Mo Qi smiled broadly, "Your son brought this upon himself. Everyone present heard him challenge me to a battle of life and death, and I obliged. If we bet on life and death, you wouldn't accept my death but demand an explanation if he died, would you? What kind of logic is that?"
Grand Tutor Zhong finally relented, "Then... I'll drop the matter of the Xin Tie. Release the Sen Tie."
Mo Qi snorted coldly and tapped the bell again. A wail echoed from within.
"You..." Grand Tutor Zhong's face contorted with rage, but then he quickly adopted a fawning expression. "What will it take for you to release him?"
Mo Qi pointed at Shui Wan Cheng. "I want you to declare me the victor, and the City Lord must promise to guarantee my safe departure."
Grand Tutor Zhong turned, his gaze pleading, towards Shui Wan Cheng.
Shui Wan Cheng stood up, brushed the dust off his clothes, and declared magnanimously, "You won fair and square, it's evident to everyone. And what do you take my Sky City for? You won the competition honorably, why would you need us to guarantee your safe departure? Do you fear we'll seek revenge for this outcome? You underestimate my Sky City."
"Good, well said." Mo Qi slammed the top of the bell, then realized his mistake. He raised his hand with a wry smile, "It was unintentional!"
Silence emanated from the Dong Huang Bell!
Grand Tutor Zhong was so enraged he felt like spitting blood. He lunged at Mo Qi again, "I'll kill you!"
Mo Qi once again aimed the bell's opening at him. Inside, Zhong Sen Tie lay on the ground, bleeding profusely.
Grand Tutor Zhong, fearing for his life, abruptly halted his charge. He stared at Mo Qi, his face twitching uncontrollably.
Mo Qi felt for Zhong Sen Tie's breath and then, feigning relief, announced, "He's still alive!" He grabbed the man by the collar and tossed him towards Grand Tutor Zhong, who leaped to catch him.
Mo Qi, meanwhile, activated his Golden Light Shrinking Ground Technique and darted towards the city's edge.
"Stop him!" Grand Tutor Zhong's enraged roar followed.
Thousands of figures rushed after him!
Mo Qi headed straight for the mountain gate. Anyone who blocked his path was met with Thunder Pills, carving a bloody path towards the New Wasteland.
Shui Wan Cheng's calm voice echoed again, "Little Mo, there's no need to flee. You merely killed him by accident, not intentionally. Come back and explain yourself to everyone. Have you considered that the Heavenly Realm has already given you one chance? If you flee now, you'll face endless pursuit from the Heavenly Realm."
"I don't believe you!"
Sky City was a place where not a single grain of impurity was allowed. Zhong Xin Tie had made it clear that no one from the lower realms had ever won the Heavenly Pride Competition.
Shui Wan Cheng was an emperor in his own right, fostering his own power base and tolerating no dissent.
He harbored dissatisfaction with the Heavenly Court but avoided open conflict, instead developing his forces under the guise of resisting the Demon Realm.
He had ample opportunity to destroy the Demon Emperor but refrained. He wanted the Demon Emperor to grow stronger so that he too could grow stronger.
Otherwise, if the Demon Realm were pacified, what would be the purpose of Sky City's existence?
Mo Qi had sensed Shui Wan Cheng's cunning when he was in the Demon Realm, though he wasn't entirely certain then. His suspicions deepened with each round of the competition.
Mo Qi picked up speed, heading directly towards the Demon Realm.
He charged recklessly, crashing into Grand Tutor Wang's military camp. Shouts erupted behind him, "Stop him! He killed Grand Tutor Wang!"
Thousands of soldiers converged on Mo Qi from all directions.
"Those who block me die!"
Mo Qi ran in a single direction, ignoring the others, and hurled Thunder Pills as he fled.
Explosions echoed incessantly, causing chaos and raising dust and flying debris.
Simultaneously, countless beams of light and energy assailed him from all sides. Mo Qi ensnared himself with the Qian Kun Ring, and divine light emanated from its circumference to counter the incoming divine abilities.
The light beams shattered, erupting like fireworks, dazzling and brilliant.
The fragmented divine light tore at his skin, causing Mo Qi to grit his teeth in pain.
Despite the agony, he persevered, continuously throwing Thunder Pills, carving a bloody path straight towards the Demon Realm.
He soon broke free of the camp and approached the boundary cliff.
Shui Wan Cheng suddenly ceased his pursuit. Perhaps his heading to the Demon Realm was a good thing!
At that moment, a graceful figure descended, her voice clear and melodious, like pearls falling onto a jade plate. "Where are you going, boy? Aren't you supposed to go and face your destiny?"
Mo Qi focused his gaze. A beautiful young woman stood before him, clad in a red dress that accentuated her alluring figure. Her skin was fair, her eyes like crescent moons, her brows like distant mountains. Her features were perfectly proportioned, creating a painting that stirred the heart at first glance.
Upon a second look, she seemed strangely familiar.
Mo Qi was in a desperate situation and had no time to admire her beauty. He urged, "Move aside quickly, I'm fleeing for my life."
The woman smiled enchantingly, "I am here precisely for that!"
As she spoke, she extended her hand. A small net flew out, growing rapidly in the wind until it spanned from heaven to earth.
The pursuing soldiers, crashing into the net, were repelled.
"This net is called the Mist Dew Qian Kun Net. You cannot pass," the woman said with a smile.
Grand Tutor Zhong and a large group arrived, intending to charge through the net, but Shui Wan Cheng stopped them.
Shui Wan Cheng recognized the woman. He gazed at her from behind the net, "Princess Long Ji, what brings you here?"
Long Ji glanced at Mo Qi, "For him."
Shui Wan Cheng snorted coldly, "I was ordered by the Heavenly Realm to bring him back from the Demon Realm and kindly allowed him to participate in the Heavenly Pride Competition, destined for the Eastern Continent. Yet, this fellow is utterly disrespectful, breaking rules, and killing my subordinates. His crimes are heinous."
Mo Qi looked at Shui Wan Cheng, "Do you think I'm mute and can't speak? You're spewing nonsense. Have you no shame? I broke the rules? How did I break the rules? You manipulated the competition, bullied others with your power, suppressed foreign forces, clearly forming factions. And you dare to play the victim! Let me tell you, if it weren't for the fact that you are Shui Han's father, I would have captured you with the Dong Huang Bell. Don't think I'm running because I'm afraid; I simply don't want to harm innocent people."
He then produced the Dong Huang Bell again.
He felt a pang of unease, hesitant to use the Dong Huang Bell against Shui Wan Cheng. If he couldn't control Shui Wan Cheng and his only reliance was rendered useless, wouldn't the entire Sky City devour him?
This was the true reason he had fled.
He felt too stifled in Sky City!
Even if he hadn't accidentally killed Zhong Sen Tie, he wouldn't have wanted to stay a moment longer.
He also didn't believe the people of Sky City would overlook past grievances and truly acknowledge his victory!
So, in retrospect, he wasn't sure if he had intentionally killed Zhong Sen Tie to create an opportunity to escape.
Shui Wan Cheng's eyelids twitched as he looked at the Dong Huang Bell.
He wasn't sure if he could handle the Dong Huang Bell himself and dared not try.
If he were captured, it would be utter ruin and incredibly humiliating!
Thinking of Grand Tutor Wang, he felt it wasn't worth it!
Why so impulsive?
Why so reckless?
"Don't talk nonsense," Long Ji glared at Mo Qi. "How could City Lord Shui be such a person? Do you know how much effort and sacrifice City Lord Shui has dedicated over the years, risking his life to protect the peace of the Heavenly Realm and the mortal world?"
She then transmitted her voice to Mo Qi, "Leave quickly and head directly to the Eastern Continent. I will hold them off, and I will deal with the Heavenly Realm."
Mo Qi thought, she is a Heavenly Princess, so she should have some influence in the Heavenly Realm. I'll trust her this time and go to the Eastern Continent first. If it doesn't work out, I'll come back.
With that thought, Mo Qi put away the Dong Huang Bell and activated his Golden Light Shrinking Ground Technique, flying away.
Long Ji looked at Shui Wan Cheng, "You all go back first. I will report his violation of rules and the killing of a Sky City citizen to my father. The decision on what to do will be his."
Although Shui Wan Cheng knew Long Ji intended to let Mo Qi escape, he could only sigh and order everyone to return to the city.
Mo Qi felt a sense of familiarity with Long Ji, pondering it as he traveled.
Finally, he slapped his forehead, unable to help but smile, "So it was her!"
The night he left home, his boat had flown into the sky. Two uninvited guests had arrived on board: Cui Mao and her, disguised as a man!
Mo Qi felt a surge of excitement. He had a premonition that this was not their second meeting.
Mo Qi flew aimlessly for a while!
The distance from Bei Lu Continent to Dong Sheng Continent was vast. As he walked, he got lost.
Suddenly, a streak of light and shadow flashed across the sky, and a pleasant voice called out, "Boy, are you going the wrong way?"
Mo Qi, hearing the voice, turned excitedly, "Young lady, don't call me that. I was a boy back then, but I'm not forever."
Long Ji flew past him. While Mo Qi was stunned, she said, "Aren't you coming? I'll take you to the Eastern Continent."
"Alright," Mo Qi agreed and sped up, chasing after her.
"Young lady, who are you going to introduce me to? I heard there's a fight over there?" Mo Qi caught up to Long Ji, glancing at her. His heart fluttered, and he felt a sense of suffocation.
"You've caused trouble, and you must resolve it yourself. Whatever happens is your fate," Long Ji replied, looking at him and smiling.
"Are there any hints? Or, which side is winning the fight?" Mo Qi asked indirectly.
"King Yin is immoral, cruel, and tyrannical, a foolish ruler. The Zhou Dynasty has the Mandate of Heaven and should replace the Yin Dynasty," Long Ji said.
"Ah? A mortal dynasty fighting? Not gods fighting? If gods aren't fighting, why should we get involved?" Mo Qi asked, confused.
"This is a calamity, and no one can escape it," Long Ji said.
"Your name is Long Ji?" Mo Qi asked.
"My name is Zhu Yue Xi. Long Ji is my title."
"How many times have we met?"
"Three times. The second time was when I was the referee at the competition between the Heavenly God Academy and the Heavenly Rank Academy."
As they traveled, Mo Qi asked question after question, as if he had an endless supply.
Long Ji answered everything without reservation, patiently.
After a long while, Long Ji stopped, "We've arrived. You can go down now."
Mo Qi looked at the vast sea of clouds below and exclaimed, "You're not coming down?"
"I'm returning to the Heavenly Court. Take care of yourself," Long Ji said slowly.