Knowing that An Jing’s strength was now comparable to that of Foundation Establishment, Mrs. Guang was quite relieved.
Three Foundation Establishment cultivators joining forces, after all, meant there was some hope for self-preservation.
The edge of the Fortress Area, also under the protection range of the Golden Crow, was just likely to be affected by the aftermath of battles, while deeper within the fortress, though safer, there may be more Automatic Puppetry and Wilderness Tribulation Cultivators subdued by the mysterious organization.
"Of course, we must venture deeper," An Jing turned his head, looking towards the distant Purple Mansion battlefield, where three giant beasts fought so fiercely that it caused the land to quake, even at their location.
Compared to the initial battle of Mingguang Dust against other Divine Repositories, the Demon Spirit conflict here lacked some essence, but for those not from Purple Mansion, it didn’t make much difference. If you don’t go deep into the Fortress Area, there’s always the risk of a fiery meteor smacking you in the face at any moment.
Steel Skeleton also nodded slightly: "In doing so, we might even have a chance to stop that mysterious organization from opening the gates to Cave Heaven."
Hearing this, An Jing turned his head somewhat curiously and looked at Steel Skeleton: "Why stop them? So what if they succeed? What does the number of Ancient Immortal Ruins’ gates have to do with us?"
Subsequently, he reminded through private communication: [Don’t expose your animosity towards the big corporations, Mrs. Guang’s eyes reach directly to the Third Middle School board of directors, anyone with intent who hears could doubt your allegiance and identity.]
[True, I’m used to undertaking missions, always thinking that there’s something to be done.]
Steel Skeleton immediately realized his slip of the tongue, patting his head, while An Jing laughed: "We came to the Fortress Area just to stay alive. Rather, given the current circumstances, if the great battle of Purple Mansion approaches the Fortress Area, our demise is certain. Only the gateway to the Ancient Immortal Ruins is our slim chance of survival."
"By that time, we might even need to assist them and open that gate to Cave Heaven!"
Indeed, this was the most prudent idea, barring any accidents.
But now, an accident occurred.
At the Purple Mansion battlefield, the three fighting Demon Kings suddenly stopped their movements.
Amidst the roaring and screeching of the atmosphere, the sky full of thick and mountainous Fiend Clouds began to churn violently like the waves in a storm, with tornadoes descending amid dense lightning. They connected heaven and earth, and the forests on the ground, building debris, and corpses of various creatures and humans were swept up into the air, and then swallowed by a colossal creature hidden in the clouds.
Witnessing this scene, a nearly desperate shout came from deep within the fortress: "The Kun Demon has come!"
As if answering the call, the head of a gigantic creature, half shrouded in Fiend Clouds, revealed itself; its face was a fierce fusion of an ant and a bee, with giant scythe-like appendages on either side of its whirlpool-like mouth.
It vibrated its wings, and with it came tornadoes and a bloody gale. The terrifying metallic wind swept over a mountain peak, which crumbled into dust, turning into razor-sharp dust blades that slashed towards the three Demon Kings on high alert.
This Purple Mansion Kun Demon’s entrance was a direct attack on the three Demon Kings, including the Golden Crow!
The heavens and earth shook as a result, and in the Fortress Area, many buildings that had been abandoned for a long time and had already suffered from the aftermath of the Demon King battles, collapsed in great swaths. Even the spot where An Jing and others were standing developed huge cracks. If Zhang Zhuo hadn’t reacted quickly, Xu Yue would have almost been swallowed by the fissure.
An Jing decisively ordered. At this point, there was truly no other way. Regardless of the dangers deeper within the fortress, if they wanted to live, they couldn’t stay on the outskirts any longer.
But misfortune never comes singly.
In An Jing’s hand, the core of the Automatic Puppetry Ghostly Craft Ball he was analyzing suddenly lit up.
A voice came from it: [I am the master of that battle puppet. Having seen your fighting process, I admire your strength and potential very much. Are you interested in leaving Xuanye City to join us?]
"Feng Weiyan, right? Remember to introduce yourself before speaking next time; otherwise, it’s quite rude."
Hearing this voice, An Jing was not surprised. With Tianyuan Realm’s advanced technology, it was too easy for the other party to communicate using the core of his puppet: "Shouyang Mountain should just be straightforward and reveal its identity to recruit me. Otherwise, if you’re all mysterious, I wouldn’t even know who tried to kill me just now."
[Haha, I didn’t intend to kill you specifically, but rather to fairly kill anyone trying to interfere with our plans... But it seems your information capabilities are much better than I thought, the force behind you must indeed be that of Purple Mansion.]
Feng Weiyan laughed, but he was indeed surprised that An Jing directly exposed his name.
Feng Weiyan thought he hadn’t revealed much, but all of that was inconsequential: [Your talent is wasted in Luofu, and those people don’t truly understand your abilities... Third Middle School, it’s somewhat comical. Your level should allow you to directly enter one of the Four Taoist Schools.]
[If you are willing to come to our Xi Mountain City, I can guarantee to offer you terms times better than those of Luofu.]
"I guess that offer really exists."
An Jing raised his eyebrows, he laughed: "But if I really go there, I won’t be as free as I am in Xuanye City, not to mention my current terms are low because I have something to conceal. And now that I’ve displayed my strength, I’m certain my terms will improve. Why should I go to your place and needlessly offend Luofu?"
[At least, I can assure your safety.]
Hearing An Jing’s refusal, Feng Weiyan was not irritated: [If nothing goes wrong, a Purple Mansion Kun Demon should have already appeared by now. We will intercept it, and in the process, possibly rescue you all, and we may also take the opportunity to erase your public existence, so Luofu won’t know you defected, but will think you died.]
[But if you refuse, things will become complicated.]
"I don’t like being threatened, and things have never been that complicated," replied An Jing calmly.
[It’s really a pity, An Xuan.]
Feng Weiyan’s words carried genuine regret: [Since you’re not willing to join us, then at least for this operation, you are our enemy.]
"Then show me some more tricks to see how powerful my enemies are."
An Jing disconnected the communication, putting the core back into the Great Void Magical Instrument.
"We’re in a bit of trouble," he turned and said to Steel Skeleton, who had some guesses, and to Mrs. Guang who was unaware: "The remnants of the Fortress Area might come to hinder us. Be prepared for a surprise attack."
Feng Weiyan’s order came through: [Mobilize all nearby Automatic Puppetry and surrendered Wilderness servants to capture An Xuan’s group – take An Xuan alive; the others do not matter, dead or alive.]
[I have a feeling that it wasn’t his full strength just now. Let’s see, just how many more trump cards this mysterious Wilderness youth has.]