Chapter 162: Celestial Mountain City

Chapter 162 -159: Celestial Mountain City

A fanatical gleam appeared in Prince Heng’s eyes.

But that fervor was quickly doused with cold water.

‘Dusk… Can I really deal with him?’

The National Preceptor had said a few days ago that Dusk was protected by the rules of Antique Shop Zero, making him immortal and indestructible!

Only Taboo Items can defeat Taboo Items.

Likewise, only rules could defeat Dusk!

The Evil Qilin shook his head.

“Didn’t the National Preceptor say so a few days ago?

Dusk is immortal and indestructible; not even an Immortal could kill him.

But you, Prince, can imprison Dusk in the Earth Cavern Imperial Palace.

Such a monumental achievement is right within your grasp!”

Prince Heng stared intently at the Evil Qilin.

“Keep talking.”

‘This brat… he’s a sharp one.’

‘Didn’t he love to oppose me before?’

‘Now, seeing you rack your brains to serve me just to survive… it’s quite a sight to behold.’

The Evil Qilin held up three fingers.

“Dusk has three strengths.

First, his personal combat prowess is terrifying.

Second, his subordinates are all formidable.

Third, he is protected by the rules of Antique Shop Zero, making him immortal and indestructible.

But I have a way to dismantle these three advantages.”

Prince Heng looked at the Evil Qilin in disbelief.

“You have a way?”

The Evil Qilin looked at Prince Heng, feigning reverence.

“Prince, you have the Lady’s blessing, allowing you to transcend the Three Realms and exist beyond the mortal coil.

After years of arduous Cultivation, you have become a Taboo in your own right!

You may well be able to fight Dusk to a standstill!

Once Dusk is exhausted, you can capture him and bring him back to the Imperial Palace to be suppressed for eternity!”

A smug smile unconsciously crept onto Prince Heng’s lips.

‘He’s right.’

‘After the Lady turned me into one of the undead, I dedicated myself to arduous Cultivation.’

‘I’ve become impervious to blades and invulnerable to fire and water.’

Prince Heng thought for a moment, then sighed hesitantly.

“But if Dusk’s subordinates arrive as reinforcements, I fear I won’t be able to handle them.

Even if Dusk is exhausted, with those lackeys around, he will have a chance to catch his breath.

You and Miss Mihua might not be able to stop those lackeys.

If he escapes back to the South Sea to regroup, it will be our doom.”

The Evil Qilin laughed inwardly.

‘I just said you could go toe-to-toe with Dusk, and you actually believe you can?’

The Evil Qilin spoke up.

“I have a way to deal with Dusk’s subordinates.”

Prince Heng looked at the Evil Qilin suspiciously.

“You?”

The Evil Qilin smiled.

“Don’t forget, I have the means to reawaken Taboo Items.”

Prince Heng’s gaze fell on the Black Stone pendant hanging around the Evil Qilin’s neck.

This item had been bestowed upon the Evil Qilin by the National Preceptor.

It had only one function: to make Taboo Items reawaken prematurely.

But it could only reawaken three Taboo Items at most.

The Evil Qilin had already used it twice, with only one use left.

The Evil Qilin said,

“Years ago, I laid a trap in the South Sea.

I can awaken the Taboo Item left there.

When that happens, Dusk’s subordinates will surely return to defend their home base and deal with that Taboo Item.

Heh, that is the most terrifying Taboo Item that hasn’t been contained by the Antique Shop!

Even the Sea Train cannot compare to it.

Dusk’s subordinates will surely be annihilated by that Taboo Item.”

The more Prince Heng listened, the more excited he became.

“Go on.”

The Evil Qilin straightened his posture and said languidly,

“The longer a Taboo Item is awake, the more severe its anomalous dangers become.

In just one day, that Taboo Item can plunge the South Sea into an anomalous disaster.

Heh, by then, a Dusk who has been exhausted by you, Prince, will have no way of returning to the Antique Shop.

Because that Taboo Item will have cut off his retreat.”

The Evil Qilin clasped his hands and bowed to Prince Heng.

“At that time, you, Prince, will be able to capture Dusk alive!

Without Dusk, Antique Shop Zero will not produce a new Manager.

Prince, with such a monumental achievement, you may have the chance to ascend to the great throne in the future!”

Taiping Dao had a National Preceptor.

No one knew where he came from, nor how old he was.

They only knew that every few years, the National Preceptor would learn some secrets about Taboo Items and Antique Shop Zero.

The reason Taiping Dao knew so much about Taboo Items was precisely because of this National Preceptor.

The Evil Qilin suspected that this National Preceptor was probably a Taboo Item himself—a living Taboo Item!

Prince Heng’s breathing became rapid.

His eyes darted around frantically, his mind racing like boiling water.

It all sounded so flawless.

‘But something feels… off.’

A sweet, delicate voice entered his ears:

“Oh, my, brother is so clever.

This way, we can really imprison Dusk and give the Lady a big surprise when she returns!”

Prince Heng looked over to the guest seat, where Xie Yujiao was puffing out clouds of smoke.

Xie Yujiao took a puff from her cigarette holder and said,

“However, Dusk is unfathomable. The Prince might not be able to take him.”

Prince Heng’s eyes lit up.

‘Yes, that’s it! The biggest problem is… can I really take on Dusk directly?’

‘Do I really have what it takes to fight him to the point of exhaustion?’

Xie Yujiao adopted a pensive look and mused aloud,

“Dusk has arrived in Celestial Mountain City, right?

Recalling the Taiping Daoists who possess Taboo Items from around the world back to the South Sea would probably mean missing our window of opportunity.

Let me see.

There are three people with Taboo Items in Celestial Mountain City, two of whom are Taiping Daoists.

If the Prince takes the other one under his command, and also dispatches the Captain of the Guard from the Imperial Palace…

That would mean four experts assisting you, Prince.

Then Dusk would be nothing to fear.”

The Evil Qilin glanced at Xie Yujiao in surprise.

‘This woman… is she helping me?’

Prince Heng pondered for a long time, then looked at Xie Yujiao.

“You come help me too. We’ll make our move in the next two days.”

Miss Mihua faltered for a moment, then let out a charming laugh.

“How could I dare to steal the credit from the Prince!

Besides, I have some assets in the South Sea.

I have to rush back to the South Sea before the Taboo Item there awakens and take all my things.”

Prince Heng’s face darkened.

Although he was displeased, this woman, Miss Mihua, was too beautiful.

Just a hint of her coquettishness was enough to stir something deep within him.

‘Fine, let her do as she pleases.’

“Fine. We can manage without you.

Besides, my only task is to wear Dusk down until he’s too exhausted to fight.”

Prince Heng looked at the Evil Qilin.

“Go to the South Sea and prepare now. I will make my move tomorrow. We will capture Dusk alive, no matter what!”

The Evil Qilin stood up and bowed slightly.

“Then, I shall get to it immediately.”

Miss Mihua also stood up from the guest seat.

“Let’s go together. I’m going back to the South Sea too.”

The Evil Qilin gave Miss Mihua a deep look.

“Alright.”

…..

「Outside the Celestial Pool.」

The cold wind howled.

Standing within it, the Evil Qilin took a deep breath.

Everything inside was too oppressive, filled with the stench of decay.

Dusk had finally come.

In fact, he was the one who had lured Dusk here.

He had done many things over the years to lure Dusk from Antique Shop Zero to Celestial Mountain City.

But only this time had he succeeded.

He was the one who guided the reawakening of the God-Desecrating Bell.

The Evil Qilin took the Black Stone from his neck and clutched it in his palm.

He only had one chance left to awaken a Taboo Item.

‘From now on, I can only succeed. Failure is not an option.’

The Evil Qilin glanced at Miss Mihua.

She was dressed sparsely, but she wasn’t afraid of the cold at all.

‘It seems her abilities have improved recently.’

The Evil Qilin asked,

“Why did you help me?”

Xie Yujiao’s expression was calm.

“I wasn’t helping you. I was helping myself.

Prince Heng must die. I have my reasons.”

Xie Yujiao knew her brother wanted to kill Prince Heng.

Anyone her brother plotted against didn’t live for long.

After speaking, Xie Yujiao started down the mountain, her long legs striding and her lithe waist swaying.

The Evil Qilin shouted,

“Where are you going?”

Xie Yujiao looked back over her shoulder and chuckled lightly.

“To the South Sea.”

Surprise flickered in the Evil Qilin’s eyes.

The Evil Qilin had thought she was unwilling to help Prince Heng because she knew it was a deathtrap.

A Taboo Item was about to awaken in the South Sea, so how did she still dare to go back?

‘It seems she really does have other reasons.’