Chu Jingtang and the others definitely couldn't understand his brick-prying behavior.

Lao Changtai asked, "What are you doing?"

Wu Jinliang didn't reply, nor did he bother to explain. Now wasn't the time for detailed explanations; a few words wouldn't make things clear.

He was a shrewd person, or perhaps calling him shrewd wasn't quite right, but he certainly had a keen sense of danger. He hadn't figured out what was happening right in front of him, but he immediately realized that danger was approaching, more intensely than when Granny Qi had detained him.

Moreover, he realized that his chance to escape would be fleeting.

So he acted quickly.

He swiftly opened a hole the size of a jar's mouth and then pressed his palm on the exposed earth. With a wave of mana, an underground tunnel quickly appeared.

Chu Jingtang and the others were stunned, looked at each other, not knowing when Wu Hehe learned this spell.

They only sensed something was amiss, not fully aware of the danger approaching. You could say they didn't grasp the situation as fully as Wu Jinliang did.

After all, in their eyes, being caught by Granny Qi or falling into the Divine Mountain's hands should make no difference.

Wu Jinliang quickly gestured with a tilt of his head, "Hurry down; if you're late, you won't be able to escape."

The three knew he wouldn't harm them, and immediately, each of them jumped into the tunnel below.

The last to descend, Wu Jinliang, leaned back in to cast spells, piecing together the bricks, sealing up the tunnel entrance, restoring the soil to hold it back, filling it up as he continued to dig deeper underground to escape.

The standoff outside continued.

The leading member of the Bai Clan knew too well that someone was hiding here, unwilling to let them pass, counter-questioning the Divine Mountain forces, holding onto Granny Qi's reputation.

Surrounding this place was the team under the Central District Commander Feng Jue, led by another Mountain Patrol squad.

Feng Jue had instructed beforehand to not make things too ugly if unnecessary, ultimately respecting Granny Qi's dignity.

This led to a stalemate at this location, far less decisive than elsewhere. The commanders hesitated, and the subordinates dared not offend Granny Qi too gravely, aware of the relationship between Granny Qi and the Phoenix Clan, yet ignorant of the inside information. No one would act rashly.

The atmosphere in the Divine Hall was somewhat eerie. Granny Qi initially thought the Goddess's attitude was ambiguous, clearly unnatural. When her subordinates sent a message to her, she produced the Mother-child Talisman to check, realizing she had been tricked into leaving, and her subordinates were surrounded. She was greatly shocked.

She never imagined the Goddess would do such a thing to her.

Just then, Feng Jue, having received the news outside, flashed into the hall, landing beside Feng Qingping, whispering a few words. He said that Granny Qi's clan was locked in a standoff, unwilling to surrender. If forced to arrest them, there might be casualties.

In short, what should be done? He asked Feng Qingping to decide whether to resort to force.

Qiu Ben glanced from side to side with cold eyes, sensing something.

Granny Qi looked up, chuckled with a trace of sadness, and asked, "Goddess, what are the intentions behind sending people to surround my clan members? Inviting me here, is this a trap?"

As she spoke, she also glanced at Qiu Ben.

Feng Qingping's face showed a clear apology, replying, "Granny, it's not my wish; it's the will of the Phoenix Clan. I'm acting under orders. Granny, the Phoenix Clan certainly harbors no ill will towards Mrs. Bai, especially towards you. As long as you cooperate to clarify things, it will be over. Let your entourage give up the confrontation; don't escalate the situation. Casualties aren't good for anyone."

Granny Qi's expression grew more somber, forcefully striking her cane on the ground, saying loudly, "Why? Why exactly?"

She truly didn't expect the Phoenix Clan to suddenly turn against her without warning. Otherwise, she wouldn't have brought Wu Jinliang and others up the mountain to hide.

Even her spy on the Divine Mountain didn't have time to warn her, indicating it was a well-planned raid targeting her.

She had assumed that the emotional connection she had painstakingly built with the Phoenix Clan would earn her some degree of protection, but it turned out to be a sudden betrayal.

Now she felt she had seen through it clearly, realizing that "emotion" isn't worth much. Ultimately, it was a matter of the Bai Clan's insufficient power; powerless emotions are too cheap.

This solidified her determination to obtain the Demon Book.

Why? Feng Qingping hesitated, as she couldn't directly say it was because Extreme Fire Sect had paid them well.

But Qiu Ben had no such hesitation, not wanting the situation to drag out. He immediately said, "Old Witch, you know full well why; playing dumb won't help you later. My intention is to be direct, but the Goddess is considering your relationship with both parties, which is why things are being handled amicably. I advise you not to overstep. Once a fight breaks out, you won't escape from this Ancient Array. Solve the issue properly, and everything can be negotiated. A large number of troops have already gone to Mrs. Bai's clan; I urge you not to cause a clan-wide extermination!"

Feng Jue immediately shouted, "Granny, let them lay down their weapons; solve the issue and it will be over."

"Hehehe..." Granny Qi laughed mournfully, shaking her head, sending a message with the Mother-child Talisman in her hand.

Not to have her subordinates lay down their weapons, but to instruct her loyal clan members to quietly eliminate Gao He and the others and destroy all evidence.

She clearly understood that trapped in this Ancient Array, with her power, she truly couldn't escape; brute force wouldn't work.

The only option was to make those four disappear. If she had no evidence against her here, she could steadfastly deny everything.

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