Translator: CinderTL
The underground exploration came to an abrupt end with Zuoqiu Shu's death. No one dared mention it again, not even Zuoqiu Zhen.
Although Zuoqiu Shu's death was indirectly related to Zuoqiu Zhen, no one blamed her. The tragedy had already occurred, and dwelling on it would only plunge Zuoqiu Zhen into self-reproach, potentially leading to further complications.
Zuoqiu Chen surveyed the dwindling ranks of the Zuoqiu Clan. Seven members had perished during the underground expedition, including their eldest sister, Zuoqiu Shu.
With only thirty-six members remaining, Zuoqiu Chen had lost all desire to continue exploring the secret realm. She consulted with Zuoqiu Hui, suggesting they find a quiet place to await the realm's opening. Once it did, they could simply retreat and consider the matter concluded.
Zuoqiu Zhen stared into the darkness below, her heart burning with resentment. The treasures hidden beneath the earth were of paramount importance to her, and she was determined to obtain them by any means necessary.
But what means could she employ?
The Zuoqiu Clan was no longer reliable; she would have to devise another plan.
As she pondered, Zuoqiu Zhen thought of Xu Sanyan. With his capabilities, he could easily penetrate the depths of the earth. But...
Would he share the treasures with her?
Zuoqiu Zhen shook her head inwardly. Based on her understanding of him, the man was selfish, opportunistic, and utterly untrustworthy. It was obvious he would never agree.
Ahead, Zuoqiu Hui glanced back at Zuoqiu Zhen, silently closed her eyes, and remained lost in thought.
Xu Sanyan traveled south, arriving outside the grand hall before nightfall. Not seeing Lin Fan and the others, he sent a message:
"I've arrived. Where are you?"
"Please wait a moment, Holy Son," Lin Fan replied immediately, rushing out to find him. Spotting a figure in the distance, he shouted, "Holy Son, I'm over here!"
Xu Sanyan didn't mind Lin Fan's failure to greet him earlier, simply nodding slightly. "Let's go."
The two men navigated through the collapsed grand hall, squeezed through a narrow cave entrance, and ventured deep inside before reaching a stone chamber.
"Huan Xi'er?" Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on the figure standing beside the stone platform. The two distinctive topknots atop the figure's head were unmistakable; he had once seen this person from afar in Endless Central City, fleeing from a corpse demon.
"Are you the Holy Son?" Huan Xi'er asked, his eyes scanning Xu Sanyan from head to toe.
Xu Sanyan met his clear gaze, his brow furrowing slightly. This Huan Xi'er didn't seem as foolish as the rumors suggested.
"What are you doing here?" Xu Sanyan turned to Lin Fan, his curiosity piqued.
"Uh..."
Lin Fan was momentarily speechless, unsure how to answer. The senior had repeatedly warned him not to reveal his identity.
Sensing Lin Fan's hesitation, Huan Xi'er stepped in to explain, "Brother Lin is helping me. This place is a Great Formation that can mend souls. I've had a fragmented soul since childhood, which caused my mental impairment."
Xu Sanyan looked at the towering banner atop the platform in astonishment. "Mend souls?"
"Exactly."
"So, Brother Huan, you succeeded?"
"I was fortunate enough to succeed."
"Congratulations." Xu Sanyan smiled and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect. He knew the two were withholding information but chose not to press further. Instead, he asked, "Where's Xiang Tan?"
"Over there." Lin Fan pointed to the stone platform. "Senior Sister Xiang Tan is trapped here for some reason. I tried to rescue her, but my abilities are limited. That's why I asked the holy son for help."
Xu Sanyan nodded and circled the platform several times. He noticed a jagged crack on its surface, likely where the two had attempted to break it open by force, only to fail.
Huan Xi'er's strength was comparable to his own. If Huan Xi'er couldn't break it, neither could he. As he pondered this, his gaze drifted upward to the towering banner above.
The key must lie here.
"Is that Senior Brother?" Xiang Tan's voice drifted from within the stone platform.
"Yes, don't worry. I'll rescue you," Xu Sanyan reassured her with a smile. Saving Xiang Tan was paramount, and 'incidentally' obtaining the soul crystal inside would be a bonus—a win-win situation.
"Can this... be removed?" Xu Sanyan asked, pointing to the massive banner.
"I haven't tried, but it drains Spiritual Power. Be careful, holy son," Huan Xi'er warned.
"Mm, thank you."
Xu Sanyan pondered for a moment, then swept his sleeve. A surge of Spiritual Power struck the banner, only to be instantly absorbed without leaving a ripple.
As expected, the banner could indeed drain Spiritual Power. Huan Xi'er hadn't lied.
If the stone platform was so impenetrable, how had Xiang Tan gotten inside?
She clearly hadn't entered this realm and immediately ended up here. Someone must have forced her in; otherwise, she wouldn't have been unconscious for so long.
If someone could force her in, they could rescue her too. They just hadn't found the method yet.
But why hadn't that person simply killed Xiang Tan instead of leaving her a chance to survive?
It made no sense.
Xu Sanyan shook his head, dismissing further thought. First, I need to retrieve the soul crystals...
No, rescuing Xiang Tan is the priority.
He stepped onto the stone platform, and a great halberd slowly materialized in his hand. He flicked the halberd's tip at the banner, sending it fluttering into the air before it crashed to the ground.
Suddenly, the platform began to tremble violently. Loose stones at the top started to crumble and fall to either side. Xu Sanyan retreated, watching calmly.
Lin Fan and Huan Xi'er exchanged bewildered glances. Was it really that simple?
Boom!
The platform collapsed, revealing Xiang Tan curled up inside, surrounded by scattered soul crystals.
"Senior Brother!"
Xiang Tan was terrified. Trapped alone in the dark, cramped space, her mind had raced with wild fantasies. She had feared Xu Sanyan had abandoned her.
Now, seeing daylight again, and Xu Sanyan as the first face she saw, her overwhelming relief and joy were palpable. She threw herself at him, clinging tightly to his waist and refusing to let go.
Xu Sanyan chuckled, patting her shoulder. With a flick of his wide sleeve, the scattered soul crystals on the ground flew into his hand. Without a second glance, he stuffed them into his storage pouch.
As everyone knew, Xu Sanyan had no interest in money. His sole purpose here was to rescue Xiang Tan; collecting the soul crystals was merely a side benefit.
After a moment of reassurance, Xiang Tan finally calmed down, wiping the tears from her eyes and obediently following behind Xu Sanyan.
Lin Fan and Huan Xi'er watched as the soul crystals were pocketed, saying nothing—nor daring to.
Though Huan Xi'er was confident, he had no certainty of escaping Xu Sanyan with his life. Indeed, it was about escaping with his life, not fighting him.
He believed his strength to be roughly equal to Mo Xianxian's. Since Mo Xianxian, Fang Qingge, Jingyi, and Luo Qingwei had all failed to defeat him in a four-on-one battle, he stood no chance alone.
Having achieved his goal, Xu Sanyan turned to the pair. "Where are you headed next?"
Lin Fan frowned in thought before cupping his hands in a respectful bow. "This disciple wishes to return to Endless Central City. This place is far too dangerous, far beyond my capabilities."
"Hmm," Xu Sanyan nodded. It was true; with Lin Fan's mere Foundation Establishment cultivation level, his survival here for so long seemed more like the protagonist's plot armor at work. Even Lanlan, whom Xu Sanyan had recently toyed with, had a higher cultivation level than Lin Fan.
Huan Xi'er was about to speak when—
Boom!
A sudden, earth-shattering explosion shook all four of them. The sound came from nearby. Xu Sanyan swiftly charged out of the stone chamber, staring in disbelief at the cave entrance.
The entrance was blocked!
(End of the Chapter)
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