Back at the market, the entire camp was filled with a mix of relief at surviving the ordeal and apprehension about the future.
Those who ascended the Ladder of Inquiry included eleven people from Li Qingcheng's side: Li Qingcheng, Zhao Hongying, Zhao Wuji, Bai Qingxue, Bai Wuhen, Lu Chen, and five resolute Dragon Guards. From the Bai family's side, Bai Wei also ascended, but three other clansmen remained forever on the Ladder of Inquiry.
Other forces suffered even greater losses. While the Qin siblings passed through easily, only three of their dozen or so guards followed. Of the Yu family's seven or eight elite troops, only the middle-aged man at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm and two others made it through. The Mu royal family also suffered heavy losses; although Mu Guanyu made it, only four of his men remained.
"The Divine Transformation Pill…" Li Qingcheng murmured, "This is the Qin family's true goal."
Lu Chen nodded: "For a reclusive family like the Qin family, ordinary treasures are no longer of interest. But the Nascent Soul Pill is different—it can create a Nascent Soul expert. Whoever obtains it will likely gain an absolute advantage in the upcoming game."
"What about us?" Zhao Hongying asked. "Should we compete for it too?"
Lu Chen was silent for a moment, then said, "We must compete. But our goal is not necessarily the Nascent Soul Pill itself."
Li Qingcheng's eyes lit up: "You mean..."
"There's only one Nascent Soul Pill, but there are more treasures in the Bronze Hall than just this one," Lu Chen said. "With our current strength, if we were to fight the Qin and Yu families head-on, even with the Bai family involved, our chances of winning wouldn't be great. But we can settle for second best and compete for other treasures. At the same time…" A deep meaning flashed in his eyes, "We should observe the situation and wait for the changes to happen."
Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside Mu Guanyu's tent was equally heavy.
Mu Guanyu sat alone in his tent, his brows furrowed. Before him lay a jade slip—just sent by Qin Hao. Its contents were simple: when the Bronze Palace opened, the Mu Royal Palace must fully cooperate with the Qin family to seize the Divine Transformation Pill. Afterward, the Qin family would fully support Mu Xuefeng's ascension to the throne.
Mu Guanyu looked at the jade slip, but there was no joy on his face.
Full cooperation? That means using them as cannon fodder to weaken the Yu family and other forces. And after it's done? Will the Qin family honor their promise? Even if they do, it's only a promise to Prince Mu; what benefit would it bring to Mu Guanyu?
He recalled the Qin siblings' attitude towards him these past few days—summoning him at will and dismissing him at will, treating him like a servant. In Qin Hao's eyes, he, Mu Guanyu, was nothing more than a useful dog.
"I'm not reconciled," he whispered.
Over the years, he had risked his life for the Mu family and served his adoptive father, Mu Xuefeng, tirelessly. Yet, in his adoptive father's eyes, he would always be just an adopted son, never as good as a biological son. In the Qin family's eyes, he was nothing more than a pawn. Was Mu Guanyu destined to spend his entire life working for others?
He thought of Li Qingcheng. That woman, although she also used people, at least didn't treat them like dirt like the Qin family. Her men were loyal to her because she genuinely cared for them.
He thought of Lu Chen. That seemingly ordinary man, yet he survived in such circumstances and had so many people willing to risk their lives for him. What was his secret? It was his sincerity, his charisma that made people willing to follow him.
"What if... what if I side with Li Qingcheng?" The thought startled even Mu Guanyu himself.
He immediately shook his head. No, he had no relation to Li Qingcheng, so why should she trust him? Besides, he had the influence of the Mu family and the secrets of the Qin family; these things might serve as a pledge of loyalty.
But how can we contact Li Qingcheng without alerting the Qin family?
Mu Guanyu pondered for a long time, and suddenly had an idea.
The following evening, Mu Guanyu casually passed by an old man's stall selling pills in the market, exchanged a few words with the old man in a low voice, and then left as if nothing had happened.
That evening, Lu Chen received a message—Mu Guanyu wanted to see him, alone.
"A trap?" Zhao Hongying asked warily.
"It's possible," Lu Chen said, "but it's also possible that they really want to talk."
Li Qingcheng frowned: "It's too dangerous. Your cultivation is sealed, what if he makes a move..."
"He won't," Lu Chen said. "At least not now. Besides, he chose a place inside the market, where there's a Ceasefire Formation, so no one will dare to make a move."
Li Qingcheng wanted to persuade him further, but Lu Chen had already made his decision: "I'll go see him. Qingcheng, you take some men to provide backup outside. If anything changes, rush in immediately."
Late at night, in a secluded corner of the northwest market.
Mu Guanyu was already waiting there. When he saw Lu Chen come alone, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Mr. Lu is indeed courageous," he said softly.
Lu Chen stopped opposite him and said calmly, "Young Master Mu, what brings you here so late at night?"
Mu Guanyu remained silent for a moment, then suddenly knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Mr. Lu, I am willing to lead the remaining troops of the Mu Royal Palace to join Princess Li!"
Lu Chen wasn't surprised; he simply looked at him quietly and asked, "Why?"
Mu Guanyu looked up, his eyes filled with complex emotions: "Because I don't want to be a pawn anymore."
He explained the Qin family's plans, their use of the Mu family, and his own predicament in detail. Finally, he said, "Mr. Lu, I know you may not believe me. But please give me a chance. I can provide intelligence on the Qin family and turn against them at a crucial moment. I only ask... that after it's done, I have a way to survive."
Lu Chen looked at him, remaining silent for a long time.
He could sense that Mu Guanyu was speaking from the heart. This man's ambition, his resentment, his struggle—all were real. But speaking from the heart didn't make him a good person. Mu Guanyu was the type who might switch sides again at any moment for his own benefit.
"Young Master Mu," Lu Chen finally spoke, "I can pass on your message. But there's something I need to tell you first."
Mu Guanyu looked up: "Please speak."
"You want to go from being a pawn to a player, and that's a good idea," Lu Chen said. "But you have to understand that a true player isn't someone who becomes a player through betrayal and scheming. It's someone who becomes a player through strength and understanding people's hearts. Qingcheng can give you an opportunity, but whether you can seize it depends on your own choice."
Mu Guanyu was stunned. He had thought Lu Chen would set conditions, make him swear an oath of allegiance, or demand certain things from him. But Lu Chen said something completely different.
"I…I remember," he whispered.
Lu Chen nodded and turned to leave. After taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped and turned back, saying, "By the way, tomorrow, Qingcheng will send someone to buy healing pills on the east side of the market. If Young Master Mu has any 'information' to pass on, you can have someone deliver a message."
After saying that, he disappeared into the night.
Mu Guanyu stood there for a long time, watching his departing figure.
This person is not simple.
Three days later, the day before the Bronze Palace was to open.
Li Qingcheng received the first intelligence message from Mu Guanyu: the Yu family had secretly reached an agreement with several leaders of the Loose Cultivator Alliance, preparing to join forces against the Qin family and Li Qingcheng in the Bronze Hall. Meanwhile, the Qin family seemed to have anticipated this and had prepared a backup plan.
"It seems we made the right choice by following Mu Guanyu's lead," Li Qingcheng said.
Lu Chen shook his head slightly: "It's not time to say the right thing yet. The key is to see what he does in the Bronze Palace."
The group exchanged glances, all understanding Lu Chen's meaning—a pledge of loyalty wasn't something that could be given in mere words. Mu Guanyu needed to prove through his actions that he was trustworthy.
The opportunity to act soon arrived.
The Bronze Palace was opened the following day.
At the end of the ninety-nine steps of the Heart-Searching Staircase, the ancient bronze palace, which had been faintly visible, finally materialized. The palace doors opened wide, and an ancient and magnificent aura rushed out.
"Let's go!" Qin Hao took the lead and stepped into the hall. Qin Xue and three guards followed closely behind.
The middle-aged man from the Yu family, who was at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, sneered and led his men inside.
Li Qingcheng looked at Lu Chen. Lu Chen nodded slightly.
"Once inside, don't rush to fight. Observe first, then act," Li Qingcheng said to everyone. "Remember, our goal is not only the treasure, but also to get out alive."
Everyone nodded and stepped into the bronze hall together.
Inside the palace was another world.
The vast space stretched endlessly, its height and width beyond sight. Countless stone pillars stood tall, each bearing a suspended treasure—magical artifacts, elixirs, jade slips, spirit stones… a dazzling array, their radiance shimmering.
At the very center, atop the largest stone pillar, floats a pill shimmering with purple light—the Divine Transformation Pill!
All eyes were focused on that pill.
"The Divine Transformation Pill is mine!" the middle-aged man from the Yu family shouted, and was the first to rush towards the central stone pillar.
Qin Hao sneered, raised his hand and waved it, and a golden light shot out, blocking his path.
"You think you're worthy?"
A great battle erupted instantly!