Chapter 184: Each Goes Their Own Way

A group of questioned domain lords remained silent, frowning to varying degrees. With their discerning eyes, they could all tell that a master had intervened. The mirrored screen also reacted at that moment, suddenly zooming out to show a more comprehensive view. No one else was seen intervening within the competition arena, which further validated the domain lords' judgment: whoever could rescue someone from a distance must at least possess cultivation above the Human Immortal realm.

They hadn't seen a spatial rift; they only thought a master had acted from a distance.

According to the rules of the Heavenly Rain Meteorite Assembly, not only were participants' cultivation levels not allowed to exceed High Martial Perfection, but even the internal law-enforcing armored guards were prohibited from doing so.

When Mu Lanqingqing was on the verge of danger, someone suddenly intervened. Even Chi Rang, the Domain Lord of Xuanzhou, thoughtfully stroked his beard.

"Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous! Isn't this just abusing power...?" The furious Wei Mo was still muttering curses.

Not just them, even the spectators in the training ground could see it. The sudden force that repelled Shi Chun could not possibly have come from Mu Lanqingqing, who was clearly still struggling to get up and gasping for air.

The three Su Yuanzong members present were simultaneously relieved by Mu Lanqingqing's escape from danger and exchanged subconscious, guilty glances.

Even they themselves harbored the same thoughts: why would the master who intervened secretly rescue Mu Lanqingqing specifically, and not others? If there was no connection to Mu Lanqingqing, it would be difficult to explain. Who could it be? Someone from within the sect, or someone outside with a connection? The anger they felt earlier upon seeing Guan Yingjie crippled was, at that moment, cast aside due to their guilt. They also felt many eyes on them, knowing what others suspected, yet they themselves couldn't fully admit it because they harbored the same suspicions internally.

Mu Lan, with a fierce gaze, retorted, "What, does this not count as a win for me? Must I slaughter you for it to count, or are you going back on your word?"

Wan Daoxuan and his companions flew over, landing beside her. They wanted to help her up, but hesitated, as it was improper for men to touch a woman with exposed arms.

In contrast, on the vibrant grandstands filled with nobles, many who were accustomed to enjoying the spectacle without much thought didn't understand what was happening. They only realized the commotion after others explained it to them.

With the Wind Scale in hand, Wu Jinliang took control, carrying both people and items into the air. Turning his head to look at the excited crowd gradually receding on the ground, Xiang Niwan asked, "Are we still going to meet them at the exit?" Chu Jing-tang, looking up from below, brightened at the question and responded loudly, "Good, understood. Brothers, let's go!" Wu Jinliang immediately chuckled, "What are you thinking? This is just to stabilize them and give ourselves a chance to calmly get away. We've got the stuff, so why bother meeting them? Let's go, everyone home, everyone to their mothers! Wangdu, your room, Grandpa's here, wahahaha!" He laughed so hard he almost forgot to turn, but at Mu Lan's reminder, they veered away from the sight of the Xuanzhou forces and turned towards the exit for the Shengzhou forces.

Guan Yingjie shook his head, his lips tightly sealed, refusing the medicine. His raised head glanced at his own legs, and he gave a bitter smile, "There's no need."

Mu Lanqingqing turned her head away, not wanting them to see her tears. She leaped up, wiped them away, and landed in front of the fallen Guan Yingjie. Kneeling on one knee, she examined her junior brother's injuries, discovering that he hadn't taken any self-preservation measures; he had lost too much blood, and his face was pale. Mu Lanqingqing forcefully administered the medicine into his mouth using magic, helping him swallow it, then comforted him, "Don't worry, the sect will find miraculous elixirs to help you recover your legs."

Guan Yingjie gave a bitter smile, "I couldn't even secure a ranking and disgraced the sect. Will the sect truly expend such vast resources on a sinner like me?" Mu Lanqingqing confidently told him, "Yes, they will."

A group of ragtag followers immediately roared and shouted, "Our leader is brilliant! Our leader is brilliant!"

A flurry of whispered activity arose around them. Closer by, those unafraid of being seen were openly condemning, much like Wei Mo.

Of course, the rules didn't strictly forbid leaving through other entrances, nor did they prohibit simply exiting nearby. However, it was reckless to deliberately venture into a crowd of competitors; no one would willingly walk into a lion's den and invite trouble. Yet, Niwan and the others were clearly taking the long way around.

The mirrored screen mercilessly abandoned this group of victors, instead focusing on Mu Lan and the others as they flew on the Wind Scale.

He could only take a deep breath, give up the ready spoils, and with a flash, landed directly beside Wan Daoxuan and his companions, then circled around towards the pile of white cloth bags beneath the stone platform.

Niwan, leaning on her sword on the ground, watched the Wind Scale turn into a streak of light and disappear into the sky. Two lines of silent tears streamed down her face. The injustice of striving for victory, then failing, surged into her heart. She also hated herself for being incompetent and complacent, realizing she had, after all, underestimated the heroes of the world.

From behind the building window, Young Master Nan's eyes widened, and his breathing became rapid. Clinging to the building window, he gritted his teeth, worried that the hidden master might do something else to Mu Lan.

The two factions observing the battle on-site were also looking around, having realized that Shi Chun had been secretly attacked. Xiang Shichun's expression became even more vigilant.

Facing the one who approached with the momentum of victory, the one who could beat his fiancée nearly to death, Wan Daoxuan didn't know what more defiance he could offer. He only hoped that the master hidden in the shadows would intervene again, or at least make a statement!

Previously, he had witnessed the methods of a green fox demon in Zhixu City; this time, he saw a fleeting purple figure.

He then looked at Mu Lanqingqing, barely clinging to life on the ground. He also wondered what relationship the god-like master had with this woman, to intervene and save her at such a critical moment.

On one side were the ragtag followers leaving with great joy and laughter. On the other side were the downcast and dejected elite forces.

He, too, had been keenly observing, and had already noticed that Mu Lan had changed course towards the Shengzhou exit. What did that mean? With power at such a terrifying, god-like level, who was he to defy them? For now, simply being obedient was the correct approach.

Wan Daoxuan and his companions, who had also arrived at the sidelines, were speechless upon hearing this. They had never in their wildest dreams imagined they would return empty-handed this time.

She herself had personally felt someone intervene to save her. She had been too close to Shi Chun. Although she didn't know where the mighty power that struck Shi Chun came from, she felt its faint lingering resonance. Though subtle, this aura of immense power could absolutely not have come from someone of their cultivation level. How could the feeling of tofu and steel be the same?

No one paid attention to their despondent reaction, not even the domain lords. When they saw Niwan pick up a large pile of Insect Essence Crystals, and then, surprisingly, break away from the group and flee, many domain lords urgently called for the mirrored screen to follow.

The group was assembling to leave, shouting and yelling excitedly along the way, utterly exhilarated and hyped up. How could they not know they had won now? Thinking about the rewards and commendations, and returning to the Brakes Sect with their achievements, each of them couldn't help but be thrilled.

The master's stance was first expressed by the blade in Mu Lan's hand. Extending her blade, she tapped him aside, then leaped onto the stone platform. She swung the blade over her shoulder, sheathed it behind her, and then used magic to scoop up the entire pile of white cloth bags. Turning to Wu Jinliang and Xiang Niwan, she asked, "What are you still hesitating for? Don't we have the Wind Scale?"

His laugh was like that of a madman. Money gone, the mansion in Wangdu gone, could a beautiful woman be far behind? He laughed maniacally the entire way, a truly wretched laugh.

Regardless of success or failure, they had to face reality. Thus, a group of crestfallen elite forces embarked on their return journey.

Mu Lan, looking around, was filled with shock and suspicion. It was said that only a handful of true powers in this world possessed the cultivation to tear open space and exit. Most people would never witness such a sight in their entire lives, yet he had encountered it twice within a short period.

A handsome and dashing person had suddenly become crippled; he himself found it somewhat unacceptable. It was a pity about the treasure armor, but he no longer dared to seize it, nor did he dare to lay a hand on Mu Lanqingqing again. How could he possibly act presumptuously towards someone the master intended to protect?

Wu Jinliang and Xiang Shichun were foolishly looking up at him on the stone platform. Hearing his words, they quickly reacted and both jumped onto the platform.

Just as a group of ragtag followers looked up in astonishment, Mu Lan's voice, amplified by magic, came from the air, "Brother Chu, we'll go ahead. You lead the brothers, and we'll meet at the exit."

He realized that Mu Lanqingqing's background was absolutely not as simple as merely being a disciple of Su Yuanzong. Otherwise, how could she possess a treasure armor and be saved by a god-like master? Moreover, the master just said that her background was not one he could afford to provoke.

From the air, one could see a layer of white dust covering the arena, and the traces left by the lingering aftermath of the battle, like drawings on the dust. The mark where Niwan was sent flying was particularly distinct, resembling a jet's exhaust trail.

As soon as these words were uttered, many domain lords instantly lost their composure, standing up one after another. Wei Mo, the Domain Lord of Shengzhou, appeared to be the calmest, yet his hands gripped both armrests, as steady as a stone statue, his eyes fixed on the mirrored screen, occasionally glancing at the light points on the ultimate map.

Mu Lan and the others, who were originally heading straight for the Xuanzhou Xun Gate exit, suddenly changed their flight direction. It didn't feel like anything unusual when viewed on the mirrored screen, until someone noticed that the light points related to Mu Lan on the ultimate map had changed their direction of movement. After calculating their destination, they suddenly exclaimed as if startled, pointing at the ultimate map and shouting, "They're heading towards the Xun Gate, the entrance to Shengzhou!"

"Brother Wang..." Wan Daoxuan uttered awkwardly, blocking the way. Miao Dingyi, who had been intently squinting at the mirrored screen for a while, slowly turned to look at them upon hearing the commotion behind him. Even before someone shouted that, he had already noticed Mu Lan's group heading towards Shengzhou. After all, one pays attention to what one cares about. He had long harbored suspicions—or rather, expectations—regarding Mu Lan's suspicious actions, and now... As if seeking confirmation, his Adam's apple bobbed incessantly, his mouth was dry, and he maintained intense, unwavering focus.

Wu Jinliang's booming shout also came from the air, "Leader Ren is brilliant!"

In great alarm, he quickly applied acupressure and found good quality elixirs on his person to feed him. Chi Rang, the Domain Lord of Xuanzhou, had already left his seat. Like a man-eating tiger, he paced back and forth in the corner, his aura chilling and his eyes gleaming, occasionally glancing askance at the mirrored screen, the muscles at the corners of his mouth twitching now and then.

Mu Lanqingqing, kneeling on one knee and coughing blood, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword plunged into the ground, was also looking around.