Seeing the Heavenly Machine Lock burst out in terrifyingly brilliant light, Yang Zhen was utterly confused.
During the Three Lives Panlong Array, the Heavenly Machine Lock was completely inactive, but now, after changing the celestial pattern and terrain, the Heavenly Machine Lock⦠had come alive?
Or could this also be a trap?
If there was another trap within the trap, then Yang Zhen would be utterly frustrated. Just who was the damned trickster who schemed to this extent?
What the hell was inside this Heavenly Machine Lock, unraveling layer by layer like peeling an onion, without end?
âYoung friend Yang Decao, are you alright?â The voice of the Death Shadow came, full of worry.
Although this old fellow was quite the jester, he obviously cared about Yang Zhen. After the shackles of the Moluo Gate were gone, his nature gradually returned.
Gong Sanhe also arrived at Yang Zhenâs side with a worried look on his face, hesitantly saying, âThe restriction of the Heavenly Machine Lock seems to have been triggered.â
Yang Zhen waved his hand and said, âIâm fine, whether itâs triggered or not. Even the Three Lives Panlong Array was broken by this Sao Saint. If there are more bans, I will just storm past it.â
Hearing Yang Zhenâs words, Gong Sanhe looked at Yang Zhen with suspicion, apparently thinking about his origin, before finally saying with a serious voice, âAlright, Iâll take the lead this time. You should rest for a bit.â
Before Gong Sanhe could finish speaking, Yang Zhen suddenly got up in high spirits and said, âIâm fine, letâs go.â
Seeing Yang Zhen shake his arm and leg, and stride brazenly towards the Heavenly Machine Lock, Gong Sanheâs jaw almost dropped. He looked at the Death Shadow, their faces both of utter disbelief.
âHeâs fine now?â
The two men uttered this in unison, then chuckled bitterly and shook their heads before following.
Ding Chun, who was behind them, was no longer surprised by now. Initially, he had thoughts of comparing himself to Yang Zhen, but now he had lost those thoughts. Yang Zhen, this freak, obviously wasnât someone he could match.
Wen Yuning, who had been watching Yang Zhenâs actions the entire time, was increasingly intrigued by him. However, she was a rather calm character and followed behind the crowd, rarely speaking.
After the Heavenly Machine Lock emitted a dazzling flash of light, it gradually calmed down. When Yang Zhen and the others approached, they found that the four columns of the Heavenly Machine Lock were much larger than they had imagined, seeming like celestial pillars that were immeasurably tall.
Among the numerous chains that floated between the four columns, a bizarre-looking structure was tied up. This was where the Heavenly Machine Lock was located.
Yang Zhen shared a glance with Gong Sanhe and the others, then leaped onto the Somersault Cloud, which exploded with a gust of wind beneath his feet, and shot towards the Heavenly Machine Lock.
Gong Sanhe and Death Shadow also leaped up, followed by Ding Chun.
Upon entering the peculiar structure, Yang Zhen realized with a start that the Heavenly Machine Lock was not a lock, but something akin to a hidden cache. It was vast inside; it didnât look large from the outside, but it was an entirely different world inside.
Standing inside the Heavenly Machine Lock, Yang Zhen turned his head and asked after Gong Sanhe and Death Shadow had arrived, âWhich way should we go?â
Everyone stared blankly at the endless structure, which was full of twisting and turning paths like a maze. They were all at a loss for words.
They hadnât been here before!
All five of them, each one of them, were visiting the Heavenly Machine Lock for the first time. Who knew what dangers were inside and which way to go?
Yang Zhen took a deep breath, turned around, and said to the four of them, âNone of you have any ideas?â
Hearing this, Gong Sanheâs eyes lit up, and he exclaimed excitedly, âDo you have a plan?â
Yang Zhen didnât answer Gong Sanheâs question but instead turned to look at Death Shadow and Ding Chun. After the two of them shook their heads to indicate they had no idea, he looked at Wen Yuning.
Wen Yuning was taken aback for a moment and then shook her head, saying, âI also donât know which way to go!â
Yang Zhen sighed and took a couple of steps forward to pick up a rotting stick from the ground and said, âSince none of you have any ideas, I guess I, the Sao Saint, will have to step up. Let me show you a common method used in my village when we face a difficult decision.â
Upon hearing Yang Zhenâs words, everyoneâs eyes lit up, especially Gong Sanhe who laughed heartily and said, âMy friend Yang, you truly are extraordinary. Even in a situation like this, your village still has a solution?â
Death Shadow looked at Yang Zhen incredulously. This time, he didnât say anything about Yangâs eyes, which were rolling around curiously, itching to see how this method Yang Zhen was referring to actually worked.
Ding Chun and Wen Yuning were also staring with wide eyes, not daring to let their attention waver from Yang Zhen.
All this way, they had witnessed Yang Zhen pulling out trick after trick, which deeply amazed them.
Now, upon hearing about this method from Yang Zhen, they naturally became very interested. Even if they couldnât learn it, at least they could brag about seeing it once they return.
Of course, this was just what Ding Chun was thinking. Wen Yuning, being a girl, was simply just curious.
In response to Gong Sanheâs inquiry, Yang Zhen nodded and said, âThis is a matter of probability. Itâs a bit intricate. Even if I explained to you guys, you wouldnât understand. Just watch carefully.â
Having said that, Yang Zhen raised the wooden stick over his head and swirled it around while chanting solemnly, âChicken head, hen head, not this one, then this one. Ta-da!â
At that sudden exclamation, all four of them jumped, their eyes twitching as Yang Zhen tossed the stick into the air, where it spun around several times before dropping on the ground with a clatter.
âWe go this way!â Yang Zhen casually pointed in the direction indicated by the stick, which was right down the middle path!
All four looked at each other in bewilderment, â???â
Freaking hell, is this some kind of magic trick?
There was no sign of True Essence movement, and no credibility to this whole thing?
Was this the method that Yang Zhen said they usually wouldnât resort to?
Did the people in his village handle matters like this?
Yang Zhen paid no attention to their reactions and marched off in the direction indicated by the stick.
Regardless, all paths looked similar, wasnât it just a matter of which one they chose to walk down?
Moreover, this method wasnât unfounded. At least, there was a certain expert who had once affirmed that this method could make the decision maker feel more enthused.
At the time, Yang Zhen couldnât feel more certain. He looked so confident that even Gong Sanhe and the others almost started believing him.
Gong Sanhe and Death Shadow exchanged a glance, both of them at a loss. By the time they got over their surprise, Yang Zhen had already started walking down the chosen path.
âYouâ¦Yang, hold on, wait for meâ¦â Gong Sanhe hurriedly followed him.
Although he didnât understand the reasoning behind Yang Zhenâs bizarre method, Gong Sanhe realized it was better to just stick with Yang Zhen, who had countless shocking tricks up his sleeve, always making them question their understanding of life.
Look at Death Shadow, even though he seemed utterly perplexed, he didnât hesitate to follow Yang Zhen like a loyal henchman.
Gong Sanhe snorted, giving Ding Chun and Wen Yuning a glance, seeing the same confused look on their faces.
The path was longer and more winding than Yang Zhen had anticipated, and he had no clue where it led.
After walking for a long while, and not just Gong Sanhe and the others, even Yang Zhen was getting a bit frustrated when suddenly from not too far ahead, they heard a haunting sound. It was like something weeping, yet also like something laughing, causing Yang Zhenâs hair to stand on end.
âDamn it, what the hell is that thing?â
Gong Sanhe and Death Shadow looked equally spooked, glancing at each other and shrugging.