Three minutes passed in the blink of an eye.
Shen Jianxi and Lin Xinglan slipped in through the back window during the shift change of the two demon teams.
The main hall was enormous, built according to the demands of the former Lord of Li City. Upon entering, the first thing they saw were resplendent pillars, which upon closer inspection, were entirely made of gold.
It seemed the previous Lord of Li City had also been one for indulgence.
Apart from various luxury items, the main hall contained nothing else.
"77, check if there are any secret passages or rooms here."
Although 77 could not scan through areas with barriers, it could easily scan a secret room.
In just two minutes, 77 replied, "Twist the left leg of the central seat to the right twice, then to the left three times."
Shen Jianxi followed the instructions.
With a creak, a dark hole appeared on the ground, revealing stairs. However, it was pitch black inside, and they couldn't see anything clearly from above.
As Shen Jianxi was about to descend, Lin Xinglan stopped her by extending his arm.
She looked at him, puzzled.
"I'll go first." He couldn't let her take the risk if he didn't know what lay below.
With that, he raised his sword before his chest and cautiously took one step after another.
Shen Jianxi followed behind him, one step lower than him.
It was very quiet below, so quiet they could hear each other's heartbeats and breaths.
As soon as they touched the ground, a dark passage lay ahead, its length impossible to discern.
Shen Jianxi groped her way to Lin Xinglan's side and gently hooked his little finger. She felt his body stiffen successfully.
"...It's too dark here."
As she spoke, she tightened her grip on his hand.
Lin Xinglan clasped her hand in return and walked forward cautiously.
They walked for an unknown amount of time until 77 spoke in her mind, saying, "Stop." The passage still hadn't ended.
The moment she spoke, Lin Xinglan stopped in place. Without asking why, he simply stood beside her, watching her investigate.
Even in the darkness, his gaze remained focused on Shen Jianxi.
Still holding her soft, boneless hand, Lin Xinglan felt that this time, with just the two of them, was truly blissful. It was so blissful that he didn't want to leave.
While he was lost in thought, Shen Jianxi, guided by 77's instructions, successfully found a protruding part and pressed it.
"Hey, don't—"
Before she could finish speaking, the floor beneath their feet suddenly opened up, and before Shen Jianxi and Lin Xinglan could react, they plummeted straight down.
Lin Xinglan instinctively shielded her tightly in his arms, his large palm covering her head to prevent any falling debris from hitting her.
They didn't fall for long and soon landed on the ground.
The height wasn't great, but Shen Jianxi's skin was too delicate, so she still sustained some scratches.
This place was not as dark as above; it was bright.
However, the light didn't come from lamps or torches, but from the churning lava around them.
The lava encircled a circular open space, and around this space were layer upon layer of barriers. Moreover, upon entering, she clearly felt the spiritual energy within her rapidly draining.
She exchanged a glance with Lin Xinglan beside her; it was obvious he had also noticed this problem, his expression grave.
The exit they had entered through had closed, and they couldn't afford to waste too much time here, or they might die from spiritual exhaustion.
...
Meanwhile, Qiu Tao and Cheng Wenyu were preparing to go to Mingxin Sect to deal with the demons there. On the way, they encountered people from the Cheng and Shen families.
"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, why are you here?" Upon seeing the familiar large contingent, Cheng Wenyu immediately stepped forward, completely bypassing his father.
Father Cheng: ...This unfilial son!
Looking at his own forward step, Father Cheng felt deeply ashamed. Taking advantage of no one paying attention, he quietly retreated.
"Wenyu!" Mother Shen grabbed Cheng Wenyu's arms, her face etched with anxiety and worry, her expression haggard. "That girl Xixi left without a word. How could this child let you youngsters bear such a heavy burden!"
As she spoke, Shen Jiayi could no longer hold back and rushed forward, "Where is my sister? Aren't you together?" Su Dan Novel Network
He had been unable to hold back as soon as he saw the two of them, but his mother was speaking, so he didn't want to interrupt.
Qiu Tao, feeling ignored, stepped forward and said with a smile, "Xixi went to Li City with my junior brother. Brothers, Aunt, Uncle, there's no need to worry; there are very few demons left there."
"You must be Young Master Qiu," Shen Ziqian said, his expression steady and calm, with a hint of displeasure in his voice. "Young Master Qiu, we really cannot accept being called 'brother'."
Qiu Tao smiled indifferently. In the end, she was his person now, so being a little cold-shouldered was nothing. Even if they liked Cheng Wenyu more, weren't the two of them separated anyway?
"May I ask where you are all heading?"
Father Shen glanced sideways at Qiu Tao. He looked too effeminate, giving the impression of being restless and unsuitable for his precious daughter.
If Qiu Tao knew what Father Shen was thinking, he would feel wronged. They hadn't even reached adulthood yet, and their androgynous beauty would seem even less secure.
However, Father Shen was older, and despite his dissatisfaction, he didn't show it. He said lightly, "We were preparing to go to Mingxin Sect, but we didn't expect to meet you here."
Mingxin Sect being occupied by demons was already an insult to them as cultivators. They had just arrived first; many other forces were also heading here.
Cheng Wenyu was taken aback. He had thought they would go to the demon realm to find her first, but they had come here instead.
What was originally a journey for two had suddenly become a large contingent, with young disciples from both the Shen and Cheng families almost all brought out.
The place where they met was basically at the foot of Mingxin Sect. They soon reached their destination.
At the foot of the mountain, only a dozen or so scattered demons were guarding. They had more people, and five of them were sent out, silently resolving the threat.
Upon ascending the mountain, they saw desolation that filled their hearts with sorrow.
Especially for Qiu Tao and Cheng Wenyu.
This was their sect, and now, apart from demons, they couldn't see a single living disciple. The cultivation and living quarters had been razed to the ground, and even the majestic main hall was charred everywhere.
Fortunately, because they were preparing to attack the demon realm, Lianhua had taken most of the demons from Mingxin Sect with him, so they didn't have to endure a tough battle and quickly dealt with the remaining demons.
...
However, compared to them, Fuzi's side was not faring as well.
When Lianhua and the others arrived in the afternoon, there was a surprise attack. However, it was just a simple harassment before they retreated, as if just to tease him. This made Fuzi's expression very unpleasant.
"...Increase the guards on the east by threefold..."
In the hall, Fuzi was discussing plans with various demon generals, while also worrying about Shen Jianxi's situation.
No matter how few demons were in Li City, he was still afraid that something unexpected might happen.
If it weren't for Lianhua's potential to attack again at any time, he would have gone over long ago.
Glancing at the demon generals gathered around the table, Fuzi sighed in his heart.
If their cultivation were sufficient, he wouldn't need to be here personally.
However, Lianhua...
It was indeed time for them to have a reckoning.
He hadn't expected to encounter an uninvited guest before Lianhua.
"General Li Mou, why are you here instead of staying with your Immortal Lord?"
Fuzi, seated on the throne, looked down at Li Mou standing in the hall.
Li Mou lowered his head. "Li Mou knows he has made a mistake. I do not seek Your Excellency's forgiveness, only wish for an opportunity to atone for my sins."
Fuzi's expression remained unchanged. He continued to stare at Li Mou casually, resting his chin on his hand. "Oh? Let me hear it, what good method do you have for atonement?"
Remembering the humiliation and orders Lianhua had subjected him to, Li Mou felt annoyed, his tone becoming more sincere. "This subordinate knows how to kill Lianhua."
This piqued Fuzi's interest. They only knew that Lianhua's ascension to demigod status was related to that formation; all other information was mere speculation. He straightened up slightly.
Fuzi lightly tapped the armrest. The entire hall fell silent. Li Mou's heart tightened with the passing of time. He wanted to look up and see Fuzi's reaction but dared not.
Only when he saw Li Mou clearly becoming anxious did Fuzi change his posture and let out a light chuckle, "Tell me."
During the waiting period, Li Mou's resolve had already crumbled.
If he were still the foremost demon general of the demon race in the past, he would naturally not have such poor endurance. However, Lianhua had shattered his dignity and trampled it underfoot during this period. Li Mou had long lost his former arrogance.
Hearing Fuzi speak now, he hurriedly poured out everything as if pouring beans.
After hearing him finish, Fuzi felt a sigh of relief. It seemed their guesses were largely correct, and sending the two of them to Li City had been the right move.
After Li Mou finished speaking, he anxiously awaited Fuzi's command.
Fuzi glanced at him and smiled, his lips curving. "We must thank General Li Mou for this. However, I have another matter that requires General Li Mou's attention. If you do well, all past transgressions will be forgiven."
Li Mou quickly stepped forward, his expression becoming even more respectful. "Your Excellency, please speak. Li Mou will definitely do his best."
The hall was silent for a moment, after which Fuzi opened his lips.