Chapter 275: Bluewave city 7.

The woman connected to the medicine pavilion.

The one whose arrogant admirer had caused trouble.

Han Qing looked at them carefully.

"I saw you yesterday."

"We saw you too."

"Then you know I am not supposed to be here."

Mo Yuxin’s gaze sharpened.

"Why are you here?"

Han Qing hesitated.

"Because my father disappeared."

She swallowed.

"He is the leader of the Black Reef Trading House."

Mo Yuxin understood immediately.

This was no longer a random city mystery.

The missing ship, the merchant house, the sealed harbor, the black bell, the old city beneath Bluewave City, all of it connected.

Han Qing looked at the bronze token.

Her face changed.

"Where did you get that?"

"Bought it from a stall."

"That is impossible."

"Why?"

"Because every fragment of the Key of Tides was sealed below the city more than eight hundred years ago."

Su Yubing looked at Mo Yuxin.

Mo Yuxin asked, "How did a piece end up in a market stall?"

Han Qing shook her head.

"Someone moved it."

"Who?"

"I do not know."

The city trembled again.

This time dust fell from the ceiling.

Han Qing looked upward.

"They have started the ritual."

Mo Yuxin asked, "Who are they?"

Han Qing’s voice became quiet.

"The city lord’s people."

That was unexpected.

Bluewave City had several factions, but the city lord was supposed to be neutral. He managed the harbor, maintained the formations, and collected taxes. He was powerful, but he was generally considered trustworthy.

Han Qing continued.

"For years, my father has suspected that the city lord has been searching for the ruins under the north harbor. He thought the ancient city contained a treasure capable of controlling the sea routes. Then three months ago, people began disappearing. First fishermen. Then low-level cultivators. Then merchant crews."

"How many?"

"More than two hundred."

Su Yubing’s expression became cold.

Two hundred lives were not a small number.

Mo Yuxin asked, "Why did nobody investigate?"

Han Qing gave a bitter laugh.

"Because every time someone tried, they found nothing. The city lord blamed sea beasts. Then storms. Then pirates. The missing people were simply recorded as dead."

"And your father?"

"He found the entrance."

Han Qing looked toward the black water.

"He went inside. He did not come back."

Mo Yuxin glanced at the statue.

"What is the city lord trying to do?"

Han Qing hesitated.

"Open the seventh gate."

Su Yubing asked, "And what happens if he does?"

Han Qing looked at her.

"The sea beneath Bluewave City wakes up."

A bell rang.

Dong.

Six.

The sound spread through the underground city.

Han Qing went pale.

"There is only one left."

Mo Yuxin looked at Su Yubing.

Neither spoke.

They both understood the danger.

The seventh bell had not rung yet.

But it would.

And if the city formation was already destabilizing, they could not simply walk away and leave everyone in the city to die.

That was the problem with being powerful.

Even when you wanted to live quietly, you still had a conscience.

Mo Yuxin sighed.

"We are staying."

Su Yubing smiled.

"I knew you would say that."

Han Qing stared at them.

"You do not seem afraid."

Mo Yuxin looked at her.

"We are."

Han Qing looked surprised.

"You are?"

"A little."

Su Yubing nodded solemnly.

"Mostly because we have not finished eating our way through the city."

Han Qing stared.

Then, against her will, she laughed.

It was the first normal sound in the underground city.

Mo Yuxin smiled.

"There. Much better."

The next moment, a huge formation appeared on the ceiling.

Lines of blue light spread across the stone like cracks in glass.

Han Qing stepped back.

"They found us."

A voice came through the formation.

"Han Qing."

The woman froze.

The voice belonged to an old man.

Calm.

Powerful.

It echoed through every street beneath the city.

"Return the Key of Tides and no one else has to die."

Han Qing raised her sword.

"City Lord!"

The voice chuckled.

"You have caused enough trouble, child."

Mo Yuxin stood beside Su Yubing.

She looked completely calm.

"Why is he talking through the formation?"

Su Yubing answered, "Because he is afraid to come down himself."

The voice went silent.

Then it said, "Who are you two?"

Mo Yuxin answered casually.

"Travelers."

The old man’s voice became colder.

"Nascent Soul cultivators."

"Yes."

"Why interfere?"

"Because your city is making too much noise."

There was another silence.

Then the old man laughed.

"Very well. Since you wish to die with them, I will grant your request."

The formation above them suddenly opened.

Hundreds of black chains descended from the ceiling.

They moved like snakes.

Han Qing attacked first.

Her sword flashed.

Three chains broke.

Then six more appeared.

Mo Yuxin moved once.

Just once.

She raised one hand.

The chains froze in midair.

Every single one.

Han Qing stared.

Su Yubing smiled.

"Remember, we are Nascent Soul cultivators."

Han Qing swallowed.

Right.

Nascent Soul cultivators could suppress such formations.

Except what Mo Yuxin had done was far beyond the ability of an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator.

The chains began to crack.

Mo Yuxin tightened her fingers.

They shattered.

The old man’s voice disappeared.

For several breaths, nothing happened.

Then the underground ocean vanished.

The ancient city returned.

And the black ship was gone.

Han Qing stared at Mo Yuxin.

"What are you really?"

Mo Yuxin smiled.

"Travelers."

Han Qing clearly did not believe her.

Neither did Su Yubing.

She looked at Mo Yuxin with a small smile.

"You used too much."

"Did I?"

"Yes."

"Nobody here could tell."

"I could."

"That is different."

Su Yubing stepped closer and quietly adjusted the collar of Mo Yuxin’s robe.

"Be careful."

"I am always careful."

"You broke an ancient formation with one hand."

"It was in my way."

"That is exactly what I mean."

Mo Yuxin smiled and touched her cheek.

"Do not worry. I will not let anything happen to you."

Han Qing watched them for a moment and suddenly understood something.

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TO BE CONTINUED.