A crowd of treasure seekers, having heard the news, gathered near the palace, as lively as a marketplace.
Some were looking to form teams, others were selling information, and many were simply there to watch the spectacle…
“This palace is mysterious and dangerous. A single mistake can lead to death. Is anyone willing to join forces with our Iron Fist Mercenary Group? We need five more people, cultivators at or above the Profound Heaven Master realm. Once ready, we’ll go in!”
“Look, those are people from the Cheng family, one of the eight great families of Luoying Kingdom. Should we go join them… What, even the Crown Prince is here? Look over there…”
“Step right up, step right up! Freshly drawn maps of the palace! Only one hundred spirit coins a piece.”
“Selling melon seeds, peanuts, and iced watermelon drinks!”
Tang Xiaoguo found it amusing. “Sister Su, look, they’re even selling food! Luckily, we brought plenty ourselves: osmanthus cakes, braised chicken feet, egg rolls, soy-marinated beef…”
She suddenly realized something was amiss and quickly shut her mouth. Seeing Li Tianjue’s stern gaze, she gave a dry laugh. “Big… Senior Brother, I wanted to ask, are we going in on our own or joining others? The Ten Thousand Year Chi Dragon is a divine beast, very powerful.”
Li Tianjue retracted his gaze and said faintly, “No need. Too many people, too much chatter. We’ll go in by ourselves.”
Su Luo agreed with this. After all, she knew Li Tianjue’s capabilities.
If even he couldn’t deal with the Ten Thousand Year Chi Dragon, then no one else could.
As they spoke, several eager teams had already entered.
Just as Su Luo and Tang Xiaoguo were about to follow Li Tianjue towards the collapsed palace entrance, a boastful shout came from a distance: “Make way, make way! Don’t you see my Young Master arriving? Don’t block the path, you country bumpkins, still thinking of killing the Ten Thousand Year Chi Dragon? Get aside…”
This arrogant voice made everyone turn their heads simultaneously.
Four servants in green robes were carrying a small sedan covered with a canopy, moving briskly. At the forefront was a man in his thirties, his eyes sharp and clear, but his face was filled with arrogance, as if his eyes were fixed on the top of his head.
A young gentleman in white sat in the sedan, his features obscured, but he exuded an aura of nobility and royalty. He was elegant and composed, holding a folding fan and slowly fanning himself.
Four attendants followed, carrying swords and walking with expressionless faces.
“Du Wei, how many times have I told you to be low-key?”
The young gentleman’s voice was gentle and magnetic. He spoke unhurriedly, “This Young Master merely wished to witness the might of the Ten Thousand Year Chi Dragon, hence this detour. But there’s no rush, understand?”
The man called Du Wei immediately put on a fawning smile. As he lifted the canopy, he respectfully said, “Young Master, you are the sole successor of the Longevity Hall, incomparably noble. How can we let these miscellaneous people block your path? We mustn’t delay the Young Master’s important matters.”
At these words, countless people gasped.
Longevity Hall!?
This young man in white was actually a descendant of the Longevity Hall, one of the six top forces on the continent—Young Master Shang Xie, Qing!
Earlier, people had been whispering about who was being so arrogant. Now, everyone’s eyes were filled with shock and admiration as they stared fixedly at the young man in white.
As Shang Xie elegantly stepped out of the sedan, wearing a jade crown, his black hair cascaded like a waterfall. His refined, ethereal appearance and noble, transcendent demeanor drew a chorus of exclamations. Countless people flocked towards him, surrounding him like stars encircling the moon.
Tang Xiaoguo whispered, “Sister Su, this Young Master Shang Xie is so ostentatious. Where is the low-key aspect?”
Su Luo nodded. “He’s a bit full of himself.”
Arrogance wasn’t an issue if one had the ability. However, the other party was too hypocritical. Even though this Young Master Shang Xie was the young master of Longevity Hall, her first impression of him was not good.
What a pity, he looked presentable, yet he was so unlikable.
In comparison, Su Luo felt that men like Li Tianjue, who were ruthless and spoke little, were more charismatic.
She glanced at Li Tianjue. He was also looking at Shang Xie from afar, seemingly recognizing him, his sword-like eyebrows slightly furrowed.
At the same time, Shang Xie’s gaze turned, landing precisely on Li Tianjue’s face. It was as if an invisible spark erupted in the air. Their eyes met, and time seemed to freeze at that moment.
Shang Xie showed a slight surprise, then walked over, smiling and cupping his fists towards Li Tianjue. “I didn’t expect Brother Li to also be in Luoying Kingdom. It’s been two years since we last met, what a coincidence today. Could it be that Brother Li is also here for the Ten Thousand Year Chi Dragon?”
Before Li Tianjue could speak, Du Wei chuckled. “Although Young Master Li is renowned, the Ten Thousand Year Chi Dragon is already destined to be my Young Master’s possession. Young Master Li, it’s best not to interfere, lest you labor in vain.”
“Du Wei, you mustn’t be rude,” Shang Xie said leisurely, fanning himself.
“Yes, Young Master.”
Watching their pretense, Li Tianjue didn’t utter a word and turned towards the palace entrance.
Tang Xiaoguo quickly followed, and Su Luo also silently followed suit.
Soon, the others entered the palace, following Shang Xie and his party.
The passageway was old and ancient, filled with damaged cracks, dried bloodstains, and broken weapons.
The dim light source, whose origin was unknown, made the passageway feel oppressive and eerie. The ground was covered with gnawed-clean human skeletons, each skull staring with empty, dark eye sockets, causing Li Tianjue and Su Luo to frown.
“So many people have died…” Tang Xiaoguo’s voice trembled slightly.
“Don’t be afraid, we’ll just be careful. Senior Brother is here,” Su Luo comforted her, also increasing her vigilance.
Soon, a cross-shaped fork appeared ahead.
With Li Tianjue, the great expert, present, Su Luo naturally didn’t bother to rack her brains and directly asked, “Senior Brother, which path do we take?”
Li Tianjue stood before the crossroads, observed for a moment, and chose the right-hand passageway.
A quarter of an hour later…
“Huh, why is it another crossroads? Could this palace be a maze?” Su Luo frowned, looking at the three paths that had reappeared. An ominous premonition surfaced.
“So many people have died in this palace, where is the Crimson Blood Divine Dragon Grass?” Tang Xiaoguo also began to worry.
Li Tianjue, however, remained composed, as tranquil as a deep lake. After carefully observing the three diverging paths, he chose the right one and continued forward.
An hour later…
After Li Tianjue’s trio passed the crossroads for the eighth time, they finally reached the end of the passageway.
At the base of the thick, gray-white wall were piled countless remains, all gnawed into skeletons. Tang Xiaoguo couldn’t help but imagine the terrifying scene of those people’s final moments, sending a chill through her. “B-Big… Senior Brother, there’s no road ahead.”
Li Tianjue was also somewhat surprised, frowning. “Let’s go back and take the left path.”
But this time, they quickly reached the end again.
Su Luo gave a dry laugh. “What do we do, Senior Brother? Should we just turn back again?”
Li Tianjue’s expression turned a little unnatural. After a long pause, he said, “We must be lost.”
Tang Xiaoguo: “!!!”
Su Luo: “…”
I trusted you so much, and you’re telling me we’re lost!
“Help… Ah—!”
Suddenly, a cry for help echoed from the passageway, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps growing closer.
Su Luo and the other two turned to see seven or eight panicked cultivators being chased by a giant demonic beast covered in dark green scales, fleeing in a desperate, unthinking manner.
One person, lagging slightly, was bitten and snapped in half.
The upper half of its body was held in the beast’s mouth, blood splattering as it was swallowed whole. The lower half fell to the ground, painting the area crimson, which nearly made the others faint from fright, and they fled even faster.
Tang Xiaoguo’s face turned ashen. “This is bad, the Ten Thousand Year Chi Dragon is here!”