Chapter 333 The Monster Convention
In the following days, as if following Great Xia's lead, various powers and nations began breaking through the Heavenly Gate into the Heavenly Palace. With a tacit understanding, none of them attempted any surprise attacks.
Perhaps there was an agreement, or perhaps they were all intimidated by Zhao Changsheng's sword.
The attacker that day was said to be a disciple of the Japanese Sword God, Yagyu Jubei, but he had long been expelled from the sect. The Japanese Prime Minister had even issued a "sincere" apology, and the matter was considered closed.
Of course, whoever believed that was a fool. Japan was indeed terrified by Zhao Changsheng's sword. From thousands of miles away, a single strike had not only directly killed the attacker but also sliced off a peak of Mount Baima.
Among these forces attempting to break the Heavenly Gate, some succeeded, and some failed. The successful ones rejoiced, while the failed ones perished, with very few surviving.
This demonstrated that breaking the Heavenly Gate was no game. It wasn't something you could attempt and then try again if you failed. This deterred many who had entertained the thought of trying.
Meanwhile, Zhan Xiong Tian finally gathered his crew and arranged to meet with Liu Nanfeng.
As Dun Dun's place was too small, the meeting was set at Liu Nanfeng's cafe.
However, ten people showed up, when the original plan, including Liu Nanfeng, was for eight.
Later, Ao Haiping arrived and insisted on being counted with Ao Jiangyue. This brought the total to ten, including Liu Nanfeng. Now, there was one extra person: Lu Caiwei, whom Liu Nanfeng had met a few times.
"Madam Lu possesses a natural spiritual seed. With her here, we will receive significant help," Zhan Xiong Tian said, seemingly noticing Liu Nanfeng's confusion.
He knew Liu Nanfeng's identity from his past life, hence he treated him with great respect, not merely as a junior.
Lu Caiwei, hearing this, smiled and nodded slightly at Liu Nanfeng.
Her demeanor remained calm, and her aura was elegant.
Liu Nanfeng surveyed the group. Ao Haiping, Ao Jiangyue, and Lu Caiwei were a unit, and Liu Nanfeng knew them all.
Then there were Zhan Xiong Tian, Zhan Guoliang, and Zhan Dundun – the three generations of the Zhan family, needing no further introduction.
The remaining four consisted of a small, round-faced girl, petite and adorable, appearing to be only eleven or twelve years old.
Two burly men, with straight noses and wide mouths, looked imposing and mighty. Their long robes seemed on the verge of bursting, and they appeared to be in their forties or fifties.
The last individual wore a leather trench coat, with a wizened and somber face. His pale yellow eyes, wherever they fell, made one feel as if they were being targeted by a poisonous snake.
Liu Nanfeng's gaze flickered. The information about everyone was readily available through his eyes.
Good heavens, it turned out they were all demons, and he was the only human.
As Liu Nanfeng observed them, they were also observing him, somewhat perplexed as to why Zhan Xiong Tian showed such respect to this young man.
However, they didn't voice their questions, as they were all long-time friends of Zhan Xiong Tian and trusted him implicitly; otherwise, Zhan Xiong Tian wouldn't have invited them.
Zhan Xiong Tian then introduced Liu Nanfeng to everyone individually.
The round-faced little girl was named Hua Yangliu. Her true form was a chubby little panda. Though she appeared to be eleven or twelve externally, her voice carried an ancient weariness when she spoke, suggesting she was quite old.
Of the two strong men, one was Xiong Liren, a black bear demon. Broad-shouldered and bushy-bearded, his mere presence radiated immense pressure.
The other was Lu Beihai, the "friend of the Dragon King" mentioned by Ao Haiping. His true form was a tiger, but due to a special bloodline, his entire body was pitch black. Standing there, he exuded an innate authority.
The somber old man beneath him was named Liu Xuanzong, a black serpent with wings.
Liu Nanfeng couldn't help but admire Zhan Xiong Tian's deep reserves. The individuals he invited were all incredibly powerful. However, a subtle worry gnawed at him: with so many strong individuals, the difficulty of breaking the Heavenly Gate might increase.
Yet, the arrow was already on the bowstring; there was no turning back.
After a round of introductions, Liu Nanfeng addressed Zhan Xiong Tian, "Since the personnel are all here and I have no issues, I will follow your lead, Elder."
Although Zhu Yin'e had intended to travel to the Heavenly Palace with Liu Nanfeng, he decided against letting her accompany him to break the Heavenly Gate. Instead, he absorbed her directly into the [Guan Shan Hai].
As long as she was within [Guan Shan Hai], Liu Nanfeng could directly borrow her strength, making her accompanying him to break the gate largely irrelevant.
Furthermore, as Zhu Yin'e, Zhu Yuchan, Yang Ruoyun, and others entered [Guan Shan Hai] one by one, Liu Nanfeng's power grew significantly.
"Since that's the case, let's not delay. Today..."
Before Zhan Xiong Tian could finish, a rumbling sound echoed from outside the shop. Everyone turned to look, seeing three figures standing in the sky. One of them, sharp-featured with a mane of red hair that blazed like fire under the sun, wielded a giant hammer, striking the Heavenly Gate.
The other two stood beside him. One transformed into a wisp of dim yellow smoke, while the other became a demonic dragon, shielding the sturdy man in the center and warding off the heavenly calamities descending from above.
"It seems we'll have to wait for the next round," Zhan Xiong Tian said with a chuckle.
Everyone else let out a light laugh. Breaking the Heavenly Gate felt much like watching a sports match, with rounds following one after another.
"Wait a moment. I'll lead the charge, and you few will protect my surroundings."
Zhan Xiong Tian said this to Hua Yangliu, Lu Beihai, Xiong Liren, and Liu Xuanzong.
He then addressed Liu Nanfeng and the others, "You four will guard the outer perimeter."
Lu Caiwei would be responsible for providing support, as her mana possessed powerful restorative capabilities.
Everyone, except Zhan Guoliang, was satisfied with Zhan Xiong Tian's arrangements.
Zhan Guoliang was displeased because he felt that guarding the outer perimeter with his son and others was beneath his status.
Unfortunately for him, Zhan Xiong Tian paid no mind to his satisfaction, leaving Zhan Guoliang helpless.
"Let's go. We'll find a place to eat something and have a good gathering," Zhan Xiong Tian said first, standing up with a smile.
Just then, in the sky, the outcome of those attempting to break the Heavenly Gate had already been decided.
"So fast?" Everyone was somewhat surprised.
First, the one who had transformed into dim yellow smoke, containing fire and nature, let out a mournful scream and plummeted from the sky.
Then, the demonic dragon, buffeted by a divine wind, had its flesh and blood melt away piece by piece. In the blink of an eye, only a skeleton remained.
Finally, the red-haired strongman, under the lashing of thunderbolts, fell into the sea, his fate unknown.
Witnessing this scene, Liu Nanfeng couldn't help but frown.
Everyone realized that the heavenly calamities had become more powerful than in the preceding days.
"Let's go..."
Seeing this, Zhan Xiong Tian dared not delay any further; he abandoned the idea of eating.
He reached out and grabbed a stream of air, then ascended into the sky, riding the air. The others swiftly followed suit, employing their own methods.
In the blink of an eye, only Liu Nanfeng and Zhan Dundun remained.
"Why aren't you following?"
Zhan Dundun blinked and said with a grin, "I'll follow you."
Since Liu Nanfeng could open any door, why should he exert himself?
Liu Nanfeng laughed heartily, drew a circle in the air, revealing an endless blue sky on the other side. Liu Nanfeng stepped through, and Dundun quickly followed.
In an instant, the cafe was empty of people.
Only a few bewildered employees remained.