“This… this… I didn’t know it would turn out like this,” Bao Gang’s face darkened, even showing signs of panic.
Lin Yun’s words made him instantly realize the gravity and severity of the situation!
“I said not to take those beads, but you, Bao Gang, insisted on doing it anyway. And now you dare shirk responsibility?” Lin Yun’s anger flared.
“I… it wasn’t just my decision. Everyone except you and Junior Sister Mo Qing agreed to take the beads,” Bao Gang gritted his teeth.
Si Yuanfu from Taigu Sect quickly tried to mediate, “Lin Yun, calm down. There’s no use saying this now. Since it’s done, we should report to Deputy Palace Master Yao and discuss what to do.”
Lin Yun turned to Si Yuanfu, his gaze icy, “Si Yuanfu, you all insisted on taking those beads too. You bear undeniable responsibility for this!”
Si Yuanfu, Teng Hong, and Gu Yangqiu’s faces all looked grim.
Lin Yun continued, “That demonic beast is probably already nearing the Demon Beast Mountains. What’s the point of discussing now? Follow my orders, split up, and search the entire castle as quickly as possible. After the search, regroup at the castle plaza!”
Lin Yun’s tone brooked no argument.
This place, in Dongyuan Prefecture, was close to the Demon Beast Mountains. With the beast’s strength, its speed was surely incredible. It could reach the mountains in no time, and the Heavenly God Palace wouldn’t have a chance to send powerhouses to intercept it!
“Lin Yun, I’m the team leader!” Bao Gang’s face showed clear displeasure.
“Bao Gang, are you worthy? If you make another bad call, can you bear the consequences?” Lin Yun questioned coldly.
Bao Gang’s face flushed red, unable to respond.
Lin Yun added, “Also, if you find anything during the search, don’t touch it! Notify me first, understood?”
“Fine, fine! Lin Yun, we’ll follow your orders,” Si Yuanfu and the others nodded reluctantly.
“Especially you, Bao Gang, do you understand?” Lin Yun’s cold gaze fixed on him.
“I… I understand,” Bao Gang, despite his resentment, could only grit his teeth and agree.
“Good, split up and move out now!” Lin Yun ordered.
Everyone sprang into action.
Lin Yun turned to Mo Qing, “Senior Sister, how are your injuries?”
“Just minor injuries. But if this is as serious as you say, we’re in big trouble. Had I known it was this grave, I would’ve stopped Bao Gang and the others from taking the beads, even at the cost of my life,” Mo Qing said with a trace of guilt.
Releasing such a ‘big fish’ back into the wild was undoubtedly catastrophic.
“It’s done, and regret won’t help. We can only try to make amends,” Lin Yun said.
Though Lin Yun had fiercely opposed taking the beads, he hadn’t realized the situation’s severity at the time either.
After all, the artifact spirit had only sensed danger initially, without knowing the specifics. It was only after the beast emerged from the stone lion, and they felt its terrifying aura, that the artifact spirit pieced together the truth.
The castle was so ancient that even the artifact spirit didn’t know its origins!
Had Lin Yun known the stakes, he would’ve fought Bao Gang to the death to prevent him from taking the beads.
Mo Qing and Lin Yun then split up, searching the castle.
Ten minutes later, all six regrouped at the castle plaza.
“Any discoveries or findings?” Lin Yun asked.
“Nothing found,” the five replied.
“It seems this castle’s sole purpose was to suppress that demonic beast,” Lin Yun murmured.
He could imagine that, perhaps hundreds of thousands of years ago, this was a barren mountain where human powerhouses battled the beast, eventually sealing it.
To prevent its release, they built this castle, sank it deep into the earth, and intended to bury it forever.
How many human powerhouses were involved, how fierce that battle was, or what sacrifices were made to seal it, Lin Yun couldn’t fathom.
From hundreds of thousands of years ago to now, human records had been destroyed multiple times, and the demon race nearly wiped out humanity several times.
So, who among today’s humans would know about events from that era?
Moreover, why the castle suddenly emerged from the ground now was another mystery.
“Since there’s nothing more, let’s return to the Heavenly God Palace and report,” Lin Yun said.
…
Heavenly God Palace, Main Hall.
Deputy Palace Master Yao sat at the forefront.
Lin Yun had already reported the incident in detail to Deputy Palace Master Yao via his communication bracelet.
At that moment, the six entered from outside.
“Greetings, Deputy Palace Master Yao,” the six saluted.
“Deputy Palace Master, I am guilty!” Bao Gang immediately pleaded, visibly anxious.
“It’s done, and assigning blame is pointless now. Your Haoyue Crystal rewards for this mission will be deducted, and you’ll be fined an additional five hundred Haoyue Crystals as punishment. Reflect on your actions,” Deputy Palace Master Yao said, his face stern but his tone calm.
After all, Bao Gang was ranked forty-fourth on the Heavenly God List among Immortals. They couldn’t execute him for this mistake, could they?
“I’ll reflect deeply!” Bao Gang quickly responded.
Deputy Palace Master Yao looked at Bao Gang, continuing, “By the way, where are the beads you took?”
“Here, Deputy Palace Master,” Bao Gang hurriedly presented the beads.
When he took them, he had hoped for a reward. Now, he dared not dream of one.
“Bao Gang, I trusted you, thinking your experience made you reliable, yet your judgment is worse than Lin Yun, who’s not even a hundred years old!” Deputy Palace Master Yao shook his head, holding the beads, clearly disappointed.
Bao Gang’s eye twitched, his heart filled with unspoken grievances.
Lin Yun stepped forward, “Deputy Palace Master, releasing such a powerful demonic beast will bring immeasurable trouble. The Heavenly God Palace must prepare early.”
Since the incident, Lin Yun had a bad premonition. If this beast was so strong that even human powerhouses from hundreds of thousands of years ago could only seal it, then once it regained its strength, it might lead the demon race to wage war against humanity again!
If that happened, a catastrophe would sweep the entire continent…
