Chapter 214.1: Thunder Cracks the Sky

Aunt Liu sighed, unable to hide her disappointment. "Even after laying down roots here for over a hundred years, the news we've managed to pass out is still pitifully little...”

They had embedded themselves deep in the fallen zone to gather intelligence and relay it to the ancient gods. Yet after all these years, the information they'd managed to send out was scarce at best. Worse still, many of their comrades had died along the way.

At times, Aunt Liu couldn't help but wonder whether everything they had done was truly worth it.

"Aunt Liu, no matter how things turn out, we just need to do our part. Our job is to pass on information. Killing the evil gods should be left to the Venerables, not us," Little Xing said firmly.

Aunt Liu gave a helpless smile. "It's just that we've been trapped in the fallen zone for centuries. Not only has the situation not improved, it's grown more chaotic by the day. I suppose I'm feeling a little sentimental."

After a brief exchange, Aunt Liu finished giving her instructions. Little Xing picked up her suona and headed toward the private room where Qi Yuan was staying.

Curiosity flickered across her face. This was the first time someone had asked to listen to suona in such a place.

"My lords, are you certain you want to listen to the suona?" Little Xing asked carefully.

Qi Yuan swept a glance over her. "Yes.”

His gaze then shifted to the main hall, settling on a certain evil god. On top of concealing his aura, his eyes were half-closed, clearly plotting something in secret. Qi Yuan could also sense some No-Food Goddess' supreme treasures.

Just then, a bleak, mournful suona melody rang out.

Zhu Zhuangshi glanced at the evil god and sent a voice transmission. "

My lord, should we make a move?

"

Qi Yuan instead gazed at Little Xing's clear, luminous face.

"Why drag these pitiful NPCs into it?" He said calmly.

The moment he entered the pavilion, his Star Golden Core activated. Aside from Aunt Liu and Little Xing, no one else even realized that Qi Yuan had entered the building.

Zhu Zhuangshi showed a trace of shame. "My apologies, I was reckless."

"It's fine. Opportunities are plenty. Once this suona piece is finished, we'll get down to business."

Thus, Qi Yuan sipped his tea leisurely, savoring the sound of the suona. Little Xing seemed to find her rhythm and began to dance as well. Her movements were supple and enchanting and graceful.

Beneath the sorrowful suona melody, the young girl swayed, as if mirroring the bleak backdrop of the Mortal Heart World.

***

At the same time, atop a towering mountain outside Huaye City.

The man in the golden-thread mask wore a look of astonishment. "Did they actually attack the Feng and Lin Empires? Dozens of new gods fell?"

Even he was genuinely shocked by the news. He had exchanged a brief clash with that group earlier. In order to preserve his strength and avoid unforeseen risks, he had chosen to lie low rather than pursue them.

He'd assumed they would know when to stop. Instead, they had gone mad, slaughtering the new gods outright. It was an open provocation to the enemy camp.

"Camp Master, Feng and Lin Empires are both in crisis. Should we send troops to support them?" asked the deputy cautiously.

The masked man shook his head. "Send troops? Would we even make it in time?”

The deputy nodded, then added, "Great Venerable Yangtai just sent word. He says that, since we’re the closest, he wants us to move first and encircle the rampaging ancient gods."

The masked man shook his head again, brimming with confidence. "No need. The allied forces aren't fully assembled. I won't make a move. Otherwise, it'll be my men who die, while everyone splits the credit evenly. There's no such good deal in this world. Besides, those ancient gods are already trapped like fish in a jar. They can't escape, so there is no need to rush."

Ultimately, the Mortal Heart World would belong to the new gods. All their struggles were nothing but the final thrashings of the dying. The overall situation was settled. He only had to preserve his strength and maximize his gains.

"Let them live one more day," he said lightly.

"Yes, sir."

"Oh right, how is the investigation into the No-Food Saint Sect?"

Within the fallen zone, many of the sect’s followers were hidden in the shadows.

"At present, Hongye House is the most suspicious. A True God has already gone to investigate," the deputy replied.

The masked man said indifferently, "Why bother with all that? If there's suspicion, just wipe it out. This is the Mortal Heart World, these people are nothing more than consumables."

"Yes, sir!" the deputy answered quickly.

***

Meanwhile, Qi Yuan was enjoying himself listening to the suona and watching the girl dance.

Qi Yuan mused, "No wonder so many people love going to clubs, it really is classy."

However, just as the thought crossed his mind, the door was pushed open. Aunt Liu rushed in, her face tight with urgency and apology.

"Honored guest, something urgent has come up at Hongye House. I must take Little Xing and leave at once!" she said hurriedly.

She had just received word that an evil god was about to strike Hongye House. If she didn't evacuate the followers of the No-Food Saint Sect immediately, they would die here miserably.

Qi Yuan waved a hand, saying softly, "Happy moments are always fleeting,"

Aunt Liu froze in place instantly.

Still, without the suona, Qi Yuan felt that what he was about to do wouldn't have the proper atmosphere.

Thus, he urged. "Little Xing, don't rush. Finish this piece on the suona. Once you're done, the restraint on her will be lifted."

Little Xing's face went pale with fear, yet she still followed Qi Yuan's instructions and continued playing.

"Let's go. Time for real work," Qi Yuan said.

He and Zhu Zhuangshi turned into streaks of light and vanished.

Only a few whispered voices lingered in the air.

"My lord, I think we didn't pay."

"Do you have money?"

"No."

"Doesn't matter. We were just here to chat with the ladies, we were not soliciting. No need to pay, no need to worry about jail. If the cops ask, we'll say we were here collecting old phones."

"???"

The suona continued to sound as Little Xing stared anxiously at Aunt Liu. "Aunt Liu, what's wrong?"

She tried everything she could, but nothing would free her.

"A True God, that was definitely a True God," Aunt Liu said, panic flooding her voice.

Meanwhile, she was only at the Violet Palace realm, there was no way she could break free. She had never imagined that those two really were True Gods. What did they come to Hongye House for? Aunt Liu had no idea whether they were friend or foe.

"Little Xing, maybe you should stop playing and leave me," Aunt Liu urged. "An evil god is about to attack Hongye House. If you don't go now, it'll be too late."

Finishing this piece would take at least another hundred breaths. Anything could happen in that time.

"No," Little Xing said, blowing into the suona with renewed vigor. "You have treated me like my own mother. How can I abandon you and flee alone? That lord said once the piece ends, the restraint will be lifted. It's almost over."