Chapter 1328: Chapter 862:
"Alright."
No time to lose, with the day not fully bright, this is the last chance to act.
The three of them, Yang Xiao, rushed to the vicinity of the Rongcheng Apostles’ Union Headquarters. After Yang Xiao first used the Human Bone Staff to probe, the number of people inside the headquarters now was numerous, with over 50 Apostles, but most were Grudge-Level low-level apostles, with very few at the Fierce Grade.
But besides these small fries, there was a truly powerful figure hidden, indeed a Ghost-level Apostle.
No doubt about it, it was definitely the president, Qiu Huai De, the only Ghost-level expert openly in the Rongcheng Apostles’ Union.
However, due to the distance and caution about the magical artifact in the opponent’s hand, Yang Xiao did not dare delve too deeply and couldn’t determine the precise strength of the opponent.
But it was unquestionably a Ghost-level Apostle, at least an opponent at his own level.
"Sui, you stay outside and act on the situation, I’m worried there’s an ambush."
Yang Xiao quickly formulated an action plan and quietly advised, "Ming Yue and I will sneak inside. I will try to pull this old guy into the Mirror World, where Ming Yue will swiftly defeat and capture him, forcing him to save Fu Qingzhu."
"Alright, if anything unexpected happens, I’ll create chaos outside."
Sui Chengguo regretted his words as soon as he said them, realizing that he had misspoken. After all, with a Netherworld Realm expert present, what kind of trouble could there possibly be?
As long as the monk wanted to, he could kill all the experts in Rongcheng within a day.
However, Monk Mingyue did not mind his words. He was here to help today, and after resolving the trouble for his junior brother, Yang Xiao, he still needed to report back to his master.
If all went well, he could still catch a bowl of the Laba porridge cooked by Senior Brother Qingfeng in the morning.
Yang Xiao, unaware of their thoughts, was solely focused on saving people.
Leaving Sui Chengguo behind, Yang Xiao took Senior Brother Ming Yue and infiltrated the Apostles’ Union building, finding Qiu Huai De in one of the most luxurious offices within.
Contrary to Yang Xiao’s expectations, Qiu Huai De was not flustered at all. Dressed in a snow-white training suit, holding an Ancient Sword, he appeared calm and serene, like an elderly man practicing Tai Chi Swordsmanship in a park at dawn, each move embodying its essence.
"Old dog..." The thought of his own brother still suffering, infuriated Yang Xiao, who wished he could chop this old scoundrel into pieces to feed the dogs. Gathering his spiritual power, Yang Xiao curved his fingers into a hook and, catching the old scoundrel off guard, pulled him into the Mirror World.
Everything was surprisingly smooth. As Yang Xiao turned back, he raised his voice: "Ming Yue, he’s all yours!"
But in the next second, just as the old man was being sucked into the Mirror World, Yang Xiao’s world suddenly turned upside down. The ground vanished beneath his feet, and he plummeted inexplicably.
This scene caught Yang Xiao off guard, reminiscent of the bizarre sense of weightlessness when entering or exiting the Nightmare World, but distinct nonetheless.
A few seconds later, Yang Xiao’s feet found solid ground. Once steady, the sense of disorientation faded. To his shock, he found himself outside the range of the Mirror World, in an unfamiliar place.
"This is..." Before him lay a dilapidated courtyard, square-shaped—not large, but not small either, with five unevenly sized houses distributed within.
Centrally located were two brick-tiled houses, along with three other earthen ones, their roofs covered with straw-like material.
Surrounding the courtyard was a dirt-yellow short wall, and beyond that lay a foggy world that filled Yang Xiao with an inexplicable dread, as if stepping beyond the courtyard’s confines into that misty world would result in eternal disorientation.
Clad in a training suit, Qiu Huai De stood not far in front of him, but Senior Brother Ming Yue, who had been with Yang Xiao in the Mirror World, was nowhere to be found.
"Haha, I’ve been expecting you, didn’t think you’d actually come walking into my trap." Qiu Huai De held the Ancient Sword with an expression that suggested he was already seeing through it all.
"Who the hell are you? Even when brewing, you should know whose skull it is."
Facing Yang Xiao, Qiu Huai De showed no fear. He could sense that the other party’s spiritual power level was below his own, and this was his territory.
Before taking action, Yang Xiao had donned a mask, leaving Qiu Huai De unable to see his face.
In just about ten seconds, Yang Xiao assessed the current situation; he had been tricked by the opponent and was now trapped in a strange world, similar to his Mirror World but much smaller.
And this courtyard... Yang Xiao frowned, his gaze slowly scanning it, feeling a sense of familiarity.
"Be careful, careful of the Bone Fan in his hand, it can draw out one’s soul!"
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out, prompting Yang Xiao to look toward the sound. In the corner of the courtyard, inside a secluded grass hut, there was a dark window barred with wooden stakes, squeezing behind it were 7 or 8 small heads.
One face, pressed against the window, was calling out to him anxiously—it was none other than Fu Qingzhu, though his body appeared extremely ghostly now.
A familiar scene flashed before Yang Xiao’s mind. He remembered this treasure: a Bone Fan made of ivory fan bones, seen at a high-level auction in the Peace Hotel.
That Bone Fan was among the most valuable artifacts, the fan’s surface depicting such a square dwelling.
According to the auctioneer, it was an extremely rare Space-type Magical Artifact, capable of drawing enemies into the painting, with a very high price.
Yang Xiao recalled that the Bone Fan was auctioned off by a buyer with a very early number, surprising him that it turned out to be Qiu Huai De!
After hearing Fu Qingzhu’s reminder, a glint flashed in Qiu Huai De’s eyes. He now knew who the intruder was, none other than Yang Xiao.
