Amidst the bustling crowd, two figures suddenly felt out of place in the throng.
"Why squeeze in like that? Are you rushing to reincarnate? Form lines and move four by four! Each of you, receive a bag and hold it tight!" At the exit, armored guards stood in five rows, dividing the exiting crowd into four lines. They handed out medium-sized black cloth pouches to each person passing through.
Above the corridor, guards atop the city wall took turns shouting, "These black pouches are the special light-blocking bags marked on your maps. They are meant for storing the Insect Essence Crystals. The crystals flee when exposed to light, but in the dark, they calm down. Inside each pouch is a Parent-Child Talisman, drawn from the royal army. These are costly and must be returned after the event. For those unfamiliar with the talisman, check the guide provided to you."
Shi Chun, after receiving his pouch, glanced inside and extracted a palm-sized metallic object with a yin-yang pattern. One side was rough, the other smooth like a mirror, albeit too dark to reflect. He had read the guide and knew that the object could be split, with one half given to a contact to enable communication, albeit only within the same barrier. If separated by realms, like between the Northern Wastelands and the capital, it would lose function.
Earlier, Bai Zhuchuan of Stone Cloud Mountain had warned his associates that while the Parent-Child Talisman was useful, it was best avoided in risky areas. If a teammate fell into enemy hands, it could be disastrous. Bai Zhuchuan urged caution in transmitting sensitive information through it.
Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, traveling with the group, saw things they’d never imagined, using high-grade items that they might not encounter again.
Inside the massive martial arena, watching the distribution of black pouches in silence, Lan Qiaoyan couldn't help but ask her husband, "What are those black pouches for?"
Miao Dingyi glanced at his equally curious daughter and replied, "They're for the Insect Essence Crystals. The crystals stay calm in darkness."
Curious as well, Miao Yilan inquired, "Father, with so many people, how many crystals do you think they'll find?"
Miao Dingyi mused, "There's no certainty. Insect Essence Crystals supposedly come from the stars, like meteors resting temporarily in the Western Extremes before regaining strength and returning to the cosmos. On the ground, they drill underground like stones, hard to find. If they were easy to locate, the Shengshen Continent would have long used their power for talisman refining. With this many people searching, finding ten thousand crystals would already be impressive. It's the first time I’ve heard of such resources being thrown at the Western Extremes, so maybe it’ll yield different results."
Miao Yilan nodded subtly, seemingly enlightened, and returned her gaze to the imagery in the sky.
Back in the arena, some newcomers entered and found seats in a corner, one of them was Madame Fengchi in disguise, observing incognito.
Just then, a scroll unfurled from the sky, a metallic scroll that glinted in the light as it expanded. The ancient etched patterns were mesmerizing as it hovered tens of meters above. Gradually, it formed a detailed topographic map, depicting mountains, rivers, and uneven terrains in astonishing detail.
Around the map, thirty spheres of light lit up, soon moving across the map. As images on the overhead screens switched, everyone realized the Heavenly Rain Meteor Conference had officially begun. The light points on the map represented people.
For this event, the royal court had temporarily established thirty Xun Gates around the Western Extremes to prevent overcrowding in one area. Some gates had begun admitting people, while others were still preparing. The attendees from Sheng Prefecture were still waiting.
Amid the crowd, Shi Chun turned to glance around, his gaze meeting a familiar face, Sun Shigang—the man who had mocked Xiang Lan'er earlier. Sun Shigang wasn't looking at anyone else, but his grin carried ill intent, much to Shi Chun's bewilderment.
He thought, 'This guy, what's his problem?' Shrugging off the encounter, Shi Chun knew he was safe for now, sticking with the Stone Cloud Mountain crew. He returned to scouting for potential threats in the crowd, aware that the entrance of many figures would soon make identifying targets more challenging.
Wu Jinliang, noticing Shi Chun’s focus, asked quietly, "What’s got you spooked?"
Nearby, Xiang Lan'er turned her head, her ears catching the whisper.
Shi Chun hinted, "Can't help but feel tense."
He wanted to use his special right eye to identify the Demonic Path members. Since Xiang Lan'er mentioned having demonic escorts, someone in her vicinity must be one of them. He doubted his eye's ability again, aiming to discern something through the reactions around them.
Wu Jinliang picked up on it, reassuring, "Didn't work last time too? Give it another go," he chuckled, his grin indecently amused by the prospect. Shi Chun gave him a glare, "Too many people around."
His remark was cautionary, hinting at the crowded environment that could ruin their chances.
"I've got you covered," Wu Jinliang declared, gesturing to his giant sword as if a shield, boastfully confident.
Shi Chun paused, realizing Wu Jinliang's massive form could indeed create a blind spot. He gave a nod of assent, stepping slightly forward to obstruct one side of the view and began his maneuver.
Wu Jinliang, coordinating well as always, adjusted to flank Shi Chun’s side, raising his broad sword to obscure vision from another angle.
With this setup, Shi Chun’s hand reached cautiously toward Xiang Lan'er, keenly aware of her slightest reactions. The scene amused Wu Jinliang, who watched Shi Chun's hesitant moves, almost pitying his caution.
As his hand repeatedly approached and retreated, impatience brewed within Shi Chun. Nervous urgency sabotaged his feelings, gnawing at his intentions like ants squabbling over sugar.
Contrary to Shi Chun’s trepidation, Wu Jinliang abruptly snapped an adulting shove, playfully forcing Shi Chun’s hand to the brink of folly. Shi Chun recoiled instinctively, a near miss igniting alarm.
The encounter had Xiang Lan'er turning back, puzzled, "What’s going on with you two?"
Wu Jinliang chuckled mischievously, "No worries, he's just battling an itch."
The suggestion was cheeky, enough to provoke Shi Chun into digging his fingers into Wu Jinliang's side in retort. In turn, Wu Jinliang, with stronger cultivation, disengaged Shi Chun’s grip, teasing him with, "Did it work?"
Pleased with his trickery, Wu Jinliang couldn't help the glee of the small victory.
Shi Chun dropped his scrutiny, focusing on the crowd. He squinted, surveying individuals again. When Xiang Lan'er tossed her gaze back ahead, Shi Chun wondered silently about the absence of demonic signs on himself—peculiar for someone supposedly of the Demonic Path.
Disregarding this, he resumed his subtle investigation, scanning the milling people. Eventually, he discerned the distinct flicker of another demonic flame amidst the haze of moving silhouettes, his eyes narrowing on Sun Shigang.
Sun Shigang's expression was equally questioning, unable to decode Shi Chun's enigmatic blinking. Flipping back and forth, Shi Chun pondered, 'Could Sun Shigang truly be with the Demonic Path?' Reflecting on the previous clash, Shi Chun surmised the conflict had pitted two different demonic factions against each other—an unintended strife.
The encounter wasn’t happenstance; Xiang Lan'er’s presence portended a scheme. Yet, its nature and intentions remained shadowy but undoubtedly sinister if Xiang Lan'er took such precautions to conceal it from allies.
With his left eye peering for associates, Shi Chun surveyed Sun Shigang's companions, noting with curiosity the absence of demonic flames. Assured through observation, he knew Xiang Lan'er wasn't alone, nor could Sun Shigang handle the task solo.
As he mulled over his discovery, an armature of gold stepped onto the city wall, brandishing a two-foot-long black metallic arrow. Energetic dark clouds frothed from its tip towards the void, colliding with an unseen barrier to open a gateway.
The obsidian mist seeped into the divide, its power expanding, piercing aside the curtain of reality as the event leaped forward into the unknown.
(End of Chapter)