CHAPTER 1904: CHAPTER 1905: THE SECRET OF THE EARTH’S CORE

"Troublesome woman."

Yang Qianyan’s gaze towards Xu Nanzhi turned completely cold.

Xu Nanzhi’s displayed strength, temperament, and intelligence far exceeded Yang Qianyan’s imagination for this suddenly appeared Ancient Clan Saintess.

Of course, the most surprising thing for him was that even when he mentioned Su Chengyu, who was obviously Xu Nanzhi’s weakness, she still didn’t show the slightest flaw and saw through his real intentions at a glance.

"Qianxing, what now?"

With the plan in ruins, Mo Ningchen also retreated and stood beside Yang Qianyan.

They were once equal Saint Envoys, but after completely defecting from Xia Country, a clear hierarchy naturally formed between him and Yang Qianyan.

After all, he was leading Yang Chengyin’s own son, and the only son taken from the Capital City.

"No choice left, let’s join forces for a direct breakthrough."

This was the option Yang Qianyan least wanted to choose, as it was the path Xu Nanzhi had actively given them.

Even though Bei Tang Qian Xiao on the opposing side was a drag, Yang Qianyan had no idea how long it would take to break through the two’s interception.

A similar doubt existed in Xu Nanzhi’s heart as well.

Compared to Yang Qianyan, Xu Nanzhi had a more definite timeframe in mind.

On the premise of keeping Bei Tang Qian Xiao safe, the limit was roughly the time it takes for three incense sticks to burn.

This timeframe was neither long nor short, but for Xu Nanzhi, the critical question was whether this time was sufficient for Yu Shuang to find an entry point in the swamp and establish a connection with Yu Yanshu.

Bang!

As both parties had made up their minds with no further calculations, the four figures intertwined.

Bei Tang Qian Xiao, whose realm was a notch below the other three, had to rely on the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder to navigate with effort, trying not to hold back while posing some threat to Yang Qianyan and Mo Ningchen.

In the front, nearly single-handedly, Xu Nanzhi was the one truly halting the two’s advance.

On the other end, feeling the momentum entirely changed behind, Yu Shuang realized the four had formally started combat, prompting her to hasten her actions.

As the sword momentum, which had locked her for a long time, closed in, Yu Shuang dispelled the technique concealing her aura, and in the next second, countless forms of sword momentum rushed toward her.

"Bring it on!"

With Bei Tang Qian Xiao’s determined gaze flashing through her mind, Yu Shuang temporarily put aside her inner confusion. At this moment, she wanted nothing more than to quickly establish a connection with the master of this array, Yu Yanshu, using the Heavenly Gang Divine Wind acquired from the Earth Core Lotus as her medium!

When the Wind Blade collided with the sword momentum carrying the Heavenly Dao Breath, it almost instantly dissipated completely after the clash with the Sword Qi.

Yu Shuang’s Divine Sense threaded through every opening nearby, attempting to find the consciousness controlling the sword momentum behind it all.

Yet, the chaotic sword momentum was like countless tangled threads. Yu Shuang tried to untangle them, only to find the calculations far exceeded her capacity to handle.

She clenched both fists, biting down on her lower lip.

Having found no breakthrough method, Yu Shuang fell into utter despair.

She desperately wished she were an Earth Immortal, able to break this array with Earth Immortal level might.

But achieving Earth Immortal, such a feat, looking through Xia Country’s thousand-year history, besides Ye Qingci, who else had done it?

With no breakthrough in sight, impatience stirred within Yu Shuang, and the gentle flow of mana in her body began to become chaotic.

Completely absorbed in the array, Yu Shuang failed to notice she was only a step away from succumbing to inner demons.

"Number Five? Are you there?"

The voice suddenly echoing deep inside her stunned Yu Shuang.

To hear from Bei Tang Qian Xiao immediately, Yu Shuang directly linked the Earth Core Lotus’s message to her Sea of Consciousness, opening the pathway.

But she didn’t expect the first voice in her mind wouldn’t be from Bei Tang Qian Xiao.

"Are you Number Two?"

"Yeah, I was talking in the group just now, but no one responded. Everyone seems busy. I tried PMing to ask how you all are doing."

Looking at the sword momentum, Yu Shuang hesitated for a moment but still conveyed their situation to Number Two in the briefest terms.

"So you’re breaking the array now?"

Number Two was clearly surprised, not expecting Yu Shuang to open up at such a moment.

Though brief, the distraction could impact her focus.

"Yes, but I haven’t found a good way yet. Sorry, I’ll send the location later, if there’s nothing else..."

"Wait."

Number Two interjected as Yu Shuang was about to end the conversation.

Though not knowing the details of Yu Shuang’s current situation, from her tone and the fact that she was breaking the array while chatting privately, Number Two sensed the turmoil in her heart.

"What’s wrong? Anything else?"

"You’re very unsettled. Calm your mind, try to steady your state."

"I know, but..."

"Trust me, I can help you break the array."

Number Two’s undeniable voice cut off Yu Shuang’s words again.

Yu Shuang paused, then incredulously asked, "You can help me connect with Yu Yanshu?"

After a moment of silence, Number Two finally replied.

"Yes, I have a connection with that girl Yu Yanshu. To be honest, I witnessed her tribulation twice, so I have some insight into her power."

"Really?!"

"So, will you listen now?"

In distress, Yu Shuang took a deep breath, using the Heavenly Gang Divine Wind to blow away a batch of sword momentum, then retracted her aura, calming the restless mana within her.

"Alright, I’m listening."

"Yu Yanshu’s power is very special. Martial artists cultivate their bodies. Cultivators connect with heaven and earth. But she’s different. After seeing her tribulations twice, I had a bold guess. She might be the embodiment of the earth itself."

"What did you say?"

Yu Shuang was utterly shocked by Number Two’s words. She understood every word, but not the meaning they conveyed together.

How could a cultivator be the embodiment of the earth itself?

"Listen calmly. It’s a theory for me too, but I’ve found evidence to support it recently. Though Yu Yanshu seems ordinary, with unusual eyes, her power source is not just internal but connected with nature. I witnessed all local natural laws bending to her will twice. Even as an Earth Immortal, I can’t do that."

Listening, Yu Shuang said, "So this sword array is possibly built by her using Heaven and Earth Power. If she chooses to seal herself off, even as an Earth Immortal, I can’t break it."

"Right. So, Yang Qianyan may be wrong. The Demonic Path isn’t unaware of this place, but even their Earth Immortals can’t break the swamp array."

Desperate, Yu Shuang plopped on the ground, saying, "What should I do? If even Earth Immortals can’t do it, how can I find a breakthrough?"

"No, Number Five. Other Earth Immortals may fail, but we might succeed."

"Hmm?"