Chapter 323: Roasted into a Suckling Pig

When they heard it wasn't a Martial Emperor's Cave Mansion, the crowd grew displeased.

They all thought Zhuge Su wanted to hog the opportunity for himself.

Nian Yao threatened, "Zhuge Su, you old bastard! If you know what's good for you, get out of the way and let us in. Otherwise, don't blame us for getting rough."

As he spoke, Nian Yao shot Zhuge Su a disdainful glance.

'Just a mere Late Stage Martial Emperor.'

Their side, after all, had nearly twenty Martial Emperors, including a full nine at the Martial Emperor Great Perfection stage.

'They could easily crush Zhuge Su.'

Zhuge Su was speechless.

'Isn't it nice to stay alive? Why are they so determined to enter the city and die?'

'Still, he was quite curious how Su Mo had managed to cause such a huge commotion.'

'If he hadn't been here sweeping the floor and known what was going on inside, he probably would have been fooled just like them.'

"Do as you please. I'm going back to my sweeping."

Zhuge Su picked up his broom and conscientiously resumed cleaning the area in front of the city gate.

Seeing this, the crowd was both surprised and suspicious.

They had expected Zhuge Su to try all sorts of ways to stop them, never thinking he would step aside so readily.

"Let's go!"

The group filed in one after another.

Nian Yao sneered, "That old man Zhuge is a real moron. Instead of seizing the opportunity, he's sweeping the floor. Is he mental?"

"Maybe he got his head slammed in a door."

Elder Hu jeered.

Han Ming said, "Zhuge Su's head is perfectly round. It doesn't look like it's been slammed in a door. The way I see it, his brain must be waterlogged."

Sima Jian chimed in, "Forget him. He's just a moron who thinks he's some kind of Sweeping Monk."

Soon, the group came to a wall.

Because the expansion wasn't finished yet, the wall before them was not high—barely half a meter tall, uneven, and resembling a crumbling ruin.

Nian Yao stepped forward to examine the wall. "That old man Zhuge really was lying to us. This isn't a city at all, it's an ancient ruin! Look, there are even sword marks on these walls. It looks like people have fought here."

"Quick, look! Here are materials torn down from the wall. Tsk, tsk... this piece of wood is over two hundred years old. It looks like it was ripped off by force. There are even two large handprints on it."

"Spirit Wood, Spirit Bricks, Spirit Tiles... These things aren't worth much on their own, but all together, they'd fetch a fortune."

Qingfeng remarked admiringly, "With all these Building Spiritual Materials combined, you could construct a massive city."

"You mean this was a massive ancient city?"

Sima Jian asked, turning his head.

Qingfeng nodded emphatically.

Only an ancient city would have so many leftover Building Spiritual Materials. A newly constructed city... that's simply impossible.

Even for the great powers of the Central Profound Domain, it would take decades to accumulate this many Spiritual Materials.

These Spiritual Materials are also covered in marks from swords and blades, clear evidence of a large-scale battle.

Therefore, this was without a doubt an ancient city.

Han Ming had a sudden realization. "I've figured it out! This was once an ancient City of the Martial Emperor! Its master was attacked by a coalition of countless experts, and they destroyed the city."

"Something like that!"

Qingfeng nodded.

Nian Yao said excitedly, "Since it's a City of the Martial Emperor, there must be countless Treasures left behind! Let's hurry inside and search for them."

"Hold on."

Han Ming reached out with a large hand and started grabbing the Spiritual Materials on the ground.

Nian Yao asked, stunned, "What do you want those Spiritual Materials for?"

Han Ming said reluctantly, "To sell for money! These Spiritual Materials are very precious. They'll definitely fetch a good price back home. Just give me ten minutes, and I can pack them all away."

"Elder Han, there you go again with your penny-pinching habits."

Nian Yao said in exasperation, "No matter how valuable these Spiritual Materials are, are they more valuable than a Martial Emperor's Ultimate Treasure or a Martial Emperor's Legacy? Hurry up and drop that junk."

They couldn't wait even one minute, let alone ten.

"This... Fine!"

Han Ming reluctantly dropped the Spiritual Materials in his hands and crossed over the wall with the others.

FWOOSH!

However, the moment they stepped past the wall, a torrent of flames erupted before them.

The surrounding temperature instantly skyrocketed.

"It's an Array!"

The group looked on in astonishment.

Qingfeng said calmly, "This is a City of the Martial Emperor. It's hardly surprising that there are remnant Arrays. I'll just go up and break it."

"Alright. We're counting on you, Fellow Daoist Qingfeng."

The others nodded in agreement.

Qingfeng walked up to the Array and studied it for a moment before scoffing, "Heh. And here I was, wondering what incredible Array this could be. It turns out it's just a simple Flame Array."

Lan Xuan asked, "Can you break it?"

Qingfeng said confidently, "Of course I can. Forget a mere Tier Five Flame Array; even a Tier Seven Grand Array couldn't stop me. Besides, I happen to know this Flame Array's weakness. I can break it in a second."

Hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with joy.

Lan Xuan urged, "If that's the case, then please, Fellow Daoist Qingfeng, break the Array quickly so we can get inside to seize the treasures and opportunities."

"Everyone, stand back and watch me."

Qingfeng had the others retreat several meters, then immediately began forming hand seals to break the Array.

WHOOSH!

His Soul Power transformed into countless runes that rushed toward the Flame Array's weakness.

After completing his work, Qingfeng announced proudly, "Alright. I've used the weakness to temporarily suppress the Flame Array. Just follow behind me, and I'll lead you through."

"Suppress? You mean you didn't break it completely?"

Nian Yao asked in confusion.

Qingfeng rolled his eyes at Nian Yao. "Do you take me for a fool? If I broke the Array completely, wouldn't that make things convenient for anyone who comes after us? Don't forget, that old man Zhuge is still sweeping outside. Who knows when he might rush in and stab us in the back."

Openly, Zhuge Su was no match for them, but who knew what he might try in secret.

As the saying goes, it's hard to guard against an arrow in the dark.

Besides, they didn't know if Zhuge Su had any allies.

Nian Yao said awkwardly, "You're the thoughtful one, Fellow Daoist Qingfeng. I was being rash. I apologize."

Qingfeng waved his hand. "No need for apologies. Just stick close to me and be careful where you step. Otherwise, I can't guarantee your safety."

They all nodded and followed Qingfeng into the Flame Array.

But in the next instant...

WHOOM...

The moment they stepped into the Array, endless flames erupted from all directions, surging toward them.

"Not good! Defend!"

They quickly circulated their Spiritual Qi, forming a protective barrier to block the flames.

Nian Yao clutched his burnt arm and cursed, "Fuck! Why is this fire so hot? It nearly roasted my arm to a crisp!"

"My arm got burned, too," Han Ming said.

Lan Xuan added, "Good thing I put my defenses up quickly. Otherwise, I'd be burnt just like you. It wouldn't do to get my face disfigured."

"Fellow Daoist Qingfeng, don't you think you owe us an explanation?"

Sima Jian demanded coldly.

The others also glared at Qingfeng, waiting for his explanation.

Qingfeng was flabbergasted. "Impossible! I clearly... Huh? Why are these flames blue? Wait, this isn't a Tier Five Flame Array. It's a Tier Six Flame Array!"