"琉璃王城?"
After undergoing successive waves of bloodline evolution, the Gold-Munching Mouse clan had already produced several spirit variants on par with the human Saint realm.
The Gold-Munching Mouse King, in particular, was approaching the level of a human Earth Saint powerhouse.
Their rate of progress was no less astonishing than Jiang Chen's own.
That said, Jiang Chen felt no jealousy. As an ancient holy beast lineage, their bloodline potential was simply absurd. By comparison, apart from the advantage of his memories from his previous life, Jiang Chen held no edge whatsoever in terms of bloodline.
Moreover, the rapid growth of the Gold-Munching Mouse clan was driven by bloodline evolution and the awakening of inherited memories—something beyond anyone's control.
The only limitation was that the Gold-Munching Mouse clan lacked resources, which meant the progress of the clan as a whole remained unimpressive. If they could complete a full-scale evolution, they would become a truly terrifying trump card.
Forget tens of millions—even a few hundred thousand Gold-Munching Mice swarming together would unleash an ocean-like tide of force capable of drowning countless experts. Even an Imperial realm powerhouse, faced with such a frenzied horde, would have no choice but to flee.
Of course, Jiang Chen was in no rush. He was cultivating the Gold-Munching Mouse clan as a long-term investment. When the time was right, they would without doubt become a devastating ace.
For now, their most valuable role was as eyes and ears.
The moment
When he heard it, Jiang Chen was both shocked and furious.
What enraged him was that the Chiding Central Domain was trading the people of Dangqian Palace like cargo! And the trade was obviously meant to turn them into slaves.
What alarmed him was the Liuli Royal City itself. He had gained some understanding of it from the book *Records of Mountains and Rivers* and knew the position this mysterious power held in the Upper Eight Domains.
A force that even Gong Wuji did not dare provoke—rescuing that batch of people from Liuli Royal City would likely prove far more difficult than pulling them out of the Chiding Central Domain.
"Chiding Central Domain!" Jiang Chen clenched his fist in silence.
"Master Jiang, Liuli Royal City is a great distance away. Even flying without rest, it would take several months. If we want to rescue them, the sooner we set out the better." Huang'er had grown worried upon hearing that Gouyu and the others had been sold to Liuli Royal City.
Jiang Chen nodded. "We need to leave immediately. Gong Wuji and those scoundrels from the two sects are trying to scheme against me. I should make sure they learn a lesson they won't forget."
He pondered for a moment, and the outline of a plan slowly took shape.
"Miss Huang'er, I'll need your cooperation this time." Jiang Chen's smile carried a meaningful edge.
"Of course." Huang'er asked no questions about what she needed to do.
"Take this Gong Qi, create some commotion—ideally make the little bastard scream his lungs out. That'll draw Gong Wuji and those strong fighters away. I'll rush in, kill a few Leiyin Sect and Jukun Sect lackeys, and collect some interest."
This posed absolutely no difficulty for Huang'er. With her powerful escape talismans, even Gong Wuji would have no certainty of catching up to her. And even if he did, with Gong Qi as a hostage, there was no need to worry about Huang'er's safety.
"After it's done, we rendezvous at these points. Here on the first day. If we can't meet up, move to here on the second day… then here on the third…"
Jiang Chen pointed at the map of the Myriad Phenomena Region, patiently laying out his arrangements.
Huang'er was exceptionally perceptive and grasped his plan at a glance.
"Master Jiang, be careful. Your own safety comes first above all else." Before parting, Huang'er offered this rare piece of counsel.
"As should you," Jiang Chen replied solemnly.
After the two separated, Jiang Chen waited for Huang'er to leave first. Once he had calculated the timing, his figure suddenly flickered like a specter and vanished into the void.
---
At the Dangqian Palace border, Gong Wuji and the two sects had nearly finished setting up their ambush against Jiang Chen. They were clearly determined to succeed this time.
"Lord Gong, rest easy. Once your drugs take effect, this Jiang Chen will fall into our hands like picking up a plum. And then… heh heh." The Leiyin Sect Master let out a sinister laugh.
"Don't be complacent. The drugs are only Plan A. If the first plan fails, we switch to the backup immediately. Every one of you must be ready." Gong Wuji had devised three contingency plans. If one failed, the next would be activated at once. No mistakes would be tolerated.
As they were deliberating, a scream suddenly tore through the void.
It was the voice of a youth—unmistakably Gong Qi's.
Gong Wuji's face turned ice-cold. "Qi'er?"
The Leiyin Sect Master and the Jukun Sect Master exchanged a glance; they recognized it too.
The atmosphere on the ground became oppressive and taut in an instant. Then—
Another scream echoed from the void: "Jiang Chen, you bastard, don't let me catch you… aah!"
This time, there was no doubt. It was unmistakably Gong Qi's voice.
Every person froze. Wasn't Jiang Chen back at Dangqian Palace? That was incredibly far from here—how could his voice possibly carry this distance?
Had something gone wrong?
Was Jiang Chen deliberately bringing Gong Qi out to make a show of force?
Gong Wuji could not sit still. He shot to his feet and charged out. "Let's go check."
The Jukun Sect Master glanced at the Leiyin Sect Master. "Let's go."
Though both suspected a trap, with Gong Wuji already on the move they dared not hold back. If they stayed behind now, Gong Wuji would be even more furious later.
Still, the two were cautious. They turned and instructed their men: "All of you stay on high alert. This could be a trick to lure the tiger from the mountain!"
The elders of both sects laughed. "Sect Masters, don't worry. If that brat dares come, we'll make sure he never leaves!"
The elites of both sects were gathered here in force. Powerhouses filled the ranks. They feared nothing from a single Jiang Chen.
In their view, Jiang Chen had captured Gong Qi through trickery and ambush. In a head-on confrontation, unless he had lost his mind, he would never dare charge their elite formation.
Unless he was looking to die!