Chapter 144 – An Inescapable Trap

Volume 3: Rising Winds and Clouds

Wen Yu nodded at Kuangliu's explanation. He thoroughly approved of Lin Haifeng's approach.

Humanity had enjoyed peace for far too long. When the Demon Realm Gate opened, what awaited them would not be the end of the world in the conventional sense. It would be a devastating war-a War of Extermination.

How to wage it, what tactics to use, whether to attack or defend: Lin Haifeng had to consider all of those questions.

Now Peng Jun had given Yanjing Settlement an opportunity to rehearse, to put itself through the fire of battle. That experience would do a great deal to improve its fighting strength.

…

Xing had grown larger after reaching Level 5, but he had grown faster as well.

He shot toward Modu Settlement like a black arrow.

Even without using his full strength, he broke the sound barrier with ease.

Fortunately, Wen Yu and Kuangliu were powerful enough to keep their seats on his back despite the violent airflow.

Within a few hours, Modu Settlement came into distant view.

…

"They're here."

Peng Jun and Yang Pengguang were still sitting in the office. The moment Wen Yu and Kuangliu came within a hundred kilometers of Modu Settlement, Yang Pengguang learned their location through some unknown means.

"Just as expected."

Peng Jun nodded.

In Lin Haifeng's position, he too would have used the overwhelming individual strength of Sequence 2 and Sequence 3 to launch a decapitation strike.

At this stage, two Level 5 powerhouses were an utterly unstoppable force.

Unstoppable for Peng Jun, at least. For certain other beings, they were a simple problem to solve.

"Let's welcome them."

He pulled on a coat and headed out in their direction.

Yang Pengguang followed close behind. He took a peculiar object from his Spatial Ring and sent a mental message into it.

"The targets are almost here. Get ready."

…

The small black speck of Modu Settlement grew steadily larger. When Xing reached a point five kilometers from its walls, they could make out the entire place.

Its overall design resembled Yanjing Settlement, almost as though the same architect had laid out both. It was a little smaller, but that wasn't what mattered.

What mattered was the pair standing on the wall: Peng Jun and Yang Pengguang.

Wen Yu had been briefed on Peng Jun before they left and knew his face. Yang Pengguang's familiar aura confirmed the other man's identity.

But the two of them were far too calm…

Calm enough to make Wen Yu and Kuangliu distinctly uneasy.

Xing halted at a distance. Wen Yu studied the two men, then spoke to Kuangliu.

"What's going on? They look like they came out here to welcome us."

Kuangliu narrowed his eyes and looked them over. After a while, he shook his head.

"I don't get it either."

"So what now?"

Wen Yu couldn't tell whether the two men were attempting an Empty Fort Stratagem1 or whether Modu Settlement held a trap capable of killing them both.

After a long moment's thought, Kuangliu made up his mind.

"Stay here. I'll bring them back. If it really is a trap, decide for yourself whether to retreat or come help."

"All right."

Wen Yu nodded without hesitation.

Strictly speaking, this wasn't a mission. He was helping the Military as a favor, just as Kuangliu and Vermilion Bird would help him find a Divine Beast Species afterward.

Under those circumstances, Wen Yu wasn't going to put himself in danger. Kuangliu understood that perfectly. That was why he had offered to test the waters himself.

…

Kuangliu leaped from Xing's back and charged toward Modu Settlement on foot. Wen Yu narrowed his eyes, searching for any sign of a trap.

There was nothing.

Nothing at all.

Lightning erupted around Kuangliu. A vast White Tiger Phantom roared as he hurtled toward Peng Jun and Yang Pengguang on the wall.

He was fast…

Then Wen Yu saw Yang Pengguang take out a strange object.

His lips moved slightly, as though he were saying something.

And in the next instant…

A Silver Vortex appeared directly in front of Kuangliu and sucked him inside.

"A Treasure Land entrance?!"

Wen Yu cried out in disbelief as both Kuangliu and the silvery vortex vanished.

His eyesight was excellent. The thing that had just "sucked Kuangliu away" was unmistakably a Treasure Land entrance.

It had disappeared the instant it took him.

Peng Jun stood on the wall, nodding toward Wen Yu. Frowning, Wen Yu patted Xing's back.

"Go. We're heading back!"

There was no mistaking it now. This was a trap.

Somehow, Peng Jun and Yang Pengguang could open Treasure Lands at will.

Wen Yu decided to get out while he could.

But after planning this for so long, how could Peng Jun let him escape?

…

"Send him in too," Peng Jun said calmly.

"Why not play with him a little first? Guardian No. 1 has broad enough authority to send him in even if he flies a few hundred kilometers away."

Yang Pengguang's eyes lit up. He clearly liked his own suggestion.

Peng Jun shook his head.

"We may be enemies, but showing respect for the strong is a matter of basic character. You should adjust your attitude. This wasn't your achievement. It was Guardian No. 1's. When you can beat him head-on, then you can put on that smug face."

Yang Pengguang clenched his teeth, looking a little put out. He sent another mental message into the item in his hand.

A moment later, a Treasure Land entrance nearly ten meters high appeared out of nowhere at Wen Yu's position.

He had no time even to react before it sucked him inside, leaving Xing hovering there, bewildered and uncertain what to do.

After a moment, purple light flashed. The Soul Realm Space pulled Xing back in.

Peng Jun smacked his lips at the sight.

"The authority those Guardians have really is useful!"

…

"Ding! Welcome to the large-scale Treasure Land-the Demon-Suppressing Tower!"

"For detailed information about this Treasure Land, please consult the Stone Platform beside the Demon-Suppressing Tower."