Chapter 292 - Dire Situation
They had another way to retrieve the Azure Dragon Cloud Marked Banner, no wonder the Zhong Li Celestial Race allowed everyone to leave!
In the Lesser Void World, Zhong Yue casually opened up Xin Huo's weathered bronze lamp and threw the Azure Dragon Cloud Marked Banner into the lamp before he walked through the Lang Ya Board with Qiu Jin'er and Bai Canghai as if nothing happened.
The Azure Dragon Cloud Marked Banner may be strong, but it was still not as strong as the Divine Wing Saber. If Xin Huo's lamp could even suppress the Divine Wing Saber, then it would be no problem if it came to the banner.
"What are the three old misters doing?" asked a curious Qiu Jin'er as looked at the three old men who were swinging the banners.
Meanwhile, the three old men were extremely exhausted, and sweat seeped through their clothes after they swung the three great banners, which were even hard for them to handle after a long time.
Zhong Yue then looked at the three old men flying in the air and replied to Qiu Jin’er’s question, “No idea, probably trying to work their bodies out? They said that it’s most efficient to train yourself if you completely have your energy and strength depleted and slowly cultivate them back again.”
Bai Canghai who was standing beside them laughed and said, “I felt that it's more like they are trying to worship and pray to the gods or something like that.”
Qiu Jin'er then said, "I am impressed, they are so tired now, but they still managed to swing the banners so swiftly. The Zhong Li Celestial Race is indeed powerful, for even an old man to be able to maintain such a strong physique."
As they spoke, the three elders swinging the banners in the air became extremely tired, but they continued waving their banners with strong tenacity, which greatly impressed the other Qi Practitioners.
Meanwhile, in the Fiery Capital, Xin Huo suddenly said, "Brat Yue, you are being targeted by someone."
Zhong Yue became serious, and when his psyche gushed out and scanned the surroundings, his heart tightened as in the radius of five miles around him. There were at least twenty Qi Practitioners from different races tailing him, scrutinizing all of his actions!
And somewhere further away, there were even more Qi Practitioners.
Zhong Yue also realized that among the observers, the majority of them were from the celestial races of the West Barren, monsters, and even the Zhong Li Celestial Race!
I guess it's reasonable that they will target me because of the chaos I stirred up in the West Barren and my advancement into the Godlike Board?
Zhong Yue exhaled a long deep breath as he was very famous in the West Barren as there were thousands of bounties on him from the West Barren which aimed to wipe his existence off the world!
And after his advancement into the Godlike Board, he successfully became an eyesore to the others out there because they were extremely jealous of his achievement.
After all, it was hard to advance into the Godlike Board, and only most talented ones that were almost undefeatable in their own level may have the chance to enter the Godlike Board. And people like these definitely grew into a big threat to the other races out there, which could easily attract the animosity from the other races. It wouldn't be unexpected for them to be hunted down before they were able to grow into their potential!
It's only three more months until the end of the year, it's time for us to return to Swords Gate but how we are going to go back remains a big problem.
Zhong Yue recollected his thoughts, and he then considered returning to Swords Gate through the South Barren, but he quickly discarded the idea for there was bound to be lots of trouble awaiting them on the path back home. It was uncertain whether or not they would make it alive!
But if he first took a detour into the Eastern Sea from the South Barren and then entered the Great Wilderness via the East Barren, then it would take quite a considerable amount of time, probably at least four to five months!
It was much faster if he returned to Swords Gate through the West Barren, but he didn't even entertain the thought since venturing into the West Barren without any reliable companions alongside him was simply a death wish! There were just too many enemies in the West Barren, and entering the West Barren was tantamount to voluntarily walking into a trap!
Zhong Yue then thought carefully, but he couldn't think of a better way at all. He then asked Qiu Jin'er frustratingly, "Junior martial sister, we should stay here for a few days before we return to Swords Gate."
Qiu Jin'er replied, and both of them found themselves an inn. They rented two rooms for a few days while Bai Canghai had somewhere else to stay since the Baizhe Family had their own place in the Fiery Capital. Although they did not stay together, Bai Canghai constantly came looking for them for he and Zhong Yue shared a common topic.
"I heard Elder You and Elder Quan were not trying to worship their gods but are looking for the thief that stole one of their banners. The stolen banner was the Azure Dragon Cloud Marked Banner, and the thief's actions had foiled the Zhong Li Celestial Race's plans to reopen the monarch mausoleum. That was why the Zhong Li Celestial Race risked so much to seal off the Lesser Void Wworld, but the thief was smart as well as he has yet to be found."
"Recently, the Zhong Li Celestial Race is all tensed up, they set up guards everywhere, checking through every Qi Practitioner who wished to leave the Fiery Capital strictly, and many of them were searched all over for the Azure Dragon Cloud Marked Banner."
Bai Canghai brought several important news, and suddenly one day, he got to the inn, and he said hesitatingly, "Senior martial brother Zhong, the elders of my clan have arrived. They prohibited me from getting close to you. I'm afraid that something big is going to happen to your Swords Gate…."
Zhong Yue immediately sensed something, and he asked, "What news did you hear, Brother Bai?"
Before Bai Canghai could even reply, a huge ship flew towards the Fiery Capital somewhere far away from the west, and it released a powerful aura.
The ship was shrouded by cloud while one after another abnormally tall and muscular celestial race strong individuals stood at the bow of the ship, and each of them had three Pan Ao heads with gazes as sharp as a sword.
As soon as the ship flew into the Fiery Capital, the people of Zhong Li Celestial Race were already there, preparing to welcome the arrival of those on the ship and Elder You and Elder Quan were among them.
Then, a bright lunar ascended into the air, and Zhong Yue's face changed as soon as he saw the bright moon, "It's those four guys from the Xiao Mang Celestial Race! Why is Xiao Yin, Xiao Qian, Xiao Yuan and Xiao Que here?"
Bai Canghai looked at Zhong Yue and said, "Of course they're here for the Swords Gate. You must not have known that they invited our Baizhe Family to participate in what they are planning to do as well. It seems like they are trying to take down the Seal Suppression Hall of Swords Gate. However, our Baizhe Family never meddles in the businesses of the other clans, and we had a good relationship with Elder Shui, so the elders of my clan came here today to declare that
they will be taking part in plans of Xiao Mang Celestial Race."
Zhong Yue's heart thumped as long ago he heard that the Xiao Mang and Zhong Li Celestial Race were going to form an alliance against Swords Gate. But he never thought that the Xiao Mang Celestial Race was bold enough to send out the four magnate Qi Practitioners of their clan, Yin, Qian, Yuan, Que!
"With the Martial Divine Master being sealed in the Seal Suppression Hall, of course the Zhong Li Celestial Race would agree to ally with the Xiao Mang Celestial Race."
As soon as the ship landed in the Fiery Capital, a vast city made of bones flew towards the Fiery Capital accompanied by a pleasant melody.
Elder You and Elder Quan quickly walked forward and shouted, "Welcome, Madame Hua Zhen, it is an honor to have you here with us today in the Fiery Capital! Welcome!"
The massive castle doors of the bone castle opened up, and a luxuriously dressed lady walked out from the city, surrounded by numerous curvaceous girls. The lady greeted the two elders and said, "Greetings, elders. I have depleted most of my spirit herbs. May I replenish my stores in the Fiery Capital?"
"Of course, we have all sorts of items you'd need on the road. Madame Hua Zhan will most definitely be happy with what we have."
Madame Hua Zhen clapped her hands and said, “Children, check on our stocks and we shall replenish our stocks later!”
Then, Elder You and Elder Quan guided the bone castle into the Fiery Capital.
At the same time, Bai Canghai told Zhong Yue, "The demons are attracted to the offer of Xiao Mang Celestial Race. Thus, Madame Hua Zhen is here. She is one of the magnate figures of the demons, and her strength is incredibly strong. Other than Madame Hua Zhen, there were also some dragons that showed up."
“The dragons?”
The cloud of confusion in Zhong Yue's mind immediately cleared as he did not know why Ao Fenglou avoided him in these few days whenever Zhong Yue sought advice from him. Ao Fenglou must have felt ashamed of being unable to stop the dragons from taking part in the evil scheme, so he completely avoided Zhong Yue.
“And of course, some of the strongest West Barren’s celestial races are here as well.”
Bai Canghai hesitated and said, “senior martial brother Zhong, I think it’s best if you remain here or….”
Zhong Yue thanked with sincerely and said, "With me being stalked by that many factions, I couldn't even go back to Swords Gate even if I want to."
"Swords Gate is in a very dire situation now. It will not be safe to stay there."
Bai Canghai got up, and as he left, he said, "The elders fear that I would be drag into this mess if I stayed with you for too long so please forgive me for not being able to help you. Senior martial brother Zhong, if you survived this crisis, you and I will have a drink next time, I wish you all the best and do all your best to survive! Be seeing you."
Zhong Yue then walked him out, and he said gratefully, "Brother Bai, thanks for your information and everything you did. I will remember all of these in my heart, see you and good luck!"
Bai Canghai suddenly stopped and said, "You had better leave now back to Swords Gate while these factions are busy discussing the details of their alliance where they will pay the least attention to you!"
Zhong Yue nodded, and he quickly returned to the inn while Qiu Jin'er said with a worried heart, "Senior martial brother…."
Zhong Yue replied, “Senior martial sister, we shall head back to Swords Gate now!”
“But how….” asked a troubled Qiu Jin’er.
"With bloodshed! Be it gods or demons, we will cut down any foe who dares to stop us! The path back to Swords Gate will be paved with blood and corpses!" said Zhong Yue as killing intent bloomed in his eyes.
Qiu Jin'er remained silent, and she followed behind Zhong Yue. She fixed Zhong Yue's collar while Zhong Yue said with a smile, "Junior martial sister, did you know that you are very beautiful?"
Qiu Jin'er's eyes reddened while Zhong Yue pushed her out of the inn and said, "I hope that in this life that I will be able to see humanity prosper and regain our glory…. Junior martial sister, let's go!"
As soon as they walked out of the inn, they felt gazes from all the stalkers around, but both of them remained calm; Qiu Jin'er sat there quietly, Zhong Yue pushed the wheelchair steadily towards the outer city. As they walked, Qi Practitioners appeared one by one; some emerged from the shadows, some jumped down from buildings, and some even rose up from the ground.
Slowly, more and more Qi Practitioners showed up, filling up the streets behind Zhong Yue and Qiu Jin'er. The atmosphere was incomparably tense, and the streets were completely silent.
And on the streets, merchants closed the windows and shut the doors tight, trying their best to avoid the imminent havoc.
Zhong Yue and Qiu Jin'er ignored what was happening, and they continued walking. The initially lively streets turned dead, apart from the stalkers, Zhong Yue, and Qiu Jin'er, there was no longer a single person around. Only the eyes that peeped through the tiny gaps of the windows and doors would intermittently reveal themselves to sneak measuring gazes at the young pair.
When Zhong Yue and Qiu Jin'er arrived at the capital's doors, what appeared in front of them was a vast plain, right behind which, was the Swords Gate.
“Swords Gate, I have returned!” murmured Zhong Yue as he walked out from the Fiery Capital.