Volume One, Chapter 78: Family

Su Ningxia bit her lower lip, casting a look of accusation at Qin Zhaochuan.

“I don’t like it.”

With those words, she stood up in a huff and strode out.

She remembered that just over ten days ago, she had been polishing the Buddha’s statue every day. Brahma Ling dared not dwell on it any longer, hastily closing her eyes again to continue chanting the scriptures.

Their journey was uneventful; no mishaps occurred. However, the corridor they traversed was winding and deep, stretching on and on. After some time, a faint but brighter light appeared ahead, and they could just make out an exit in the distance. The two exchanged glances, joy lighting up their faces.

“Thank you,” Wang Hou said as he accepted the identity badge. Without hesitation, he left the stronghold. Though he had noticed a few other adventurers within, he paid them no mind.

As the first rays of dawn pierced the shattered Emerald Gorge, the exalted ones in the sky had already withdrawn. Along with them vanished several cultivators of the Spirit Realm. It was not exactly a panicked flight, but there was no denying their disarray.

“There’s little connection between the Hidden Sect and the Bright Sect. Aren’t you afraid we’ll just kill you?” The voice was calm, yet filled with an icy undertone. At this moment, Black Wuchang’s face even carried a trace of unexpected charm.

Qin Tian’s expression was grave; this place did not feel like the treasure trove of some mighty figure, nor the source of rare spiritual materials. “Demonic System, don’t you dare trick me,” he muttered inwardly.

When Ye Zhuo tore the Turtle Concealment Talisman, even he knew the talisman’s power was not enough to completely erase his presence. Several stone-carved beasts had already sensed the faint traces of his aura, which inevitably led to fierce battles.

While channeling lightning through his spirit, Ye Zhuo’s mind raced for alternative solutions, but after much thought, not a single viable idea came to him—even a plan worth testing. His mood grew increasingly grim.

Meanwhile, Jukawa Shizuka, who had been slumped over the table, shot upright the moment she heard Wang Hou mention food.

After a mournful horn sounded, the ghoul corpses surrounding the formation retreated in waves, surging in and ebbing away like the tide.

Xiao Mo retreated step by step, withdrawing his peachwood sword from his mustard-seed space.

He kept one eye on the passing crowd and the other on the stalls, missing nothing that might be an extraordinary antique. Yet, after wandering through several alleys, he found no more objects that radiated with the same mysterious glow.

A sudden gust of cold wind swept up dust from the depths of the alley, swirling leaves down the deserted street. I gazed into the pitch-black distance, recalling the slain cat, Jiujiu, and sorrow flooded my heart.

Hearing this, Yang Feng shifted his gaze to the foot of the mountain, where Hong Tianci and his companions had already noticed the commotion above and were hurrying toward the summit.

Timof gripped his wine cup tightly, the fire of anger in his eyes fading, replaced by a sharp, determined glint.

Upon overhearing the conversation between Hong Tianci and Xiao Mo, the previously anxious members of Bureau 749 suddenly found new resolve in their eyes, as if they had steeled themselves for what was to come.

Yet, Willow in his heart still felt some measure of relief, for all his efforts had not been in vain—Liang Weidong had made a miraculous recovery.

But just as his words faded, an elderly voice echoed from the corridor outside.

The unanimous opinion of these individuals was enough to represent the verdict of a panel of professional appraisal experts; if they said it was wrong, then it was wrong.

With nothing else to do, Ye Feng turned to the table beside him to pick out something to eat. He and Luo Bing had yet to have their dinner.