Their stay in the pyramid had lasted for three full days. In that time they continued to study the many scrolls. Tang Yuan felt especially exhausted after several dream lectures thankfully though he had managed to ask Senior those two remaining questions.
After he had informed his mother of the talk he almost thought they would leave. After all, that was a Title Douluo-level soul beast at the least. Yet in the end, she chose to trust his assessment of Mo Xi's character.
Now they were at last ready to depart from this place. Tang Yuan took a look at the now-very-bare alcoves of the library. They had taken absolutely every scroll they found storing them in their belts. Part of him felt somber at the sight of the bare alcoves.
Perhaps someday this would be remembered as a momentous thing. Yet perhaps it would simply fade into dust kept in shadows. Still, he offered a silent thank-you to those who had died. Determined to make use of this true legacy properly both for themselves, and that fallen era.
They re-navigated through the pathways they had taken coming in. As they did quickly made far more progress this time. Yet as they did a sense of unease had settled in their hearts. They hadn't encountered a single machine this time moving through.
"This is weird, anyone else find this unsettling?" Tang Yuan asked as they moved through the halls. This silence and lack of offense only cause him worry not calm.
Bibi Dong felt slightly paranoid with the current state. "I feel it's strange, they attacked us so much before. But now there isn't a single one." This wasn't how things should work she knew.
"Maybe they gave up." Dugu Xin said though his words lacked confidence. He heavily doubted his own words after all.
"More likely it's not as bad going out of this place. Even then we should encounter some resistance." Dugu Bo said his eyes narrowed slightly wary. Even in the library, they hadn't encountered a single attack.
"Oh, are you scared little Dusy. We can walk in front if you want us to." Yue Guan said with a slight edge towards Dugu Bo.
Tang Nuan glanced at her son for a moment. She wondered if that Senior had done something to these ruins. Still spirit beasts and humanity were natural enemies, which was a fact. So she did not put much faith in her being the cause.
Thinking that she glanced at Dugu Bo and Yue Guan. Thankfully these two had stayed civil with one another this trip. Both knew better than to risk something in the wilds with the children involved. Save for a bit of verbal disagreement.
"If you want to be my shield I won't stop you." Dugu Bo said coldly. Fully aware of that Chrysantheum's goading.
Yue Guan had a thin smile on his face at that statement. Yet he did not fire back, he would remember this for later. He'd make sure to give Dusy Busy plenty more owies next time.
As it was everyone was merely waiting for the shoe to drop. It was inevitable that they all suspected things were far too quiet. And then as they stepped out of the pyramid it dropped. Explosions happened several yards ahead of them, obscuring the cause in sand.
As the sand begins to disperse the source is revealed. They had long serpent-like bodies each about 10 meters or so. Their bodies weren't quite circular instead divided into sections each about a meter. The metal composing there forms were the same color as the sand. Their metal fangs were bared at them as their crimson glowing 'eyes' burned.
Suddenly the four metal serpents seemed to roar as parts of their bodies shifted. Each section save for the head suddenly ejected something. These ejected metal masses hit the sands a total of thirty-six of them.
These thirty-six objects upon landing kicked up yet more sand obscuring them. As they saw things shift in the clouds the sand cleared. Revealing a small army of mechanical constructs ready for battle. Scorpions, Spiders, Ants, and others as well, all of them ready for battle.
"That's an army of them." Tang Yuan voiced out loud at the sight. The snakes seemed to be a form of troop transport maybe. One that could burrow through the sand at the very least, and perhaps more.
Tang Nuan watching the small army in motion considered them for a moment. "Yue Guan you will start us off, Gui Mei you will guard the children. Dugu Bu, please stay here with them as well," she commanded stepping forward herself for battle.
Tang Nuan stomped her foot on the ground as she initiated possession. Rings appeared beneath her Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black. Her eighth ring was a particularly deep black color.
A massive Golden Crocodile appeared behind her for a moment before bursting apart. As the particles enter her body she begins to change. Golden scaly skin covers parts of her body like armor. Her head was uncovered as her hair flowed freely. Her eyes become reptilian and glow a subtle yellow almost gold.
Tang Nuan's power radiated out from her. "You deal with the numbers, and I'll take the snakes," she commanded.
"Fourth Skill: Golden Aura," her fourth skill covered her in a shining Golden light. Increasing both her offense and defense by 30%.
Yue Guan's martial soul appears in his hand as his rings appear. "Fifth Skill: Frosty Gather," he commands as his martial soul produces a large number of petals. Those petals as if blown by the wind are sent flying like arrows at the army below.
The petals make contact with part of the mechanical army. Those seemingly fragile petals pierce through metal with frightening ease. It truly was like a hail of arrows or flying blades.
As the attack ended, more than a dozen machines stopped moving. More seemed heavily damaged, and even the snakes had scratches.
Tang Nuan rushed forward pulverizing several machines as she passed. Her eyes were fixed directly on the writhing snakes. She jumped as she got close moving several meters in the air.
The mechanical snake closest rushed at her in mid-air. It's open-mouth like a rotating buzzsaw of countless blades. Ready to reduce her to nought but paste and blood.
Tang Nuan gazed at it coldly as her fifth ring lit up brightly. She turned her body in mid-air as a phantom appeared behind her. "Fifth Skill: Crocodile Tyrant Tail." The phantom became a massive illusory crocodile tail hitting the snake with a loud slam. The strike was such that the sturdy snake's head was partially pulverized.
Tang Nuan landed on the downed snake with a metallic thud. She noted that its head had been heavily damaged. Yet it was still functional, well she could fix that couldn't she? "First Skill: Crocodile's Claw Strike." She ripped into the machine's head as it finally fell silent.
She turned her gaze to the three remaining mechanical serpents. The three serpents dove into the sand, Tang Nuan narrowed her eyes. Each one was perhaps Soul King level maybe Quasi Soul Emperor.
Then in an instant, they resurfaced each lunging at her with rotating drill mouths. She snorted as she spun in a circle her fifth ring activating. "Crocodile's Tyrant Tail." The illusion returns as her tail strikes all three in a spin forcing them back.
Though none were rendered non-functional. Her sixth ring lit up "Sixth Soul Skill: Crocodiles Devouring Lunge." With explosive force, she jumped at one of the three. A phantom of a lunging crocodile with a wide mouth open.
Her attack makes contact the illusory fangs quickly sink into metal. With a single twist, the mechanical serpent lost its head. Another of the mechanical serpents had fallen in an instant. Completely unprepared for a sixth soul skill.
Tang Nuan gazed coldly at the remaining two damaged machines. She rushed them both prepared to end this in an instant. Unleashing her Sixth Skill once more lunging at one of them.
The mechanical serpent to its credit tries to fight back. Lunging back at her prepared to tear her apart. All for nought as her lunge tears into its mechanical body. For a second time, this lunge tears a large head to nought but scrap.
Tang Nuan reoriented herself in the air her Fifth Skill activating. Her crocodile tail slams into the final snake for a third and final time. The tail smashes the head denting it horribly as it collapses to the sand.
Tang Nuan lands with a thud on one of the serpents' inactive forms. She gazed at the now deactivated serpents with a critical eye. Ensuring that all four had been rendered non-threatening.
Tang Yuan felt amazed at the sheer amount of destruction she had wrought. He felt like he had just learned something again "My mother is a certified badass."
Bibi Dong practically had stars in her eyes at the sight of Tang Nuan. She hoped she could be like that in the future. Crushing enemies with relative ease and looking awe-inspiring while doing it.
Chrysantheum felt slightly conflicted at the results. He had eliminated the 36 in short order, but everyone focused on Tang Nuan. He pouted that no one bothered to witness his work.
As they walked over to her passing the machines. Tang Yuan looked at the ruined snakes with appraising eyes. He wondered if they could potentially work on taking parts of them. He paused considering if he had become a bit of a loot goblin.
"We will leave after a brief rest. Our storage is filled with supplies, ore, machines, and scrolls already. We can't fit much more in our belts Yuan remember that.." Tang Nuan voiced before her son could even begin to make a request.
Tang Yuan nodded as he got to work as quickly as possible. He would not have as much time as usual then. Yet he could try to get parts of those snakes.
Hours later they stepped from the entrance in the rock into the desert under the night. Their group immediately began moving as best they could. They had quite a trip ahead of them now to return to the desert's edge. Though it would be far easier than their entering.
From the massive rock mountain, they began to make their way. Trying to chart a course out of the desert back to the city. Several hours later they found themselves stepping into a canyon. The rock walls weren't especially high, but the canyon was wide in size.
So they began down the canyon to see if it would be right. If not they would scale the walls for another path. At least that had been the plan at first, yet now they came to a deviation.
It was a caravan group of some form, a rarity to be sure in this environment. Carriages had been grouped up even if they might only provide a few seconds of cover. Unlike normal wheeled carriages, these were more like sleds or mini ships. A number of sturdy-looking camels stood to the sides of those vehicles.
As they moved closer, a small detachment of them moved towards them in turn. Other visible members of the caravan seemed to become alert as we. No doubt there were others unseen ready to act.
Tang Yuan watched as his mother stepped forward slightly. Though she did not go to meet the small envoy group. Instead, she was letting them walk all the way he noted. A negotiation tactic used in a superior position he supposed.
The three nervous individuals stop a few meters ahead of them. They all bow deeply before their group both in greeting and acknowledgement. "Greetings to esteemed Seniors, and young masters. It is an honor to make your acquaintance." The one in the middle takes the lead.
"We were not expecting to encounter a caravan in the Endless Desert." Tang Nuan wears a mask of sternness and nobilit. She looks at the three of them critically, curious why their caravan was here.
The three shiver from her powerful gaze. At a mere glance, they had been able to tell that these seniors were strong. Yet perhaps even stronger than assumed. Even then what should they tell this group of powerfully dangerous seniors?
As the silence dragged on for a few moments a voice broke it. "Seniors." a louder voice spoke as a fourth individual moved slightly in a jog. He seems slightly out of breath at the moment, perhaps from surprise.
"Seniors forgive me for my mistake, It took a bit to make myself presentable. This junior begs your forgiveness for my tardiness" The man bowed deeply in apology as he stepped in front of the trinity. Seemingly afraid of possible recourse for this perceived slight.
"Never mind that, who exactly does your group belong to?" Tang Nuan wanted to know. Her gaze turned to several empty cages amongst their caravan. Designed for containing soul beasts below ten thousand years so she guessed. "The Arena perhaps."
The man lifted his head slightly an awkward look on his face. "Truthfully, seniors have seen through us. We had come to locate soul beasts for battles," he said not daring to deny the connection.
Tang Nuan narrowed her eyes at that admittance. "Very well then we won't cause you trouble in your work then," she said with some reluctance.
The man seemed relieved at the answer "Thank you for your understanding senior. If it pleases you to know we are returning to the shrouded city. Unfortunately our search has come to an end, this time at least." he said his spirit down at the admittance.
"The Shrouded City is it." Tang Nuan said thoughtfully. Truthfully she had little knowledge of such a place. "We have also achieved our goals this time. How far are we from the shrouded city, perhaps we can make for it instead."
"Oh, it should only be a few days' time to reach the city. If you do intend to go, might you travel with us honored seniors? It would soothe my mind to know you were with us." He asked with a surge of confidence hoping that they would agree.
Tang Nuan gazed at him with a critical eye at that request. "Very well I can agree to your request. As payment, you can lend us one of your vehicles for the trip." she practically commanded this payment in return.
The man seemed relieved at the answer as a smile appeared on his face. "Thank you seniors for the honor, and your protection if necessary." With that, he led them to one of the ships to be used by them.
"If you will excuse me seniors I shall tell the others of your presence," he says only leaving after being acknowledged. Taking a glance at Tang Yuan before stepping away in a hurry.
With that, they step into the carriage that would serve them for a while. It was large, enough so that all seven of them could fit within. As they piled within not speaking by an unspoken agreement. Soul Power subtly shrouds the inside of the carriage isolating their words from the outside.
"It would seem we have a destination at least in the short term." Guan Yue said with extra meaning.
"I don't like that guy." Tang Yuan found himself voicing with absolute certainty. What's more, he couldn't place exactly what it was he disliked about him. There was a slight nagging feeling he felt the moment they met that man.
"He is definitely shrewd, and not nearly as harmless as he pretends." Dugu Bo said with certainty. He had a good sense for snakes in the grass, at least he felt so.
Bibi Dong found herself curious about their faction so she asked "What exactly is the Arena he talked about? Is it a Great Soul Arena maybe near this area?" That was her guess at the very least.
Tang Nuan studied the children for a moment as if considering them. "Most of the Soul Arenas are under a faction's command. Spirit Hall, The Two Empires, the Seven Sects, etc depending on positioning. As a result, they form a chaotic map of ownership, or rather patronship." she said with a grave tone.
"As a result, different arenas have different setups and rules. It depends on the ones who rule the arena creating a vast sea of choices. Including certain hidden ones unknown to most anyone." she said trailing off as she thought of that place her husband told her of. That city too was made around an arena the bloodiest of them all.
"So it's possible they are part of a hidden arena." Tang Yuan asked her. If they were hunting spirit beasts alive they intended them for battle. He was getting a very Roman Colosseum feeling from this.
"Possibly, the arenas for the most part predate most factions. Certainly, they were talked of in the time of the Angel God. They were far more dangerous in those times compared to now. Prime hunting grounds for the Fallen Ones." Tang Nuan recounted history for them to know.
Tang Yuan noticed that word choice again "Fallen Ones. He hadn't considered exactly why that name before. Then he met the Senior and learned more about the history of the Angel God.
Taken into consideration with details from Douluo 3 in particular. Angel soul masters hunter evil soul masters with a passion. Especially those with the Fallen Angel martial soul that must be killed before the ninth ring. The Angel God fought off a threat, an external threat at that. The possible connection was far too glaring to dismiss, and the more he thought about it. The more it made sense.
Still, he could ask or ponder about that later. "Then you believe that this hidden arena will have connections to Evil Soul Masters of the present. If so, then so might this caravan we have joined." Tang Yuan said warily which might explain his distrust of that guy.
Tang Nuan glanced at her son. "It is more than likely, that man and this caravan reek of blood. They have slaughtered and killed quite a number of beasts and humans." Her words were grave and carried even graver implications.
"Sister Nuan, should we risk the children?" Gui Mei broke his silence to ask her. His words were few but also cutting.
Dugu Bo glanced at his son still so young. He would rather not put him in extreme danger. Still with the four of them present he doubted they would fall into danger. "I would rather not expose my son to danger without assurance of our ability to run."
Tang Nuan nodded understanding the concern both shared. "We have our own trump card if things turn bad. However, we may just as easily escape instead of engage in battle" she said placing special emphasis on the first statement.
With that, both Dugu Bo and Gui Mei were assured quite a bit. They understood her hidden meaning perfectly, only Spirit Hall could freely stretch so. Yue Guan and Gui Mei could focus on the battle with much more focus then.
The man who had spoken with the group walked away from the carriage. He wondered how on guard they were truly. Despite his formidable ability he couldn't see through them, too strong.
They were quite a formidable lineup as well. The poison master Dugu Bo a Soul Douluo specializing in eliminating large groups. He would be particularly troublesome, and also made poison quite difficult.
Yue Guan and Gui Mei two Soul Douluos from Spirit Hall. Said to have a martial soul fusion skill of some type. Both were formidable especially when together.
Dealing with Tang Yuan would be difficult with them present. Still one of their problems also became an opportunity as well. That woman Tang Nuan another Soul Douluo one with a crocodile martial soul. That man would be interested in her without a doubt even with the great risk.
He stepped into his own carriage settling into his seat. Bringing out a mirror to look at his current face. It would have to do for this trip back so he would not be recognised. Otherwise, things would become far too dangerous far too soon.
He would need to command the others impressing on them the importance of silence. He smiled at the thought of what was to come. "This time Tang Yuan I truly shall come out on top. I wonder what other surprises you will have for me."
In only a few hours' time, the caravan began moving once again. The time to arrive at the river city would be several days. Yet everyone present found themselves distracted. A sense of tension had settled in the caravan that everyone felt to some extent.
The caravan members had been commanded to treat the guests with respect. Yet also to hold their tongues before them as well. Interacting with them as little as possible to not give away much.
Meanwhile, the seven of them interacted with them very little. Tang Yuan, Bibi Dong, and Dugu Xin found themselves always accompanied by an elder. Dugu Bo had prepared for possible poisoning at any moment.
The entire group was already at the point of an open conspiracy. The questions were who would act first?, and when that would be? Neither group wanted to act just yet not when their goals had yet to be reached. At least that tension should have been consuming them, but instead.
Tang Yuan thought about this as he ate for the third time already today. Absorbing spirit rings was often known to be accompanied by changes particularly when young. He had already grown several centimeters since absorption. Unfortunately, that also caused his appetite to grow deeper as well.
Luckily both the body changes and the increased hunger had been expected. So Tang Yuan found himself with a great deal of supplies. Hopefully, these changes in his body will level out soon enough.
Tang Nuan gazed upon her son first with a motherly gaze. Then she turned to Bibi Dong who was also eating again. "It would seem that we have underestimated the effects of rings that old." They had made sure to bring more than normal, and of higher quality as well. Yet even now they had been rather off.
Dugu Xin looked at the two of them with. He hadn't needed to eat nearly as much as they had. He handed Bibi Dong another set of rations almost absent-mindedly. He felt happy as she smiled at him for a moment.
This tense situation seemed doomed to continue for most of the Caravan. Yet Tang Yuan wondered what their reaction would be to learning about their actions. They were on guard outside, and inside this carriage, they were happily chowing down.
The hours passed as the three of them became drawn into their elders' lectures. Dugu Bo in particular was teaching Dugu Xin more about poison. Yet during the middle of that Bibi Dong was also listening with great interest. Being a poison user herself she learned a bit as well.
Their group of seven had formed bonds of trust in this trip that served them well. Even Dugu Bo and Yue Guan had several low-level talks. That Tang Yuan found himself listening with half an ear towards.
Unfortunately, as he had learned in his previous life and this one. He had no talent for alchemy, and little talent or passion for gardening. He had checked the first one especially with Yang Wudi. So what he could learn was limited but still, he tried to pay some attention.
Time seemed to pass relatively well for there grouped. It was ironic but this time was some of the most relaxing since entering the desert. They would need to take advantage of that fact while it still lasted.
A medium-sized bird swooped in from the window arriving on a perch. Despite how average the creature seemed it was a soul beast of nearly 90 years. Though possessing low combat power it was intelligent and hardy.
A man approached the bird with interest stroking it slightly. At the same time, he removes a small scroll wrapped around its foot. He immediately notices its red coloring with no amount of surprised alarm. "The highest level, the boss needs to know."
The man takes the message making a beeline directly to his boss's chamber. Running through the halls with soul power enhancement. He arrives through several hallways at the door before the door to the entrance Hall.
He steadied himself as the guards glanced at him with suspicion. Their gazes held some amount of disdain for his unkept appearance. He dared not stare back, though he was stronger, they served the Master directly. So he simply held the scroll out to them "A red level letter has come."
One of the women stepped forward taking the scroll from him. "Stay here for now and wait," she told him in a cold tone as she turned away. Ignoring the slight envious look from her sister she stepped through the doors.
Immediately several other gazes focused on her from her sisters. She not looking at any of them and walked to the other side of the hall. Opening the door stepping through, and exiting the entrance hall.
The woman continued moving forward until she arrived at a certain door past several others. She composed herself, rapping on the door with her knuckles. Waiting for permission to enter from her master.
"You may enter." a strong voice spoke from inside the room. After a few moments of waiting.
She stepped through trying to maintain her composure. Her gaze spanned the room looking for her master. Stopping a few moments at the large bed in one section of the room. Several of her senior sisters were in bed, but no master.
Then her gaze turned to the large couch gazing upon him. He had tanned skin a rarity on the continent only seen in the desert, and even then. His strong eyes were locked on a book in his hands. He was dressed only in a flowing silk robe, seemingly with golden strings crossing parts.
She snapped out of her staring quickly moving closer to the couch. Kneeling before holding the scroll up for his gaze. "Master a red-level scroll has just arrived for your gaze," she said her head bowed in deference to him.
The man takes the scroll casually tossing the book to the side. "Is that so something from one of those elders then. Perhaps Senior Clam plans to inform us of his return with the Glue." he mused slightly as he took it.
As he began the scroll his gaze changed "from that Senior Clams disciple then, Hmhm. To entrust this to him, the Senior." he mused amusedly. Then he refocused "No, that guy is cautious even in doing the those errands. If he has chosen to do this then." he continued reading with interest.
As he did the woman glanced at his handsome face so focused on the scroll. If only he could look at her like that.
The man's face changed several times as he read the scroll. "That guy wants me to support him in this endeavor. Seven people then, one of them is Dugu Bo troublesome." He dismissed several ideas that would use poison.
Finally, as he got to the end a look of surprise came to his face. "Tang Nuan a Soul Douluo with the Golden Crocodile martial soul. So he intends to use her presence to make me act." he smiled a dangerous smile almost like a crocodile himself for a moment.
"Even if I can not manage to make use of her in that way. I can still use this group to deal with that troublesome Crocodile." his eyes became focused on possible schemes. At the same time, he realized he would have to prepare either way.
This place would soon fall. If not in a confrontation with them, then with that thing. Or vengeance brought by those behind those seven.
His gaze turned to another name on the list, Tang Yuan. That woman's son, he would need to make plans for him, as well. Even if the other two possibilities fail perhaps that could salvage matters.
He smiled turning his gaze to the patiently waiting guard. "Come here, I feel in the mood to have fun." his gaze turned slightly lustful.
The woman smiles "Yes, master." She entered his arms without a complaint. Happy to be touched by her master once more after so long.