The whole group could only set everything else aside, and they quickly ran out of the storeroom.
When he saw them storm out in single file, the guard leader stared straight at them, intending to firmly remember what they looked like. Failing to guard the storeroom was a mistake punishable by death. He had to make sure to find a way to lighten his crimes. What could be better for quelling the Monster Lordâs fury than providing information on the invaders?
Why do these people look like humans? When was our Monster World invaded by humans?
He was feeling confused when suddenly, a flash of silver light appeared in front of him. He was shocked to discover that he could see his own back, and then there was nothing.
Suolun Shi withdrew her curved blade that was dripping with blood. She knew they couldn't leave behind any witnesses for the Monster Lord to track them with.
At the same time, a black flame rushed out from Pei Mianman. The guardâs corpse was completely burned away.
Ji Xiaoxi found that a bit hard to accept. âBig sister Pei, they're already deadâ¦â
Pei Mianman explained, âThe monsters have all kinds of strange methods. We can't be sure that they have no way obtain information from corpses.â
Ji Xiaoxi was a bit embarrassed. âIt's still big sister Pei who thinks of the bigger picture.â
The others were also filled with admiration.
Zu An didnât waste any time. With a sweep of his robes, an invisible force wrapped around the women and they flew out. At the same time, he used the same force to prevent their energies from leaking out.
Almost the same moment they left, a three-headed birdâs scream echoed above the palace. Then, the Monster Lord instantly appeared at the storeroom. When he saw that the door was open and that the guards had already turned to ashes, the Monster Lordâs eyebrows twitched. He quickly went inside.
The palace emissaries also arrived behind him. They were about to go in too when they were blocked by an invisible force outside. The Monster Lord called out from within, âStand guard outside. Send another group of people to track down the scoundrelsâ whereabouts!â
âUnderstood!â The palace emissaries quickly split into two groups and dispersed.
â¦
The Monster Lord entered the storeroom. When he saw the empty shelves and racks, his face darkened. He naturally couldn't let his guards see what the condition of the storeroom was really like. If the residents of the underground city learned that their resources were already so lacking, there would be a huge uprising.
He didnât stop, and went deeper inside until he arrived at that wall. He saw that the formation was still intact, and the Resurrection Technique was still there; he sighed in relief.
Still, he didnât feel completely reassured. He took out a key to unlock the formation, then removed the jade strip to examine it and make sure that it hadnât been switched out by someone. Then, he pressed the mechanism inside and saw that the strange stone was still there. Only then did he feel completely relieved.
Even though he didnât know what the stone was, it had been passed down by the Monster World for generations, so it was definitely something extremely important. It no doubt contained a tremendous secret.
He returned the jade strip to its place, then reactivated the formation. Then, he walked out and closed the storeroom entrance again.
âThis storeroomâs formation cannot be used anymore; it must be changed. In the meantime, you are all to stand guard here. Do not let anyone near,â the Monster Lord ordered.
âUnderstood!â The guards bowed respectfully. They didnât even dare to breathe too heavily for fear of angering the Monster Lord.
Only one of the most trusted palace emissaries gathered the courage to say, âThose scoundrels really are cunning. They not only silenced the guards, they even burned the corpses to ashes. We didnât have the time to search their memories.â
The Monster World had a kind of soul-searching method that could retrieve memories. However, that would normally turn the target into a madman or an idiot.
The Monster Lord harrumphed. âThe corpses have been burned and thereâs nothing to find there, but the flames they used are a bit special. Investigate that.â
The palace emissaries also sensed the fire element energy that remained in the air. âThe lord is wise! These flames seem to be a bit similar to some abilities from the True Demon race, but it seems a bit different.â
âThe True Demon raceâ¦â The Monster Lord had a pensive expression. A while later, he said, âThe scoundrels stole some formations, medicines, and things our races normally donât need. Investigate that too.â
âUnderstood!â The palace emissaries bowed.
Just then, a palace emissary rushed over. âReporting to the lord, Salamayâs subordinates have broken out Mojard and have just left the palace. If we pursue them, we should still be able to stop themâ¦â
The Monster Lord raised his hand to stop him. âThere is no need. Let them leave, but donât make it so obvious that they develop suspicions.â
âUnderstood!â The palace emissary quickly left to pass on these orders.
â¦
Meanwhile, Salamayâs subordinates had indeed just rescued Mojard from the palace. They continued to flee toward an area of safety. When they saw that they had already broken free of the pursuers, Salamay sighed in relief. âIt really was too dangerous today. Thank goodness we were able to save Uncle Mo.â
Mojard was heavily injured, but he suddenly turned around to look in the palaceâs direction and said with a frown, âSomethingâs not right!â
âWhat is it?â Salamay was stunned.
âI heard the Monster Lordâs three-headed bird mount when we rushed out of the palace. He clearly came back, so how could we still possibly get away?â Mojard had a blank expression. âIs he deliberately letting us get away?â
âBut how can that be?â Salamayâs smile froze on her face. âHe has the ability to get rid of all of us in one go, so why would he let us go deliberately? He must be preoccupied with something right now.â
Just then, a trusted aide said, âThere seems to have been another force that suddenly attacked the storehouse. The Monster Lord probably went in that direction.â
Salamay immediately felt relieved. âThat mustâve been it.â
Mojardâs expression immediately became downcast. âIn the past, the Monster Lord and I both served as officials and were known as the outstanding duo. Yet now, even a storeroom is more important than me. He really doesnât regard me with any importance anymore.â
Salamay said reassuringly, âWho in the Monster World doesnât know about Uncle Moâs fame? It was just that after that guy seized the throne, he had the worldâs resources at his disposal, and that was why his cultivation improved explosively. Uncle Mo didnât do anything wrong.â
The other companions also tried to advise him against those thoughts. Mojard regained his confidence and said, âHahaha, all of you are right. This is a good thing. The pride of that guy will be the opportunity for us to make a comeback.â
â¦
Compared to his excitement, Zu Anâs group was quiet back in Donaire's cave.
Overall, their mission had gone quite smoothly today. They now had all of the formation and medicine texts they needed, as well as ingredients other special materials. If only Xie Daoyun hadnât disappeared...
âAh Zu, what is that Nature Jade Plate?â Jiang Luofu couldn't help but ask.
âIn the past, Chuyan also disappeared into spacetime because of something like thisâ¦â Zu An explained.
This was the first time many of them had heard about Chuyanâs experience. Their expressions changed.
âThere's something that mysterious in this world?â Jiang Luofu finally exclaimed in surprise.
Zu An nodded bitterly.
âThen how do we find her?â Jiang Luofu asked nervously. Xie Daoyun was her martial seniorâs disciple, as well as her former acquaintance from Brightmoon City. Their relationship had always been quite good.
âWe need to find another Nature Jade Plate, and we need to know the coordinates of where and when she was taken.â Zu Anâs voice became softer and softer. He knew that the chance of doing that was pitifully small. The two of them had clearly just confirmed their relationship, and yet they could now be separated forever. If he had known things would be like this, he wouldnât have treated little sister Lingâer so coldly. He would have accepted her sooner.
He sat down in a corner and buried his head in his knees.
Suddenly, a pair of soft hands rested on his shoulder. Pei Mianman said gently, âAh Zu, donât be so downhearted. Fate will bring people together across a thousand miles. I believe that the power of destiny will reunite you and little sister Xie, just like how you met Chuyan again.â
Zu An raised his head. A bit of color returned to his eyes.
Right, Chuyan also disappeared because of the Nature Jade Plate, and the Snow Lady even forgot who she was. Yet in the end, we still ended up reunitingâ¦
The higher oneâs cultivation grew, and especially now after he had merged with a worldâs source, he could clearly sense the power of destiny. Even though it wasnât anything tangible, he had a powerful premonition that he would most likely reunite with little sister Lingâer again, and it wouldnât be too far away either!