Lin Da’niao saw Mo Tianji’s little head poke out from the rift and opened his mouth to shout, “Tian—”
Before the word could leave his throat, his knees buckled. He crashed to the ground in a kneel, mouth suddenly sealed as though by invisible tape. Not another syllable could escape.
He lifted his head and met the Wuji Heavenly Venerable’s icy glance.
“It’s over. Tianji and Second Brother won’t escape either…”
Despair flooded Lin Da’niao’s heart.
Mo Tianji’s head emerged, then his whole body stepped calmly through the rift.
One step.
Two steps.
Three steps…
Suddenly he stopped.
He saw the sea of kneeling cultivators and frowned in puzzlement.
Seeing this, Lin Da’niao’s heart eased slightly. “Tianji is sharp. He must have sensed something wrong.”
Yet after standing motionless for a few seconds, Mo Tianji merely straightened his clothes, lifted his chin, and strode forward confidently.
“What the—? Tianji didn’t notice the danger?”
“So many people kneeling here and he thinks nothing of it?”
Lin Da’niao’s heart leapt back into his throat. His eyes flicked nervously toward the rift.
“That’s strange. Where’s Second Brother?”
The watching cultivators stared at the youth walking toward them, expressions filled with doubt.
“Who is this boy?”
“He’s dressed like a beggar, yet carries himself with extraordinary poise.”
“His cultivation is low. Definitely not Ye Changsheng.”
Mo Tianji remained perfectly composed, his steps measured.
Suddenly, a gigantic hand blotted out the sky and swept sideways, whipping up a storm of wind.
Wu Tian had struck!
He was now the Wuji Heavenly Venerable’s lapdog and had received secret orders: anyone who emerged from the Undying Mountain was to be seized on sight.
Mo Tianji sensed the danger. His expression changed slightly as he uttered softly, “Shift three hundred chi sideways.”
Swish!
His figure turned into a streak of light and, with unbelievable speed, evaded the enormous palm, reappearing three hundred chi away.
Wu Tian faltered.
He was at the peak of the Tongshen realm. Though he had only used one percent of his strength, it should have been more than enough against Mo Tianji. He had not expected the boy to dodge.
“Who are you? Why attack me?” Mo Tianji stared solemnly at Wu Tian.
“I am Wu Tian, sect leader of the Beast Emperor Sect under the Wuji Heavenly Venerable!” Wu Tian barked. “Boy, surrender quietly if you know what’s good for you. Resist and I’ll send you to the next life.”
Mo Tianji’s heart clenched. “Isn’t Wu Tian the father of Wu You and Wu Lü?”
“He already knows about his sons are dead and is waiting here for revenge?”
“Since when did the Beast Emperor Sect join the Yin-Yang Cult?”
A thousand thoughts raced through his mind. He looked calmly at Wu Tian and said, “I have no connection and no grudge with the Yin-Yang Cult. Bullying the weak with your strength—aren’t you ashamed?”
“You dare talk back? Courting death.” Wu Tian, itching to kill, surged with murderous intent.
Seeing the situation turn dire, Mo Tianji spoke again: “Advance ten li forward.”
Boom!
Wu Tian struck first. A palm blasted out, its overwhelming killing intent sealing off Mo Tianji’s escape route.
Mo Tianji had no choice but to change direction.
“Ten li to the left!”
The moment the words left his mouth, Wu Tian’s fist thundered forth like lightning, once more blocking his path.
“Boy, you aren’t going anywhere today,” Wu Tian said with vicious glee.
At that moment the Wuji Heavenly Venerable’s voice rang out.
“Such a young age, yet you possess the ability to make words become reality. You must be the prized disciple of the Divine Calculator, yes?”
Mo Tianji looked up. His face drained of colour.
“Retreat into the Undying Mountain!” Without the slightest hesitation he activated Word Manifestation again, trying to flee back inside.
Yet after speaking, his feet remained rooted to the spot as though they had grown into the earth.
“What’s happening?”
Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He swiftly produced a talisman, pinched it between his fingers, bit the tip of his tongue, and sprayed a mouthful of blood onto it.
Whoosh!
The talisman ignited, forming a massive ring of fire that enveloped him.
“Return to the Undying Mountain!” Mo Tianji shouted.
Yet the talisman had no effect. Instead his entire body was locked rigidly in place.
“How can this be?”
His heart sank to the bottom.
“Even your master could not escape beneath my nose, let alone you.”
The Wuji Heavenly Venerable sneered disdainfully. With a shake of his right hand he held up the Myriad Phenomena Diagram and asked, “This belongs to you, does it not?”
“You actually dared use it to imprison the holy maiden of our Yin-Yang Cult. Quite bold!”
“However, I have always been magnanimous. For your master’s sake, I will not kill you today.”
Mo Tianji hurriedly replied, “Many thanks, Heavenly Venerable…”
“Do not thank me so quickly. Though I will not kill you, you will come with me to the Yin-Yang Cult.” The Wuji Heavenly Venerable continued, “I wish to see whether you have truly inherited your master’s mantle.”
“If you have, and you serve me faithfully, I can grant you wealth, glory, and lifelong protection.”
“For now, wait over there.”
With a flick of his sleeve, Mo Tianji instantly appeared beside Lin Da’niao and Wu Qianfan.
Seeing their miserable states, Mo Tianji knew they too had been captured.
“Tianji, I’m not blaming you, but that brain of yours is usually so quick. You saw all these people kneeling and didn’t find it suspicious?” Lin Da’niao grumbled.
Mo Tianji replied, “I only wanted to leave this place as fast as possible. I didn’t think too much.”
Lin Da’niao asked, “According to the plan, Second Brother should have come out with you. Where is he?”
Mo Tianji answered, “Just as we were leaving, Senior Brother suddenly needed the toilet, so he stayed behind.”
Needed the toilet?
At such a critical moment?
Lin Da’niao found it odd. Given Elder Longbrow’s cultivation level, sudden bowel distress seemed unlikely.
Could Second Brother have realised danger awaited outside?
“Prince Wu, how were you captured?” Mo Tianji asked.
Wu Qianfan replied irritably, “It’s all because of that Ye Changsheng. If I hadn’t got mixed up with him, would I be this unlucky?”
“Where are your two guards?” Mo Tianji pressed. “They were strong. Quickly contact them. Maybe they can help us escape.”
Wu Qianfan grew even more depressed. “Don’t count on them. They’re both dead.”
“Dead?” Mo Tianji was stunned, then said, “No treasures obtained, guards dead… Prince Wu, your luck is truly… outstanding.”
Outstanding my foot.
Wu Qianfan gave a cold snort.
Mo Tianji looked up again. The Wuji Heavenly Venerable and the other Saints were all staring intently at the spatial rift like hunters awaiting prey. Worry filled his brow.
