Time trickled by, and more and more forces gathered outside the stone forest.
They occupied different areas, maintaining a safe distance from each other, yet all were simultaneously captivated by the giant sword on the mountaintop, their eyes filled with fanaticism.
Gradually, this fanaticism turned sinister. The only way to seize this treasure was to eliminate other factions.
They all knew this clearly.
For the sake of treasure, there were no alliance interests to speak of.
If you didn't strike first, you would be the one to die!
The next moment, spurred by the treasure, numerous factions surged towards the summit.
Too many wolves for too little meat, first come, first served!
Therefore, many factions temporarily set aside their grievances. Even when situated close to each other, they did not attack.
However.
As they truly entered the mountain forest, tension mounted.
From below the mountain,
the paths up were numerous and accessible, as if every road led to Rome.
But upon entering, they discovered there was only one path, with occasional forks.
These forks branched out in multiple directions, making it impossible to determine which was the true path to the summit.
Naturally, in such situations, many factions chose to enter the forest and press onward in the general direction of the peak.
But the forest was not safe.
Eerie screams often echoed, suggesting the presence of wild beasts, stone figures, and other obstructions.
Ye Cangtian's group faced a similar situation.
At the foot of the mountain, three Earth-grade deacons, including Zi Long, meticulously studied the mountain paths and charted the optimal route.
Yet, following the planned route, they found themselves repeatedly returning to the starting point. The paths and surrounding scenery seemed to shift, clearly indicating the presence of a formation.
"This won't do if it continues like this,"
"It seems we'll never reach the summit by following the paths. I suggest we go through the forest instead?"
Ye Cangtian approached Zi Long and whispered.
Although the forest might harbor ambushes, it also presented opportunities. They could acquire spirit stones, and even by sheer luck, discover formation bases or eyes, thereby disrupting the formation.
Upon hearing this, Zi Long exchanged glances with Lan Yue and Qing Dao. The other two nodded helplessly; there were no other options at this point.
Seeing the state of his companions, Ye Cangtian smiled. He entered the forest alongside the Dark Association, and not long after, they were attacked.
When attacked by stone figures and tree demons, Ye Cangtian decisively vanished.
Along with him, Shangguan Yun and Zhang Liang also disappeared.
It was evident that Ye Cangtian had rescued the two. The situation was chaotic at the time, with the Dark Association being besieged by six or seven stone figures and two tree demons.
It's important to note that these stone figures were not the ones from the stone formations. Those in the formations moved slowly and did not attack in concert.
These stone figures, however, were agile, possessed a degree of intelligence, and their attack power was terrifyingly immense.
Therefore, despite being only six or seven stone figures and two tree demons, their combined combat strength was formidable, throwing the Dark Association into disarray. The three Earth-grade powerhouses, to minimize casualties, attacked simultaneously.
This also provided Ye Cangtian with an opportunity to rescue them.
"Lord Qing Dao, we've just finished our tally. The Caesar Mercenary Group lost over 30 people, with several injured. The Yellow-grade deacon remains unharmed, but the Profound-grade deacon, Xuan Qi, is missing. Additionally, Shangguan Yun and Zhang Liang are missing!"
Xuan Shi Yi finished his report, then hesitated before adding, "Lord Qing Dao, you might not want to hear this, but Xuan Qi might be a traitor!"
"Xuan Shi Yi, don't speak carelessly."
"Although you are Qing Dao's subordinate, if I wished to kill you, Qing Dao could not stop me!"
As the words fell, Zi Long, who had been resting nearby, cast a cold gaze.
He favored Xuan Qi and believed Xuan Qi was capable, even planning to mentor him. Naturally, he was unwilling to have Xuan Qi falsely accused.
Qing Dao glanced at Zi Long, signaling him to remain calm, then turned to Xuan Shi Yi and said coldly, "Do you have any evidence?"
Xuan Shi Yi quickly replied, "Isn't it obvious? Whether alive or dead, we must see them. Two captives were seriously injured, yet they didn't die here but vanished. Besides Xuan Qi, who else has the ability to rescue them?"
Upon hearing this, Qing Dao slowly nodded. Xuan Shi Yi's reasoning was not without merit.
"Xuan Shi Yi, do not be too hasty in your judgments."
"You seem to have forgotten to mention that Xuan Wu, one of my subordinates, is also missing. Could she have colluded with Xuan Qi to rescue members of the Dragon Group?"
Just as Qing Dao was about to speak, Lan Yue, standing nearby, turned her gaze to Xuan Shi Yi, a sinister glint in her eyes.
Sensing Lan Yue's gaze, Xuan Shi Yi immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
Firstly, the other party was an Earth-grade powerhouse, formidable and not to be trifled with.
Secondly, he had focused solely on Xuan Qi's movements and had truly not paid attention to Xuan Wu. After all, with no casualties among the Yellow-grade deacons, why worry about Xuan Wu?
And it was precisely because of this Xuan Wu that his accusation was flawed.
*Slap!*
Before Xuan Shi Yi could speak, Qing Dao raised his hand and sent him flying with a single blow.
Xuan Wu and Xuan Qi had only met today. How could they have colluded in such a short time? And according to Xuan Shi Yi's theory, Xuan Wu was also a suspect.
They were, after all, someone Zi Long favored and someone Lan Yue was close to. Neither of them was to be underestimated.
Furthermore, where did the Dark Association find so many traitors!
The more he thought about it, the angrier Qing Dao became. He pointed directly at Xuan Shi Yi's nose and began to berate him.
"You scoundrel! Without direct evidence, you spread rumors. Do you want to cause internal strife within the Dark Association? I suspect you are the traitor!"
"Lord Qing Dao, I didn't mean that. It is all my fault, please calm your anger."
Xuan Shi Yi quickly conceded. To insist that Xuan Qi was a mole at this point would be suicidal.
"Forget it."
It was Zi Long who spoke. He turned to Qing Dao and continued, "I will investigate this matter and uncover the truth. If Xuan Qi indeed has issues, I will certainly provide an explanation..."
"Lord Lan Yue."
At this moment, a figure approached Lan Yue from behind. It was none other than the recently disappeared Xuan Wu.
Upon seeing Xuan Wu's return, everyone's gaze was drawn to her. Lan Yue directly questioned her:
"Xuan Wu, where were you just now?"
Xuan Wu quickly replied, "Reporting to my lord, during the battle, I noticed the Dragon Group members had vanished, so I went to search the surroundings, but I alerted the stone figures and had to retreat."
Hearing this, Zi Long glanced at Xuan Wu. Seeing that she displayed a white spirit stone she had acquired, he then asked, "Have you seen Xuan Qi?"
"Reporting to Lord Zi Long, this subordinate has not seen Xuan Qi," Xuan Wu replied, bowing respectfully.
Zi Long furrowed his brow upon hearing this but said nothing. Since Xuan Wu had not seen Xuan Qi, it was naturally difficult for him to make a judgment.
"We will discuss this later. We are all within the ruins, and there will be opportunities to meet."
On the other side, Lan Yue seemed to have seen through Zi Long's thoughts and said faintly.
Dwelling on Xuan Qi's matter was not important now; the crucial thing was the Heart of the Ruins.
All the factions were rushing to ascend the mountain. If others reached the summit first, it would be a significant loss.
Heeding Lan Yue's words, Zi Long and Qing Dao nodded and led their men to continue their ascent towards the mountain.
...