Chapter 277: Opening the Passage

Xu Chen probed his Divine Sense into the Storage Bracelet, counted all the Blue Space Crystals inside, and discovered there were two hundred and thirty-some in total.

Yet, there were hundreds of stone pillars on this massive array, so it was certainly impossible to install Space Crystals on all of them.

Moreover, this array had remained operational for countless years, indicating that the lifespan of the Space Crystals was extremely long. Once activated, it might be possible to enter through another connected Teleportation Array in the future, so he still needed to keep some on hand to activate the entry passage after he got out.

At present, Fourth Senior Brother Chen Yang, Lu An, and Zhong Hui were still in the valley, while he, Wang Daolin, and Guilingzi had been forced in here. Even if he left, he still needed to leave a way out for them; even if he couldn't take them with him this time, he would still find a way to rescue the three of them after he got out.

If the operation of this passage could be maintained for a long time, it might be possible to continuously transport Divine Blood Paste, Blood God Grass, and Space Crystals—specialties of Minghuang—out of Minghuang to strengthen the power of the Mortal World.

But Xu Chen did not know exactly how many Space Crystals were needed to activate the array for normal operation, so he could only test the results by installing the Space Crystals.

"I am starting to install the teleportation stones now. Daoist Friend Wang, keep a constant watch on the array and the surroundings. If there is any situation, remind me in time!" Xu Chen instructed Wang Daolin.

"Good, Daoist Friend Xu, rest assured. I will pay attention at all times and will certainly not let any situation slip by!"

Wang Daolin also knew that the hope of leaving was growing, so his body was trembling slightly with excitement, and he nodded repeatedly to give his assurance.

In the time that followed, Xu Chen quickly began installing the Space Crystals according to the array lines radiating from the first stone pillar he had just activated.

Wang Daolin stood in the center of the Altar, his emotions extremely agitated, while he also released his Divine Sense to carefully observe the Altar and its surroundings.

As more and more teleportation stones were installed, the red stone pillars began to flash with bright Ancient Rune light, and the entire array was slowly activated. Intersecting lines and a large number of Ancient Runes began to flicker across the entire stone platform.

A faint layer of red light began to shroud the entire Altar.

A grand, desolate, and thick aura slowly emanated from the array.

The tilted and sunken array began to slowly regain its balance and gradually float upward. The large amount of rubble scattered around was crushed into ash by the impact of this aura, pushed away for thousands of feet like a gray mist, resembling a dark gray ball of light enveloping the area around the Altar.

Xu Chen's mood grew increasingly excited.

He had already begun to feel the aura of the array in operation; it seemed as if a vague, circular Void gate was emerging in the center of the Altar.

"Daoist Friend Xu, the passage has appeared!" Wang Daolin stood in front of the illusory gate that was slowly emerging and roared with excitement.

"Roar~~"

"Ang~~"

It seemed that the appearance of this spatial gate and the violent spatial fluctuations had stimulated the two powerful Demon Beasts, causing them to let out earth-shattering roars and charge desperately toward the Altar.

True Monarch Guiling was already struggling to hold them off, so under the combined assault of the two Demon Beasts, he could only retreat continuously, and within a few breaths, he was forced to the edge of the Altar.

"Daoist Friend Xu, go first! This poor Daoist can barely hold on!" True Monarch Guiling roared.

Xu Chen had originally intended to rush into the spatial gate, but seeing the two enormous Demon Beasts acting with such a do-or-die momentum, a new thought suddenly occurred to him.

Even if the three of them rushed into the Teleportation Array, the two Demon Beasts would certainly follow them in. In that case, the three of them would never be able to shake off the pursuit of the two Demon Beasts. If he let these two Demon Beasts enter the Teleportation Array, could he send them away first?

Although this might also damage the Teleportation Array, based on his observations and deductions, this ancient Altar-like Teleportation Array was not easily destroyed.

If the news obtained from the Wind Clan was true, the experts who destroyed the teleportation passage when the human race retreated from Minghuang could be said to have truly heaven-destroying and earth-shattering power. They had broken such a large gap in the heaven-reaching mountains outside without destroying this Teleportation Array, which meant this array must have been the sturdiest building constructed by the human race at that time.

Moreover, he still wanted to take Chen Yang and the others out together.

After all, it was hard to say if there would be another chance if they missed this one.

Once Xu Chen's mind was made up, he immediately transmitted his voice to True Monarch Guiling and Wang Daolin: "Let us clear the teleportation passage and let the two Demon Beasts enter first. That way, we will be safer."

True Monarch Guiling understood immediately, so he agreed without delay: "Good, you two leave the Altar first, I will let the two Demon Beasts come over!"

Thereupon, Xu Chen directly flicked the Shell Light and instantly flashed to a position several hundred feet away from the Altar.

Although Wang Daolin hesitated about whether to rush in ahead of time, because the path ahead was unknown and there were two Demon Beasts he could not contend with at all, he gritted his teeth and flashed through the Void to leave the Altar.

"Boom~"

After True Monarch Guiling's Primordial Spirit released a powerful Magic Spell attack, he vanished from the edge of the Altar in one step.

The two Demon Beasts, having lost their obstruction, actually lunged toward the center of the Altar simultaneously, and they landed in front of the illusory teleportation passage almost at the same time.

However, the large snake was clearly stronger; its body, over a hundred feet long, coiled, and its giant tail swept the tiger away. Hissing, it plunged headfirst into the teleportation passage.

The tiger lashed its tail and roared, raising its giant claws to tear several long wounds into the large snake, and then it also lunged into the teleportation passage.

"Ang~"

Accompanied by the tiger's roar, amidst the lingering echoes, a sky-filling spray of blood erupted in front of the illusory teleportation passage, and the two powerful giant beasts vanished without a trace in an instant.

"Whew~~"

Standing in the Void, Xu Chen let out a long breath, flicked the Shell Light, and flashed back onto the Altar.

The figures of True Monarch Guiling and Wang Daolin also appeared beside Xu Chen one after the other.

The three looked at each other and saw the excited yet relieved smiles in each other's eyes.

"Senior, the two Demon Beasts left through the Teleportation Array and will likely appear in the Mortal World, perhaps in the Yelang Ancient Kingdom. The array looks stable for now, so we are not in a hurry to leave; otherwise, I fear it will be another great battle. I suggest we first find a way to go out, bring my senior brother, Lu An, and Zhong Hui all here, and then leave together."

Wang Daolin hurriedly said: "Going back and forth like this, I fear it will only attract more powerful Demon Beasts, making it even more dangerous."

True Monarch Guiling hesitated for a moment and nodded: "That is true, but we do not know where this exit is at the moment, which is somewhat difficult."

Xu Chen thought for a moment and said: "Although I am not clear about the structure of this Teleportation Array, I can roughly determine the position where we entered earlier, so I imagine it won't be too far off. Besides, I still have some teleportation stones on me, which can be used to continue activating more of the array's functions. Perhaps we can also determine the passage connecting to the Fog Zone, so there will be no problems entering or exiting."

True Monarch Guiling did not hesitate this time and nodded: "Let us follow Daoist Friend Xu's arrangement. Find the exit first, I will go back to pick up the people, and you two stay here to guard the passage!"

Xu Chen felt a sudden sense of relief.

He had been afraid that True Monarch Guiling, like Wang Daolin, would be unwilling to take the Fourth Senior Brother and the others along.

But fortunately, True Monarch Guiling's magnanimity was indeed very great.

Furthermore, he also knew that True Monarch Guiling would indeed be taking a huge risk on this trip.

Because the entrance where they came in was already at least a hundred miles deep into the white fog, and the way back was actually completely without a clue. Once they were thoroughly lost, it would not be easy to return to the valley with the gap. Perhaps, while wandering aimlessly in the white fog, they would encounter more and more formidable Demon Beasts, and it was possible they would lose their lives out there.

Now that they were almost certain they could escape, taking the risk to save three people who had almost nothing to do with him was truly a tall order.

As for Wang Daolin's attitude, both of them chose to ignore it.

Because this fellow could be said to be extremely selfish and self-interested; once they got out, he would definitely go his own way.

It was even uncertain whether this fellow would cause trouble or kick them while they were down after getting out.

Although Xu Chen was indifferent by nature and disliked intrigue and schemes, from his daily interactions, he felt this fellow was not a good person.

However, it was true that Wang Daolin had performed a great service today; it was his profound knowledge that allowed Xu Chen to find the correct method to activate the Teleportation Array.

Since Xu Chen and True Monarch Guilingzi would not leave, Wang Daolin did not dare to enter the teleportation passage alone ahead of time, so the three of them returned together to the location where they had first arrived, and by activating the spatial ripples of the Nether Beast skull, they searched the Void carefully; sure enough, not long after, the exit passage was found and opened once again.

Thus, Xu Chen placed the Nether Beast skull into a Space Crystal and handed it to True Monarch Guilingzi, letting him go out to fetch the others.

Very quickly, True Monarch Guilingzi departed.

Xu Chen and Wang Daolin then returned once more to the teleportation platform.

The two stood in front of the illusory teleportation passage, and when they probed it with their Divine Sense, they found that it was like a clay ox entering the sea; apart from pitch-black darkness, they could not sense anything inside at all, as if they had entered the absolute Void.

Of course, they also did not feel any danger.

The two powerful Demon Beasts did not know where they had been sent.

"Does Daoist Friend Wang have any interest in going out ahead of time to test it?" Xu Chen's expression was incomparably sincere, but in reality, it carried a tone of incitement.

Wang Daolin was by nature much more cunning than Xu Chen, so how could he be fooled? He hurriedly shook his head and said, "It is better not to test it; it is most appropriate to wait until Senior Guilingzi arrives and we all leave together."

Xu Chen changed the subject with a hint of regret, saying, "What are your plans, Daoist Friend Wang, after going out this time?"

Wang Daolin gave a dry laugh and said, "Naturally, I will return to my sect first. In the blink of an eye, fifty years have passed since I fell in here; my sect must surely think I have long since died. This time, I was fortunate to meet Daoist Friend Xu, otherwise I really would have died in this godforsaken place. However, Daoist Friend Xu, rest assured, once we are out, I will certainly present a generous gift of thanks to express my gratitude for saving my life."

Xu Chen waved his hand and said, "There is no need for a gift of thanks. I am actually quite interested in the Peach Blossom Immortal Brew made by your junior sister, Daoist Friend Wang. If you could send me a few jars when the time comes, I would be very happy!"

Wang Daolin immediately patted his chest and said, "Daoist Friend Xu, rest assured about this. A mere few jars of Spirit Wine is naturally not a problem; I will send them to the Taiyuan Sect as soon as I return to the mountain."

"Haha, then I shall wait quietly at the Taiyuan Sect for your good news, Daoist Friend Wang!" Xu Chen laughed heartily, and the two seemed to tacitly agree not to mention the topic of who would leave first again.

(End of this chapter)