The dense spider web that had previously covered the entire abyss now had a gaping hole in its center, tens of zhang wide, finally revealing what lay beneath—a small island.

Earlier, when someone from the group had kicked a pebble into the abyss, she had heard a splash, so she wasn’t surprised that the bottom of the abyss was a lake. Water flows downward, so it was natural for it to gather into a moderately sized, still lake at the bottom of the underground palace. However, directly beneath the center of the spider web, a small island stood quietly on the lake’s surface.

The island wasn’t large—at least the part above water was only forty or fifty square units; nor was it tall, with its highest point rising only one or two zhang above the water.

What made it extraordinary was that the entire island appeared misty and ethereally transparent, as if formed from ice. Yet within this transparency, there was a faint pink hue, like diluted blood dissolved into crystal.

Besides this, the island was completely bare.

This kind of luster… Feng Miaojun narrowed her eyes, incredulous:

Diamond?

She had previously dealt in jewelry, and although the light in the abyss was dim, she would never mistake a diamond rough of such high purity!

If the entire island, including the portion below the water’s surface, was composed of diamond, then its volume…

Feng Miaojun drew a long breath, suppressing a woman’s instinctive desire for jewels. Only with a clear mind could she sense something wasn’t right: in this world, diamonds hadn’t undergone deliberate marketing or been imbued with the meaning of “forever.” To the people of this era, transparency held little intrinsic value—why would a mighty demon king cherish it?

Feng Miaojun didn’t know why the Spider King was guarding this small island, but she realized it was also Tie Xinning’s target. So when he removed a hairpin from his head that transformed into a long arrow, and conjured a large bow from nowhere, aiming at the breach below, Feng Miaojun quickly turned and lunged at his bow arm.

She had a premonition that this man’s actions would bring catastrophic disaster!

Tie Xinning had first immobilized her before drawing his bow with one hand and holding the arrow with the other. Unexpectedly, this young woman, despite her modest magical powers, somehow broke free from his restraint and pushed with astonishing strength. Even though his hands were as steady as a rock, he couldn’t remain completely motionless.

No one had anticipated that his shot would be a consecutive three-arrow volley. The first arrow had already left the string, and when she pushed him, the second arrow was about to be released. Its aim shifted, whistling through one of the Spider King’s hind legs.

Then came the third arrow…

With three crisp “ding” sounds, all three arrows firmly embedded themselves in the transparent island!

Tie Xinning had originally aimed for the island’s peak, but the explosion half a second earlier had created a small crater on the island’s periphery, followed by two light cracking sounds as fine fissures spread outward.

When the arrow that Feng Miaojun had diverted came down, it happened to pierce into the deepest and widest crack! Thus, the three arrows were distributed in a triangular pattern.

This unexpected turn made Tie Xinning raise his eyebrows in surprise, while Feng Miaojun stood slightly dazed: “…” This, she truly hadn’t intended!

As for why the Spider King below hadn’t intercepted the arrows after eyes are exposed to intense light, they typically enter a brief period of darkness. All creatures who directly witnessed the explosion, including the Spider King, were no exception. Tie Xinning had seized this fleeting opportunity to release his arrows!

After he fired his three arrows, Feng Miaojun quickly retreated, trying to reach the crowd. However, Tie Xinning moved three times faster, extending his hand to grab her neck, saying darkly: “Try that again?”

The longbow in his right hand had disappeared, but there was a sharp cone embedded in his arm, with the cone almost completely buried.

This was the result of her lunge earlier. If not for his firm arm muscles suddenly clenching around the cone’s tip, and the resilient barrier of his energy shield being difficult to penetrate, the Star Sky Cone should have pierced through his arm, and perhaps continued into his ribcage.

This young woman was no lamb, but a little she-wolf that could wag its tail. The moment he relaxed his guard, she could exploit any vulnerability, as evidenced by the way her other cone emerged, pointing directly at his heart, even as he gripped her throat.

However, she was ultimately one step too slow.

Hearing his threatening words, Feng Miaojun obediently raised both hands in surrender, withdrawing her Star Sky Cone.

Tie Xinning truly wanted to snap her neck with one hand, but she was still useful. He could only swallow his anger and drag her forward. By now, others had been blown away by the explosion’s airwaves, and even many practitioners with profound cultivation struggled to maintain their footing. Few could stop him.

With a “rumbling” sound, three more explosions occurred below in quick succession, and he rushed to the front of the group in one move.

Amidst this series of sudden changes, Princess Hanyue was immediately surrounded by layers of guards at the center. She had been fortunate enough not to peek when the Mountain-Shaking Thunder exploded, thus preserving her eyesight. But with her delicate constitution, how could she withstand such a shock? The protective talisman she wore immediately activated, absorbing the aftershocks that threatened her life.

By now, dozens of guards stood before her, and on such a narrow passage, it wouldn’t be easy for Tie Xinning to break through the human wall to reach her.

He stopped abruptly, just five zhang away from the foremost guard, with one hand gripping Feng Miaojun’s neck, while beckoning to Princess Hanyue with the other: “Come here, or I’ll throw her down.”

Below was the enraged Spider King, along with layer upon layer of explosions. Feng Miaojun’s chances of survival if thrown down were questionable at best.

His grip was incredibly powerful, and Feng Miaojun’s windpipe was constricted. If not for her cultivation depth and sustained energy flow, she would have fainted by now. But escaping his grip was impossible. From the corner of her eye, she saw Princess Hanyue’s face turn paper-white as she angrily shouted: “Who are you! Let her go, and I’ll spare your life!”

Tie Xinning laughed: “Stop the nonsense, or she dies without question.”

Princess Hanyue hesitantly stepped forward, only to be held back by a guard beside her: “Don’t get closer.”

Strangely, despite the deafening explosions in the abyss, Feng Miaojun seemed able to hear his words without missing a single one. This voice was all too familiar to her.

Tie Xinning leaned close to her ear, his hot breath tickling the back of her neck: “Your so-called master doesn’t seem to care much about whether you live or die.”

Indeed, this guard wore light armor, and though his face was partially concealed, she recognized those bright eyes.

It was Mo Tizhun.

So the State Preceptor Mo’s hasty departure previously had been just for show; he had remained with the bridal escort, right by the princess’s side.

What he was wary of, what he was preparing for, Feng Miaojun understood immediately, even though Princess Hanyue hadn’t told her either.

Mo Tizhun had used her as bait once again.

“Tie Xinning’s” malicious chuckle echoed in her ear: “So-called affection, amounts to no more than this.”

What did it matter that this girl shared a friendship with Princess Hanyue or a master-disciple relationship with Mo Tizhun? She was still being used as a pawn to lure the enemy, a pawn that could be discarded at any time.

Today’s update is complete. Happy Dragon Boat Festival to everyone! Rice dumplings are delicious but high in calories, so ladies, please be mindful.