Chapter 59: The Mystery of the Disappearance

After waiting a while, the sharp sound of reeds snapping came from nearby, followed by a burst of Manchu voices.

That day, the person named Elaine was doing things that annoyed and disturbed those around her, yet it was precisely her actions that sparked Luz’s curiosity.

Although recently wealth had come, money belonging to oneself remained one’s own, and the realm was shared by all. There was no need to set a precedent, so the funds and provisions still came from the new district’s income.

Aside from the ten thousand orc troops who had infiltrated to reinforce the assault on the city tower, the remaining thirty thousand stayed here, facing fifty thousand—no, not fifty thousand. Once the Divine Dragon Order was issued, most of the Imperial Guard hesitated and did not respond to the Night God’s command to attack Liu Qingshan.

A mere three or five bodyguards would hardly be a match for Lao Hei. Now that Lao Hei had fled, charging forward would be tantamount to suicide.

To assist the 10th Division’s assault on Taierzhuang, on March 23, the 5th Division dispatched over four thousand reinforcements, joining the remnants of enemy forces from Juxian and Tangtou to launch a fierce attack on General Pang Bingxun’s garrison in Linyi.

“The siege has begun! The battering ram is moving in! Archers, prepare—” Alarm bells rang from the city walls, first faintly then growing closer, then fading again, prompting all the archers to ready their bows and check the arrows at their feet, poised for battle.

For other cultivators, obtaining a single spiritual fruit was difficult, but to Liu Qingshan, spiritual fruits were merely basic sustenance. The pure primal spiritual energy in the Heavenly Restriction Array was an absolute treasure coveted by cultivators.

Battles in the cultivation world were hundreds of times more brutal than those in this world. Though Xia Chen was not yet very powerful, his soul originated from the original world, granting him perception far beyond ordinary people. Upon entering the Spirit Guidance Realm, his adaptability to external changes became immensely enhanced.

Bei Ming Haojun gave a subtle signal to the three companions beside him, who reluctantly sheathed their weapons and stepped aside.

Half a month passed in a blur. Lux left for a new promotional event. During this time, she avoided frequent contact with Frey, and Zhu Dong, carving at the doorway daily, ignored everyone, allowing a rare peace to settle.

Countless people might unknowingly become her detractors one day, joining the ranks of those who cursed her.

Chen Yu pondered carefully and realized her leg itself was fine; the issue was psychological.

“That’s wonderful—you finally agree to marry me.” Zhuang Zhiyuan laughed happily, picking up a wooden stick from the ground. “If you’re going to bear my children, you’d better get rid of that bastard in your belly first.” Saying this, he raised the stick and struck fiercely at her abdomen.

There’s no value in reclaiming it; that place no longer belongs to the Gu family. The Gu family home has long vanished.

Zhao Qiankun brought a large pot to the village entrance, boiling medicinal herbs and adding a red fruit to the broth to replenish the villagers’ vitality.

Many persistent suitors tried to strike up conversation with Gu Annuan, but she politely declined all advances.

With a sudden “bang,” a musket shot silenced him, leaving a pea-sized hole in his forehead.

“What are you glaring at? I don’t have a cent left now, how could I apply for a loan? The down payment would be two or three hundred thousand at least,” Liu Fugui rolled his eyes at her.

At this moment, Cao Cao’s poison had been cured, his complexion returned to normal. However, after downing a bowl of Ma Fei San, he lost consciousness.

“You… you’re about to offend someone you can’t afford to anger!” The young sect leader of the Fengyue Sect panicked, surprised that Elder Feng was so powerless before this person. Without his talisman, he dared not act arrogantly.

His cultivation was closely tied to his spirit beast. Though the beast was not as strong as him, the difference was slight. With its current power, killing a monster was a trivial matter.

In the turbulent first year of the Divine Martial Era, July passed with sudden autumn winds and falling willow leaves. The few koi occasionally spotted in the Qinhuai River either had been caught or, sensing the chill, had sunk to the riverbed.

If, in extreme circumstances, two saints fought fiercely or even waged war over the Investiture List, such karmic consequences would demand serious reflection from even the saints—let alone from the Southern Pole Immortal Elder.

Even at a young age, and even if cultivated since the womb, his realm was merely Earth Spirit; could he really defy the heavens?

Hongjun Daoist already understood the state of the Celestial Saint, which was precisely the state he hoped for.

Many Buddhist sages had used their marks to slow time but now recovered, all pondering who had intervened and who wielded the Buddha’s sacred instrument.

If Zhang Haotian continuously employed the Unity Technique, not only would it consume vast amounts of faith energy, imposing a heavy burden on him, but for the Jade Emperor deity, it was no burden at all. Rather, it enhanced his control of faith energy and garnered more believers.

Old Uncle Du’s massive form was struck by Chu Tianze’s golden body with a single punch, leaving him utterly defeated.

“Of course not. Besides, it’s not important information; you don’t have to…” Shi Shuiyue laughed lightly.

Two muscular young women appeared at the door, flexing their biceps and glaring at Yun Jie to block his way.

“Qing, Lanzhu and I are fine,” a clear, melodious voice rang from the doorway, drawing everyone’s attention.

Ye Xiao felt a little embarrassed. Unlike those prodigies, he had the “system” and tracking skills—an outright cheat. Yet even so, he barely qualified as a beginner.

Before the grave lay no wreaths or banners, no paper talismans or offerings, only a pair of candles burned down to red wax and three incense sticks reduced to their bases.

“You exceeded my expectations. A tough man. Within my domain, you even awakened the soul of your battle armor,” Lang Yuenu said slowly as she approached.

“You’re wavering—I can feel it. Your heart is unsettled,” Liang Yi remarked calmly, showing no urgency.

Facing Tian Shui’s scolding, Tian Lin’s expression darkened, but he dared not disobey orders from above and reluctantly reported despite Tian Shui’s anger.

Suddenly, two enormous red lanterns lit up across the way—no, they were not lanterns at all. He Xi looked carefully and faintly discerned eyes on them—eyes belonging to some creature, each eye as large as a cauldron. How enormous must the being itself be?