Godlike: Double Penetration of the Starry Sky! A brutal beating of Ge Xiaolun at the start.

Chapter 184 Follow Me!

"Hmph, a mere trick!" Long Wen sneered, but before he could even catch his breath, the ground suddenly cracked open, and sharp spikes burst forth from the earth. Seeing this, Zhou Li flicked her spear, forcefully lifting a boulder to block the spikes, buying everyone time to dodge.

"Don't panic, everyone! Follow me!" Long Wen shouted as he dodged the attacks from the traps while observing their workings. With his agility and masterful control of the elements, he gradually figured out the traps' weaknesses.

He discovered that the activation of these mechanisms seemed to be connected to the runes on the ground; the flashing sequence of the runes corresponded to the triggering areas of the mechanisms. A thought struck Long Wen. He swiftly rushed towards a spot where runes were about to light up, imbuing his longsword with earth elemental power, and plunged it fiercely into the ground. With a loud bang, the ground trembled slightly, and the mechanism miraculously stopped operating.

"Quick, do as I say!" Long Wen commanded the group. Under his guidance, they gradually calmed down and began to follow his lead, using weapons to destroy the runes or elemental powers to interfere with the mechanism's energy source. With everyone's concerted efforts, the mechanism's attack frequency gradually decreased until it finally stopped.

Xingqiu wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked at Long Wen with admiration: "Brother Long, I admire your skills to the core! If it weren't for you, we would have been doomed here today."

Long Wen smiled slightly, "It's good that everyone is alright. Now is not the time to let our guard down. The danger may still be ahead."

Although Elder Yaoguang did not speak, the hostility in his eyes lessened slightly. He had to admit that at this critical moment, Long Wen's abilities were indeed outstanding, and he was the backbone of the group.

Just as everyone was catching their breath, a dark figure flashed past from the depths of the treasure pavilion like a ghost, moving with incredible speed and bringing with it a chill that sent shivers down everyone's spine.

"Who goes there?" Long Wen shouted and chased after the shadowy figure without hesitation.

Seeing this, Zhou Li was extremely anxious. She was about to follow when she was blocked by an invisible force. "Long Wen, be careful!" she shouted, thrusting her spear repeatedly at the force, but it was like throwing a stone into the sea, having no effect whatsoever.

Hearing Zhou Li's call, Long Wen paused slightly, but his mind was now focused on the safety of his family. Determined to find out what was going on, he gritted his teeth and continued chasing after her. He saw the dark figure weaving left and right within the treasure pavilion, as if it were his own backyard. Long Wen wondered to himself: Could it be someone within the family colluding with an outsider?

Tracing the shadowy figure deep within the treasure pavilion, Long Wen discovered it had vanished into a mysterious teleportation array. The array emitted a ghostly blue light, its runes flickering, shrouded in mystery. Long Wen hesitated for a moment, knowing full well that stepping inside might mean certain death, but if he didn't pursue, his family would never have peace. Finally, he stamped his foot and resolutely stepped into the teleportation array.

Zhou Li watched helplessly as Long Wen disappeared, her heart filled with anxiety, tears welling up in her eyes. "Long Wen, you must come back safely..." she murmured to herself, her eyes filled with worry and reluctance.

Everyone gathered around, and Elder Yaoguang's face was grim. "What should we do? That boy acted rashly. If anything happens to him, our family..."

Xingqiu frowned and comforted her, "Miss Zhou Li, don't worry too much. Brother Long is a lucky man, he must have his own plans. We need to quickly think of a way to break this teleportation array, or at least guard the treasure pavilion to prevent any further unforeseen events."

Chapter 185 A Heart-Pounding Aura

Zhou Li forced back her tears and nodded. "Xingqiu is right. We can't lose our composure. Everyone, hold this place tight. I refuse to believe we can't find a way to rescue Longwen."

Long Wen felt a flash of light before his eyes, and after a dizzying spin, he found himself in unfamiliar territory. The surroundings were eerily quiet; the air seemed frozen, save for a faint light shining down from above, illuminating the countless strange, shimmering runes on the ground. These runes, winding and twisting, resembled some ancient and mysterious language, silently telling untold secrets, yet also seemed like binding shackles, emanating a chilling aura.

Long Wen took a deep breath and slowly drew his sword. The blade scraped against the scabbard, producing a soft "whoosh," which sounded particularly jarring in the silent space. Cold sweat beaded on his palms as he unconsciously gripped the hilt, his knuckles turning white. His eyes warily scanned his surroundings, his steps moving forward slowly and cautiously, each step feeling like a taut string on his heart. "Don't be afraid, Long Wen, I will definitely find a way out and uncover the secret behind this," he told himself, trying to reassure himself. But his voice was swallowed by the empty space and vanished without a trace.

As he cautiously moved forward, a soft rustling sound suddenly came from behind him. Long Wen turned around abruptly, only to find nothing but a gentle breeze stirring up a few withered blades of grass. "Was it just my imagination?" he muttered, frowning, his heart suddenly racing, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.

Continuing forward, an ancient stone gate appeared ahead, its surface carved with intricate patterns resembling family totems, yet also carrying a twisted and eerie quality. Long Wen reached out and touched the stone gate; the moment his hand touched the cold stone surface, the gate slowly trembled, emitting a muffled "humming" sound. Then, it slowly opened to both sides, releasing an ancient and mysterious aura.

Long Wen swallowed hard, gripped his sword tightly, and stepped through the stone gate. Inside was a vast cavern, its ceiling inlaid with shimmering gems, sparkling like a starry sky, yet also deepening the shadows within. In the center of the cavern stood a stone platform, upon which rested an ancient scroll. A faint light surrounded the scroll, seemingly beckoning to Long Wen.

He slowly approached the stone platform, and just as he was about to touch the scroll, a dark shadow shot down from the top of the cave, heading straight for Long Wen. Long Wen reacted quickly, dodging to the side and parrying with his sword. With a loud clang, sparks flew, and the dark shadow revealed itself to be a mysterious person dressed in black robes, whose face was hidden in the darkness.

·· ····Request flowers··· ·····

"Hmph, you want to pry into the family secrets? How many lives do you have?" The mysterious man spoke in a low, hoarse voice, full of threat.

Long Wen's eyes narrowed, and he roared, "Who exactly are you? Why are you stopping me?"

The mysterious man let out a piercing laugh: "Who am I? I am the one who was expelled by this despicable family. Today is the day for my revenge. I will make them pay for what they did back then, and I will also take away the treasure that belongs to me!"

Long Wen was startled, instantly understanding the conspiracy behind it. He knew he couldn't let this person succeed, so he gripped his longsword tightly, assumed a fighting stance, and declared, "I will never allow anyone to disrupt the harmony of the family!"

The mysterious man snorted coldly, his figure flashing like a ghost as he attacked, his dagger gleaming with a chilling light, aiming for Long Wen's throat. Long Wen dodged to the side, and with a backhand thrust of his sword towards the man's chest, but the mysterious man dodged with an uncanny movement, simultaneously kicking Long Wen in the abdomen.

Chapter 186 Interfering with the Mysterious Man's Vision

Long Wen took a few steps back to steady himself, his eyes becoming increasingly determined. He manipulated the elemental forces around him, and instantly, wind elements howled within the cave, stirring up clouds of dust that interfered with the mysterious man's vision.

Seeing this, the mysterious man became enraged. He waved his hands, and dark power surged from his palms, colliding with the elemental power of the dragon pattern. Light flickered and energy fluctuations were violent in the cave, and stones fell down in a flurry.

Seizing the opportunity, Long Wen, taking advantage of the sandstorm, moved swiftly, circled behind the mysterious man, and slashed down with his sword. The mysterious man sensed the danger and hurriedly turned to defend, but was forced back several steps by Long Wen's sword strike. Long Wen gave his opponent no chance to catch his breath, chanting incantations as his longsword shone brightly, cleverly fusing fire and wind elements to form a blazing firestorm that swept towards the mysterious man.

The mysterious man struggled in the storm, letting out a shrill scream. His black robe was set ablaze by flames. In the end, he was no match for Long Wen and fled in defeat, turning into a black shadow and disappearing into the depths of the cave.

Long Wen sheathed his longsword, let out a long sigh, walked to the stone platform, and picked up the ancient scroll. Opening it, the truth was revealed: just as the mysterious man had said, it was all a plot for revenge. Long Wen carefully put the scroll away, preparing to take it back to his family.

When Long Wen returned to the clan, the clansmen were anxiously discussing the matter in the council hall. Zhou Li, her face full of worry, paced back and forth. When she saw Long Wen return, her eyes flashed with joy, and she quickly went to greet him, "Long Wen, you're back! Are you injured?"

Long Wen smiled and shook his head, gently holding Zhou Li's hand. "I'm fine, Li'er. I've even found the truth."

At this moment, Elder Yaoguang also stood up. Although his expression remained dignified, there was a hint of concern in his eyes. "Young man, tell me quickly, what exactly happened?"

Long Wen stepped forward, handed the scroll to Yao Guang, and recounted his experiences in the cave. The tribespeople listened with righteous indignation, yet were also gratified by Long Wen's bravery.

After reading the book, Yao Guang sighed deeply, his face full of regret. He walked up to Long Wen and bowed deeply. "Long Wen, I was senile before and wronged you, almost causing a disaster. I hope you can forgive me."

Long Wen hurriedly helped the Grand Elder up, "Elder, you flatter us. As long as the family can return to peace, everything is worthwhile..."

Zhou Li stood to the side, her eyes filled with emotion and pride, and she nestled gently in Long Wen's arms. At this moment, Yue Li walked over with a smile, "That's wonderful, now the family can finally have peace, Long Wen, all thanks to you."

Xingyao stepped forward as well. Although he still looked somewhat unwilling, he clasped his hands in a salute and said, "I have offended you before. I admire your skills."

Long Wen smiled and waved his hand, "We're all family, no need to be so polite."

Just then, cheerful music filled the air. It turned out that the family had spontaneously organized a grand feast. The banquet was laden with fine wine and delicacies, and the family members laughed and toasted each other. Long Wen and Zhou Li sat in the main seats, hand in hand, their eyes filled with happiness. The surrounding family members offered their blessings, and the entire 3.5 family was immersed in a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.

Inside the Zhou family mansion, lanterns and decorations were everywhere, and laughter rippled through every corner. After many twists and turns, the family had finally restored its former harmony, and the faces of the clansmen were filled with long-lost joy. Children ran and laughed in the courtyard, while adults gathered together to share the warmth of reunion.

Chapter 187 The visitor is not friendly!

Long Wen and Zhou Li strolled hand in hand through the lively scene, their hearts filled with joy. Long Wen looked at Zhou Li and said softly, "Li'er, seeing the family in such a state now, all the hard work has been worth it." Zhou Li nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing on her cold and beautiful face, and replied softly, "Yes, thanks to you, Long Wen."

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps shattered the peaceful atmosphere. A scout rushed into the mansion in a panic, knelt down with a thud, gasped for breath, and cried out in a trembling voice, "It's terrible, Patriarch, elders! An unknown force is rushing towards the family, and judging by their appearance, they're up to no good!"

In an instant, the entire mansion seemed to be muted; the laughter and chatter ceased abruptly, replaced by a deathly silence. Then, a buzzing murmur arose like a tidal wave, and the faces of the clansmen revealed expressions of fear and panic.

Long Wen's eyes instantly sharpened like an eagle's, his brows furrowed, his fists clenched unconsciously, knuckles turning white, and the veins on his arms bulging slightly, displaying utmost vigilance and determination. He turned to look at Zhou Li, their eyes meeting, no words needed, their unwavering resolve was tacitly understood. Zhou Li released Long Wen's hand, took a step forward, her posture upright, her gaze fixed firmly on the distance, her fearless spirit seemingly able to dispel the impending gloom.

Yao Guang, as the eldest elder of the Zhou Li family, had always been conservative and stubborn, and harbored hostility towards Long Wen, this "outsider." At this moment, he stomped his cane heavily on the ground, making a dull thud, and shouted, "Hmph, this must be trouble caused by that brat. He hasn't had a moment's peace since he joined the family!" After saying that, he pointed at Long Wen with his cane, his eyes full of resentment.

Long Wen ignored Yao Guang's accusations. He glanced at everyone and shouted, "Now is not the time to assign blame. With foreign enemies at hand, we must unite as one and fight them together!" His voice resounded throughout the mansion like a bell, carrying an unquestionable authority.

Xingyao, an aggressive member of the younger generation in the family, was usually competitive and had long coveted the treasures on Longwen's body. However, he was also affected by the tense atmosphere. Although he was somewhat unwilling, he still muttered in agreement: "Hmph, I'll listen to you for now. If you can't handle it, you'll be in trouble!"

Yue Li, Zhou Li's good friend, is kind-hearted but somewhat weak. She anxiously twisted her fingers, her eyes slightly red, and said softly, "What should we do... Long Wen, you must think of a way."

Long Wen took a deep breath, quickly calming himself down, his mind racing. He looked around, and based on his extensive adventure experience, he already had a preliminary defense plan in mind. "Listen to my command!" Long Wen shouted again, then flashed towards the mansion gate.

Zhou Li followed closely behind without hesitation, her hand gripping her usual dagger, the blade gleaming coldly in the sunlight. As Long Wen ran, he said to Zhou Li, "Li'er, lead a group of agile tribesmen to prepare rolling logs and stones. If the enemy gets close, give them a taste of their power." Zhou Li nodded slightly, responded, and turned to gather her men.

Long Wen arrived at the gate and gazed into the distance. Dust billowed, and the figure of the unknown force loomed closer and closer. He turned to his family members and shouted, "You lot, go and move all the water vats from the manor here, line them up in a row. They'll come in handy if needed!" Though somewhat puzzled, the family members obeyed.

Chapter 188 Mysterious Runes

Immediately afterward, Long Wen directed the others: "The rest of you, follow me and move sandbags to build a defensive line in front of the gate!" With that, he shouldered a sandbag and strode swiftly to the designated spot. Inspired by him, the family members gradually calmed down and began to work, each fulfilling their duties in a busy yet orderly manner.

Long Wen felt somewhat relieved watching the busy crowd. He walked to the front of the gate, closed his eyes, concentrated, and began to mobilize the elemental power within his body. His hands moved slowly in the air, light shimmering between his palms as earth and wind elements intertwined, outlining mysterious runes in the air. As the runes took shape, the ground began to tremble slightly, and earthen walls slowly rose, forming a preliminary defensive barrier around the mansion.

"Everyone stay calm and do as I say!" Long Wen shouted, his voice filled with confidence and composure. At this moment, his forehead was covered with sweat, and his clothes were soaked with sweat, but his eyes became more and more determined.

As the family members watched Long Wen methodically arrange everything, their admiration grew even stronger. Those who had previously held prejudices against him now had to admit that this young man possessed extraordinary wisdom and ability. Yao Guang stood to the side, her face still stern, but the hostility in her eyes lessened slightly. She thought to herself, "This kid does have some skill...々〃..."

Just as the defensive formation was about to be completed, the distant enemy seemed to have noticed the commotion and suddenly accelerated, rushing towards the mansion like a surging tide. Instantly, the shouts of battle were deafening, and the thunderous sound of hooves rolled in.

Long Wen opened his eyes, his gaze instantly sharp as a hawk's. He took a deep breath, preparing for the brutal battle to come. He turned to look at Zhou Li beside him. Zhou Li had already gripped her weapon, her figure lithe and agile, standing shoulder to shoulder with him. They exchanged a glance, seeing resolve and trust in each other's eyes.

A fierce wind howled, whipping up clouds of sand and dust, turning the world a hazy yellow. Outside the Zhou Li family mansion, defensive arrays shimmered, forming an impenetrable barrier against the approaching storm. Family members stood ready, their eyes filled with tension and resolve, their weapons gripped tightly, their cold glints flickering in the sandstorm.

Long Wen stood tall and straight at the front of the formation, clad in a black, form-fitting outfit that fluttered in the wind like a blade about to be drawn. His eyes were fixed on the distance, where a group of dark figures were rapidly approaching, radiating a suffocating sense of oppression. He turned slightly to look at Zhou Li beside him; their eyes met, and without a word, they understood each other perfectly. Zhou Li nodded gently, her longsword trembling slightly, as if responding to Long Wen's resolve.

"Long Wen, be careful," Zhou Li said softly. Although her voice was slightly muffled by the wind, it still reached Long Wen's ears clearly.

Long Wen's lips curled up into a confident smile: "(Zhao De) Don't worry, with me here, I will definitely not let the family be humiliated." After saying that, he slowly clenched his fists, and elemental power rippled in his palms, as if it would burst forth at any moment.

The instant the enemy clashed with the family's defensive formation, it was as if a boulder had been thrown into a calm lake, and the battle erupted with a deafening roar. Without hesitation, Long Wen took the lead, charging into the enemy ranks like a black lightning bolt. His movements were agile, his elemental manipulation abilities reaching their peak as he moved with incredible speed and agility.

Chapter 189 Engaging in the Battle

Flames erupted from his palm, instantly transforming into a roaring fire serpent that precisely coiled around the throat of an enemy. The enemy's eyes widened in terror, and before he could even struggle, he was incinerated. Immediately afterward, Long Wen spun around, wind elements gathering beneath his feet. Using this momentum, he leaped high into the air, his fists slamming with ferocious force into the chest of another enemy, sending him flying several meters away. The sound of bones breaking was clearly audible amidst the deafening roar of the battlefield.

Zhou Li worked closely alongside him, her swordsmanship fierce and swift, blood splattering with each flash of her blade. Seeing Long Wen surrounded, she cried out and charged into the enemy ranks, her longsword moving like a dragon emerging from the sea, each swing bringing a shower of blood. An enemy wielding a broadsword attacked from behind Long Wen, but Zhou Li reacted swiftly, dodging to the side and slicing her sword across the enemy's arm. The enemy screamed, the broadsword slipping from his grasp.

"Thank you!" Long Wen turned around and called out, his eyes full of gratitude.

"Let's fight the enemy together!" Zhou Li replied, her eyes resolute.

Their seamless teamwork caught the enemy off guard. Inspired by Long Wen and Zhou Li's bravery, the family members rallied their courage and joined the battle. In an instant, shouts of battle filled the air, swords clashed, and blood stained the ground beneath their feet.

However, the battle was far more intense than expected. During the fierce fighting, Long Wen discovered that the enemy leader was a formidable opponent. The leader was tall and muscular, as if cast in bronze. He wielded a giant battle axe, and each swing created a howling wind. Wherever the axe passed, earth and stones flew, and the family members hurriedly dodged, not daring to take its blow head-on.

Long Wen's several fierce attacks were skillfully deflected by the leader. His fire serpents were frozen by the leader's ice shield, instantly turning into ice shards; his heavy punches were easily blocked by the leader's battle axe, leaving his arm numb. Long Wen was secretly surprised, but he knew he must not panic at this moment. He retreated quickly, steadied himself at the edge of the battlefield, panting heavily, but his eyes were fixed on the enemy leader, observing his every move.

"Hmph, with such meager skills, you dare to invade my family? You're truly overestimating yourself!" Xingyao shouted from the side. As a radical among the younger generation of the Zhou Li family, his competitive nature was on full display. Although he was somewhat resentful towards Long Wen, seeing the enemy so rampant, he couldn't suppress his anger and drew his sword, ready to charge forward.

"Xingyao, don't be impulsive!" Yue Li quickly pulled him back. She was Zhou Li's good friend, a neutral member of the family, kind but weak. Her eyes were filled with worry, knowing how powerful the enemy leader was, and she was afraid that something might happen to Xingyao.

"Let me go, I'm going to kill that guy!" Xingyao struggled, his face flushed.

"Going there now is just suicide. Listen to Long Wen's arrangements!" Yue Li said anxiously.

Long Wen ignored their argument, his entire focus on the enemy leader. After some observation, he suddenly discovered a flaw in the enemy's attack pattern. Every time the leader swung his battle axe, his center of gravity would shift slightly, briefly exposing an opening under his right rib. A thought struck Long Wen, and he instantly conceived an elemental combination technique he had never demonstrated before.

He took a deep breath, palms facing upwards, and began to gather elemental power. Fire, wind, water, earth, and the mysterious elements he had acquired in his past adventures all responded to his call, slowly merging in his palms. The surrounding air seemed to be sucked away, forming a violent vortex of energy, swirling sand and fallen leaves into it, making crackling sounds.