Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Shi Ziling and Qin Yi gradually calmed themselves. Hearing Shi Tianhao’s question, Shi Ziling frowned and replied in a low voice, “A very, very long time ago, the two of us were trapped in a perilous spot in the Void Battleground. While our lives were safe, it was hard to escape.”
“All connection to the outside world was cut off and we had no idea what was going on. Not too long ago, the restrictions around that spot weakened and hence, we were able to break free.”
“However, soon after we left, we met King Chujiang. He should be in his Immortal Soul Second Level. He caught us and trapped us in this tiny world.”
Just now, Shi Ziling and his wife had heard about how Shi Tianhao rescued them. They then knew that the person who caught them was a Hallmaster of a Hall of the Dead, King Chujiang. They also knew why were relations between the Celestial Sect of Wonders and the Hall of the Dead tense.
“However, after the two of us escaped from the perilous spot, we observed our surroundings and realized that it was slightly different compared to before. It was as if it had changed its position. Then, we attributed it to the rapidly-changing environment within the Void Battleground and hence, we did not give much thought to it.”
Shi Ziling continued slowly, “While that spot was random, it still perplexed us both. Thinking about it, we can’t be sure what had happened.”
It was not impossible for an Immortal Soul Second Level cultivator to trap two Nascent Soul Stage cultivators without them realizing.
If it were an Immortal Soul Third Level cultivator, then it would be even easier.
Qin Yi pursed her mouth, “The Great Void Sect, will they really do that? They are the premier Holy Land for humans, it’s unimaginable…”
Shi Tianhao said, “According to their usual style of doing things, there is a 70% possibility. It is too much of a coincidence that the two of you ended up in King Chujiang’s hands just like that, at the right place and the right timing.”
“As we pursue King Chujiang, we can feel someone tailing us and controlling the speed of King Chujiang and us. They are definitely responsible for leading King Chujiang and my disciples into the ancient formation.”
Shi Tianhao turned to look at the tiny world in Wang Lin’s hand and said, “Later, we shall interrogate this b*stard. From him, we can obtain some clues and find out how did the Great Void Sect trick him into coming here.”
“Some things can be discussed later. Tianhao, bring your parents back to the Divine Lands first. They need to rest,” said Lin Feng. “Like the rest, you can send them directly to the Celestial Mountain Yingzhou.”
In such a huge war, the chance of collateral damage was immense. In a battle between two Aurous Core Stage cultivators, the shockwave was enough to kill many ordinary mortals.
Unless either side possessed immense defensive capabilities, it was unrealistic for them to shield an entire area off. A battle between cultivators was something ordinary mortals could not handle. In a fight between two equally-skilled cultivators, a cultivator would be disadvantaged if he had to take care of nearby mortals too.
In a war between humans and demons, both sides would surely fight for every inch of land. Then, the hot zones of the war would likely be the places that were abundant in resources.
Hence, as the war approached, every single power would deploy manpower to take care of the mortals. Over the many Wars of the Two Worlds, this had gradually become the norm and the powers continually sought to improve their methods.
Every single power had its own sphere of influence and they had a certain level of prestige among the mortals. This helped them recruit disciples.
If a war broke out where many mortals lived, there was a high chance that the entire geography of the place could be changed. Plains could turn into mountains or even canyons. It would no longer be suitable for living. However, after the war, these powers were responsible for taking care of the original inhabitants.
They could choose to terraform the place back to its original appearance or they could arrange for the original inhabitants to live elsewhere and provide compensation. To cultivators, it was not hard to bear the economic costs.
As the interlude between every War of the Two Worlds was long, many mortals would gradually forget about the destruction brought about by the war.
However, they could not reject the arrangements made by the cultivators. All they could was to accept them.
Of course, some mortals were very attached to their ancestral land and would rather die than leave. Sometimes, it concerned the graves of their ancestors, which they would not want to abandon.
Most cultivators did not bother too much about this minority and allowed them to have their way.
Today, the Celestial Sect of Wonders faced this exact problem. Furthermore, it was their first time taking part in a War of the Two Worlds. They had much to learn.
As one of the first few powers to recognize that war was imminent, or more specifically, one of the direct instigators of the war, the Celestial Sect of Wonders had mobilized all its members and made its preparations before Lin Feng brought Mount Yujing to the Barren Expanses.
As the Great Void Sect headed into the Black Sea and confirmed that the War of the Two Worlds had started, the Celestial Sect of Wonders started to move.
The Celestial Wonder World, the Yun Peak Mirror Lake, and the Kunlun Mountains possessed many resources. If they were take away so simply by others, then the losses would be immense. Unlike the previous Anti-Celestial Sect War, Lin Feng was present and hence, he would not give them up so easily.
However, while the cultivators refused to give way, the mortals must be taken care of to minimize collateral damage. Hence, many weaker disciples and the mortals nearby were gathered together and sent to the Celestial Mountain Yingzhou.
Mount Yujing would follow Lin Feng so that it could take part in the war when needed. Among the many territories under the Celestial Sect’s control, the safest was undoubtedly the Celestial Mountain in the Ying Sea.
As the inhabitants of the Cloud Mirror City and the Celestial Wonder World were all immigrants, they did not have any attachment to their homes. Moving them was simpler. However, some original inhabitants of the Kunlun Mountains were less willing to leave their homes.
Lin Feng thought through his decision to send Shi Tianhao’s parents to the Celestial Mountain Yingzhou.
Honestly, as Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, the two of them would be able to contribute to the war. However, as the two of them were trapped for a long time, and weak in all aspects, especially the weak Qin Yi, Lin Feng did not plan on letting them take part.
Shi Tianhao nodded and said, “Yes, master.”
He turned to look at Shi Ziling and Qin Yi and said, “Dad, mom, I will send you back to the Divine Lands to rest, instead of going back to the Shi Clan or the Great Qin Empire.”
Shi Ziling and Qin Yi nodded their heads before bowing to Lin Feng. “Thank you senior for your concern.”
Lin Feng waved his hand and said, “It’s fine.”
Shi Tianhao looked at his parents and sighed, “It’s a pity that grandfather had entered the Void Battleground to look for you two. Till now, he has yet to return. If not, our family can be truly reunited.”
“The old man came back before?” Shi Ziling and Qin Yi were both shocked. They did not know that Shi Zhongtian had successfully left the Void Battleground and returned to the Divine Lands.
When they knew that Shi Zhongtian re-entered the Void Battleground to look for them and that the head of the Shi Clan, Shi Wu, had done the same too, just like their own son, the faces of Shi Ziling and Qin Yi darkened slightly.
Lin Feng stood by their side. While he empathized with them, he found the situation slightly interesting as he thought, “One comes out and two goes in. With much difficulty, these two made it out but the other one went back in.”
However, Lin Feng could understand the concern between close family members, which was agonizing indeed. It was hard for one to react to it calmly and rationally.
Shi Tianhao looked at his guilty-looking parents and hugged them and said, “Dad, mom, don’t worry. I believe grandfather will be back soon. After this War of the Two Worlds, I will enter the Void Battleground to look for them. Then, our family can finally be truly reunited.”
Shi Ziling and Qin Yi nodded their heads as they hugged their son.
Shi Tianhao slowly released his grip. He looked at them and an expression of pure joy crossed his face. He whooped in elation into the sky.
His parents were his biggest concern and now that his parents were back, he could feel his entire body relaxing. He was no longer afraid of the challenges and difficulties ahead.
Looking at the situation, Lin Feng smiled too, and his heart soared with joy.
Zhu Yi smiled and nodded his head. He too laughed happily with Shi Tianhao. Wang Lin, whose face was normally cold and emotionless, broke into a happy smile too. Li Yuanfang, who was standing by the side, too felt happiness for his Little Junior.
As they watched Shi Tianhao bring his Shi Ziling and Qin Yi away, Lin Feng turned his head to look at Zhu Yi, Wang Lin, and Li Yuanfang and said, “As Tianhao sends his parents to the Ying Sea, you all will become busier.”
“Master, as the Great Void Sect battles intensely with the dragons in the Black Sea, Mount Taihua remains empty. It’s likely that other demons will covet it. However, taking us into consideration, they would not act brashly. Under these circumstances, what should we do?”
Zhu Yi asked, “If we remain in a state of high alert but do nothing and terrify the demons into inaction, that will be the best-case scenario. However, the Greater World is so big and there is more than one passage into the Divine Lands. If they don’t attack together, then we may let some in.”
Li Yuanfang said, “We can discuss with the other sects and bolster our defenses together. If they meet any demons, they can hold them back till we arrive. Then, we will be in charge of taking care of any invading demons.”
Wang Lin shook his head, “We don’t have the initiative here. Furthermore, the other sects may have their own plans and we can’t count on them to wait for our assistance.”
“Other than the Divine Lands, the many Middle Worlds may be targeted by the demons too. Many resources we lack in the Divine Lands can be found in the Middle Worlds. I believe it’s the same case with the Barren Expanses.”
“Many human cultivators are after the Middle Worlds and Outer Realms controlled by the demons.”
