Chapter 454 - 271: Leaving the City

Chapter 454: Chapter 271: Leaving the City

Just as the Shadow Association had expected, this news soon reached the Observatory of Gongzhou Prefecture.

"Director, rumors are swirling that Divine Soldiers have appeared outside the city. Should we send someone to investigate?" an official from the Observatory reported to Fang Yue.

Fang Yue had just come out of seclusion. His aura was steadier, and his eyes glinted with a keen light, as if he could see through any illusion.

When he heard the news about the Divine Soldiers, he raised an eyebrow slightly, feeling a stir of temptation.

But he knew the news had come too suddenly, and the timing was too coincidental. It was very likely that someone had orchestrated this deliberately.

"Where did this news come from?" Fang Yue asked in a low voice.

"Director, the news came from several villages outside the city. It’s said that people witnessed the phenomenon of the Divine Soldiers’ descent with their own eyes," the official replied.

Hearing this, Fang Yue scoffed inwardly. He knew this was most likely a plot by the Shadow Association to lure him out of the city.

But the temptation of the Divine Soldiers was too great. If he could obtain a Divine Soldier, his Soldier God Technique would become more complete, and his power would increase dramatically.

"Send men to investigate the situation. We’ll decide what to do after we confirm if it’s true," Fang Yue ordered.

"Yes!" The official acknowledged the order and turned to leave.

Fang Yue watched the official’s retreating back, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He knew the members of the Shadow Association wouldn’t let this go so easily. This battle was far from over.

Fang Yue stood alone on the Observatory’s stargazing platform, looking up at the star-dusted night sky.

His heart was filled with conflict and turmoil.

Divine Soldiers... the ultimate treasure every Cultivator dreamed of possessing. Owning one meant a massive increase in power.

However, he also knew that the Shadow Association would never let him obtain a Divine Soldier so easily.

"Shadow Association, what are you scheming?" Fang Yue muttered to himself, his eyes glinting coldly.

Just then, a figure appeared silently on the stargazing platform. It was the official he had sent to investigate earlier.

"Director, I have an important report!" the official said, his expression grave.

"Speak," Fang Yue said, turning to face the official.

"I went to the villages outside the city myself and confirmed that there are signs of the Divine Soldiers’ descent."

The official paused for a moment as if to gather his thoughts, then continued, "A strange aura permeates the area around those villages. A brilliant, multicolored light has appeared in the sky, and the ground is trembling slightly."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yue’s brow furrowed deeply.

These signs did indeed resemble the phenomenon of Divine Soldiers emerging, but he also knew it was very likely a trap set by the Shadow Association.

"Did you find any trace of the Shadow Association’s members?" Fang Yue asked.

"Director, I found no trace of them, but they are likely hiding in the shadows, waiting for us to take the bait," the official replied.

Fang Yue nodded. He had already made his decision.

He knew that even if this was a trap set by the Shadow Association, he couldn’t just sit by and do nothing. The temptation of the Divine Soldiers was too great; he had to go see for himself.

"Relay my orders. Strengthen the city’s defenses and keep a close watch on the Shadow Association’s movements. At the same time, select a group of elites to accompany me out of the city to investigate," Fang Yue ordered decisively.

The official acknowledged the command and left. Fang Yue once again looked up at the night sky, his gaze firm and profound.

’Since they want me to leave the city, I might as well go and see what they’re up to.’

Fang Yue led the Observatory’s elites, cautiously approaching the villages where the phenomena were rumored to have appeared. As they drew closer, they began to feel the strange aura, and the multicolored radiance in the sky grew even more dazzling. The entire team remained on high alert, wary of walking into an ambush by the Shadow Association.

"Director, the village with the phenomenon is just ahead," an official said, pointing forward.

Fang Yue nodded, signaling for everyone to advance with caution. Just as they entered the village, they felt a powerful force emanating from deep underground, causing the entire ground to tremble slightly.

"What is this..." Fang Yue’s brow furrowed, a strange sense of unease rising in his heart.

"Director, look at the sky!" another official exclaimed.

Fang Yue looked up to see the radiance in the sky converge into a single beam of light, pointing directly at the center of the village.

At the same time, a powerful aura radiated from the beam, making one’s heart pound with apprehension.

"What is that? Could it really be a Divine Soldier?"

Fang Yue stared at the beam of light, his heart filled with both doubt and anticipation.

Although he knew this was likely a plot by the Shadow Association, the allure of the Divine Soldiers was too strong for him to resist.

"Pass the order: everyone proceed with caution and watch for any movement in the surroundings," Fang Yue said to the official beside him. "We’ll approach the beam slowly and see what’s going on."

Everyone cautiously approached the beam, only to find it shining down on an ancient temple. A mysterious and solemn aura permeated the area around the temple.

As they drew nearer, the sensation of immense power grew stronger, inspiring a sense of awe.

’There really is the aura of a Divine Soldier here,’ Fang Yue thought, sensing the energy around him.

Just then, a Black Shadow suddenly shot out from the darkness, launching a ferocious attack on Fang Yue.

Fang Yue’s figure flashed as he dodged the Black Shadow’s attack, and at the same time, he got a clear look at his assailant’s face—it was none other than Prince Wucheng’s subordinate, Chen Tiangang.

Fang Yue stared at the suddenly-appeared Chen Tiangang, a flash of surprise in his eyes. He hadn’t expected the Shadow Association to be colluding with Prince Wucheng. This made the situation even more complicated.

"Chen Tiangang, so it was you pulling the strings from behind. I let you get away last time, but I’ll be sure to kill you today!" Fang Yue said coldly.