Chapter 1114: Jiang Jiang Qinge, Wu Changkong

In the dim mountain forest, the moment Ning Meng spoke those words, a tremendous, astonishing light phase power erupted from within her body like a storm, sweeping outward.

At the same time, the light phase power gathered high in the sky, forming a massive illustrated record. Within that record flowed endless light, and amid the light appeared a mysterious giant beast, black and white in color. The beast let out a low, rumbling roar that caused even the heavens and earth to tremble.

The dim, gloomy aura that had originally permeated the mountain forest was completely swept away under the illumination of this tremendous light phase power.

The eyes of those shadowy figures carrying black coffins shifted slightly at this moment, because at this instant they sensed a terrifying pressure emanating from the adorable, bright-eyed girl before them.

This pressure was actually several degrees stronger than even the Blood Coffin People within their "Ghost Coffin Sect."

"Mid-ninth grade, Light-Chasing Beast Phase."

The masked woman holding the Green Bamboo Green Snake Staff gazed at the Light-Chasing Beast illustrated record spanning the empty sky. Judging by this scale, Ning Meng's "Heavenly Phase Record" had probably exceeded nine thousand zhang—what astonishing foundations.

In the Da Tian Xiang Jing, one's own phase nature becomes increasingly aligned with the heavens and earth, and thus can be manifested externally, channeling and drawing even vaster energies of heaven and earth to empower oneself. If the hallmark of the Xiao Tian Xiang Jing is the "Heavenly Phase Jin Yin," then the hallmark of the Da Tian Xiang Jing is this so-called "Heavenly Phase Record."

A cold, sinister light swirled in the masked woman's eyes, harboring killing intent within. Ning Meng's strength was indeed terrifying, but coming alone was rather overconfident.

Should they kill her here?

The masked woman was calculating in her heart—if they were to seize this chance to slay Ning Meng on the spot, what price would they have to pay.

After weighing it for several breaths, she gently shook her head in her heart. Now was not a good time to confront her, and Ning Meng had made such a huge commotion that the other squads from the two ancient academies were probably already rushing over at top speed.

Better to wait until they entered the "Human-Skin Banner Plains" ahead before seeking an opportunity. By then, the "Evil Yao Sect" would be their good ally.

Having made her decision, the masked woman lightly waved her hand, signaling a retreat.

"Trying to leave?!"

Seeing this, Ning Meng merely giggled. She tapped her toe, the ground collapsed with a boom, and her figure leapt a hundred zhang into the air. The massive "Light-Chasing Beast Record" in the sky sent down a tremendous pillar of light, within which was contained astonishing light energy.

The tremendous energy landed on the great club in Ning Meng's hands, and at the same time a terrifying physical force erupted from within her petite frame.

With the two forces empowering her body, the great club in her hands became like the Halberd of the Light God, transforming into a flood of light that descended upon the shadowy figures carrying black coffins in the mountain forest.

The hearts of the many Black Coffin People chilled. They placed their palms on the coffin boards behind them, as if about to release what lay within.

However, the masked woman holding the Green Bamboo Green Snake Staff struck first. From her palm, billowing black smoke howled forth—the smoke was viscous and chilling, and within it seemed to slither some kind of eerie creature.

The black smoke flowed, threading through like a giant serpent, enveloping all the Black Coffin People within it.

Then the black smoke rapidly sank downward, merging directly into the ground and vanishing eerily.

At this moment, the flood of light came crashing down, carrying terrifying force.

Boom, boom!

The entire mountain range shook violently at this moment. Half the mountain forest collapsed along with it. At the source of the collapse, a great club stood ramrod straight, with cracks spreading outward like a spiderweb.

Ning Meng's slender figure descended from the sky, landing on a broken rock. Holding a bamboo cup in one hand, she bit the straw and took a big slurping gulp before saying with some regret: "They ran really fast."

The enemy's method of retreat was extremely bizarre—even an attack of her range had failed to stop them.

Ning Meng stretched out her hand, and the great club in the distance transformed into a streak of light that shot back, accompanied by a piercing sonic boom as it landed in her hand, and she hung it behind her.

At this moment, a great wave of breaking wind sounds came from the distance, and one figure after another kept piercing through the air to arrive.

"Big Sis, we finally found you!"

"What happened here?!"

These were the squads that the Holy Light Ancient Academy had gathered in this region. They landed around Ning Meng, gazing in astonishment at the collapsed mountain forest.

Ning Meng glanced at them, then said with some disappointment: "Jiang Qinge didn't come to this side?"

The Holy Light Ancient Academy students before her all shook their heads.

"What about Ah Yu? Without Jiang Qinge I can only look for her." Ning Meng asked.

The students present all forced bitter smiles. Without Jiang Qing, you only now think of looking for Yin Yue Zhiyu. It's a good thing she's not here, or her nose would be crooked from anger.

"Sigh, forget it then."

Seeing this, Ning Meng could only sigh and say: "I just discovered a group of strange people here. After entering the 'Great Plains' ahead, all of you be careful. From them, I sensed an aura of danger."

Hearing Ning Meng's intelligence, the expressions of some squad captains present also turned solemn. Although Ning Meng was usually somewhat lazy, no one had the slightest doubt about her abilities. Since even she said she sensed an aura of danger, the enemy must be no trivial matter.

But what puzzled them was—how could another group of mysterious people have appeared in this Little Chentian?

This mission was truly becoming increasingly unfathomable.

On a towering cliff, many figures had gathered here, clearly squads from the two ancient academies.

Wu Changkong stood at the edge of the cliff. Beside him, quite a few figures had clustered, and at this moment his gaze was fixed ahead with a hint of solemnity. Ahead lay a vast basin, and at its center sat a massive city shrouded in thick white fog. The city stood quietly within, like a fierce beast emanating an aura of death.

"Brother Wu, this place looks really sinister. This time we all have to rely on you." A squad captain from another team withdrew his wary gaze from the city in the distant basin, then said respectfully to Wu Changkong.

The other squads also chimed in one after another.

Wu Changkong revealed a gentle smile and soothed: "We all share the same goal, so we must certainly work together with one heart. Rest assured, within the limits of my ability, I will definitely keep everyone safe."

Everyone present was moved to tears of gratitude upon hearing this.

Standing beside Wu Changkong, the pretty woman named Xu Xi felt the reverent gazes from those around her directed at Wu Changkong, and a sense of shared glory welled up in her heart. Then, with some admiration, she said to Wu Changkong: "Brother Changkong, once this mission is complete, you'll surely be able to claim first place on the Merit Leaderboard."

Wu Changkong smiled and said: "Don't underestimate the others. Ning Meng, the chief of Holy Light Ancient Academy, possesses a mid-ninth grade Light-Chasing Beast Phase. In terms of attributes, she actually has more of an advantage here than me. And then there's the current first place on the Merit Leaderboard..."

Thinking of that first place on the Merit Leaderboard—the girl named Jiang Jiang Qinge—Wu Changkong could not help but sigh and say: "It's said that this one possesses a dual ninth-grade Light Phase. Truly unmatched in this world. I wonder where Holy Light Ancient Academy found her."

"Dual ninth-grade Light Phase..." Xu Xi could not help but be somewhat shaken, because she knew clearly what terrifying talent this was. Even though she had always admired Wu Changkong, she had to admit that even he fell short of the other by a large margin in this regard.

While they were speaking, a sudden stir arose at the cliff. Many figures cast gazes of extreme amazement toward the rear.

Wu Changkong was also drawn by this commotion, so he turned his gaze toward the rear—and then his expression froze abruptly at this moment.

Within that crowd, a team walked in. At the head of the team, an absolutely beautiful figure drew every gaze. She was like an angel of light, dazzling and eye-catching. Her exquisite face was like a flawless gemstone, and her golden pupils swirled with a mysterious, profound luster that made one unable to stop their gaze from sinking into them.

As the chief of Tianyuan Ancient Academy, Wu Changkong had naturally seen many outstanding women, but at this moment, he was still astonished by the dazzling aura emanating from the girl before him.

Especially when he heard the exclamations from some Holy Light Ancient Academy students around him, the shock in his heart turned into a momentary daze.

"She's that Jiang Jiang Qinge with the dual ninth-grade Light Phase?!"

A gleam surged in Wu Changkong's eyes, because he discovered that his heart, which had always had extremely high standards, seemed to have palpitated—most rarely—at this moment.

Some people's excellence truly can dazzle one at first glance.

Wu Changkong attributed this subtle palpitation to a mutual attraction between outstanding individuals.

Wu Changkong's thoughts churned as he recalled his own great-grandfather Wu Yu, who held high hopes for him and had repeatedly admonished him in the past that any woman he took a fancy to in the future must obtain the family's approval before she could enter the Wu family's doors.

Their Wu family had two Kings presiding over it, and even in Outer Shenzhou they counted as a prominent faction; this threshold was not one that just any woman could cross.

In the past, Wu Changkong had not given much thought to matters between men and women. Even with someone like Xu Xi beside him, he had not the slightest interest in her, having approached her entirely on account of her rare support-type. But now, the moment he first laid eyes on this Jiang Jiang Qinge, Wu Changkong's heart could not help but stir.

If it were her, then even his own lofty great-grandfather would probably beam with joy and praise his abilities lavishly, wouldn't he?

Thinking these things in his heart, Wu Changkong could not help but let out a self-mocking laugh, because he understood that in that very first glance he had already been awestruck by her talent and beauty—otherwise, how could these inexplicable notions have arisen?

Wu Changkong's gaze shifted, then he swiftly gathered the brilliance in his eyes, and proactively stepped forward to meet the girl in the direction she was walking. On his handsome, valiant face, he revealed a gentle smile.

"I never expected to be so fortunate as to encounter Junior Jiang, first on the Merit Board, here. I am Wu Changkong of Tianyuan Ancient Academy. With Junior Jiang's assistance, I trust our upcoming mission will be completed with ease."

With a warm smile, he extended a friendly hand toward Jiang Jiang Qinge.

However, Jiang Jiang Qinge did not extend her hand. She merely cast a calm glance at Wu Changkong, gave a slight nod, then walked past him and came to the cliff's edge to survey the enormous city in the basin below.

Wu Changkong showed no change in expression at Jiang Jiang Qinge brushing past him; his smile remained gentle, unhurried and unruffled. At the same time, in his heart he actually began to feel a certain anticipation for the upcoming mission.

After all, only in danger could one quickly draw closer.

Jiang Jiang Qinge was extraordinarily outstanding, her radiance so dazzling it even stung his eyes a little, but he did not feel inferior as ordinary men would; instead, a soaring battle spirit arose within him.

Because Wu Changkong likewise believed in his own excellence.

So Wu Changkong once again walked toward Jiang Jiang Qinge, intending to use the exchange of mission intelligence as a pretext to have more interaction and learn more about her.

But just at that moment, Jiang Jiang Qinge also turned her head. Those mysterious, deep golden pupils looked toward Wu Changkong, and her crimson lips parted slightly as she said, "Chief Wu Changkong, may I ask you about a person?"

Wu Changkong said enthusiastically, "Junior Jiang, please speak freely. If I know, I will tell you everything."

On Jiang Jiang Qinge's exquisitely beautiful face, a clearly visible shade of longing surfaced at this moment, and she said softly, "His name is Li Luo. This time he entered Lesser Chentian together with Tianyuan Ancient Academy."

"He is my fiancé."

The enthusiastic smile on Wu Changkong's face instantly froze, as if it had met a glacial current ten thousand years old.