Chapter Sixty-Three: Into the Trap

Gongsun Qingyang, accompanied by two elders and the War Demon Priest Su Ang with his subordinates, rode an air chariot in grand procession toward the imperial capital of the Bright Moon Empire.

Gongsun Qingyang’s cultivation had reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage; the two elders were at the mid-stage, while Su Ang had just entered the initial stage. The four Nascent Soul experts did not even represent the full elite might of the Nine Nether Sacred Land, which explained why the imperial family regarded their arrival with such wariness.

Above the capital, two late-stage Nascent Soul ancestors of the Bright Moon Empire and two mid-stage generals confronted Gongsun Qingyang’s party, the air thick with tension, ready to erupt into violence at a single word.

Within the city, the gates had been sealed, and all people hid within their dwellings, plunging the capital into fear and anxiety.

Gongsun Qingyang raised his brow and said, “Is this the attitude of your royal family? You first attempted to abduct my daughter, and now, not only do you fail to apologize, but you dare to threaten violence? Very well! Do you take me for a sickly cat? Today, I shall test your mettle!”

A royal ancestor responded coldly, “Old thief Gongsun! The dignity of the Bright Moon Empire cannot be challenged! If you seek blame, look to your own Nine Nether Sacred Land for growing too powerful and threatening our authority!”

Gongsun Qingyang’s voice was icy. “I have only ever sought to strengthen my sect, never to contend with your empire. It is you who have repeatedly targeted us, and now you claim it is I who threaten your royal house? Absurd! I would have preferred we each minded our own affairs, but your bullying knows no bounds. If you refuse to give me a proper explanation, then I shall show you the cost of your arrogance! Let us see what you can do to me.”

With that, he made a gesture, and the warriors of the Nine Nether Sacred Land prepared for battle—hostilities were imminent.

The royal ancestor snarled, “Old thief Gongsun! You truly dare start a war here? Fine! Today, I’ll see you brought to ruin!”

The clash of titans turned the imperial capital into a battlefield in an instant. Buildings collapsed and burned, with countless civilians killed or wounded.

Worst of all, the royal family activated the city-sealing grand formation, trapping Gongsun Qingyang’s group within the city walls.

The royal ancestor smiled grimly. “You cannot escape now. In fact, I was waiting for you to leave your base. Our royal family has already allied with two other sects to march on the Nine Nether Sacred Land’s headquarters. There remains only a single mid-stage Nascent Soul elder to defend it, isn’t that right? The sect masters of the Underworld Ghost Sect and the Crow Fortress are leading their disciples and our imperial troops to exterminate your sacred land. Well? Are you surprised? Shocked? If you wish to return and aid your kin, you’ll have to defeat us four first—which will take you weeks, if not a month or more. By then, we’ll have seized your daughter and your wife. Let’s see how arrogant you are then!”

Gongsun Qingyang’s face darkened upon hearing this. He had fallen into the Bright Moon Empire’s trap. The royal family did not hesitate to sacrifice the lives of the capital’s citizens to ensnare him; such a plan was ruthless, showing just how determined they were to annihilate the Nine Nether Sacred Land.

...

Back at the Nine Nether Sacred Land, all was as calm as usual, aside from the disturbance caused by Chen Mu’s recent tribulation.

At this moment, Chen Mu was either cultivating with Foundation-Preserving Pills or strolling with Gongsun Lin for leisure.

Gongsun Lin, who had been wandering the town with Chen Mu, suddenly received an urgent message from the elder left in charge and was summoned at once to the Main Demon Hall. Realizing the seriousness, she took Chen Mu with her.

Within the Main Demon Hall, all the important faces of the Nine Nether Sacred Land were assembled. The elder in charge was none other than Elder Song Miao, whom Xu Changye had once communicated with at an outpost beyond the borders.

When Gongsun Lin and Chen Mu arrived, Elder Song glanced at Chen Mu and said, “Young Lord, you’ve arrived at last. And who is this?”

“Uncle Song, this is Chen Mu—the one who saved me beyond the borders. My father and mother have recognized him as their godson, and he now serves as Deputy Leader of the Nightshade Division,” Gongsun Lin replied with pride.

Everyone present was astonished. When had the Lord and Lady ever accepted a godson? They’d never heard such news. If anyone else had said this, they would have scoffed, but since it came from the Lord’s daughter, it could only be true.

More importantly, to be made a godson—was this not essentially a son-in-law? The thought crossed many minds; it seemed wise to foster a good relationship with Chen Mu from now on.

Chen Mu offered a formal salute in the sacred land’s custom, then asked, “Such an urgent summons for the core members—has something happened?”

Elder Song cupped his fists to Chen Mu and replied, “Young Master Chen, according to our spies, the sect masters of the Underworld Ghost Sect and Crow Fortress are leading their disciples and the imperial soldiers toward our headquarters. They have forced their way past outposts and will soon reach our perimeter.”

Grave faces filled the hall. A late-stage Core Formation member said angrily, “They’ve chosen this moment to attack, together with imperial troops. Clearly, they calculated that the Lord would be gone and trapped by the royal elders!”

“What do we do? The enemy boasts two late-stage Nascent Soul experts—both at the peak,” another Core Formation disciple added.

“To be safe, we should first ensure the Young Lord’s safety and send her away. Then we must defend the sacred land to the death, at any cost,” Elder Song declared calmly, his resolve inspiring everyone present.

“Yes, we must hold the sacred land or how could we face the Lord? We devil cultivators are no cowards!” someone shouted.

Gongsun Lin’s spirit flared. “I’ll stay and fight with everyone! I’m part of the Nine Nether Sacred Land. How could I flee and leave you all behind?”

Elder Song and the others were deeply moved, but he remained resolute. “Young Lord, your resolve is appreciated, but we must prepare for the worst. Should tragedy strike, the duty to revive the sacred land will fall to you. Of course, this is only a precaution—once the protective grand formation is activated, the enemy cannot breach us quickly. When the Lord returns, all will be resolved.”

Yet Chen Mu sensed that Gongsun Qingyang would not be back any time soon. Waiting passively would only lead to disaster.

After a moment’s thought, Chen Mu asked, “Are the enemy’s top forces limited to just two late-stage Nascent Soul experts? If that’s the case, it’s not the end of the world.”

Elder Song was puzzled. “Young Master Chen, do you mean you have a way to deal with such opponents?”

Xu Changye, present at the meeting, suddenly recalled something. “That’s right! When Brother Chen led us in our last breakout, he used a trump card so powerful that, as a late-stage Core Formation cultivator, I felt I’d be obliterated with a single touch. Brother, can you still use that trump card? Would it work against late-stage Nascent Soul experts?”

“Don’t worry, Brother Xu. My trump card is still effective against them,” Chen Mu replied confidently.

Everyone was stunned. This young man, who appeared to be only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, actually commanded such a terrifying weapon? No wonder the Lord had adopted him as a godson.

But what was this trump card? They did not doubt the truth, especially since Xu Changye vouched for it, but what in the world could match the might of a Nascent Soul cultivator?

Only Gongsun Lin smiled knowingly from the side. She was aware that Chen Mu’s trump card was none other than the petite, clever, and adorable Three-Tailed Little Dragon Fox, Rou’er.

Unfortunately, Rou’er never let her hold or cuddle her—a lasting regret.

Elder Song, now even more respectful, asked curiously, “Young Master Chen, may we know what your trump card is? It would set our minds at ease.”

Chen Mu felt awkward—he had concealed it precisely because he did not wish to explain. With a sigh, he realized there was no hiding it any longer: Gongsun Lin knew, and Xu Changye had seen the little ball of fur incinerate enemy ranks to ash.

He explained, “It’s not that I won’t show you, but my trump card is both a companion and a mentor. She is a little fox—while her cultivation is only that of a third-tier demon beast, she possesses the strength to rival a peak Nascent Soul cultivator. She once fought a late-stage, a mid-stage, and an early-stage Nascent Soul expert to a standstill. However, she dislikes humans and avoids being seen, so she hides within my spirit beast bracelet.”

Gasps of astonishment echoed through the hall. A demon beast equal to a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, carried about by this young man? Just who was he? A spirit beast bracelet was itself unheard of, and to have such a guardian—did some hidden power exist on the Yuan Yao Continent that they knew nothing of?

Learning that Chen Mu had such a formidable companion, everyone was grateful he was now an ally. Had they offended him, would not the power behind him take offense?

Yet their suspicions were unfounded. Chen Mu was a lone wanderer—Rou’er was his only protector, and she would not intervene unless the matter was of true importance.

Thus, Elder Song announced the threat approaching the Nine Nether Sacred Land. The sect rallied together, determined to resist the invaders, and all prepared for battle.

The defensive grand formation was activated, and all awaited the assault of the Underworld Ghost Sect, the Crow Fortress, and the imperial army.