Chapter 163: Chapter 163: Narrow Encounter
However, these attacks only managed to create ripples on the light barrier, unable to penetrate it in the slightest.
"It really works." A hint of delight appeared on Zhao Wei’s face.
Protected by Zhao Wei’s Array, the group advanced together and vanished into the depths of the cave.
Not long after, the Sixth Prince’s group arrived from behind.
"Damn it, it’s freezing to death in here! What the hell is this place? What are Eighth Brother and his people doing here?"
The Sixth Prince shivered violently. Among the group, his cultivation was the lowest; at only the Martial Master Third Layer, he had nearly been frozen stiff by the cave’s frigid air.
Hmm?
When they saw the land of wind and lightning before them, the group was even more dumbfounded.
The sheer density of the attacks was terrifying to behold.
"Mr. Mo," the Sixth Prince said, looking at Mosen.
Mosen nodded and walked into the land of wind and lightning. A moment later, he retreated. His robes were slightly torn, but he didn’t look flustered.
"Your Highness, each Wind Blade and bolt of lightning here is equivalent to a full-force strike from a First Layer Earth Martial Artist," he reported.
"What?"
The Sixth Prince was stunned. "Mr. Mo, that’s impossible, isn’t it? Eighth Brother is still a student at Profound Spirit Academy. According to the rules Father set, he can only invite other academy students for any task. A group of Martial Master-level students... how did they get in?"
Mosen didn’t answer. He closed his eyes and sensed his surroundings for a moment. Then, he swept his hands over the ground where Ye Xuan and the others had operated their Array, and his eyes suddenly lit up.
"Your Highness, if I’m not mistaken, they must have used some kind of Defensive Array to pass through this area."
’It seems Eighth Brother came well-prepared.’
The Sixth Prince frowned. "In that case, I’m even more curious to go in and see for myself."
"Mr. Mo, is there a way to get me inside?"
Among the people he had brought, several were at the First or Second Layer of the Earth Martial Artist realm, but the strongest was Mosen, a Celestial Martial Artist.
Moreover, Mosen was not only powerful but also a Soul Refiner, with astonishing attainments in various fields.
He had come to the royal family’s restricted area this time precisely to have Mosen find him the most suitable Profound Beast to enhance his martial soul.
"Of course, no problem," Mosen said with a faint smile.
WENG!
He took out an Array Disc of his own and activated it with a gentle push. A hazy light immediately enveloped him and the Sixth Prince.
"You lot, be careful."
After giving this instruction to the remaining men, the Sixth Prince’s group also entered the land of wind and lightning.
CRACKLE! SIZZLE!
Countless Wind Blades and bolts of lightning surged toward them. The Sixth Prince and Mosen, shrouded in light, were naturally unharmed, but the remaining men he had brought were thrown into a frantic scramble.
Some of the Second Layer Earth Martial Artists, despite their considerable strength, were forced to constantly defend against the barrage of wind and lightning. If they were careless for a moment and got struck, they wouldn’t be seriously injured, but the pain was excruciating.
The remaining First Layer Earth Martial Artists were in an even more wretched state. After all, each of these attacks was equivalent to a full-force strike from a First Layer Earth Martial Artist. A direct hit would be absolutely fatal for them.
Fortunately, with the help of their companions, they managed to remain unharmed.
The group pushed deeper inside.
The cave system here was far more complex than the previous passage, with winding, twisting tunnels and howling gales.
Suddenly—
Mosen, who was leading the way, had a sudden change in expression. He stopped in his tracks, his gaze fixed ahead.
The Sixth Prince was about to ask what was wrong when Mosen’s sinister voice rang out, "There’s no need to hide anymore. I discovered you all long ago."
The Sixth Prince’s group hurriedly looked over and saw a group of people emerge from a bend in the tunnel.
"I was wondering who was secretly following us with malicious intent. So, it was you, Sixth Brother."
Zhao Wei’s expression was incredibly grim as he looked at Zhao Gang and his entourage.
Beside him, Qing Ling and the others shot a look of astonishment at Ye Xuan.
The reason they had stopped and waited here was entirely due to Ye Xuan’s suggestion.
Ye Xuan had felt that the earlier flock of Soul-Devouring Saber Birds was very strange and had likely been controlled by someone. If their pursuers had truly targeted them, they would definitely follow them into the cave, making this land of wind and lightning an excellent place to lie in wait.
When Ye Xuan had said this, Fu Yuling had sneered incessantly, thinking he was overly suspicious and paranoid. The others also felt that Ye Xuan was making a mountain out of a molehill.
However, out of caution, Zhao Wei had still agreed to Ye Xuan’s proposal to wait here for a while and see if anyone was following them.
Unexpectedly, someone had actually been tailing them.
In that instant, everyone’s perception of Ye Xuan changed once again.
From discovering the Soul-Devouring Saber Birds to his suspicion of the Sixth Prince’s group, Ye Xuan’s grasp of the situation had been one step ahead of theirs the entire time.
When they remembered he was a new student who had been at the academy for less than a year, Qing Ling and the others found it hard to believe. Since when was a newcomer from the countryside so freakishly capable?
The fact that Ye Xuan could defeat Tong Hong was surprising, but still something they could barely accept.
After all, many students from outside the capital and commoners from the countryside were exceptionally talented, but even that kind of genius had its limits.
But the current Ye Xuan had surpassed those limits. His worldly experience and sensitivity to his surroundings far exceeded their own, they who were the favored children of the Royal City. It was truly astonishing.
But their shock was only momentary. Soon, everyone’s attention was fixed on the group opposite them.
This was no time to be shocked. The Sixth Prince had followed them all this way; Qing Ling and the others would never believe it was a coincidence.
Zhao Gang, after his initial surprise at being discovered, quickly composed himself. He gave a wicked grin. "Eighth Brother, you make it sound so unpleasant. What do you mean, ’malicious intent’? What do you mean, ’secretly following’? This is a royal restricted area. If you can come in, why can’t I? Or is this cave your personal forbidden ground? Heh heh, even if it were, I’d still barge right in."
His tone was that of a complete rogue.
Zhao Gang shot a look at his subordinates. Several First and Second Layer Earth Martial Artists immediately stepped forward slowly.
CLANG!
Within the large Array, Zuo Liu and the others drew their weapons, their faces grave.
In the opposing group, aside from the Sixth Prince Zhao Gang who was a Martial Master Third Layer, the rest were all Earth Martial Artist experts. Their overall strength far surpassed that of Zhao Wei’s team, making them feel as if they were facing a formidable enemy.
Zhao Gang chuckled. "Eighth Brother, I won’t beat around the bush. You’re here to enhance your martial soul, right? As it happens, I have the same goal. Why don’t we join forces and fight side-by-side? Wouldn’t that be great?"
"Sixth Brother, you must be joking. I’m still a student of Profound Spirit Academy. I wouldn’t dare break Father’s rules," Zhao Wei said, shaking his head.
"Eh, with your Sixth Brother here, what are you afraid of?" Zhao Gang said, narrowing his eyes. "Besides, rules are rigid, but people are flexible. If we team up here, as long as we don’t say anything, how would Father ever know? Don’t worry, I’ll definitely keep your secret for you."
"I’d better not. Sixth Brother, do me a favor. I discovered this cave first, so please don’t fight me for it." Zhao Wei’s expression was grim.
He didn’t believe a single word Zhao Gang said. This stalemate had instantly shattered his plans.
His only relief was that he had listened to Ye Xuan. If Zhao Gang had shown up while he was trying to capture the Lightning Mink, the situation would have been far more dangerous.
"It seems you don’t trust your Sixth Brother, Eighth Brother. In that case, there’s nothing to be done. These people with you must be students from Profound Spirit Academy, right? And judging by their auras, they’re probably masters from the Wind and Cloud Rankings. It’s been a while since I left the Profound Spirit Academy, and I’m quite curious about the current masters on the rankings."
As his voice fell, Zhao Gang gave his men a meaningful look.
The experts immediately moved to surround them.
Zhao Wei’s expression changed. "Sixth Brother, what do you think you’re doing?"
Zhao Gang gave another wicked smile. "What could I be doing? I just want to see what the so-called masters of the academy are capable of these days."
As he said this, a murderous glint flashed in his eyes. He said sinisterly, "Cripple them. But remember, don’t hurt my dear little brother. If Father blames me, I won’t be able to bear the consequences."
Following Zhao Gang’s order, the experts let out a low shout and lunged toward Ye Xuan’s group.
Panic flickered across the faces of Zhao Wei and his companions. They retreated repeatedly while shouting furiously, "Sixth Brother, aren’t you afraid of Father’s punishment?"
"Father’s punishment? I was just testing the strength of Profound Spirit Academy’s geniuses. I didn’t expect them to be so weak that they’d unfortunately die here. I’m quite sympathetic, really. Don’t worry, after they’re dead, I’ll personally send the academy a generous compensation."
Zhao Gang remained unmoved. Seeing the panicked expressions on their faces, a brilliant smile spread across his own.
Under these circumstances, he naturally wouldn’t dare to kill Zhao Wei. If an investigation revealed he had, the consequences would be severe. But killing a few of Eighth Brother’s underlings and ruining his trial mission was a trivial matter.
The thought of Zhao Wei’s angry, indignant, and helpless expression filled him with a sense of pleasure.
At that moment, several Earth Martial Artists simultaneously unleashed their martial techniques, striking at Ye Xuan and the others within the Array. In response, Ye Xuan’s group’s faces turned ashen, and they stumbled backward, filled with despair.
A silent smile spread across Zhao Gang’s face.
Mosen, who had been protecting Zhao Gang all along, also had a faint smile on his lips at first. But now, his expression suddenly changed.
A vague sense of crisis welled up in his heart.
"Watch out!"
He tried to shout a warning, but it was already too late.
The Earth Martial Artists were only halfway to their target when a dense fluctuation of Profound Qi suddenly flashed from the ground.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The ground beneath their feet exploded in unison.
