The Space Portal at the Borderlands, A Hunting Game
The Space Portal at the Borderlands, A Hunting Game
Regarding Tuo Ba Xiaoyao’s assurance, Tuo Ba Yuntian merely sighed softly, assuming his son was only trying to comfort him, and did not take it to heart.
His fourth daughter had been taken from the manor, her whereabouts still unknown.
Although he had dispatched people to search everywhere these past days, there had not been the slightest clue—it was like a stone sinking into the sea.
Tuo Ba Yuntian already had an ominous premonition in his heart; he simply found it hard to accept this reality for the time being.
“It seems I can only shamelessly go beg His Majesty. Perhaps, in consideration of my past years of hard service, he will send people to help me...”
Tuo Ba Yuntian’s face was etched with worry as he placed his last hope on Emperor Yu.
If even Emperor Yu could not find Tuo Ba Qingyu’s whereabouts, then he would truly have no options left. After all, the other party had been incredibly bold and brazen.
Not only had they committed their crime within the Great Yu Imperial Capital—said to be protected by an Inescapable Net—they had even infiltrated the General’s Manor and abducted Tuo Ba Qingyu right before the eyes of all the maids and guards.
Though there were quite a few forces in the vast Beyond capable of such methods, none of them were something a mere small State-Guarding Grand General like him could contend with.
After Tuo Ba Yuntian departed, only Tuo Ba Xiaoyao and his second sister, Tuo Ba Qiongling, remained in the courtyard.
“Xiaoyao, is what you said true? Was it really Gu Changge who sent people to abduct Qingyu?”
After a moment of silence, seeing that no one else was around, Tuo Ba Qiongling finally asked, somewhat unable to believe it.
“Other than Gu Changge, no one would make a move against Qingyu. He’s warning me not to play any little tricks.”
Tuo Ba Xiaoyao’s expression was dark, his fists clenched tight as he spoke.
He naturally understood Gu Changge’s intentions—this was to make him wary of acting rashly, to keep him from daring to move.
At the same time, he was to hand over the Sword of World Domination within the agreed time, otherwise Tuo Ba Qingyu’s life would absolutely not be spared.
“Gu Changge...”
Tuo Ba Qiongling fell silent, a deep sense of powerlessness rising in her heart.
Facing such a terrifying enemy, even if they resisted, it would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot—courting their own destruction.
“But Second Sister, rest assured. As long as I haven’t handed that item over to Gu Changge, Qingyu will be safe.”
“During this period, Gu Changge shouldn’t make things difficult for Qingyu.”
Tuo Ba Xiaoyao then comforted her, telling his second sister not to worry—he would think of something.
“Let us hope so.” Tuo Ba Qiongling sighed.
“Oh right, Second Sister. Some time ago, an unopened ancient world reportedly appeared in the border region, and Big Brother is now leading troops to guard that area. How much do you know about this matter?”
Then, recalling another important matter, Tuo Ba Xiaoyao’s expression grew solemn as he asked in a deep voice.
This matter was highly secret; only the upper echelons of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty knew a thing or two about it, and he himself had only heard of it by chance from his father’s mouth.
While he was in the Heavenly Prison, he had carefully considered how to hand over the Sword of World Domination within the agreed time.
The conclusion he ultimately reached was to travel to the Shu Sect where he had cultivated in his previous life, and search through the code-breaking texts within the Sword Pavilion in its forbidden grounds.
In his previous life, while observing his Founding Ancestor undergoing tribulation, he had been caught within the range of the Heavenly Tribulation and accidentally perished. Yet a wisp of his Remnant Soul had not been extinguished, drifting all the way to the Beyond, where he was reborn as the Third Young Master of the Tuo Ba household.
Then, in his teens, he awakened the memories of his reincarnation—so strictly speaking, he was now living his third life.
The manual for refining the Primordial Foetal Sword of World Domination had come from none other than the Shu Sect’s Sword Pavilion.
“Why do you ask? Big Brother is indeed currently guarding the space portal over there, to prevent the other Cults of Immortality from detecting it.”
“Why would you suddenly ask about this?” Tuo Ba Qiongling asked, somewhat puzzled.
That unopened ancient great world was said to possess a profound foundation and long-enduring Fortuity, even capable of giving birth to beings at the level of True Daoists.
This also meant that the ancient great world contained boundless resources.
Before opening it, the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty would certainly try every possible means to conceal news of its existence, striving to devour the biggest piece of meat before the news leaked.
All the great powers and orthodoxies of the Beyond acted this way when faced with such unopened ancient worlds, so Tuo Ba Qiongling found nothing strange about it.
After all, the Beyond, as the center of all heavens, gathered billions upon billions of Overworlds.
The spatial barriers of some of these worlds were already comparable to the Beyond’s, and occasionally, when two worlds collided, Space Rifts would form, exposing their existence.
“I need to make a trip to see Big Brother.”
Hearing this, Tuo Ba Xiaoyao nodded, a thoughtful look in his eyes. He had originally been uninterested in that unopened ancient great world, but a possibility had suddenly occurred to him.
The reason he had reincarnated into the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty—could it be because the world he had previously been in was adjacent to this place?
What if that suddenly exposed ancient great world was the very world where he had previously lived and cultivated?
If that were the case, then he could return to his original world to search for a method to break the deadlock.
Of course, Tuo Ba Xiaoyao had other plans in mind as well—thoughts of revenge stirring to life once more.
If that world truly was the world he had originally lived in, wouldn’t that mean he had an entire ancient great world as his foundation, with which he could contend against Gu Changge?
Thinking of this, Tuo Ba Xiaoyao did not linger. After packing a few belongings, he set out on the road to the borderlands.
Since leaving the Heavenly Prison, he had not even had time to see Yu Feiya. Of course, Tuo Ba Xiaoyao also understood that now was not the time for matters of the heart.
More important matters awaited him.
Compared to the hurriedness on Tuo Ba Xiaoyao’s side, Gu Changge on the other side appeared rather leisurely.
These past few days, Jia Luo, the prince of the Eternal Overcast Kingdom, had come to see him from time to time, discussing when they would depart for the Eternal Overcast Kingdom. To this, Gu Changge naturally brushed him off with casual perfunctory replies.
Even so, Jia Luo’s attitude toward him remained quite reverent, his words full of flattery and attempts to curry favor—he even expressed intentions of following him.
Gu Changge thought it over and figured he would eventually make a trip to the Eternal Overcast Kingdom anyway.
Having such an errand runner would not be bad, so he did not refuse Jia Luo’s request.
After a few visits back and forth, Jia Luo had become quite familiar in his presence.
The rear mountain of the imperial palace was an extremely expansive hunting ground.
Ancient forests flourished, mountain ranges stretched on, and towering peaks rose high as far as the eye could see, shrouded in thin mist. From time to time, multicolored auspicious light shot into the sky in dazzling splendor.
This place had once been a paradise grotto-heaven, where it was said an immortal had once preached the Dao, though it later fell into ruin.
But in some corners, rare treasures could still occasionally be found, and even ancient Stone Engravings recording certain powerful treasure techniques and divine abilities.
Therefore, a certain generation’s Emperor Yu had specially converted this place into a hunting ground. The imperial family’s scions, in their idle moments, all enjoyed coming here to hunt fierce beasts.
The hunting ground’s perimeter was inscribed with numerous Array Patterns and Restrictions, with soldiers patrolling as well, so there was no worry of anyone disturbing a hunt.
Within the hunting ground stood many buildings and pavilions, constructed in magnificent grandeur, their treasure-light flickering, resembling a majestic Immortal Palace.
At this moment, Gu Changge, Second Prince Yu Lie, Eternal Overcast Prince Jia Luo, Eldest Princess Yu Feiya, and quite a few renowned Young Prodigies of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty were all gathered here, standing within a pavilion and gazing out at the scene in the hunting ground.
Gu Changge wore a moon-white long robe, his crystalline ink-dark hair bound with a simple hair tie. His gaze was gentle and calm, his bearing simple and at ease, exuding an air of languid detachment.
“Inviting Young Master Changge here today was really just a matter of idle amusement. It so happens that quite a few captives were recently delivered from the borderlands, so I thought we’d play a little game.”
Yu Lie’s figure was tall and straight, his stride like a dragon’s and a tiger’s, resembling a young Son of Heaven, faint divine radiance surrounding him as he spoke with a smile.
Emperor Yu had personally ordered him to draw closer to Gu Changge.
So, having nothing better to do, Yu Lie had arranged a little game and invited Gu Changge and the others to observe, using it to close the distance between himself and Gu Changge.
Hearing this, Gu Changge smiled. “Oh? What little game could make Prince Yu Lie put on such a grand display, inviting us all here?”
Though he said this, he was not the least bit curious, nor interested.
During this period, Gu Changge had actually been planning to arrange for people to kill Yu Lie, thereby plunging the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty into chaos.
However, this matter had yet to be set in motion. Moreover, Yu Lie could not die in front of him, and it was inconvenient to act within the Great Yu Imperial Capital, so it could only be delayed again and again.
“Captives brought back from the border?”
Hearing this, the expressions of quite a few Young Prodigies present shifted slightly—they had clearly guessed something.
“Naturally, it’s a little game. In their own countries, these people are remarkable prodigies and important figures, you know.”
Yu Lie laughed heartily without explaining further. Immediately after his words fell, rumbling sounds came from outside the hunting ground.
Several prison carts were pushed over, covered with black cloth that could block the probing of divine sense, so the crowd could not see the scene within.
But from this display, everyone present still guessed what was going on. A flash of pity passed through Yu Feiya’s eyes, but in the end she said nothing.
“Bring them all up.”
Yu Lie’s expression was cold as he waved his hand, ordering the prison carts pushed forward. Only when they drew near was the black cloth lifted, revealing the scene within.
The prison carts held quite a few Cultivators and living beings—men and women, old and young, of various races—their faces pale, their clothes tattered, utterly wretched.
Their expressions varied: some angry, some icy, some numb, some hateful, despairing, or terrified.
As an immortal power, though the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty possessed boundless territory and a vast foundation, it still had frictions with the surrounding great powers.
Battles frequently occurred at the borders. These people were all captives of hostile forces seized in the borderlands—ordinary disciples, as well as prodigies, Saintesses, and Elders of enemy powers.
“Since you are unwilling to submit to my Great Yu Celestial Dynasty, today I shall give you a chance to live.”
Yu Lie looked coldly at the people in the prison carts as he spoke.
All of these people wore shackles that restricted their cultivation, incomparably heavy. Even Elders of profound cultivation were now no different from ordinary people, unable to use their cultivation or magic power.
Even walking was extremely difficult.
“Kill us or torture us as you please. If this old man so much as furrows his brow—”
Hearing these words, someone in the prison carts immediately cursed in rage, but before he could finish, he let out a miserable scream.
The chains at his feet suddenly lit up, streaks of purple thunder flashing with crackling sounds, blasting his entire body into flying ash—body and soul destroyed.
This scene made the surrounding people even more terrified; many could not help but tremble, frightened to the extreme.
“Truly ignorant of life and death. Given a path to live, you insist on seeking death instead.” Yu Lie’s expression did not change in the slightest, remaining utterly cold.
These were captives of hostile forces who should have been executed long ago. He had only kept them thinking they might bring him some amusement.
“Today, I can spare your lives. This ancient forest before you will be the place where you flee for your lives. If you are still alive after three days, then I will spare you—I may even allow you to return to the powers behind you.”
Yu Lie spoke indifferently, explaining the rules of the game to everyone.
This hunting ground contained not only fierce beasts but also various perilous lands. On top of that, they would be pursued from behind.
These captives’ cultivations were sealed, making them no different from ordinary people. Even if they fled with all their might, they could not get far.
Of course, to add to the fun of the game, Yu Lie and the others would not lightly use divine abilities or spells.
The other Young Prodigies present had clearly long since grown accustomed to such things. They were not surprised, their expressions unchanged.
Only Jia Luo, the prince of the Eternal Overcast Kingdom, found it rather interesting—he had not expected the little game Yu Lie spoke of to be this.
After Yu Lie finished explaining the rules, the prison carts were opened, and the people within scattered in a hubbub, dragging their heavy chains.
Even those who had shown such backbone moments ago chose to swallow their pride, fleeing desperately toward the depths, unwilling to let go of this chance to survive.
Even ants cling to life, let alone humans—though this chance of survival was exceedingly slim.
“I won’t be participating in this little game. I’ll just watch from here.”
Seeing this, Gu Changge’s expression showed no great ripple. Facing Yu Lie’s invitation, he shook his head with a smile.
“Haha. In that case, we’ll meet again in three days.”
Yu Lie had not expected Gu Changge to refuse. His face stiffened for a moment, but he did not mind. After a hearty laugh, he mounted his steed, took up his bow and arrows, and swiftly gave chase.
In this kind of hunting game, each participant was ranked according to the captives they killed.
The winner could also obtain quite a few good things, claiming the stakes everyone had wagered.
Soon, only a sparse few remained in the pavilion. Besides Gu Changge, Eldest Princess Yu Feiya had also not participated. Her expression looked rather haggard, as if something weighed on her mind.
“Why isn’t Young Master Changge participating in this hunting game?”
Noticing that Gu Changge seemed to be looking at her, Yu Feiya came back to her senses and asked with some confusion.
Although these people were captives of hostile forces, she still could not bear it in her heart—she did not wish to torment them once more before their deaths.
“Naturally, because I find it boring.” Gu Changge smiled faintly, speaking casually.
Yu Feiya forced a smile. “For Young Master Changge, such a hunting game is indeed rather dull.”
“These captives were all brought back from the borderlands?”
Gu Changge smiled noncommittally, then asked.
“Naturally, all of them.” Though Yu Feiya did not know why Gu Changge would ask this, she nodded.
“Now that is somewhat interesting.”
Gu Changge’s gaze turned rather intrigued. In an instant, his divine sense enveloped the entire ancient forest, landing upon one frail, petite figure dragging heavy chains, fleeing with great difficulty.