C171 A City(2)

"Don't worry, sis. This place is huge; they won't find you... Let's split up and look for opportunities!" With that, the disciple hurriedly ran off.

"Hmph!" Zhiwu watched the disciple's hasty retreat with a snort, then turned to Woo Zhengyang and said, "My brother Zhengyang is the best, never leaving his sister behind."

Woo Zhengyang was speechless. Wasn't it you who put these shackles on me?

In the meantime, the sky had returned to normal. The influx of so many people made the place feel crowded, with sounds of surprise, fighting, and even screams echoing around.

Everyone seemed to be indulging in this ancient feast, but to Woo Zhengyang and Zhiwu, it felt more like a celebration before the end.

Neither Woo Zhengyang nor Zhiwu felt like joining in the revelry. They both agreed it was best not to linger and to quickly find an exit.

Half an hour later, they left the withered herb garden and entered a dense forest.

They hadn't gone far when three disciples from the Fallen Sun Sect, armed with swords, emerged from both sides.

"Well, well... a pretty girl and a little trashy martial disciple who snuck in!" one of them sneered.

Their antics of breaking through the formation and toying with the sect masters and elders were well-known.

To avoid unnecessary trouble and find the exit quickly, they each changed into different clothes, and sure enough, the Fallen Sun Sect disciples didn't recognize them.

"Now's not the time to be distracted by beauty. Focus on the task at hand!" another shadowy figure said. Turning to Woo Zhengyang and his companion, he continued, "Hand over the Hidden Heaven Bag, and you can get lost."

As soon as he finished speaking, three Vital Spirit Giant Hands appeared out of nowhere, flinging the trio into the air...

Woo Zhengyang's sword-shaped Genuine Qi was nearly undetectable, and the techniques Loong Zhiwu practiced were equally mysterious. Even experts at the Shape Gathering Stage couldn't discern her true abilities, which is why she and Woo Zhengyang managed to slip through unnoticed.

To outsiders, Woo Zhengyang and Loong Zhiwu seemed like mere Martial Disciples, hurrying along without any apparent skill. Encounters like these were all too common for them on their journey.

However, with Loong Zhiwu by his side, these challenges were manageable, making Woo Zhengyang truly appreciate her presence.

After traveling for about nine hours, they encountered all sorts of people, yet they had no clue how to escape this world.

Suddenly, a thunderous explosion echoed from a distance, with lights continuously rising from that direction.

"There are experts at the Shape Gathering Stage over there, and more than one!" Loong Zhiwu remarked, glancing at the sky.

With so many powerful figures clashing, there must be something valuable at stake. The two had already crossed paths with these experts and should have kept their distance.

In the end, the two decided to take a look. Since there was something valuable enough to attract experts, it had to be the core of this world. If there was an exit, it would likely be in that direction. With their lives on the line, they had no choice but to take the risk.

Following that path, they walked for another half hour and finally reached their destination. It was a city, an ancient city rarely seen in today's world. The towering walls stood about 330 feet high, and even from a high vantage point, they couldn't make out the details inside.

As they approached, the city's full appearance came into view. Black walls, black gates—everything was black, casting a somewhat oppressive atmosphere. The ground before the gate was covered with dense cracks, remnants of powerful martial arts techniques. It seemed the scene they had witnessed earlier, where the experts had acted, took place here.

At this moment, the pitch-black gate stood open, like the gaping maw of a dark beast, waiting for people to enter. "This city wasn't in the illusions we saw outside. There's definitely something strange here!" Loong Zhiwu's usual playful demeanor was gone, replaced by a serious expression.

"Strange for sure, but what I'm worried about is whether the exit is inside," Woo Zhengyang said, equally concerned.

"Since this is an ancient world, there must be a way in and out. If this place serves a purpose, the exit won't be easy to find. Even if you do find it, it’s likely the most dangerous spot..."

Zhiwu didn’t spell it out, but Woo Zhengyang understood. The most dangerous place was probably this city.

If they wanted to leave, they'd have to enter the black city. But since this place had its purpose, getting out wouldn't be easy—it was likely a life-or-death situation.

Even so, the two had to go in; otherwise, they might as well be waiting for death.

Having made their decision, Woo Zhengyang and Zhiwu decided to observe from a distance first.

Half an hour passed, and they noticed nothing unusual. The black city remained unchanged, with more cultivators entering.

These people had likely been drawn by the recent battle. Although some sensed the city’s strangeness, they couldn't resist the temptation.

Another half hour went by, and more people arrived, yet none who entered came back out...