Mystery

Chen Linjian and the others were shocked to see Shangguan Ye use a Battle Skill without fusing with a demon spirit. Nie Li, too, was curious when he saw this.

Strange. Even after being reborn, I still need to fuse with a demon spirit before I can use Battle Skills. Why can Shangguan Ye... Could it be a self-created Battle Skill? And he's already Silver Rank! What rapid cultivation speed. Nie Li stroked his chin as he pondered.

"Don't just stand around. Get back to your duties," Chen Linjian said, dismissing everyone. Shen Yue also slipped away from the group amid the confusion, but members of the Dark Guild lurking in the night quietly followed him.

"Damn Shangguan Ye... Once I return to Glory City, I'll make you pay!" Shen Yue cursed as he walked.

Thud.

With a dull sound, Shen Yue fell stiffly to the ground.

"Boss, it's done. He won't wake up anytime soon," a Man in Black said to another Man in Black beside him.

"Mm. Judging by his clothes, he should be a Noble Scion. We'll have his family pay a ransom for him later," Steward Yunhua said.

Back at the camp, Shangguan Ye, Xiao Ning'er, Nie Li, and Ye Ziyun sat around the bonfire chatting. When the other three were not paying attention, Shangguan Ye quietly created a Shadow Clone to take his place while he hid off to the side.

It should be about time. Shen Yue should have been captured by now, right? Shangguan Ye sensed the Flying Thunder God Mark he had left on Shen Yue. In an instant, he arrived at Shen Yue's location.

"Who's there?!" A Man in Black guarding Shen Yue immediately assumed a fighting stance when he saw Shangguan Ye appear out of nowhere. He took out a whistle and blew it.

Enemy attack!

Upon hearing the whistle, Steward Yunhua immediately brought everyone over to the Man in Black.

"You are... the Patriarch of the Shangguan Family. What a stroke of luck," Steward Yunhua sneered as he looked at the lone Shangguan Ye.

"Take him down!" Steward Yunhua waved his hand, and more than a dozen Silver Rank Spirit Masters rushed forward. In their eyes, Shangguan Ye was already trapped like a turtle in a jar. There was no need for them to fuse with their demon spirits at all.

Shangguan Ye calmly tossed out more than a dozen daggers, though his aim left much to be desired.

"Kid, did fear make you lose your nerve? You can't even throw hidden weapons properly now," one Spirit Master cackled.

Whoosh.

A flash of white light passed before the dozen Spirit Masters' eyes. Shangguan Ye was still standing where he had been, yet blood sprayed from the necks of the dozen Spirit Masters, and they lost their lives.

"What happened?! What did you do?" Steward Yunhua could not help but shudder as he watched all his subordinates die.

"Steward Yunhua, it's your turn now." Shangguan Ye beckoned to Steward Yunhua. That amiable smile of his was scarcely any different from the Grim Reaper's.

"Damn it..." Steward Yunhua did not dare underestimate him. He immediately fused with the Star Black Tiger demon spirit, transforming into an upright humanoid tiger. He looked quite imposing.

"I'll kill you!" Steward Yunhua charged at Shangguan Ye. Shangguan Ye did not react at all, and Steward Yunhua's claws pierced through his throat, sending blood flying.

"Hahaha, brat, this is what you get for opposing me—" Steward Yunhua suddenly felt his body grow incredibly heavy. His consciousness began to blur, and he collapsed.

Shangguan Ye shook his head as he looked at Steward Yunhua, who had "killed himself."

"Still too young."

After using Earth Style to give these people a simple burial, Shangguan Ye asked the system for his reward.

"System, issue the reward."

"Reward being issued now."

Shangguan Ye felt his Soul Power surge wildly. His strength had already reached Gold Rank.

After cleaning up the scene, Shangguan Ye looked at the still-unconscious Shen Yue, gave him several hard slaps, then used the Center Beheading Technique on him before leaving.

Shangguan Ye returned to camp, switched places with his Shadow Clone, and dispelled it.

Nie Li looked at Shangguan Ye and frowned.

His aura has grown stronger again. He truly isn't simple... But at least for now, he isn't my enemy. Perhaps he may become an ally in my future fight against the Holy Emperor, Nie Li thought to himself.

After daybreak, Chen Linjian's group packed up and continued onward. Along the way, a group of Armored Giant Apes kept following them from not far away, maintaining a safe distance.

Not long after, the group finally arrived at the Ancient Orchid Ruins. However, present-day Gulan City was already utterly dilapidated. Chen Linjian took out a map to check their location and had Nie Li analyze it.

"Alright, we'll divide things up like this. Everyone, set out. Gather again before sunset at the latest."

"Alright!" Everyone was extremely excited, except Shangguan Ye and Nie Li, who showed little reaction. Nie Li only wanted the Shadow Demon, while Shangguan Ye had already completed his mission and had no interest in such worldly possessions.

Shangguan Ye, Nie Li, Xiao Ning'er, and Ye Ziyun formed a team and began exploring. Just as everyone was about to set off, the Armored Giant Apes that had been following them suddenly attacked. They had not struck earlier because they were waiting for their companions to arrive. Now that they had nearly all assembled, they launched their assault.

"Everyone, take out your bows and crossbows! Fire!" Since there were only a few Silver Rank Spirit Masters in the group and nearly everyone else was Bronze Rank, Chen Linjian could only direct everyone to retreat while attacking.

Fortunately, Nie Li was an excellent archer, hitting almost every shot. This greatly eased everyone else's pressure.

Several Armored Giant Apes noticed that Shangguan Ye's side was weakly defended and charged toward him.

"Shangguan, watch out!" Xiao Ning'er hurriedly warned him when she saw Shangguan Ye about to be attacked.

Almighty Push.

A powerful repulsive force burst from Shangguan Ye's body, blasting several Armored Giant Apes away. Shangguan Ye raised his hand to finish them off.

Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation.

Several spikes suddenly erupted from the ground beneath the Armored Giant Apes' feet, killing them completely.

"So amazing..." Xiao Ning'er watched Shangguan Ye kill several Monster Beasts so effortlessly, and her heart raced wildly.

No, I have to catch up to him! Xiao Ning'er clenched her fists and secretly swore.

With Shangguan Ye's help, all the Armored Giant Apes were killed.

Roar!

A furious roar shook the skies as a massive Armored Giant Ape appeared.

"The Gold Rank Great Ape Leader with Green Arms! Everyone, run!" Chen Linjian stepped in front of everyone, but another figure suddenly stepped in front of him.

"Heh, after beating the little ones, the old one comes out. You go first. Let me have some fun with him." Shangguan Ye turned to Chen Linjian and said.

Chen Linjian hesitated for a moment, but when he saw Shangguan Ye's confident expression, he felt somewhat reassured.

"Alright, everyone, retreat first." Chen Linjian led everyone back.

"Shangguan, be careful," Xiao Ning'er said worriedly.

Shangguan Ye gave her an OK gesture.

After seeing that everyone had gone far enough, Shangguan Ye rolled his neck.

"Come on. Let's see if you can make this interesting." Shangguan Ye crooked a finger at the Great Ape Leader with Green Arms.

Seeing that the tiny human before it dared provoke it, the Armored Giant Ape beat its chest, leaped high into the air, and smashed down toward Shangguan Ye.

Boom!

When the Armored Giant Ape landed, it smashed a huge crater into the ground. Yet it clearly felt that its hands had not touched the ground at all.

"Too weak. Skipped a meal?" Shangguan Ye tilted his head as he looked at the Armored Giant Ape before him.