28: Chapter 28 Financial Battlefield

Strange runes suddenly flickered on the surface of the stone platform, light flowing like ripples of water. Bi Luo's eyes lit up: "This is Chu Yang's formation!"

She quickly pointed to the surface: "Qing Luo, place your palm according to the instructions of the runes."

Qing Luo followed the instructions and pressed her palm against the center of the stone platform. In an instant, the stone platform erupted with a dazzling golden light, and a golden barrier expanded, forcing the Men in Black back several steps.

"This is... the Yin Yang Barrier!" The leader of the Men in Black's face changed drastically.

Taking advantage of this breathing space, Daoist Wangchuan quickly formed hand seals and chanted an incantation, the talisman paper in his hand turning into a stream of light that flew toward the other two Men in Black. One of them couldn't dodge in time, and the talisman paper stuck to his chest; he immediately let out a miserable scream as strange black markings appeared on his body.

The Witch seized the opportunity, lashing out with a blue flame whip that coiled around the soul mirror of the leader of the Men in Black. As the two struggled, fine cracks appeared on the surface of the soul mirror.

"Damn it!" the leader of the Men in Black roared, violently pulling back the soul mirror, "Retreat!"

The three Men in Black quickly retreated and disappeared into the thick fog.

The golden barrier gradually dissipated, allowing the four of them to catch their breath. Daoist Wangchuan looked around alertly: "They won't give up easily; we must leave as soon as possible."

The Witch nodded: "Can Bi Luo walk?"

Bi Luo stood up with difficulty: "I can."

Qing Luo suddenly pointed at the stone platform: "Wait, there's something!"

A line of writing emerged in the center of the stone platform: 'Seek the true heart, find the bright moon, cross the forest and the stream to see an old friend.'

"It's a clue left by Chu Yang!" Daoist Wangchuan said excitedly.

Qing Luo was lost in thought: "Bright moon... I know what this means."

Everyone looked at her in surprise.

Qing Luo continued: "In my dreams, I often see a place with lake water and mountain peaks. Most importantly, there is a bright moon there that never sets."

The Witch's eyes lit up: "Bright Moon Mountain! That was once the place where Chu Yang went into secluded cultivation."

"Thirty miles to the east," Daoist Wangchuan decided quickly, "we set off now."

After leaving the Yin Yang Platform, the four of them traveled quickly through the mist. Although Bi Luo was out of danger, her body was still weak, and she was carried forward on Daoist Wangchuan's back.

Qing Luo suddenly stopped, as if sensing something, and turned her head to look to the left: "There's something over there."

The Witch was alert: "The Men in Black?"

"No..." Qing Luo shook her head, "It's a very familiar aura, just like..."

Before she could finish, a dark shadow suddenly burst out of the bushes on the left and pounced toward her!

"Watch out!" The Witch pulled Qing Luo away.

The dark shadow landed, revealing its true form—a small, pitch-black fox with azure eyes.

"Moyue?" Qing Luo cried out in surprise.

The little fox tilted its head at her, its tail wagging gently, its eyes reflecting a nimble intelligence.

"You know it?" the Witch asked in confusion.

Qing Luo nodded: "It often appeared near my home and was very close to me. I named it Moyue."

Daoist Wangchuan was thoughtful: "It's no coincidence for a Spiritual Fox to recognize a master. This fox is spiritually intelligent; perhaps it's related to Chu Yang."

Moyue seemed to understand; it gave a cry, turned and ran a few steps, then looked back at them.

"It wants to take us somewhere," Qing Luo said with certainty.

The group exchanged glances and decided to follow. Moyue led the way, passing through dense forests and bypassing swamps, making the journey much faster than originally expected.

Night fell, and the four rested in a cave. The Witch started a cluster of blue flame, which provided light without being conspicuous. Moyue curled up beside Qing Luo, staring alertly at the cave entrance.

"Qing Luo," the Witch handed her a waterskin, "what exactly is your relationship with Chu Yang?"

Qing Luo shook her head: "I don't know. In my dreams, I can hear his voice and feel his presence, but I have never seen him."

Daoist Wangchuan stroked his beard: "There is one possibility... When Chu Yang performed the Great Reincarnation Technique back then, he might have placed a portion of his divine soul within your body."

"So that's why she can accept the soul bead?" The Witch realized.

"More than that," Daoist Wangchuan said seriously, "Qing Luo is very likely the key to Chu Yang's reincarnation and rebirth."

"But why me?" Qing Luo was bewildered.

Bi Luo spoke weakly: "Perhaps... it is simply fate ordained in the unseen."

Qing Luo fell into deep thought, her palm unconsciously stroking Moyue's soft fur. Moyue nuzzled her hand as if in comfort.

"Regardless," the Witch looked at Qing Luo, "we will protect you."

Deep in the night, Qing Luo dreamed again. In the dream, she stood under a starry sky, with a blurry figure in front of her.

"Are you Chu Yang?" she asked.

The figure did not answer, but simply handed her a key: "The time has come. Open the door to the truth."

Qing Luo woke up with a start to find Moyue gently patting her face with its paw. Outside the cave, the sky was faintly brightening, and the other three were already prepared to set off.

"Had a nightmare?" the Witch asked with concern.

Qing Luo shook her head: "Not a nightmare, but... a revelation."

Moyue led the group forward. Near noon, a peculiar mountain peak appeared in their sight—the summit was as flat as a mirror, reflecting the sky like a bright moon.

"Bright Moon Mountain!" Daoist Wangchuan said in surprise, "We found it!"

However, at that moment, a dark shadow descended from the sky, blocking their path.

"I've finally found you." The leader of the Men in Black appeared with a cold laugh, while the other two Men in Black flanked them from the left and right, forming an encirclement.

"Don't even think about passing!" The leader of the Men in Black held up the repaired soul mirror, "Today, none of you should dream of leaving alive!"

#Chapter 12

The mountain wind howled, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.

Moyue arched its back and let out a low warning growl. Qing Luo shielded it behind her, the soul bead in her hand faintly glowing. Daoist Wangchuan settled Bi Luo in a safe position, while the Witch stood at the very front, blue flames dancing on her fingertips.

"Three against four, and you still dare to be so arrogant?" the Witch sneered.

The leader of the Men in Black was dismissive: "You think it's just the three of us?"

As soon as he finished speaking, more than ten Dark Prison Disciples in black robes leaped out from the surrounding bushes, holding various magical artifacts, their eyes filled with killing intent.

The situation changed abruptly, and the four were thrown into an absolute disadvantage.

"Hand over the soul bead and the girl," the leader of the Men in Black said, "and I can let you die quickly."

Daoist Wangchuan snorted coldly: "After all these years, the Dark Prison is still so arrogant and overbearing."

"Arrogant?" the leader of the Men in Black grinned hideously, "Bright Moon Mountain has already been set with our ambushes, just waiting for you to walk into the trap."

The Witch and Daoist Wangchuan exchanged a look, silently reaching a consensus.

"Qing Luo, listen to me," the Witch whispered, "in a moment, Daoist Wangchuan and I will hold them back. You take Bi Luo and Moyue and leave first."

Qing Luo was surprised: "But..."

"No buts," the Witch said firmly, "you are the key. You must reach the summit of Bright Moon Mountain."

The leader of the Men in Black grew impatient: "Time's up, prepare to die!"

With a wave of his hand, the Dark Prison Disciples attacked in unison, various spells raining down like a storm.