Ice Sculpture Royal Capital.
In the room, Zong Ge lay on the bed, his eyelids already closed.
Zi Di stood in front of him, reaching out to lift his eyelids, revealing two big white eyes.
Ever since Zong Ge fell into a coma, his eyes had been rolled back like this.
Zi Di sighed.
She wanted to leave the capital with Zong Ge, but was discovered by the Lijian family and brought back.
"The situation is quite troublesome!"
"The Pearl Bubble is almost exhausted, how long can it last?"
"Half a month? A week, or just a few days?"
It’s hard to say.
Because the consumption of the Deception and Disguise Skill depends on the specific forces of investigation and attention endured.
Clearly, the moment the Pearl Bubble is used up, it will be the start of Zi Di’s exposure and doom.
"Calm down, calm down." Zi Di forced herself to remain rational and calm her emotions.
The squad leader had left early, and the vice captain had also fallen.
The merchant lady could now only rely on herself.
"The likes of Fat Tongue have even weaker combat power, they also need me..."
"So, can I just fight my way out?"
Zi Di assessed her combat strength.
"I’m a Black Iron Level Undead Mage, not strong in combat myself."
"Among the undead methods, the Mouse Ghost and Snake Ghost only have the advantage in the Undead Faction for reconnaissance, not effective for combat."
"My real combat strength is still in that set of Silver Level Ice Statue Ghosts."
"Alas... it would be great if we could complete that incomplete Golden Level Ice Statue Ghost."
The alchemy puppet of the Ice Statue Ghost model was acquired by Zi Di and Zong Ge’s group after killing Jia Bing.
Several Ice Statue Ghosts were imbued with the Deception and Disguise Skill, achieving ’invisibility’, once rescuing Zi Di in dire situations.
Can it work this time?
Zi Di shook her head.
Faced with the Lijian family, she lacked confidence.
Previously, the Ice Statue Ghosts performed well in the Purple Vine Shop, mainly due to the surprise attack advantage, catching the enemy off guard. Yet, even so, Zi Di was still transported to the laboratory below the Ice Lake.
If it weren’t for Elder Yuan Ci’s rescue, Zi Di would have been in significant danger.
Now, the Lijian family had directly taken action, placing Zi Di, Zong Ge, and the others under soft detention.
With the enemies taking her seriously, how much can the Ice Statue Ghosts achieve?
"Zong Ge, if you don’t wake up soon, it’ll be too late." Zi Di attempted to tear open a Healing Scroll to treat Zong Ge.
It had no effect.
Zi Di had tried this before.
Now it was still the same.
The healing Spell power smoothly permeated Zong Ge’s body, but there was no positive response.
"Zong Ge is surrounded by a layer of mysterious Divine Power."
"This Divine Power is protecting him, suppressing all his previous hidden dangers."
"The Divine Power shield does not block healing magic at all, but any slight harm to Zong Ge triggers the defensive and retaliatory mechanisms of the Divine Power shield."
Zi Di sighed inwardly.
Compared to before, she now knew more.
"This is a trick by the Lijian family."
"The problem stems from those bottles of Worry Relief Red Wine."
"But Zong Ge’s situation doesn’t seem to be a disastrous event... "
Zi Di conjectured this reasoning due to the Magic Contract.
She had signed a cooperation contract with the Lijian family, where neither side could harm the other, or else the contract’s backlash would be triggered.
The contract was signed directly with the Lijian family Clan Leader Mian licang.
Although Zi Di was just a low-level mage, she had enough insight to know the contract was strong and difficult to breach.
"Unless Mian licang has some peculiar method to unilaterally dissolve the contract."
"But even if that’s the case, if the contract is unilaterally dissolved, even if it becomes void, I would still sense it."
"The current state of Zong Ge seems beneficial to him. This was also the meaning conveyed by the Lijian family housekeeper previously."
"So, this doesn’t count as a breach of the cooperation contract, just that its current side effects are significant."
Zi Di fell into rapid contemplation.
The Lijian family’s soft detention brought her potential deadly harm.
Having failed once again to awaken Zong Ge, Zi Di could only look for other means of escape.
"Should I contact Elder Yuan Ci? Perhaps he has a way?" Previously, Zi Di, acting as the Ghost Vine Mage, had contacted Elder Yuan Ci of the Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce.
But immediately, Zi Di slightly shook her head.
This approach was not reliable.
Besides, Elder Yuan Ci wasn’t someone Zi Di fully trusted, inviting him to the rescue would expose many of Zi Di’s secrets. Not just the identity of the Ghost Vine Mage, but also the connections between the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps and Zi Di.
"Does Elder Yuan Ci truly have a way to contend with the Lijian family?"
"He himself is only Silver Level."
"His ability to evade the empire’s spies mainly relies on the Ice Sculpture Royal Capital itself, and dwelling in the Ten-thousand-year-old Ice Lake for years."
Zi Di looked around: "No, the biggest obstacle is the Lijian family’s surveillance!"
"This time, I tried to escape with a newly augmented Deception and Disguise Skill, yet it was still intercepted."
"If I contact Elder Yuan Ci, can it be undetected by the Lijian family?"
The answer was negative.
Zi Di was still unable to detect any signs of surveillance.
She had to admit: the Lijian family had formidable capabilities in monitoring!
"The Lijian family’s alchemy technique isn’t outstanding, otherwise, they wouldn’t engage in heavy collaboration with us in the field of Magic Potion Alchemy."
"Perhaps this surveillance method utilizes the Inner World bloodline?"
The Inner World bloodline is known for its spatial properties and is the foundation of the Lijian family’s survival.
Without breaking or countering this surveillance method, contacting Yuan Ci would be extremely foolish.
To deal with the surveillance directed against her side, Zi Di was currently at a loss where to start.
She herself lacked confidence in this regard.
Yet time waits for no one!
After a brief silence, Zi Di thought of another method: "Perhaps I should use that guy, Jiu Jin?"
Elder Jiu Jin of the Alchemy Guild had once been sponsored by the Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce. In previous negotiations, Jiu Jin had been caught in Zi Di’s grip, forced to comply, and even offered guidance to Zi Di.
Zi Di was well-prepared, which allowed her to pass the first stage of the Warm Snow Cup smoothly.
But due to her excellent performance, she also triggered the vigilance of the Lijian family, which then pressured Zi Di to concede voluntarily, laying out exclusive cooperation terms.
Contacting Elder Jiu Jin could be positive for Zi Di.
Even if the surveillance issue was unresolved, it wouldn’t matter.
"In fact, I had constrained Jiu Jin right here."
"The Lijian family clearly understood Zong Ge’s situation, knowing from the start that Elder Jiu Jin was under my control."
"They would definitely take precautions in this regard."
"Moreover, given Elder Jiu Jin’s power and status in the Alchemy Guild, how much Guild strength can he mobilize to aid me?"
"Upon learning my real situation, would he genuinely assist with full force?"
Zi Di furrowed her brows, the more she analyzed, the more despair she felt.
The noose of death had already tightened around her neck, pressing a heavy stone upon her heart, increasing its weight constantly.
Racking her brains, Zi Di couldn’t think of a better plan.
Ultimately, there was only one path left.
"Should I surrender to the Lijian family?"
"Our side has a cooperative relationship with the Lijian family, deeply entangled in interests."
"The Lijian family’s reason for detaining us, aside from the Magic Contract, is their interest connection, prompting such attitudes and actions."
"If I fully relinquish interests, perhaps that could bring about Lijian family’s..."
Bang!
Suddenly, an explosion cut off Zi Di’s thoughts.
Zi Di quickly raised her head, swiftly moving to the balcony on the second floor.
In the next moment, her pupils contracted sharply, she saw a familiar enemy.
He had a slender figure, wore a Silver Fox Mask on his head, and dressed in a white robe embellished with various beautifully vibrant flowers. As he leaped and attacked, petals scattered gracefully, exuding a chilling killing intent amidst beauty.
It was Hua Tang!
"He’s attacking us again at this point in time; has news leaked?" Zi Di’s heart sank to the bottom, thinking of a possibility.
All along, she and Zong Ge had been holding out with difficulty, trying their best to display strength outwardly.
They had no choice but to do so.
The mysterious force was immensely powerful, with Golden Level adversaries seemingly emerging endlessly.
Only by showing strength to the enemy can we evoke fear, causing them to hesitate and not act easily.
But now, Hua Tang attacks again, seemingly indicating that this powerful and mysterious enemy has already discovered their weak nature.
"The Lijian family monitors us and uncovered my retreat."
"Could it be that there’s a planted mole here, leaking information quickly?"
"Wait, perhaps this is my chance to escape the control of the Lijian family?"
Zi Di’s heart stirred, sensing an opportunity amidst great risks.
"Yao Ma Mage, please rest assured. Even Hua Tang won’t be able to break through here!" The Noble Housekeeper pushed the door open and strode in.
He is the person in charge here, coming here to personally monitor Zi Di and Zong Ge.
The housekeeper of the Lijian family also walked to the balcony, stood beside Zi Di, and shouted below: "Hua Tang, you broke in once, do you want to break in a second time?"
"Do you really disregard the Lijian family? Then this time, let you pay a bloody price for your contempt."
As soon as he finished speaking, the array started.
A hemispherical light shield instantly formed, enclosing Hua Tang to prevent him from escaping.
In the next moment, a white ice wall coalesced, standing between Zi Di and Hua Tang.
A variety of Ice Magic spells, including Snowball Technique and Ice Arrow Technique, interwove into a firepower net, covering Hua Tang.
Hua Tang chuckled, golden fighting spirit rising from his body, performing defensive combat skills as he charged forward.
He withstood the dense magic attacks, rushing to the ice wall.
Golden Level combat skills were unleashed with ease, causing the ice wall to shake violently, cracks spreading rapidly across the surface.
The Noble Housekeeper’s expression changed: "Do you really think there’s no one in my clan?!"
As he spoke, some plots of the garden flipped over, forming numerous ground holes.
Transcendents continuously emerged from the ground holes.
This is the elite troop of the Lijian family—the Sky Armor Guards!
Unified equipment, consistent Inner World bloodline, paired with appropriate combat skills, make the Sky Armor Guards’ defense peculiar and outstanding.
Hua Tang’s Golden Level attack hit the Guards, only stirring spatial whirlpools on the surface of their equipment.
The whirlpools absorbed the attack and quickly calmed down.
The Sky Armor Guards are almost all at the Silver Level, more than twenty Silver Levels encircling Hua Tang layer by layer.
Hua Tang dodged left and right, moving agilely like a butterfly.
The Sky Armor Guards relied on their unique defense and their seamless coordination to maintain the encirclement.
Seeing this scene, the Noble Housekeeper smiled proudly at Zi Di: "Yao Ma Mage, as you can see, even if Hua Tang attacks, as long as my clan is fully prepared, it won’t matter."
Zi Di felt a chill in her heart.
The strength of this Sky Armor Guard troop is quite outstanding. Zi Di had just considered relying on her personal combat power to break through.
But now, she knows: even with her Ice Ghost supported by Deception and Disguise Skill, achieving "invisibility," the attacks launched by the Ice Ghost are ineffective against the Sky Armor Guards.
"Depending on my personal strength, it’s impossible to break through here. The Lijian family arranged this elite troop, clearly showing how much importance they attach to us."
Seeing Zi Di remain silent, the Noble Housekeeper looked at Hua Tang and shouted loudly: "Hua Tang, it’s okay that you succeeded last time. This time, it’s impossible for you to achieve anything."
"Leave quickly; the moment you attacked, the alert was triggered, and a large number of City Guards have already arrived!"
Hua Tang didn’t retreat; he suddenly laughed and said, "So that’s how it is."
He attacked again, with a clear change in his offensive this time.
After performing Golden Level combat skills, several consecutive offensives were formed.
The Sky Armor Guards could use the armor whirlpool to absorb the first offensive, barely absorb the second, but the third was difficult, and few could do it.
Thud, thud, thud...
The Sky Armor Guards spat blood one after another, and their formation fell into disarray.
Hua Tang didn’t seize the advantage but instead flew to the ice wall and struck it hard.
Crack...
First, cracks spread across the ice wall, then with a loud bang, it completely collapsed.
The Noble Housekeeper didn’t change his expression, maintaining his composure because, in an instant, a second ice wall formed, blocking Hua Tang.
"It’s Hua Tang!"
"Is it really Hua Tang?"
"Capture him, this would be a tremendous merit."
The City Guards arrived at the scene at this time.
The Noble Housekeeper’s previous words were not empty threats; there was indeed an alert directly linked to the City Guards.
Last time Hua Tang attacked, causing a great loss of face for the Lijian family. They learned and adapted from their defeat.
Unlike the predominantly Silver Level Sky Armor Guards, the leader of the City Guards is at the Golden Level.
"Hua Tang! I fear I can’t capture this big fish alone!" The Golden Level Commander knew his own limits and immediately orchestrated defenses upon arrival.
At the same time, he urgently contacted colleagues.
This is the Ice Sculpture Royal Capital, and there are eight commanders alone; there are more than eight Golden Levels in the City Guards!
The appearance of the City Guards let the Noble Housekeeper breathe a sigh of relief.
He was indeed under psychological pressure.
After all, the opponent is Hua Tang!
Seeing the scene of casualties below, the Noble Housekeeper reflected: "The Sky Armor Guards are ultimately only Silver Level, unable to stop Hua Tang. Just after such a short engagement, he found a solution to break through."
"But I don’t need to completely resist, just to stall for time, letting the City Guards come to rescue."
"Hua Tang is still Hua Tang, not an ordinary Golden Level."
Boom.
Another loud noise.
But it was caused by Hua Tang tossing an Alchemy Bomb.
In the fire and smoke raised by the bomb, Hua Tang retreated rapidly.
"Careful, he’s about to run!"
"Catch him, don’t let him escape!"
Members of the Lijian family and City Guards shouted in unison.
The Noble Housekeeper immediately controlled the light shield, enhancing its power to the maximum, attempting to hinder Hua Tang for some more time.
But in the next moment, the defensive magic array suddenly collapsed. The light shield fiercely trembled, and after a bout of chaos, quickly vanished.
Hua Tang disappeared directly, leaving only a few petals at the original spot.
"Damn!"
"What’s going on?"
"The array’s core is deep underground; was it attacked?"
"How did Hua Tang do it? Did he have accomplices?"
Just thinking this, the Noble Housekeeper’s face changed drastically, shouting in horror: "Not good!"
This was his last utterance.
In the next moment, Hua Tang appeared abruptly behind him, gently stabbing out the dagger in his hand.
Thud.
The Noble Housekeeper stood stiffly like a puppet, looking down at the dagger tip emerging from his chest.
Golden fighting energy rampaged through his body, recklessly tearing him apart.
The Noble Housekeeper’s eyes were wide open, lifeless!
This scene shocked everyone, including Zi Di, who stood beside the Housekeeper.
Danger!
As a mage, being engaged so closely by a fighter.
Moreover, Zi Di is only Black Iron Level, whereas Hua Tang is as high as Golden Level!
At the brink of life and death, Zi Di’s mind went blank with fear, instinctively wanting to use Undead Magic.
But Hua Tang’s dagger was already at her cheek.
No time!
In an instant, Zi Di felt as if she fell into an icy abyss, her body and mind filled with stillness and despair.
Time seemed to slow down at that moment.
Zi Di stared as the dagger fueled by golden fighting energy was about to pierce her eyes.
Clang.
A hand appeared abruptly, precisely grabbing the dagger.
The dagger stopped abruptly, its tip only a centimeter away from Zi Di’s eyes.
But Zi Di’s attention didn’t linger on the dagger.
She stared intensely at the suddenly appearing large hand.
This large hand was covered with dragon scales, strong and powerful, directly grasping the dagger, seemingly sparking a little friction.
How familiar!
"Could it be, could it be..."
Zi Di quickly shifted her gaze, following the large hand, her eyes moved past the strong, similarly covered with brown-red dragon scales arm.
Then, she saw the person.
The person she constantly yearned for.
Dragon-man youth!!