Chapter 1238: The Master of Transient City
Lu Zhou was not in a hurry to make a decision. After all, this matter involved everyone’s lifespan, and they needed to consider it themselves.
Everyone’s talent was different, and not everyone would benefit from this. Some of them might lose some of their lifespans without gaining anything in return from the ruins of Transient City.
Lu Zhou turned around to look at the people from the Evil Sky Pavilion and said, “I won’t talk about the benefits and disadvantages of moving ahead. Whether you choose to move forward or stay behind, I won’t blame you for your choices…”
It had been a long time since Lu Zhou had spoken so seriously. After all, Transient City was filled with uncertainties. He needed to be responsible for everyone. However, losing years of life by cultivating in the heart of Transient City would undoubtedly bring great benefits.
Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong rushed to Lu Zhou’s side without any hesitation.
“How can I not be present?” Mingshi Yin said with a smile before he walked over with Qiong Qi.
“It’s just losing a little of our lifespans…” Kong Wen said as he looked at his three brothers. Then, the four of them walked toward Lu Zhou without any hesitation. Their general cultivation bases were around the Four Chart Thousand Realms Whirling stage so they had about 4,600 years of life.
Initially, Little Yuan’er and Conch were hesitating. However, when they saw their master and senior brothers boldly walking ahead, they followed suit. After all, what was there to be afraid of when their master and senior brothers were present?
Yan Zhenluo said with a smile, “Let’s go, Old Lu.”
Lu Li said, “Well…”
“I almost forgot. You only have five Birth Charts, and you’re injured as well. It’s best if you stay with Lu Wu. Lu Wu is as strong as a Venerable Master so you’ll definitely be safe if you stay next to it…”
Upon hearing Yan Zhenluo’s provocative words, Lu Li, who was hesitating slightly, said, “I almost died before this. Living another day is already a gift in itself. What’s there to be afraid of?”
Lu Li walked over.
Yan Zhenluo no longer said anything. He patted Lu Li’s shoulder before walking toward the others.
“It is not a matter of life and death. Don’t make it sound so serious,” Mingshi Yin said with a smile.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and looked at Lu Li before he said, “Show me your Birth Palace.”
Lu Li nodded and manifested his lotus.
Everyone looked over.
In the Black Lotus seat, five Birth Charts could vaguely be seen. Lu Li was clearly recovering. However, his Birth Palace could clearly only hold five Birth charts. There was no room for him to activate another Birth Chart.
Similar to astrolabes, one could manipulate the size of one’s lotus as well. However, it would not affect one’s Birth Palace. As the lotus grew, the regions on the Birth Palace would grow accordingly as well. In other words, one would not be able to activate more Birth Charts just by manipulating the size of one’s lotus.
Lu Li’s Birth Palace could only hold five Birth Charts. This was the limit of his cultivation base, and he would stay in this realm for the rest of his life.
Lu Zhou said, “The Great Void energy can raise your limit. You don’t have to worry too much…”
Lu Li nodded. He did not have much hope previously. After all, many powerful warriors had participated in the previous Great Void Expedition; many of them had fallen, but none of them had been blessed with the Great Void energy. How could he have any thoughts about the Great Void energy? However, he saw a glimmer of hope now after listening to his ancestor’s words.
At this time, Mingshi Yin asked curiously, “Based on the looks of things, the Unknown Land is much more dangerous than rumored. The heart of the Unknown Land must be even more dangerous. Back then, the strongest person who participated in the Great Void Expedition was Lan Xihe with 13 Birth Charts. How did they deal with the dangers then?”
“The Great Void Expedition?” Kong Wen was confused.
“Isn’t there anything like it in the green lotus domain?”
Kong Wen shook his head.
It seemed like only the black lotus domain and the white lotus domain had such plans. As for Ji Tiandao, he should have come to the Unknown Land alone without forming a team.
The people of the Evil Sky Pavilion continued moving forward until they arrived in a ruins in Transient City.
The buildings here were even more damaged than those they had seen so far. All kinds of incomprehensible symbols were carved on the walls of the buildings.
Yan Zhenluo flew up to the top of a towering pillar and looked around. “It does look like a place where humans used to live.”
“There must be something with these ruins. This place has existed for such a long time, but the buildings haven’t crumbled into dust….”
The terrain of Transient City was on the lower side. It was surrounded by mountains and forests so there was hardly any wind blowing in.
Upon closer inspection, one would see that the symbols on the walls formed a picture of mountains and rivers from perhaps, over 100,000 years ago.
Kong Wen moved to an empty place and scattered a large number of tracking talismans. Soon after, he said, “To the left.”
Everyone moved left and traveled for about 5,000 meters before they saw several Void Chest tribesmen on the ground.
Kong Wen leaped forward and checked on the Void Chest tribesmen before he said, “Pavilion Master, they’re all dead.”
The corpses on the ground had crumbled, and what were left were riddled with holes.
Mingshi Yin rode on Qiong Qi and flew around. Shortly after, he called out, “There are a few of them here as well! They’re also dead!”
The others expanded their search area.
“There are so many corpses of the Void Chest tribesmen. There are… about 500 of them…”
Everyone inhaled deeply before they looked at Lu Zhou. All of them were slightly worried about this.
Just as Lu Zhou was about to activate his Heavenly Writing Power to observe the surroundings, the faint sound of fighting rang from up ahead.
Lu Zhou took the lead and flew into the air.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The others followed suit.
Soon enough, they saw more than ten Void Chest tribesmen and dozens of human cultivators fleeing in fear.
The Void Chest tribesmen fled in groups of three; the bigger ones would carry the smaller ones as they leaped away like frogs.
On the other hand, the human cultivators supported each other and flew away. Their bodies were drenched in blood.
Both the human cultivators and Void Chest tribesmen shared the same expression: fear.
A sharp screech that sounded as though it belonged to a witch suddenly rang in the air, forming a soundwave that chased away the human cultivators and the Void Chest tribesmen. All of them were frightened out of their wits.
Lu Zhou imbued the divine power into his hand and grabbed one of the fleeing cultivators before he asked, “What’s happening?”
“The master… The master of Transient City… The master of Transient City…” the man muttered repeatedly.
Lu Zhou let the man go.
Once the man was freed, he fled without looking back.
Another screech rang in the air; it was much sharper than before.
Yan Zhenluo and Lu Li frowned as they covered their ears.
Kong Wen and his three brothers stepped 100 meters away and stood in front of Lu Li.
The others who were unaffected looked at Yan Zhenluo, Lu Li, Kong Wen, and his three brothers curiously.
Kong Wen’s expression was grim as he looked in the direction of the commotion and said, “Yong He…”
Lu Li exclaimed in surprise, “Yong He? It’s skilled in mental attacks, right?”
“That’s right. Yong He can see through human weaknesses and release formidable negative energy to intimidate and attack. People with weak will lose themselves and their minds…” Kong Wen said.
“Yong He’s earlier cries were likely only to intimidate. It’ll heighten humans’ fears as well. It probably doesn’t intend to start killing yet…”
After the two cries, silence returned.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and said indifferently, “I want to see how powerful this fierce beast is…”
As soon as Lu Zhou’s voice fell, four figures could be faintly seen in the distance.
Lu Zhou glanced at them and said, “Follow closely.”
Everyone followed Lu Zhou.
Kong Wen flew over decisively as well.
Lu Zhou led everyone and flew to the sky above the heart of Transient City.
As they looked down from the sky, they saw a square building that looked like a mausoleum. It was covered with vines and branches and shrouded in green fog. This also seemed to be the place where the sharp cries had come from.
“Yong He should be in the mausoleum… How strange. When did a mausoleum appear in Transient City?”
“Have you been here before?” Mingshi Yin asked.
“Uh, no… But I’ve heard many things about this place…” Kong Wen said.
In the horizon 1,000 meters away, the four vague figures grew more and more distinct.
Four old men, two dressed in black and two dressed in gray, faced Lu Zhou and the others. They were calm, silently observing Lu Zhou and the others.
Lu Zhou broke the silence first. “Who are you?”