523, yes, its name is Ruyi Jingu Bang [Second Update]_1

However, the route Lin Yi had guided Zi Ji through was an absolutely safe one; not only did they not encounter any significant characters along the way, they did not even see a few shrimp soldiers or crab generals.

The faction from the Aquipeia Forest was elated; this meant that Zi Ji faced fewer difficulties on her way to the treasure vault, bringing her one step closer to obtaining the treasures.

But the people from the other camps were greatly disappointed.

What they wanted most was to witness the collision between Zi Ji and the ancient characters; there wasn't even a "small fry" on the route, could it be so easy for Zi Ji to get the treasures?

So boring!

A hundred meters to the left... Zi Ji murmured to herself, quickly swimming towards that direction, as agile as a fish that had grown up in the sea from a young age.

However, just as she was about to reach the entrance of the treasure vault, Zi Ji sensed a threatening aura and hurriedly stopped.

"Too light again, is that monkey a monster? We need four people to lift this thing, and it's still strenuous, whereas he handles it as if it's as light as a feather!"

In Zi Ji's field of vision, four sea creatures were carrying a long spear back to the treasure vault, resembling large toads that could walk upright; yet the oppressive aura emitted by each toad was comparable to Gu Yuena's!

Zi Ji's face turned to one of terror as she quickly retreated; she tried to alleviate the oppression by putting distance between them.

But soon, a few more marine creatures appeared from behind her, these were several gigantic seahorses, each emitting a dangerous aura no less threatening than Gu Yuena's.

And this aura felt aggressive to Zi Ji, unlike that of her own lord; although her lord was powerful, the aura he displayed was mostly gentle.

"Damn! That monkey actually broke the halberd! The Dragon King won't blame us, right?"

"Talk less, hurry up and find another weapon to deal with that monkey!"

...

Watching the talking seahorses pass by her, Zi Ji quickly retreated, her chest heaving violently, feeling as though she was being weighed down by a mountain, unable to breathe.

"They... their power is all so terrifying; each one gives off a pressure not weaker than the lord's. What kind of creatures are these?!" Zi Ji exclaimed.

Lin Yi remained unfazed as he responded, "Is this your second question?"

Zi Ji was startled and quickly shook her head, "No."

Yet, underneath the light screen, the audience began to discuss eagerly.

"Clearly, from their conversation, we can infer they aren't the Dragon King. Given what Zi Ji said, if these guys are so terrifying, how strong must the Dragon King be?"

"Who is the monkey they mentioned?"

"Not sure, maybe he's another powerful figure?"

...

Zi Ji, avoiding the toads and seahorses, prepared to find a direction to escape; otherwise, her body would soon be unable to withstand such pressure.

However, soon the direction in which she wanted to escape emitted an even more powerful presence!

Zi Ji foolishly looked in that direction, feeling as if her blood was about to freeze.

This presence, perhaps, could only be compared with the five Law Enforcers she had seen in the Divine Realm that day...

It was a figure hunchbacked, carrying a turtle shell, looking somewhat aged and decrepit, who walked slowly but with an eager expression.

"My word, have you picked one out yet? That monkey is running out of patience and is coming over to pick one out himself!" the Turtle Chancellor shouted as he ran over.

Zi Ji turned pale, feeling the enemy closing in on all sides, with all escape routes blocked by creatures whose mere aura posed a threat to her life—especially that turtle carrying a shell!

Having no other choice, Zi Ji quickly said, "My second question! How do I break free from this?"

She never expected this outcome.

Even though her presence remained undetected by anyone, in this plane, any creature that passed by could easily claim her life!

Who could have possibly foreseen this?

Lin Yi spoke up, "There's a hidden door in the brush to your back left."

A hidden door?!

Zi Ji immediately turned around and, following Lin Yi's instruction, she crawled into the brush and bumped into the hidden door, finding a path straight ahead. She then immediately dashed down the path.

The sense of danger transmitted from all directions was gradually weakening. Zi Ji finally felt like she could breathe a sigh of relief.

The audience in Soul City, as if they had watched a life-and-death drama, deeply immersed themselves in Zi Ji's perspective, now thrilled to bits.

...

If the biggest treasure vault wasn't an option, then she would search for other vaults. Time was running out, and she couldn't leave empty-handed!

Zi Ji thought to herself. As she was about to ask Lin Yi the third question, she suddenly froze in place.

Above her head, in the ocean blue as the sky, swarms of shrimp soldiers and crab generals were hurrying over, like an army about to head into battle, divided into three groups. At the center of each group was an exceedingly terrifying being.

The beings that the three groups were protecting seemed vastly more powerful than the five great Law Enforcers of the Divine Realm... The five Law Enforcers didn't even have the capacity to compare with them.

How was she supposed to look for treasures now?

This Ryugu was simply fraught with danger at every turn!

Those three terrifying beings, if they set their sight on her, she would definitely face annihilation!

However, the Golden Dragon Lord had said she would not die, that she'd be transported back when facing a life-or-death crisis. If she couldn't face them head-on, couldn't she just hide?

She would keep hiding while searching for other treasures. She refused to believe that the vast Ryugu only stored treasures in the vault!

Once she had this thought clear in her mind, Zi Ji no longer cared where she ran. As long as she couldn't see those frightening creatures, she deemed it a success!

Zi Ji kept running, running non-stop, which made Gu Yuena, watching the screen, very anxious for her.

"Hurry up, Zi Ji."

Gu Yuena could feel the pressure and fear Zi Ji faced, thus, she could empathize with Zi Ji's struggle. However, if Zi Ji didn't find a worthy treasure soon, the reward would be wasted.

Di Tian was also very anxious, and Bi Ji beside him was stomping her feet as if doing so could somehow make Zi Ji run faster.

Just then, Zi Ji suddenly stopped. She stared blankly at a large pillar in front of her.

It was a thick pillar covered with moss and sediment. Zi Ji took notice of it because in the exposed areas where there was no moss or sediment, the color of the pillar was gold!

Was this a pillar made entirely of gold? Or could the pillar itself be the treasure?

Zi Ji was mesmerized as she walked towards the pillar.

At that moment, as there was no one around, she asked aloud, "Golden Dragon Lord, my third question, is this pillar a treasure?"

"Yes, you may call it Ruyi Jingu Bang."

Zi Ji was about to step forward to touch the surface of the thick pillar when suddenly, a voice rang out.

"Immortal, my Dinghai Shen Zhentie is the genuine treasure. If you can lift and wield it, I will gift it to you!"

This voice was deep and powerful, as if it could penetrate the entire ocean.

ps. I apologize, this month was supposed to have a stockpile of chapters, but I used them up due to being busy in the middle of the month. Too many exams, too many dinners, I could only manage to keep posting. Fortunately, I graduated, and I am now part of society.

The end of June, wishing you a happy July!