A majestic city sat in the middle of a plain. Behind the city were endless mountains, as if it was the end of the world.
A huge golden barrier enveloped the city. Just a trace of its aura was enough to make people want to worship it. They didn't dare to have any thoughts of blasphemy, let alone try to break it.
And this was only the outermost layer of defense. Through the golden screen, one could see that on top of the city walls, huge runes had risen, connecting to each other. They were flickering with different phantoms, forming a second layer of defense.
However, if one looked carefully, they would notice something special about this defense. This was because this defense was actually guarding against the inside. It was as if the entire city wasn't defending against external threats, but internal threats.
"This thing is so thick. How are we going to get in?"
In a corner of the city, Painted Shadow couldn't help but exclaim when she saw that they were still a few dozen feet away from the city walls.
"Naturally, we'll have to rely on Old Flower. You don't mind this little bit of difficulty, right?" Fei chuckled.
"If this defense was focused on the outside, I wouldn't be able to get in even if I died of exhaustion. However, it's not difficult now. There's only one key problem. Once we get in, it'll be difficult to get out. Are you sure we want to go in?" Old Flower said solemnly.
"Why do you say that?" Painted Shadow didn't understand.
"She's not saying that it'll be difficult to get out, but that her strength is limited. Even if she can bring your clansmen out, she won't be able to bring everyone out in such a short amount of time," Fei explained.
"That's simple. We'll let our clansmen out first, then let the elders think about the problem. Even if they can't figure it out, I have a backup plan. In the back mountains, there's a mountain range that I've hollowed out. It's very, very close to the outside. Perhaps you can use up less energy there. We'll proceed carefully," Painted Shadow said confidently.
"I hope so. If not for the fact that there's no one here, I would only be responsible for sending you all in." Old Flower laughed self-deprecatingly, then began to prepare.
This time, according to the news from Outer Soul, even Wen Tianhou's personal guards had been brought along. This made her believe that there were no enemies here. Everyone was rushing over. Although there weren't many personal guards, each one of them was extremely powerful, not inferior to Painted Soul's side.
"Please!" Painted Shadow said pitifully.
At the same time, in the courtyard of the Painter Clan.
Ever since Wen Tianhou sent people to reinforce the defenses, it didn't affect them much. However, internally, they were guessing why Wen Tianhou did this. This was because the reinforcement didn't seem to have any other effect other than wasting an extra day.
They desperately wanted to know the situation outside, but without any information, they didn't dare to act rashly.
The elders were busy, but to the people below, it didn't have much of an effect. Especially to those who were simple-minded, they only needed to follow the elders when the time came. The only thing they complained about was that they felt restricted.
"Painted Heart, do you think we'll succeed this time?"
Outside a single room, two sneaky figures were peeking inside. Through the crack in the door, a man seemed to be resting.
"It's definitely effective this time. I've begged my lady to add some ingredients," Hua Xin said proudly.
"Your Miss is actually helping you. I'm so envious. No matter what I say, my Miss isn't willing." Hua Xin's good friend, Hua Yu, said somewhat dejectedly.
"Of course. My Miss is very easy to talk to." Hua Xin wouldn't tell her that she wasn't telling the truth at all. She only succeeded because she promised Hua Mei some conditions.
"Alright, stop talking nonsense. We failed last time. We definitely can't fail again this time." Hua Xin immediately pointed inside and said when she saw the other party open his mouth. Otherwise, if the other party insisted on asking her about the details, she would definitely know.
Her diversion had a miraculous effect. Hua Yu nodded and then took a small red ball that was only the size of a rice grain. Although the other party looked inconspicuous, the effect was pretty good. After Meng Zhen's "help", they were confident that they could embarrass the other party.
As Hua Yu moved gently, wisps of very inconspicuous red mist slowly floated through the air. They drifted through the cracks towards the man who didn't notice anything. They very carefully passed under the other party's nose and were inhaled by the other party.
"It's a success!"
Hua Xin and Hua Yu looked at each other with excitement on their faces. They quietly retreated to the back and hid at the side, waiting to watch a good show.
Xu Jia, who was resting inside, suddenly felt that something was amiss. He abruptly opened his eyes and was alarmed. This was because the surrounding scenery had changed. The familiar scene made him think that he had arrived in a room at the foot of the lone peak.
He remembered that he was resting in the Painting Soul Clan's room in the palace city. How did he suddenly come here?
"I'm a little dizzy! Oh no, someone is plotting against me! "
Suddenly, a wave of fatigue made his body sway and made him very alert. However, it was already too late. He seemed to be unable to control his body. He didn't even speak the words that he wanted to shout just now.
Then, Bai Jiajia's figure appeared in front of him. She waved at him and his body accidentally walked out.
Although his consciousness was very clear at this moment, he couldn't control his body. He could only watch as he walked out of the room and came to the streets of Lonely Peak.
This was the main road below. He walked carefully. There were usually a lot of people, but now there was only Bai Jiajia leading the way. No one else could see.
He knew that he had been tricked, but there was nothing he could do. He could only try to gather the magic power in his body and break through this layer of illusion.
However, what made him feel strange was that the other party only stopped occasionally and waved at him, making his body uncontrollably continue to chase after her. He just kept walking in circles nearby. Other than that, nothing else happened.
"Haha, look at him pointing at us like an old man."
Hua Xin looked at the other party walking in circles in confusion and secretly laughed with Hua Yu. It turned out that they had met a few times before and were lectured by the other party. They were immediately dissatisfied, so they came up with this plan.
Xu Jia didn't even dream that he didn't like the other party's behavior and casually said a few words. He didn't take it seriously at all and was remembered by the other party.
"It's almost time. I'll play something fun for the other party." Hua Yu covered her mouth and said quietly. This made Hua Xin's eyes light up and she kept nodding.
Hua Yu then moved slightly. Xu Jia, who was walking in circles nearby, turned around and walked towards the door.
"Later, let him hit his head and pack it up."
The two men followed behind, cautiously passing by.
At this moment, the outside was surrounded by a barrier. They couldn't get out at all. They had tried in private. Perhaps only the elders could move the seal. To them, they had to be careful.
"Look, the other party is about to hit it." Hua Xin reminded them.
Hua Yu was already prepared to watch the show. However, in the next moment, something happened that made them stunned.
Xu Jia actually passed through the barrier and disappeared in front of them. Through the seal, they could vaguely see the other party's figure continuing to walk outside.
"Oh no, I lost control of him." Hua Yu said anxiously.
"Don't worry about that for now. Come with me to find the elders." Hua Xin, who was more cautious than her, immediately realized the difference.
Of course, it was also related to Meng Zhen's constant nagging. He worried about the situation outside all day. Under his influence, she also knew how important the restriction outside was to all of them.
"Hey, hey! I know. Don't pull me! I'll go with you! "
Hua Yu didn't have any room to resist. She was pulled away by Hua Xin and ran inside.
The elders had been discussing there all day. They must be there now.
At the place where the elders gathered, they were still discussing as usual.
"The most fundamental problem now is that we don't know what's going on outside. There's nothing we can do about it. Why don't we just charge out and see if Wen Tianhou has the guts to die with us?" The irascible ninth elder said to everyone.
"Everyone knows what you're saying. I also know that everyone is feeling aggrieved." The second elder stood up and comforted him. When he saw the ninth elder sit down, he looked around.
Now, everyone's emotions weren't as calm as before. The other party had already bullied them. Even if they endured it, the situation would only get worse. It was better to fight back.
All the elders understood this point. They just needed to find out more information in the beginning before they calmed down. However, as time passed, they didn't have any means to pass through this restriction. They also didn't know what was going on outside. In other words, they were completely trapped here. Everyone, including the second elder, knew that they couldn't delay any longer.
"So, let's start now. None of us in the Painting Soul Clan are cowards." The fifth elder, who had been silent all this time, spoke up at this time.
"Elders, elders."
As soon as she finished speaking, there was a commotion outside. As she shouted, she ran over.
When Meng Zhen heard such a voice, she frowned and stood up. She recognized the voice. However, the other party should know how to behave. She didn't know what was going on for her to be so rash this time.
Although the others didn't recognize it, they understood when they saw Meng Zhen's actions. They stopped talking and waited for the other party to arrive.
"Hua Yu, why are you here too?"
As Hua Xin barged in, another Meng generation member said in surprise. The latter just pointed at Hua Xin, indicating that she had something to say.
"Greetings, elders!"
After Hua Xin came in, she bowed to them.
"What's going on, Hua Xin?" Meng Zhen asked.
"Lord Xu has gone out. The restriction outside can't stop him at all."
Although Hua Xin's words were short, all the elders stood up in surprise. Meng Zhen was also stunned. She was shocked again and continued to ask.
"What's going on? Tell us from the beginning."
"All of this started with Hua Yu causing trouble." Hua Xin opened her mouth and pushed the blame to Hua Yu.
"How could it be me? I should die!" Hua Yu was naturally unwilling to accept this and immediately retorted.
"It's you. If it wasn't you, how could Lord Xu Jia have found out? It's also your fault!" Hua Xin said without blushing.
"It's obviously you!" Hua Yu seemed to have forgotten where she was and shouted carefully.
"It's you!"
"Stop arguing. No matter who it is, continue talking." The seventh elder was at the outermost area. Seeing that Hua Xin and Hua Yu were going on and on, he advised them.
"I'll listen to the seventh elder. I won't lower myself to your level." Hua Xin looked at Hua Yu as if she had won and continued speaking.
From the beginning to the end of the prank, she even told them about Meng Zhen's role in it in full detail.
Meng Zhen's face darkened. She didn't expect that she had been used for what she had done previously. Looking at Hua Xin's complacent look, as if she had made a great contribution, she couldn't help but grind her teeth in her mouth. This little girl was really rebellious now. If she didn't lock Hua Xin in the little black room for three days, she would be sorry for Hua Xin's deceit. However, she remembered the last sentence Hua Xin left behind.
"No demon soul from your Hua Hun Clan, including the Mirror Demon Clan, can leave this place. Give up!"
Could it be that Hua Xin already knew that there were other people here? Otherwise, he wouldn't have left behind this sentence. Thinking of this, Meng Zhen hurriedly told them her guess. She even told them that Gu Zheng came here to save her.
"Really? In that case, Hua Xin had no choice but to submit to Wen Tianhou. "
The second elder said in disbelief.
"That's very likely. Otherwise, Hua Xin wouldn't have said this. Hua Xin sensed Xu Jia's existence, but Wen Tianhou didn't. Clearly, Hua Xin hasn't completely submitted." The ninth elder also analyzed.
"Alright, elders. Compared to this question, shouldn't we go and see Xu Jia first?" Meng Zhen said helplessly when she saw that the elders were getting more and more confused, as if they had completely forgotten about the current situation.
"Yes, yes, yes! I almost forgot. Hua Xin, lead the way quickly. "The seventh elder slapped his head and said immediately.
The elders immediately went out under Hua Xin's lead. They left the place, leaving behind a slightly disheveled Hua Yu. She looked at the empty surroundings and followed carefully.
"I want to go and take a look too!"
After saying that, she followed them eagerly, forgetting the little bit of unhappiness in her heart from being wronged.
It was clearly Hua Xin who caused this trouble first.
"Am I dreaming?"
With a sudden shock in his heart, Xu Jia opened his eyes at this time and looked at everything around him. He was in a daze as he muttered to himself.
Just now, he followed Bai Jiajia in his dream and walked around the former Fufeng as if he was walking around randomly. In the end, when he woke up, he found that he was still in the place where he was resting. He couldn't help but feel suspicious.
After repeatedly observing the situation in his body and finding nothing wrong, Xu Jia finally heaved a sigh of relief.
"Looks like it's really a dream. Maybe it's because I've been under too much pressure during this period."
Xu Jia stood up and walked out of the room, ready to go out and relax. He couldn't stay in the room all the time. However, just as he took a step, he heard a large group of people walking in his direction. When they saw Xu Jia, they were all delighted and sped up.
Immediately after, Xu Jia felt that he was drowned by the other party. These elders of the Painting Soul Clan carefully asked him strange questions, making him feel dizzy and disoriented. After a long while, when the other party quieted down, he was still in a daze.
Under everyone's gaze, he finally recalled what they had said before and understood what had happened. What he had focused on just now didn't seem to be a dream.
"I'm sorry, Lord Xu Jia. It's our fault this time." Meng Zhen pulled Hua Xin out, and the latter apologized sincerely.
"It's okay, it's okay." What else could Xu Jia say? Putting aside the fact that the other party had saved him, even if the other party was just fooling around, he couldn't possibly hold it against him. However, he had finally experienced the 'strength' of the Soul Painter Clan. They truly lived up to their reputation.
"It's good that you're fine. Xu Jia, my friend, why don't you go out again and find out what's going on outside?" As soon as Xu Jia finished speaking, the Seventh Elder squeezed his body and said impatiently.
"No problem."
What else could Xu Jia say? He directly walked out of the passage that the Seventh Elder made way for him. Besides, if the Seventh Elder left this place, he could also leave this place. It was killing two birds with one stone.
Soon, the crowd arrived at the nearest exit. This was just a temporary door, but it was big enough. However, it was surrounded by layers of black spiderweb-like knots.
The crowd stopped not far away. They looked at Xu Jia in front of them and continued to walk forward. He didn't hesitate at all. Facing the headache-inducing restriction, he walked out carelessly. Everyone cheered as if they could see the hope of leaving this place.
"What's the situation outside? Are there still people watching?"
Xu Jia only took a glance at the door before retreating. As soon as he went in, he was asked by the Second Elder.
"No. I even feel that the entire city is empty." Xu Jia told the Second Elder what he saw.
"Empty? That's not very likely. Could it be that the other party is watching in the dark?" the Seventh Elder said.
"Not necessarily. Of course, what you said makes sense." the Second Elder said thoughtfully.
"I think it's best if you see it for yourselves." Xu Jia saw that the Seventh Elder was starting to dawdle again. He simply walked to the door and directly slapped it. A crack appeared in the incomparably sturdy restriction, leaving the door empty.
The Painting Soul Elders' eyes almost popped out. They felt that the other party had opened a crack as easily as opening a door.
"How did you do it?" an Elder couldn't help but ask.
"I don't know. In the past, you all said that the restriction was incomparably strong, but I felt that it was very weak. I don't understand." Xu Jia didn't know why, but the restriction in front of him gave him that feeling. Of course, before he entered, the restriction in front of him looked hopelessly tough.
He didn't think of destroying it at all. He had seen the Elders test it. In addition, he didn't want to expose himself and didn't attack. He didn't expect it to be so weak.
"Let me try!"
They all knew how strong the restriction was. It could only be effective against them. At that moment, the Ninth Elder flew out from the side. Before she finished speaking, she charged forward and disappeared before everyone's eyes. A few breaths later, she carefully reappeared from the outside. She said with a surprised expression, "It's really empty.
I tested it just now. There's no one outside. Moreover, the palace's defense has been activated. It's clearly to guard against us breaking the restriction. "
"How strange. Why is there no one outside? Friend Xu Jia, how long can you maintain this passage? Will the other party be on guard?" the Second Elder asked Xu Jia.
"I can maintain it for as long as I want. As for whether the other party knows, I don't know." Xu Jia spread his hands and said honestly.
"No matter what, let's gather everyone and leave this place." The Second Elder made the decision.
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