Chapter 153
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Chapter 153: Title
Shortly after Cen Ji issued the command, the jungle trembled with violent convulsions. Unprepared individuals staggered and collapsed to the ground, unable to steady themselves.
The quake struck abruptly and subsided just as swiftly, lasting barely a minute. Though fierce enough to rend the earth, it left no destruction beyond the tumultuous shaking.
As the tremors faded, Cen Ji’s expression turned stormy. “Report—what caused this? Locate the epicenter.”
No instruments were needed. Every soul present sensed the quake’s origin: the heart of the jungle itself.
Disaster had struck there—this certainty crystallized in Cen Ji’s mind the instant the ground first shuddered. The twisted woods had devoured countless entrants over two days, yielding no returnees. Now, envisioning his comrades trapped within, his face darkened like thunderheads gathering.
“Orders, Team Leader?”
“We wait.” His reply brooked no argument.
Their duty was to trust. Young Master Leng’s party had vowed to handle whatever arose. Impatience now would betray that faith.
…Should they fail to emerge, contingency plans would follow. All knew the bitter truth: if even Leng Xingwen’s prodigious cultivation faltered, their sole recourse lay in summoning higher powers.
Minutes later, a blade’s radiant arc pierced the heavens, accompanied by an enraged roar. Sword light cascaded through the jungle like a tidal wave.
Within the green shadows:
Leng Xingwen’s fan lay forgotten. Moonlight gleamed along the silver long sword in his grip.
Black hair cascading over snow-white robes, he stood with effortless grace, lips quirked in a faint smile as he studied Kabatu—the winged tiger deity roaring before him.
Divine blood might be myth, but the gash splitting one of Kabatu’s wings was real. The mangled limb hung limp… until tendrils of white mist coiled about the wound, flesh knitting visibly.
Outwardly composed, Leng Xingwen seethed inwardly. The chasm between Practitioners and gods yawned vast—even this half-deity outmatched them.
Captain Yuan demanded rescue; the Ghost in Red hungered for divine retribution. Caught between duty and loyalty, Leng Xingwen had no choice but to act.
Unshackling his suppressed cultivation brought agony. The world itself pressed down, hostile and inexorable—a smothering weight laced with expulsion.
Had he unleashed full power beyond Kabatu’s domain, the heavens would’ve scourged him from existence. Too long he’d strained against these bonds. Time to summon reinforcements.
The jade tablet crumbled to dust beneath his fingers.
“Must I do everything?” His sigh blended irritation and amusement.
Air rippled as a mirror shimmered into being. From its depths stepped a youth clad in moon-white robes, his bearing radiating otherworldly detachment and pride.
With a gesture, the mirror dissolved into light, settling in his palm. His gaze swept past the mortal observers, dismissing the snarling totem deity entirely.
[Who’s this ethereal beauty?? He’s on familiar terms with Young Master Leng!]
[Clearly an ally. But since when—]
[Wake up, fools! That’s Xiao Tianji—the legendary strategist!]
Xiao Tianji showed no surprise at his presence here. He refrained from inquiring about the ongoing events, as though privy to them all along.
Upon his arrival, Leng Xingwen instantly restrained his spiritual energy, his long sword reshaping into an ink-painted landscape folding fan.
"You came after all."
"Was I delayed?" Xiao Tianji responded with practiced calm. "I materialized the moment your jade tablet shattered."
The composed demeanor revealed everything. Leng Xingwen sighed, recalling his friend’s celestial vocation.
"You foresaw this."
"What of it?" The diviner’s brow remained smooth as jade. "Did I not warn against courting trouble? This predicament stems from your own recklessness."
Leng Xingwen found himself speechless. Even after years apart, his companion’s silver tongue still struck truer than any blade.
Xiao Tianji’s gaze shifted to the crimson-clad figure nearby. Though her coiled hair bore traces of disarray, she maintained regal composure.
"Miss Ghost in Red remains unshaken, I see."
The neglected Kabatu deity seethed with divine wrath. Under normal circumstances, this mortal’s impertinence would warrant immediate dismemberment. Yet now…
An ominous pressure radiated from the human’s grasp – the Kunlun Mirror pulsed with primordial authority. This hallowed relic’s allegiance to a mortal defied celestial order, its containment aura coiling like a dragon around prey.
"Taoist Xiao." The scarlet specter inclined her head.
No ordinary measure could gauge this generation’s Heavenly Strategist, particularly when wielding the Ancient Era’s most profound artifact.
[Since when did Taoist Priest Xiao and the red-dressed lady become acquainted?]
[That mirror! The Special Bureau files mentioned the Kunlun Mirror!]
[Observe the archaic glyphs – irrefutable proof of its Ancient Divine Artifact status.]
[His jade fingers gripping the mirror… celestial perfection incarnate!]
[Oddly sympathizing with the tiger deity’s neglect here…_(:з」∠)_]
[Observe its cowardice! Where’s the ferocity shown earlier against Young Master Leng?]
[What cultivation tier does this mystic even possess? The totem deity recoils before him!]
[But ancient practitioners can’t transcend Tier One under current worldly constraints!]
[The artifact’s aura chills my soul – could it truly slay divinities?]
Leng Xingwen’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Convenient timing with the Kunlun Mirror in hand. Don’t tell me you’re live-streaming again?"
A knowing chuckle escaped Xiao Tianji. "Xingwen ever sees through my designs."
The color drained from surrounding faces as comprehension dawned. Had their struggles become public spectacle?
"Fear not," the diviner added cryptically. "You’re not solitary performers tonight."
While Leng Xingwen and Captain Yuan exchanged baffled glances, the live stream comments surged anew:
[Big Shot’s been broadcasting nonstop! From southern tropics to northern tundras…]
[Did you see the Mountain and Sea Realm footage yesterday?!]
[Three consecutive celestial phenomena streams! My data plan’s screaming but I CAN’T STOP!]
[Hahaha, Brother Xingyu’s expression is absolutely priceless! I’m dying—did you see him faceplant when he got thrown back?]
[Everyone watching Taoist Xiao’s livestream will riot over this. Taoist Xiao, run for your life!!]
[Oh please, if this big shot wants to vanish, who could possibly track him down? Is there anyone in this world beyond his calculations?]
Leng Xingwen, recognizing the urgency of the situation, didn’t press Xiao Tianji further. His eyes shifted to the Kabatu deity looming behind the mystic. “That spectacle we caused won’t go unnoticed,” he remarked. “The outsiders must’ve seen everything.”
“Can you handle this?”
“Naturally.”
Xiao Tianji’s lips curved into a subtle smile as he turned toward the totem deity. “Kabatu, guardian of these wilds,” he declared, “we regret disturbing your domain.”
“Might we take our leave now?”
The deity seethed silently. Though bearing an animal’s visage, its intellect surpassed that of most mortals. These words, dripping with mock courtesy, stung like open mockery—yet the divine artifact gleaming in the human’s hand gave it pause.
Every totem deity’s emergence was a miracle. During its gestation, Kabatu had sensed countless nascent siblings scattered across the land. Many had faded before birth; others lingered as faint whispers. Survival demanded prudence—their kind required centuries of worship to flourish, and reckless confrontation served nothing.
The deity’s piercing gaze swept over the intruders. Powerful warriors. Ancient relics. Patron gods thrumming in their shadows. Cooperation with Zhongxia might yet benefit its wounded followers…
“This transgression I’ll overlook,” Kabatu rumbled. “But my warriors bear injuries, and you—”
Captain Yuan stepped forward instinctively under Xiao Tianji’s meaningful glance. “Our prior agreement stands,” he vowed. “Compensation for all damages will be provided.”
As the deity dissolved into mist after alerting its followers, Xiao Tianji flourished his sleeve. “Allow me to expedite your return,” he chuckled. “Certain parties grow restless in your absence.”
The jungle melted away. Before anyone could blink, they stood blinking in their own camp—directly in the sights of twitchy patrolling guards.
“Hold your fire!” Yang Xingyu yelped, hands shooting skyward. “We come in peace!”
“Captain Yuan!” Cen Ji cried as recognition dawned, guards lowering weapons. “You’re back! But how—”
“Taoist Xiao teleported us,” Yang Xingyu began, then blinked. “Wait—where’d he go?”
Fan fluttering like a mischievous butterfly, Leng Xingwen smirked. “Our elusive friend prefers dramatic exits. Best not dwell on it.”
