Chapter 376: Thousand Forms

The tower fell silent again.

This seemed to be a significant problem for them.

Later, the voice of the person who looked like a young man spoke, "If that girl truly met someone she loved, why would she need to inform us? And propose marriage? Propose marriage to a ghost? She just wants an excuse to come in and break the formation."

The woman's soft sigh was heard. "Who said that girl wouldn't deceive us? She truly has no affection for us. She knows full well that we are bound to this tower, and if the Forbidden Land's seal breaks, we will all die."

A grumbling voice said, "Affection? We had no prior dealings with her, and after 'Su' died, we even drove her out. Where would she get affection for us? She probably sees us as nothing but damned monsters."

A cold voice rang out, "So, are we helping her or not? If we help, what happens next will be indefensible. If we don't, what if she gets killed?"

The tower fell silent once more.

After a long time, the elder spoke, "Over the years, we've come to know a bit about the conduct of those artifact-forging sects. If Shi Chun can't even handle these matters, he won't be able to take the girl out through the exit, and even if he did, he couldn't protect her. If she truly gets killed, it simply means this isn't the girl's destined person, nor is it the one we're waiting for. We'll just have to keep waiting. The big picture is what matters. Old Nine, keep an eye on her."

The phrase "The big picture is what matters" silenced all the various chaotic voices, leaving only a few sighs.

The continuous clanging of tools echoed not far from the frozen lake. Wu Jinliang, having somehow procured a large stone, was diligently chiseling and hammering it, the sounds resonating with striking clarity in the silent Land of Ignorance.

Each thud of the hammer made the group from Mingshan Sect jump, keeping them highly vigilant of their surroundings.

Initially, they had certainly tried to dissuade him and couldn't help but ask what he was doing. Wu Jinliang claimed it was for a good cause, even a joyous one, and told them to simply wait and witness his masterpiece.

Regardless of whether it was a good cause or a joyous one, the group demanded he stop. It wasn't until Shi Chun intervened that they, full of doubt and surprise, endured the ordeal.

Shi Chun remained hidden, personally keeping watch.

He wasn't sure if the various factions would be deterred by this place and avoid approaching.

However, to him, it made no difference whether they came or not. If they came, they'd be dealt with by the old monsters. If they didn't, he and his group would circle around and escape from another direction. In any case, they already had the pretense of preparing a betrothal gift, and Zhen'er had already communicated with the old monsters, so running around here wouldn't cause any trouble.

Once they escaped the Forbidden Zone, the old monsters would have no reason to be upset with him, and they could safely hide until the end of the conference before reappearing.

In short, this was the ideal place to end the various factions' entanglement. Otherwise, he wouldn't have risked coming here.

As for Zhen'er, their fate could only end here. He couldn't take her out of the Forbidden Land. For him, it wasn't a matter of conscience but simply impossible to get her out.

Asking him to break the core formation of some underground tower was an absurd joke. Not only did he not know how to break it, but even if he had a hundred times his courage, he wouldn't dare attempt such a thing in front of a group of terrifying old monsters.

Zhen'er herself knew that if the formation broke, all the old monsters would die. Would they, guarding the grand formation, allow someone to break it? Zhen'er was naive and self-important; he couldn't go along with her foolishness.

Let alone breaking the formation, even meeting those terrifying old monsters was out of the question. He would absolutely not go.

If he didn't break the formation and tried to run out with Zhen'er, crossing the boundary would mean her death, and he didn't want to watch that happen.

If he didn't cross the boundary, he would have to watch her turn and leave from inside while he remained outside, which he didn't want to experience face-to-face. Fleeing while Zhen'er knew nothing was the best option; out of sight, out of mind.

They're here!

Shi Chun, hidden in the shadows, his gaze flickered. His right eye's ability revealed a group of figures silently approaching.

Although he knew those artifact-forging fellows would be incredibly greedy when faced with the divine flame, he was still somewhat surprised that they dared to follow him to this place.

But it didn't matter. As Master Shi Chun, he hadn't dominated the Eastern Nine Plains for years for nothing. He had already dug an enormous pit waiting for them—a pit that could ensnare them all. Anyone who dared to mess with him would die!

It was his first time undertaking such a large-scale operation, and he felt a thrill just thinking about it—a bloodthirsty excitement!

He flashed away, returning to Wu Jinliang, who was still clanging. He clapped his hands loudly, signaling the other lookouts to return.

Chu Jingting, having landed, saw Wu Jinliang chiseling the stone and couldn't help but grit his teeth and pull two whiskers from his beard. There was something he couldn't quite grasp: this large man actually carried a hammer and chisel with him. He turned to Shi Chun and asked, "Master, what's wrong?"

Shi Chun raised his chin towards the direction they had come from. "Our persistent guests have arrived."

"Ah!" several people gasped.

Some even felt he was joking. The pursuers had arrived, yet he remained so calm?

Wu Jinliang immediately stopped his work and said cheerfully, "They're here?"

Shi Chun gestured at the tools in his hand. "Don't stop. We don't want them to have trouble finding us."

Wu Jinliang chuckled, swinging his hammer with more force, striking even louder, the clanging accompanied by sparks.

The others exchanged bewildered glances, not understanding what he meant.

Xu Anchang couldn't help but ask, "Brother Chun, they're practically at our doorstep! If we don't run now, when will we?"

Shi Chun countered, "What kind of place is this, Brother Xu? You must have guessed by now, right?"

Xu Anchang looked around. "I thought I had guessed it, but seeing Brother Wu openly hammering away without any consequences, I'm starting to doubt again."

Shi Chun laughed heartily. "No need to doubt. It's exactly that terrifying place you imagined. At this point, I won't keep it from you any longer. The reason we can operate here so freely is that I've already communicated with the master of this place. We can move about without hindrance, but others won't be so lucky. We're not trying to trap them; they're the ones insistently pursuing us. We can't be blamed."

He said this to prepare Xu and You, in case he needed to use them as collateral later, to ensure they wouldn't be caught off guard.

At his words, everyone was immediately both startled and delighted. They all wanted to ask if it was true, but then realized there was no need to ask; he wouldn't joke about their lives.

No wonder he dared to make such a ruckus here. He was afraid those relentless pursuers wouldn't find them. This was a deliberate lure!

The question was, how did he communicate with the old monsters of this place, and how did that communication happen?

Before they could voice their questions, Wu Jinliang stopped his work. There was no other reason; the guests had arrived.

A group of people landed nearby and walked unhurriedly towards them.

There weren't many, only about ten. At a signal from their leader, the accompanying members sheathed all their weapons, indicating they had no ill intentions.

Upon seeing the visitors, Shi Chun was somewhat surprised because it was none other than the Qianyan Sect group led by Gong Shixi.

The visitors stopped in front of them, scrutinizing them and the stone sculpture in their midst, having clearly identified the source of the noise.

They only dared to reveal themselves after stealthily approaching and observing.

Shi Chun's group also scrutinized them, mainly looking behind them. No one else was seen behind them; had only this group arrived?

Shi Chun asked, puzzled, "How did you find us?"

He wondered if these people also possessed abilities similar to Wu Shanshan.

Had the other factions been scared away and dared not approach?

Did Gong Shixi's demonic cultivation lineage dare to openly oppose his own lineage?

Gong Shixi let out a self-mocking chuckle. "With all that noise you're making, anyone who isn't deaf could find you, couldn't they?"

Shi Chun said, "I'm not talking about that. I'm asking how you knew our route and managed to track us here?"

Gong Shixi replied, "Aren't you asking the obvious? Why have you been relentlessly pursued all this way? Don't you know? If you didn't know, would you have tried to assassinate Wu Shanshan?"

Shi Chun glanced around again. "But I don't see Wu Shanshan."

Gong Shixi said, "She's afraid of this place, so she's hiding at the back. She points the way, we scout ahead, and once a section is clear, she follows and points the next way. The main force is trailing behind at the very end."

Shi Chun's eyes flickered. He asked suspiciously, "Why were *you* chosen to scout the way? We're being hunted. Are you perhaps behind all this?"

Xu and You exchanged glances, both realizing Shi Chun was feigning ignorance, as Shi Chun had previously stated to them that Gong Shixi's group was the one instigating these troubles.

How could Gong Shixi admit it? His magical artifact had been destroyed by that strange lightning, and he had witnessed Shi Chun's skill during the masked assassination. It would be difficult for them to silence him, so he naturally denied it vehemently. "Brother Chun, you're overthinking things. If we were truly behind this, we wouldn't jump out and court trouble ourselves. We were forced into this, simply chosen by them and pushed forward to take the risk. All the other factions saw this; you can ask around later if you don't believe me."

Shi Chun let out a meaningful "Oh." "So, according to you, it's just a coincidence. But it's an awfully big coincidence, isn't it? Of all the sects they could have chosen, it just happened to be Qianyan Sect. I don't believe what others say; I only believe what I see with my own eyes. You're clearly trying to mess with me, and I will report this honestly. This incident is your doing. As for how you prove your innocence to your superiors, that's your problem, not mine to worry about."

Superiors? What superiors? The Mingshan Sect group exchanged glances, none of them understanding who "superiors" referred to. After a brief thought, they could only assume he meant people like Young Master Nan.

Xu and You, however, knew perfectly well.

Gong Shixi's group immediately looked rather displeased. If they were truly targeted for an investigation, who knew what would be uncovered?

But then, thinking it over, there was nothing to worry about. They could openly admit to their superiors that they had orchestrated this. If it prevented Shi Chun's side from winning, their superiors would be pleased; there was no way they would actually investigate them.

The so-called 'Three Lineage Alliance' was merely for show; secretly, everyone had their own agendas. As long as there was no evidence, their superiors would surely protect them.

Therefore, Gong Shixi smiled faintly and said, "Brother Chun can think what he likes; we can't stop him. Our appearance here is out of goodwill; we specifically came to warn you. Don't assume the pursuers won't dare to enter this place. They're already here. You need to move quickly."

Shi Chun smiled faintly. "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Gong. If Brother Gong truly isn't here to cause us trouble, and is genuinely here to help us, then I'd trouble you with a small favor."

Gong Shixi frowned slightly. "What is it?"

Shi Chun stared into his eyes and said, "Isn't Wu Shanshan scouting with you right now? She's also separated from the main group, making it easy for you to act..." He then tilted his head and gestured towards Wu Jinliang, "My brother here has a rather unique hobby; he appreciates incomplete beauty. I want her alive!"

Everyone simultaneously turned to look at Wu Jinliang.

Wu Jinliang showed no shame, immediately chuckling, "In life, of course, if there's an opportunity, one must experience 'all sorts of forms.' Wouldn't it be a pity to miss out?"

The group shivered in disgust. Could "all sorts of forms" be used to describe *that*? Their gazes at him revealed they saw him as a pervert.

Regardless of whether he was a pervert or not, Gong Shixi scoffed dismissively, "Your hobbies have nothing to do with me..."

"I already suspect you're the one pulling strings behind the scenes!"

Shi Chun abruptly cut him off, pointing directly at his nose. "If it's none of your business, why did you show up? Coincidence? Don't make me laugh! Since you've openly appeared, we won't run. With Wu Shanshan here, we couldn't escape anyway; being caught is inevitable sooner or later. You, who've followed us all this way, know that better than anyone.

If we fall into their hands, you won't have an easy time either. Since you want to mess with us, then let's all go down together.

If you want to prove your innocence, hand Wu Shanshan over to me. Helping us is helping yourselves. Only when Wu Shanshan is in our hands can we flee safely.

Brother Gong, I won't see you off. I'll wait here. Until I get my hands on that woman Wu Shanshan, I will not leave. You can try me if you don't believe it!"