Swing the sword at the future female devil

Chapter 459 Frost Arrives
The altar was constructed entirely of unknown crystals, as black as ink and shimmering with eerie starlight. Its shape was twisted and ferocious, resembling the remains of some ancient behemoth. It was covered with runes that flowed with dark red light, writhing like living things and exuding a cold, ominous aura of destruction.

The space around the altar rippled violently, swallowing and distorting the light, creating a blurred vision. A tremendous suction force, seemingly originating from the very source of the world, emanated from the center of the altar, pulling at the spiritual power of mountains and rivers within Duan Huaige's body, almost causing him to lose his footing!
What shocked Duan Huaige even more was that the fragment of the "Map of Mountains and Rivers" that he had obtained from Longhu Mountain was now emitting a scorching heat in his storage bag and resonating strongly with the altar! The fragment trembled slightly, conveying a contradictory emotion of both longing and extreme rejection.

There's something wrong with this altar! It's highly likely related to the Tianxuan Holy Land where Taiqing once resided!

"Young friend Duan, how do you feel?" Master Qiu stood at the edge of the platform, a hint of fanaticism on his face, his eyes fixed intently on Duan Huaige. "This place is the Guixu Road of Kunlun Ruins, named after this Guixu Altar."

"It contains the supreme power to connect the two realms and even reverse time! Unfortunately, we mortals cannot truly unleash its power." He changed the subject, his tone guiding, "I noticed a change in your expression just now, young friend Duan. Could it be that you have a natural connection with this altar? Perhaps... you are the 'destined one' to unlock its mysteries!"

"Master Qiu, please stop joking. I was just startled." Duan Huaige cursed the old man inwardly for his lack of martial ethics, but forced himself to say, "I'm still too young and can't remain calm like Master Qiu."

"Young friend, you are too modest."

Master Qiu pointed to a recessed platform at the top of the altar, where the runes were most densely packed: "Why don't you ask young friend Duan to move up to the core platform of the altar and take a look? Use your own spiritual power as a guide to try to communicate with the altar! If you can really draw upon even a trace of its power, it will be a tremendous achievement for our human race in exploring Kunlun! Commander Zhang will surely reward you handsomely!"

"."

Alarm bells rang in Duan Huaige's mind! Ascend the altar? Activate its power?
Ha, a generous reward? More like a lavish funeral!

Little Jiang, the Great Demon King, turned pale and subconsciously tugged at Duan Huaige's arm, whispering, "Little Duan, you...you shouldn't go. I feel like it's dangerous here."

Qiuqiu blinked and said, "Master Qiu, what you just said sounded so simple, but none of us know how to do it. Why don't you show us how?"

"I am of limited knowledge and talent, and am not yet qualified to set foot on this supreme altar."

“Master Qiu! Even you are not qualified. My cultivation is shallow, how dare I desecrate such an ancient divine object? Just getting close to it almost caused my spiritual power to go out of control! If I had actually gone up, I would have died in a second. I think I should settle down for another two years and reach the Nascent Soul stage before going.” Duan Huaige said solemnly, “As for now, I’ll just take a walk around nearby.”

Master Qiu's smile gradually faded, and his eyes became sharp and cold:
"Young friend Duan, do not underestimate yourself. Commander Zhang has a discerning eye; there is a reason he chose you. A little risk is nothing to worry about. For the great cause of humanity, even some sacrifices are worthwhile! Go forth!"

His tone was commanding, and several imposing guards behind him quietly stepped forward, an invisible pressure looming over them. Duan Huaige instinctively shielded the two girls behind him, his face stiffening.

You make it sound so nice, why don't you sacrifice yourself for the greater good of humanity?

What should I do? Should I just fight this old man directly? At this close range, I should be able to catch him off guard and capture him in the Landscape Painting, then quickly eliminate him.
However, this would mean they were completely exposed. Moreover, this old man was a veteran Golden Core cultivator; there was no guarantee he wouldn't possess some extraordinary life-saving treasures or spiritual objects. Duan Huaige was caught in a dilemma. Just as he gritted his teeth, preparing to risk a fight with the old man, a muffled boom came from the direction they had come from, accompanied by a strong surge of spiritual energy and a faint shout!

The communication array at the edge of the circular platform flashed rapidly with red light, and an anxious voice came from it:

"Lord Qiu! Something terrible has happened! A woman outside is forcibly breaking through the outer defenses with the imperial 'Inspector' jade token! She claims she wants to see Duan Huaige and the others!"

"She has now entered the fortress and is heading towards the entrance to the Void Realm! The garrison cannot stop her, nor dare they truly harm her! Please intervene and stop her!"

Master Qiu's face instantly turned extremely ugly. An Imperial Inspector! This identity was far too sensitive! The military was not a monolithic entity. Although Commander Zhang wielded immense power, openly defying the imperial court, especially without a legitimate reason, would undoubtedly bring endless trouble!
Those factions suppressed by Commander Zhang were just looking for a pretext to attack them!

"Useless!" Master Qiu said into the communication array, "Tell her that Duan Huaige and the others have been personally received by Commander Zhang and have since left Kunlun Ruins! Tell her to look for them elsewhere!"

Master Qiu was extremely agitated. Qin Shuangjiang's appearance had completely disrupted his plans! Forcibly keeping Duan Huaige on the platform, and if Qin Shuangjiang were to discover this, the consequences would be unimaginable!

For now, he had to report to Commander Zhang and have him deal with the imperial inspector. As for Duan Huaige and the others, they could be placed under house arrest for now. Hmm? Where are they?

While Qiu was distracted, Duan Huaige had already quietly pulled the two young ladies away, attempting to escape.
"Young friend Duan, what are you doing?" Master Qiu reacted and asked in a cold tone.

"Ahem. Master Qiu, don't misunderstand. I just wanted to get a closer look at the spiritual energy patterns on this altar," Duan Huaige said seriously. "After all, I'm a researcher now, so I have to do some serious work, right? Hmm? Did you just hear that an imperial inspector came looking for me?"

"It seems this inspector cares about me quite a bit. Let's go, Master Qiu, let's go take a look together."

"Young friend Duan, there's no need to worry. We'll take good care of the inspectors," Master Qiu said calmly. "What...what are you trying to do!?"

Duan Huaige's eyes flashed! He suddenly pulled Yan Qiuxi and Jiang Xiyu beside him, and the Mountain and River Dao Technique within his body erupted with all its might. Instead of resisting the suction force of the altar, he used that suction force to push himself backward!
boom!
Like arrows released from a bow, the three of them, propelled by the reaction force and Duan Huaige's spiritual power, instantly escaped the circular platform and plummeted into the intricate abyss below, filled with massive rocks and abandoned excavating machinery!
"Damn it! Stop them!" Master Qiu reacted, filled with shock and anger! He hadn't expected Duan Huaige to be so decisive, daring to jump into this extremely dangerous abyss!

He immediately gave the order, and at the same time, a sharp bolt of spiritual energy shot out, aiming straight for Duan Huaige's back! But it was easily blocked by the Crimson Lotus Dharma Image. The three figures quickly disappeared into the gray mist and jagged rocks below.

(End of this chapter)