A World Worth Protecting

Wang Baole’s expression remained unchanged when he heard what the Grand Supreme Elder said, but his heart dropped. Doubt arose in his mind. It seemed as if… there was another message hidden in Li Xingwen’s words.

It seemed like all mist and fog, but when coupled with a certain premise, everything seemed clear. The premise being… that Li Xingwen knew who the owner of the Dark Artifact was!

That’s impossible… Wang Baole felt slightly sheepish. He couldn’t help but think about Li Xingwen’s words with that premise in mind. With that in mind… it was clear that Li Xingwen was saying that the Dark Artifact’s owner must display overwhelming power that would awe and overpower the Federation, all with an absence of ill intention. In that way, the Federation would be able to set its mind at ease completely. It would also not dare to harbor further covetous thoughts towards the Dark Artifact… at least, not in the short term.

If he wasn’t able to achieve that, or if there were to be any misunderstandings between him and the Federation, then the result would be a targeted attack from Anti-Spirit Bombs and the Solar System Array Formation.

Wang Baole’s heart palpitated. He hurriedly patted his chest, put on an expression showing extreme loyalty towards the Federation, and then looked at Li Xingwen and said.

“Grandfather Grand Supreme Elder, Baole understands now. The Federation has made up its mind to get the treasure underground. I’d originally intended not to follow the team down. But now, having understood everything, I’ve decided to come with everyone—to express my loyalty and also to contribute everything I’ve got for the Federation!”

Li Xingwen rolled his eyes at Wang Baole’s declaration. He eyed Wang Baole again, then lowered his head and continued his study of the Federation’s plans. He spoke again, seemingly casually.

“If we mess up such an important matter, I’m not going to be the one they send the next time we try.” Having said that, Li Xingwen waved his hand without looking up and ended the conversation.

Wang Baole left hurriedly. After departing from Li Xingwen’s residence, he glanced around and saw that no one was looking at him. He wiped the sweat off his forehead, and determination flashed in his eyes.

I’ve no choice. It doesn’t matter if the Grand Supreme Elder has guessed correctly what is going on, I have to carry out the plans I’ve already made and execute my grand plan! Wang Baole sucked in a deep breath. He had made up his mind.

Nothing else mattered. He had already gotten his hands on the Dark Artifact, and there was no way he was going to give it away. That being said, he couldn’t let anyone else know that it belonged to him. After returning to his own residence, Wang Baole sat down cross-legged and began meditating. He went through his plan in his head again and ensured that there were no problems with every single step in his plan. There were too many people in the city now, and most of them were monitoring the catacombs. To prevent any accidents from occurring, Wang Baole didn’t communicate with the Artifact Spirits. Instead, he waited patiently for the day when the Federation would execute their plans to arrive.

He didn’t have to wait long. Li Xingwen brought people down into the catacombs with him for repeated inspections of the barrier. After study and verification, and after submitting their data to the Federation, they finally received a confirmation from the upper levels of the Federation administration as well as the other political forces. Li Xingwen’s proposal had been approved!

The plan would be carried out… three days later. They would forcibly blow the barrier apart, and everything would be ready for deployment then—the Anti-Spirit Bombs, the Solar System Array Formation, and the Core Formation realm cultivators from the various political forces. In fact, the number of Core Formation realm cultivators gathered in the special regional city had exceeded seventy!

There were fewer than two hundred Core Formation realm cultivators in the entire Federation, so more than a third of them were now gathered in the city. Nascent Soul realm cultivator, Li Xingwen, was going to head the party personally. The extent of strength and power gathered was enough to overpower and wipe out everything in their way.

It was clear as well that the Federation was intent on obtaining the Martian Divine Armament!

The arrival of the hordes of Core Formation realm cultivators was accompanied by the arrival of even more Foundation Establishment realm and True Breath realm cultivators. The latter groups would be responsible for support as well as foundational excavation efforts for the Martian Divine Armament. The special regional city was thus livelier than usual.

Three days passed in a blur. As the day they would blow apart the barrier arrived, masses of Foundation Establishment realm and True Breath realm cultivators gathered outside the catacombs. They were all prepared and ready to charge in once the barrier was blown apart!

Inside the catacombs, under Li Xingwen’s leadership, the Martian Colony Governor and the other Core Formation realm cultivators were gathered before the barrier, ready to commence the plan!

Li Xingwen would play the primary role in the explosion. He stood before the barrier, his hands forming a series of hand seals, which was followed by waves of Nascent Soul level spirit energies erupted from his person. They seemed to transform into a sharp blade that stabbed the barrier repeatedly, and it shook violently under the series of attacks.

The others, including the Martian Colony Governor, unleashed their attacks as well. All of a sudden, the inside of the catacombs was filled with a great, alarming cacophony.

The rest attacked as well. From afar, an array of vivid colors flashed inside the barrier, and the spirit energy of Dharmic Armaments filled the air. It felt as if the earth itself was quaking, and as if the heavens were shaking.

Amongst the attacking horde was Wang Baole… At present, he continued attacking while watching the visibly thinning barrier. He sighed secretly. Even though he knew that his plan was almost infallible, he couldn’t help but feel uncertain and anxious.

How exasperating…

While sighing inwardly, Wang Baole yelled and continued attacking, unleashing a spell that landed on the barrier. He might be the lord of this city, but amongst the numerous Core Formation realm cultivators, his own cultivation was only average and hence didn’t draw much attention. This was what he had intended as well. As he struck, he even shouted at the Core Formation realm cultivator beside him.

“Everyone, give it all you’ve got. Let’s fight to take down this Divine Armament as soon as possible and win another powerful weapon for the Federation!”

The Core Formation realm cultivator next to Wang Baole was an elder from the Five Generation Sky Clan. Even though he disliked Wang Baole, it wouldn’t be appropriate to show his dislike so plainly before everyone. So, he made a few noncommittal comments and then ignored Wang Baole.

If it had been some other occasion, Wang Baole would have glared at the man, but at present, he was shaking inwardly while displaying seeming excitement. He felt like he was leading a party of bandits to his own doorstep. It was a feeling he couldn’t shake off.

Bringing a group of bandits to your own house is one thing, but I’m actually going to blow up my own gates with them! Wang Baole sulked. Then, he recalled the many Anti-Spirit Bombs targeting this place and quickly calmed himself down. He continued to attack while cheering the rest on loudly.

Quite a few people heard his cheers, but they paid him no attention. After all, everyone was extremely excited. A few even began cheering along. The spirits of the Federation cultivators soared amidst the loud explosions.

However… Li Xingwen snorted secretly when he heard Wang Baole’s voice. He had been about to unleash another attack on the barrier when he extended his spiritual senses and noticed the seemingly excited expression on Wang Baole’s face.

“The rascal’s quite a good actor!” Li Xingwen muttered secretly. He had his guesses based on his previous judgments as well as contact with Wang Baole. He hadn’t known how Wang Baole had managed to accomplish what he had done, but he had been certain that there must be some connection between Wang Baole and the Dark Artifact.

I’ve already done what I could and told him what I could. The kid’s not an idiot. If he doesn’t get his act together… well, there’s nothing to be done about that. Li Xingwen narrowed his eyes. He could have blown this barrier apart days ago, but he had continued to delay the execution of the plan with research and verification as an excuse. He had done that to give Wang Baole more time to make his preparations. He had done all that he could. Li Xingwen did some calculations and noted the time. He gathered his spirit energies, and decisiveness flashed in his eyes as his fingers formed a series of hand seals.

He hollered, “Fellow Daoists, gather your spells around me!” Having said that, Li Xingwen swung his hands out in a sudden wave. A layer of light erupted from his person. From afar, he looked like a glowing sphere of light.

The others flung their spells onto the sphere of light. Its light intensified, and its energies strengthened. Everyone shivered inwardly and acted immediately with a flurry of spells. The waves of spirit energy exuding from the glowing sphere increased rapidly, and a sudden destructive aura filled the air.

Wang Baole was alarmed. His heart trembled. He gritted his teeth and unleashed a spell that landed on the sphere of light. As the glowing sphere absorbed the power of the party, it began to give off a blinding, dazzling light. It was like a small sun. Finally, Li Xingwen roared. With a wave of his hand, the light sphere transformed into a large saber of light. He grabbed hold of it, pointed it towards the barrier before him, and slashed!

A deafening thunder erupted instantaneously—the sounds of shattering echoed in the catacombs. The barrier… seemingly unable to withstand the force of the attack at that moment, exploded. As it shattered into numerous pieces…

Suddenly, a purple light appeared from within the shattered barrier. It swept across the catacombs like a tornado and erupted. Behind the barrier, lay another barrier!