Chapter 293: Completing Sign-In, Subterranean Demon-Suppressing Array

"Ugh!" Xiaoqing shivered inwardly. No matter what she said, Mu Chen always managed to leave her speechless.

"What a nemesis!" She pouted, deciding to follow silently behind Mu Chen and Xiaobai without further argument.

As the three stepped into a chamber with eight doors, all the entrances suddenly slammed shut. Before Xiaobai and Xiaoqing could catch their breath, a massive claw seized them. A giant Vermilion Bird statue had come to life, spewing flames that scorched the two.

"Ahh!" Their screams echoed as they struggled futilely against the blazing grip. Another transformation occurred. The central statue of a Black Tortoise began to move, turning its massive head toward them. A stream of cyan flames spewed out, intensifying the torment.

Under the dual assault of the crimson and cyan flames, Xiaobai and Xiaoqing reverted to their true forms. Their long, fair legs turned into sleek snake tails.

"Ahh!" Their cries of agony filled the chamber as they desperately tried to break free.

"Just a Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise demon-suppressing array, and it dares harm my Xiaobai and Xiaoqing?" Mu Chen's gaze turned sharp as he stepped forward. A black sword materialized, surrounded by ten golden spirit rings glowing brilliantly at his feet.

With a single slash, Mu Chen's Chaos Sword cleaved through the Black Tortoise's neck like a knife through butter, severing its head. Mu Chen leapt into the air and swung again, slicing off the Vermilion Bird's claws. Xiaobai and Xiaoqing fell to the ground, free at last.

The Vermilion Bird screeched in pain, spitting out a torrent of red flames. But before it could do more, Mu Chen's sword beheaded it. As his feet touched the ground, the chamber returned to silence. The Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise reverted to lifeless statues.

Two radiant lights—one red and one cyan—emerged from the statues. They formed the shapes of the Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise. Instead of attacking, the light figures fled towards a nearby door in panic.

"Trying to escape?" Mu Chen extended a hand. A black-and-white flame materialized in his palm and quickly engulfed the fleeing spirits.

"Spare us, please!" a feminine voice begged. "We were only following the Jade Emperor's orders to guard this place. If you kill us, the Jade Emperor will not forgive you!" the Vermilion Bird pleaded.

"The Jade Emperor? Harming my Xiaobai is unforgivable, no matter who sent you. Your fate is sealed," Mu Chen declared coldly. The temperature of the Yin-Yang Twin Flames rose sharply, burning through their ethereal forms. Despite their pleas and threats, the Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise were soon reduced to a pair of glowing orbs—one crimson, one cyan.

"You... burned their souls?" Xiaoqing asked, stunned.

"They tried to harm you two. They brought this upon themselves," Mu Chen said flatly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Thank you, Mu Chen," Xiaobai said, her eyes filled with gratitude as warmth filled her heart.

"Thank you," Xiaoqing muttered, though she looked away to hide her conflicted feelings.

"No need for thanks; it's my duty," Mu Chen replied with a smile.

"Mu Chen, what were those glowing circles around you earlier?" Xiaobai asked curiously.

"Those are called spirit rings," Mu Chen explained.

"Spirit rings?" Xiaobai tilted her head, clearly puzzled.

"Our world isn't the only one that exists. There are other realms—human, celestial, infernal, and more. My spirit rings come from a world called Douluo Star," Mu Chen said.

"Does that mean… you're not from this world?" Xiaobai asked, a trace of anxiety creeping into her voice. If Mu Chen wasn't from her world, would he eventually leave her behind?

"That's right," Mu Chen confirmed.

"Do you… have anyone waiting for you back there?" Xiaobai asked hesitantly.

"Yes," Mu Chen said without hesitation. "There's Xiao Wu, who appears human but is actually a spirit beast. There's the pirate queen Purple Pearl, who rules her own island nation. There's Hu Liena, whose martial spirit is a demon fox. And many, many others."

"That many?" Xiaobai was stunned.

"Yes," Mu Chen said with a nod.

"Do you miss them?" Xiaobai asked softly.

"Of course I do," Mu Chen admitted. He noticed the sadness in Xiaobai's eyes and quickly took her hand, his voice turning tender. "But Xiaobai, I can travel freely between worlds. If you're interested, I can take you to Douluo Star."

"Really? I can go?" Xiaobai's eyes lit up.

"Of course," Mu Chen replied with a smile.

As a system host, Mu Chen could bring up to ten people with him when traversing dimensions.

"Xiaoqing, would you like to come with me and Xiaobai to see the Douluo Star?" Xiaobai asked, turning to her sister. Xiaoqing and the Serpent Mother were the two people Xiaobai couldn't bear to leave behind.

"Before we discuss that, let's figure out how to get out of here first," Xiaoqing said, glancing around the chamber. The eight doors were covered in strange runes, making it impossible to tell what lay beyond. Who knew if another deadly array awaited?

"That's easy," Mu Chen said, closing his eyes briefly before reopening them.

Using his Emperor-level Soul Power, he scanned the entire underground structure. Despite the faint energy field hindering conventional senses, nothing could escape his mental sweep.

"There!" Mu Chen pointed to one of the doors. "This is the way out!"

Following Mu Chen's lead, Xiaobai and Xiaoqing passed through the indicated door and walked down a long corridor. Eventually, they emerged into a grand hall. In the center of the hall stood a massive skeleton, its shape unmistakably that of a giant dragon.

"Congratulations! You've completed the sign-in at the remains of Donghuang Taiyi. Rewards: 500,000 True Qi points, 500 Skill Points, and a Special Item: Combat Skill Fusion Card."

--Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there 

patreon.com/LegendaryTL

Thanks!