Chapter 289: Energy Out of Control

“Are you sure it’s here?”

Du Jinsong and the others frowned in unison as they looked at the tavern before them.

At this moment, there were even quite a few diners eating inside the tavern, yet Gan Hua had told them that the entrance to the dungeon was right here.

Gan Hua nodded with absolute certainty. “Yes, it’s here. However…”

Looking at the brightly lit tavern, a trace of hesitation actually appeared on his face.

“However what? Hurry up and say it!” Kong Xiang pressed impatiently.

He cared about Kong Nian's safety more than anyone else. Now that he knew the true mastermind was actually a member of the Feng family, his mind was even more unsettled.

Clearly, that Feng Zong had already developed a desire to possess Kong Nian's energy. If Feng Zong were to succeed, they would be utterly unable to atone for their failure, even if they died ten thousand deaths.

Gan Hua shuddered violently and immediately said, “When I escaped, this place was clearly just a courtyard.”

Kong Xiang:...

Du Jinsong:...

Zhang Ximing:...

“Could this Mr. Gan have remembered the wrong way?” Tian Wei asked, her face full of doubt, her tone carrying a hint of faint mockery.

This man's words were simply too unreliable. Were they all blind?

Gan Hua's already haggard face grew even more unsightly.

How could he possibly remember such an important matter incorrectly?

Du Jinsong's eyes flickered; he felt a degree of trust in Gan Hua's words.

Therefore, there must be something they had failed to notice.

“Jinsong, why don't we go in and take a look first?” Zhang Ximing suggested proactively after regaining his composure.

There was no other way now.

Before Du Jinsong could respond, Kong Xiang had already strode inside.

As soon as the few of them entered the tavern, a waiter greeted them enthusiastically.

“Do you guests have a reservation? We are out of private rooms at the moment.”

Clearly, they truly took them for diners.

The expressions of the group grew increasingly grim. While Zhang Ximing dealt with the waiter, he and the others immediately began searching the entire tavern for any clues.

“Senior Brother Gan, how is it? Is it here?”

Ma Chulan, who had been following closely by Gan Hua's side, lowered her voice to confirm with him.

However, all she received was a stiff shake of Gan Hua's head.

“Look closely again. Didn't you say it was here?” Kong Xiang's voice grew dark and heavy with pressure.

Gan Hua's wandering gaze drifted incessantly through every corner.

It was different—completely different.

But he remembered so clearly; it was definitely here.

“Are you here to eat or to find someone?” Having waited too long, even the waiter noticed their oddity and asked impatiently.

Du Jinsong's eyebrows were knitted tight. Aside from the diners, the place was completely exposed; there was no way a dungeon entrance could exist here.

By the time the group emerged from the tavern, their faces were filled with solemnity.

They had never expected things to become this complicated. It was one thing for the previous tracking talismans to lose their effectiveness, but Gan Hua had escaped from that very place—how could he still not find it?

Furthermore, according to Gan Hua, Feng Zong would definitely make a move on Kong Nian tonight. If they still couldn't arrive in time, the Kong family members and Su Yan held in the dungeon would all be in grave danger.

“Senior Brother Gan, don't panic. Try to think carefully again. Are there any other clues?”

Although Ma Chulan was also anxious, she maintained a calm and composed demeanor.

Panic had already appeared on Gan Hua's face as he scanned every inch of the street.

Aside from this tavern, everything else was exactly the same as in his memory.

“It is here!”

He gritted his teeth and reaffirmed it once more.

The atmosphere among the group fell into a state of utter oppression and tension.

Tian Wei looked impatient. She already held a prejudice against the members of the four great families; now, after confirming that the Feng family was the mastermind and seeing Gan Hua unable to even remember a path clearly, her disdain reached its peak. Just as she was about to take the opportunity to mock him, Zhang Ximing beat her to it.

“If Brother Gan hasn't misremembered, then isn't there another possibility?”

Instantly, everyone's gaze fell upon him.

Zhang Ximing said cautiously, “Could Feng Zong be using some kind of illusion or a unique formation to conceal the original building that was here? Otherwise, how could we possibly fail to find it every time?”

His words caused Kong Xiang's breathing to instantly quicken, as if he had thought of something.

And Kong Xiang's reaction told Zhang Ximing that he might have guessed correctly.

“Everyone, step back!”

Kong Xiang unconsciously raised his voice to signal them.

Everyone immediately retreated a few steps.

Kong Xiang pressed his hands together and began to trace a talisman, murmuring incantations.

Immediately following, a light slowly expanded until it completely enveloped the entire tavern.

“Break!”

At his command, the once-bustling tavern vanished in an instant, replaced instead by a pitch-black manor.

Everyone showed expressions of shock, but Gan Hua suddenly shuddered.

“It—it is here!”

After all that hardship, they had finally found it!

Far from relaxing, Kong Xiang's expression grew even more tense.

“Feng Zong truly has impressive methods. This formation has not only reached the level of being indistinguishable from reality, but if I am not mistaken, it can also shield all talisman information. That is why the tracking talismans used by the Young Lady and me lost their effectiveness.”

As far as he knew, Feng Zong was not even a core member of the Feng family, yet he possessed such the ability to swap heaven and earth and such wolfish ambitions. How could he not be terrified?

“Since we've found it, let's charge straight in!”

Time was of the essence, and Du Jinsong made a decisive call.

Kong Xiang was even more eager, unable to wait any longer to rescue Kong Nian!

Inside the dungeon, Feng Zong was panting heavily. Having just experienced that surging power, he was naturally unwilling to lose it now, which only intensified his craving for strength.

In his eyes now, Kong Nian was no longer a person, but a vessel containing his power!

Kong Nian knew the time was ripe. She mobilized her last remaining breath, attempting to reclaim that energy.

As long as she recovered her strength, she would still have a chance.

She had thought it would be easy, but unexpectedly, the energy hovering around her showed no reaction whatsoever.

This situation was completely beyond her expectations.

Feng Zong, who cared even more than she did, saw the anomaly and his expression twisted.

“The power has already been returned to you, so hurry up and take it back!”

He actually had the audacity to shout and urge her on.

Kong Nian was drenched in cold sweat. She wanted to, but she simply couldn't!

No matter how hard she tried afterward, she could not stir even the slightest ripple.

Just as the two watched in anxiety, that surge of energy seemed to suddenly gain a will of its own, violently rushing out from the circular platform and surging wildly toward the depths of the dungeon.

(End of Chapter)