Chapter 146 The Immortal Cage is Formed! The First "Double Immortal Night Trial" - A Power

Night fell, little by little.

The mark that cracked the sky during the day due to the shock of the patrol seal has not completely dissipated, resembling a very faint white line lying across the depths of the high sky.

It's hard to notice without careful observation, but if you look up for a while, it can still give you an inexplicable illusion—

It was as if the sky had been torn apart.

Moreover, the person who tore it open is now sitting at the entrance of the Taiji Hall, feeding his daughter candied hawthorns.

The wind in the square was much cooler than during the day.

But the area in front of the Taiji Hall was even more bustling than during the day.

the reason is simple.

The fairy cage is ready.

To be precise, it was a rough prototype.

The true core framework was directly extracted from the patrol seal that Su Changqing had forcibly torn off.

The runes that were originally high up on the edge of the seal and were specifically used to suppress the energy of a region were gradually peeled away, layered, and cut off by the peerless flying sword, and then re-embedded into the cage.

This is a job that no one else would even dare to dream of doing.

But when it comes to doing things, Wushuang is exceptionally serious.

Thirteen flying swords weaved back and forth around the cage in the night, sometimes slicing the edges, sometimes carving lines. The fine sword light was like a school of silver fish blooming in the night sky, smooth, clean and neat.

Even his expression remained calm.

It felt as if I wasn't dismantling the patrol seals and making "cages to imprison immortals," but rather carving flowers on radishes in the kitchen.

Beside him, Lei Wujie was busy moving materials, erecting beams, starting a fire, and handing out tools, his brows covered in sweat.

He kept talking even while he was busy.

"Wushuang, tighten this part a bit, it's too wide!"

"The third brother said the cage can't be too big; if it's too big, it'll look empty and won't create a lively atmosphere!"

"Hey, could you lower that window over there a bit more? What if the kids can't see?"

"And the feeding spout needs to be rounded, what if a customer puts their hand in and gets bitten—"

Before he could finish speaking, Yue Zhenchuan, who was in the pit next to him, suddenly looked up and glared at him angrily.

"How could I possibly bite someone?!"

Lei Wujie was taken aback at first, then curled his lip.

"Who knows?"

"People from your immortal realm seem to have rather unstable tempers. Yesterday there was the white one, today there's the silver one, and you, the black one, each one more irritable than the last."

As he spoke, he solemnly addressed the Snow Moon City disciple who was taking notes beside him:

"Make a note: add a guardrail to the feeding port to prevent the cactus from injuring people due to stress."

The disciple nodded blankly, "Okay, okay, Senior Brother Lei."

Yue Zhenchuan felt a tightness in his chest, his blood surged, and he almost vomited again on the spot.

Zhao Xuance lay in the other pit, his eyelids trembling as he listened.

He now finally understood why Gu Changxuan had shown that almost resigned expression earlier.

Because these people from the lower realm don't follow the "us vs. them" logic at all.

They have completely come to regard themselves as rare, breathing objects.

Moreover, it's the kind that can generate revenue sustainably.

This is worse than killing him.

……

A temporary lighthouse has been erected to the left front of the Taiji Hall.

Dozens of glass palace lanterns hung in mid-air, illuminating the entire square as bright as day. The lantern shadows fell on the newly cast fairy cages, making the pale white runes flowing on the surface of the cages exceptionally clear, revealing a strange yet luxurious beauty.

If you don't look closely, who would guess that this thing was dismantled using the Border Patrol Seal?

The cage was three zhang square, with heavy pillars at the four corners, yet its surface was sculpted by Wushuang with extremely clean lines, without the slightest hint of clumsiness. The spacing between the bars was such that it allowed clear visibility from the outside while ensuring that anyone inside could not easily escape.

The most outrageous thing is—

Wushuang actually listened to Su Xiaonuo's words and made two small stools and a small table inside.

He even casually carved two cloud patterns on the desktop, so delicate it was unbelievable.

Above the cage door, a brand new horizontal plaque has been hung up.

Four large characters were written on it—

[The Two Immortals' Night Trial]

The brushstrokes are vigorous and powerful.

It is said that Xiao Se wrote this with a dark expression after being repeatedly pestered by Sikong Changfeng.

After finishing writing, he turned and left, not wanting to admit at all that he had participated in such an absurd project.

But the handwriting is really beautiful.

As a result, Sikong Changfeng became more and more satisfied with the result, and wished he could add an extra "imperial inscription fee" on the spot.

At this moment, he was standing next to the Immortal Cage, holding a thick stack of rosters and gold notes in his hands. He was beaming with excitement, as if he had drunk ten jars of aged wine.

"Are the front rows full?"

"Reporting to the Third City Lord, it's full!"

"What about the middle row?"

"It's full! We've now opened additional viewing seats on both sides!"

"Has the refreshments for the VIP seating been arranged?"

"It has been delivered. As you instructed, each person received a cup of Enlightenment Tea, half a platter of spiritual fruits, and a limited-edition wooden plaque with the inscription 'Tonight's Two Immortals' as a souvenir."

"well!"

Sikong Changfeng nodded repeatedly, looking every bit like a manager about to usher in the second spring of his career.

Xiao Se glanced at him and said indifferently, "You look like you've found your life's calling right now."

Sikong Changfeng coughed, feigning humility.

"It's alright, it's alright. It's mainly thanks to Mr. Su for providing the platform; I've only done my bit."

Xiao Se sneered: "A meager effort? You've been collecting so many tickets your hands are practically cramping up."

"It's normal to work hard when doing business."

Sikong Changfeng sighed, wearing an expression that said, "I'm doing this all for everyone."

"Besides, tonight's event isn't just about making money, it's also about setting the rules."

Xiao Se raised an eyebrow slightly: "What rules?"

Sikong Changfeng looked at the Immortal Cage, lowered his voice, and his expression became unusually serious.

"Establish a set of rules that everyone in the world can understand."

"It is not something to be afraid of when someone comes from the upper realm."

"But as long as Mr. Su is here, they have to abide by our rules."

After these words were spoken, Xiao Se fell silent for a few moments.

Then, he looked at the family of three at the entrance of the Taiji Hall not far away, his eyes slightly complicated.

Sikong Changfeng's words may be crude, but they are correct.

On the surface, today's event was another outrageous project launched by Changqinglou, dragging immortals from the upper realm into a cage to sell tickets. It was absurd, a slap in the face, and the ultimate humiliation.

Look deeper—

This is changing the rules.

In the past, the so-called immortals, the so-called upper realm, and the so-called patrolling palace were all things that were high above, untouchable, and unquestionable to the mortal world.

When they came, mortals could only look up.

Whatever they say goes.

But today, Su Changqing personally dragged this "high and mighty" attitude down to earth.

Let the world see it with its own eyes.

Even immortals can cough up blood, fall into pits, be locked up, and become "spectacle items" to be sold for a price.

This seemingly absurd scene may have a greater significance for the entire human world than killing ten true immortals.

Because some things, once their divinity is shattered, can never be rebuilt.

As Xiao Se thought about this, he suddenly felt that the noise in the room had taken on a different meaning.

……

Meanwhile, in front of the main gate of the Taiji Hall.

Su Changqing sat on a large, soft couch, with a small table in front of him displaying several home-style snacks, a pot of hot tea, and a plate of sliced ​​spirit peaches freshly picked from the Changqing Realm.

Li Hanyi sat beside him, dressed in white as snow, quietly peeling pine nuts one by one.

Su Xiaonuo sat cross-legged between the two, holding a small porcelain bowl in her arms, which contained yogurt and spirit fruit pieces that Su Changqing had personally mixed for her.

The little girl held the jade spoon, took a bite, glanced at the fairy cage in front of her, took another bite, and glanced again, clearly very interested.

"Father."

"Um?"

When are they going in?

"Soon."

"Will there be fights once we go inside?"

Su Changqing thought for a moment: "If they don't behave themselves, it might..."

Su Xiaonuo's eyes immediately lit up: "Can I watch it?"

Li Hanyi raised her hand and gently tapped her forehead.

"Watch less of this stuff."

Su Xiaonuo pouted, turned to look at Su Changqing, and gave him a look that said, "My mother won't let me see, so please help me."

Su Changqing chuckled, picked up a piece of peach with a bamboo skewer, and handed it to her.

"You can watch, but you're not allowed to imitate their fighting."

"Then what should I study?"

"Learn from your mother how to peel pine nuts."

Upon hearing this, Li Hanyi paused in her actions and glanced at him sideways.

Su Changqing smiled at her.

Li Hanyi's ears burned slightly. She didn't say anything, but simply pushed the freshly peeled pine nuts toward his hand.

This little action might not be noticeable to others.

But if someone familiar with the Snow Moon Sword Immortal saw this, they would probably be stunned on the spot.

Who would have thought that Li Hanyi, who once cleaved a river with a single sword and whose coldness kept even the wind and snow at bay, would now be sitting at the entrance of the Taiji Hall, peeling pine nuts for a man, and doing it so naturally.

Su Changqing, as if it were a habit, reached out and took two more, then casually stuffed them into Su Xiaonuo's mouth.

The family of three sitting there formed a striking and peculiar contrast with the "Double Immortals' Night Trial" being prepared in front of them.

On one side is the warmth and everyday life of ordinary people.

On one side, immortals are in distress, and the sky is cracked.

Ironically, when Su Changqing combined them together, they didn't look out of place at all.

……

As the night deepened.

The first group of people to enter has finally arrived.

The first to arrive were almost all the most prominent figures in Tianqi City.

Among them were former princes, noble dukes and marquises, several high-ranking ministers, and even a few high-ranking nobles from the palace. They quietly arrived at the side gate of the Taiji Hall through the beaded curtain and soft sedan chair.

Logically speaking, this kind of "watching immortals being caged" shouldn't be done so openly.

But now, Taiji Hall is almost like the Tianqi brothel's main branch. No one dares to say no unless Su Changqing speaks up.

not to mention--

They really wanted to see it.

I really want to watch it.

Even though he had reached this position and was used to all sorts of things, the idea of ​​"an celestial official holding the seal of the upper realm and a patrolling general interrogating each other in the same cage at night" was still beyond everyone's imagination.

If I don't come and see, I probably won't be able to sleep tonight.

Sikong Changfeng stood at the entrance, personally checking tickets, his expression as solemn as if he were presiding over an unprecedented grand auction.

"Enter from the front row, turn left."

"The seat of honor is this way; there will be attendants to guide you."

"Attention, once inside, no noise is allowed, no throwing objects into the cages is permitted, and no one is permitted to provoke the two... cough, two distinguished guests."

"Anyone who violates the rules will not receive a refund and will be asked to leave."

"In addition, if you would like to participate in the 'close-up Q&A' session, please register in advance. Each person is limited to one question, and questions will be screened."

The people in line nodded repeatedly, their eyes shining, and they couldn't help but quicken their pace.

Soon, the viewing area specially set aside in front of the cage was mostly filled.

Tables were set out one by one, the aroma of tea wafting through the air, and tempting fruits wafting out. Waiters from Changqinglou moved about among them, quietly announcing dishes and respectfully guiding guests to their seats. The atmosphere was surprisingly orderly.

If you ignore the cage at the very front that holds the immortals, this whole thing is almost indistinguishable from a high-end gathering.

Wushuang stood by the cage, checked the locks and rune connections one last time, and nodded.

"That's fine."

Lei Wujie wiped his sweat, looked up at the completed fairy cage, and clicked his tongue in amazement.

"You know what, it actually looks pretty convincing."

"It's much more impressive than the dungeon in Lei Family Fortress."

Wushuang said calmly, "The dungeon is for imprisoning people."

"This is Guan Xianren's; it's different."

Lei Wujie thought about it and felt it made a lot of sense.

"That's right, the standard definitely needs to be raised."

Xiao Se was sitting in the main seat to the side, flipping through the list of questions and answers that Sikong Changfeng had just sent. Hearing the conversation between the two, he finally raised his hand and rubbed his temples.

Sometimes he really felt that it was hard to find a normal person in this Changqinglou working group.

The source of all this trouble is now leisurely sipping tea, completely oblivious to the fact that something is amiss.

"That's about it."

Su Changqing put down his teacup and looked ahead.

Sikong Changfeng immediately understood, his spirits lifted, and he shouted:

"Before opening the cage, please, distinguished guests... cough, please, celestial officials, take your seats!"

The sound spread, and the entire room fell silent.

Countless eyes were drawn to the two large pits.

Zhao Xuance's face was ashen, while Yue Zhenchuan's forehead veins bulged and his body was filled with murderous intent.

Unfortunately, the restrictions on them were still in place.

Moreover, it is heavier than during the day.

Su Changqing simply raised his hand, and the two of them were pulled out of the pit as if by invisible ropes, suspended in mid-air.

This scene immediately drew a suppressed gasp from the audience.

Even though I had heard about it countless times during the day, seeing the two immortals being dragged up like dead dogs still had an indescribable impact.

Zhao Xuance was filled with shame and rage, staring intently at Su Changqing.

"How dare you insult my Patrol Palace like this! In the future—"

"We'll talk about it another day."

Su Changqing interrupted him with a flick of his finger.

A thin beam of blue light sealed Zhao Xuance's throat, silencing him completely.

"Tonight, your main responsibility is to answer questions, not to make threats."

After he finished speaking, he glanced at Yue Zhenchuan.

Yue Zhenchuan sneered, clearly determined not to say a word.

Su Changqing didn't care and just tapped it casually.

The next instant, Yue Zhenchuan's black armor, which had been relatively intact, suddenly started to fall off piece by piece from the shoulder armor with a few "crackling" sounds.

A moment later, only the inner lining garment remained.

The entire audience: "..."

Yue Zhenchuan himself was also dumbfounded.

"you--!!!"

His face flushed red instantly, and his eyes seemed to spit fire.

Su Changqing remained calm.

"The nail is too hard; it might easily damage my newly made chair."

"Uninstall it first."

"Don't worry, I'll wash it clean later and keep a copy for you."

"..."

Yue Zhenchuan felt a sweet taste in his throat and almost fainted from anger.

There was a moment of silence, then someone couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The laughter seemed to ignite something, spreading instantly.

Many people quickly lowered their heads to drink their tea, but their shoulders were still shaking.

It's too cruel.

That's really ruthless.

As Zhao Xuance watched this scene, a very ominous premonition suddenly arose in his heart.

Sure enough, the next moment, Su Changqing turned to look at him, his gaze falling on his silver-white immortal robe.

Zhao Xuance's expression changed: "What do you want to do?!"

Su Changqing said, "Don't worry, I won't take your clothes off."

Zhao Xuance had just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Su Changqing continue:

"You look more suited to be the face of the business; keeping this outfit makes you appear more valuable."

The entire room fell silent once again.

The next moment, many people couldn't hold back anymore.

Even Xiao Se turned his head away, picked up his teacup, and covered his lips.

Sikong Changfeng almost burst out laughing, with only one thought in his mind.

Mr. Su's words can kill without drawing blood.

Amidst this strange atmosphere of suppressed laughter and deathly silence, the two visitors from the upper realm were finally "invited" into the Immortal Cage.

The cage door was closed.

A soft click.

The runes on the surface of the cage immediately lit up, and pale white light streams intertwined, sealing the entire cage tightly.

Zhao Xuance stood on the left, his silver robe stained with dust, his expression cold and sinister.

Yue Zhenchuan sat on the right, his black armor gone, wearing only a single garment, his face so dark it seemed to drip water.

The small table and two small stools in the middle seemed particularly jarring at that moment.

Because they really are like a theatrical troupe whose positions have been assigned.

Su Xiaonuo clapped her hands with joy when she saw this.

"They're really locked up!"

"Mommy, look! They're so neat, one on each side!"

Li Hanyi looked down at her daughter and couldn't help but gently curve the corners of her lips into a smile.

Sikong Changfeng took a deep breath, stood in front of the cage, and, like a seasoned storyteller, slowly began to speak:

"Distinguished guests, Changqinglou Tianqi Main Branch, tonight's special event—the Double Immortals' Night Trial—is now beginning!"

"In the first round, the two celestial officials will first introduce themselves."

"Whoever speaks first has their question and answer given higher weight."

"In addition, those who perform exceptionally well may have their 'standing time' reduced during tomorrow's observation session."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuance and Yue Zhenchuan, both in the cage, looked up in disbelief.

Reduce/exempt standing time?

You guys are really planning to operate long-term?!

Zhao Xuance's chest heaved violently as he gritted his teeth and said:

"wishful thinking!"

"I would rather die—"

Before he could finish speaking, the two small stools inside the cage suddenly moved on their own, hitting him precisely in the back of the knees with two loud thuds.

Zhao Xuance swayed and was almost knocked down by the impact.

Su Xiaonuo immediately exclaimed "Wow!"

"Daddy! The stool can hit people!"

Su Changqing smiled and said, "It's not about hitting him, it's about helping him learn to cooperate."

Zhao Xuance was so angry that he trembled all over, but he dared not move again.

Because he had discovered that the aura of the entire Immortal Cage was subtly connected to Su Changqing's azure power.

If he wanted, every bar in the cage, every rune, every stool, and even the cloud pattern on the corner of the table could become a means to deal with him.

This is not a cage.

This is clearly a living execution ground.

And at that very moment—

High in the sky, deep within the not-yet-completely-closed rift, a faint, extremely subtle light suddenly flickered.

The faint light was so faint that almost no one could detect it.

But Su Changqing raised his eyes at the same instant.

He saw it.

Not only did I see it, I saw it very clearly.

That wasn't ordinary spying.

Rather, it is a "view" projected from an endless distance.

He was of a higher rank and older than the patrolling officials of the Heavenly Court, such as Gu Changxuan, Zhao Xuance, and Yue Zhenchuan.

It was as if some being truly behind the scenes had been disturbed by tonight's utterly absurd "double immortal trial," and finally couldn't help but peek through the crack at this world.

Just one glance.

It made the entire night sky seem to darken for a moment.

Those with slightly higher cultivation levels at the banquet, even if they didn't see it, inexplicably felt a tightness in their chests, as if something was gently pressing down on them.

Xiao Se was the first to notice something was wrong. He looked up at the sky and frowned slightly.

"Something is watching."

A cold glint flashed in Li Hanyi's eyes, and she raised her head as well.

Sikong Changfeng was preparing for the next round of "Q&A" when he suddenly felt a chill down his back and his neck became stiff.

Only Su Changqing remained seated calmly.

He gently patted Su Xiaonuo's head, signaling her to continue eating, then picked up his teacup and glanced indifferently at the crack in the sky.

Just one glance.

The faint light deep within the crevice flickered very subtly.

It looked like they were making eye contact.

It's like... they've been discovered.

Su Changqing's lips curled slightly, his voice not loud, but clearly heard in the night.

"Watching the excitement is fine."

"Remember to buy a ticket."

The entire room fell silent for a moment.

Immediately afterwards, Sikong Changfeng's eyelids twitched violently, and he almost stood up in excitement.

Yup!

Those who peek from afar, aren't they also considered spectators?!

Since we're just viewers, why should we get to watch for free?!

In that instant, he even wished he could rush up to the sky and send a VIP price list to the "big shot" behind the crack.

Meanwhile, Zhao Xuance, Yue Zhenchuan, and Gu Changxuan, who were in the cage, completely changed their expressions.

Especially Zhao Xuance.

He knew all too well what it meant to be able to peer down through the crack.

That was no longer the case for ordinary high-ranking members of the Patrol Hall.

At the very least, it must be someone who truly oversees the map of all realms, or even... someone of higher rank.

But now, facing such an existence, Su Changqing's first words were—

Remember to buy a ticket.

This is beyond audacious.

This treats Tiandu as an untapped customer market.

Deep within the heavens, the cracks are silent.

The faint light paused for a few moments before slowly fading away.

It seems like they've retired.

It's like being at a higher vantage point, re-examining this completely out-of-control place.

Su Changqing withdrew his gaze, his expression unchanged, as if he had just casually uttered an unimportant remark.

Then, he looked at Sikong Changfeng.

"continue."

Sikong Changfeng's spirits lifted, and he immediately shouted:

"Alright, continue the night interrogation!"

"First question—What else is above the Palace of Boundary Patrol?"

The question immediately silenced the room once again.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on Zhao Xuance, who was trapped in the cage.

Because everyone knows that.

What's truly valuable isn't "the immortal being imprisoned."

It was a secret told by the immortal.

Zhao Xuance remained silent for a long time, his expression shifting between light and dark.

Finally, he slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the excited, curious, shocked, and greedy faces outside the cage, his voice hoarse:

Above the Palace of the World's Inspection is the Thirty-Three Heavenly Palaces.

"And above the celestial palace—"

He paused here, and for the first time, a hint of instinctive fear appeared in his eyes.

"He is a shepherd whom even we can only look up to."

"They... are the true masters of all realms."

A single sentence was uttered.

The night breeze blows through the fairy cage.

The cage hummed slightly.

At that moment, the hearts of countless people at the table sank.

A higher sky.

A deeper secret.

A larger hunting ground.

Tonight's spectacle, after its extreme absurdity and exhilaration, has finally revealed just the tip of the iceberg.

Su Changqing simply looked up at the crack that had returned to silence, and gently tapped the edge of his teacup with his fingers.

The smile in his eyes deepened even further.

well.

The fish are finally starting to rise to the surface.