Chapter 600: Sumeru Spatial Rift |
"Don't worry, we'll wait and see."
After Ning Qi replied, he set off with them.
Once they stepped outside and onto the street, they noticed far fewer people passing by.
Still, there were a few stragglers on the road.
"There are still a surprising number of people here."
Ning Qi watched them and commented.
"Yes, but that won't affect us."
Zhao Shilin nodded, then continued forward: "The place we're headed to isn't this crowded."
"Besides, by the time we move, these people will already be resting."
"Then let's wait and see."
Ning Qi nodded, then continued on with them.
Along the way they still occasionally saw people.
When they reached areas with residential compounds and larger mansions, the streets gradually emptied.
They also began to see some guards pass by.
All were on patrol.
"These are the patrols for different families in the city, and of course there are some sect people among them."
"Each group only patrols one round, then another force takes over."
Zhao Shilin said quietly to Ning Qi: "So many of them are just doing duty."
"If nothing has happened for a long time, they won't be vigilant."
"That's exactly what we arranged, to make them lower their guard."
"We haven't sent anyone here in nearly two years."
"I see, so our operation was planned long ago!"
Ning Qi understood how things fit together after hearing him.
These people had indeed endured—waiting two full years.
"Yes. We actually began preparing when their Sacred Maiden went to the Immortal Realm."
"Their rotation is every three years, but we started setting things up two years ago."
"It was all in preparation for her return. We placed many brothers here."
Zhao Shilin continued: "To gain trust, we deliberately let them take credit, using our Death Servants to fill out their achievements."
"There aren't many people here now. Shall we continue?"
Ning Qi noticed the alley they were in had emptied. Only insect chirps were audible.
"We have people in the nearby compounds!"
"These are houses we bought over the past two years, usually occupied by people posing as members of some force."
"They won't discover us!"
Zhao Shilin patted Ning Qi: "Come, let's go to this courtyard!"
"Alright!"
Ning Qi didn't hesitate and followed him inside.
They soon arrived at a courtyard.
After they entered, Ning Qi found a dozen or so members of the Demonic Race already there.
"Commander Zhao!"
"Commander Lei!"
...
The others greeted them upon seeing them.
"Is everything in place?"
Zhao Shilin asked in a low voice.
"All arranged. Once the hour of Zi passes, we can act immediately!"
One man stepped forward and said respectfully.
"Good. Tell the brothers to stay focused."
Zhao Shilin nodded, then added, "Tonight's operation must succeed!"
"No mistakes allowed, or our family law will be ruthless!"
"Yes!"
The men answered quietly, each taking on a stern, ready posture.
"Master, these people really can endure, waiting so long to make a move!"
Pill Spirit praised inside Ning Qi's dantian.
"Indeed, if they held that determination, the Demonic Race wouldn't have succeeded."
"These people are prone to slacking off."
Ning Qi responded to Pill Spirit in his mind.
"Young Master Ning, when we act later, we'll be counting on you!"
"As long as you can hold that expert, we have our chance!"
At that moment Zhao Shilin came over with a grave look.
"Don't worry, I'll help hold them off."
Ning Qi nodded with quiet confidence.
"Young Master Ning, wait here. I'll arrange the others."
Zhao Shilin glanced at the sky and said in a low tone.
"Alright, go ahead."
Ning Qi didn't say more; he agreed and watched him leave.
He then waited in the courtyard for the order.
"Master, so many people moving just for a Sacred Maiden—is it worth it?"
Pill Spirit asked, puzzled, inside his dantian.
"As long as her status is high enough, it's worth everything."
Ning Qi thought for a moment and continued: "I suspect there's a secret behind this Sacred Maiden."
"Otherwise they wouldn't go to such lengths to target her."
"Oh? They haven't done much yet, just waited here to make their move."
Pill Spirit asked curiously after Ning Qi's words.
"Don't forget, they also staged diversionary attacks."
"Myriad Swords Sect and another sect made repeated moves, but this place remained untouched."
"That makes them relax their vigilance!"
"All the arrangements are for this location!"
Only then did Ning Qi realize the truth.
"I see now!"
Pill Spirit exclaimed: "Master, then the secret we dig up this time will reveal the truth!"
"Yes, we've indeed found the truth!"
Ning Qi nodded and looked at the starry sky: "I didn't expect their goal to be here in the end."
"And the information we learned about the Immortal Realm before was likely leaked by them on purpose!"
"Perhaps the Myriad Swords Sect already heard these rumors long ago."
"Master, shall we notify them?"
Pill Spirit asked after hearing him.
"No need. I think we can claim this Sacred Maiden for ourselves!"
Ning Qi considered, then grinned: "If they all want her, I'll let them fight over her."
"Ah, Master, won't that arouse suspicion?"
Pill Spirit grew more puzzled.
"No!"
"We are dealing with that expert. At the time, we'll let Shi Xiaokun make the move! Everything will be seamless!"
"Is that guy reliable? Last time we learned he had personal motives."
Pill Spirit said disdainfully: "I have a feeling he's going to betray us someday."
"Hmph, I have ways to deal with him."
"If he hides things from me, I won't spare him."
"Right now though, we have no one else; we must use him."
Ning Qi snorted coldly, then said: "Watch the people outside for me, I'll go find that bastard."
"Understood!"
Pill Spirit agreed and began scanning their surroundings.
Ning Qi's mind sank as he entered his Consciousness Sea.
There he had hidden Shi Xiaokun's soul blood.
From here he could contact Shi Xiaokun through the soul blood, so there was no need to enter his Pocket Dimension.
"Whoo!"
After a breath Ning Qi arrived in his Consciousness Sea.
Mist shrouded the place. In the center, Ning Qi saw Shi Xiaokun's soul blood.
At the moment, Shi Xiaokun was in a chaotic state.
Ning Qi approached and activated some spiritual energy, pouring it into the soul blood.
"Is this—"
Gradually the soul blood reacted.
A phantom image identical to Shi Xiaokun materialized before Ning Qi.
"Master!"
Shi Xiaokun bowed upon appearing.
"There is something I need you to help with!"
Ning Qi didn't beat around the bush and stated his request plainly.
"Master, what is your command?"
Shi Xiaokun straightened immediately when Ning Qi spoke.
"Tonight we will move against Purple Dawn Sect's Sacred Maiden, Gu Yueying."
"I want you to strike. While I hold off their expert, take the chance to capture her into our Pocket Dimension."
"I want to see why they want to seize this Sacred Maiden."
Ning Qi wasted no words and explained his objective.
"Alright. It's just in time—the Pocket Dimension's refining is at a safe stage."
Shi Xiaokun said seriously after hearing him: "So shall I come out now?"
"No need. Wait until the action starts. I'll signal you when they're distracted."
Ning Qi shook his head and continued: "Her strength should be around Celestial Immortal grade five or six. Are you confident?"
"Confident!"
"With master's support, I can unleash power comparable to hers."
Shi Xiaokun nodded, looking composed: "I'll wait here for your command. Once you give it, I'll act immediately."
"Good."
"After you capture her, don't refine the Pocket Dimension yet. I want to see what secret she holds!"
Ning Qi nodded in satisfaction and reminded him.
"Understood. Leave it to me."
Shi Xiaokun hurriedly agreed.
"Just wait for my signal."
Ning Qi reminded him once more, then flashed away.
"Whoo!"
The next moment he returned to his body and took a deep breath.
"Master."
Pill Spirit called out: "Zhao Shilin is back."
"Mm, I see."
Ning Qi nodded and walked over.
"Young Master Ning, it's already the hour of Chou. We're ready to move."
"Are you prepared?"
Zhao Shilin hurried over with a grave expression.
"Ready. We can act at any time."
Ning Qi nodded and said in a low tone.
"Good. Then let's move."
Zhao Shilin agreed, then turned to the others: "Brothers, prepare to move."
"Yes!"
...
They all lowered their voices, answered, and slipped out.
They crept carefully into the pitch-black night.
"Young Master Ning, we are moving out."
Zhao Shilin turned and said to Ning Qi.
"Alright!"
Ning Qi answered and followed.
They reached the street, now empty.
Not even the patrols could be seen.
"The patrol teams have already been dealt with by our people."
Zhao Shilin looked ahead and told Ning Qi: "We can act without worry; no one will notice anything amiss."
"Good!"
Ning Qi agreed, then looked at the mansion: "Let's go!"
"Alright!"
Zhao Shilin responded and led his men stealthily toward the estate.
When they arrived, they signaled.
After receiving a reply from inside, they began their operation.
Ning Qi and Zhao Shilin entered the mansion courtyard.
"The formations and restrictions here have been neutralized."
"Next we only need to go to Gu Yueying's small courtyard."
"If we don't alert their people, better; if we do, Wang Meng will be your problem!"
Zhao Shilin lowered his voice and said to Ning Qi.
"Good. Leave that man to me."
Ning Qi nodded and continued forward.
They quickly reached a small courtyard.
It was quiet, filled with their men.
"The guards here have all been taken out by our people."
Zhao Shilin continued: "After that, it depends on how many people are in their Sumeru Courtyard."
"I see."
Only then did Ning Qi understand that this place had a Sumeru Courtyard.
That meant the people in this compound, once handled, were only the first step.
The real battle would take place inside their Sumeru Courtyard.
"Move!"
Zhao Shilin waved.
His men began moving.
Shadows slipped into the courtyard.
They reached the side rooms one by one.
After quietly opening the doors, they leaped inside.
Ning Qi followed into one of the rooms.
Inside he discovered the restrictions and formations had long been under their control.
So whatever happened here, the people inside would not notice.
"Open the Pocket Dimension and see if we can enter!"
Zhao Shilin instructed his men.
Several people produced compasses.
Some opened their Pocket Dimensions directly and rushed in.
"Master, isn't this the same method those two who gave us trouble used last time?"
"They used the compasses to open the Pocket Dimension, then found the direction from there."
Pill Spirit saw their method and instantly understood.
"Good!"
"This method works, it's just time-consuming!"
Ning Qi nodded and said in a low voice: "If only I had quietly let Shi Xiaokun act back there."
"He would have found Gu Yueying's Sumeru Courtyard more easily."
"Now it's too late!"
Pill Spirit sighed: "Still, let's observe and wait."
"Young Master Ning, shall we go too?"
At that moment Zhao Shilin had already opened his Pocket Dimension.
He held a compass and motioned Ning Qi to follow him in.
"Alright!"
Ning Qi agreed without hesitation and stepped inside with him.
Zhao Shilin used his compass to open another rift within the Pocket Dimension.
"Whoo!"
Fierce winds immediately gushed out.
"Let's go!"
Zhao Shilin called to Ning Qi as they set off.
Ning Qi nodded and followed him into the Pocket Dimension's rift.
There, they found themselves in a chaotic void.