Dongfang Meng took the fragments of the Ancient Transmission Array; she knew that if she didn't, all the villagers in Desolate Stone Village would die. She didn't tell anyone about this issue, thinking what good would it do to tell others? This was an ancient "poison" that even if Ye Tianchen were aware of, he might not be able to solve it. This was a matter that could only be resolved through intelligence, not force. Clearly, Dongfang Meng understood this, so she wanted to endure this pain and pressure alone, for the villagers of Desolate Stone Village, and also for Ye Tianchen!

Despite this, Dongfang Meng was not a foolish woman. The four beauties of the Ancient Martial Sect were not famous for nothing; not only were their appearances like fairies, but they possessed exceptional talent and wisdom. In the Martial Arts World, no female martial artist would be unpleasant-looking, as altering one's appearance to look nicer was a trivial task for martial artists, not considered a divine skill.

On the way here, Dongfang Meng thought a lot about how important the fragments of the Ancient Transmission Array were to Ye Tianchen; it's an understatement to say they carried many of Ye Tianchen's dreams and hopes. However, if she didn't hand them over to the Nine Netherworld, all the villagers of Desolate Stone Village would die instantly, making it even harder to accept. But Dongfang Meng was not stupid; she knew that if she handed the fragments of the Ancient Transmission Array over to Li Qiushui and the Nine Netherworld, it would only make the villagers of Desolate Stone Village die faster. Things without any value would surely be discarded like used shoes — this is common sense.

So, Dongfang Meng took a gamble. She bet that the people of the Nine Netherworld were very concerned about the fragments of the Ancient Transmission Array. This item had already become the treasure that major forces and legacies competed to search for and seize, even more enticing than ordinary Martial Arts Treasures and Divine Skills. Because now, even on Earth, which had long been unsuitable for cultivation, the situation was changing dramatically, overflowing with turbulent winds. Not to mention the entire Martial Arts World, who knows what kind of situation it has become. Reassembling the fragments of the Ancient Transmission Array and using it to enter the Martial Arts Great World might be the only chance to explore this world and challenge fate, which is a dream that all strong individuals yearn for.

"You intend to use the fragments of the Ancient Transmission Array to exchange for the lives of those villagers in Desolate Stone Village?" Li Qiushui asked Dongfang Meng coldly.

"That's right, Senior Sister is very smart. Go back and tell the people of the Nine Netherworld that the fragments of the Ancient Transmission Array are in my hands. If they want to get it smoothly, then remove the 'poison' on the villagers of Desolate Stone Village; otherwise, I will destroy the fragments of this Transmission Array. I believe, even as I die, I will have the strength to destroy these fragments," Dongfang Meng said calmly, looking at Li Qiushui.

"You... Little Sister, do you really naively believe that the people of the Nine Netherworld will agree? If you don't hand over the fragments of the Ancient Transmission Array to me now, those people in Desolate Stone Village might already be dead on your way back!" Li Qiushui said with a sinister grin.

"Even if I hand the fragments of the Ancient Transmission Array over to you, they will die. Since they're dead either way, why not take a gamble?" Dongfang Meng responded with equal calm, looking at Li Qiushui.

"Little Sister, if you give the fragments to me, I promise you won't die, how about that?" Li Qiushui paused and asked.

"Go back and report to your master. You can't make this decision. Also, don't even think about attacking me. My strength is enough to fight you. Even if I'm defeated, I will destroy the fragments of the Ancient Transmission Array. At that time, the people of the Nine Netherworld will come at you hard because of your mistake. Don't you think so?" Dongfang Meng said with a smile.

"You..."

Li Qiushui almost died of anger from Dongfang Meng; she trembled all over, wanting to kill Dongfang Meng, her hands filled with surging Martial Arts True Qi and intense killing intent. But she gritted her teeth and finally held back because Dongfang Meng directly hit her sore spot, pinning her down, giving Li Qiushui no room for resistance. At this point, there really was a sense that it wasn't her, Li Qiushui, threatening Dongfang Meng, but rather Dongfang Meng controlling her, making her comply without resistance.

Dongfang Meng had already left, grasping that Li Qiushui dared not make a rash move, and she also believed her plan would succeed. Li Qiushui was so angry she gnashed her teeth and viciously said, "Dongfang Meng, you took everything from me, I will make you wish you were dead!"

With the fragments of the Ancient Transmission Array, Dongfang Meng returned to Desolate Stone Village. Her plan was simple: she needed the people of the Nine Netherworld to know that the fragments of the Ancient Transmission Array were indeed in her possession. But to get them, they must first remove the poison from the villagers of Desolate Stone Village; otherwise, there would be mutual destruction. She would destroy the fragments of the Ancient Transmission Array if the Nine Netherworld people tried to kill her for them. Even if she was dying, she had the strength to destroy them, warning the Nine Netherworld not to act impulsively and advising them against risking much for little and to comply with her demands. Otherwise, the Nine Netherworld will be at a loss.

"Once it's confirmed that the poison on them has been removed, I will personally take the fragments of the Ancient Transmission Array to the Nine Netherworld. I don't wish to return alive, but I also can't allow this malicious legacy to obtain the fragments. If they do, they won't let this slide, and they will certainly take action against Desolate Stone Village!" Dongfang Meng thought firmly in her heart. She had already decided to bear this all alone, using her life to shoulder the responsibility.

"Why are you just getting back, we've been waiting for you to eat!" Ye Tianchen appeared in front of Dongfang Meng and said.

"Mm, ah, oh..." Dongfang Meng snapped back to reality, somewhat stunned, not expecting to have been so absorbed in her thoughts that Ye Tianchen appeared beside her without her noticing.

"What's the matter? Are you troubled?"

Ye Tianchen looked at Dongfang Meng with some doubt. He had been waiting here just now, wondering why Dongfang Meng hadn't returned to the village so late. Given the chaos on Earth among the three major Ancient Martial Worlds now, he was worried about unexpected events, especially the Nine Netherworld, Blood Killing Organization, and the Gold family, even though they had been driven back. They certainly would not give up easily, so Ye Tianchen was waiting here for Dongfang Meng, but he saw Dongfang Meng walking slowly as if she was pondering something, her mind elsewhere.

"No, nothing, I was just thinking about cultivation!" Dongfang Meng snapped back and smiled at Ye Tianchen.

"Seriously? I feel you seem to have something on your mind. Can't you tell me?" Ye Tianchen asked Dongfang Meng sincerely.

Dongfang Meng froze for a moment. To be honest, she was very conflicted inside, not knowing what to do. For so many years she had been bearing the pressure and pain of this issue alone without telling anyone. She was kindhearted and knew that even if she did tell others, it would be futile. Now, with the Nine Netherworld people treating the fragments of the Ancient Transmission Array as treasure, perhaps she could use it as leverage to remove the poison from the villagers of Desolate Stone Village.

"It's nothing, I was just thinking about cultivation. I was also out for cultivation just now!" Dongfang Meng said to Ye Tianchen.

"Really nothing?" Ye Tianchen asked Dongfang Meng, a little puzzled.

"Really nothing, hurry and eat, they've probably been waiting for us long!" Dongfang Meng glared at Ye Tianchen and said.

Watching Dongfang Meng walk ahead, Ye Tianchen couldn't help but furrow his brow. Having spent so much time together, he had some understanding of Dongfang Meng, and he always felt that something was amiss with her, though he couldn't put his finger on it.

"Hey, come on, what are you waiting for..." Dongfang Meng saw Ye Tianchen standing still in thought and couldn't help but call out.

"Maybe I'm overthinking!" Ye Tianchen shook his head and muttered to himself, quickly catching up.

When Ye Tianchen and Dongfang Meng entered Desolate Stone Village, in a courtyard Zhang Ruotong, Tianshuang, Hu Gao, and Tian Boguang were already waiting for a long time. On a stone table, an array of dishes was laid out, along with plenty of fine wine. Hu Gao seemed famished almost to the point of passing out, seeing Ye Tianchen, he said with eyes almost gleaming golden stars, "Boss, where did you go on a date, coming back so late, I'm starving!"

Bang!

Ye Tianchen didn't hold back; Hu Gao often spoke nonsense, and sometimes he couldn't resist giving him a good smack, responding in a grumpy tone, "You need to fix your dirty thoughts, can you change?"

"That's right, I most dislike people with dirty thoughts, truly shameless... But speaking of which, Brother Tianchen, what did you do on your long date?" Tian Boguang also said with a mischievous smile.

"Brother Tian, I... I'm speechless with you two, seeing you and Hu Gao so like-minded might as well be together!" Ye Tianchen exclaimed with exasperation, completely lost for words.

"Exactly, let's be together!" Tianshuang also said with a smile.

"You should be together!" Zhang Ruotong said seriously.

"You two are so well-matched, might as well marry right now!" Dongfang Meng said with a smile.

The atmosphere was harmonious and warm, Hu Gao and Tian Boguang, despite being unreliable, often managed to create some humor for everyone, making it feel quite nice. Generally, everyone was happy together, with nothing to worry about. Drink all the wine today, care not about what tomorrow would bring. The only one on site with heavy burdens unable to be expressed was undoubtedly Dongfang Meng! (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote for it on Qidian.com with recommendations and monthly tickets; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com).

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