Universe Sealed! . . .
The entire expanse of land quaked under the might of the thunderstorm.
Master Bai and Ling Wuxie were cultivators of immense power, transcending the confines of this world. Despite their dauntless natures, they were thoroughly drenched as they stood in the torrential rain. Their unwavering gazes remained fixed on the torrents of lightning.
Amidst the silence, words of the Nature's Secret descended from the heavens. There was no audible sound, yet both of them comprehended the gravity of the situation.
"The universe gets sealed after half a year?" Master Bai and Ling Wuxie echoed in surprise and trepidation. It signified that they had just half a year to return to the Human Realm Upon Heavens; otherwise, they would be forever trapped in this world.
"If we can't return, our lives will be forfeit," they thought in unison.
When the universe became sealed, it wasn't a mere blockage of the tunnels between realms. It meant that all avenues of travel and connection between the two realms would be severed. Permanent tunnels for inter-realm transportation and even temporary passages created by powerful energy bursts would be closed off.
Furthermore, those from higher realms or individuals whose power exceeded the limitations of a lower realm would face swift retribution from the celestial forces. Master Bai, Wan-Er, and Xiu-Er belonged to this category. Gu Jinlong, if he were still alive, along with Purple Lotus Saint, Bing Xinyue, Ye Nantian, Wenren Chuchu, long-time residents, and even Song Jue, whose strength surpassed the realm's boundaries, would all be subject to this punishment.
In essence, no one could evade the consequences when the universe was sealed.
Master Bai, Ling Wuxie, Wan of the Clouds, and Xiu of the Heavens now had just half a year left in this world, and the question loomed: was it enough time?
Master Bai and Ling Wuxie exchanged solemn glances. Despite Master Bai's typically calm and collected demeanor and Ling Wuxie's usually audacious attitude, they were both deeply serious at this moment.
Their hopes rested on Feng Monarch alone. Only when he could produce a sufficient number of Heaven Seizing Supreme Dan beads could they begin to envision a future, hope, and strategies. But could he manage it in time? Perhaps he could create one or two beads, but could he produce enough for this group of people before it was too late?
The uncertainty weighed heavily upon them, and time was an unforgiving blade. In moments of tranquility, thousands of years could pass in the blink of an eye, but when faced with a dire situation, even a single additional second could seem insurmountable.
...
Meanwhile, in the main hall, three figures sat casually, sipping tea. These were no ordinary individuals but the renowned assassins Ning Biluo, Zhao Pingtian, and Liu Changjun. Their unexpected gathering would have astounded anyone familiar with the assassin ranking list. It was clear that something extraordinary had brought these three together, and it was likely connected to Feng Monarch of Ling-Bao Hall.
Their recent night of intense combat at Ling-Bao Hall had left a profound impact on these three assassins. During the battle, they had felt genuinely overpowered, as if they were prey surrounded by wolves in the wild, teetering on the edge of a cliff. Every moment had felt like a potential plunge into destruction, leaving an indelible impression on their hearts.
When they answered the Royal House's call for aid, they embarked on a night of relentless combat. Surprisingly, it felt somewhat easier than their previous engagements.
There were a few reasons for this. Firstly, many of the issues had been resolved by the time they arrived. Second, the conflict had arisen within the Kingdom of Chen, which meant there were significantly more people available to handle the situation. Third, they didn't need to exert themselves as much due to the favorable circumstances. Finally, the moment the enemy combatants recognized who they were dealing with, panic ensued. The three of them, reluctant to take excessive lives, found that most of their adversaries chose to flee.
The rationale behind this decision was quite straightforward. They had earned terrifying notoriety for their grim titles, and their foes understood that they could never prevail against such formidable opponents. Moreover, the enemy was aware that they were affiliated with Ling-Bao Hall. Recognizing the consequences that would befall anyone who harmed Ling-Bao Hall's members, they had no desire to cross paths with such dangerous individuals.
As long as the trio of assassins didn't strike to kill, their adversaries dared not employ lethal force either. Anyone who accidentally took the life of a member of Ling-Bao Hall would find themselves in grave peril. The sole recourse for survival was to flee the scene.
In fact, not only did the three leaders emerge unscathed, but the other assassins also remained untouched. Initially, they had encountered some resistance, but once their identities were revealed, their opponents promptly withdrew.
This skirmish had proven to be a walk in the park.
Cha Eun Xiao emerged from the situation, and the three of them stood up.
"Mission accomplished, and quite smoothly too!" Cha Eun Xiao declared.
"Excellent work," he continued. "The three of you should remain here for the next few days. Avoid wandering too far afield and instead focus on honing your martial skills. You can collaborate and brainstorm on how to expedite your mastery of the new martial art."
When he said this, his gaze settled on Ning Biluo.
Among the trio, it was Ning Biluo who tended to be absent from Ling-Bao Hall. He wasn't a permanent resident, unlike Liu Changjun, who was a constant presence. Zhao Pingtian had placed his hopes entirely on Cha Eun Xiao. In five days, the fifteenth of July would mark the spirits' reunion with the living, and if possible, Zhao Pingtian didn't wish to leave Cha Eun Xiao's side even for a moment.
However, Cha Eun Xiao found the constant companionship rather unsettling. Being trailed incessantly by another man felt stifling, even when he merely contemplated it. Zhao Pingtian understood this sentiment, and so he remained at Ling-Bao Hall like Liu Changjun.
Ning Biluo offered a somewhat awkward smile and said, "Rest assured, Monarch. I'll make the most of this opportunity to diligently study my new martial art. I won't leave this place, not even if it costs me my life."
This declaration drew laughter from the others, who found it hard to fathom that the world's foremost assassin could exhibit such shyness.