After My Faked Death Failed, My Ex-Wife Came Chasing After Me - Chapter 44

Lu Ting’an: Shocked!

Lu Ting’an was so startled she shuddered, scrambling to hide behind Lin Zheng, only peeking out with half her head. Her voice trembled: “Where? Where is it?”

Lin Zheng remained silent. She stepped forward two paces, lifting her sword. The blade lightly flicked, parting the thick shrubs. Leaves rustled as they fell, revealing an entrance to a cave that was a full man’s height.

The interior of the cave was dark and lightless. A cold wind slowly surged out from within, carrying a damp and stale scent.

Lu Ting’an swallowed hard and subconsciously grabbed Lin Zheng’s sleeve, her fingertips tightening slightly. She whispered, “What… what did you find?”

Lin Zheng’s expression was inscrutable, her gaze fixed intently on the black depths. After a moment, she said in a low voice, “I thought I heard… movement inside.”

Hearing this, Lu Ting’an became even more terrified. She urged, “Don’t let us get entangled by some evil spirit; let’s get out of here quickly.”

Lin Zheng hesitated for a long while but ultimately did not investigate further. She flipped onto her flying sword and brought Lu Ting’an back to Hengyang Palace.

As they landed before the high platform, Lu Ting’an quietly looked around. Seeing that the storage bags of the others didn’t look nearly as bulging as her own, she couldn’t help but feel smug. She quirked an eyebrow at Lin Zheng and said, “Looks like you’ll be the top-ranked winner of this Heroes’ Assembly again.”

Lin Zheng looked at her and spoke calmly: “It is us. You deserve credit as well.”

“Haha.” Lu Ting’an laughed twice, not taking the words to heart. She looked up at the sect leaders on the high platform, noticing that the seat of honor occupied by Song Yanwu was now empty. She wondered aloud, “The time is up, so where is Sect Leader Song?”

The other disciples were perhaps growing impatient as well; the crowd began to stir. Lu Qingchen cast a slight glance below the stage, pressed two fingers to his throat, and spoke with a voice like a great bell: “Everyone, please remain calm. Count your harvested prey. Once Sect Leader Song returns, we will verify them one by one.”

Following his command, the crowd quieted down. They began to gather, using immortal ropes to bind the evil spirits from their storage bags, pouring them onto the ground to begin the tally.

Chen Yunxiao watched Lu Ting’an happily counting the monsters Lin Zheng had captured, hopping around with joy. Furious, he kicked his storage bag hard, his knuckles cracking as he clenched his fists. Ye Yunlan and the others exchanged looks, tacitly agreeing not to cross him while he was in such a foul mood.

“One hundred and forty-one! Wow, Lin Zheng, you’re amazing.” Lu Ting’an was greatly shocked after finishing the count.

Lin Zheng’s expression remained as still as water, showing no pride. She simply said flatly, “Mhm. It’s about the same as previous years. A normal performance.”

Chen Yunxiao finally seemed unable to restrain himself. He smiled and spoke to her, “Little Junior Sister, I’ve had a bountiful harvest on my end as well. Do you want to come and take a look?”

Lu Ting’an acted as if she hadn’t heard him, running off like the wind to scout the “enemy situation” of the other sects, leaving Chen Yunxiao standing there awkwardly with his hand raised.

Zhang Yunming couldn’t hold it back and let out a snicker. Chen Yunxiao immediately whipped around to glare at him, snapping viciously, “What are you laughing at? Get back to counting!”

“Ah, ah, yes… yes, Senior Brother.” Zhang Yunming quickly lowered his head to continue his work, though the corners of his mouth wouldn’t stop twitching.

Before long, Song Yanwu emerged from Hengyang Palace, followed closely by Sun Youqing. His face was overcast, clearly showing his displeasure. Lin Zheng froze for a moment, staring at them with confusion, her heart filled with doubt.

Song Yanwu returned to the seat of honor. Several disciples from the Crane Gathering Immortal Bridge stepped forward, whispering something into his ear. Only then did Song Yanwu’s expression soften. He announced loudly: “Based on the number of monsters captured by each sect, the top three are—White Cloud Deer Reflection Gate, Crane Gathering Immortal Bridge, and West River Wu Family Fortress. The individual with the most kills—White Cloud Deer Reflection Gate disciple, Lin Zheng!”

As soon as the names were called, the mentioned sects beamed with joy, bowing to others and exchanging polite words.

Finally, Song Yanwu stood up, his sharp gaze sweeping over the crowd below. He said, “Everyone, the final event of this Heroes’ Assembly is to enter an illusion and reenact the grand feat of the four ancestors slaying the Qiongqi at Xiao Mountain.”

Someone whispered in disbelief, “That’s not right. Isn’t the final event usually a Daoist debate between sects? Why has it suddenly changed this year?”

“Yeah…” someone echoed. “I wonder what Sect Leader Song is planning.”

Others couldn’t help but worry: “I’ve heard that being injured in an illusion is most likely to damage one’s meridians and brain. It’s so dangerous; what if something actually happens?”

Song Yanwu watched the buzzing discussion and cast a subtle glance at Sun Youqing on his left. He then spoke in a serious tone: “Please rest assured, everyone. This illusion was constructed by myself and the other sect leaders. It is guarded by the sect elders; there will be no danger.”

Having said that, he stroked his long beard, seemingly filled with emotion: “In the past, the four ancestors fought that fierce beast for three days and three nights before eliminating the scourge and restoring peace to the world. We do this to inspire our disciples to follow in the footsteps of our predecessors, to hold the world in their hearts, and to take the salvation of all living beings as their duty.”

After hearing this, the crowd looked at each other. But since Sect Leader Song had spoken, and the other sect leaders presumably agreed, they could only bow and respond in unison: “Yes, we respectfully follow the Immortal Venerable’s teachings.”

Lu Ting’an felt that something was slightly off, but since this was her first time at the Heroes’ Assembly, she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She nudged Lin Zheng with her elbow and whispered, “Hey, what do you think Sect Leader Song is up to?”

Lin Zheng’s brow furrowed as she shook her head. “I don’t know. We can only wait and see.”

Seeing that even Lin Zheng was uncertain, Lu Ting’an felt an ominous premonition and gripped Lin Zheng’s sleeve tightly.

On the stage, the sect leaders took their positions. Five pillars of spiritual energy soared into the sky, piercing the clouds. High above, the clouds began to rotate slowly like a swirling vortex. A massive barrier descended from the sky, enveloping the crowd below.

Instantly, golden light erupted, and spiritual energy surged. A shockwave swept out for hundreds of feet, causing water to splash and the lake surface to churn restlessly.

Lu Ting’an felt her body lighten. Her five senses were stripped away in an instant, and she felt as if she were soaking in warm water, her consciousness drifting. After an unknown amount of time, she managed to open her eyes. She felt top-heavy and dizzy, her chest felt tight, and she struggled even to stand steady.

However, the moment she saw the scene before her, she froze.

The immortal scenery of lush mountains and spiritual mist from moments ago had vanished. In its place was a deathly silent ancient battlefield. The hills were charred black as coal, as if repeatedly scorched by flames. The rivers were dark red and turbid, as if soaked in blood. Looking around, broken weapons were scattered about, and white bones littered the fields. The world was a picture of devastation.

Lu Ting’an felt a chill run up her spine and instinctively shrank behind Lin Zheng.

Noticing her distress, Lin Zheng lightly patted her shoulder. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

The disciples had never seen such a sight and instinctively huddled together. Seeing this, Lin Zheng stood at the front, turning back to tell them, “Everyone, the scene before you is an illusion; there is no need for fear. We only need to find the Qiongqi as quickly as possible and defeat it to pass the trial.”

Hearing her words, the disciples felt relieved. They summoned their swords and began to move cautiously along the riverbed.

Lu Ting’an also summoned “Qie Man.” Although she knew an unquenched sword wouldn’t be very useful, holding something in her hand made her feel more secure in this environment.

As they crested a small hill, the sight before them made everyone gasp.

In the valley, dense packs of monsters crouched on the scorched earth. They looked like giant tigers but possessed wings, their fur dark as iron and mottled with blood-red patterns. Their heads were broad and hideous, with fangs protruding outward, the tips still dripping with dark red blood.

Atop a massive boulder above the monsters, a much larger beast lay prostrate. It was entirely ink-black, its eyes a cold, haunting emerald green. With every breath it took, one could almost smell the stench of blood. A slight flap of its wings stirred the ashes and crushed bones on the ground.

The disciples were stunned, not daring to move forward. Lin Zheng frowned slightly, knowing they couldn’t strike recklessly. She signaled for the disciples to retreat behind the hill and whispered, “The wolf in front is feigning sleep to lure the enemy.”

The disciples from each sect were not newcomers to the assembly. They quickly understood her meaning. A disciple from the Wu Family Fortress stepped forward first: “We will act as bait. You guys flank them from both sides.”

The others tacitly agreed and quickly formed their ranks. Lin Zheng stood at the front, while Lu Ting’an followed at the rear. Lu Ting’an’s hand holding “Qie Man” trembled slightly. Just as she was about to call out, she saw something flash past in her peripheral vision at extreme speed.

Lu Ting’an was startled. Before she could shout a warning, the disciples of the West River Wu Family Fortress had already charged out with their curved blades.

The crouching beasts woke instantly. Upon seeing the intruders, they roared at the sky. For a moment, the two sides clashed fiercely, and the sound of battle filled the valley. Seeing the opportunity, the disciples of the other sects rushed down from the surrounding hills, catching the monsters off guard. The monsters, unprepared, fell into chaos and retreated toward the giant boulder in panic.

Suddenly, the monster perched on the boulder let out a thunderous roar. The others instantly found their backbone, their eyes glowing with fierce light. They whipped around and lunged back at the crowd.

In the blink of an eye, Lin Zheng leaped up. “Sui Yue” struck out, its dragon-like hum unceasing as it lunged accurately at the beast’s chest. However, the monster’s scales were like tempered steel; the sword tip sparked against them without leaving a mark. Infuriated, the beast lunged to bite her. Lin Zheng nimbly dodged and flicked her sword at its nose.

Squelch—

A trail of blood streaked through the air. The beast roared in pain. It swiped a claw at her, and Lin Zheng blocked with her sword. Yet, the strike carried the weight of a thousand pounds, shaking her back several steps. A metallic taste of blood immediately rose in her throat.

Lu Ting’an’s heart tightened. Just as she was about to go check on her, a black shadow suddenly flickered before her eyes. In her desperation, she yelled, “Watch out!”

Before the words had fully left her mouth, the shadow erupted. A long sword flashed with cold light, thrusting viciously toward Lin Zheng’s back. Lu Ting’an’s mind went blank for a second. She violently threw out a talisman, which exploded on the assailant’s shoulder. The person groaned in pain, and the sword tip veered, grazing Lin Zheng’s forearm and leaving a long, bloody gash.

Lin Zheng’s expression sharpened. She kicked out at the person’s chest, but the assailant’s cultivation was high, and they narrowly dodged, turning for another strike.

But this time, before the sword could touch Lin Zheng, the earth beneath them began to shake violently.

In an instant, the sky seemed to be torn apart by an invisible hand. Light and shadow distorted, shattering like a mirror. A ringing sound echoed in Lu Ting’an’s ears. Looking down, she saw her body becoming transparent, dissipating bit by bit starting from her fingertips. Panicked, she instinctively ran toward Lin Zheng, but her vision went black, and she collapsed.

Simultaneously, the entire space collapsed. Everyone was dragged into the abyss by a massive force.

Before losing consciousness, Lu Ting’an vaguely saw a pure white fox in the haze. Its nine long tails swayed gently in the void. It suddenly turned its head, looking at her with those seductive, enchanting eyes.

After an unknown amount of time, Lu Ting’an slowly woke up.

She rubbed her temples, feeling a splitting headache. As she tried to prop herself up, her palm touched the ground, causing her to hiss in pain. She cleared her head instantly. Looking down—good grief—her entire forearm was swollen, a mess of blue and purple bruises that looked terrifying.

The others weren’t doing much better; they were dazed, propping each other up to stand. Looking around, she saw an ordinary-looking street. The alleys were narrow and lined with shops.

What was eerie, however, was that the street was shrouded in thick fog. All the shops were tightly shut, and the street was deserted. Only clusters of ghost-green flames floated in the air, flickering and casting an ominous, terrifying glow over the street.

Lu Ting’an was curious and instinctively reached out to poke one, but she was suddenly yanked back.

Lin Zheng pulled her into her arms, her breath slightly ragged, her voice extremely low: “Don’t move. Those are ghost fires.”

Lu Ting’an’s heart jumped. She quickly pulled her hand back, swallowed, and whispered, “Lin Zheng, what is going on? Where are we?”

Lin Zheng pondered for a moment, her expression growing more solemn. “If I am not mistaken, this should be the Sky Treasure City of the Ghost Market.”

Lu Ting’an was stunned. She had no recollection of the original novel ever mentioning this place. “Where is Sky Treasure City? Mmm…”

Before she could finish, Lin Zheng had already covered her mouth, giving a low “Shh.” She leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Don’t make a sound.”

She stared warily toward the end of the street in the fog, her expression more serious than ever before. “This is the territory of the Demon Race.”