The Ancient Gods' Whisper

Currently, ninety percent of the map of the first layer of the Qilin Immortal Palace has been drawn. It's hard to imagine that the Ancient God Realm is such a magical place. Here, there are dried and cracked wastelands, swamps shrouded in toxic fog all year round, countless active volcanoes and ice fields covered by blizzards, as well as an endless sea.

The ruins of the Ancient God Clan are innumerable, along with ancient tombs that have intruded here over thousands of years.

Even the world's most outstanding geologists and meteorologists cannot explain the unique landscape here.

The transport convoy from Dawn City set off at nine o'clock tonight and has been traveling for three hours, currently reaching the Silent Wilderness. This is the hunting ground of the Ancient God Seed, with unpredictable weather and harsh environments.

"Silent Wilderness ahead, Ancient God Seeds may appear at any time. Please prepare for battle."

Lu Qingqing drove the vehicle, speaking into the intercom: "According to the divination results, there is more than a seventy-five percent probability of a dust storm ahead. Please close the windows and take precautions."

As an elite who has participated in pioneering tasks in the Fusang Divine Palace, she appeared much calmer, turned her head and said, "Even a genius from the Sword Tomb can get nervous at times?"

Zhou Yiming stroked his sword box, cold sweat oozing from his forehead, expressionless, and said, "If it weren't for the teacher's orders being more important than anything, I wouldn't want to participate in this mission at all."

Lu Qingqing raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why?"

"Your sister is hiding in our convoy, and you still ask why?"

Zhou Yiming said coldly, "If exposed, our convoy will become the most dangerous target."

Lu Qingqing looked at the dry wasteland ahead and said, "That also requires exposure first."

Zhou Yiming squinted his eyes, took a deep breath, and said, "It's not just that, there's also an Evolver in our team. I consider them extremely dangerous and liable to lose control at any time."

"Aren't you afraid your teacher will find out about what you just said?"

Lu Qingqing asked blandly, "Your teacher is a Catastrophe, and she has also mastered the Evolution Path. Including Thunder, your junior sister is also an Evolver, who is your fellow disciple."

Zhou Yiming kept his expression stern and said, "The teacher was forced to become an Evolver, and she was already a Catastrophe, inherently quite dangerous. The Sword Tomb isn't the ancient sect you imagine. In modern society, how many people adhere to the ancient rules? Instead of respecting the teacher, it's more like fearing the teacher."

He looked towards another transport vehicle, speaking quietly, "As for Thunder, the fear of Evolvers comes from her. You have no idea how many people she harmed during her rampages in the Sword Tomb."

Lu Qingqing was taken aback.

"And Thunder's great-grandfather, my own uncle, died at his hands."

Zhou Yiming said, "So asking me to trust an Evolver is out of the question."

This kind of worry is actually quite normal.

The two people from the Lu Family brought by Lu Qingqing also didn't know the true nature of this mission beforehand.

By the time they met Minister Lu in person, everything was too late.

Similar for Li Yijie and Wang Jingchuan from the Judgement Court Faction.

The reason for choosing this team was for one point only.

Because members of The Order of the Hidden are everywhere, there is no way to confirm who they are, so they tend to ignore this.

As for those from the Judgement Court, they are distributed among various sub-teams.

If trying to pick a small team with only our people, it's basically revealing the cards.

These two lackeys from the Judgement Court in the third sub-team are considered the weakest.

If they attempt any tricks, it would be easy to deal with.

"I am the captain of this operation. I can understand your distrust of Evolvers, but don't cause any trouble for me."

Lu Qingqing said faintly.

Zhou Yiming waved his hand: "I am not that foolish. If this mission fails, the teacher won't spare me first. But what about you? Don't you have any thoughts? Your sister, the person you trust most, is not you."

Lu Qingqing fell silent.

Lu Zijin indeed didn't choose her carriage, which is the best proof.

This made her very curious as well.

What extraordinary qualities does that young man possess to gain her sister's trust?

He also became the last student of the King of Qing.

It should be known that she was also recommended by her father back then but was not selected.

"Excuse me, Captain Lu."

Li Yijie suddenly said: "When a dust storm occurs, we need to camp and rest for a while. The map shows there's a cave nearby in the Silent Wilderness for shelter from sandstorms. The last transport team that passed by found traces of a temporary pollution-suppressing Alchemy Matrix there, and the Judgement Court's intention is for me to go and investigate it. There's suspicion that there's a Spiritual Polluter within the Ether Association."

Wang Jingchuan added: "Yes, since the traces there have been around for some time, and they were left before the pioneering, we suspect that someone from within the Ether Association entered there unaided through a dimensional rift."

The two of them exchanged glances, smiling at each other.

Zhou Yiming frowned: "Fine, but don't delay the mission."

Lu Qingqing said nothing, only replying blandly, "As you wish."

·

·

Gu Jianlin heard a distant call, he knew something happened.

Before participating in the Sea of Eternal Life mission, he made ample preparations to deal with the threat from The Order of the Hidden.

On the side of the Ether Association, he kept a keen watch.

As for You Ying Group, he left it to his Tiger General.

Once any anomaly was found, an ancient token would be used to contact him immediately, transmitting messages in Morse code-like fashion in place of dimensional movements.

The foolish Butcher practiced these frequencies for a whole night before learning them and even had to rely on a little notebook to record them.

The meaning of this code is: You Ying Group is preparing to go to the Silent Wilderness to behead Minister Lu.

"It's not surprising that You Ying Group wants to behead Minister Lu. Considering both parties have already turned on each other, nor does the opposition wish to see the rise of a Seventh-Order Holy Realm or a Divine General. But the question is, how do they know we are in the Silent Wilderness now? Is there a traitor in the team?" Gu Jianlin said suspiciously.

However, the communications here are monitored, and everyone's actions are scrutinized.

Even The Order of the Hidden cannot achieve such stealthy and swift information transfer.

Otherwise, Director Li and Councilman Zhang would have already transmitted their messages.

Chen Qing was focused on driving, and Lu Zijin closed her eyes to rest, seemingly asleep.

Ji Xiaoyu was fiddling with formulas with her two unfortunate Alchemists.

Only Lin Wanqiu glanced around warily, subtly revealing a hint of anxiety, secretly observing the young man.

Gu Jianlin discreetly glanced at this woman.

Lin Wanqiu did feel a lack of security, considering she had once betrayed the Ether Association and joined the Pharmacist Old Thief's team, currently serving an Ancient Supreme.

Once discovered, she would have no place to stand.

Only this young man in front of her could bring her security.

Because he could very well be a person of the Supreme.

If true, then her safety would be guaranteed, and she wouldn't have to fear anyone.

After all, it's the chair-killing demon we're talking about.

She decided to give a signal, speaking softly: "The Alchemist is the old thief."

Gu Jianlin almost lost his composure hearing this, pretending nothing happened, ignoring her.

Instead, Ji Xiaoyu raised her head and, along with the two Alchemists, said, "Who are you talking about!"

Lin Wanqiu flashed an awkward but polite smile.

Wondering what's going on, why wasn't the signal reciprocated?

Rumble!

A muffled sound similar to thunder rumbled faintly, and a sweeping dust storm rose ahead.

Chen Qing quickly slowed down, her pupils flashing a peculiar pure white as she scanned the road situation ahead.

"Sister Chen Qing, be careful."

The shadow behind Gu Jianlin quivered slightly, ready to act at any moment.

"No need to worry, dust storms are common here, and they usually last about four hours. Although Ancient God Seeds inhabit this area, they aren't willing to stir during dust storms either."

Lin Wanqiu suddenly leaned over to his ear: "As long as we don't wander into the deep parts of the dust storm, we should be fine. Otherwise, there's a risk of being swept away to an unknown place, possibly an underground ruin or instantly transported elsewhere."

Her enchanting eyes fluttered, whispering softly by his ear, getting closer and closer.

But then, she froze.

Because a gun was pressed against her chest.

"Sorry, I'm not very comfortable being so close to others."

Gu Jianlin calmly pointed the gun at her: "Step back."

Lin Wanqiu felt so aggrieved. Are you just a block of wood? I'm so pretty!

In truth, Gu Jianlin's reactive stance had its reason.

Both Chen Qing and Lu Zijin opened their eyes, watching him through the rearview mirror with expressions of amusement.

Goodness, if Youzhu were to hear of this, things could get messy again.

Gu Jianlin was no longer an ignorant Wu underling. He wouldn't repeat such basic mistakes.

Although it's purely a sibling relationship, that girl's antics could be troublesome. He'd rather stay chaste.

Lin Wanqiu felt thwarted once more and had to obediently retreat.

Gu Jianlin holstered his gun, suddenly realizing something.

This woman seemed very familiar with the Silent Wilderness.

Meanwhile, a brief message came over the communication channel.

"Urgent report, the fourth transport team encountered a You Ying Group attack in the northern Silent Wilderness. Both sides are currently engaged in intense combat, requesting reinforcements. All teams, please be cautious, over!"

As expected, You Ying Group had already taken action.

But it seemed they didn't clearly know Minister Lu's exact location!

Gu Jianlin understood, it seemed at least his own team didn't have major issues.

The sandstorm ahead blocked the path, and the two transport vehicles turned westward, stopping at a large cliff.

After a long journey, with nerves taut.

Everyone felt a bit tired.

Once the transport vehicles were anchored by iron stakes on the roadside, the group proceeded directly into the rock shelter.

Lighting a fire, eating, resting.

Since no one was particularly acquainted, there wasn't much conversation, just watching the bonfire alertly.

Gu Jianlin silently gnawed on bread, observing those around him.

It was noteworthy that Lin Wanqiu appeared visibly uneasy upon seeing the rock shelter.

"We're heading inside for a bathroom break."

Li Yijie and Wang Jingchuan stood up, heading deeper into the rock shelter.

This rock shelter was large, with many branching paths, covering nearly half a football field in area.

However, it had already been probed by divination in advance, and no dangers had been detected.

"I'm also going to the bathroom."

Lin Wanqiu smiled gently, rising and heading out.

"Need company?"

Lu Qingqing suddenly asked.

The only healer we have should be coaxed.

"No, thank you."

Lin Wanqiu flashed a goddess-like smile, turning to disappear into another branch.

Once out of everyone's sight, her expression changed.

She looked solemn, her pace quickening as she headed straight to a dark corner, fumbling with a lighter and a portable Alchemy Burner, appearing extremely tense.

There were traces of an Alchemy Matrix in the corner of the rock cliff, with droplets of mercury even flowing.

Just then, a voice with a hint of amusement came from behind her.

"Captain Lin?"

Lin Wanqiu's body froze, turning around instinctively.

Li Yijie and Wang Jingchuan looked at her with smirks, their faces sinisterly pleased, laughing: "Sure enough, you're the Spiritual Polluter who previously snuck into the Qilin Immortal Palace through a dimensional rift."

Lin Wanqiu's face turned frosty: "What are you talking about? I don't understand."

Wang Jingchuan chuckled.

"Need me to elaborate?"

Li Yijie laughed: "When the previous transport team came here, they had already taken back the traces for identification. The reason you weren't exposed is that the person who identified them was me, and I covered it up for you."

Lin Wanqiu glared intently at him, a chill running up her spine: "What do you mean?"

"Heh heh..."

Li Yijie and Wang Jingchuan exchanged smiles: "We want to know how you managed to survive the Qilin Immortal Palace."

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