204. Drive the Tiger to Devour the Wolf, Abundant Spoils of War

Luo Tuo watched Xie Yuan's movements and understood his intentions in an instant. Fury immediately surged from his heart.

That treacherous Central Plains man actually wants to use me!

For a moment, he had the urge to kill Xie Yuan first. But after becoming Ming Wang's disciple, Luo Tuo's horizons and knowledge had broadened considerably. He knew what choice he ought to make at this moment.

Lu Tianyong was in the Qi Blood Third Transformation Realm, a notch weaker than himself. But if he obtained this mystic weapon, it would be like adding wings to a tiger—Luo Tuo might no longer be able to suppress him!

Compared to allowing Lu Tianyong, a Third Transformation Realm cultivator, to become an even more formidable foe, an enemy in the Qi and Blood First Transformation Realm was nothing.

In the past, Luo Tuo would definitely have ignored everything else and gone to settle the score with Xie Yuan. But now, he had learned to weigh the pros and cons.

Gritting his teeth, he gave an angry snort, spun on his heel, and charged toward Lu Tianyong.

Seeing the mystic weapon fly toward him, Lu Tianyong was startled at first, then overjoyed. He reached out to seize it.

Seeing Luo Tuo charging at him, he could no longer afford to care about anything else. Face grim, he desperately stretched out his arm and grabbed the mystic weapon, then raised his other palm to block, forcibly taking Luo Tuo's violent heavy punch. Blood instantly spilled from the corner of his mouth.

Yet he had already seized the mystic weapon in midair. He immediately swung it downward with the momentum, and as it fell, the weapon transformed into a vicious Horse Chopping Saber that slashed down ferociously!

Xie Yuan stood to one side, passing Luo Tuo shoulder to shoulder, yet he was no longer either man's target.

He smiled faintly and leisurely turned into the stone pillar behind him. Then his figure vanished.

The experts in the distance watched as Luo Tuo and Lu Tianyong immediately began fighting with all their strength, battling to the death. The clash between two Third Transformation Realm cultivators was deafening, reverberating through the entire third-floor space.

Xie Yuan, who had already been in a dead-end situation, had escaped the predicament in one stroke. Not only had he provoked the two men into fighting to the death over the treasure, but he had also escaped alive himself, vanishing without a trace.

Huijue pressed his palms together and sighed.

"Amitabha. This Benefactor Xie possesses outstanding wisdom and strategy, decisive resolve, and such remarkable strength and talent as well. It seems the martial world is about to gain another extraordinary figure."

Yuan Zhenying had not expected Xie Yuan to so easily resolve his desperate situation either. Still, she said dismissively upon hearing that, "What is so difficult about this move? I could have thought of it too."

Huijue shook his head.

"Benefactor Yuan, if you had been in his place, could you truly have borne to throw away this precious mystic weapon—your final reliance? Even if you were willing to throw it away, could you truly have done so as decisively as Benefactor Xie, judging the situation and people's hearts with such precision? If he had thrown it to Luo Tuo, Lu Tianyong might not necessarily have stopped him."

Qin Zhenyang nodded slightly as well.

"Anyone can think of this method afterward, but very few possess Xie Yuan's decisiveness in the heat of battle. Especially his grasp of Luo Tuo's thoughts—it was as clear as the lines on his palm. Such swift reactions in battle are also a talent."

Yuan Zhenying was somewhat unconvinced, but she still nodded reluctantly.

"I suppose that makes some sense. This Xie Yuan truly is no ordinary man."

The other experts also began discussing animatedly. None of them had expected that Xie Yuan, whom they had just sentenced to death, would come back to life with a single move and then drift away unhurriedly.

Many asked themselves whether, in his place, they would have been willing to throw away a treasure already in their hands. Even knowing it was a scalding hot taro, people died for wealth—that was simply human nature.

Yet Xie Yuan had not hesitated in the slightest. He had even displayed the weapon's full might to Luo Tuo, as though afraid Luo Tuo would not try to snatch it!

Such calm rationality, such utter lack of attachment to a treasure, left most people feeling ashamed of their own inferiority.

"Xie Yuan really got away."

"A First Transformation Realm cultivator strung along two Third Transformation Realm cultivators and toyed with them like spinning tops. I can't compare to him."

"Tch, didn't he only escape by giving up the treasure in the end? It's not as if he left with it. What's so impressive? If he could snatch that mystic weapon right from under the noses of two Third Transformation Realm cultivators, then I'd truly be convinced!"

"It would really be a tremendous loss for him if he failed to earn your approval... Still, Luo Tuo and Lu Tianyong have truly started fighting in earnest."

"They are not fighting in earnest—they simply both refuse to let go. Let them fight. If those two men from the Western Regions beat each other's brains out, things will be easier for us."

"Lu Tianyong's combat power has surged after obtaining the mystic weapon. Luo Tuo's Indestructible Vajra Body does not even dare to take that great saber head-on. Their combat strength is evenly matched now."

"Hiss, this mystic weapon is indeed powerful. I'm tempted to get involved too."

"With your strength? Forget it! You're not even in the Qi Blood Third Transformation Realm. How could you possibly get a hand in?"

At the center of the hall, Lu Tianyong and Luo Tuo moved so swiftly that they left afterimages behind. Their speed was terrifying, yet their power was just as immense. Waves of fierce wind from their exchanges spread outward, whipping up a gale across the third floor and lashing the spectators' faces.

Lu Tianyong gritted his teeth and shouted coldly, "Luo Tuo, are you determined to fight me over this?"

Luo Tuo snorted angrily. "I told you before we came in to follow my orders. Did you take my words as wind by your ears?"

"Idiot! That brat just toyed with you like a dog, and this mystic weapon is the bone he used to lure you in. Why don't you go settle the score with him?"

Lu Tianyong was already furious. He no longer gave Luo Tuo any face as he delivered the cutting mockery.

Luo Tuo's expression turned sinister. He snorted furiously. "Once I kill you, I will naturally go capture him and beat him to death alive."

Lu Tianyong gave a cold laugh and was about to speak again when his eyes suddenly flew wide open and he cried out in pain.

"Ah—who? Xie Yuan!!!"

He staggered, his left leg buckling sideways. The backs of his knees had been struck by Three-Pronged Axe in three successive blows, sending sprays of blood flying. He could no longer stand steadily.

Lu Tianyong had never imagined that Xie Yuan would dare to come back!

It was not only him. No one present had expected it. The powerhouses at the edge of the hall stared at the scene in stunned silence for a moment, including Luo Tuo, who was still in the midst of battle.

Luo Tuo froze for a moment, then his eyes lit up. With a sudden roar, he showed no mercy with his fist and smashed it down at him head-on.

Lu Tianyong's heart sank. In a moment of carelessness, Xie Yuan had severely injured his knee joint. Not only did it greatly hinder his movements, but strength rose from the ground—his power had been drastically affected as well.

Having wounded his enemy with one strike, Xie Yuan swiftly retreated and concealed himself nearby once more. A faint glint flashed through his eyes as he watched Lu Tianyong instantly fall into an absolute disadvantage before Luo Tuo, struggling left and right as he barely held on.

He took my things and still wants to run?

Xie Yuan sneered. Besides, Lu Lao San had always eyed him like a tiger watching its prey, and even this Lu Xiao San coveted his secrets. Killing intent rose in his heart.

Today, he would first collect a bit of interest from Lu Lao San, his old adversary.

If I can't do anything to a grandmaster, can't I do something to your son?

He truly could not win in a direct clash, but disrupting things at critical moments was far too easy for someone with Xie Yuan's abilities.

Luo Tuo's heavy fists showed no mercy, crashing into Lu Tianyong again and again until Lu Tianyong could only rely on his treasure blade to barely defend himself.

Yet his footing was unsteady and his strength insufficient. Under the relentless hammering of those heavy fists, his waist was gradually forced to bend, and he slowly sank toward his knees.

He knew Xie Yuan was lurking nearby, but he had no time to worry about anything else now.

Seeing Luo Tuo bring down another two-handed heavy blow from above, as imposing as Mount Tai, Lu Tianyong's gaze sharpened. He raised his long blade high with both hands, as though presenting a blade in tribute, waiting for Luo Tuo to crash into it.

Xie Yuan narrowed his eyes. Now.

Taking a great stride forward, he gripped his axe in both hands. Seeing Lu Tianyong's arm stretched straight out, he slashed across it in one smooth motion!

Three-Pronged Axe!

The three devastating axe strikes were focused by his now exquisitely precise axe control upon the weak point of Lu Tianyong's right elbow. Three axes flashed like lightning and merged into one. With a crack, they tore through the Blood Qi protecting the doomed Lu Tianyong and severed his elbow outright.

Xie Yuan reached out in passing, snatched away the severed forearm along with the mystic weapon, and instantly flashed back.

"Ah—"

A scream rang out, only to abruptly cut off with a muffled boom.

Luo Tuo's heavy fist came smashing down. Lu Tianyong narrowly shifted his head aside, but the blow still struck his right shoulder with crushing force, nearly hammering his entire body into the ground.

Luo Tuo had not expected things to unfold this way. He froze for an instant, then suddenly felt his hand seized in a fierce grip.

Startled and enraged, he tried to pull his hand free, but this was already the last of Lu Tianyong's strength.

He knew his life would not last much longer. His left hand clamped firmly around Luo Tuo's right arm, and through gritted teeth, he squeezed out a voice laden with hatred from the Nine Netherworlds:

"Xie Yuan!"

Whether that cry was a curse or a call, Xie Yuan did not know. But his eyes flickered, and he did not let this opportunity slip away.

Watching Luo Tuo struggle with all his strength like a wooden stake nailed in place, Xie Yuan flashed to his side. He exhaled with a shout, revealing himself as he wielded the mystic weapon, which transformed into a gigantic axe, and fiercely cleaved out a black streak of axe light.

Luo Tuo sensed the threat of death. Every hair on his body stood on end. With a thunderous roar, he hastily thrust out his free left fist, barely managing to block that tremblingly terrifying black axe radiance.

Fist force and axe radiance collided with an earth-shaking boom that rattled everyone's eardrums.

The black axe radiance stalled for a moment, then pierced through the fist force without obstruction, severing Luo Tuo's fist before crashing into the muscles at his waist.

Luo Tuo let out a heaven-shaking roar of fury. Strength suddenly burst from him as he flung Lu Tianyong away with his right hand like a ragged sack, then hurled a savage punch at Xie Yuan.

Xie Yuan had anticipated it and was already withdrawing. Yet Luo Tuo's fist force was wildly ferocious. Merely being struck by its aftershock made Xie Yuan's face turn pale. He spat blood and was sent flying back, adding injury upon injury.

Luo Tuo clutched his severed hand. The muscles at his waist wriggled for a moment, stopping the blood from spurting out of the gruesome wound.

He glared at the retreating Xie Yuan, then looked toward the Great Li group in that direction and Qin Zhenyang, steady as a mountain at their forefront. His gaze tightened, and he abruptly turned and ran, crashing straight through the Western Region experts and charging down from the second floor, vanishing without a trace.

Qin Zhenyang slightly withdrew his stance. Luo Tuo was already seriously wounded, but his Indestructible Vajra Art granted him exceptionally powerful vitality. If he fought desperately, killing him would likely demand a tremendous price, so Qin Zhenyang abandoned the thought.

Looking at Xie Yuan, who had landed nearby, Qin Zhenyang's expression was complicated. For a moment, he said nothing.

It was not only him. Whether Great Li experts or Western Region experts, everyone in the hall had fallen silent, quietly watching Xie Yuan gasp for breath.

In the distance, Lu Tianyong still lay on the ground, his chest rising and falling. He was taking in more breaths than he let out. Not far from him lay a black fist the size of a casserole, still looking disturbingly fresh.

The watching experts were silent as cicadas in winter, all trying to digest the scene before their eyes.

Xie Yuan—a martial artist in the Qi and Blood First Transformation Realm—had run circles around two experts of the Qi Blood Third Transformation Realm. In the end, before their very eyes, he had seized the mystic weapon treasure, then driven a tiger to devour a wolf, coordinating with each of them in turn to kill Lu Tianyong and severely wound Luo Tuo!

It was unexpected enough that he had escaped, yet he had actually dared to come back. And after returning, he had even dared to interfere in a battle between two Third Transformation experts. It was simply beyond anyone's imagination!

So losing the mystic weapon had merely been one part of his plan?

Had he planned this whole scene from the start?

Even more unbelievable was that Xie Yuan had truly used this move of retreating in order to advance to achieve such a brilliant result!

He was only in the Qi and Blood First Transformation Realm! Among everyone present, he was the weakest!

Shock and disbelief appeared on many experts' faces. Forget themselves—even if Qin Zhenyang, with the highest cultivation here, or Huijue, with the strongest inheritance, had stepped in, they doubted either could have accomplished what Xie Yuan had.

They silently rolled Xie Yuan's name over in their minds, feeling as though they were witnessing a dazzling new star rise—

Provided he could leave this place alive.

Looking at the mystic weapon in Xie Yuan's hand, the shock on many faces gradually faded, replaced by greed.

Everyone had witnessed the wondrous power of this treasure. And while Xie Yuan was extraordinary, he was already heavily wounded...

Quite a few people began making their own calculations, but no one dared to strike first. They merely waited in silence for someone else to take the lead.

In a subtle silence, someone suddenly stepped out from the ranks of Great Li experts and leaped toward Xie Yuan.

"Xie Yuan is a wanted criminal of the authorities. Who knows how he slipped in? I'll seize him first and ask questions later!"

Like a soaring eagle, he sprang up and pounced on Xie Yuan through the air.

Xie Yuan quietly watched the approaching man, his deep eyes reflecting the man's figure.

Before he could move, however, a longsword appeared from nowhere at his side and intercepted the expert diving at him.

The man was startled and could only forcibly twist aside, landing nearby. His expression shifted slightly as he looked at Qin Zhenyang.

"Brother Qin, why are you stopping me? Are you going to aid a wanted criminal of the Imperial Court? Or is it that you, the chief disciple of the Yunshan Sword Sect and ninth on the Hidden Dragon Ranking, have taken a fancy to this man's possessions as well?"

The moment he spoke, he tried to pin Qin Zhenyang down with his words, afraid that Qin Zhenyang would enter the fray to compete with him.

Qin Zhenyang's expression remained calm as he said in a deep voice, "Brother Xie just helped us eliminate two powerful enemies and stabilize the situation. He is one of Great Li's heroes in this ruin. How can we take advantage of his peril?"

"Hmph. He didn't do it for us—he did it for himself. What kind of hero does that make him? Besides, no one knows how he snuck in here. For all we know, he came with those people from the Western Regions to plot something sinister."

A gleam flashed through the man's eyes as he said directly, "He is a wanted criminal to begin with. Capturing him would be a contribution to Great Li. That is precisely what martial artists like us ought to do."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Zhenying said disdainfully, "Shameless. You're obviously just greedy for his treasures and trying to take advantage of him, yet you still dare call it what martial artists ought to do."

The man's expression did not change. He merely said calmly, "I, Jiang Chen, rose from humble beginnings. I am not like some noble young lady, stretching out her hand for clothes and opening her mouth for food, ignorant of the hardships of the world."

Yuan Zhenying's face darkened. She gripped her spear and was about to step forward, but Qin Zhenyang reached out and stopped her.

Qin Zhenyang knew of Jiang Chen. He was a bounty hunter from the border of Wild Goose Province, someone who made his living by taking down wanted criminals.

Yet apart from taking official bounties, he seemed to accept other commissions as well. Neither wholly righteous nor wholly wicked, he traveled alone and had never cared much for methods or scruples.

Now that Xie Yuan was wounded while carrying treasures, he was like a fat piece of meat lying still. A lone wolf like Jiang Chen would never willingly let such an opportunity slip away.

Qin Zhenyang shook his head and said, "Brother Jiang, quite a few of our companions on the first floor were saved by the so-called 'Heroic Spirits.' You received their aid as well. You remember, don't you?"

Jiang Chen's expression stirred slightly as he replied coolly, "So what?"

"By now, everyone should understand. What Heroic Spirits are there in this place? It was merely Brother Xie helping us in secret."

Qin Zhenyang sighed.

Many people let out soft cries. They had braved danger all the way until now, only realizing it after the fact.

Xie Yuan's ability to conceal himself and hide his tracks was without equal. If there was anyone in this tower capable of such a thing, it was most likely him.

"Xie Yuan... Brother Xie, was it really you?"

"We must thank Brother Xie for saving our lives!"

Many people came to their senses. Their gazes toward Xie Yuan changed at once, revealing gratitude as they quietly suppressed their other thoughts.

There were still mostly righteous sects and renowned clans on Great Li's side. Though they coveted treasure, they would not stoop so low as to repay kindness with enmity.

Jiang Chen, however, remained unmoved and said coldly, "I could have handled things myself. Who needed him to force his goodwill on me? No matter how you dress it up, he is a criminal wanted for killing an official, a cunning and vicious fiend specifically named by the authorities. What purpose he had in doing all this is still open to question."

Hearing Jiang Chen speak so, Qin Zhenyang could not help but furrow his brows tightly.

Naturally, he knew Jiang Chen was really after the things on Xie Yuan's person and was unwilling to give up. But Xie Yuan had saved Great Li's heroes time and again, and had even eliminated two top experts from the Western Regions. Now he was at the end of his tether, utterly no match for Jiang Chen. After rendering such great merit, how could Qin Zhenyang allow him to be bullied?

Qin Zhenyang said in a deep voice, "Once we leave this place, Brother Jiang may deal with wanted criminals however he wishes as a bounty hunter; I will not interfere. But here, little Brother Xie has rendered tremendous service. If anyone wishes to take advantage of his peril, I will not stand idly by."

His words struck the ground like iron nails. The people nearby were all shaken, silently putting away their last petty thoughts.

Jiang Chen's eyelid twitched. Seeing Qin Zhenyang's resolute attitude, he gave a dark chuckle and sheathed his blade.

Looking at Xie Yuan, he said unwillingly, "I'll spare you today. If Chief Disciple Qin hadn't insisted on protecting you, you wouldn't have escaped today. Fine. Once we get outside, I will definitely capture you... bring you to justice."

With that, he snorted and turned to leave.

Xie Yuan, who had been silently tending to his wounds, watched his retreating back with narrowed eyes.

Seeing Jiang Chen preparing to depart, he drew a breath and suddenly vanished from where he stood.

Jiang Chen seemed to sense something. He abruptly turned and drew his blade, but he had only pulled it halfway free when his entire body stiffened, and he did not dare move an inch.

A cold, razor-sharp saber rested against his neck, while Xie Yuan had already revealed himself behind him.

Jiang Chen swallowed hard and shouted angrily, "Xie Yuan, I already spared you. Before so many people, you actually dare launch a sneak attack first!"

Qin Zhenyang frowned as well and stepped forward.

"Brother Xie, calm down."

Seeing that Xie Yuan still had strength to spare—and that, before everyone's eyes, he had subdued Jiang Chen of the Second Transformation Realm in an instant without hesitation—the people around them grew wary. Though there had been an element of surprise attack, his speed, movement technique, concealment method, and decisive means were enough to put any Second Transformation Realm martial artist on guard.

Xie Yuan said flatly, "Brother Qin, I'm very calm. It's just that this Brother Jiang seems to harbor ill intentions toward me. I don't know whether I ought to remain calm."

Jiang Chen shifted slightly, but the blade at his neck immediately pressed a fraction deeper. Its edge sliced his skin, leaving a faint line of blood, and he no longer dared move carelessly.

He could feel the killing intent emanating from the blade and knew that Xie Yuan's desire to kill was no jest.

Qin Zhenyang saw it too and said gravely, "Brother Xie, I have already guaranteed that Jiang Chen will not make a move against you within this tower. Though the Western Region people are now leaderless, they are still eyeing us like tigers from the side, and Luo Tuo's whereabouts are unknown. We of Great Li should share a common hatred for the enemy. Brother Xie, please lower your blade."

Xie Yuan met Qin Zhenyang's eyes. Seeing the sincerity in his gaze, as well as the looks cast his way by those around them at Qin Zhenyang's lead, he lowered his eyelids.

"Fine. I'll give Chief Qin this face. Jiang Chen, if Chief Qin hadn't vouched for you today, your little life would certainly be gone by now. You wouldn't have made it outside."

Xie Yuan withdrew his blade and calmly repeated the threat Jiang Chen had just made. Then he glanced at Qin Zhenyang, and his figure suddenly dimmed, turning into a blurry shadow as he swiftly retreated.

All they saw was a shadowy silhouette departing with its mystic weapon floating in midair. Once it traveled a little farther away, it became difficult to trace, and they could not help marveling at the wonder of that concealment technique.

Qin Zhenyang swept a glance over Jiang Chen's utterly ugly expression, then passed him and looked toward the Western Region crowd facing them from afar.

When the Western Region experts saw Qin Zhenyang look over, all their hearts tightened.

They were now like a dragon without a head. Without a Third Transformation Realm expert among them, they would likely find it difficult to withstand Qin Zhenyang's well-organized group.

At that moment, Qiu Ming, disciple of the Black Wind Old Man, stepped forward. He clasped his hands toward Qin Zhenyang and said, "Brother Qin, we've been in these ruins for so long, all fighting and scrambling, without properly exploring them. We may be sent out the moment time runs out. Wouldn't it be a loss outweighing the gain if we returned empty-handed? How about we bury the hatchet now? Everyone keeps to their own well, and we each go seek treasures."

Qin Zhenyang said coolly, "You Western Region people relied on your home-ground advantage to press us relentlessly from the moment you entered. Now that one of your leaders is dead and another injured, you want to bury the hatchet?"

"There's no helping it. We didn't dare disobey their orders. Now that they're gone, naturally we can change our approach. Brother Qin, what do you think?"

"I think nothing of it. I think the best course is to take this chance to sweep all you Western Region people into one net."

Yuan Zhenying took over, her long spear pointing from afar at Qiu Ming, who had kept her blocked downstairs for quite some time. She simply could not swallow that grievance.

Qiu Ming looked at Yuan Zhenying and smiled. "Miss Yuan, although you hold the advantage, not everyone wishes to come here, as you do, solely to slaughter us. I think quite a few Central Plains friends can no longer hold themselves back, can they? Let everyone return to their original purpose and explore on their own. Even if we truly have to fight..."

Qiu Ming said eerily, "We may not be able to do anything to Brother Qin, Miss Yuan, or Master Huijue, but among the rest of our Great Li compatriots, at least half will die. That much, I can guarantee."

Qiu Ming's words were like the muttering of ghosts, drilling straight into people's hearts and making the gazes of many Great Li experts flicker.

Indeed, Qin Zhenyang and the other two were powerful and deeply backed; they naturally had methods to deal with the Western Region people.

But not all of them were disciples of top-tier sects. Facing Western Region experts of equal strength who fought with their lives on the line, they were far from fully confident.

Qin Zhenyang knew Qiu Ming had struck their sore spot. However poor their situation, they still had so many experts gathered together. If they truly wanted to sweep them all into one net and drove them into a corner, heavy casualties would be unavoidable.

Yuan Zhenying's willow brows shot up, but she had no good solution and could only snort coldly.

Seeing the shifting gazes among the Great Li experts, Qin Zhenyang let out a breath and said gravely, "In that case, everyone shall draw clear boundaries. We explore separately and leave one another undisturbed."

"Brother Qin is wise!"

Qiu Ming clasped his hands. With just a few words, he dispelled the Great Li people's intent to attack, then led his people to the other side.

Qin Zhenyang gave Qiu Ming a deep look, thinking to himself that the Western Region had no shortage of heroes either.

He had wanted to take this opportunity to uproot every promising seedling in the Western Region, even if it meant forsaking the treasures here. Unfortunately, not every martial artist possessed his broad vision and sense of responsibility. Some Great Li martial artists at the edges had even quietly left the group and begun exploring.

Qin Zhenyang exhaled and said to Yuan Zhenying and Master Huijue beside him, "Let's take a look around too."

At the entrance to an armory.

Jiang Chen appeared there with an expressionless face. After carefully identifying the floor tiles inside, he gave a cold smile.

"These mechanisms are dangerous when they're dangerous, but they're not all that impressive either."

Quite a few of the mechanisms on the third floor could already injure those in the Qi and Blood Transformation Realm—pitfalls before doors, hidden arrows behind them, and the like. Improper handling could easily lead to a nasty fall.

Yet the overwhelming majority of those who had entered were heroes with masters and experience, well acquainted with such matters. And having cultivated to the Qi and Blood Transformation Realm, they were basically all seasoned veterans of the martial world.

Jiang Chen in particular had traveled far and wide, seen much, and survived life-and-death trials. To him, a formidable Second Transformation Realm martial artist, the mechanisms here posed no obstacle so long as he dealt with them carefully.

He took several crooked steps, avoiding the center, and entered the armory without a hitch.

Seeing so many sharp, cold weapons inside, most of them superior to his own saber, his eyes burned with eagerness even as he kept one part of his mind alert to his surroundings.

With a soft creak.

Jiang Chen instantly spun toward the entrance and sneered:

"Come out. I know you'll definitely come."

Xie Yuan's figure emerged at the doorway as he quietly watched Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen gave a cold snort, his gaze darkening.

"Not even giving Chief Qin face? You truly deserve to be a fiend on the wanted list."

"I gave Senior Brother Qin face. Otherwise, you wouldn't have lived to make it here."

Xie Yuan spoke calmly.

He stepped forward onto a brick by the door. Jiang Chen's eyelid twitched, yet strangely, nothing happened.

A trace of puzzlement appeared on his face, but his eyes soon burned with eagerness.

"You really think landing a sneak attack means you have real strength? You actually dare confront me face-to-face. I ought to thank you for your arrogance, haha—"

"The mechanisms here are quite ingenious. They won't trigger unless someone takes enough things to reach a certain weight. But once triggered, the mechanisms in the armory are the most dangerous on this floor."

Xie Yuan spoke to himself, cutting him off as his foot lightly tapped the blue brick.

Watching Xie Yuan, Jiang Chen was seized by an ominous premonition.

"What are you talking about? How do you know?"

"I imagine this mechanism was designed specifically to punish the greedy. It is the perfect burial ground for you."

After saying this, Xie Yuan stomped down hard, leapt backward, and casually slammed the door shut.

Jiang Chen's expression instantly changed. Hearing the chilling clatter of mechanisms within the surrounding walls, he lunged for the door—but it was already too late.

"Ah—Xie Yuan!!!"

Savage whistling winds of death, accompanied by piercing screams, erupted from within the room. Xie Yuan braced the stone door, using its own weight and the bolt to lock it shut.

As the pounding from within gradually weakened, Xie Yuan's ears twitched. He shook his head, concealed his tracks, and vanished from the spot.

A moment later, Qin Zhenyang and Yuan Zhenying arrived after hearing the commotion. Hearing the faint sounds inside, they hurriedly opened the stone door.

Jiang Chen lay on the ground, his body bristling with javelins and sharp arrows, blood pooling around him. Behind the stone door were countless bloody palm prints, chaotic and desperate.

Seeing that Jiang Chen's consciousness had scattered and only his last half-breath remained, while he continued muttering the name "Xie Yuan," Qin Zhenyang fell silent for a moment before saying gravely, "This Xie Yuan repays every slight with a vengeance. His arrogance soars to the heavens, and his methods are cruel. He is no good man either; the assessment of him as an unparalleled fiend is indeed fitting. If I encounter him again, I must capture him and imprison him within the sect, lest he harm others again."

Yuan Zhenying, however, did not agree.

"This Jiang fellow struck first. Xie Yuan can hardly be blamed for striking back. I think his temperament is quite good."

On the third floor, within a medicine room.

Xie Yuan appeared inside. He ducked his head to evade a crossbow bolt shooting toward him, then picked up a cattail fan and fiercely fanned several times at a small hole, forcing the poisonous smoke back through it. He casually found a porcelain bottle, removed its stopper, plugged the hole with it, and dropped heavily into a chair.

He coughed twice, his face deathly pale and his spirits listless. An attack from someone at Qi Blood Three Transformations was not so easily endured. Had the immense power of Sweep Through a Thousand Armies not offset part of it, he likely would not even have been able to walk by now.

Even so, he had suffered serious internal injuries. Coupled with his immense expenditure, he was now a spent arrow at the end of its flight. When facing Jiang Chen, he had already had little strength left; otherwise, his trail would not have been discovered.

But if Qin Zhenyang had not stopped Jiang Chen, that man would have actually attacked him on the spot. Xie Yuan could not tolerate that.

By Xie Yuan's nature, if someone merely lurked nearby with covetous intentions, so long as they did not put them into action, he could not be bothered to argue with them. He would just let them dream their sweet dreams.

But anyone who truly dared reach out would receive no mercy. If a hand reached for what it should not, then an axe chopping it off was only fitting.

"This time, once I leave, word will probably spread that I have treasures and secret arts on me."

It was not only Jiang Chen. In truth, many people had more or less been circling Xie Yuan with their eyes.

So many people had witnessed what happened in these ruins. The name Xie Yuan would surely spread far and wide, no longer confined to Cloud Province alone.

Xie Yuan shook his head, unconcerned.

"Fortunately, I'm merely an ordinary disciple of the Yunshan Sword Sect—diligently cultivating, treating others kindly, and having nothing whatsoever to do with that wanted criminal Xie Yuan."

He found several excellent healing pills in the medicine room and began treating his injuries on the spot. The third floor was still vast beyond measure, with nearly countless rooms. This medicine room was in a remote location, so for the time being, he need not worry about anyone disturbing him.

After his injuries had initially stabilized, some color returned to Xie Yuan's face. Looking at the shelves packed with rare medicinal herbs and pills, even his eyes could not help but flicker.

"So many Precious Medicines. If only I could pack them all up and take them away..."

This single medicine room alone would likely cause a sensation outside. Many of its medicinal ingredients were supreme treasures even for those in the Qi and Blood Transformation Realm, with quite a few reaching the rank of earthly treasures, all neatly arranged there in rows.

Unfortunately, Xie Yuan had only one person and two hands. Even if he tried to scoop them up, he could not carry so much away.

"Time to pick medicines!

"Blood Ganoderma? I don't want the small ones—only the biggest...

"Mountain King Ginseng—nothing under a hundred years...

"Blood Vein Purple Dragon Vine? Takes up too much space. No...

"Buddhist Superior Lesser Revitalizing Pill. First, five bottles—no, three bottles. I still need room for other things..."

Xie Yuan filled an entire bag, slung it over his shoulder, and sighed.

"If only I had something like a spatial bracelet."

Sadly, he did not possess an item of that level, nor had he heard of one being here. He could only pack up the Precious Medicines he had carefully selected and combined, then leave in satisfaction.

These Precious Medicines did not need to be many—only refined. Every one of them was a rare marvel.

Once he returned, if he made good use of them, his strength would surely advance greatly. Even accelerating his cultivation to the Second Transformation Realm, he would no longer lack supplementary medicinal pills.

And there was also the mystic weapon in his hand...

With a thought, Xie Yuan pictured the shape of the Yunshan Sword Sect disciples' swords. The mystic weapon softened like melted candy, its surface seeming to melt and reshape itself. Soon, it had become the sword carried by a sect disciple, identical in every detail.

Yet its actual material was countless levels above the disciples' swords—sharp, cold, sturdy, and unstoppable.

Xie Yuan's heart brimmed with excitement:

"This mystic weapon alone makes the whole trip worthwhile, not to mention all these Precious Medicines! This time, I've truly struck it rich. Many thanks to Lu Lao San."

The mystic weapon had changed forms many times in his grasp, gradually becoming fully usable by him. When he used the Heaven Concealing Art again, unless one looked closely, he was no more than a faint shadow.

Xie Yuan felt that he had spent long enough on the third floor. He glanced at the path leading to the fourth floor and sensed that it should be unobstructed.

The third floor already held such wonders as mystic weapons. The storerooms on the fourth floor surely contained no shortage of genuine mystic weapons...

But Xie Yuan calmly shook his head. A man's heart was never satisfied, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. No matter how many treasures lay above, they were useless if he lost his life trying to take them.

So, content with what he had gained, he left and went straight down to the second floor.

After circling halfway around the outer ring of stone chambers, Xie Yuan spotted Huang Zifeng and the others in the distance, carefully exploring while keeping close to the stone walls. Lin Zhen was still calling softly:

"Junior Brother Zhang, Junior Brother Zhang..."

Xie Yuan's expression relaxed slightly. The things on the second floor were of limited use to those in the Qi and Blood Transformation Realm. Though some people had settled for coming down here, there were not many.

Lin Zhen and the others were all outstanding disciples of the Yunshan Sword Sect. Led by Huang Zifeng, who was in the Qi and Blood Transformation Realm, they had remained on this floor for so long without any real danger.

An idea came to Xie Yuan. While the group entered a room to search it, he secretly slipped into a nearby apothecary, made a few quick arrangements, changed back into his clothes, and pretended he had been hiding here all along as he quietly waited for his fellow disciples to gather.

"Junior Brother Zhang, Junior Brother Zhang..."

Lin Zhen's soft call rang out from outside again. Xie Yuan "perked up" and answered:

"Senior Sister Lin, I'm here!"

Hurried footsteps sounded outside. Then Huang Zifeng cautiously opened the door, revealing Lin Zhen and the others behind him.

Seeing Zhang Shan inside with an excited look on his face, they all breathed sighs of relief, joy appearing on their faces.

However, they first inspected the area around the door and asked in low voices:

"Junior Brother Zhang, are there any mechanisms here?"

"I only saw hidden arrow holes above the doorway. I didn't know what was happening outside, so I didn't dare leave."

Xie Yuan spoke softly.

With Xie Yuan's reminder, they looked up and indeed discovered the mechanism. After carefully avoiding it, they finally reunited with Xie Yuan.

Lin Cheng said happily, "Junior Brother Zhang, we finally found you! We even went down to the first floor. We were afraid, afraid that..."

Xie Yuan put on a blank expression. After hearing their account, he feigned shock.

"This place is actually so strange?"

"Yes. Many of the mechanisms are extremely dangerous. Luckily, Senior Brother Huang was leading us. Junior Brother Zhang, you truly are steady and prudent. It was right for you to stay put by yourself."

Lin Zhen said softly. With a single sentence, she praised Huang Zifeng as well, and he immediately straightened his chest and raised his head.

"Exactly. I just didn't dare run around."

After the group's hard-won reunion, they exchanged information for a while. Then Xie Yuan casually said:

"There are quite a few treasures and medicinal pills here. I think I even saw Clear Spirit Pills."

"Clear Spirit Pills!"

The group was startled. They searched the apothecary a few times, then rejoiced greatly.

"The Blood Dragon Pills were already a pleasant surprise, but there are even Clear Spirit Pills here! It truly is an Ancient Ruins. Junior Brother Zhang, you found this place well!"

Xie Yuan gave a simple, foolish grin. His belongings were nearly too much to carry already, and Clear Spirit Pills were not all that important to him, so he divided them among the others.

Lin Cheng approached with several porcelain bottles in hand, his face full of excitement. Upon seeing Xie Yuan, he recalled something and handed over another bottle, speaking with a mysterious expression.

"Junior Brother Zhang, here's a treasure. Take a bottle first."

Xie Yuan accepted it and froze for a moment.

They were actually Blood Dragon Pills? This... he had been the one who led them to the apothecary containing Blood Dragon Pills.

His expression turned surprised.

"Senior Brother Lin, these are the fruits of your exploration. How could I possibly accept them..."

"Take them! I can't use them all myself, and I still have to hand some over to the sect. I'm giving this bottle to you. Didn't you also share treasures like the Clear Spirit Pills without keeping them to yourself?"

Holding the Blood Dragon Pills, Xie Yuan fell silent.

Suddenly, there was movement at the door. Qin Zhenyang abruptly appeared, looking at his fellow disciples inside with an expression of immense relief.

"Wonderful, wonderful! I finally found you all!"

"Senior Brother Qin!"

When they saw Qin Zhenyang approaching, all of them showed delighted expressions.

Huang Zifeng said excitedly:

"We saw quite a few experts moving about in the distance and didn't dare go near, so we kept our distance. We never expected Senior Brother Qin to come in looking for us!"

"You were trapped in here. Of course the sect had to come looking."

Qin Zhenyang smiled.

"Not one of you is missing. Very good, very good."

"Yes, we were lucky. We gathered together right from the start... oh, except for Junior Brother Zhang. He got separated from us, but he's clever enough to know not to wander around recklessly, so he waited for us to find him."

"Is that so?"

Qin Zhenyang scrutinized Xie Yuan for a few moments. Seeing that he too was safe and sound, he nodded.

"You all handled things very well. This trial... if it can still be called a trial, deserves at least an A-grade evaluation."

"Oh? Senior Brother Qin, does that mean we'll be able to enter Sword Peak for enlightenment?"

Lin Cheng looked somewhat expectant.

Qin Zhenyang nodded.

"I'll report it to Master."

"Wonderful!"

All of them beamed with joy. Sword Peak was the sacred ground of the Sword Sect, where countless legends of people comprehending the sword in a single day had been born. There was not a single disciple of the Sword Sect who did not yearn to enter and seek enlightenment.

Xie Yuan smiled as well, beginning to look forward to returning to the Sword Sect.

He had gained enormously this time, and there would be additional rewards upon his return. He could cultivate properly for a while and greatly raise his strength.

At the hidden staircase on the third floor.

The fair, clear-eyed monk Huijue stood there, looking up at the pitch-black entrance above, his eyes devoid of sorrow or joy.

He pressed his palms together, lowered his head, and silently recited before taking a step forward. One step at a time, he gradually ascended to the fourth floor, and his figure vanished from sight.