Chapter 1060 - 888: The More People, the Merrier

The group didn't stealthily proceed for long before San suddenly spoke up, "We're almost there."

Wu Jinliang shouted, "Move up!"

The group ceased advancing and quickly ascended, ultimately bursting through the sand layer, standing in a dreamlike place with silver radiance illuminating the sand sea ahead and reflecting on each of their faces.

As soon as everyone emerged, silence fell upon them, as if frozen in place, staring ahead in awe as though witnessing a divine miracle.

Despite Wu Jinliang, Huang Yingying, and San not seeing this for the first time, their reactions remained unchanged, as if seeing it anew.

Ahead lay a vast and stunning silver disk, seemingly formed from countless sparkling stars densely packed together, with pure silver brilliance unmatched by any hue, overshadowing the glittering starlit sky. The sky above turned black, occasionally showing meteors flashing by, rushing towards the silver disk's center.

That indescribable grandeur, with an ancient allure, seemed to narrate the convergence of all paths, evoking inexplicable emotions.

After a while, the group suddenly felt the sand beneath them moving towards the center of the enormous silver disk.

Though they knew the sand sea was always moving, they distinctly felt it now because the flow had quickened.

Not only was it moving, but it was gradually loosening, with a feeling of accelerating flow. In the distance, the sand sea appeared like a waterfall pouring towards the enormous silver disk, making the earth appear as tiny as dust.

Gradually, everyone felt a suction force pulling them, their clothes starting to flutter.

The further forward, the stronger the suction, and the flowing sand rose, its speed increasing.

Wu Jinliang suddenly spoke out, "If we move further, we might not be able to return. Let's stop here and go back."

The group could even feel that his voice seemed to be carried towards the brilliant silver disk.

The vast and radiant silver disk, mysterious yet serene, majestic yet timeless, rendered all thoughts insignificant, akin to the world's end.

Upon hearing this, nobody dared linger, having heard tales of those swallowed by the void perished, with the oppressive power of the Netherworld's vast starlit sky being unconquerable by mere cultivation, causing them to turn and use their magic to retreat.

Once they set foot on solid ground again, led by Huang Yingying, they reentered the sand sea, retracing their path, with the emotion brought by the 'void' remaining for a long time, leaving few to speak.

This journey lasted several days before they could truly rest.

After settling everyone, Wu Jinliang left with San and Huang Yingying together.

Claiming it's fear of death is not unfounded, only with San and Huang Yingying could Wu Jinliang have the greatest assurance of safety...

Time can change many things. Within the Yanfu Continent entrance barrier, more than just Shi Chun existed, and the numbers were somewhat excessive.

There was Murong Wuai with gray hair and splendid attire, an elder expert of the Upper Heaven Immortal Realm, who led the Heavenly Court's forces.

His presence was due to Shi Chun's prolonged and unclear stay there. After some time, the Heavenly Court executed a prisoner, extinguished a Lifebound Lantern belonging to the Heavenly Court's forces, and announced a retreat.

Thus, a hundred troops hurriedly withdrew, only to find the entrance in chaos, with someone having built a rudimentary wooden hut at the entrance.

The one casually lounging there, cape fluttering, was grilling snacks outside the shed, with fragrant wine wafting—not knowing what kind of person this was.

Among the group was someone who recognized the person at a glance, blurting out, "Shi Chun?"

It was Angel Huang Xinghe, previously sent to the Heavenly Domain to deliver a decree. Thanks to Shi Chun, Huang Xinghe was involved in this tedious affair at Yanfu Continent. It was impossible for the Heavenly Court's personnel not to recognize Shi Chun, given he had met Shi Chun, Wu Jinliang, and Zhu Xiangxin during the decree delivery.

At first, they thought this could be resolved quickly, with the only concern being encountering other Royal Court forces, potentially leading to skirmishes and major conflicts, knowing that most entrants were skilled fighters, making this quite dangerous.

However, danger wasn't encountered, and what was expected to conclude swiftly dragged on for half a year.

This truly was a tiresome ordeal, enduring for half a year, unexpectedly encountering the long-seeking Shi Chun at the entrance.

The group assumed this was the end of their retreat, yet why was this person still within the barrier? Judging by the traces, it seemed he had been residing there for a long time.

"Is that Shi Chun?" Murong Wuai inquired in astonishment.

After Huang Xinghe rushed forward to confirm, he turned back with repeated nods, "Yes, that's him, I'd recognize him even if he turned to ash."

Shi Chun, with a skewer in one hand and fine wine in the other, stood up meekly, feeling somewhat embarrassed, and murmured a question, "An Angel actually came here..."

He felt rather unlucky for having not barbecued in a while, merely wanting to satisfy his cravings after so long, yet before taking a few bites, he ran into heavenly officials.

Huang Xinghe nearly wanted to spit at him, "Thanks to your Southern Commander Shi Chun's orders..."

Others also looked at Shi Chun with hostility; suffering cumulative hardship over an insignificant person caused resentment. While they tirelessly wandered on behalf of Shi Chun, he indulged in fine wine and delicacies—where was the justice in that?

Everything relies on contrasts; those who toil cannot stand to see others at ease.

They looked at the troops stationed outside, wanting to ask what these people are doing here, letting someone roast things without any supervision.

Though unhappy, the reality is that the Heavenly Court has already sent a message saying this matter is over. Upon thinking about the troublesome individual backed by Miao Dingyi, Murong Wuai, dark-faced, did not say much and snorted, "Let's go."

A person of such insignificance is not worth his pleasantries.

However, they couldn't leave, as Murong Wuai's team was stopped by the Heavenly Court Guard General stationed there who had received special instructions.

It was then that Murong Wuai's group understood the reason the Heavenly Court issued them a retreat message. It was simply because the delay lasted too long with no result, and the people outside couldn't connect with Shi Chun, so they were made to return. The purpose of their return was so they could see Shi Chun and directly communicate, avoiding further prolongation.

Therefore, it wasn't really about withdrawal but was giving them a new direction to prevent them from being like headless flies.

Thus, Murong Wuai naturally had to ask why Shi Chun was here.

Shi Chun had been here for so long, how could he not have been prepared? Months ago, he prepared to encounter the Heavenly Court troops sooner or later. If people from the Four Great Royal Courts came, he could refuse explanations; if people from the Heavenly Court came, he had to provide explanations—it was unavoidable.

He just didn't expect the Heavenly Court troops to drag on until now to come back.

Shi Chun said, he initially never intended to stay here. As the rightful Southern Commander of the Heavenly Domain, it was enough to leave a Northern Commander like Wu Jinliang here; he had to return to preside over the Heavenly Domain there. Who knew, upon reaching the exit, he was attacked by a group.

He recounted the escape process, omitting the incident with Li Hongjiu.

When Murong Wuai's group returned, they had already found the Nanshan group at the inner exit and asked if the attackers were from Nanshan.

Shi Chun stubbornly claimed he hadn't seen who attacked him because he didn't want to implicate Li Hongjiu, which would cause difficulties in their next contact.

He said he learned from the Heavenly Court Guard General why someone would attack him, only then realizing rumors about his mount had spread outside, forcing him to stay without leaving.

Murong Wuai naturally asked immediately if the rumors about the mount were true.

Shi Chun said he did not know, but neither did he deny it, saying his entry this time was to test if his mount could find Sandalwood Gold. He couldn't afford to waste time inside, so he left the mount with Wu Jinliang, waiting for Wu Jinliang's results.

Murong Wuai asked why he hadn't informed the Heavenly Court beforehand.

Shi Chun candidly replied, "My own fortune path, not breaking any laws, still waiting to make money to fill the Heavenly Domain's deficit—why should I tell others? Besides, it hasn't been confirmed yet, why report prematurely?"

He boldly admitted without revealing Miao Dingyi's knowledge, taking all the responsibility on himself.

"Damn it," Murong Wuai cursed internally, realizing the matter wasn't over and still needed further fussing.

However, this time he did not run errands again; he had Shi Chun and the team go find Wu Jinliang. Shi Chun said it wouldn't work, saying he hadn't expected the rumors to emerge, and thus had no preparation, leaving no contact with Wu Jinliang.

He secretly told Murong Wuai, he discreetly asked Li Hongjiu that, upon spotting Wu Jinliang's trace, not to help much—camps differ—and just to find a way to pass a message to Wu Jinliang that he is waiting here.

Whether the message was delivered, he didn't know. If delivered, Wu Jinliang would certainly realize someone guards the exit and would find a way to contact him here. Only he understands the implicit and cryptic contact method; if he leaves, no one else can comprehend it.

In short, he must wait here, cannot leave.

Then Murong Wuai retained him, left ten men to guard the inner exit, similar numbers as Nanshan's side guarding there, while the other nearly ninety people were sent back to search Yanfu Continent.

Murong Wuai stayed to keep Shi Chun company, under the guise of guarding Shi Chun and acting conveniently, rooted in reality plus not wanting more runs.

The intervention of the Heavenly Court troops resulted in the Four Great Royal Courts interpreting the message similarly, issuing return messages to several forces akin to the Heavenly Court's troop recall.

Thus, except for Nanshan forces, East Victory, West Niu, and Beijiu forces all returned, unexpectedly finding Shi Chun at the exit, discovering the hole Shi Chun dug, and the little wooden house Shi Chun built.

Naturally, they were stopped by their own force's guard general here and told the truth.

Alright then, it became lively here.

East Victory's Lu Xun, Wei Mo, and Bian Weiyin stayed here, also dispatched a small squad to guard the inner exit, while others resumed searching.

Beijiu's Xie Lingao, Lan She, and Situ Zhen also stayed here, similarly with interior exit guards; others entered Yanfu Continent to continue the search.

West Niu's You Ben, plus Niu Qian, stayed, while the rest were again sent into Yanfu Continent to busy themselves.

Such an immediate increase in people—it's quite lively. The outside guards had never seen or heard such commotion; they didn't bother since it's their own people and not their business.

Lively as it was, Shi Chun finally wasn't alone anymore; not only surrounded by companions for drinks and chats, occasionally with beauties, yet his mood sunk to the lowest point—this was the outcome he didn't wish to see.

His reason for advising Wu Jinliang not to be greedy was fear of this scenario, afraid that if dragged late, something like this would be provoked. Now the interior exit is guarded by several forces, making it hard for Li Hongjiu to enter; the exit is watched by several forces as well, making obtaining the item impossible for him to open the Netherworld path.