Daoqi Huangcheng

Chapter 26. Escaping Death
Song Chen was very disappointed because the aptitude test was not held outside the Crane Demon Secret Realm, but right inside this manor.
Eight enormous crane demon figures sat on the eight sides, with Crane White among them.

The eight demons cast spells by making hand seals, their bodies brimming with spiritual energy.

Suddenly, the leading black giant crane roared: "Open!"

The light blazed brightly where the eight demons were, and a boundary membrane appeared in the center of the eight demons.

The boundary membrane is the entrance to the secret realm.

This Crane Demon Realm is actually a two-layered secret realm.

Song Chen glanced around and saw that many marrow-eating crane demons had gathered, but all the crane demons stood obediently at a distance and did not approach the boundary membrane.

On the contrary, many rogue cultivators raised by the crane demons stood at the edge of the boundary membrane.

While maintaining the passage, He Bai looked at Song Chen and said softly, "Xiao Lin, go in. Oh dear, it's been a long time since any new members have joined our clan, and it's also been a long time since we opened the aptitude test secret realm. Everyone is curious. You should go and come back quickly, don't delay."

If Song Chen had previously only suspected that there was a problem with the "qualification test," he was now 100% certain.

Based on his observations a few days ago, this mansion was most likely seized by the Crane Demon in recent years.

Now, eight powerful crane demons have joined forces to open a second-level secret realm in this mansion, claiming it's a test of crane demon aptitude inheritance. What a joke!

Is he being used to get something?

But why him?
Song Chen's thoughts raced as he recalled Gu Youwen's reasons for capturing him, and then reflected on what made him special in the eyes of these demons.

He quickly got the answer: That's right, in their eyes, I "inherited the bloodline of the marrow-eating crane demon in human form".

Could it be that this special characteristic is what allows them to enter and retrieve items?
Just then, the leading black giant crane urged in a deep voice, "Don't be stunned, go and come back quickly. You have the blood of my clan and can easily sense the location of the 'Yellow Springs Scripture'."

He Bai said coquettishly, "Big brother, don't scare the child. With Xiao Lin's talent, there's definitely no problem. Our crane clan will have another rising star."

As it spoke, it cast a tender glance at Qingyue, the young lady, and encouraged her, "Xiaolin, go."

Song Chen feigned infatuation with his eyes and obediently replied, "I understand, Aunt Bai."

After saying that, he took a step forward.

This step is like walking on ice.

Take another step.

This step felt like walking on the edge of an abyss.

As he walked, Tianfengke followed, along with the other wandering cultivators who had been watching from the sidelines.

Song Chen's expression shifted slightly. He stopped and casually asked, "Aunt Bai, I'm going to do the test, why are they following me?"

He Bai said, "You child, it's because there are certain risks inside. Your aunt is worried about you, so these cultivators went in to protect you."

Song Chen asked, "What danger?"

He Bai said, "There are many dangers hidden in the darkness of the place where my clan's aptitude test is held, especially an ancient temple. It's alright if the temple door is closed, but if it is opened, the consequences will be unimaginable."

"But the temple gates are sometimes open and sometimes closed for those who have passed the qualification test; no one can say for sure. If they are open and you encounter danger, these cultivators can help you fend for yourself."

Song Chen understood.

He had a deduction in his mind.

This barrier is impassable to crane demons; only humans can pass through it.

So, the Yellow Springs Scripture cannot be obtained by humans, but only by the marrow-eating crane demon?
These monks weren't protecting him; they were monitoring him.

Tianfengke was so fast and his strength was just right to overpower him, making it perfect to prevent him from escaping.

But then again, if there's only one passage, why would you need to monitor it?

That means there's an exit in this second level of the secret realm.

The fact that Crane White scared him like that suggests that the exit is most likely related to the ancient temple it mentioned.

Song Chen glanced again at the eight crane demons who were guarding the eight corners and struggling to maintain the boundary membrane, took a deep breath, and stepped into the boundary membrane.

bite.
The boundary membrane ripples expand.

Beyond the membrane lies a narrow, winding path.

There was a faint light on the path, like the kind of muddy country path where the midnight moonlight shines. At the end of the path was a dilapidated ancient temple, its four corners slightly arched, giving it a mysterious feel.

Song Chen was followed by four cultivators, each of whom was stronger than him.

Suddenly, Tianfengke's voice came: "Young master, there is a fork in the road before entering the temple that leads to the back of the temple. The things we need are there."

Song Chen responded and continued forward.

This layer of the secret realm is significantly smaller than the previous one, and it no longer shares the weather with the outside world, making it like an independent "deep-sea stable layer".

He walked for more than a hundred steps, and a narrow path appeared on his left.

He walked up, went around the ancient temple, and came to the back of the temple, where a nine-tiered platform appeared before him.

Tianfeng said, "Young master, go up and get it."

Song Chen looked up at the high platform, clenched his fist and said, "I will definitely not let Aunt Bai down."

As he spoke, he climbed the steps one by one. When he reached the high platform, he saw many items on it, including jade slips, prayer beads, incense burners, and a banner.

But beneath all these objects lies a hidden fluctuation of power.

Suddenly, a thought struck him as he realized he had made a connection with one of the jade slips.

He walked quickly, following his thoughts, and reached out to grab the jade slip.

It was a strange black jade slip, completely different from the jade slip Song Chen had seen on Jinxia Mountain.

Snapped!
Song Chen gripped the black jade slip with his five fingers.

Pull it slightly.

He saw the invisible shackles.

The shackles tugged at the black jade slip, preventing it from leaving, but they immediately loosened upon touching it.

Song Chen immediately realized that this was the effect of the bloodline inheritance of the marrow-eating crane demon.

His previous guess was confirmed.

Humans can enter, and crane demons can retrieve objects; only those who possess both can obtain this "Yellow Springs Scripture".

As for why, he didn't know. The environment here was incredibly complex and held many secrets.

Song Chen examined the black jade slip again and found that it was indeed the "Yellow Springs Scripture". However, the contents of the "Yellow Springs Scripture" were ancient and obscure, and it was definitely not something for a disciple's test.

He glanced at the prayer beads next to the black jade slip, and with a thought, he reached out to grab them, but as soon as he touched them, a terrifying force repelled him.

He then tried to grab the incense burner and the banner, but the outcome was the same for both.

Just then, Tianfengke's voice came from below the stage: "Young master, do not linger. Once you have obtained it, come down. If you stay too long, trouble will ensue!"

Song Chen glanced around, but he couldn't find anywhere to escape, so he had no choice but to walk down from the platform.

As soon as he stepped down, the four rogue cultivators surrounded him from all sides, and Tianfengke behind him laughed and asked, "Young master, did you succeed?"

Song Chen nodded.

Tianfengke laughed and said, "From now on, you'll have to promote the younger ones."

The five quickly returned the way they came, first turning right onto the small path, then circling around to the front of the ancient temple.

On the way, Song Chen secretly observed his surroundings.

Even though he had guessed the whole story, he still couldn't escape it.

The crane demons have been lying to him all along.

He had no idea what would happen to him if he went back.

Is escape possible?
Where can we escape to now?
As Song Chen was thinking, the five-person team had already arrived in front of the ancient temple.

Just as Song Chen stood before the ancient temple, he suddenly felt a sudden gust of wind behind him.

He suddenly turned his head and saw Tianfeng Ke, enveloped in spiritual energy, rushing towards the ancient temple at an unbelievable speed. He then pushed open the temple door with lightning speed, grabbed several storage bags with both hands, and shouted sharply, "Your Majesty, I want to leave here!!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a beam of light appeared in the ancient temple. The light swept over Tianfeng Ke and then fell on the storage bag in his hand.

One by one, treasures emerged from the storage bag. These treasures were all obtained by Tianfeng Ke from the Crane Demon's mansion.

The event happened too fast and too suddenly; the three rogue cultivators hadn't even reacted yet, but Song Chen had.

With incredible speed, agility, and rage, he turned and charged at Tianfeng Ke, shouting, "Grab him!!"

At this moment, the three rogue cultivators realized what was happening.

But they are not good at speed.

In that instant, Song Chen used almost all his strength. The power of the "Marrow-Eating Crane Demon" combined with his own power, along with the power unleashed by his frantic escape, allowed him to arrive at the temple gate at a speed not much slower than Tianfeng Ke's.

He glared angrily at Tianfeng Ke, as if to demand "why the betrayal," but then he abruptly looked at the ancient temple and said urgently, "Your Majesty, I want to leave this place!"

"not enough."

A kind voice came from inside the temple.

Immediately afterwards, the light flung Tianfeng Ke and the several storage bags he had handed over back.

Tianfengke exclaimed in astonishment, "Impossible! It was clearly enough! It should have been enough!"

Song Chen ignored him completely; at that moment, a kind voice echoed in his mind.

"If you wish to go to the great world, you should make offerings of equal strength, and only through such means will you be able to achieve your goal."

Song Chen was taken aback.

The translation was completed in a flash — "Where do you want to go? Pay first."

Song Chen hurriedly responded in his mind: "Use the illusory image of the 'Marrow-Eating Crane Demon' in the mirror and this wisp of [Taibai Sword Intent] as offerings! The grove outside the East Gate of the Great Yong Imperial Capital!"

"enough."

A kind voice came from behind.

The light enveloped Song Chen.

Outside the formation, the giant black crane that was maintaining the formation suddenly widened its eyes, abruptly stood up, and roared sharply, "How could he possibly afford the price?! A price that requires more than his own strength!"

As it spoke, it angrily charged toward the boundary membrane.

However, the moment it touched the membrane, it withdrew its hand as swiftly as snow meeting hot water.

It stared intently, its eyes fixed on the distant ancient temple, the light within the temple, and the boy within that light.

"He Bai!!! Is this how you investigated?"

"Clan leader, I've checked, and the contents of his storage bag don't even amount to a fraction of the price." He Bai was also extremely astonished.

"He's leaving! Damn it, he took the 'Yellow Springs Sutra'!"

The giant black crane had completely lost its composure, roaring, "Bring him back! Capture him, dead or alive!!"

The three rogue cultivators all made their moves, but their power dissipated completely upon touching the pillar of light.

As Song Chen held the "Yellow Springs Scripture" in his hand, the three rogue cultivators, Tianfeng Ke, and the demons outside the boundary membrane all became lower and lower as the pillar of light rose.

The next instant.
Whoosh! !

Song Chen disappeared.

The pillars of light in front of the ancient temple disappeared, the doors were closed again, and a deathly silence descended.

Outside the barrier, the giant black crane murmured dejectedly, "Gone...gone," before roaring like a madman, "Lin! Cheng! Yong!! Find him, capture him, kill him!!"

East of the Imperial City.
Grove.

Song Chen revealed his figure.

He quickly returned to the Crane Mansion.

The Crane Mansion remained bustling as the search for the missing head of the family continued.

Song Chen found Qingyue, the young lady, who was dispatching guards.

Qingyue asked in surprise, "Husband, you're back?"

Song Chen hugged her tightly.

Qingyue pushed him away, saying, "Everyone's watching, husband, husband, what are you doing?"

(End of this chapter)