Online: I Can See Health Bars

Chapter 1697: Chapter 761: First Advancement (Phase 2)

However, that’s all talk for later; for now, the priority is their smooth return journey.

Fang Yu no longer concerned himself with the Black-footed Horses standing blankly in place at the rear, focusing his vigilance on the front and surrounding areas.

Overhead, swarms of demons, like black clouds, whistled back and forth, patrolling.

Suddenly, one of the black cloud groups seemed to have discovered something, abruptly diving downward at high speed.

Although the demons within the cloud varied in strength, their sheer number and the fact they were all flying demons made Fang Yu instantly tense.

Unexpectedly, Luo Jianqing was already asking Yan Wenxi for artifacts at this moment.

Though Yan Wenxi was clearly wary, and even unaware she had so many artifacts on her person.

Yet, without a doubt, the team had risked their lives to rescue and escort her back, so based on their previous performance and the current situation, Yan Wenxi hesitated only briefly before handing over several black beads, like hidden weapons.

Fang Yu didn’t know what those were called, but undoubtedly, as Luo Jianqing tossed the black bead hidden weapons skyward in one swift motion.

Woo!!!

An extremely piercing and sharp sound, one Fang Yu had heard before, instantly erupted in the high sky, continuously echoing throughout the canyon.

The demon swarm that had been diving downward seemed attracted by the sound and chased after it.

"Quick!"

Luo Jianqing growled deeply.

Clearly, even with artifacts, they must quickly find a way to leave this place.

Fang Yu noticed Luo Jianqing was blinking forcefully again, as if his eyes were uncomfortable.

Understanding the situation to some extent, Fang Yu naturally put some distance between himself and Luo Jianqing, no longer walking side by side with him as before.

Fortunately, with the artifacts distracting the enemies and Luo Jianqing leading the way as the strong one, their escape from Luofeng Valley went remarkably smoothly.

Once out of Luofeng Valley, Fang Yu saw Luo Jianqing put away the remaining two black bead artifacts, while the others had been thrown away en route and used up.

Fang Yu opened his mouth but closed it again.

He thought about getting a share of those things, but it seemed difficult.

Besides, everyone’s actions were under scrutiny; even Yan Wenxi didn’t speak up, so no one else was qualified to say anything.

This return journey would still rely on Luo Jianqing’s guidance.

The group stayed silent as they hurried along.

Up ahead, the temperature began to drop.

The icy world of the Northern Cold Lake reappeared in their vision.

But this time, without Daoist Qing Yan, even though the artifacts remained, many in the team felt unsettled.

The howling wind and snow grew stronger, and amid falling snowflakes, they plunged into the Northern Cold Lake.

...

Sui Chong Pass.

"How... about this?"

Ding Hui was constantly sketching on a clay sculpture of a little girl.

Line by line, the patterns on the clay girl began connecting, seemingly carrying a certain charm, like an array, woven together.

From simple patterns to switching materials, continuing to sketch, Ding Hui’s expression was highly focused, her entire self unkempt, her hair wild and messy, occasionally scratching her head as if pondering.

Judging by her appearance, it seemed she hadn’t slept well for days, completely absorbed in her research.

"Mrs. Diao..."

Knock, knock.

There was a knocking sound from outside the door.

But Ding Hui didn’t respond, and after waiting for about ten seconds and seeing no reaction inside, the person outside pushed the door open.

"Mrs. Diao."

The newcomer was none other than Chen Yunyun, the acting guardian of Sui Chong Pass.

Even after entering, Ding Hui still didn’t acknowledge the presence, remaining engrossed in her clay sculpture.

Chen Yunyun shook her head slightly, glanced at the food on the table, confirming it hadn’t been touched, and sighed again.

"Mrs. Diao, I know you’re busy with your own affairs, but even if you’re busy, you still need to eat. Even though you and I are martial artists, if you don’t eat for a long time..."

"I will eat."

Ding Hui interrupted directly, her voice cold.

Except for Fang Yu, Ding Hui treats most people with this indifferent attitude.

It’s just that when she’s always by Fang Yu’s side, Ding Hui behaves like a normal woman, so it’s easy for people to overlook her. In fact, Ding Hui is an extremely proud and powerful woman, and this pride is backed by sufficient capital.

Her skills are unique in some respects, even far ahead.

However, Chen Yunyun didn’t quite understand these things. She only knew that if Ding Hui falls ill during Fang Yu’s absence, she would be fully responsible.

If someone is risking their life for you, but you can’t even take care of their wife, how could she face anyone?

"Mrs. Diao, you don’t look well. You said you would eat last night, but the food has gone cold, and you haven’t taken a bite..."

Chen Yunyun continued talking, but Ding Hui was no longer paying attention to her.

Chen Yunyun felt somewhat helpless, replacing the cold food with a steaming hot meal. She looked at the little clay figure Ding Hui was busy with.

It was the size of a seven or eight-year-old girl, but it lacked facial features, only having the shape of a clay figure, so she couldn’t tell if it was well-made or not.

The gradually dense and complex lines on the clay figure’s body didn’t have any aesthetic appeal either, more like random scribbling, chaotic and disordered.

"Then continue with your work, eat the food while it’s hot."

Even from a distance, Chen Yunyun could smell a bit of scent emanating from Ding Hui.

Truly, without Young Master Diao, Mrs. Diao paid no heed to her image.

Before leaving the room, she thought for a moment, then said.

"Mrs. Diao, if Young Master Diao returns, I think he wouldn’t want to see his wife looking so unkempt."

The keyword of Fang Yu’s name made Ding Hui pause her actions.

She glanced at the doorway where the door was already closed, muttered something under her breath, then scratched her slightly itchy scalp and continued to work.

"Ah Song Xi, Song Xi, you’re really lucky. In my hands, you might shine anew..."

"Don’t get excited, I haven’t connected the neural link yet, you can’t control this body yet, just stay inside the clay figure."

"Keep the remnants of the Defiled Blood Clone Demon for future research, maybe that ability can be reactivated..."

"Diao Deyi’s demon bloodline, after dilution, already has a certain level of manipulability, and will act as the main guide..."

"Chen Yunyun’s flesh, like an inhibitor, fills every part of the body..."

"Also, the supplementation of the array..."

Ding Hui continued to obsessively manipulate the clay figure, constantly adding her ideas.

In reality, she was indeed simplifying things.

Due to the incompatibility and activation issues between various abilities, she had to hide some of them, like unactivated seeds, leaving a backdoor to possibly activate them later when conditions and ideas were ripe.

Ding Hui kept busy, and since she had made choices, her clay figure was in the final stages of completion.

Though Sui Chong Pass was small in size, it was rich in resources, and since Fang Yu had already set off, Ding Hui had negotiated and started to receive a portion of materials in advance for the research of the clay figure.

Taking whatever was lacking, the progress was swift.

Ding Hui had a hunch that the creation of this clay figure should be quite smooth, but it was ultimately the first version, with plenty of optimization and adjustments needed afterward.

For now, if the Song Xi tumor at the heart of the clay figure can establish a neural connection with the figure, allowing Song Xi to have basic mobility, it would be considered a success.

Each ability and each concept is actually still in a relatively early stage, leaving a spark. Through appropriate filling and adjustment, they could be activated.

Currently, the focus is on the broad outline.

While Ding Hui was completely engrossed in her research, Chen Yunyun had already arrived at the walls of Sui Chong Pass.

She gazed downward.

A long line was forming below.

Even though notices had been sent out, announcements made in nearby villages and towns, and signs erected at a considerable distance outside Sui Chong Pass, stating that during this period the pass was completely closed both internally and externally.

Yet, it couldn’t stop outsiders from continually gathering.

So despite the prior announcements, a long queue still formed below Sui Chong Pass.

Fortunately, there hadn’t been any demon attacks in recent days, otherwise, Chen Yunyun wouldn’t know what to do.