Battle for the Treasure, Fishing in Troubled Waters?

At this moment, inside the inner valley.

Qingyang and the other three stood in a standoff, each radiating a sharp, piercing aura.

Everyone knew that the object emitting golden light in the valley below was certainly no ordinary item; if one could obtain it, it might prove to be a tremendous stroke of fortune.

Amidst the silence, someone finally spoke first.

"This item, I, Li Yang, will have it!"

The speaker was a young man in red robes, standing with his hands behind his back atop a flying sword, his brows filled with arrogance.

Li Yang had a tall, upright posture and a handsome face.

His crimson robe was embroidered with golden flame patterns, and the "Li Clan" family crest was faintly visible on his cuffs.

This man was a prodigy from the First Courtyard of the outer sect, possessing Foundation Establishment cultivation.

Beyond that, he was also a direct descendant of the renowned Li Clan within the Mount Shu Sect.

Within the Mount Shu Sect, there were many disciples sent by prominent families for training.

Earlier, when Liu Ruyan saw Elder Liu Mu showing special care for Chen Changqing, she had secretly wondered if Chen Changqing might be from some great family.

Only later did she learn that Chen Changqing was merely a disciple guarding the mountain gate.

"Hmph!"

Hearing Li Yang's words, Qingyang could not help but let out a cold snort.

"Li Yang, what a big mouth you have."

"You say you want it, so it's yours?"

"Treasures belong to those capable of taking them!"

Qingyang's expression was cold and stern, refusing to yield in the slightest.

Although Li Yang had an extraordinary background and Foundation Establishment cultivation, he, Qingyang, was not one to be easily intimidated.

The reason he had chosen not to enter the inner sect earlier and remained in the Seven Courtyards of the outer sect was precisely to enter the Void Realm again.

Now that he had finally encountered a rare treasure, how could he possibly hand it over to someone else?

"Hmm?"

Hearing Qingyang's words, Li Yang's brows furrowed, his expression turning quite ugly.

Just as he prepared to say something, Wen Liang from the Second Courtyard spoke up first.

"Senior Brother Qingyang is right."

"Good things naturally belong to those capable of taking them."

"This treasure, our Second Courtyard has taken a liking to it as well."

Wen Liang was dressed in orange robes and was a Foundation Establishment disciple of the Second Courtyard. He had a scholarly appearance, and his narrow eyes flickered with shrewd light.

Do not be fooled by his gentle, humble exterior; in reality, he was deeply calculating.

Many disciples of the Second Courtyard followed his lead, and no one dared to underestimate him.

Just then, a sharp shout came from not far away.

"Why waste so much breath?"

"Whoever grabs it, it belongs to!"

The speaker was a burly man with knotted muscles. Beneath his yellow robes, jagged scars were faintly visible; he was clearly a ruthless character.

It was Meng Zhou, a Foundation Establishment disciple from the Fourth Courtyard of the outer sect.

As Meng Zhou's words fell, the atmosphere at the scene instantly became tense and ready to explode.

Qingyang's face was grim, and he knew clearly in his heart.

If he wanted to obtain the treasure in the valley below today, a fierce battle was likely unavoidable.

However, none of the four moved first.

They were not stupid; the first person to strike would naturally become the target of everyone else, drawing the focus of the remaining three.

In the ensuing struggle for the treasure, they would inevitably be at a disadvantage.

It was precisely for this reason that the four of them had been locked in a standoff in the valley for so long.

"Boom!"

At that moment, the golden light beneath the valley surged once more, and a massive wave of spiritual energy swept outward.

Seeing this, Qingyang and the other three could no longer restrain themselves.

"If we keep waiting like this, we will inevitably attract more people."

"Strike first to gain the advantage!"

A flash of resolve crossed Qingyang's eyes. Hardening his heart, he steered his sword and dove straight toward the valley below.

Almost simultaneously, Li Yang, Wen Liang, and Meng Zhou also made their moves.

Before the four of them had even reached the valley floor, they were already locked in fierce combat.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

"Bang, bang..."

In an instant, spiritual energy collided and shockwaves surged!

The intense battle between the four Foundation Establishment disciples was terrifying in its display of power.

The disciples from various courtyards guarding the valley entrance were all shaken by the sight, and none dared to intervene.

Meanwhile, outside the valley, Chen Changqing's gaze grew fervent at the sight.

They've started fighting.

Anything capable of inciting a struggle between four Foundation Establishment disciples must be no ordinary treasure!

After a brief moment of thought, Chen Changqing turned his eyes toward Liu Ruyan beside him and said with a smile:

"Senior Sister Liu."

"Take care of yourself from here on out."

In Chen Changqing's view, such an opportunity was rare and not to be missed.

Since he had stumbled upon it, how could he possibly let it pass?

Besides, he had been walking the path of robbery for the past few days; who was to say he couldn't rob them as well?

Hearing Chen Changqing's words, Liu Ruyan's beautiful eyes narrowed.

"Junior Brother Chen, you... be careful."

She had originally intended to persuade Chen Changqing not to get involved.

But upon second thought, she felt her concern might be misplaced.

Although Chen Changqing was only at the ninth level of Qi Refining, he had previously encountered Cui Hao and the others from the Second Courtyard.

He had broken the Seven Kill Sword Formation single-handedly.

Even with Cui Hao's Foundation Establishment strength, he was no match for Chen Changqing, having been suppressed by a single punch!

"Is Senior Sister concerned for me?"

Chen Changqing looked at Liu Ruyan with a smile.

"Ah?"

Suddenly hearing Chen Changqing's flirtatious remark, Liu Ruyan was stunned, caught completely off guard.

Before she could react, Chen Changqing's figure flickered, and he had already steered his sword toward the valley.

Seeing this, Liu Ruyan let out a long sigh and murmured:

"Even at a time like this, he still has the mood to... tease me?"

Before long, Chen Changqing arrived outside the valley.

The disciples from various courtyards guarding the area treated him like a formidable enemy, casting wary glances in his direction.

"Who are you?"

"This valley is off-limits. Get lost back to wherever you came from!"

"Are you from the Seven Courtyards?"

"If you're only at the Qi Refining level, don't even think about getting involved here. Get out!"

"If you know what's good for you, scram! Otherwise, we'll take the points on your person."

"..."

For a moment, the disciples from the various courtyards clamored aggressively.

While they couldn't control what was happening inside the valley, they were guarding the perimeter, and as long as it wasn't a Foundation Establishment disciple, they certainly wouldn't let anyone through.

"Oh?"

Chen Changqing was slightly surprised by the sight.

He hadn't expected his arrival to make the disciples of the various courtyards so nervous.

So many disciples, all at the Qi Refining level.

Added all together, that's another massive haul of points!

After a brief thought, Chen Changqing's eyes grew fervent.

He figured that while he was at it, he could harvest a wave of points along with the treasure—why not?

"Hand over your points obediently."

"Then clear the way."

"Avoid the pain of the flesh!"

Chen Changqing said indifferently.

As soon as these words left his mouth, they immediately drew jeers and mockery from the disciples of the various courtyards.

"Haha!"

"Did I hear that right?"

"Has this kid's head been caught in a door?"

"Only at the Qi Refining stage, who gave you the courage to be so brazen?"

"You want to rob us of our points? I think you're courting death!"

"..."

Amidst the mockery, some disciples had already taken the initiative to attack Chen Changqing.

Facing the few disciples charging toward him, Chen Changqing remained calm and composed.

"Thunder Fist!"

Seeing them approach, he did not hesitate, backhanding a punch outward.

"Boom!"

A terrifying force erupted suddenly, his fist like a thunderbolt, instantly blasting several people away!