Chapter 863 - A Quake (1/2)

In the camps of the sects above the Kushao ruins, a group of disciples were heading to a tent.

”Elder, may we come in?” One of the disciples spoke.

”Enter,” A voice was heard.

The three disciples lifted the flap of the tent and entered it. In there, they could see a relatively simple interior, with a bed, a table, a chair and a mediation pillow. An elder was currently sitting at the table and reading through a jade slip.

His eyes were closed, but his spirit sense was alert.

”What is it?” The elder asked, while keeping his eyes closed.

”Our progress has been steady and we are expecting to be able to enter the ruins by tonight.” The leading disciple spoke.

Hearing this, the elder opened his eyes and gazed at the disciples.

”And the normal opening of the ruins?” the elder asked next.

”We think it might open tomorrow.” A second disciple replied.

”Hmm… so we get a day's lead… good! That will be enough for us to gain an advantage.” The elder said with a smile.

”Shall we inform the others to get ready?” The leading disciple asked.

”Hmm, get our sect disciples ready first. We will inform the allies an hour before we go.” The elder said in a sly tone.

The disciples understood his meaning and cupped their hands in greeting before turning around to leave.

~RUMBLE~

But just as they were stepping out of the tent, the ground started to shake. The sand around the ruins rippled, and it looked like a calamity was about to happen.

”EARTHQUAKE!”

”GATHER UP! GATHER UP!”

People became startled by the sudden phenomenon and tried to save themselves. Thankfully, this was a desert and there weren't really things that could fall on them and hurt them.

Plus, the sand below them could act as a cushion too. But that was if there was no danger underneath them.

~SHUA~

~SWOOSH~

”AHH! SAVE ME!” A couple of disciples shouted as they started to sink into the sand.

They were merely in the Qi refining realm and thus could not fly up directly. Plus the area that was sinking was rather vast and did not allow them to escape in time.

”All disciples are to fly up! Don't stay on land!” The elders swiftly gave out their orders. ”Those that can fly are to rescue the ones stuck!”

~shing~ shing~

Various spirit tools appeared in the air as people were rescued from the sinking sand.

The elder sitting in the tent furrowed his brows and waved his hand.

~HONG~

A wave of energy spread from his hand and the tent was ripped open with ease. The wave of energy spread in an area of two hundred meters around him and covered the people that were present there.

He then stretched his right hand forward and brought the index and middle fingers together before curling them upwards.

”RISE!” He ordered.

The moment he said that, pillars of sand rose up below each person that was covered with his energy and was raised to the sky. The elder then stepped onto the air and rose up to take a look around.

Several more such elders appeared in the sky as well and were looking for the cause behind this occurrence. Thankfully, under their supervision, no one had died yet.

”Elder Xieyan!” A middle aged man approached the elder.

”Elder Ren,” Elder Xieyan acknowledged him.

”There seem to be some strange things happening at the ruins. You wouldn't happen to know why, would you?” Elder Ren questioned.

”Oh? What are you implying, Elder Ren?” The old man asked.

”I'm not implying anything. I just know that the Sky Precepts sect has the highest chance of unraveling the formation array of the ruins. Thus if anything happened, you are likely to know more.” Elder Ren stated.

”Hmm… has the Rainbow pill sect started to dabble in Divination arts too? You have started to predict things now…” Elder Xieyan replied in a straight tone.

His expression was calm as well, but the aura coming from him was a bit turbulent. Elder Ren secretly clenched his fist, but held his ground.

”Regardless, I think this will be a bit of a problem. If the sand has started sinking, it means there are hollow areas underground. Or the quake has shifted things. We don't know how the ruins will be affected.” Elder Ren said, trying to change the topic.

Elder Xieyan stayed silent and simply nodded his head.

”Just be ready to act… we might not have enough time this cycle.” Elder Xieyan said after a few seconds.

”Of course.” Elder Ren replied.