C6 Her Trap

Multicolored City is quaint and remarkably small.

Nestled in a flat valley within the Crystal Shattering Mountain Range, the city comprises over a hundred inns of varying sizes.

The largest of these inns boast over a thousand rooms, while even the smaller ones have at least several dozen. Intriguingly, each inn is equipped with its own Teleportation Magic Array, an essential feature.

Stretching tens of thousands of miles, the Crystal Shattering Mountain Range is a vast expanse rich with spiritual herbs, flowers, and a myriad of monsters and birds of prey—precisely the resources sought by cultivators.

Such abundance inevitably draws cultivators from near and far, from Appropriate Prosperity City to Hundred Herb City and Origin City, and even from realms beyond the Central Earth Realm. Cultivators of all stripes make the arduous journey, undeterred by distance.

Upon reaching Multicolored City, they settle into the inns and utilize the Teleportation Magic Arrays to venture deep into the Crystal Shattering Mountain Range, risking their lives for the resources they've long coveted.

Multicolored City serves as the ultimate gateway for cultivators entering the Crystal Shattering Mountain Range. And with the Teleportation Magic Arrays, it's also the swiftest entry point.

"Qian Xiaoruo must be in Multicolored City," Soong Yuan stated serenely. "Five years ago, upon learning that entering the Boiling Spring on Yin Yang Day could reshape my physique, I tirelessly scoured the Crystal Shattering Mountain Range to locate the Boiling Springs. After much difficulty, I identified eleven of them. Yet, on the actual Yin Yang Day, only one Boiling Spring, in perfect harmony with the Heavenly Dao, Heavenly Secret, and Heavenly Time, can channel the Yin Yang Spiritual Energy descending from the heavens."

Walking alongside Soong Yuan, Hsiao Yan spoke with equal tranquility, "At that moment, the overwhelming Great Sun Yang Qi and Leng Yue Yin Qi will fall from the sky, a spectacle so profound that even ordinary Qi Refining Stage cultivators miles away can sense it. I understand that for you, Soong Yuan, it's imperative to be there ahead of time."

"Yes, indeed. That's precisely why I need the Universe Compass."

Soong Yuan mused, "The Yin Yang Spiritual Energy only infuses the Boiling Spring for the duration of an incense stick's burn time. The Heaven Changing Divine Spell, custom-tailored for me by Bai Su, also requires about the same amount of time. Clearly, I must locate the Boiling Spring before the descent of the Yin Yang Spiritual Energy."

"Only the Universe Compass can accomplish that."

Hsiao Yan paused and gestured towards the towering courtyard wall of the large inn across the street, the Thousand Thunder Inn, where a prominent "Full" sign was already on display.

Hsiao Yan quipped, "Perhaps the Universe Compass is inside."

Soong Yuan affirmed, "The Universe Compass is indeed inside."

A soft green glow radiated from the Universe Crystal Ball in Soong Yuan's hand.

Exchanging a silent glance, the two men turned and made their way into a nearby teahouse, where they ordered a pot of Iron Guanyin Tea... They needed to ponder their next move.

It was no surprise that many sects, noble families, and affluent merchants had established inns in Multicolored City, seizing the opportunity for profit. Naturally, the Thousand Thunder Sect had also established the Thousand Thunder Inn here.

What was curious, however, was that Qian Xiaoruo's Universe Compass was actually inside the Thousand Thunder Inn.

Initially, Soong Yuan and Hsiao Yan had strolled here just to try their luck, not expecting the Universe Crystal Ball to actually detect the presence of the Universe Compass.

"This must be a trap set by Qian Xiaoruo," Hsiao Yan remarked, pointing out the window at the Thousand Thunder Inn across the street in a hushed tone.

Soong Yuan nodded in agreement.

On the second floor of the teahouse, by a window seat bathed in sunlight, the two enjoyed their tea in the sparsely populated room.

"What exactly is Qian Xiaoruo up to?" Soong Yuan wondered, gazing out the window at the occasional passerby below. "The murder of Dong Xin is a grave incident. The Thousand Thunder Sect would have been informed immediately and would have surely reported it to Qian Xiaoruo with utmost haste. She must be acutely aware of the perils that come with possessing a valuable treasure."

The foreign cultivator who forced Dung Xin's hand won't let Qian Xiaoruo off the hook, and neither will the other cultivators who rely on the Boiling Spring. As a result, countless eyes within Multicolored City are fixed on her right now. Qian Xiaoruo, you've become the target of all. Even as the eldest daughter of the Thousand Thunder Sect, in such circumstances, you ought to keep a low profile and stay hidden."

"Take arriving in Multicolored City, for instance. You could've discreetly checked into a modest inn. Instead, you brazenly stay at your own sect's establishment, the Thousand Thunder Inn, which even hung a 'fully booked' sign. Later, Hsiao Yan intentionally inquired about lodging under the guise of a customer, and the innkeeper unabashedly disclosed that since our eldest daughter is here, we're considered full regardless of actual vacancies and are not accepting any more guests."

"Qian Xiaoruo is blatantly declaring, 'I have the Universe Compass, and I'm right here. What's the meaning of this? A death trap? Whoever dares to come for my Universe Compass, come and try to kill me.' Is she trying to intimidate everyone who covets the compass, to the point where they wouldn't dare to cross her? Is that the purpose of the trap she's set?"

Soong Yuan drained his teacup and, with a soft yet resolute voice, said to Hsiao Yan, "I'm not certain what Qian Xiaoruo is up to, but one thing is clear: whatever her plans are, I'm entering this game tonight, and I'm determined to secure the Universe Compass."

Hsiao Yan withdrew his gaze from the Thousand Thunder Inn across the street, sipped his tea, and spoke gravely, "I'm not sure about Qian Xiaoruo's motives either, but one thing is certain: her scheme is fraught with danger."

"I know I can't dissuade you, so after leaving Dong Family Village, I sent word to your parents about the Resentful Spirit Blood Spell using a messenger talisman, hoping they could convince you to come back."

Hsiao Yan added, "To my surprise, your parents responded to the talisman promptly. They sent back a single line: 'We trust our son; he will surely succeed.'"

Soong Yuan's smile was warm and knowing.

"I've lent you a Spirit Sword Intent, and your parents have equipped you with thirteen Intestine Breaking Blades, a Thousand Cauldron Umbrella, among other items. I'm also aware that while you can't refine Qi, you've taken a different path by refining your body... As such, even without Qi refining, you still possess considerable combat prowess. Should you face an expert at Foundation Stage Level One, you at least stand a chance to emerge unharmed."

Hsiao Yan, with his square face, sat as immovable as a mountain. He declared with certainty, "Her situation is too perilous. You're not ready for it."

"I have three Innate Divine Thoughts left."

Soong Yuan silently reminded himself, harboring his greatest secret and the very reason he felt bold enough to take on the challenge—a secret he could share with no one.

"I'll go, no matter the danger. But you don't have to."

Soong Yuan spoke earnestly, "Hsiao Yan, my parents asked for your assistance, not for you to risk your life for me..."

Hsiao Yan cut him off, "Eight years ago, right here in the Crystal Shattering Mountain Range, I was gravely wounded by a Level Two Monster, the Back Axe Lizard. Fortunately, Soong Yuvfu and Jia Chunmei found me while gathering spiritual herbs and flowers in the mountains... They saved my life. That's why I'm determined to help you this time."

"Oh, but what if..."

"I'd die without any regrets."

"Ah, but I would have regrets."

"What haven't you done yet? What would you regret?"

"...That."

"Which 'that'?"

"I haven't lost my virginity yet," Soong Yuan admitted sheepishly. "If I were to die tonight... that would be my lifelong regret."

Hsiao Yan burst into laughter, spraying out his tea, "Then let's head over to the Red Happy Brothel in Multicolored City and take care of that. No regrets."

"Really? That would be great."

"Nonsense," Hsiao Yan shot him a stern look and rebuked, "Your parents entrusted me with your safety. If they found out I took you to a place like that... they'd have my head."