Zhong Xiang was observing the scenery within the protective barrier through the mottled gaps in the branches and leaves. At this moment, he sensed Liu Lin casting a glance his way, causing his brows to furrow. The feeling of being morally coerced was truly unpleasant, yet as a junior of the Confucian school, he could not say anything defiant in this seniority-ranking gathering.
Sure enough, as Liu Lin’s words ended, the young man with a donkey’s head on the other side spoke up, "I’ve heard that Young Master Zhong Xiang can contend with the Yang God. Even when Yang God experts confront Young Master Zhong Xiang, they gain no advantage. Perhaps it would be best to trouble Young Master Zhong Xiang."
"Well said. Young Master Zhong Xiang holds the Qilin’s Heart, so much so that even a Yang God True Man would be wary. This mere protective light shield, how could it possibly be a challenge for Young Master Zhong Xiang?" Zhang Xiaohua chimed in supportively.
"I fear Young Master Zhong Xiang might be unwilling to help..."
"We are all here to avenge Mr. Wu and entered this place pursuing Zhang Chen, that vile thief, only to fall under a curse. The method to dissolve the curse is very likely hidden within the light shield. Young Master Zhong Xiang, whose righteousness is renowned across the lands, could he really leave us to die?"
"Indeed, Young Master Zhong Xiang is not that kind of person! Wang Dan, you rascal, stop spouting nonsense and sullying Young Master Zhong Xiang’s name! Be careful, or Zhu Xia and I will have unfinished business with you!"
Both Wang Dan and Zhu Xia were young, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, yet they were prominent figures within the Confucian school. Though their fame paled compared to Zhong Xiang’s, they were certainly top-tier core members.
Zhong Xiang’s strength lay in his might, whereas these two excelled in scholarly knowledge.
The duo were proud figures of the Confucian school, far exceeding Zhong Xiang and others in knowledge. Yet daily, they were suppressed by the Southern Qilin and Northern Zhuge, leaving them frustrated. They believed their scholarly prowess matched anyone’s, but were overshadowed by Zhong Xiang, a brute relying solely on raw power. That pent-up frustration was hard to bear.
It’s known that in culture there is no first, in martial arts no second. The essence of Confucianism is cultural, so these two would never yield to Zhong Xiang.
Now given the chance to pressure Zhong Xiang for that legendary, mysterious opportunity, they would certainly go all out.
Zhu Xia, in a righteous manner, scolded Wang Dan fervently: "What kind of person is Young Master Zhong Xiang? His brilliance and stature are akin to the great sun in the sky, how could you, a mere ant, malign him?"
"How have I maligned him? Previously, we intended to enter the tomb to avenge Mr. Wu, but who would have thought Young Master Zhong Xiang shielded us from it to conceal its treasures, leaving the thief to roam freely? I’m not overthinking; it’s the actions of Young Master Zhong Xiang that compel speculation. For his own Creation, he disregards even grandfather’s revenge, how could I not speculate further?" Wang Dan refused to yield despite the accusations, still protesting.
"Wang Dan, you’re too petty! Young Master Zhong Xiang isn’t that kind of person. He just stopped us because the dangers in the tomb haven’t been eliminated and didn’t want us to risk it, right?" Liu Lin turned his head to look at Zhong Xiang.
Zhong Xiang, hearing this, internally seethed, fists clenched in his sleeves, yet unable to act out. The skillfulness of these provocateurs was unmatched. Now, with everyone in unison using moral coercion, as a disciple of Confucianism, who upheld its principles of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and trust, he had to abide by these conventions.
Thus, Zhong Xiang forced a dry smile, "Indeed, how could I be that kind of person? You all underestimate me. Allow me to try, let’s see what skill this light shield possesses, even Mr. Wuliu’s Flying Sword couldn’t pierce it."
Zhong Xiang wished he could crush Zhu Xia and Wang Dan to death, feeling disgusted to the extreme. Yet, he couldn’t help but strike, breaking the light shield, manipulated and used by this repugnant crowd.
"Such frustration!" Zhong Xiang cursed under his breath, "Those damned bastards, don’t let me find the chance, or one day I’ll seek revenge."
Zhong Xiang approached the light shield, flames burning around him, attacking the shield.
Facing Zhong Xiang’s Qilin Flame, the light shield finally reacted, rippling in layers. Mysterious symbols flowed on the green shield, yet Zhong Xiang’s cultivation was too low to unleash the full might of the Qilin Fire. The shield only rippled with symbols, seemingly unharmed.
After burning for a full incense stick’s time, the shield merely rippled, flashing with green symbols.
"Everyone, strike together, assist Young Master Zhong Xiang," Mr. Wuliu, seeing Zhong Xiang unable to breach the shield, quickly called out, leading the crowd to attack the shield.
However, the platform was only so large. Although hundreds were present, only a few dozen could strike. Together, they attacked the shield, yet it merely rippled, dissolving their attacks without creating a disturbance.
The damage collectively caused by the crowd was less than the Southern Qilin Zhong Xiang alone.
Among the crowd
Zhang Chen secretly assessed the green shield, golden light flickering in his eyes. He noted the shield surrounded by mysterious green energy, condensing into symbols, unveiled a brilliance unseen by the naked eye. Numerous symbols formed chains of order, creating a framework supporting the green shield, barring everyone outside.
"This green shield is a mysterious artifact, nearly comparable to my Houtu God. My Houtu is at the Twelfth Tier of mystery, yet this green shield... should at least be of the Tenth Tier, perhaps even the Eleventh. Even a Yang God True Man would be helpless against this shield." Zhang Chen muttered internally.
The Yang God was only Ninth Tier in existence, how could it challenge the shield?
Zhong Xiang withdrew his flame, standing before the shield with a dark expression, "I cannot breach this shield."
Beside him, Mr. Wuliu’s expression also darkened, "This object is at least of the Tenth Tier of mystery, worthy of the Divine Demon Tomb. Even a mere protective barrier has reached the Tenth Tier; this is beyond our power. With the barrier being Tenth Tier, who knows what unimaginable Creation might be inside, could it be the Twelfth Tier?"
Those words ignited the crowd’s fervor; that would be a Twelfth Tier mystery, a power that could rival the Great Victory Dynasty’s royal family.
"Treasure Mountain is right before us, must we return empty-handed?" Nearby, the little prince Zhang Xiaohua’s eyes turned red.
This was a Tenth Tier mystery, unmatched even in Prince Pingbian’s Mansion!
Especially since this item specialized in defense, possessing ultimate defensive capabilities. Obtaining it would usher in unimaginable power.
Especially for those practicing the Divine Soul Dao. Acquiring it would be a heaven-defying boon.
"Beyond the Great Victory Dynasty’s two Twelfth Tier mysteries, I truly cannot think of any power capable of breaking this shield," Zhong Xiang stood on the platform, his expression sullen, as he instinctively glanced at Zhang Chen, hoping that peculiar guy might find a way to solve it.
Unfortunately, faced with Zhong Xiang’s gaze, Zhang Chen intentionally averted his eyes, not wanting to be the first to step forward.
Everyone in the field could hardly wish for him to be flayed. If his identity leaked, the shield wouldn’t need to be broken before he would be killed by everyone.
Zhong Xiang saw Zhang Chen ignoring him, leaving him helpless. The treasure lay before them, yet there was nothing they could do, only to stare longingly. Who understands such frustration?
Moreover, everyone knew the tomb’s information couldn’t remain secret for long. The Great Victory Royal Family likely sensed the tomb’s emergence, and perhaps strong reinforcements were already on their way.
The longer the delay, the more the unknown risk would grow.