Just as Ming Qi and the others were resting for the last few days at Baiqi in Tiansai, a golden teleportation array suddenly appeared on the previously deserted Qiankun Mountain. Immediately afterwards, four people emerged from the golden array.
Among the four, two men and two women wore golden helmets, armor, and cloaks, wielding golden weapons. From a distance, they looked as if they were cast from gold.
The two women were Wei Silong and Mo Changli, who had long since left Qiankun Mountain. One of the two men accompanying them was Wei Xingbai, the third son of the Wei family, who had visited Qiankun Mountain before. The other, a tall and imposing figure who bore a resemblance to Wei Xingbai, was none other than Wei Wuming, the eldest son of the Wei family.
As the four emerged from the teleportation array, a steady stream of warriors emerged, forming lines behind them. The stream continued uninterrupted, and in a short while, it numbered over a thousand.
"Brother, we're far from the Great Barrier. Our divine power is fading, and the divine punishment will only grow stronger over time. Our top priority is to find that artifact and seize it."
Wei Xingbai glanced at the now-ruined Qiankun Mountain and said to Wei Wuming.
This was Wei Wuming's first time leaving the Great Barrier and stepping into the Central Land. He didn't immediately jump to conclusions, but he was quite dissatisfied with his third brother's arbitrary demands for the artifact.
"Third brother, you know that our people have been trapped within this impenetrable barrier for countless years, and our ancestors have sought a way to break the divine punishment. Since you're certain of such an artifact, I believe we shouldn't resort to force unless absolutely necessary. Furthermore, Miss Changli and Sister Long are friends with the owner of the artifact. Don't act rashly on this matter. Wait until we find the owner of the artifact before making a final decision."
Wei Wuming was calm and measured, and he handled matters with care. He was naturally well aware of Wei Xingbai's methods. Having already fallen out with the owner of the artifact last time, he couldn't afford to make any mistakes this time.
Originally, Wei Wuming hadn't planned to come. Despite the changes in the world, the power of the divine punishment unleashed by the gods showed no signs of weakening, indicating that it wasn't time for his people to leave the impenetrable barrier and roam the world. It was only after hearing about the existence of a divine artifact that could completely suppress the divine punishment that he followed.
However, he also knew that if a large number of Celestial Clan members crossed the barrier, it would mean that the Celestial Clan's intention to challenge the divine authority would be fully exposed. Regardless of the outcome, this would inevitably attract the attention of the gods of heaven and earth. Therefore, having arrived, Wei Wuming absolutely refused to allow any mistakes to happen.
"Brother, the Tianzui Camp has begun to challenge the divine authority. In this case, should we consider the possibility of cooperation?"
Wei Silong, mindful of the overall situation, already knew the ultimate purpose of the Tianzui Camp's war. The goals pursued by the Celestial Clan throughout the ages coincided with theirs. It could be said that they shared a common enemy, and theoretically, the possibility of cooperation between the two sides was relatively high.
Wei Wuming pondered for a moment and said, "Of course. Once our army is assembled and we have sufficient leverage, I will personally go and speak with their commander. You know, those guys are ruthless lunatics. If you don't have the strength, going there would only bring disgrace upon yourself."
"I understand."
Wei Silong knew the Tianzui Camp well and understood the temperaments of these villains.
"Sister Silong, Qiankun Mountain is now in ruins. I don't know if he's ever returned, whether he's dead or alive..."
Looking at the devastated Qiankun Mountain, Mo Changli whispered to Wei Silong.
"I'm sure he's not dead, but I don't know where he is now. The Tianhuang World is about to undergo a major transformation. We'll definitely meet him then. Don't worry."
Mo Changli nodded and said nothing more.
The four of them stepped aside and waited for the army to gather.
Three days later, Qiankun Mountain was already packed with thirty thousand Celestial Clan warriors. During this time, several more powerful Celestial Clan members arrived.
The Celestial Clan possessed immense combat power and a long lifespan. If not for the suppression of divine punishment, such a clan would be a formidable force capable of dominating any otherworld. The clan's powerful members knew this, and therefore were closely watching this operation, even dispatching a divinely-level expert to monitor and observe the situation. If the artifact was successfully found and utilized, more troops and experts would be sent in, and the Celestial Clan's long-cherished dream of challenging the gods would be fully realized.
Because Qiankun Mountain was cramped and unable to accommodate the assembled army, Wei Wuming chose to camp in the open space at the foot of the mountain.
After completing these arrangements, Wei Wuming dispatched spies throughout the Tianhuang World to search for Ming Qi's whereabouts, while also seeking opportunities to contact the Tianzui Camp's troops.
Soon, the opportunity presented itself. A force of over ten thousand Heavenly Sin warriors passed by the foot of Qiankun Mountain. Naturally, this bloodthirsty and murderous tribe didn't bother to investigate the origins of such a sudden force; they simply and efficiently attacked.
Wei Wuming wasted no time, commanding his Celestial warriors to swiftly engage. The Celestial warriors were well-trained and each possessed formidable combat effectiveness. In comparison, the vanguard troops of the Heavenly Sin camp were practically a mob. In less than a quarter of an hour, the ten-thousand-strong Heavenly Sin army was annihilated, even the leader, a powerful Martial Emperor, easily captured.
This powerful Martial Emperor was a Ghost Clan cultivator, his body devoid of flesh, only bones. Even after being captured, he struggled relentlessly, defiant.
Wei Wuming stated his intentions directly, but he was surprised by the Ghost Clan's stubbornness. Although he knew the current commander's location, he refused to reveal it.
The Ghost Clan's powerful opponent's stubbornness had already irritated the impatient Wei Xingbai, who promptly executed him and used soul-searching techniques to locate Tianyi, the current commander of the Tianzui Camp.
Although he had located the commander of the Tianzui Camp, Wei Wuming had no plans to seek him out for now. He hadn't yet obtained the artifact that could suppress divine punishment, and it wasn't the right time to negotiate a deal with the Tianzui Camp.
A few days later, spies reported that the suspected owner of the artifact had been spotted in a desolate area.
Upon hearing the news, Wei Wuming immediately took Wei Xingbai and Mo Changli with him, leaving Wei Silong and several other powerful members of his clan to guard the camp and await further information.
Originally, there was no need to bring Wei Xingbai with him, but his fiery temper could easily lead to trouble, and leaving him at the camp was a concern.
Although Wei Xingbai was deeply displeased with Wei Wuming's decision, he didn't show it. He presumably understood why Wei Wuming had brought him along.
The Celestial Clan's army's departure from the natural barrier was a matter of grave importance. No mistakes could be made, or they would enter a realm of no return. It was no wonder Wei Wuming was so cautious.