The flow of energy pulled, and the killing intent stirred. Without thinking, Meng Qi took a step forward instinctively, his blade and sword slanting down as he blocked the path in front of General Yin. Meanwhile, Ruan Yushu took out the ancient and hazy Yaoming Mirror.
Jiang Zhiwei, Qi Zhengyan, and Zhao Heng each prepared themselves, ready for an ambush within the briefest moment.
Regarding General Yin, if Meng Qi encountered him alone, he felt he wouldn’t have much confidence in defeating him decisively, even if he activated the core material of a divine weapon. After all, no matter how powerful, the strike must land. Without companions to distract the opponent, unless it was a matter of competing for something essential like the Evil Intent of Zhenwu or the Divine Envoy Feng Dian, a Grandmaster-level opponent at that stage and realm might very well evade at the cost of some sacrifice.
But now, with the team assembled, with the Yaoming Mirror, Jiang Zhiwei’s support, and Qi Zhengyan and others to provide distractions, as long as General Yin didn’t possess any special treasures from the Journey to the West, there wouldn’t be much of a problem!
The only concern was the mysterious “figure” cloaked entirely in black robes. His aura was chilling and terrifying, far surpassing General Yin. Even if the five of them faced him alone, Meng Qi still felt an intense sense of danger.
Dangshan Jun gazed coldly over, two beams of red light flashing from the darkness beneath his hood.
As he stared, Meng Qi instantly felt a chill rising from his feet, a coldness emerging from the depths of his heart. His blood seemed to freeze, his muscles and bones stiffened, and even his soul quivered slightly.
What terrifying power!
Suddenly, Dangshan Jun threw back his head and let out a long howl that shook the clouds. The concealed aura surged forth. Even within the fragment of the Celestial Realm, it stirred the winds and clouds, making the misty vapor congeal, giving the impression that he was the sovereign of this heaven and earth, the core of this world!
“Outer Manifestation Peak, close to Half-Step Dharma Body…” The flow of energy could no longer be manipulated—it felt unfathomable. Meng Qi dared not rashly launch an attack and remained on high alert.
This enemy was actually at such a level. Wasn’t this mission’s difficulty a bit too exaggerated?
He still vividly remembered how Doumu Yuanjun had casually struck down the supreme expert “King of the Netherworld” with a single slap!
Even a deadly mission wouldn’t be this intense!
General Yin was also shocked, standing frozen in place, feeling fortunate that he hadn’t defied Dangshan Jun earlier.
Yet even such a powerful Dangshan Jun had failed to protect the Silver Serpent King!
As the howl faded, Dangshan Jun turned his head, seemingly ignoring Meng Qi and the others completely, and strode toward the palace ahead—the only palace with a single entrance.
“Eh…” Meng Qi clearly hesitated.
The black-robed demon who had just displayed his power didn’t choose to eliminate the outsiders first before calmly seeking treasures!
Had his earlier actions merely been a warning to Meng Qi’s group, a message that if they tried to seize anything, he would turn hostile?
Could there actually be such a considerate demon?
Jiang Zhiwei and the others hadn’t expected this outcome either, exchanging glances with General Yin. A silence settled over the open ground before the palace.
General Yin’s mind raced, unsure of what to do.
Should he strike down the humans before him first?
No, the cries of Bear Mountain Jun and the others vanishing had made it clear—these humans must have some kind of protection to remain unharmed.
Thinking back to the pitiful fate of the Great Roc, General Yin’s heart filled with fear.
If he encountered them alone, he believed he could evade them, even if they possessed powerful treasures—as long as they weren’t the kinds used by the Demon Kings during Tang Monk’s pilgrimage. But now, with all five of them together, the girl in yellow could hold her own against him, and the young man wielding blades and swords seemed even stronger. Once entangled, the Great Roc’s fate would be his own!
He acted on his thoughts immediately, turning around and following Dangshan Jun.
If Dangshan Jun was feasting, he at least could get a sip of the broth!
Unsure of the black-robed demon’s intentions, Meng Qi watched General Yin’s retreating figure without raising his blade. He watched helplessly as they pushed open the palace doors and disappeared into the darkness.
“What a strange mission…” Meng Qi exhaled.
Jiang Zhiwei frowned slightly. “The aura of the black-robed demon feels somewhat familiar.”
Her words snapped Meng Qi back to awareness. “Indeed, I’ve felt it before. Where have I encountered it?”
Zhao Heng shook his head. “I don’t have that feeling.”
They all racked their brains, recalling every demon they had ever met, but found no clues.
“Never mind then,” Meng Qi collected his thoughts, looking toward the open palace doors. “We’ve got Virtue Points in hand, nothing to fear from deductions. It’s not worth dying over a fight with a demon close to Half-Step Dharma Body. Let’s search the surroundings instead and pick up whatever we can to make up for the lost Virtue Points.”
Once someone has a way out, few would still fight to the death.
“Fine.” Jiang Zhiwei, though fond of battle and sharpening her sword, was not reckless. If a Grandmaster was hard to handle, how much more so a demon near Half-Step Dharma Body?
Meng Qi glanced around. Behind them was the Milky Way, ahead the palace, its center severed by chaotic void. On either side were two gardens, each with tall, lush trees.
“The black-robed demon made his intentions clear—he doesn’t want us competing with him. That means we’d better not enter the palace,” Qi Zhengyan reminded them.
Judging from the layout, the core treasure of this fragment of the Celestial Realm was likely inside the palace.
Meng Qi agreed but questioned, “From the tiger demon’s reaction, the black-robed demon seems to have intruded uninvited. He probably doesn’t know the details either. Could he have come specifically to seek the core treasure of this fragment?”
“That must be it. However, after entering the palace, the black-robed demon hesitated slightly before choosing the left side. He probably doesn’t know exactly where the core treasure is,” Zhao Heng observed carefully.
But this knowledge wasn’t particularly useful. Meng Qi took a deep breath and pointed. “We won’t enter the palace. Let’s search the gardens for immortal herbs and divine roots. If we could get a single Peach of Immortality, it would be worth more than completing ten missions!”
“Peach of Immortality…” Ruan Yushu’s eyes suddenly lit up.
Even though she knew Meng Qi was probably just trying to cheer them up—since the Peaches of Immortality, one of the Celestial Realm’s most important treasures, should be in the core area of the Ninth Heaven rather than this edge near the Southern Gate—she still felt a surge of excitement, imagining the taste of the peach!
“Which side?” Jiang Zhiwei smiled, regaining her composure.
She had already accepted the failure of the mission.
Meng Qi hesitated slightly before answering, “Several demons died under mysterious circumstances. I’m worried there might be other dangers within this Celestial Realm fragment. So we can’t split up. As for which side to choose, I usually go left.”
“Then left it is.” Jiang Zhiwei and the others had no relevant intelligence, so they naturally left the decision to Meng Qi.
Leading the way, Meng Qi and the others cautiously approached the left garden.
As they neared the entrance, Meng Qi, secretly activating the Yu Xu Divine Calculation, suddenly felt a surge of intuition. He turned his head and saw a strange blood shadow flash past the palace entrance, vanishing into the darkness beyond the door!
“What’s wrong?” Qi Zhengyan asked gravely.
Meng Qi slightly furrowed his brow. “I saw a blood shadow, but it wasn’t coming for us. Ignore it.”
If the strange forces within the Celestial Realm fragment could eliminate General Yin and the black-robed demon, wouldn’t their mission be completed effortlessly?
That would be a pleasant surprise indeed!
Gathering his thoughts, Meng Qi first inspected the barriers. Just like before, he tried every method—including his clone—but found nothing unusual. Neither the Yu Xu Divine Calculation nor Jiang Zhiwei’s “Autumn Wind Stirs Not, Yet the Cicada Knows First” detected any danger.
Stepping into the garden, a wave of ancient decay greeted them. Meng Qi looked around and softly murmured in surprise.
His clone’s range was limited, but his main body could sense the surrounding area. Now that he was here in person, a strange feeling arose within him.
The entire garden was barren, with only a single tall green tree standing at its center. Its branches were dense and lush, its canopy like an umbrella shielding the sky.
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