Zanxing (Retranslated)

Chapter 142 - An Unexpected Incident (2)

Meng Ying and Mu Cengxiao also did not continue forward.

Zanxing asked as she walked up, “What’s wrong?”

Ahead, at the thicket which was the entrance to the Li’er Country’s secret realm, they had entered from this place. At this moment, many of the bushes at the edge of the thicket had been broken, and there were some weapons and bloodstains scattered on the ground, indicating a recent fierce battle.

“What is this…” Zanxing bent down to pick up a broken sword at her feet, one she remembered—it belonged to a disciple of the Chihua Sect named Huang Fan. The sect was known for swords adorned with gold and jewels. Now the sword lay broken into two pieces.

Zanxing turned to Tian Fangfang and asked, “Senior Brother, didn’t you say Senior Brother Mu had already killed the Jinhua Tiger?”

“Yeah,” Tian Fangfang also puzzled, replied, “and these guys ran fast. The Jinhua Tiger was even chasing us, so it shouldn’t have been this way.”

“It’s not the Jinhua Tiger,” Meng Ying said softly.

The others looked at her.

“There are no traces of spiritual fire here, and the marks on the ground were caused by weapons,” she frowned, “who could have pushed them to such an extent?”

“Could it be infighting among their own people?” Mu Cengxiao pondered deeply, “I’ve heard that in secret realms, sometimes sects engage in hidden battles over treasures.”

“Even if it’s infighting, the Chihua Sect wouldn’t be at a disadvantage,” Gu Baiying interrupted their conversation.”

However, despite their many doubts, besides the scene of destruction, there was nothing left behind, and naturally, there would be no one to answer their questions.

“Could it be that we encountered some other fierce beast?” Men Dong asked.

“Who’s there?” Just then, Gu Baiying suddenly looked up. With his Xiu Gu spear, he swiftly shot towards the bushes. There was a loud bang, and a black smoke burst out from the bushes. Meng Ying widened her eyes, “Demon puppet!”

The group immediately drew their weapons and rushed towards the bushes, only to find a small wooden puppet about the size of a palm lying there.

Gu Baiying reached out to pick up the wooden puppet, tearing off a piece of paper attached to its back. The puppet instantly turned into a puff of blue smoke. He stared at the paper, his gaze suddenly sharp.

“A puppet charm. Someone is monitoring us,” he said.

“Senior Uncle, when you just used your spear, I felt a demonic aura,” Meng Ying looked at Gu Baiying, her expression serious. “I’m afraid…”

“It’s a demon puppet,” Gu Baiying let go, and the puppet charm burned to ashes in his hand. “It seems that Yin Ying’s death has made them uneasy.”

“In that case, Fairy Qinghua’s speculation was correct,” Mu Cengxiao added. “They were determined to sever the inheritance within the secret realm. Now that their plan has failed, they may stir up trouble again.”

“What are we waiting for then?” Tian Fangfang lifted his axe. “Let’s hurry back to Gufeng Mountain and inform the sect leader. Maybe we can take advantage of the situation and capture the demon who’s hiding the Xiao Yuan Pearl and thwart their conspiracy!” He spoke resolutely, “We’ll take that demon’s head to claim our reward!”

Zanxing: “…”

She was about to speak when she saw Gu Baiying turn and head towards the teleportation array, saying as he walked, “There’s no time to waste. Let’s leave the secret realm first.”

Everyone nodded and followed.

The teleportation array was located at the same place as before, atop the Starry Sky Platform in the Imperial Mausoleum. It wasn’t clear whether people from other sects had already left or fallen victim to those demon puppets. However, the appearance of demon puppets within the secret realm near Li’er Country was not something to take lightly. Thinking of Fairy Qinghua’s prophecy, everyone felt some degree of worry.

While others were worried, Tian Fangfang’s concerns were different. Only Tian Fangfang was in high spirits, likely having found many spiritual herbs and fruits on this trip, plus the unexpected encounter with the Jinhua Tiger, which left him beaming. He even joked, “The Emperor of Li’er may not have a good character, but he’s certainly wealthy. Look at the spirit stones of the teleportation array, all of them are fine lapis lazuli. If we sneakily take one…”

“Hey, don’t get any funny ideas!” Men Dong interrupted anxiously. “The spirit stones of the teleportation array are not to be tampered with. If they’re wrong, the destination could be drastically different. Besides, have you ever heard of anyone stealing teleportation array spirit stones?”

“I was just joking casually. Why are you taking it seriously?” Tian Fangfang chuckled. “Of course, I know you can’t steal the teleportation array spirit stones. Imagine if it sent us to some demon lair, that wouldn’t be funny at all. I just think the quality of these stones is pretty good.” He continued to examine each piece of lapis lazuli above him, feeling their colors and textures. “Look at this color, this feel, chilling and transparent…”

As he reached the last one, he suddenly exclaimed, “Huh?”

Zanxing asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Why does this one feel gritty, like a stone?” he muttered.

Just then, the teleportation array activated.

A blue halo suddenly expanded, and they were pulled into the vortex. Unlike the stable ride of a spirit boat, being within the teleportation array folded and compressed space, making for a rather unpleasant sensation.

Zanxing felt a bit dizzy.

Previously, when she had used a teleportation array, and although she felt dizzy, the discomfort didn’t last long. However, this time it seemed to take much longer than before, causing her stomach to churn. Glancing at Men Dong beside her, who couldn’t bear it anymore, he shouted, “What’s going on? Why haven’t we arrived yet?”

“No, wait,” Gu Baiying’s face changed slightly. “This isn’t the teleportation array to Li’er Country.”

Mu Cengxiao was stunned. “What?”

“The teleportation array has been tampered with,” Meng Ying suddenly looked at Tian Fangfang. “Junior Brother, you mentioned earlier that the spirit stones felt different?”

“Yes, yes,” Tian Fangfang, swaying from the teleportation array, managed to steady himself. “My sense of touch can’t be wrong. The last spirit stone felt much rougher.”

Gu Baiying and Meng Ying exchanged a glance, both feeling a sense of foreboding.

Zanxing also realized, “The teleportation array has been tampered with? Who could have tampered with it? Ordinary people from Li’er Country can’t, and even cultivators from sects wouldn’t have the ability. Could it be the demon puppets?”

“Oh no,” Men Dong’s face showed panic. “Are we really being sent to the demon puppets’ lair?”

Facing a group of demon puppets right after teleporting, for them, was going to be extremely difficult for them.

Mu Cengxiao might be the protagonist and wouldn’t die, but it was common for bystanders like them to die in each instance!

“How can we stop the teleportation array?” Mu Cengxiao managed to keep calm and asked.

“Once the teleportation array starts, it can only stop when it reaches its destination,” Meng Ying answered, a response that only deepened their despair.

As they worried, they suddenly felt the dizziness easing, and the jolting under their feet gradually subsided. The blue halo around them dissipated bit by bit until it completely dimmed.

The teleportation array came to a stop.

They had arrived at a new destination.

—

END OF THE SECRET REALM ARC.