308: Chapter 308 Stepping on the Minefield

Zheng Buwan spat out a mouthful of blood that sprayed several meters away, and pain like shattering bones radiated from his internal organs.

Not far in front of him, Division Commander Song Yu was also lying on his back, his chest heaving violently.

Both of them stared at that closed giant maw, both still shaken.

If the sea beast hadn't suddenly extended its tentacles to pull them back just now, they would have been swatted to death by that black hand.

Seeing the giant maw tightly shut, Zheng Buwan finally breathed a slight sigh of relief, his gaze falling on Division Commander Song Yu.

"Little Song, what is… the situation with you?"

Division Commander Song Yu shook his head dejectedly. "What else could it be? Dying alone is too lonely, so I came to keep you company, Elder."

Zheng Buwan's face twitched. "What? You came to help me just to seek death?"

"What else could I do?"

Division Commander Song Yu gave a bitter smile. "Outside, there is one in the Huagai Realm, plus over twenty Spirit Map experts."

"I didn't want to collude with that Governor Xu, so I had no choice but to fight to the death."

"At least I have company. It's a pity for Brother Commander-in-Chief Wang Jintang; he should be off to assassinate General Liang by now, I'm afraid…"

"I really didn't expect you to have such guts, Elder Zheng. Being able to die with you, I am honored."

"Shut your mouth! I haven't lived enough yet!"

As Zheng Buwan spoke, he jumped up, turned around, and shouted at a high wall of ice crystals.

"Tang Long! Tang Long! Where are you, you little brat!"

The crystal wall in front split open in response, revealing Tang Long's figure in the distance.

"No need to be so loud, I'm not deaf!"

Zheng Buwan immediately ran forward. Seeing that Tang Long was actually there too, Division Commander Song Yu looked astonished and hurriedly followed.

"You can control this sea beast, right? It was you who let it save us just now, wasn't it?"

"I wouldn't call it control. I can transmit thoughts and ask it for a favor. Didn't I tell you before not to be impulsive? It was mainly to stall for time, but you had to make it so intense and even followed it to the shallow water to mess around."

Zheng Buwan's old face darkened. "Just tell me if it's been an hour or not!"

But just as the two crossed the ice wall, Tang Long suddenly shouted, "Stop! Don't move!"

The two stopped in their tracks. Zheng Buwan asked, confused, "What's wrong?"

Tang Long pointed to the ice crystal ground in front of them that connected all the way to his feet and explained.

"This patch of ice crystals is all traps. Stepping on them will trigger a Spirit Blast. If a large area detonates, even a Spirit Map expert will lose a layer of skin."

Elder Zheng and Division Commander Song Yu were both startled.

"That powerful! Then how did you get across?"

Tang Long chuckled and waved his hand. A piece of ice crystal not far from him lit up with colorful light.

"You jump over, jump directly onto this glowing piece of ice. Don't jump off-center, or my over an hour of hard work will be in vain."

The muscles on Elder Zheng's face twitched, but he had no choice but to comply. The two flew over the three-hundred-meter distance one after another and landed precisely on that piece of ice.

After landing, however, they saw Tang Long leaning down and pressing his hands onto the ground. As spiritual energy was infused, another identical piece of ice crystal quickly solidified.

Division Commander Song Yu asked in shock, "These ice crystals, are they all made by you?"

Tang Long shook his head with a smile. "The ones outside are, the ones inside are not."

Elder Zheng thought thoughtfully, "I understand. You want to use these Spirit Blast ice crystals to make them suspicious and stall for time? Forgive my bluntness, but with so many Spirit Map experts and a Huagai Realm expert, this little trick probably won't be of much use."

Tang Long couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Elder Zheng, you're thinking too kindly of me."

"Why would I go to such great lengths just to stall for time?"

"Let me tell you straight. The patch of ice crystals inside is a maze. As long as you step on the wrong one, it will trigger Law-level lethality, even more deadly than the patch outside."

"The fakes I made are just to make them underestimate the danger."

"This place is now a complete minefield of death."

"Prepared specifically for Spirit Map experts."

"Let them all be battered and bruised, so we can save a lot of effort in the final battle."

"Still missing a few pieces, wait for me a moment."

Zheng Buwan and Division Commander Song Yu looked at each other, both feeling a chill.

Who could have imagined that a mere Qi Manipulation cultivator would be so calculating, plotting against a group of Huagai Realm and Spirit Map experts here?

He even wants a final showdown???

Division Commander Song Yu couldn't help but ask: "Tang Long, are you joking?"

"Even if they are all seriously injured, just relying on you, me, and Elder Zheng to have a final showdown with them?"

"How do you intend to fight? What kind of result do you want in the end?"

Tang Long continued to make ice without raising his head, while explaining slightly, "Of course, it's not just the three of us."

"When the time comes, our side will likely have over ten Spirit Map experts."

"If the plan goes smoothly, there should also be one in the Huagai Realm."

"You don't need to worry about the battle strategy; we will definitely have the upper hand."

"As for the result, Governor Xu and his dead father definitely cannot be kept; as for the others, we can consider accepting their surrender."

This answer left the two looking at each other in dismay, and even Zheng Buwan found it hard to understand.

"Ten Spirit Map experts? Where can you find so many reinforcements?"

"If they are the Emperor's men, I advise you not to get happy too soon."

"Also, who is the Huagai Realm expert you mentioned? Which city's High Priest would come to wade into these muddy waters?"

"Even if you can invite that High Priest, the situation is not optimistic. That old fellow Governor Xu Mingyang is very powerful; cleaning up University Scholar Zong Liangchen is like dealing with chickens and ducks. Unless… unless you pull in His Holiness the Pope."

Tang Long shook his head. "Elder Zheng's considerations are very comprehensive, so the reinforcements have nothing to do with the Emperor."

"Besides our own people from this city, they are mainly friends from Feng City."

"Outside, three bishops from Song City have arrived, and two from Feng City."

"In addition, there are four masked men beside Xu Chaoyang; you should have seen them. I cannot disclose their origins, but they will stand on our side in a moment."

"There is also Crown Princes Tutor Lord Qian, Chief Steward Xie from Feng City, and Dr. Shi from the Imperial Academy."

"As for that Huagai Realm expert, it is our Song City's High Priest."

Zheng Buwan's old eyes finally lit up. "High Priest Jiang has woken up!?"

"If you count it that way, plus the two of us, there are thirteen Spirit Map experts; we do indeed have the strength for a battle!"

"High Priest Jiang's strength is formidable; he should be able to rival Governor Xu Mingyang!"

"I'm just worried that he is too old, and it is disadvantageous for a High Priest to fight away from the city; it needs to be a quick battle."

At this moment, Tang Long finally finished making the last piece of ice crystal and stood up, exhaling a long breath.

Then he took out a Spirit Stone to replenish his spiritual energy and shook his head again.

"High Priest Jiang has actually passed away. I am not talking about him, but the new High Priest, High Priest Shang Yuleng."

"What!"

Elder Zheng was completely stunned.

He was dazed for several seconds before he asked in astonishment, stuttering: "High Priest Shang Yuleng… he… he reached the Huagai Realm? It's only been a few days since I last saw him, how is that possible?"

Tang Long gestured around with his hand. "A few days ago, I brought him to these Divine Ruins, and he comprehended the power of Law from it and successfully stepped into the Huagai Realm."

"He… you… you you…"

Elder Zheng was so shocked that he couldn't speak, but Tang Long comforted him with a smile.

"Originally, I wanted to invite you, but you were wavering at the time, so it was delayed. Don't be jealous, there will be opportunities in the future."

Elder Zheng no longer wanted to speak, but Division Commander Song Yu next to him suddenly grabbed Tang Long by the collar, his eyes turning red.

"Why!"

"Since you had such a meticulous plan, why didn't you notify me!"

"Do you know that Commander-in-Chief Wang Jintang went to assassinate General Liang alone, preparing to seize control of Song City, and now his life is hanging by a thread!"

"If you had cooperated with us, fewer people would have died!"

Tang Long coldly pushed his hand away. "Division Commander Song, you blaming me doesn't make sense, right?"

"I asked Group Leader Yun to contact you long ago, but what was your attitude?"

"For such a secret operation, if you don't make your stance clear, could I notify you?"

"Besides, since Division Commander Wang planned before acting, it doesn't necessarily mean he will fail."

Division Commander Song Yu shed tears and shook his head, saying: "You don't understand. Although General Liang has rarely taken action in recent years, his strength is extremely powerful, perhaps even stronger than Governor Xu."

"That Yun Zhuoyue is too impulsive, and she has close ties with the people of Sang City; we simply didn't dare to trust her."

"It's a pity for my good brother Jintang~! He knew the hope was slim, yet he still sacrificed his life!"

Tang Long nodded slightly, then patted his shoulder.

"Division Commander Song, no need to be too pessimistic."

"Do you know why High Priest Shang hasn't appeared yet?"

"As soon as the operation started, I had him rush to Song City immediately to stabilize the situation there."

"If Division Commander Wang didn't move that quickly, he should be able to make it in time."

"Taking a step back, even if he died a martyr, we don't need to grieve!"

"Today, right here, let's work together to quell this turmoil!"

Division Commander Song Yu gritted his teeth and nodded heavily.

But just at this moment, the entire space shook violently.

————

In the middle of the ocean, Governor Xu Mingyang retracted his jet-black hand, watching the sea beast's huge body gradually sink to the bottom of the sea, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Xu Chaoyang came to his side and asked in a low voice, "Father, is it dead?"

Governor Xu Mingyang shook his head. "As long as the Divine Ruins are still there and the Laws within it still exist, it has an immortal body."

"However, it will be petrified for a period of time, which should be enough for our operation."

"Let everyone find its mouth; that is the gate to the Divine Ruins!"

Xu Chaoyang immediately gave the order, and many Spirit Map experts immediately dove down and quickly blasted open the gate with interlocking sharp teeth.

Entering the passage of the gate, seeing the seawater blocked by an invisible force, everyone couldn't help but marvel.

"The seawater can't get in; this must be the range of the Divine Ruins."

"The power of Law is indeed breathtaking."

"To think that the Divine Ruins are actually in the belly of this sea beast."

"If it weren't for the old Governor's guidance, we couldn't have come here."

"Look, there's an ice wall ahead!"

"Let's go take a look!"

But at this moment, Governor Xu Mingyang suddenly shouted: "Don't be hasty!"

"The real danger only begins here!"

"Those ice crystals, including the ground behind the ice wall, are each condensed by the Law of Crystals; touching them will trigger them."

"The damage from the power of Law is something even you cannot withstand; a slight carelessness will result in serious injury or even death."

"Even the entire space is filled with this kind of Law!"

"You cannot fly or jump here; those who violate the Law will immediately suffer Law damage. You can only walk to that altar on your own two feet."

After hearing his words, the Spirit Map experts were all very bewildered.

"The power of Law… that is, attacks at the Huagai Realm level?"

"Is it that terrifying?"

"Not allowed to fly or jump; there are many ice crystals here to the altar. Do we have to use people to pave the way?"

"I'm afraid people will die again."

"That sea beast already killed one; I don't know how many will be left here."

Seeing some people whispering, Governor Xu Mingyang continued to explain.

"After all, this is a trial ground left for latecomers, not a dead end."

"The ice crystals on the ground behind the ice wall are actually a maze; there is always one correct ice crystal among the adjacent ones, and stepping on it will not be attacked."

"We will test them one by one, and we will eventually find a correct path."

"Who will go first?"

Everyone looked around, but no one responded.

Governor Xu Mingyang snorted again, "Ritual Master Yu Hai, you first!"

Ritual Master Yu Hai's face turned purple, but he dared not refuse and had to walk forward unwillingly.

"When stepping to the next piece, reserve some strength. If you are damaged, retreat immediately; this can minimize the damage."

Ritual Master Yu Hai sighed, nodded, and then stepped into the first ice crystal inside the ice wall.

The moment his foot landed, he felt something was wrong and immediately retreated frantically, but the ice crystal under his feet had already exploded with a bang.

Ritual Master Yu Hai was only slightly injured, but very disheveled.

One shoe was blown away, the right trouser leg was blown to pieces, revealing half a hairy leg, and it added a dozen small wounds, looking bloody.

Seeing this, Governor Xu Mingyang couldn't help but be surprised, and even a little happy.

"So many years have passed, the ice crystal range has expanded several times, and the damage… actually became lower?"

"This shouldn't be?"

"Could it be that the more ice crystals there are, the more the power of Law is diluted?"

"And that piece of ice crystal… it disappeared after exploding!"

Ritual Master Yu Hai's face twitched when he heard this.

You old man still think the damage is low? It's not you getting blown up!

"If there is only this level of damage, everyone can get in today!"

"Continue!"

Ritual Master Yu Hai had no choice but to step forward again, extremely reluctantly.

Stepping on the second ice crystal, the explosion happened again.

The damage this time was still not great, even lighter than the first time, but it contained more Fire spiritual energy, which scorched a patch of leg hair off Ritual Master Yu Hai.

Seeing this result, Governor Xu Mingyang's doubts deepened; he suspected he was hallucinating.

When he entered the Divine Ruins back then, every time he encountered it, it was damage from the Law of Crystals.

How could it be so gentle, and how could it be mixed with other types of spiritual energy?

Did something change in the Divine Ruins, or was his own experience back then incomplete?

The third ice crystal exploded again. This time, Ritual Master Yu Hai was not lightly injured; two pieces of flesh on his leg were flipped open, and the wounds were deep enough to see the bone.

Governor Xu Mingyang felt that he might be doing it on purpose, but there was no evidence.

Moreover, Ritual Master Yu Hai had already stepped on all three pieces that could be directly stepped on.

"All exploded?"