The air, imbued with violent sparks, poured in from the sizable doorway. Hot wind rustled the paper lanterns, causing the strings of bells to jingle in a chaotic, clattering symphony.
"Quick, reinforce the barrier!"
Panic seized those within the barrier. Amidst the howling wind and clanging bells, their voices turned hoarse and shrill.
The terrifying death array, poised to vaporize all structures and living beings, was imminent. Their sole refuge, their fortress, had developed a crack, rendering it incapable of resisting the erosion. It would target this weakness until the entire barrier shattered.
The thought alone made no one calm or indifferent.
But how could they reinforce and mend that void?
They were bewildered, more so flustered and lost, utterly confused.
How could the "Sui Tong Zhao Jian Array," laid down by their ancestors with such formidable strength and stability, capable of withstanding city-destroying assaults, have a gaping hole from a single blow?
Was this even logical?
A swirling, vast expanse of black smoke surged forth and spread across the ground, its powerful, impacting air currents kicking up layers of dust, forcing those nearby to recoil in alarm.
Simultaneously, they regarded the newcomers with vigilance and hostility.
The smoke, like iron serpents coiling and then dissipating, revealed several figures descending to the ground.
Black light, like countless butterflies with slightly opened wings, hovered in the air, motionless. From within, a figure descended, like a demon from a tranquil pool, delicate and tender, with slender shoulders and a fine waist. Her robes resembled ink washed onto paper, painting the passage of time. She tilted her head, revealing half her face, yet it evoked the feeling of being in the biting winter wind.
A strange, chilling sensation permeated the air.
She held a child in each arm. The children were small, about five or six years old, but both were adorably beautiful, resembling the beloved snow-white cherubs from New Year prints.
Beside her stood a remarkably handsome, tall young man. Behind them, in a posture of protection, stood three men exuding an extraordinary aura.
As the beautiful youth raised his gaze, "Wu Xiang" flowed like a soft, black ribbon around his waist, transforming into a strand of hair that silently drifted back to Gu Junshi.
Freed from its restraint, he subconsciously moved closer to Gu Junshi, blinked his thick, curly eyelashes, and called out to her like a demure bride, "Hua Mi..."
At first glance, the man and woman, along with the two children, appeared to be a family of four.
As for the three behind them, though each possessed a unique charm, they were incongruous with the style and atmosphere of the front four, presumably subordinates or helpers.
Before they could ponder further, several more people emerged from the breached opening in the barrier.
These were the same individuals who had been outside, urging them to open the barrier earlier.
Upon seeing them, it was clear that these four individuals also possessed exceptional qualities.
The woman's eyebrows were like kingfisher feathers, her skin like white snow, elegant and graceful. Though her face was veiled, her refined beauty was evident.
The two young men and a handsome monk, untainted by worldly dust, all elicited admiration for the sheer number of high-caliber individuals present.
However, if they had appeared elsewhere, they might have stirred up a wave of secret admiration and accelerated heartbeats among women.
But where were they?
And who were the people standing here?
This city of compassion, devoted to solemn Buddhist practices, was populated by nuns whose hearts were like still water, viewing handsome men as mere refuse. No matter how attractive or alluring they were, these nuns could grit their teeth and endure.
A middle-aged woman wearing a monastic cap and gray robes stepped forward. Her brows were furrowed into a "Chuan" character due to her stern expression. Her voice was filled with anguish, "Who are you people? Do you know how many lives you are endangering here?!"
Lu Ziyin, having managed to escape and barely catching his breath, heard the old nun's sharp interrogation.
He paused, then looked up at the "broken hole" from which the wind was howling.
Could they be blamed for this?
Were they to blame?
Earlier, they had urgently called for the barrier to be opened from the outside, but the inhabitants remained unresponsive. It was the mysterious senior who had violently broken through, allowing them to enter and escape the imminent danger.
In essence, she had helped them twice.
Now that this disaster had occurred, they couldn't completely absolve themselves of responsibility, especially after receiving help.
So, let them be blamed.
"Can't this broken barrier be mended?" Fu Wanyan asked, her brows furrowed and lips pursed. "What happened earlier was out of urgency, a last resort..."
As the main heroine of "Dragon Overlord," Fu Wanyan's character design conformed to what the Heavenly Dao deemed perfect: virtuous, knowledgeable, and kind-hearted. She felt that they had endangered the people of Compassion City and wished to work together to atone for their mistake.
"What do you think this barrier is?!"
Another imposing nun stepped forward, accusing them angrily, "Now that the barrier is broken, it might not hold... We'll all die in this explosion!"
Hearing this, Yan Tianjiao's cold eyebrows furrowed. His thin, cold lips curled into a sneer as he retorted, "Should we have stayed outside to await death due to your array?"
Humans are selfish. Fearing risk, they hesitated to let them in, prolonging their decision. They, wanting to survive, forcefully entered the barrier. In terms of right and wrong, neither was entirely at fault; at most, they were each seeking self-preservation.
Li Sheng, pure of heart and kind, upon hearing their words, also looked up at the "broken hole" and glanced at Gu Junshi, who stood apart from the commotion.
She, who was the "culprit" of all the dispute, now acted as if it were none of her concern, allowing them to argue.
He cautiously tugged at her robe, leaning close as if sharing a secret only they knew, and whispered, "Hua Mi, this hole... what should we do?"
He seemed to possess an innate intelligence beyond others. He vaguely sensed that she, who could break this barrier, could also mend it, quell their mutual recriminations, and perfectly resolve the fear and tension that currently gripped everyone.
But all of this... depended on her willingness.
Or rather, it depended on how much she wanted to toy with all of them before relenting.
Gu Junshi cast him a faint glance.
It could be said that Gu Junshi's heart had grown colder over the past seven years; she had even renounced carnal pleasures. Apart from her ambition to find Liu Jiang Fusheng and her child, and to obtain a definitive outcome, and the relentless plotting of grand schemes like a mastermind, nothing else could stir her emotions. She appeared indifferent to most things.
But now, seeing the young man gazing at her with sincere, starry eyes, as clear as glazed glass, like a pure blackness falling upon white snow, as if her world consisted only of him and his fervent attention.
Her heart suddenly stirred.
Yet her gaze became even deeper, as still as icy jade.
"Soon."
Soon?
Li Sheng looked at her blankly.
He didn't understand, but... he did understand.
She could mend the "broken hole," and everyone would be fine.
He breathed a sigh of relief. What he didn't understand was irrelevant; knowing this was enough.
At this moment, several meteoric lights streaked through the broken hole and arrived rapidly.
It was Liu Jiang Fusheng, descending like a lingering snow cloud, but he was not alone. Behind him followed two people, individuals they hadn't seen before entering Compassion City, or perhaps even earlier.
Their arrival at this moment naturally drew the attention of others.
But they only had time for a fleeting glance before sensing a violent tremor that shook the ground as if the earth were roaring. The shifting tectonic plates caused everyone to sway, unable to stand firm.
Simultaneously, fiery flames, as red as fresh blood, surged from outside the array. The heavens and earth turned the same color, and they were soon engulfed by a red light, leaving only an absolute scarlet world, with nothing else visible.
It's over...
At that moment, the only words that surged into their minds were these two.
They were doomed.
Despair and terror enveloped their hearts. The red light irritated their eyes, causing them to instinctively close them.
As darkness fell, their hearts grew even more uncertain and fearful. They seemed to be waiting for the moment of annihilation, as if awaiting a miracle.
Li Sheng stammered, "Hua, Hua Mi..."
"Mother—"
Le Bao and Si Jun, both reaching out their small arms, tightly embraced her neck and buried their little heads in her chest.
"Junzhu!"
Gu Junshi suddenly looked up. A torrent of black energy surged from her, and the "broken hole," like a piece chipped from an eggshell, began to close and mend.
As the red light completely submerged them, a rhombus-shaped light shield formed on its surface, warding off all external dangers.
"You can open your eyes now."
When danger struck, realizing they couldn't escape, human instinct might be to close their eyes and await death. But the shadow of death they expected did not consume them. As everyone trembled uncontrollably, they heard a clear, steady voice say, "It's all over."
They then opened their eyes. Looking around, they saw that everything except for where they stood, within the covered area of the barrier, was destroyed. They were standing in a void, with the remaining ruins suspended in mid-air.
Compassion City was gone, leaving only Guang Hui Chan Temple, Ji Zhao Gu Temple, and Jing Xu Ni Pu.
They were unharmed?!
The breath they had held in their chests for so long that they had forgotten about it was exhaled in a long sigh.
Their first instinct was to look upwards, and they were astonished to find that the broken hole had been repaired at some unknown time!
Who did it?
Or did the barrier have an automatic repair function?
Everyone speculated silently.
But regardless, this calamity had been overcome.
Those whose legs felt weak from the near-death experience no longer cared about dirt or dignity and simply slumped to the ground.
"Who exactly are you people?"
Master Ming Hui, slightly injured, was helped forward by a disciple.
Lu Ziyin, also drenched in a cold sweat, felt a complex mix of emotions after the scare.
He finally found an opportunity to introduce himself.
"Revered Master, we are disciples of the Immortal Sect. We have been tasked by our sect to come to Compassion City to meet Masters Hui Ming, Xian Zhi, and Jing Xu."
Similar to Master Ming Hui, Masters Xian Zhi and Jing Xu also approached. Most of the high-cultivation masters had been in the temple maintaining the barrier's stability, but they were not unaware of the events unfolding outside. However, if they had withdrawn, the barrier might not have held.
Upon hearing this, the three masters realized, "So it's you."
Master Hui Ming turned her gaze and suddenly spotted the young man beside Gu Junshi. Her face lit up with surprise, and she stepped forward, "Young hero, do you still remember this humble nun?"
Li Sheng smiled upon seeing Master Hui Ming, his dimples deepening. He also showed pleasant surprise, "Master Hui Ming, it is wonderful to see you all safe."
Seeing that he still remembered them, Master Hui Ming felt even more guilty. With a wry smile, she said, "Previously, after Senior Gu left, leaving young hero alone... this humble nun is deeply grateful for your life-saving kindness. If young hero requires anything—"
Li Sheng quickly replied, "No, no, it's not necessary..."
"Cough—"
At this moment, Gu Junshi, standing beside Li Sheng, cleared her throat.
Li Sheng's voice faltered, and he became somewhat flustered. He subtly glanced at her and saw that Gu Junshi, shedding her usual reserve, displayed a dewy, crystalline smile. "Revered Master, helping the weak is what Li Sheng ought to do."
Master Hui Ming then looked at Gu Junshi, hesitating, "Is this young hero's...?"
Hearing this, Li Sheng's pearly white cheeks flushed. He stammered for a long time, unsure how to answer, "She, she is my..."
She was his savior, but in his heart, she was more than just a savior.
He had fallen in love with her at first sight.
But Master Hui Ming immediately understood, "Oh, so you are Madame."
Huh?
Madame?
How did their Junzhu become this pretty boy's Madame?
Kai Shan Gui, Ji Du Mo, and Cang Yu Yao, standing behind Gu Junshi, were all enraged.
How could this pretty boy be worthy of their Junzhu? Was this old nun blind or blinded by self-interest to speak such nonsense?
However, it wasn't just the three of them who were indignant. Le Bao and Si Jun also felt uncomfortable hearing it.
Although Le Bao hadn't confirmed if the sister holding him was his biological mother, his possessiveness was strong. From the first moment he saw her, he felt a special connection. He had a father, and he didn't want another stepfather.
And although Si Jun disliked his biological father, he only wanted to monopolize his mother and didn't want a stepfather at all.
But before their objections could be voiced, they were stunned by Gu Junshi's actions.
She casually glanced at Li Sheng and did not deny Master Hui Ming's guess of "Madame." Li Sheng, already blushing to his ears from the word "Madame," looked as if he didn't know how to handle the situation and could only lower his head.
He did not deny it either.
Bearing the title of Li Sheng's "Madame," Gu Junshi naturally accepted the life-saving grace on his behalf. "Revered Master, actually, there is one matter. Compassion City is currently caught in someone's scheme. This space is within a Dharma artifact. To leave, we must use Compassion City's Demon-Breaking Arrows to shatter this confinement. May we borrow your esteemed treasure's Demon-Breaking Arrows?"