Chapter 361: Chapter 361: Add Me In
On the other side of Soup Valley lay a somber, vast world enveloped in murkiness.
This place was uninhabited and lifeless—a stagnant, eerie desolation pervading the area. Anyone who approached would invariably feel a chilling terror.
High above in the sky hung an upside-down Ancient City.
It was immense!
From afar, it resembled a colossal bowl, as if a God firmly gripped the Ancient City from behind.
Even the upper echelons of the Golden Raven Clan could not fully explain the secrets of this site.
It intertwined with the distant ages of antiquity.
There were also legends stating that the Hanging Ancient City had already existed when the Fusang Tree took root in Soup Valley.
Throughout the eons, numerous formidable individuals from the Golden Raven Clan came here seeking the truth. Yet, all left in failure, and a good number of them even found their final resting place here.
Therefore, this place was also declared a Life Prohibited Zone by the Golden Raven Clan.
This time, however, Soup Valley’s descent into the Heaven Martial Continent attracted many powerful beings. They stepped into this place seeking their Great Opportunity—members of major clans, various forces, Sects, Loose Cultivators, young geniuses, and the like.
Among them were Liu Changqing and others...
He and Alan were the first to find this place and observed it for several hours.
Suddenly, Liu Changqing became agitated. "Are you sure?"
Alan nodded somberly. "Sure. There’s no Chen Pingping."
WHIMPER!
Upon hearing this, Liu Changqing actually choked up. No Chen Pingping meant no competition for this Great Opportunity.
This was a good thing.
He quickly pulled out a map and began to study it. "The Demon Sealing Epic, the Hanging Ancient City... There can be no mistake. This is the place."
He had once come across such an account in an ancient text. It spoke of a Hanging Ancient City within Soup Valley called the Demon Sealing Epic. Legend had it that a fearsome demon was suppressed within this Ancient City.
But there was no need to worry. This demon had been slumbering all along, and a powerful force still suppressed it there.
The ancient tome stated that hidden within the Demon Sealing Epic were the Opening Heaven Sword, the Three Saints Water, the Creation Realm, and many Cultivation Techniques from that era.
Just one of these items would be enough for an individual to achieve Tao Verification and become a Saint.
Liu Changqing grew increasingly excited. "We must act quickly."
Alan, however, was more composed. "This Ancient City has existed for a very long time," she said. "Since the Golden Raven Clan has never made a move against it, they presumably dare not. I guess the road to the Ancient City must be fraught with extreme difficulties."
UH!
Liu Changqing was stunned for a moment, then took a deep breath and said, "We have to try, no matter what."
Alan nodded. "Yes."
They resolved to try.
Soup Valley was unlike other Life Prohibited Zones; it was the habitat of the Fusang Tree and the living ground of the Golden Raven Clan.
If it weren’t for this accident, they would never have had the chance to come here, let alone see the Ancient City.
However...
In another direction, someone made a move.
It was the Saint Heir.
He had been lying low for a long time, observing his surroundings. Only after confirming that Chen Pingping had not appeared did he step forth. Wielding his Divine Weapon, he attempted to carve out a path to the Ancient City.
As a result, a strand of Divine Might descended from the Ancient City. It crushed his assault to dust as if against the weight of Mount Tai, and a terrifying backlash struck him.
Liu Changqing: "..."
Alan: "..."
"You’re not up to it, huh!" Zhou Wu stepped forward, full of confidence. He immediately activated his Dragon God Skills, reviving his Destiny God Weapon...
With a light shout, he attempted to set foot on that path.
But then...
Divine Might slashed down, shattering his attack and sending him flying just the same.
HEH HEH!
The Saint Heir sneered, "Brother Zhou, what happened to you?"
Zhou Wu, who had been flung away, scowled. Shivering, he said through clenched teeth, "What are you laughing at?"
It was then that Diwu Qingrou stepped forward. "I believe we should join forces."
The proposal was accepted by both.
Zhou Wu said with a stern face, "Good. With Chen Pingping not here, this is a great opportunity to make a move. Let’s all break through together and search for our own opportunities."
The Saint Heir nodded as well. "Life and death are predestined; wealth and honor are determined by heaven."
"Wait..."
Hearing this, Liu Changqing could no longer remain calm. Before, he had been brimming with confidence, thinking he could make it through. But when he saw the Saint Heir and Zhou Wu take action, he panicked instantly.
Now, with the three of them reaching an agreement, their chances of breaking into the Ancient City had greatly increased.
How could he not be shaken?
The two men strode over. "Let’s do it together!"
Alan said, "If the five of us join forces, our chances are even greater."
"Good," Diwu Qingrou smiled.
In the face of the Great Opportunity, the five briefly banded together, all wanting to seize the Ancient City’s fortunes before Chen Pingping arrived.
But...
Chen Pingping had already arrived!
He was walking along a path and, from a great distance, heard the five discussing their plan to join forces, break into the Ancient City, and search for the Great Opportunity.
Perfect!
"How about including me?" Chen Pingping said with a smile.
"Good... uh..." Diwu Qingrou, thinking another acquaintance had arrived, responded instinctively. But when he turned around, he was stunned.
The other four were just as astonished, wide-eyed and tongue-tied.
Seeing them again, Chen Pingping was in high spirits and approached with a smile. "Look how happy you all are."
He assumed that, after so many years without seeing each other, the five of them were so overjoyed they were at a loss for words.
Little did he know, the five of them were practically struck dumb with frustration, ten thousand curses seeming to stampede through their minds.
Behind him were the Emperor Spirit, Jiang Ni’er, and two members of the Purple Gold Divine Clan.
Chen Pingping smiled. "One more person, one more sliver of hope. What do you think?"
With you here, is there any hope left? Diwu Qingrou’s smile froze.
Liu Changqing’s face darkened as he said leisurely, "Brother Chen, your timing couldn’t be better."
"Indeed!" Chen Pingping nodded. "If Emperor Son hadn’t told me about the Great Opportunity here and personally brought me over, sigh... I wouldn’t even have known about this Hanging Ancient City. Such a spectacular sight, truly magnificent."
Damn it! That damned guy! If there’s a Great Opportunity, you could have come secretly. Why did you have to bring *him* along? the five fumed internally, glaring at Emperor Son.
Emperor Son, expressionless, glanced at the Hanging Ancient City not far away, sneering inwardly. Laugh now! Once we enter the Ancient City, I’ll see if you can still laugh.
"No need. You guys go ahead!" Diwu Qingrou sensibly refused.
Unless they were out of their minds, they wouldn’t travel with Chen Pingping.
Chen Pingping was taken aback.
Liu Changqing also spoke up, "Our strength is feeble compared to Brother Chen’s. Accompanying you would just mean taking advantage of you."
"Indeed!" the Saint Heir nodded.
"Alright then!" Chen Pingping sighed. "As friends, I wanted to take you in to see for yourselves. Since that’s not the case, well... I’m off then!"
"Please!"
The five simultaneously stepped aside, opening a path for him.
Chen Pingping said no more. He strode forward, and his figure, along with Emperor Son and his party, receded into the distance.
Liu Changqing’s mouth twitched. "Who is this kid?"
No idea! He’s got some nerve, huh, to actually dare to bring Chen Pingping here. He’s in trouble now, they thought, their gazes fixed on the departing Emperor Son.
"Sigh... there goes our Great Opportunity!" Alan lamented.
Damned luck! Such damned luck! the others thought, exchanging glances and grinding their teeth in frustration.
HUH?
Suddenly, Alan seemed to sense something and instinctively turned around. She saw a group of people approaching them, among whom were Guang Xiaoyu and Zi Ji.