AZI Volume 4 Chapter 9

With a sound containing barrier constructed around them, Long Hua looks to Tian Cheng, who nods, and opens her eyes.

Using her eyes as a projector, a document is pasted onto the side of the tent's wall.

"Hmm."

Reading through the first page—that is an abstract, Long Hua frowns.

"Next page."

Continuing to browse through more documents, which talked about the Immortal Sealing Chain in greater detail, Long Hua's frown deepens, as he thought—

(A device capable of sealing, or suppressing a practitioner's cultivation base? I see, they were counting on this device to work properly; hence, they designed their tunnel network in such a way. If a practitioner doesn't have their cultivation base, they're not any different from a Sinner—just a mortal that has more physical strength than the ordinary person. With only that much strength, they can't possibly penetrate the sands—to make it into the city. As for those pillars—that serve to brush the sands aside, for their tunnel network's machinery to rearrange itself… Not even a practitioner is guaranteed to live if they're hit by it head-on.)

Gradually, Long Hua's frown softens.

From the looks of it, the development of this device has been deemed a failure—for it is incapable of sealing a level six Immortal, a Nascent Soul realm practitioner.

"That is all, master."

"I see."

Picking up the plastic bowl that contains cooked rice covered in sauce, and small bits of meat, Long Hua begins to eat.

Similarly, Tian Cheng picks up a bowl of her own, causing Long Hua to think—

(…I guess that's another worth to the combat body. If she runs out of power in the middle of the desert… Would be a real hassle. …Maybe Tai Xuan could be used to restore power? Still, would that even work when there is an Immortal Sealing Chain active?)

Finishing their meal in silence, the two are eventually forced to redirect their attention onto the Immortal Sealing Chain again.

"This document only consists of the research reports in this area, master."

"…There's the possibility of there being a more refined, or even a completed chain somewhere in the other ruins—is what you're hinting at, correct?"

As Tian Cheng nods, Long Hua can't help but form an expression of great discomfort. For a practitioner, the worst situation that they can be in—is to have their cultivation base sealed.

If their physical body is able to allow them to demonstrate a force of strength—that is comparable to divine arts, it wouldn't be as big of an issue. However, it nevertheless means having their combat strength cut down by a great margin.

"This world… Ai…"

Shaking his head, Long Hua finds it difficult to get words out to describe his current emotions.

...…

Outside of the tent, near the group that Ye Chen and the others were with—

"Ai…"

Watching the members of the Ashen River Hall plunder the oasis's treasures, Ye Chen heaves a heavy sigh.

Most likely they're planning to auction some of these treasures off—to acquire funds to purchase excavation rights for ruins later.

"Captain, are you still able to use Partial-Apotheosis?"

Towards Yu Ji's question, Ye Chen shakes his head.

Other than physical burdens, the use of Partial-Apotheosis also takes a mental toll on the Sinner.

The theory—that researchers have on the topic, is that so long as the Sinner doesn't recognize that they have died, they will be able to revive for as many times as necessary.

However, pain can still be felt under the effects of Partial-Apotheosis, and the moment the Sinner yields to it, they're as good as dead—when given a fatal wound under this mindset.

At the same time, each revival also drains a considerable amount of energy; hence, there are currently five bowls of self-heating meals in front of Ye Chen at this time.

On the Ashen River Hall's side, the same can be seen for both Shao Tianming and Wang Yongning.

Other than that, it is just as Long Hua had surmised. Cutting their head off, and distancing it from the body—when this state is maintained for a certain amount of time, death for the Sinner is also inevitable.

Immortals on the frontlines tend to deploy this tactic when fighting one-on-one, but in large groups, they tend to deploy the sealing method of trapping a Sinner within a block of ice, or using other tools of imprisonment.

"…"

Throwing a glance at Shao Tianming and Wang Yongning, Ye Chen remarks—

"Well, no idea if this is good news or not, but I think that surnamed Shao and surnamed Wang are just as fatigued as me after getting our asses kicked. Chances are, they can't use Partial-Apotheosis right now either, unless… Sinners from where they come from are just built differently."

Raising a frown, Qing Yue says—

"…Doesn't exactly make our situation any better when their numbers are so much greater than ours."

"What do you think they'll do to us when they're done with the oasis?"

Towards Yu Ji's question, Li Xue answers—

"Probably coerce us into joining them, or leave us here to die—after taking all our supplies?"

Off to the side—

"Chang Ye, you still have the mindset to do practice swings?"

Looking at Chang Ye, who is performing practice swings with his Relic, Shen Le and her other squad mate—of the same seniority, Ling Yi, can't help but twitch their eyes.

Not batting the two a glance, Chang Ye answers—

"That Immortal's swordplay was extremely powerful. I need to practice it while it's still fresh in my head."

"At least grab a meal first."

Holding a bowl of self-heating noodles, Ling Yi slurps the contents down, whereas Shen Le remarks—

"Ai, am I gotta die here before my next promotion?"

Towards Shen Le's concern, both Chang Ye and Ling Yi bats her an odd eye.

Day one of joining their current office, Shen Le had announced that her dream was to be able to become the first Sinner to hold the position of city lord.