Clack… clack…
A skeleton approached Chen Junting. After its jawbones clicked open and shut, it cradled the final Grade-7 fixed-load soul engineering artillery shell and stepped through the gate into the Undead Demiplane.
The hexagram shimmered. The gate slowly sealed and vanished.
"Finally… all moved."
Chen Junting's lips curved faintly as his gaze swept the utterly barren third warehouse. A profound wave of satisfaction washed over him.
Non-perishables swallowed. Perishables carried. Whatever we could haul—now utterly emptied!
So satisfying!
"This time, the Sun Moon Empire is truly going to lose their minds," Dugu Xin said, arms crossed, voice dripping with smug triumph. "All their stockpiled armaments now fully fund our side."
Huo Yuhao and Gu Tianchen nodded in agreement—but Chen Junting shook his head.
"This isn't all their armaments."
"Oh! Right—Mingde Hall!" Huo Yuhao slapped his forehead. Compared to this concealed armory (untouched until tonight), Mingde Hall's defenses would've been lighter during the palace assault—giving them an opening.
But Mingde Hall was different. After the Body Sect's prior raid, Jing Hongchen had fortified it like an impregnable fortress. A Grade-9 soul engineer always stood guard.
Still—it was a golden opportunity.
Thus, raiding Mingde Hall fell to factions other than Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
"I wonder how they're faring?" Huo Yuhao murmured.
Dugu Xin glanced toward the warehouse corner. "We're close to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy and Mingde Hall. How about you try spiritual detection?"
"Too difficult." Huo Yuhao attempted it anyway—
—but a golden light erupted from Chen Junting's palm, halting all motion.
All eyes locked on him.
"Second Grandfather's group is calling for help."
Expressions turned grave.
"The Holy Spirit Cult's two Limit Douluos have moved?!"
"Perhaps." Chen Junting produced a dragon scale. Soul power flowed in—Di Tian's presence answered instantly. His voice seemed to travel through the scale:
"Senior Di Tian—I'll have to trouble you for a moment."
Ripples shimmered through the air.
Gu Tianchen shielded the others, brow furrowed. "Spatial energy just erupted violently."
"Relax. Senior Di Tian knows restraint."
Rrrrip—!
A spatial rift tore open. Di Tian stepped through, strolling calmly toward them. Without glancing, he confirmed: No enemies here.
"A curious place. Affects spatial flow." He surveyed the chamber, curiosity fleeting. "Why have you summoned me?"
"To kill. Limit Douluo tier."
Di Tian's brows lifted. "Limit Douluos are rare… You mean those two humans who escaped last time."
"Hmph! Perfect!" Di Tian's cold snort carried grim resolve. "This time, I will wash away that disgrace."
(As if he'd lost before…) Chen Junting said nothing. "But first—another request."
"Speak."
—
Meanwhile, Mingde Hall
The sacred soul engineering sanctuary—once serene—bled chaos anew. Turmoil raged: slaughter, plunder, desperate clashes.
Masked intruders (all Soul Saints or higher, no Title Douluos—those were at the palace) inflicted heavy losses on Mingde Hall's defenders.
At the rear, a youth radiating fierce light held position—clearly covering the retreat. Masked, yet recognizable by his brow: Long Aotian. His body shifted—iron-hard, tendon-flexible—deflecting all soul-engineered ray attacks.
"THIEF! WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?!"
Scorching flames engulfed him. The guarding Grade-9 soul engineer struck, eyes blazing with fury.
Second time!
They succeeded AGAIN!
New soul tools stolen! Nine newly forged Grade-9 fixed-load shells gone! How did they breach the underground vault and retreat unscathed?!
ROAR—!
A crimson beam shot forth. Air evaporated. Even the Grade-9's attack was snuffed out—the aftermath surging forward.
He erected a barrier. Contact stained it blood-red. Waves of crimson churned his blood essence.
Blocked. Of course—a Mingde Hall guardian of this rank was no fool.
But—
Shimmer…
Starlight descended. Locked. Fell. Dizziness seized him.
"RETREAT!" Zhang Lexuan shouted as Xu Jiujiu struck.
Whoosh—!
Space tore. A head dropped.
Only a longsword remained.
Chen Junting stepped through the rift.
He ignored Mingde Hall's pursuers. Illusions clouded their minds. Toxic mist surged—withering grass, shrouding the area.
All resolved.
"You came." Zhang Lexuan smiled, handing him a disc neither jade nor metal. "This worked perfectly. Mission complete. A pity Mingde Hall was so paranoid—we were exposed." Regret tinged her voice.
"How much loot?" Chen Junting asked.
Zhang Lexuan gestured—a very satisfying amount. "Time's up. We should go."
"Mm. You first."
Zhang Lexuan frowned. "What are you doing?"
"Visiting the Sun Moon Imperial Palace."
Her eyes widened. Dragon's den! Tiger's cave! To go alone? Too Reckless! And—this wasn't in the plan!
"Think of it as… a hidden quest exclusive to me, the NPC," Chen Junting said with a shrug.
Zhang Lexuan sighed in exasperation.
Then Chen Junting tilted his head upward.
She followed his gaze—and froze.
Beast God Di Tian.
"I see…" Understanding dawned. No need to worry.
Suddenly, Chen Junting checked a soul tool. A green light flashed.
His eyes lit up. It worked!
The Common Alliance—truly the local experts!
He turned sharply to Huo Yuhao and Gu Tianchen. "Old Gu—you two go to the Common Alliance. Meet Ye Guyi. A major task awaits. You, her, and another individual—handle it together."
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