Young Master Liu took a deep breath, looking at all of us and saying, "We have no objective for this mission other than to stop those Americans from digging up our ancient sites, and to locate the Guge ruins to complete the nation's task. In truth, we have already achieved that objective, or so I believe."

Scholar Jia suddenly threw his head back and let out a few wild laughs, then abruptly stopped, looking at the stunned crowd. He slowly said, "Boy Liu, the 'Ninety-Nine Heavens' is a legend. According to the legend, the 'Ninety-Nine Heavens' is the final stop that will unveil all the secrets. The map we obtained in the Yellow Springs and River Styx also marks this fact. My feeling tells me that until we reach the 'Ninety-Nine Heavens,' nothing is over, and we won't be able to return to the surface at all."

As he spoke, his eyes looked incredibly cold, especially the last sentence, which he delivered word by word, sending a chilling sensation through everyone present.

Young Master Liu chewed over Scholar Jia's words, recalling the entire journey, and suddenly began to understand Jia's meaning. This bizarre place would not easily let them leave. Remembering what Clay Man Zhang had said back then, Young Master Liu felt more and more that everything must have a cause and effect. They were all driven by fate to this place, and every mystery and strangeness here had to be completely unraveled if they were to leave alive.

So, he slowly said, "I understand now. The path we took was fraught with untold hardships and constant danger. Even if we turned back now, I'm afraid we couldn't. No one knows if the places we passed through are still as they were. Everything must be a cycle of cause and effect; if we don't uncover the final secret, I fear none of us will truly be able to exit this place."

Just then, everyone noticed Fan Debiao, who had been facing the crowd and the main hall door, looking strangely toward the entrance of the Wuji Daozang, seemingly paying no mind to Young Master Liu's words.

Young Master Liu immediately felt a sense of dread and spun around toward the hall entrance. Several figures were slowly walking into the grand hall. Leading them was that American doctor, James, followed by several burly men dressed in special forces uniforms.

As the group entered, James maintained his hypocritical smile, looking at them and performing a traditional Chinese cupped-fist salute. He said, "Gentlemen, we meet again."

Scholar Jia cut in with a cold snort, "American devil, we spared your lives last time and let you go, yet you dare follow us here. Have you decided this place has good feng shui and plan to spend the rest of your miserable lives here as a burial mound?"

James was not angered, still smiling as he waved his hand dismissively. "The renowned Senior Jia is mistaken. You think we were defeated when we clashed last time because we couldn't match your skills? Not at all. We merely wanted you to act as our vanguard, to scout the path for us. That detector was also left behind by us for you to find. Our objective was simple: wait for you to locate the treasure, and then we would appear. There is an old saying in China: the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind."

His words shocked everyone; James was this devious.

James continued, "Now that the treasure is revealed, there is another old Chinese saying: the victor is king, the vanquished is a thief. Let us have a final reckoning between us. As for the treasure, it naturally belongs to the most virtuous."

Scholar Jia shot back, "The most virtuous? Relying on that useless psychic pig among your subordinates?"

James laughed loudly, then pointed to two figures dressed as special forces who had silently moved to his side. "I'll let these two gentlemen introduce themselves to you."

A burly special forces member stepped forward, removed his helmet, and a cascade of long, black hair spilled down over his shoulders. He then slowly brought his right hand up to his face and gently wiped across it. As his hand slowly lowered, all of us stared in dumbfounded silence—this person's face had transformed into the exquisite features of a woman: peach-blossom cheeks, almond eyes, willow brows, and cherry lips.

He then offered a slight smile to the group before him, and his body began to twist in a bizarre, serpentine manner. As he writhed, his physique slowly changed, accompanied by heart-stopping moans escaping his crimson lips, making everyone's blood run cold.

When his body finally stopped moving, his figure had become slender and graceful, making the special forces uniform look baggy and ill-fitting. He then slowly unfastened his outer shirt, revealing a layer of sheer, pink undergarment beneath, almost transparent like gauze, faintly showing his form. In an instant, this person had transformed from a stocky, robust man into a thoroughly feminine figure.

At this moment, she parted her scarlet lips, revealing a set of white teeth, and smiled faintly, "I am Yuko Ogura, an American citizen of Japanese descent. Please take care of me."

We exchanged bewildered glances. We never suspected that these special forces personnel concealed masters of Japanese Ninjutsu. Who could the other person be?

The other individual, dark-skinned and clad in camouflage, stepped forward. With a sudden roar, he strained his arms, and the outer layer of his uniform instantly shredded into pieces, revealing skin that looked as rugged and angular as cut stone. He also removed his cap and spoke fluently, "Gentlemen, my name is Hatton. I am a Zimbabwean of Shona descent, an American citizen—what you people call an African. I spent seven years in China and deeply admire your ancient culture."

At this point, James maintained his usual placid smile and addressed us: "Yuko Ogura is the top master, a Jonin, of the Japanese Koga-ryu school. Hatton is a native Zimbabwean and the head disciple of that nation's foremost shamanic master."

Scholar Jia sneered, "So, a Japanese and an African. It seems you Americans have no figures of your own caliber to stand against the miraculous Chinese Daoist arts, so you shamelessly lured and recruited so-called experts and unusual talents from other countries and races for your service. American devil, let me tell you the truth: your group is nothing more than a motley crew. Faced with Chinese Daoism, the result will be this." As he spoke, he provocatively pointed his right pinky finger at James, then glanced at the others. Seeing his look, everyone joined him in hearty laughter, showing their contempt for James and those beside him.

James's expression shifted slightly, but this man was clearly a seasoned, cunning old fox. He forced an unnatural smile and said, "The United States of America respects human rights the most. We welcome talents from any race or nation to come to America and join in our development, so I don't believe this means America lacks talent. The current international situation proves everything; America is the most powerful, and China is merely a developing nation."

Before Scholar Jia could speak, Young Master Liu coldly snorted, "America only achieved its hegemonic status by making war profits during World War II—ill-gotten gains, to be precise. Unfortunately, every city showcases a stark contrast between heaven and hell existing side by side. Look at those slums; that is the so-called human rights approach of you Americans." James chuckled, his face suddenly turning grim, "I don't have time for your nonsense. Yuko Ogura and Hatton will send you to heaven to meet Jesus."

Fan Debiao raised his gun and yelled shrilly, "Go to hell, you American bastard! Jesus is your god. Since you're in such a hurry to meet him, we'll make sure you get there quickly!"

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