Zhou Muxi's Hidden Card, Failed Escape

"Do you know what the power of laws is?"

The Blood God raised the dagger in his hand. The blood-red blade emitted a thread of aura so faint that it could barely be detected.

Even though it was just a barely perceptible wisp, the moment it appeared, the Blood God’s entire aura underwent a monstrous transformation. A dense, overwhelming killing intent flooded the space, nearly drowning everyone present.

In everyone’s vision, there was nothing but blood-red slaughter. Their eyes turned scarlet, their minds consumed by endless bloodlust.

Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!

“Break!”

Zhou Muxi’s voice rang out. Several golden dragons once again charged forth from the imperial seal, roaring as they shattered the boundless killing intent. The group’s eyes cleared, as if waking from a nightmare, gasping heavily.

“What just happened?!”

“Is this the means of a quasi-emperor?”

Zhou Muxi’s face was pale. “Everyone, don’t be fooled by his voice. Focus all your strength on maintaining the supreme treasure and find a way out of here. As long as we have the providence treasure, he can’t do anything to us.”

Originally, Zhou Muxi had considered using the providence treasure to test whether they could challenge a quasi-emperor. But now, she realized a quasi-emperor was a quasi-emperor. As a cultivator who had just stepped into the Sage King realm, challenging such an existence was still premature.

“Although he has only barely touched the threshold of the Law of Killing, for cultivators who have no understanding of laws at all, that’s enough to crush them outright.

This providence treasure is powerful, but it is ultimately just an artifact. In the hands of a mere Sage King, it cannot unleash its full potential.

Little Friend Mo, escaping won’t be easy.”

Mr. Yun’s voice reached Mo Tianxiao’s ears.

Mo Tianxiao’s expression darkened. “It seems I wasn’t cautious enough. If I’d known, I would have prepared better before coming here.”

I can’t be so reckless next time, Mo Tianxiao reminded himself.

“Young Lady Zhou, it seems you’re determined to resist until the very end.”

The Blood God looked at the pale-faced group squirming like ants, feeling an immense satisfaction.

“Resist? Do you really think this is all I’ve got?”

Zhou Muxi waved her hand, and a talisman-like sheet of paper shot out, hovering above the group. Golden runes swirled on its surface, radiating a powerful energy fluctuation.

“Fall back!”

Zhou Muxi reluctantly threw out the golden sheet, then withdrew the imperial seal and dashed toward the edge of the formation, shouting loudly to warn the others.

Without hesitation, Mo Tianxiao grabbed Huang Xiaoyao and Yun Sangyi—the two little liabilities—and followed Zhou Muxi in full retreat.

The next instant, the golden paper erupted with brilliant light. Even the faintest leakage of its energy tore the surrounding space to shreds, unleashing an overwhelming pressure.

Snapping out of their shock, the others followed Zhou Muxi’s lead and fled.

The Blood God narrowed his eyes. “Do you think you can escape?”

Glancing at the golden paper, his dagger was once again coated with a thin layer of the Law of Killing. “Let me see what this pathetic scrap of paper can do.”

Boom!!

The moment the Blood God finished speaking, the golden paper shattered completely. An explosive burst of golden energy condensed into a fist vast enough to engulf the entire Blood God Palace. Wrapped in a trace of law power and a terrifying aura of destruction, it locked onto him.

The enormous golden fist slammed down. Wherever it passed, the fabric of space collapsed inch by inch.

“Hmph!”

The Blood God snorted coldly, channeling his power at full force. He gripped his dagger and thrust it upward.

Bang!!

The two immense forces collided violently, creating a devastating energy storm. The stalwart quasi-emperor-grade defensive formation of the Blood God Palace wobbled precariously. Within minutes, it disintegrated into fragments of light.

Meanwhile, Zhou Muxi hurriedly activated the providence treasure to shield Mo Tianxiao and the others, but the blast sent them flying.

After a while, the group crawled out of the black desert.

“We have to leave now. That attack won’t kill him.”

Zhou Muxi didn’t hesitate. She picked a random direction and started running.

With the blood moon taken back by the Blood God, they could no longer determine their bearings. All they could do was put as much distance as possible.

Mo Tianxiao and the others didn’t waste a moment, sprinting for their lives.

“Sister Muxi, what was that move just now? It actually managed to hold off the Blood God.”

As he ran with his head down, Mo Tianxiao asked curiously.

“A contingency my father left for me. I didn’t expect I’d actually have to use it. That Blood God—he doesn’t care at all about the forces behind us. He’s dead set on burying everyone here. If we can’t find the exit before he catches up, we’ll all die in this place.”

Hearing that, Chen Fanzhu and Lu Ye exchanged a glance and remained silent.

Zhou Muxi continued, “You’re not actually believing what the Blood God said, are you? Being turned into his avatar is no different from being a puppet or a corpse. If any of you want to survive that way, you can stay and wait for him to catch up.”

“Sister Muxi, what are you saying? Even if I die, I’m not becoming some other person’s avatar!”

“Exactly! I’m going to become a real dragon someday. This Blood God—hah, let him off this time. Once I become a true dragon, I’ll come back and settle the score!” Ao Dalong was defiant.

Wasn’t it just a quasi-emperor? All high-and-mighty like that old geezer in the Chaotic Star Sea? What was so impressive about it?

Zhou Muxi’s face showed a hint of guilt. “This is my fault. I dragged you all into this, getting you hunted too.”

“It’s fine, we’re not dead yet, are we? The path of cultivation—every step is rough and bumpy. Nine deaths, ten deaths—I’ve seen plenty of hopeless situations. This is nothing.”

Mo Tianxiao shrugged it off. Though he felt a little tense inside, he could still handle it.

Probably because he’d dealt with quasi-emperor-level opponents so often, he was already somewhat desensitized. Even being chased by one seemed acceptable now.

Zhou Muxi looked deeply at Mo Tianxiao, a touch of pity stirring in her heart. She hadn’t expected Sister Nan to be so level-headed.

Clearly, she had achieved her current strength by persevering through countless hardships. How many life-or-death trials must she have endured to stay this calm under a quasi-emperor’s pursuit?

The thought that she and her friends were in this danger because of her own actions filled Zhou Muxi with genuine guilt.

“Don’t worry, Sister Nan. As long as we get out of this cursed place, we’ll all make it out alive.” Zhou Muxi reassured her.

“This place seems to be completely under the Blood God’s control—no messages can be sent. Once we reach the surface, I can contact my father.”

Steward Li quickly chimed in, “Young lady, don’t worry. Before we came in, I already sent a message to King Zhou.”

Hearing that, Zhou Muxi’s face lit up. “That’s great! As long as we can stall until my father arrives, we’ll be safe.”

“At least someone here is reliable,” Mo Tianxiao thought, feeling relieved.

“Dream on,” came a cold voice. “But reality is harsh. I’ll deal with all of you before your father gets here. Then I’ll take my Blood God Palace and hide deep underground, where no one in the world will ever find me.”

Just as a flicker of hope began to rise in their hearts, the voice of the Blood God echoed in their ears. The Blood Moon hung high in the sky, once again looming directly above them.