Path of Alchemy Mastery
Chapter 164 - 166 The Silent City

Chapter 164: Chapter 166 The Silent City

"Is this the Barbarian Plains?" Mu Zi’ang questioned with confusion, well aware of the matters regarding the Barbarian Plains.

After all, each year, the grand winter hunt captivates the hearts of many cultivators in the Nanyuan Empire.

Sometimes, even experts from various families would be summoned to participate, and Mu Zi’ang himself had taken part in one such winter hunt.

During that hunt, the Nanyuan Empire achieved victory, though not without difficulty.

Blood flowed like rivers, and bones piled up like mountains; the massive bodies of the barbarians intertwined with the corpses of the empire’s cultivators in a grotesque mesh of flesh and bone.

Even someone as stoic as Mu Zi’ang couldn’t help but vomit repeatedly in such an environment, making it a deeply ingrained memory for him.

"Dad, try sensing your cultivation level," Mu Can pondered and suggested, suspecting that Mu Zi’ang’s current strength must be quite formidable, warranted by his Immortal Venerable Level physique.

Hearing Mu Can’s words, Mu Zi’ang threw a punch with all his might.

The punch surged forward, leaving behind a massive imprint that crashed heavily onto the distant ground, creating a thunderous noise. The entire plain shuddered, a massive deep pit formed reaching several dozen meters into the ground, spurting water vigorously, quickly forming a small pond that spanned several dozen feet in radius right before their eyes.

"So powerful!" Even Mu Zi’ang was shocked by his own punch; with his previous strength, a punch like this would have, at best, made a small crater, rather than the spectacle just witnessed.

"An Immortal Venerable’s body is indeed formidable," Mu Can remarked, feeling relieved that his father had gained such immense power by fortunate accident.

"Uncle, don’t use your full strength carelessly, as exceeding the limits of power in the Mortal World can invite divine punishment," Purple Cloud advised.

Mu Zi’ang, who had long recognized this outrageously beautiful woman as his son’s friend and could tell Mu Can had feelings for Purple Cloud, hoped she would become his daughter-in-law.

Ever since his resurrection and seeing Mu Can regain his strength, Mu Zi’ang felt quite content and desireless.

Having such a promising son and such a beautiful daughter-in-law, everything seemed so perfect.

"Could we encounter my junior disciple, Nie Bufan, here?" Mu Can suddenly remembered. They had once crossed paths with Nie Bufan, a fellow disciple from the Immortal Ancient Academy and the leader of the Giant Statue Heavy Cavalry, while on the road.

"Let’s go."

The Reincarnation Pearl had been silent and unresponsive to Mu Can’s summons ever since they left the Death Space; the dog seemed to be sleeping, or perhaps dismissing Mu Can’s strength as unworthy of communication.

Choosing a direction, they continued on their journey. Mu Can released Xiao Hong, who had been helping train the soul bodies within the first layer of Reincarnation Pearl since their time in the Death Space.

"Chirp chirp chirp, I don’t want to go out," Xiao Hong expressed her reluctance when she heard she was to be used as a mount.

Eventually, it was Purple Cloud who spoke, and Xiao Hong reluctantly expanded into a giant red eagle in response to the wind, appearing right before Mu Can’s eyes. Mu Zi’ang and Mu Can climbed onto Xiao Hong’s back, while Purple Cloud, with a flicker, went back inside the Reincarnation Pearl.

Mu Zi’ang, seemingly immune to his prospective daughter-in-law’s sudden disappearances, already knew from Mu Can that Purple Cloud’s true identity was that of a Supreme of the Immortal Realm, so he didn’t inquire further.

At this rebirth, Mu Zi’ang only wished to soon see Mu Can married and having children, living out his days in peace.

"Let’s go, fly south," Mu Can gently patted Xiao Hong’s head, and the giant red eagle soared high, flying toward the southern side of the plains.

With Xiaohong’s speed, it took less than half a day to reach the end of the grassland, where a huge city faintly appeared on the edge of the prairie.

"Mingyang City."

This is a massive city located at the edge of the prairie; rather than calling it a city, it would be more accurate to call it a fortress. The high city walls were covered with counter-siege devices, and the land in front of the fortress emitted a crimson color, as though one could squeeze out blood with a single step.

The city was meticulously constructed. Barbarian tribes moving south to invade in winter had to face it as their first obstacle. If they could not take down Mingyang City, it would be easy to be attacked from both front and rear after entering the hinterlands of Nanyuan Empire. However, taking down the heavily defended Mingyang City proved to be a tough nut to crack.

"Let’s go down." Mu Can, flying high in the clouds, gently patted Xiaohong’s head.

Xiaohong let out a loud eagle cry and descended slowly, gradually landing in front of the city.

Mu Can dared not let Xiaohong carry them directly over the city, as such a heavily guarded fortress would surely be equipped with city-defending weapons, the Godslayer Crossbows.

These gigantic crossbows, designed specifically for targeting masters on the battlefield, could pose a threat to even a peak level Martial Arts Sect expert. However, due to the scarcity of materials, they were extremely rare, but on the top of Mingyang City, there were no fewer than ten Godslayer Crossbows gleaming with a cold light under the sun.

"Something’s not right, Daddy, do you smell blood?"

Benben had long since made Mu Can’s shoulder his own seat, constantly sitting there with two little twigs tightly holding onto Mu Can’s hair, looking like a green ornament.

"There’s something strange." Mu Can also noticed the anomaly of the city in front of them.

On the city walls of what should’ve been a heavily guarded, heavily fortified city, not a single patrolling soldier could be seen.

"Let’s be cautious."

Mu Ziang’s face was solemn. After his rebirth, he had gained an ability to sense good and bad omens, seemingly an instinct that came with the body before, but now it had become Mu Ziang’s ability.

His intuition told him that there was a huge danger inside the city ahead, a feeling that made him, a peak figure of the Mortal World, feel apprehensive.

"Let’s go and see what’s going on."

Xiaohong gradually shrunk its body to the size of a bee, stubbornly clinging to Mu Can’s head.

"Look at your courage." Mu Can said mockingly; it was unexpected that Xiaohong, usually so contrary to him, was such a coward.

"I’m not scared; I just feel a bit safer this way." Xiaohong argued.

Mu Can gave him a look that said ’I don’t believe you’ but did not say more; all his focus was now on the city ahead.

What exactly happened in this city, why does its seemingly peaceful surface still hide dangers?

Why does this normally bustling city appear so eerily calm and tranquil, not even a single person in sight?

"Dad, let’s go in and take a look."

If they didn’t take a look inside, Mu Can would certainly not be satisfied, even with all the strangeness. With Mu Ziang, Purple Cloud, and others by his side, what was there to fear?