again looked at the entirely red bones. She finally figured out that those were actually the bones of a dead Phoenix.
"Yue Ying. You're Yue Ying." Zhu Yao looked at the person in front of her who had reverted back to Yue Ying's appearance. "You're not Shao Bai, and I'm not Little Seventh either. Do not be trapped in your past life again."
Yue Ying raised his head, tears were still flowing down his face. However, he suddenly laughed out, his laughter was filled with chilling intent. "Yue Ying? If I'm Yue Ying… Will big sis Yao forgive me? Even if I admit my wrongs, and no longer make big sis angry, will you… believe me again?"
"…"
"Then I don't want to be Yue Ying." He shook his head strongly, as if he had descended in some form of madness. "I don't want to be abandoned! I'm Shao Bai… I shall be big sis Yao's second elder brother, alright?"
"…" Zhu Yao was stunned. So this was his heart demon. Because of her… he even wanted to kill off his own existence?
"Big sis Yao." He tugged her sleeves a little anxiously. "Look at me, I won't be Yue Ying anymore. I'm Shao Bai… Yue Ying made you angry, Yue Ying had done many bad things. But… Shao Bai will never do it. In the future, I will never make you angry again, so don't ignore me anymore, alright?"
"Yue Ying…"
"I'm really changing now." His hand was shaking, as if he was grasping onto that final bit of hope. "I didn't kill Wang Xuzhi. I began to treat the people next to you well. I even protected Sesame when we crossed worlds. In the future… In the future, I will still continue to learn how to become a good person. The things that big sis Yao won't allow me to do, I won't do them… I… I won't even be Yue Ying, alright? In the future, I will be Shao Bai, is that fine?"
Zhu Yao's hear ached. Letting out a long sigh, she had no choice but to break apart his heart demon.
"However… You're still Yue Ying, not Shao Bai!"
"…"
The hint of light in the depths of his eyes finally extinguished entirely.
When she opened her eyes again, she saw a familiar white figure carrying an anxious look on his face. "Yu… Yao."
"Master?" Zhu Yao was a little startled. "What happened to me?"
"There was a heart demon tribulation within the floor-raising light. You sank into your heart demon, and it has been a month since then." Yu Yan explained.
"A month!" Zhu Yao was stunned. When she recalled about the matters concerning the heart demon, she hurriedly turned her head. "Where's Yue Ying?"
Yu Yan looked towards the right not far from her. When she turned to look, as expected, she saw Yue Ying whose eyes had already opened. However, he was unmoving, and eyes were staring upwards listlessly, as if he had lost a part of his soul.
Zhu Yao frowned. After hesitating for a moment, she could not help but walk over and sit next to him. Though she did not know how she had entered his heart demon, there were some things that shouldn't be dragged on.
"Yue Ying."
He did not have any reaction, and simply maintained the same posture.
"I can't lie to myself, and I can't lie to you. "… really can't forgive you." Zhu Yao sighed heavily. "Everything that you've done, I'm really, really angry about them. I really wish that I could give you two big slaps and no longer see you ever again."
"…" His hands that were by his sides slowly curled into balls.
"However… After calming down and thinking back about it, how can I not have the slightest bit of responsibility in everything that you've done?" She looked sternly at his face. "I treated you as my little brother, and I had used up all my power to teach you everything, but you were never able to learn them. Furthermore, you began to stray even further away. At the same time I despaired about you, how can I not be disappointed in myself? When a child isn't taught properly, it's not just because he or she is born stupid, but rather, there are some problems with the way education is brought to that child as well."
Yue Ying was stunned. He finally had some sort of reaction, as he slowly turned his head over.
Zhu Yao then stroked his head and continued. "But Yue Ying… When you're wrong, you're wrong. I admit that I didn't teach you well, but everything that you've done are indeed unforgivable. Even now, I still can't find myself to forgive you. Big sis is human, and big sis's heart is made of flesh as well. It can't take your constant beatings. When my disappointment for you turned into despair… I no longer had the courage to continue teaching you."
"…"
"So Yue Ying… Why don't you be the one who show me this time?" Zhu Yao retracted her hand, and said with a serious look. "You said that you already know your wrongs, and is changing your ways. You said that you no longer want to be Yue Ying of the past. I don't have the courage to believe you right now, so why don't you show it to me? Let me see just how you've changed. From today on, I will no longer avoid you, and I won't ignore your existence. However… You are no longer my little brother either. Let us begin right from the start as strangers. Let us witness just how great you have become. This courage of trust, give it to me."
"Big… sis… Yao." His eyes began to grow distant, and were being covered by mist little by little.
Zhu Yao took a deep breath, reached out a hand and said. "Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Zhu Yao."
Tears instantly flowed, pouring out like flood. He hurriedly stood up and stuffed his head into her embrace, crying out loud. It was as if he was letting out all of the grievances, joy, discomfort and guilt. He was gasping for air as he cried, and the same words were constantly being uttered.
"Big… sis… big… sis…"