Misery: There is a pawn shop here

Chapter 145

A desolate wasteland, shrouded in smoke, with bloodstains staining the ruins.

The traces left by the retreating demon army resembled a hideous wound in the world, telling the story of the fierce battle that had just taken place. Broken halberds and spears were stuck in the scorched earth, and dark red bloodstains meandered along the cracks in the rubble, as if the earth was silently weeping. The clouds in the sky were stained dim by the flames of war, and in their wisps, they seemed to carry an unyielding sorrow, shrouding this ravaged land.

Some sat cross-legged, others leaned against rocks to regulate their breathing and heal their wounds. Their robes fluttered gently in the wind, stirring up a few specks of dust, but could not conceal the weariness and scars on their faces. Lian Emei, after the battle, personally brought Jin Bazhen to Ping Mountain to inquire about the details of the events. Everyone knew that although the demonic army had retreated, this was merely the calm before the storm; a greater crisis, like the dark clouds gathering in the sky, was quietly gathering.

Just then, from beyond the Boundless Realm, two figures arrived riding on clouds. Their robes fluttered in the wind, exuding an air of otherworldly elegance. Before they even arrived, a clear and melodious voice transmitted through the realm, carrying a hint of solemnity: "The Dao Realm Xuanzong, Yitian Pise Cuishanxing, has come with fellow cultivator Bai Xuepiao to inquire about the battle situation and relay the battle news."

Everyone's hearts stirred. Mu Shaoai paused in the middle of administering acupuncture, and Tan Wuyu's gaze narrowed slightly. The two exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of doubt and unease in each other's eyes.

Why did Cui Shanxing and Bai Xuepiao come instead of Jiu Fangchi? The figure who once fought alongside them, resisting demons with righteousness, was not here, and an ominous premonition arose in my heart.

Cui Shanxing and Bai Xuepiao stepped into the Boundless Realm. Cui Shanxing's gaze swept over the battle scars on the ground. He saw that everyone was either healing with their eyes closed or seriously injured and unable to get up. He sighed inwardly, and a trace of regret flashed across his face. Bai Xuepiao followed closely behind, her brows slightly furrowed, and her eyes were full of resentment.

Mu Shaoai and Tan Wuyu hurriedly stepped forward. Mu Shaoai spoke first, his tone tinged with urgency: "Two Daoists, I am Mu Shaoai, and this is the ethereal fairy Tan Wuyu. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"It's a pleasure to meet you all. Jiu Fangchi has already mentioned you to us before," Cui Shanxing said, his gaze sweeping over the group again. "Your injuries seem to be quite severe."

"Rest assured, Daoist, with Pharmacist Mu Shaoai here, your injuries are nothing to worry about," Tan Wuyu waved his hand and said, "However, why are there two of you here, but Jiu Fangchi is nowhere to be seen?"

Upon hearing this, Cui Shanxing sighed deeply, his grief deepening. Bai Xuepiao's expression also darkened, followed by a hint of anger, as she said, "Entrusted by you, Jiu Fangchi and Huang Shangzi have already blocked the demonic army of the Otherworld outside the Vast Sea Primitive Forest..."

“Snowflakes are falling!” Cui Shanxing interrupted, his voice tinged with helplessness.

"Ah?!" Mu Shaoai and Tan Wuyu were shocked, and grief welled up in their hearts. Although they had only known Jiu Fangchi for a short time, they deeply admired his character and conduct. In several battles against the Demon Realm, Jiu Fangchi had always charged ahead without flinching from danger. Who could have imagined that just a few days later, they would be separated by death?

Cui Shanxing gently pressed Bai Xuepiao's hand down, then turned to Mu Shaoai and Tan Wuyu, saying, "Exorcising demons and protecting the righteous path is the purpose of the Xuanzong sect. To sacrifice oneself for the sake of exorcising demons is also an honor. I believe their deeds will not be forgotten by the world. And we, the living, should continue the wishes of the deceased and move forward."

“I understand.” Mu Shaoai nodded. “Thank you for your comfort, Daoist. We will fight against the Otherworldly Demon Realm to the very end.”

"No need to be polite. I've come here on the orders of the String Chief to exchange intelligence. May I ask if Pingshan has already landed?"

“Exactly.” Tan Wuyu nodded. “But there also seems to be unusual activity in the Otherworld. A strange black-robed demon has appeared, fighting the Cloud Man to a standstill, and protecting the Otherworld's forces as they retreat. I later pondered, could this be related to the strange celestial phenomena that occurred during the battle?”

“That’s exactly right,” said Cui Shanxing. “This is also why the String Master sent us here to deliver this message. Blood stains the sky, demonic clouds float, and thunder roars incessantly—this is a sign that the fault lines of the Otherworld are connecting. Now that the fault lines are connecting, the forces of the Otherworld are converging, and their fighting power will multiply. In the ensuing battles, everyone must be extremely careful.”

"Fault junction?" Tan Wuyu frowned, and Mu Shaoai beside him also looked puzzled. "It's a long story, but the details are roughly as follows..."

Cui Shanxing then relayed all the information he knew to everyone, and then returned with Bai Xuepiao, carrying news of the arrival of the Cloud People. Upon hearing the news that the rift in the Otherworld was closing and that their forces would increase, Tan Wuyu and Mu Shaoai both felt the pressure on them increase even more. However, neither of them were afraid of challenges, nor did they show any fear or hesitation in the face of battle.

"Now that things have come to this, it seems we must seek assistance from more powerful forces," Tan Wuyu pondered.

“The Holy Domain has not made any moves this time, which may indicate some unforeseen events. We should investigate,” Mu Shaoai said from the side. “As for other forces, I recall what Buddha Sword mentioned earlier about the Ghost Liang Army Mansion, which is at the Spring Rain Realm.”

"The Gui Liang family, perhaps that will work. How about we split up and go our separate ways?" Tan Wuyu said. "I will go to Wansheng Rock, the pharmacist from Yiliu will go, and as for the Gui Liang military headquarters..."

“Leave this matter to me and Buddha Sword,” said Sword Immortal from the side.

"Then let's act immediately without delay."

……

……

Inside a pawnshop, Li Xuanxiao held two divination texts in his hand, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"It seems the divination texts of the Otherworld are indeed quite mysterious," he muttered to himself. The first divination text was no different from the original story, but whether Bei Chen Yuan Huang could still be an ally of the Otherworld was still uncertain.

As for the other one, the Pit of Sin, due to various interferences, it has not yet officially come to light. But with the appearance of the divination text, it seems that everything is already destined and ultimately inevitable.

Just as he was pondering, the wind chimes rang, their clear sound echoing within the pawnshop. A righteous figure stood at the entrance. After a brief hesitation, the man resolutely stepped into the pawnshop. "Hmm?" Li Xuanxiao raised an eyebrow, looking at the name displayed in the pawnshop.

"Although I anticipated that allowing them to freely develop clients all over the world would lead to this situation, given the previous 'letter of ruthlessness,' isn't your appearance a bit ahead of schedule, Qiankun Budong·Sang Daoliang?"

Those who set foot on this place, dressed in brown robes and exuding an air of grandeur, also felt puzzled as they looked at the building filled with an ominous atmosphere.

Can we really find the truth about what happened back then here?

(End of this chapter)