Chapter 2667 - 2688: Reluctant Heart

Although testing Xiao Ji and the others’ new stance requires going back to Bian Shui Fort, Feng Yuan wasn’t in a hurry to return because he wanted to talk to Qi Chen and the others first.

However, on the way, he encountered small groups of enemies, who were Imperial people attempting to sneak attack from behind. Even with Qi Chen’s team supporting, quite a few Imperial people successfully bypassed the defensive line and approached Kui Shan Town from another direction.

The barrier of Kui Shan Town is comprehensive protection, covering both the interior of the mountains and the ground beneath, but the Imperial people were unaware of this. They sent small groups to try and disrupt Kui Shan Town’s position, hoping the front lines would reveal flaws due to troop movements.

Unfortunately, such tactics were meaningless to the Mythological Remnants. During the Mythical Era, wars were common, and as such, they were very familiar with these matters.

"Has the counterattack begun?"

Watching Veronia casually eliminate those Imperial people, Feng Yuan asked with some confusion. It seemed like no new Imperial incursion had occurred when they entered the Qi Realm Maze.

"It seems so. Are you planning to support them?"

Gazing into the distance, Veronia asked lightly, smiling, and Feng Yuan shook his head and said,

"No, unless it were others. Mythological Remnants... I trust them. If even the Imperial people could defeat them, it would be... too ridiculous."

The Mythological Remnants, who could stand against the gods of the Mythical Era, would not fall to such a state. Feng Yuan couldn’t believe that the Divine Beings of the Mythical Era could be so ridiculously weak-minded.

"Indeed, it’s hard to argue against that. If they lost, it would greatly diminish the value of the Mythical Nations we’re part of."

With a light laugh, Veronia teased, not believing the Mythological Remnants would lose either. As a personal experience of the Mythical Era, it was well aware of the Divine Beings’ tactics.

As expected by Feng Yuan, despite the many tactics employed by the Imperial people, they were still somewhat immature compared to the wars of the Mythical Era. As a result, the Mythological Remnants easily annihilated the invading enemies, including the scattered Imperial soldiers.

Keeping survivors was not their habit. During the Mythical Era, being the target of concentrated encirclement, they couldn’t easily disclose information related to themselves. The best confidentiality method was to eliminate all possibilities of leakage.

Qi Chen and the others were somewhat taken aback by the Mythological Remnants’ methods. To them, this seemed excessively ruthless.

However, they did not voice opposition, as the main force in this battle was the Mythological Remnants. They merely relied on the weapons provided by the other side to support the main battlefield.

In this situation, they believed the other’s approach must have a special significance. Even if it didn’t, it was irrelevant. They were not naive or foolish to let misplaced compassion get the better of them.

"Is it over here?"

While Qi Chen and the others tidied up the battlefield, Feng Yuan and Veronia approached, waving to Qi Chen. Feng Yuan shouted, and the others, initially wary, only relaxed after seeing Qi Chen respond.

"What is this? How is the Qi Realm Maze?"

Seeing Feng Yuan, Qi Chen couldn’t help but curiously ask. Smiling, Feng Yuan replied,

"Not bad, quite rewarding. But... it’s not suitable for you guys at least not at the present." Feng Yuan’s expression turned serious as he spoke. He wasn’t joking. In Feng Yuan’s view, Qi Chen and the others’ mental state were not yet sufficient to challenge the Qi Realm Maze, which was not a benign place. There was no such thing as failing the challenge and peacefully waiting for another try.

The effect on the soul and spirit was difficult for even Feng Yuan to negate, so he didn’t want the two to attempt breaking into the Qi Realm Maze as before.

Although the Mythological Remnants had sealed that entrance, Feng Yuan felt that the Qi Realm Maze wasn’t so easily sealed.

To prevent Qi Chen and the others from entering the Qi Realm Maze, Feng Yuan had to warn them. Otherwise, next time the Qi Realm Maze entrance appeared, there might not be someone available to seal it in time.

Don’t think it’s merely sealing the Qi Realm Maze entrance; the Alliance might not achieve that. It’s not that it can’t be sealed, but they can’t stop determined individuals from barging in.

The Mythological Remnants are different. Their items are incredibly powerful, unmatched by the Alliance. Thus, the seals they set up are unbreakable, except by Divine Beasts and a select few people.

Feng Yuan worried that Qi Chen and the others might impulsively try to break into the Qi Realm Maze from a different entrance. The Mythological Remnants couldn’t possibly seal every Qi Realm Maze entrance, and this time was just coincidence.

"Not qualified?"

Qi Chen was momentarily surprised but soon recalled previous experiences and resignedly chuckled.

"I understand. We’ve already been affected by the Qi Realm, getting more easily agitated. If we approach the Qi Realm again, something might happen."

Though not as shrewd as Dou Yanlan, Qi Chen wasn’t foolish either. He understood well that certain things shouldn’t be stubbornly pursued, like the Qi Realm. At first, perhaps due to Tamur’s protection, they underestimated it, and the Qi Realm Stance harshly taught them a lesson.

Becoming easily agitated may not seem like a negative state, but he knew well that it is the most troublesome. Losing composure while commanding Beasts or facing enemies could easily put them at a disadvantage.

If asked now to attempt the Qi Realm Stance again, they’d likely refuse, knowing that it’s beyond their current capacity to handle it.

"Affected? It must be the Qi Realm Stance issue. If you improve your mental state, the effect should diminish. Luckily, you’ve realized it in time, so it’s not a big problem."

Smiling, Feng Yuan was relieved. He hadn’t expected that the two’s mental state wouldn’t even meet the initial state requirement for the Qi Realm Stance. Thankfully, the impact was minor, as they hadn’t noticed immediately.

The idea to improve mental state to eliminate effects came from his talks with Veronia. Since their mental states were quite good, such external influences had little effect.

Even Xiao Ji and the Fluffy Fire Wolfhound had some side effects. However, possibly because the main side effects were borne by the Beastmaster, it was much better than Feng Yuan had expected.

"The Qi Realm Maze can unlock the defensive stance of the Qi Realm Stance. Although it’s somewhat useful, I believe you shouldn’t rush it. No matter how strong your defensive ability is, it depends on your foundation."

Though Feng Yuan knew Qi Chen wouldn’t recklessly court danger, he still worried a bit. If people went insane, Feng Yuan was not confident he could save them.

"Memory is vivid, indeed; warnings shouldn’t be ignored lightly. But... I have no regrets. If we lack that bit of strength at a crucial moment, leaving regrets, that’s true regret."

Looking up at the sky, Qi Chen smiled as he spoke. Despite the subsequent effects, he didn’t regret his actions. In the Kui Shan Town battlefield, he saw the Imperial strength. Although the United Army had penetrated the Imperial Timeline, it relied on high-level combat power and Divine Beasts’ strength, which was too lofty for ordinary people like them.

Ordinary Imperial soldiers were comparatively stronger, which worried Qi Chen. Even though Feng Yuan was in Maomu City, the Divine Beasts around him might not protect the city.

Not to mention that they had also seized numerous Divine Artifacts from the Mythical Era.

The confrontation between Mythological Remnants and Divine Artifacts was eye-catching, much more exaggerated than the Anti-Divine Beast Runes, at least to them. To their eyes, it was no less than Divine Beasts battling each other.

To resist such enemies, the power of Mythological Remnants was naturally terrifying, but Maomu City lacked such strength officially.

Only Kui Shan Town had significant external protection, which was far from enough!

Feng Yuan was unaware of Qi Chen’s grim outlook for Maomu City’s future. Otherwise, he’d assure him he was overthinking.

If not for the Mythological Remnants being here, Feng Yuan wouldn’t believe the Imperial people would use such exaggerated force. Essentially, they were targeting the Mythological Remnants, just like how previous attacks on Maomu City were linked to Feng Yuan.

Without these factors, Maomu City wouldn’t be worth such efforts from them. Strategically or otherwise, Maomu City didn’t hold any special significance.