Translator: CinderTL
Boom!
The two clashed fiercely, then separated. Qi Liang's face grew even paler as he pressed his lips into a tight line, his gaze fixed intently on Fang Qingge, searching for a weakness.
Luo Qingwei, Jiang Qinqin, and the others also retreated. Luo Qingwei glared at Qi Liang, clenching her fists tightly. In her heart, she vowed to redouble her cultivation efforts from that day forward, determined to avenge her brother as soon as possible.
Fang Qingge was about to speak when his gaze suddenly shifted to the side. Qi Liang and the others turned to look as well, spotting two groups approaching from different directions.
One group consisted mostly of women, the Zuoqiu Clan and Jiang Family members who had been closer to the area.
The other group was led by Xu Sanyan, accompanied by Xiang Tan and the others.
"Oh, a fight?" Xu Sanyan sauntered over with a wide grin, glancing at Fang Qingge and Qi Liang before pointing at Luo Changtian's body on the ground. "Dead?"
"You're asking for death!" Luo Qingwei, still seething with anger, flew into a rage at Xu Sanyan's insolent words and lunged at him. Fang Qingge swiftly intervened, his expression grave as he shook his head gently. "You're no match for him."
Luo Qingwei gritted her teeth, glaring at Fang Qingge. "Young Master Fang, are you underestimating me?"
"His strength is on par with mine," Fang Qingge replied, his tone serious, leaving no room for doubt that he wasn't joking.
Knowing she was no match for Fang Qingge, Luo Qingwei could only lower her head in silent frustration. Within their sect, she and her brother had been considered invincible among their peers, fostering a deep-seated pride.
Yet upon leaving the sect, this pride had been shattered to pieces. First by Fang Qingge and Jingyi, and now by Qi Liang and Xu Sanyan, she finally understood the true meaning of "there's always someone stronger."
Xu Sanyan surveyed the crowd and let out a sigh of relief. His late arrival was due to a detour to the tower. Upon reaching it, he discovered the jade slip had already been taken. He followed the trail, finally catching up here.
"Oh, we meet again! What a coincidence!" Xu Sanyan greeted Zuoqiu Shu and her sisters with a wave, completely ignoring Jiang Yan and the others nearby.
"Hmph, demonic path fiend," Jiang Yan sneered.
"Greetings, Holy Son," Zuoqiu Shu replied, bowing gracefully.
Zuoqiu Zhen secretly observed her eldest sister's demeanor, silently learning.
Xu Sanyan turned his attention to Fang Qingge and Qi Liang. "Please continue. I'm just passing through."
Qi Liang sighed inwardly. The situation was growing increasingly chaotic. He scanned the crowd—already over two hundred people, with more arriving steadily. Soon, they would surpass three hundred.
Behind Xu Sanyan stood over forty people, all encountered along the way. Qi Liang and Jiang Qinqin's group numbered nearly thirty.
Fang Qingge and Luo Qingwei's faction had the largest contingent, with over sixty members, including members of the Wei Clan. Wei Xunzhi had also arrived, standing silently behind Fang Qingge.
The Zuoqiu Clan and Jiang Family formed another group of over thirty. Hidden figures lurked in the shadows, making this the largest gathering in the secret realm thus far.
Qi Liang's unease grew. Did they know what the jade slip contained, or were they simply here out of curiosity?
"Brother Xu, what brings you here?" Qi Liang inquired.
Xu Sanyan smiled faintly. "Senior Brother Qi, do you truly not know?"
He doubted Qi Liang was unaware of the jade slip's contents. With Luo Changtian's fate uncertain, it was highly likely the slip had already fallen into Qi Liang's hands.
Fang Qingge frowned, sensing the veiled exchange between the two.
Luo Qingwei lowered her gaze thoughtfully before leaning close to Fang Qingge's ear. "I received a message from my brother. He found a jade slip containing some secret. He instructed me that under no circumstances should it fall into the hands of the Demonic Path."
Fang Qingge's heart tightened as he glanced at Luo Changtian's storage pouch on the ground, realizing its contents had already fallen into Qi Liang's hands.
Luo Qingwei's voice, neither too loud nor too soft, seemed deliberately pitched to carry to Zuoqiu Shu and the others nearby, sparking their curiosity.
What could be so important that Luo Changtian valued it so highly?
The crowd's thoughts raced as their gazes slowly converged on Qi Liang.
At that moment, Mo Xianxian arrived, standing silently alone in the distance, her thoughts unreadable.
"Brother Qi, why not show us what you have?" Jiang Yan stepped forward, his eyes sweeping over the crowd. "If it's of no use to us, we'll let you go. What do you say?"
Qi Liang shot him a disdainful glance, his voice dripping with contempt. "Hah, who asked for your opinion?"
Among those present were many renowned figures: Fang Qingge, Luo Qingwei, Xu Sanyan, Qi Liang, Mo Xianxian, and the unconscious Luo Changtian—all outstanding disciples from the Central Region's five Great Sects.
While the Jiang Family of Southern Heaven Valley possessed considerable strength, they ultimately fell short of these elite sects. Moreover, Jiang Yan himself lacked notable reputation or exceptional skill, making him an easy target for scorn.
"You—!"
Jiang Yan, feeling humiliated, glanced at Zuoqiu Shu, a mix of embarrassment and anger rising within him at being belittled in front of his beloved. "Demonic Path demonfolk! Even on the verge of death, you still dare to boast! You truly deserve to die!"
Qi Liang didn't bother arguing, not even deigning to look at him. His gaze remained fixed on Fang Qingge and Xu Sanyan, calculating his escape.
Jiang Yan's humiliation deepened. With a clang, he drew his treasured sword and roared, "Demonic Path demonfolk! Your life is mine!"
No one intervened or offered assistance, watching Jiang Yan charge forward alone only to be driven back by a single strike from Qi Liang's sword.
Xu Sanyan shook his head in disappointment. Jiang Yan, as the Young Master of the Jiang Family, had some reputation, yet his actual strength proved so meager. Despite being at the same Dao Seeking Initial Stage as Qi Liang, he couldn't even withstand a single exchange.
Finally, Zuoqiu Shu couldn't bear to watch any longer. She offered Jiang Yan a face-saving retreat, saying, "Young Master Jiang, please calm yourself. It's not too late to act once the situation becomes clearer."
Jiang Yan's face flushed with shame and anger, but knowing he was no match for Qi Liang, he reluctantly seized the opportunity to back down. "Hmph," he sneered, "I'll let you live a little longer."
Sixth Sister Zuoqiu Zhen, hiding in the crowd, couldn't conceal her disappointment. With such pathetic skills, how dare he make such a racket?
Her gaze flicked toward Xu Sanyan, her beautiful eyes blinking lightly. The Demonic Sect Holy Son still carried himself with greater poise.
"Amitabha. This humble monk is Jingyi. Greetings to all laymen."
A Buddhist chant drifted from afar as seven or eight monks, reciting scriptures with lowered eyes and gentle steps, slowly approached. Leading the procession was a young monk with delicate features, strikingly handsome.
Zuoqiu Zhen's eyes lit up, her heart filled with admiration, yet tinged with disappointment. Such a pity he's a monk...
"What's the occasion today? Why is everyone here?" Xu Sanyan asked, a smile on his face, though a hint of caution crept into his heart. This jade slip... it won't be easy to obtain.
But no matter the cost, he had to secure it.
This artifact concerned the heavenly dao itself, making it the most crucial treasure in the secret realm. He must exert every effort to claim it.
"Brother Xu, why don't we join forces? We can share the treasure once we leave. What do you say?" Qi Liang's voice echoed in Xu Sanyan's mind through telepathic communication.
(End of the Chapter)
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