In an instant, the sky darkened!
Rolling black clouds surged from the west, sweeping toward Zuowang Valley at an unbelievable speed.
Within moments, the entire valley was plunged into pitch-black darkness—so thick you couldn't see your own hand in front of your face.
"Celestial phenomena shifting—the Wuji Cave Heaven is about to open!"
The Demonic Jiao Prince looked up at the sky, forcing down his rage with a deep breath. "Move! We enter the Wuji Cave Heaven now!"
Based on Du Lang's report, Ling Feng's group wouldn't be easy to deal with. And the gateway to the Wuji Cave Heaven would only stay open for a brief quarter-hour. There was no time to waste on pointless battles.
If they missed this window, they'd have to wait another three thousand years!
"But Third Prince, Xue Ji is still in their hands!" Du Lang gritted his teeth, resentment burning in his chest.
"And we have their people too," the prince sneered. "If they kept Xue Ji alive, it's only because they need her to lead them to the Lingxu Spring." A cold smirk twisted his lips. "By then, I'll make sure they die by their own comrade's hand."
His gaze flicked to Cao Meng. Even if Ling Feng really had three heads and six arms, a king-tier expert would be more than enough to crush him.
"The Lingxu Spring will be their grave!"
With a flick of his sleeve, the prince's eyes gleamed with malice. "Enough talk. We move now."
Meanwhile, Ling Feng had found a strange gourd on Zi She's corpse. According to Jiang Biyi, Ye Xingnan had been sealed inside it.
When Ling Feng opened the gourd, not only did Ye Xingnan tumble out, but so did three Northwestern Army elites—the same ones who'd gone missing with Pei Shao.
Wang Chuanjia rushed forward, grabbing one of the men—a square-faced soldier—by the shoulders. "You're alive!"
Fang Hai and the others had never expected to be rescued. Seeing their comrades, their initial joy quickly turned to urgency.
"General Ling! You have to save General Cao!" Fang Hai gasped. "Those demons controlled Vice-General Pei—they're setting a trap!"
"I know," Ling Feng said grimly, clapping Fang Hai's shoulder. "But it's probably too late. If I'm right, General Cao is already under their control."
Fang Hai and Wang Chuanjia clenched their fists. They'd never believed Zuowang Valley held any real danger—yet without Ling Feng, they'd all be dead by now.
If only we'd listened sooner!
"Brother Ling, thank you for saving me."
Ye Xingnan, supported by Jiang Biyi, bowed weakly. Compared to Fang Hai's group, his injuries were far worse—his face was deathly pale, his legs barely holding him up.
Ling Feng pressed a hand to his back, channeling wood-attribute energy through the Five Element Ring. Slowly, some color returned to Ye Xingnan's face.
Just then, the roiling black clouds overhead churned violently.
"What's going on? The Wuji Cave Heaven is opening an hour early?"
Ye Xingnan's eyes widened in alarm. "We need to find the entrance—now! The gateway only stays open for fifteen minutes. Miss it, and we wait another three millennia!"
"Only fifteen minutes?"
Ling Feng's gaze snapped to Xue Ji, his eyes blazing. This damn woman hid this from me!
Xue Ji shrank back under his glare. "Y-You never asked!"
Truthfully, she'd been counting on Ling Feng missing the window. Without knowing the exact timing, he'd never make it inside.
Ling Feng ignored her, turning to Ye Xingnan instead. "Brother Ye, in your condition, entering the Wuji Cave Heaven would be..."
Ye Xingnan sighed heavily. The Wuji Cave Heaven was fraught with danger. Even with the magical treasures his master had given him, he barely had enough elemental force left to activate them.
"Ye Xingnan, just go back to Luohe City and wait for me," Jiang Biyi cut in, frowning. "This bad guy can protect me well enough."
For all her brattiness, she wasn't heartless. Seeing Ye Xingnan get hurt because of her, she couldn't just stand by and let him risk his life again.
"No buts!" She puffed her cheeks. "He's way stronger than you anyway."
"Ugh..." Ye Xingnan's face reddened before he finally relented, bowing to Ling Feng. "Brother Ling, I leave Yi Yi in your hands."
Ling Feng nodded, then addressed Wang Chuanjia's group. "The Wuji Cave Heaven is a land of treasures. Whether you stay or go is your choice. I'll try to rescue General Cao, but let me be clear—if it comes down to life or death, I will prioritize my own survival."
He wasn't about to drag dead weight around, nor would he expose the Five Elements Heavenly Palace for strangers.
Wang Chuanjia and the others stiffened, but soon understood.
The Wuji Cave Heaven might be a paradise, but for men like them, it was a death trap. The fact that Ling Feng wasn't using them as cannon fodder spoke volumes about his character.
"You three—" Ling Feng pointed to Fang Hai's injured squad. "Escort Brother Ye back to Luohe City, then return to the fortress and report to the commander-in-chief."
"Yes, sir!" They nodded, though frustration lingered in their eyes.
"As for you." Ling Feng turned to Wang Chuanjia. "Decide for yourselves."
Wang Chuanjia tightened his fists. "General Ling, I'm coming with you. I will save General Cao!"
"Me too!" Bai Yuan added firmly.
Ling Feng gave a slight nod. Whether their motives were pure or selfish, everyone deserved a shot at fortune.
"I'll stay," Lu Yi said quietly. He knew his limits.
Treasures mean nothing if you're dead!
Ling Feng glanced at the sky. Through the black clouds, faint starlight had begun to pierce through—the fabled Convergence of Twenty-Eight Stars was beginning.
Soon, the gateway to the Wuji Cave Heaven would open.
Without another word, Ling Feng hauled Xue Ji over his shoulder and motioned to Jiang Biyi, Wang Chuanjia, and Bai Yuan.
They shot forward, racing against time to find the entrance before it vanishes...