Secret Realm of the Underground River, Ambushers Guarding the Cave

Elsewhere, members of the three great lineages had gathered together. The three men wore night gear and stood atop a protruding cliff.

The night wind was cold, yet their hearts burned hot.

Liu Qi spoke first. "Brother Tao, how are the preparations?"

Tao Yuan nodded. "Everything is ready."

"Soul-Confusing Incense, Heavenly Thunder Seeds, Golden Wound Pills—we prepared plenty. More than enough for the three of us."

"Good. As expected of the Tao Clan, gathering everything in such a short time." Liu Qi praised him.

Then he turned to He Cheng and said:

"Brother He."

He Cheng nodded steadily. "Rest assured. I investigated that place long ago. Just follow me."

"Good." Liu Qi said softly, "Since everything is ready, let us set out now."

Tao Yuan gave a contemptuous smile. "Those few are probably still resting at camp, aren't they?"

"No need to concern ourselves with them." He Cheng said calmly. Aside from Qin Anming, the Martial Academy's Grand Elder, who made the three great lineages pay a little attention, they did not place Gu Zhao and the other two in their eyes at all.

They were merely martial artists who had lucked into reaching the Qi-Blood Realm. How could they compare to the three great lineages, with their deep roots and tangled webs of connections?

For instance, the three of them had already received word that tonight was the time to head for the place where the legendary mysterious expert had left behind his inheritance.

"Brother He, let's go. Tonight, we'll get to the bottom of it."

The three raced onward, crossing hills and forests until they reached the depths of Azure Radiance Mountain.

After another half an incense stick's time, the three stopped on a mound thickly covered in unusually dense vegetation.

"Is this where that great figure displayed his divine power?" Liu Qi looked around and could not help sighing.

He Cheng stood firm. "It is said that figure remained here for an entire day. I wonder whether he left behind any good fortune."

Tao Yuan paused. "Let us set this place aside for now and act according to the plan."

"Haha..." He Cheng chuckled. "This place was said to be nothing but a wasteland, yet now..."

He Cheng swept his gaze around. Before him lay lush greenery, with all kinds of nocturnal beasts darting through the woods.

"Rest well. There are quite a few hidden sentries from Blackwind Stronghold in the depths of Azure Radiance Mountain. Do not let them discover us." Liu Qi said.

"Rest assured." He and Tao answered casually. As Qi-Blood martial artists, the force around their bodies was perfectly rounded and unified; concealing their auras was effortless.

Once they had rested, the three set out again.

Their movement techniques were incredibly swift, like three ghostly phantoms slipping soundlessly through the silent forest.

Whether it was the eyes concealed behind treetops or the open sentries behind boulders, none discovered their traces.

Even bandits with keen senses merely felt the night wind brushing past and did not harbor the slightest suspicion.

After a long while, they had reached the deepest part of Azure Radiance Mountain. Only demon beasts lived here; there were no ordinary beasts.

Demon beasts at the Tendon Forging level were everywhere, Bone Tempering demon beasts were not uncommon, and several Qi-Blood Realm demon beasts even lurked here.

Though Liu Qi and the other two were arrogant at heart, once they reached this place, each raised his guard. Their gazes swept the surroundings from time to time, and their movement techniques gradually slowed.

"Brother He, this is the place, correct?" Tao Yuan stopped and inspected the area.

He Cheng took a crudely made map from his robes. A moment later, he put it away and said with certainty:

"This is it."

Liu Qi stepped forward quickly. Before him lay a massive sinkhole.

The night was hazy, and mist billowed within. He could not see the situation below at all.

"This already counts as part of Azure Radiance Peak. If we can enter the inheritance site from here, we will not need to brave Azure Radiance Peak."

Tao Yuan glanced at the towering mountain piercing deep into the clouds in the distance. A deep trace of apprehension flashed through his eyes before he spoke.

That mountain thrusting into the depths of the clouds was Azure Radiance Mountain's highest peak—Azure Radiance Peak.

Morning or night, rain or shine, through all four seasons, Azure Radiance Peak was always shrouded in a layer of hazy cloud and mist. Mysterious and unfathomable, it had never revealed its true appearance to anyone.

Everyone in Verdant Grain County spread tales that the inheritance of that powerful expert was hidden there. Some also said it was that expert's tomb.

Thus, over the years, no shortage of martial artists had ventured deep into Azure Radiance Peak, hoping to obtain the inheritance or seek a chance to defy fate and change their lives.

Yet none of the martial artists who entered Azure Radiance Peak had ever reappeared.

Under such circumstances, Liu Qi and the other two naturally turned pale at the mere mention of it.

This sinkhole before them had only been accidentally exposed due to changes in heaven and earth. No one had noticed it beforehand.

After the three great lineages' tireless investigations over the years, they had finally found a possible route.

The three exchanged glances, then took out Flying Cloud Grappling Claws and strapped them onto their arms.

They nodded to one another, and three faint whooshes rang out.

Following the ropes that shot forth, their figures pierced through the thick mist and plunged deep into the sinkhole.

"Follow me." He Cheng lightly swung an arm, his steps almost soundless as he headed deeper into the sinkhole.

Liu Qi and Tao Yuan followed close behind.

The three crossed a rocky ravine and arrived beside a pool. He Cheng did not stop; he plunged straight into the water, and Liu and Tao dove in after him.

After swimming downward for some distance, He Cheng twisted around and entered a crack beneath the rocks.

A trace of surprise appeared in Liu Qi's eyes. There was actually an underground river here.

After swimming through the underground river for about an incense stick's time, the three finally emerged.

They encountered quite a few aquatic demon beasts along the way, but sensing the auras emanating from their bodies, those beasts fled far away before they could approach.

"Continue forward to the end, and we will reach the entrance to that inheritance site." He Cheng's steady voice came from ahead.

The three circulated their qi and blood. In an instant, white mist rose from their bodies, and their clothes dried from wet to dry.

They said nothing along the way. After arranging their packs, they continued onward. As they walked, each silently calculated the possible changes that might arise.

The road inside the cave was steep, dim, and damp. Fortunately, all three were Qi-Blood martial artists and could see in the night as clearly as in daylight.

When they reached a stone wall, He Cheng, who was in front, suddenly stopped. Liu and Tao were puzzled and were about to ask what had happened when intermittent voices drifted over from ahead.

The three exchanged looks, each seeing surprise and suspicion in the others' eyes.

"What is going on?" Liu Qi lowered his voice.

"Brother He?" Tao Yuan pressed his ear against the stone wall, trying to hear more clearly.

"I do not know either." He Cheng explained. "Since we have come this far, let us first see what is happening ahead."

The three listened intently.

"Brother Hu, when will these days ever end?"

"You're asking me? Who the hell am I supposed to ask? Bah! That damned Tan Bing assigned me to this cave where the sun never shines, while he went off to live it up himself." A rough voice rang out.

The voice paused, followed by a cry of pain.

"Cheng Liu, if you dare wag that tongue carelessly, you'll get more than just that little hit."

"Brother Hu, don't worry. Ever since I started following you, Cheng Liu has never had a second heart. I'm utterly devoted to you, Brother Hu. Hehe..."

Brother Hu snorted derisively. After a moment of silence, he cursed under his breath again. "Damn it, who knows what treasure is inside that has the chief so worked up."

Cheng Liu chuckled. "Brother Hu, once the chief finds it, won't the two of us get to drink a little of the soup too?"

Brother Hu did not reply. He kicked the stone wall. "Keep watch. Stop talking nonsense."

"They are bandits from Blackwind Stronghold." Tao Yuan's expression darkened.

"We've already come this far."

"That's right. Since we've already come this far, naturally we should go in and take a look." Liu Qi nodded.

Liu Qi added:

"We'll go in and see. If there are no Qi-Blood martial artists, we'll proceed deeper. If there are Qi-Blood martial artists, kill them quickly if we can. If we cannot, retreat at once."

"Good." ×2