MTLNOVEL CHAPTER 187
Day 148 of the Black Mist Calendar
Apelo and his clansmen ventured deeper into the desolate expanse of the Black Grass Plains. It was here, amidst the swaying black grasses, that Apelo caught sight of the Nanxiang people who had chosen to settle in this unforgiving land. A pang of frustration twisted his features.
Those who had undergone the tribulation, now poisoned by the insidious black grass, were tainted and useless to him.
With a heavy heart, Apelo led his clansmen onward, their pursuit relentless.
Day 149 of the Black Mist Calendar
Apelo and his followers reached the ancient walls of Archean City.
He scoured the bustling streets and shadowed alleyways, searching for any trace of the Nanxiang people, but to no avail. He concluded that they hadn't passed through the city but had instead ventured directly into the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
Day 150 of the Black Mist Calendar
After a brief respite in Archean City, Apelo and his clansmen plunged into the depths of the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
He had heard the rumors of the Flame Clan ruins, but Apelo had encountered too many baseless tales in his time.
His objective remained clear: capture the tribulation transcenders and secure the coveted Heavenly Stairs qualifications. The allure of ancient ruins held no sway over him.
Day 151 of the Black Mist Calendar
While Apelo tirelessly hunted for the Nanxiang people, Jing Yi's grand scheme within the Heaven Saber Gang was reaching a critical point.
Time: Noon
Location: Outside Archean City
Ten thousand members of the Heaven Saber Gang assembled, their formation impressive but somewhat chaotic. They were, in essence, a formidable mob.
Only Jing Yi and Jing Cong, surrounded by their closest allies, stood out as truly elite.
Their race was unknown. In appearance, they resembled humans, though they were significantly taller, standing at around two meters. Their chiseled features and handsome visages hinted at noble bloodlines.
Jing Yi, the leader, was a Level Nine Physique Realm expert.
His son, Jing Cong, at the tender age of eighteen, had already reached Level Three of the Physique Realm. Among the younger generation of Archean City, he was undoubtedly a rising star.
Seeing that the gang members were assembled, Jing Yi raised his hand in a commanding gesture.
Jing Cong's voice boomed across the gathering, "The time has come! Brothers, let's move out!"
With a thunderous roar, the Heaven Saber Gang marched towards the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
But before they could reach the city gates, another voice echoed from within the city walls.
"Brother Jing, such a grand display. It seems you have big plans..."
The familiar voice caused both Jing Yi and Jing Cong to turn. A procession of 6,000 to 7,000 people emerged from the city gates, led by an elderly dwarf.
The dwarf, about one meter tall, had green skin and a pointed nose. His large eyes sparkled with intelligence and cunning.
This was Meijixi, the leader of the Divine Dao Gang.
Jing Yi, hearing the thinly veiled challenge in Meijixi's words, responded with a smile. "It's just the matter of the Flame Clan ruins... Surely, my old friend isn't unaware of this? The news has spread like wildfire throughout Archean City."
Meijixi was inwardly annoyed but maintained his composure.
He knew the rumors about the Flame Clan ruins were a fabrication, a smokescreen created by Jing Yi. However, he couldn't decipher Jing Yi's true intentions.
So, when the Heaven Saber Gang was about to depart, Meijixi decided to confront them directly.
He wanted to follow and see what Jing Yi was truly up to.
"I've heard about the Flame Clan ruins," Meijixi admitted. "But I haven't been able to pinpoint their exact location."
He raised an eyebrow, a sly grin spreading across his face. "What? Does my dear brother mean to say that you've found them?"
Before Jing Yi could respond, Meijixi continued, "Then, as your old brother, I must see these magnificent Flame Clan ruins for myself!"
Jing Cong frowned. He sensed trouble. The Divine Dao Gang's involvement could complicate their plans.
He was about to protest when his father chuckled. "Of course! It's rare for my dear brother to be in the mood for an adventure. Why don't we explore together?"
Both Jing Cong and Meijixi were taken aback by Jing Yi's unexpected invitation.
Neither of them could fathom Jing Yi's intentions.
However, Jing Yi offered no further explanation. He simply turned and led his gang members away.
Meijixi's expression remained clouded in uncertainty.
After a long pause, he finally made a decision.
"Follow them!" he commanded, his voice echoing with resolve.
As the dominant forces in Archean City, Jing Yi and Meijixi, along with their respective gangs, were intimately familiar with the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
A massive procession of nearly 20,000 people marched into the mountains, followed by a throng of curious onlookers eager to witness the unfolding events.
In addition, there were the countless explorers who had already ventured into the Hundred Thousand Mountains, lured by the promise of the Flame Clan ruins.
It was no exaggeration to say that at this moment, half the population of Archean City was within the mountains.
The total number was no less than 200,000.
However, the Hundred Thousand Mountains were vast and unforgiving. Swallowing a mere 200,000 people was a trivial matter.
They were like a drop of water merging into a boundless ocean, causing only the slightest ripple.
That night, as darkness descended...
After half a day's journey, Jing Yi led the procession to a desolate ancient city.
Behind him, Meijixi stepped forward, positioning himself close to Jing Yi. He glanced at his rival, a subtle challenge in his eyes. Although Meijixi couldn't fathom Jing Yi's scheme, he couldn't resist the opportunity to needle his old adversary.
"Brother Jing," Meijixi's voice echoed, deliberately loud enough for everyone to hear, "we've been on the road for half a day, but there's no sign of these Flame Clan ruins."
He paused, his tone turning sharp. "It's just a rumor, a mere whisper in the wind."
"These so-called Flame Clan ruins couldn't possibly be a fabrication concocted by Brother Jing, could they?"
Jing Yi turned, a serene smile masking his true intentions. "Why would I lie?"
Meijixi's expression hardened. "How would I know?!"
"But what you desire is clear," he continued, his voice laced with suspicion. "You want to become the City Lord of Archean City, or perhaps have your Heaven Saber Gang seize control of it entirely."
Leaning closer to Jing Yi, Meijixi's voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "With me around, you can forget about those schemes!"
"My dear brother, I'm sticking to you like glue this time. Wherever you go, I'll be there. I want to see what tricks you have up your sleeve!"
Jing Yi's expression remained unchanged, a master of concealing his emotions.
Jing Cong, however, seethed with anger.
If this old dwarf clung to Jing Yi like a shadow, their "Zombie Conversion Plan" would be jeopardized.
Jing Cong silently cursed Meijixi, frustration bubbling within him. From the corner of his eye, he saw that his father's expression remained composed.
Jing Yi merely glanced at the darkening sky, then towards the distant ruins of the ancient city.
After a beat, a smile graced Jing Yi's lips.
"It's begun."
As if on cue, a brilliant beam of light erupted from the ruins, piercing the twilight sky!
The beam soared upwards with breathtaking momentum, illuminating the night with an otherworldly radiance.
Everyone present was awestruck, their eyes wide with wonder. Only Jing Yi remained unfazed. He pointed at the radiant column, a smug smile playing on his lips.
"Behold," he whispered, "the Flame Clan ruins."
"Isn't this it?"
As if responding to his words, the beam of light shimmered and transformed. A faint outline of a door materialized at its base, as if a gateway to another realm had been opened.
Neither Jing Cong nor Meijixi could tear their eyes away from the spectacle.
Because they knew, with absolute certainty.
The beam of light before them marked the entrance to a ruin.
And not just any ruin, but a colossal one, hinting at the immense power and legacy of the Flame Clan.