Chapter 370: United in Death
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Perhaps driven by a vow to defend the palace behind them to the death, not a single warrior among them was a coward. They managed to hold all the enemies at bay outside the palace walls.
Dongfang Jue surmised as much, for the scene before them clearly spoke for itself.
Until the ground began to slope upward, revealing a steep incline resembling a small mountain.
This was an elevated area, though not a hill. The ground was formed from steel plates made of a special black material, giving it a distinctly technological feel.
There were no stairs, nor any ropes. It could have been formed by the collapse of the plateau's structures, or perhaps a massive explosion had pushed most of the building debris to the edge.
"Senior Sister, what's that over there?"
A torso, the only remaining part of a corpse, hung from the sharp edge of the protruding structure. Yet it seemed the war had ended long ago, leaving no gruesome sights behind. Even if there had been, it wouldn't have startled the few direct disciples present.
"I think my initial guess was wrong. This probably isn't a palace at all…"
Li Shiyao pointed to a statue, though only a horse and a sword were visible now, obscuring the figure it was meant to depict.
The corpse hung from the overturned horse's hoof, impaled through the chest along with its armor.
"Then what is this place? Shiyu isn't very familiar with the Northern Realm."
"I… don't know much either…"
"Jue'er believes we should first report this matter to our Master. Entering so rashly might prove unwise."
The area was shrouded in dark mist, and who knew what dangers lurked within. Ye Qinghan nodded; Dongfang Jue was absolutely right.
She couldn't let her emotions rule her. The safety of her two junior sisters naturally came first. Moreover, it would be best if Master could make a judgment based on the available information.
But soon, Ye Qinghan discovered something…
"Senior Sister, Jue'er can't reach our Master!"
Ye Qinghan and Dongfang Jue exchanged glances before simultaneously pulling jade pendants from their robes to attempt contacting Su Cheng.
No matter how they tried to send messages to their master, they received no response whatsoever.
The three stared at each other, stunned!
This place was definitely a bit strange!
"Senior Sister, what should we do? Should we go back?"
"No way!"
Ye Qinghan refused coldly without a moment's hesitation!
"Master is still recovering from his severe injuries. Our enemies won't give him that much time!"
"Every second counts now. My mind is made up. Jue'er and Shiyuo, return together to inform the Master. Qinghan will shoulder the burden for the Master and retrieve what was lost."
Li Shiyu lifted her head with a silly grin, her face radiating innocent cuteness.
"Shiyao won't go~ Shiyao wants to search for the items with Master!"
Ye Qinghan knew this girl was feigning ignorance, clearly unwilling to leave her alone.
"No, I promised Master I'd take care of both of you!"
"This journey will surely be perilous. As the eldest senior sister, this is my decision! You two return to deliver the message. Even if it costs my life, I will retrieve the lost item for our Master."
Li Shiyu looked utterly shocked, her concern palpable!
"Ah! Risk your life? No way! No way! Shiyu isn't leaving! Shiyu wants to stay with Senior Sister!"
Dongfang Jue stood beside the Second Senior Sister, radiating righteous indignation. He stamped his foot, thrust out his nonexistent chest, and declared loudly!
"Jue'er will stand with both senior sisters through thick and thin! I seek not to live together, but to die together!"
Ye Qinghan also felt a flicker of panic, her beautiful eyes flashing with a sudden cold light!
The icy glare swept over the two junior sisters, causing both Li Shiyu and Dongfang Jue to shiver in fright!
"Senior Sister! You must know about tunneling through walls to steal… No, I mean, speed is of the essence! You said it yourself—every second counts! We can't waste time here!"
Dongfang Jue nodded frantically!
"Right! Right! Senior Sister, we can't waste time here!"
Fearing a beating, the two could only invoke their master to temporarily divert their senior sister's attention.
Ye Qinghan exhaled deeply, realizing she'd startled the pair.
"Are you two serious? Qinghan was saved by our master. I have nothing but our master. We rise and fall together."
"But you two are different. Shiyu still has the Holy Mountain, and Jue'er still has her father, don't you?"
"Even if you two don't think of yourselves, Shiyu should consider the Holy Mountain, and Jue'er should consider your father, the king. Isn't that so?"
"One is a Holy Maiden who pities all living beings, the other a princess who seeks to benefit the masses. Don't you care for the common people of this world?"
The common people?
"Is Shiyu even acquainted with the common folk?"
Li Shiyu was a simpleton. She didn't care what she said; it never hindered her from doing anything.
Both of them cared deeply for the world, but if they couldn't even protect those closest to them, how could they protect the world?
"Jue'er, we care deeply for all living beings, but Senior Sister is also one of them."
Ye Qinghan stomped her foot heavily on the ground, instantly radiating true qi. She was genuinely getting angry!
"Qinghan, tell your two junior sisters once more: go back."
But the two junior sisters were now utterly determined to stay. Li Shiyao refused to believe it—if this were any other day, she might have accepted it.
She refused to believe this senior sister could actually kill them both.
After all, the senior sister was only urging them to leave out of concern for their safety.
"Shiyao won't leave. Shiyao believes Juer won't leave either. Senior Sister, Shiyao and Junior Sister aren't afraid~"
Li Shiyu wore her usual innocent, wide-eyed expression as she pulled Dongfang Jue right up to Ye Qinghan, radiating a sense of heroic resolve!
Ye Qinghan just glared at the two of them…
"Fine. You call Qinghan a worthless slut? Hmph. You two? You're no better!"
"Follow me. This time, Senior Sister will lead the way!"
But…
Su Muchan: What about me? If you're not going, should I go back and report?
But leaving now would be tricky. After all, we're in this black fog—finding the way back would be impossible…
For now, following the three senior sisters was the only sensible path!
Ye Qinghan certainly hadn't missed Su Muchan. But since none of the three had returned, there was no need to relay that message.
Better to let the Master anticipate good news than worry!
"Shiyao, Senior Sister needs your help."
"What kind of help?"
"This black mist obscures our vision and seems to block spiritual sense detection. Senior Sister will use her magic to dispel the fog. If anything charges forward—no matter what it is—kill it without hesitation."
"Shiyao understands!"
"Jue'er, Senior Sister's divine arts likely won't last long. When that time comes, fly to a high vantage point and see what this place truly is!"
Dongfang Jue nodded. "Understood, Senior Sister. Rest assured!"
With that, the group exchanged glances, each seemingly prepared. Ye Qinghan then gently swayed her sleeves, activating her immortal technique!
In an instant, a violent wind surged forth, sweeping away the black mist surrounding the Chaos Bell!
Seeing this, Li Shiyao activated her formidable sword formation, unleashing a massive strike determined to reduce any daring foe to ashes!
Watch as the howling winds scattered the black mist, as if dawn were breaking. Sunlight pierced the fog, revealing the true face of the blood-red land strewn with remnant dream flowers.
Dongfang Jue, seeing the black mist dispersed, leapt into the air with a swift bound. He hovered mid-air as if riding clouds, surveying the surroundings of the group.
But what he saw was nothing short of shocking!
Their earlier assumptions were utterly wrong!
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