In the underground ice cavern, a chill permeated the air.
Members of the sealing group gathered around a stone table, their brows deeply furrowed.
One member pointed at the mystical runes etched on the scroll, speaking with a tone of helplessness, "Leader, I really canât figure out the logic of this pattern. It clearly looks like a spirit-locking array, yet itâs mixed with energy-gathering nodes. Itâs too contradictory."
Gao Shiniang walked over, bent down to scrutinize the scroll for a moment, and lightly traced the runes with his fingertips, musing, "This isnât a contradiction, but the ancient method of âlock and gather as one.â Look hereâ"
He pointed at the intersection of the runes, "This node is both the key to the spirit lock and the hub for gathering energy. The person who set up the array back then intended to maintain the seal with external energy, while not allowing whateverâs inside to absorb even a trace..."
The nearby members crowded around, listening intently to Gao Shiniangâs explanation, their once confused faces gradually showing expressions of understanding.
Not far away, a dozen guards from the Luoho Clan were scattered in the corners, watching the sealing group with vigilant eyes.
Among them, two Tier Seven SpiritualistsâClown and Cheng Zhou, were casually chatting on a block of ice.
"This Gao Shiniang, his capability is indeed quite impressive. Problems that his subordinates canât solve, he can pinpoint the key at a glance," Clown glanced in Gao Shiniangâs direction, his tone indifferent.
Cheng Zhou picked up an ice cup from the table and took a sip of the icy tea insideâthe tea was a faint blue, cold enough to freeze spiritual energy. An ordinary person drinking a sip would have their internal organs freeze, and even a low tier Spiritualist wouldnât dare touch it, but for someone like Cheng Zhou, a Tier Seven powerhouse, it was no different from leisurely drinking iced cola. The icy liquid slid down his throat, leaving a sensation of refreshing coolness.
"He used to be the president of the White Bird Star Sealing Association and a guest professor at the Empire Spirit Martial Academy. In the field of sealing, heâs considered a top expert."
Just then, the sound of steady, crisp footsteps echoed from the corridorâtap, tap, tap. Without turning their heads, Clown and Cheng Zhou knew it was Alaya approaching.
Soon, Alayaâs figure appeared at the entrance of the ice cavern. Dressed in black attire, she walked directly toward the two, her gaze sweeping over the sealing group diligently at work, asking, "Are they behaving recently? Any tricks up their sleeves?"
"Quite obedient," Cheng Zhou replied with a sneering tone, "Since you gave them the death order three months ago, these people donât even dare to sleep, burying their heads in their research all day. Their progress is much faster now. I think it should have been like this a long time ago; these people are like mules, they wonât work hard without a few whips."
His voice made no effort to conceal itself, and the members of the sealing group heard it loud and clear.
Gao Shiniangâs fingers paused, his expression darkening, and the other members also lowered their heads, their clenched fists betraying their anger.
But what good was anger?
They had been forcibly abducted, their fate no longer in their control.
Alaya, however, furrowed her brows and turned to Cheng Zhou: "From today onwards, make them take a mandatory three-hour break every day."
She knew well that most members of the sealing group were low tier Spiritualists, and Gao Shiniang was merely Tier Four. Continuous high-intensity work would not only slow progress but potentially ruin their health. For the Luoho Clan, these people still had their uses and couldnât be overworked to death.
"Alright." Cheng Zhou shrugged nonchalantly; as long as the seal could be broken on time, he couldnât care less about the other matters.
Alaya retrieved several crates of supplies from her Space Equipment, placing them on the ground. She instructed the pair, "Keep a close eye on them, and contact me immediately if thereâs any situation."
Having said that, she turned to leave.
But right at that moment, a barely perceptible spatial ripple emerged in the airâa disturbance so faint it was almost indiscernible; yet, the Tier Six and Tier Seven powerhouses present had an incredibly keen sense for energy and all stood up abruptly, weapons instantly drawn, scanning the surroundings with wary eyes.
In the next instant, a narrow Gate of Space slowly opened in the center of the ice cavern, and a figure in a black robe burst throughâit was Cain, who had been "teleported" there.
As soon as he landed, he sensed a dozen icy auras locking onto him. His gaze swept over the area, but he didnât see Dongfang Haoyue, instead spotting the ice-sealed gate inscribed with mysterious runes in the distance.
"Not good, itâs a trap!"
Cainâs heart sank as he instantly realizedâheâd been set up!
Judging by the auras, those people opposite him were Tier Six and Tier Seven Spiritualists.
It was known that Tier Seven powerhouses rarely gathered together, yet here there were as many as three Tier Sevens along with more than a dozen Tier Sixes.
Clearly, Dongfang Haoyue had long been aware of his existence and had preemptively arranged these experts here for an ambush. Subsequently, they further tricked him, luring him into this trap through the Gate of Space.
Cain didnât know where exactly he was exposed, but that wasnât the concern for now. Confronted with such a setup, his primary goal was to escape.
"Kill him!"
Alaya commanded sternly.
She didnât know why this man in a black robe had teleported here so precisely, but the ice-sealed gate was a deep secret of the Luoho Clan; any outsider who caught sight of it had to die!
"Kill!" Alaya shouted fiercely, her figure instantly morphing into a black shadow, the Rakshasa bloodline fully activated, enveloping her in a faint black mist. Her speed reached its utmost limit, with the longsword in her hand producing a sharp whistling as it pierced straight toward Cainâs forehead.
Cheng Zhou followed closely, wielding the Thunder Saber. The Tier Seven Thunder Spiritual Energy erupted without reservation, the blade enveloped in purple lightning. With a mighty roar, the blade transformed into a massive arc of lightning, slashing down toward Cainâs head.