Chapter 1855: A Grounded Phoenix
Qiu Honglei and Yun Jianyue were stunned at first, but then they quickly realized that they would probably still be on Violet Mountain once they left. Now that this kind of thing had happened to the emperor, the entire court would probably be in an uproar. There were likely going to be troops all around the vicinity of the mountain, so if Devil Sect people showed up there, they would immediately be targeted on all sides.
“It is still little sister Xie who thinks things out the most thoroughly. Thank you!” Qiu Honglei replied, holding her hand enthusiastically in gratitude.
Chu Chuyan and Pei Mianman were on the same side, and everyone was close to that Chu woman anyway. That Jing Teng whom she had painstakingly recruited was also nowhere to be seen, so she could only try to find some way to rope in some people who were worth getting on her side.
Xie Daoyun now became a bit shy. She had just wanted to get closer to everyone so that they wouldn’t hate her in the future. Qiu Honglei’s enthusiasm was beyond her expectations.
Qiu Honglei and Yun Jianyue quickly changed their appearances. They were both from the Devil Sect and normally wandered the world of warriors freely, so they were quite skilled in disguise. For example, hadn’t the two of them impersonated Peng Wuyan’s sect representatives without anyone knowing a thing?
Then, their group held hands and walked through the gate of light together.
…
Soon after, a familiar sense of spatial distortion spread through the area. They all felt as if the air around them had become extremely viscous. However, after walking forward a certain distance, their bodies finally felt lighter, and a large expanse of light appeared before their eyes.
They were all happy to see those familiar mountains swirling with dense purple mist. At last, they had returned. Even though the secret dungeon’s ki was rich, in the end, it still wasn’t their home.
They were on Violet Mountain’s Golden Peak, but after the great battle, the glorious structures on Golden Peak had already completely disappeared.
Yan Xuehen sensed her surroundings a bit. She couldn't help but say, “That world’s natural ki was a bit richer, as expected. Any random place there was actually a bit better than even right here on Golden Peak.”
The Righteous Sun Sect’s Golden Peak already had denser ki than other places. Only someone like Sect Master Wang Wuxie and a few other geniuses had the qualifications to cultivate there. And yet, in that other world, the same level of ki was everywhere.
She couldn't help but sigh when she recalled Wang Wuxie. Even though she hadn’t felt anything toward him, they had known each other for so many years. Seeing him end up in that kind of situation was still a bit pitiable.
“If I had known it would be like this, I would have spent a bit more time cultivating on that side. I might have even been able to make a breakthrough,” Yun Jianyue said regretfully.
Yan Xuehen rolled her eyes, replying, “Are you not scared of being trapped there forever?”
“Wouldn't you be the happiest of all if I didn’t make it back?”
…
While the two were squabbling, a commotion came from around them. They all followed the source of the sound. They saw many other gates opening and people walking out from them.
When those people saw that this was Violet Mountain, most of them couldn't help but cheer. That other world was clearly way too dangerous, and all of them still felt lingering fear.
The first to come out were the Righteous Sun Sect’ Wu Xiaofan and Zhang Xi. They were cheerful and lively as they celebrated successfully leaving the secret dungeon. However, when they saw how barren the surroundings were, they looked completely stunned.
Was this Golden Peak? Where had the Fengshan Ceremonial Altar gone? And where was their symbol, the Pure Yang Palace?
They frantically searched the area. It was clear that they had entered the secret dungeon before the great battle of Violet Mountain, so they didn’t know what had happened.
Then, Jadefall Palace’s Wan Guiyi appeared. He had his hands in his pockets and a sulky look on his face. However, when he saw the surroundings, he was completely petrified.
Next was the White Jade Sect’s Lou Wucheng. He was also stunned when he saw the surroundings. Even so, he quickly noticed Zu An’s group and hurried over, asking, “Sect Leader Yan, junior sister Chu, what exactly happened here? Why did Golden Peak become like this? Where is my master?”
Zu An thought to himself, Your master had his soul sucked out by Dark Jing Teng. He wondered if Lou Wucheng would collapse on the spot if he heard that.
Yan Xuehen sighed and said, “It’s a long story…”
Lou Wucheng waited for her to continue, but she didn’t say anything else. He was completely stunned. He could only look at Chu Chuyan and asked, “Junior sister Chu?”
No matter what situation they were in, his junior sister Chu was always as beautiful as a goddess. She was just that stunning. But unfortunately, she had actually already gotten married! Her relationship with Zu An was still unclear.
That bastard’s ancestral altar must be spouting smoke right now! Just how did he get this kind of luck?!
His eyes shifted to the other women. They really were all dazzling and gorgeous. They weren’t even inferior to junior sister Chu at all. Furthermore, they all had clear affection for Zu An when they looked at him.
No, I was wrong. How is this still smoke? It’s already on fire!
Chu Chuyan frowned slightly and said, “That matter is complicated. You should wait. We’ll explain things once we all return.”
….
Just then, Kunlun Void’s Liang Ling, Mount Luofu’s Luo Dongfeng, Great Emptiness’ Shi Dingtian, and Tranquility Temple’s Qiu Chanzi emerged one after another from the gates. They were about to exchange some conventional greetings, but when they saw the surrounding scenery, they were instantly shocked.
Just what had happened to Golden Peak? How had it ended up like this?
Zu An carefully observed them. Apart from these people, there was actually no one else who emerged from the secret dungeon. The second strongest representatives of the group stage had thought that they were getting a huge opportunity, but they had all lost their lives in the secret dungeon.
However, that made sense in the end. That world was far too strange, and its cultivators were strong as well. Even Li Changsheng and Xuan Bajing had ended up losing their lives there, let alone these juniors.
Even so, where were Zhao Xiaodie and Zhi Yin? Could it be that they had ended up facing other dangers after Zu An’s group left, due to being seriously injured?
Suddenly, a streak of light flashed past. A young woman shouted, “Luo Dongjiang, you despicable and vile bastard who runs away during battle!”
A whip lashed out directly at Luo Dongjiang afterward. As it turned out, Zhao Xiaodie and Zhi Yin both emerged from the secret dungeon at the same time.
When he saw the two of them, Luo Dongjiang’s expression changed. He dodged the attacks while shouting, “Princess, there is a misunderstanding here!”
“What misunderstanding? You became a coward after seeing how strong Elder Blood Spirit was, so you abandoned me and my senior brother for your own survival!” Zhao Xiaodie cried, her voice full of hatred. Her whip lashed down relentlessly on Luo Dongjiang.
The other representative disciples wanted to mediate the quarrel at first, but when they heard what she said, they immediately stopped. They all looked at Luo Dongjiang with strange expressions. Anyone who could become the representative disciple of one of these great clans was top-notch in both cultivation and temperament. They were all talented people with their own pride. They naturally looked down on those who abandoned their own comrades.
Luo Dongjiang immediately shouted, “Miss Zhao, what kind of nonsense are you saying? I was clearly looking for reinforcements, but this transport gate appeared shortly after. I accidentally went through because of that. If you two were really in danger, how could you have possibly come out?”
The disciples of the different sects nodded inwardly. What he said made some sense.
Zhao Xiaodie panicked and said, “It was because someone saved us, of course.”
“Who would just happen to save you?” Luo Dongjiang retorted with a sneer.
“It was…” Zhao Xiaodie reflexively glanced in Zu An’s direction, but she didn’t sell him out in the end. She said, “I don’t know. It was a mysterious person. We didn’t know many people inside that secret dungeon.”
Luo Dongjiang retorted with a laugh, “A passerby who you didn’t know saved you? We’re from the daoist sects; would we abandon you if we were together? I really was looking for reinforcements, and I even had thoughts of trying to lead that Elder Blood Spirit away and sacrificing myself!”
Zhao Xiaodie was absolutely furious. Just then, however, a white light flickered and Guan Chouhai appeared on Golden Peak.
Zu An thought to himself, This guy really is an unkillable cockroach! Guan Chouhai hadn’t been killed by Zhao Han on Golden Peak, and then he had managed to survive even after being pulled into the secret dungeon. Li Changsheng and Xuan Bajing, who had gone in with him, were already dead.
When she saw her master, Zhao Xiaodie finally found her backing. She had been full of anxiety during her time in the secret dungeon, and she had almost been humiliated by that Elder Blood Spirit, with her life soon to follow. How could she stand that grievance? She cried out, “Master, you have to uphold justice for your disciple! Luo…”
Before she could say anything, Guan Chouhai raised his hand to stop her. He swept his gaze around him in alarm and said gravely, “We’re leaving immediately!”
A sinister voice called out just then, “No one is allowed to leave!”
A huge group of soldiers rushed over from the steps halfway up the mountain and quickly surrounded the group. All of them wore shining armor, emanating a vicious aura.
The one in the lead was none other than the Guerrilla Warfare General, King Guangling, Zhao Yuan. His Guerrilla Warfare Army was one of the Imperial Palace’s most elite troops. He had only ever followed the commands of the emperor.
He led his subordinates up to Guan Chouhai and said, “Sect Master Guan, you are not permitted to leave!”
Guan Chouhai glowered and said, “The world is so large; I can come and go as I please. What right do you have to stop me?”
Zhao Han wasn’t here right now, so he believed that his cultivation was enough for him to do as he pleased.
“Sect Master Guan, could it be that you are trying to start a rebellion?” a cold voice called out. An elder dressed in official robes slowly walked over.
“King Yan!” Guan Chouhai exclaimed, his expression changing. King Yan was also a veteran grandmaster. With that guy here, on top of the Guerilla Warfare Army, he really couldn't escape anymore.
“Ninth Grandpa, your respected self came at the perfect time! Help me capture that despicable Luo Dongjiang!” Zhao Xiaodie exclaimed, rushing over happily and pointing at Luo Dongjiang.
King Yan was the ninth uncle of his majesty and King Qi, so he was naturally a grandpa to her.
Luo Dongjiang’s expression changed. In terms of cultivation and sect background, he had no reason to fear her. However, she had another identity. Her father was the renowned King Qi! He was among the top three in the empire!
King Yan harrumphed, and with a wave of his hand said, “Arrest her.”
At first, Zhao Xiaodie had a big smile on her face. She had already started imagining how that brat was going to die. He dared to betray this princess…
Her expression suddenly froze, because those soldiers didn’t go after Luo Dongjiang, and instead locked her up. She exclaimed in shock and alarm, “Ninth Grandpa, what is going on here? Is there a mistake here?”
“There is no mistake. The one we are arresting is you. Your father has conspired to assassinate his majesty, so we need to bring you back to aid in our investigation,” King Yan said coldly.
“What?!” Zhao Xiaodie exclaimed, her mind going blank. She didn’t even fully process what those words meant for some time.
All of Golden Peak erupted into a commotion when those words were spoken. They had all been wondering why it looked as if a great battle had taken place on Golden Peak. If it had involved King Qi and his majesty, everything made sense.
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