Chapter 984 - 970: The Box

Mo Shan was referring to the object on that long pole.

But it was different from the usual compass; it was a black compass.

Earlier, it was emitting black gas, and only returned to normal after being purified by Mei Qingchen’s Purification Power.

There was a pointer on it, but at this moment, it was not moving.

Recalling the last words of that female, Su Muyao’s expression sharpened, "Their purpose is to find the residual celestial power."

"There must be residual celestial power here and something important that they wish to imprint and take away."

Mei Qingchen’s expression was cold and solemn as he said, "It seems that the demon beasts can’t enter here, so they can only rely on the plant-type beastman to get here."

"However, the Youluo Tree Beastman can enter here, but because of the demon energy on them, they’re blocked by the Heavenly Dao’s power and can’t get close."

"But now that the Heavenly Dao’s power is weakening, if this continues, they might very well get inside."

Mo Shan remained unmoved beside them.

Su Muyao showed him the black compass and said, "Take a look, can you see any issues?"

Mo Shan carefully examined the black compass, "Miss Su, Mr. Mei, look here."

There were several hidden protruding places below with strange characters carved on them.

The characters looked like writing, unlike any writing in the Beast World.

There was also a small button. After pressing it, there was a series of clicks, and the entire compass changed, revealing a totem, and the pointer began to move. After shaking back and forth a few times, it pointed to the place behind the Mo Rong Clan.

Su Muyao’s expression shifted, that should be the location of the altar.

"This totem is the same as the one on the arm of the Youluo Tree Beastman, is it the totem of the Demon Clan?"

Just looking at it, it felt very eerie.

Su Muyao pondered for a moment, then asked Mo Shan and the others to handle the scene while she went inside.

"There must be something important inside, or residual power. Let’s see if we can find something to deal with the demon beasts."

"And no matter what, we can’t let the demon beasts take it away."

The talismans and arrays on the altar before had given her profound insights.

"If we can truly find a way to break the Great Array, especially that kind of eerie Dark Array, there must be a way to deal with the demon beasts."

At this moment, Su Muyao thought about the Great Array that Di Fu Yuan and the others faced back then.

If it weren’t for the reinforcement of that Great Array, Di Fu Yuan wouldn’t have struggled so much against the demon beasts.

Moreover, the Insect Clan learned some arrays from the demon beasts, such as the cruel sacrificial array. If a way to break it can be found, it could also be used against the Insect Clan Beastmen of the Nine Nether Secret Realm.

Su Muyao and Mei Qingchen searched inside, braving the wind and snow.

They followed the compass’s direction to find something.

Upon reaching the altar, the pointer stopped moving.

It was pointing directly at the place of the altar.

Su Muyao frowned and said, "This is the altar, and there’s nothing here."

"And now the stones on the altar have cracks."

Probably because the power of the Heavenly Dao weakened, the altar showed lines.

But the entire altar also looked to be made of stone, nothing special, and no place to hide anything.

Mei Qingchen’s expression was grave, "Maybe it’s underneath."

Su Muyao’s expression shifted, "Do you mean there’s something under the altar, but how do we find the entrance?"

Su Muyao said, pondering a bit, then stepped forward to touch the altar, Mei Qingchen did the same, trying to see if there was a hidden entrance inside the altar.

As Su Muyao felt along the lines, not knowing what she touched, a box suddenly ejected from inside the altar.

The box fell into Su Muyao’s hands.

Su Muyao’s heart trembled, "Could it be that they were looking for this box?"

But the whole box was very intact, without even a seam, and Su Muyao had no idea how to open it.

A lotus was engraved on the box, and nothing else special could be seen.

Mei Qingchen also checked and said, "It’s very light inside, there shouldn’t be any danger."

"Let’s take it back to study first."

Su Muyao put the item into the space, planning to study it when she returned.

They searched a few more times, and after confirming there was nothing else, they went back.

After they returned, Mo Shan also came back shortly, "Miss Su, Mr. Mei, everything has been taken care of."

"We checked, and the arms of those Youluo Tree Beastmen all have that kind of totem."

"Originally, we thought we could eat the meat of those newly dead giant beasts, but it seemed to mutate and emitted black gas, so no one dared to eat it."

Mei Qingchen and Su Muyao exchanged a glance, and Su Muyao said, "Could it be contaminated?"

Mei Qingchen’s expression shifted, saying, "I’ll go take a look."

After Mei Qingchen went over, he purified those giant beast meats that had just died, "These can all be eaten now, no problem."

Mo Shan watched this scene, his eyes widened in shock, about to pop out.

"This... this... Mr. Mei, you..."

When Mo Shan previously battled the Youluo Tree Beastmen, he was intensely focused on the fierce fight and failed to notice Mei Qingchen using the Purification Power against the leading female.

Witnessing it now with his own eyes, he was so astonished that he couldn’t find the words to speak.

He doubted his eyes, yet the black aura surrounding the giant beast was completely gone, a fact undeniable.

"I hope the High Priest can help keep this a secret."

Mei Qingchen solemnly entrusted him, referring to him as High Priest rather than using a name.

Immediately, Mo Shan knelt down and said, "Mr. Mei, I wish to pledge allegiance to you, please mark the contract."

Although he didn’t understand why Mr. Mei, a Golden Leopard Beastman, possessed the Purification Power of the Golden Lotus Clan, he realized then that pledging loyalty to Mr. Mei was his opportunity.

Even though he was from the Mo Rong Clan, he would henceforth pledge allegiance to Mr. Mei.

"Mr. Mei, rest assured, I will return and have our clan members swear to the Heavenly Dao that this matter will not be leaked."

The Purification Power was of immense importance.

All these years, the Golden Lotus Clan never had a Beastman awaken with the Purification Ability, yet Mr. Mei possessed such an ability.

He vaguely remembered hearing a rumor once.

It was said that Jin Lianrong had not actually died from harm, but later fell in love with an Animal Beastmen.

Naturally, Plant-type Beastmen and Animal Beastmen had grudges and did not intermarry; such news, if spread, would incite public anger.

But seeing Mr. Mei’s demeanor, suspicion arose within Mo Shan, filling him with excitement as he looked at Mei Qingchen with eyes of admiration.

However, this Purification Power of Mr. Mei, if made public, would surely cause a sensation throughout the Ancient Wilderness Continent.

But the Demon Beasts likely wouldn’t want such Purification Power to appear.

Mei Qingchen knew that he and his wife must eventually visit the places where Plant-type Beastmen reside on the Ancient Wilderness Continent.

With the help of the Mo Rong Clan, it would indeed be more convenient.

Moreover, the more than half-month interaction had instilled great trust in Mo Shan.

They also knew Mo Shan had no issues; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to learn the sacrificial dance imbued with Dao intent on the mural.

Mei Qingchen then nodded and marked the contract.

"Remember, henceforth your master is my wife." Mei Qingchen instructed him to pledge loyalty to Su Muyao.

"Yes, yes."

Afterwards, Mo Shan returned and instructed the clan members about certain matters, bringing everyone to retrieve the purified giant beast meat back to the cave.

"With these provisions, we will have no issues throughout the Snow Season."

...

Time flew swiftly, and half a month had passed.

During this half-month, Mei Qingchen and Mo Shan captured all the Youluo Tree Beastmen, eliminating the threat they posed.

Naturally, the arms of these Youluo Tree Beastmen bore unusual totems.

Although they had peculiar restrictions, Su Muyao and the others managed to obtain some crucial information.

Indeed, they were working for the Demon Beasts, but the beasts contacting them never showed their faces, shrouded entirely in black cloaks, emanating dense demon energy.

The initial members of the Youluo Tree Clan’s main family, including the Young Master who intermarried with Jin Lianrong, had long pledged loyalty to the Demon Beasts.

As for how they arrived within the Mountain and River Map, it stemmed from internal Plant-type Beastmen clan conflicts, causing many beastman casualties, which the Demon Beasts consumed for their blood energy, using the ensuing celestial phenomenon to activate a bizarre array and send them here.

It was also to have them seek something.

The leading female was their Youluo Tree branch Clan Leader; specifics of many matters were directly coordinated with the Demon Beasts through her.

When divulging too many secrets, the restrictions would cause them to explode.

Su Muyao and Mei Qingchen concluded that the object they sought was the mystical box.

However, after half a month of research, Su Muyao had yet to open the box.

Mei Qingchen remarked, "Perhaps it’s not the right moment; typically, such items are imbued with powerful Dao intent."

"Moreover, it is engraved with lotuses, possibly related to the Lotus Clan."

Su Muyao said, "If that is the case, we certainly must visit the Lotus Clan in the future."

As they conversed, Su Muyao suddenly felt a pain in her abdomen.

Her expression shifted.

At that very moment, the falling snow ceased, the clouded sky cleared, revealing the sun and casting its rays upon their cavern.

Even a dense vortex-like Spiritual Energy swirled and rushed into Su Muyao’s body, nourishing her.

Su Muyao felt utterly comfortable throughout her being.

Nearby, the Mo Rong Clan Beastman cheered, "Ah, the sun has come out."

"This sunlight is so warm."

"So comfortable, warmer than spring sunlight."

"The snowfall has stopped, this is the first time I’ve seen such weather here."

Amidst everyone’s excitement, during Mei Qingchen’s tense moment, Su Muyao gave birth with ease to two baby Zaizai.

The entire cave was bathed in sunlight, and at that moment, the sky seemed to open up, with a figure in azure descending.

That figure was Jing Chu’s.