ATPnovel Chapter 482 - 349: Meng Shuxuan, Celestial Star Pavilion! (Double-Length)
Chapter 482 - 349: Meng Shuxuan, Celestial Star Pavilion! (Double-Length)
Continuing to search in the southeast direction, they quickly found a depression amidst barren hills and mountains.
This depression still had streams of unknown origin flowing into it, and though close to the Red Earth Continent, it had a rare abundance of vegetation.
In this vast area of desolate land spanning tens of thousands of miles, finding such a vibrant place was quite uncommon.
A few people stood atop a barren mountain, overlooking this expansive depression.
"This should be the place!" Chu Wantong confirmed, after checking the location.
"This place isn’t far from the Southern Border Grotto Heaven Treasure Land, is it?" Xing Tiexin speculated, gazing southeast towards a turbulent sea of clouds.
"Could it be that this Flower Raccoon came from the Southern Border?"
Beside them, Meng Shuxuan’s gaze grew increasingly cold, and she incessantly scanned the depression ahead for traces of the Demon Race.
She didn’t care where this was, nor was she interested in the true origins of the Demon Race.
She only knew she was here to seek revenge and avenge her father!
"We’ll search in three groups. Tiexin, you lead one team, I’ll lead another, Changming you the third, and also..."
Yang Zhen hesitated, then assigned Meng Shuxuan and Chu Wantong to join Song Changming’s team.
Chu Wantong’s status as a military officer made it easier, while Meng Shuxuan only communicated with Song Changming—even Yang Zhen couldn’t command her.
Moreover, her identity made him cautious.
She was not only a descendant of the Meng Family in Core City but also a disciple of the Celestial Star Pavilion in the Three Thousand Spirit Mountains, seemingly not an ordinary disciple, making him wary of being too forceful.
Who knew what kind of reclusive master stood behind her; even Prince Cui probably had to show respect!
Therefore, he had no choice but to leave it to Song Changming.
"If this young lady insists on doing things her way, let her, but make sure she stays safe, or we’ll be in trouble. Remember, her life is more important than the mission."
Before leaving, Yang Zhen instructed Song Changming privately, trusting in his capabilities.
Once Song Changming sensed danger and decided to leave, even Yang Zhen had no assurance he could detain him.
"Alright." Song Changming shook his head, agreeing helplessly.
Apparently, the Celestial Star Pavilion backing Meng Shuxuan was stronger than he had anticipated.
However, he was unsure if Meng Shuxuan truly needed his protection, as she was no frail young lady.
Yang Zhen then distributed a talisman paper to everyone.
"This is a level Two Concealment Talisman, one for each person."
Song Changming accepted the talisman paper, glanced at it, and then lightly caressed the intricate runes on it with interest.
This was a category of rune he had not yet mastered.
He knew of the Concealment Talisman, and its effect was straightforward—used for hiding one’s breath and concealing qi.
Usually, such a talisman lasted a day, preventing others from sensing the user’s presence from afar.
Such a talisman wasn’t cheap, and he wondered if the Military Department would reimburse it afterward.
But judging by Yang Zhen’s calm demeanor, there seemed to be a way to report it for reimbursement.
When it was handed to Meng Shuxuan, she only gave it a slight glance.
"No need." She said, then with a swipe of her hand, retrieved a similar Concealment Talisman from her Heaven and Earth Ring.
Song Changming, familiar with the Rune Tao, immediately recognized that Meng Shuxuan’s talisman was of a higher grade.
Moreover, her Heaven and Earth Ring was a rare item even for a Noble Family in the main city.
Seeing this, Yang Zhen didn’t persist.
After discussing some details, the group didn’t linger longer. Each activating their Concealment Talisman, they split into three paths and plunged into the depression below.
Inside the depression, the mist was dense, accompanied by many marshy and muddy grounds that were hard to identify with the naked eye, along with some poisonous miasma mixed in the fog.
It must be said that although this place had abundant greenery, the environment wasn’t particularly hospitable.
Inside a mountain slope covered in creeping vines, there was a well-concealed large cave.
Compared to the outside depression, it was significantly drier inside, filled with Demon Qi, and piles of ghastly white bones.
Upon closer inspection, one would notice the majority were human bones.
"I heard Lord Yin successfully assassinated the City Lord of Feng City, but he’s been gone for so long. Could something have happened?" Inside, some Flower Raccoon Demons with raccoon-like ears were discussing among themselves.
"Don’t talk nonsense, Lord Yin is a great figure from the Southern Border; how could anything happen to him?"
"Why wouldn’t something happen? Look, even our leader is hiding in this cave, not allowing us to go out and capture people to eat. Isn’t this a death sentence for us?"
"Daring to speak ill of the leader—are you tired of living!"
"Without human flesh to eat, living is tasteless." The Flower Raccoon Demon said nonchalantly.
The next moment, from around a corner, a towering figure, as tall and slender as a utility pole, appeared before the Flower Raccoon Slave Race members.
"Bo- Boss!" The Flower Raccoon Demons were startled.
At this moment, the Flower Raccoon leader looked displeased, glaring at the one who had spoken against him.
"Since you feel you’ve lived enough, I’ll fulfill your wish!"
With that, the Flower Raccoon leader swiped a claw, smashing the head of the reckless member.
"Spare us, leader!" the remaining Flower Raccoon Demons pleaded for mercy, not daring to raise their heads as the leader’s gaze swept over them.
"Hmph! Now scram!" The leader huffed heavily, scaring the Demons away, then turned to the two white-robed figures trailing behind him with a flattering smile.
"Sorry to embarrass you both, sirs."
The two white-robed figures were half the size of the Flower Raccoon leader, their presence barely perceptible, exuding deep mystery.
"Enough with the nonsense, don’t waste my time!" One shorter white-robed figure spoke with an aged voice, carrying a hint of frigidity and murderous intent.
"Yes, yes, this way please." The previously arrogant Flower Raccoon leader immediately lowered his stance, never straightening his hunched back.
He evidently feared these two white-robed figures profoundly, leading them respectfully into his so-called Wang’s Cave.
"Wang’s Cave" was a name he coined himself.
He had heard of Human cities having palaces and princely mansions, so he imitated them, creating a Wang’s Cave which he thought befitting his status as a leader.
Many designs inside were modeled on the structure of Human mansions.
The white-robed figure entered Wang’s Cave, snorted after a quick glance, "A mere flower cat daring to mimic humans by building a mansion—what a pathetic joke."
"Yes, you’re right, sir." Despite the burst of rage in his heart, the Flower Raccoon leader didn’t dare show a hint of it.
"Let’s get down to business." The aged voice echoed again, now tinged with impatience.
It seemed every minute spent here was a disgrace to his status.
"Very well, sir, please speak. Whatever I can do to assist, I will risk my life to achieve it for you!" the Flower Raccoon leader vowed humbly.
"I want you to kill someone. If successful, you’ll be rewarded. If not, there’s no need for the Flower Raccoon Slave Race to exist anymore," the white-robed figure said coldly.
The threat was unmistakably clear.
"Wh- Who do you want me to kill?" The leader stammered, knowing he had no choice.
With these two white-robed figures focusing on him, compliance was his only chance for survival.
"You’ll find out in due time. I believe they’re almost here..." The white-robed figure revealed no more.
Just then, a hurried voice sounded from outside.
"Leader, leader, there’s big trouble!" The voices of several Flower Raccoon Demons rang out.
"A group of Martial Artists, clad in armor, has arrived outside. They’re strong! Many Demon Race members have already died at their hands, and now they’re closing in on our cave!"
"Leader, think of something quickly!"
"What!" The Flower Raccoon leader stood up abruptly, stunned by the news.
He never imagined his lair would be discovered so quickly.
...