Reunion and Conflict

(I made a few small changes to the previous chapter. Dear readers, you can take another look.)

After briefly regrouping in the Legend expert's cave abode, Xiao Tianhao and Huyan Lanruo set out to find the others.

Meanwhile, following Nie Li's deductions, Chen Lin Jian and his group headed toward Ancient Orchid City's drill grounds.

Along the way, everyone brimmed with anticipation for the treasure, unaware that danger was quietly drawing near.

As Chen Lin Jian's group passed through a stretch of ruins, powerful Azure-Armed Giant Apes appeared from time to time. They had already killed several of them.

Suddenly, low roars sounded from every direction. A pack of Azure-Armed Giant Apes burst out from all sides of the ruins and surrounded them.

The Azure-Armed Giant Apes were enormous, their muscles bulging and their auras formidable. Leading them was a Spirit-Level Azure-Armed Giant Ape Leader with Five-Star Silver strength.

Chen Lin Jian's expression changed, and he shouted, "Everyone, be careful! Maintain a defensive formation!"

Everyone quickly gathered together, unleashing their Demon Spirit battle techniques as they prepared to face the enemy.

Shen Yue, however, was secretly growing anxious. He had originally planned to deal with Nie Li during this expedition, but the Dark Guild had disrupted his plans. Now this pack of Azure-Armed Giant Apes had appeared too, leaving him deeply irritated.

The Azure-Armed Giant Apes roared and swung their thick arms as they lunged at the group.

Chen Lin Jian led the charge, sword in hand, and plunged into a fierce battle with the Azure-Armed Giant Apes.

His swordsmanship was sharp, each strike carrying tremendous power. However, the Azure-Armed Giant Apes were numerous and formidable, and the group gradually became mired in a bitter fight.

Just as everyone was struggling, Nie Li took out the crossbow bolts he had previously soaked in Violet Orchid Grass solution.

His swift, precise bolts struck several Azure-Armed Giant Apes. The commotion drew the Spirit-Level Azure-Armed Giant Ape Leader's attention toward Nie Li. With an angry roar, the leader charged straight at him.

At that moment, Nie Li also noticed the ape leader rapidly approaching. He grabbed Ye Ziyun and sprinted away, with the Azure-Armed Giant Ape Leader hot on their heels.

The two raced through the forest, and Nie Li occasionally fired a few bolts behind him to hinder the Azure-Armed Giant Ape leader's pursuit.

They happened upon a concealed entrance and followed it into Emperor Kongming's tomb.

A mysterious aura permeated the tomb, and ancient runes covered its walls.

Nie Li grew wary. He knew Emperor Kongming's tomb was anything but ordinary and was certain to be fraught with danger.

When Nie Li mentioned that this was Emperor Kongming's tomb, Ye Ziyun could not help growing curious. She asked him who Emperor Kongming was.

Nie Li began explaining.

Emperor Kongming was the most mysterious emperor in the Divine Empire's history. It was extremely strange that an emperor of the Divine Empire had used a title containing the word for the netherworld.

This emperor had left the Divine Empire in middle age, passing the throne to his son. According to legend, his cultivation had reached an astonishing realm, and he possessed an immortal body. Even his descendants had been unable to find his tomb. Who would have thought he had been buried here?

Nie Li and Ye Ziyun cautiously made their way through the tomb. Traps lay everywhere, but with his memories of his previous life and his wealth of experience, Nie Li deftly avoided them one after another.

Ye Ziyun followed closely behind him.

They passed through layers of traps and reached an area littered with skeletal remains. Ahead of them, a massive coffin rested on a tall stone platform.

A small mishap occurred when Nie Li retrieved a torn page of the Book of Time and Space Spirit from the coffin, and Ye Ziyun was injured. Once everything had been dealt with, they continued onward.

At last, they reached the depths of the tomb, where Ancient Orchid City's treasure lay. On an ancient raised platform sat a lamp emitting a faint glow-the Shadow Demon Spirit Lamp.

Below it lay all manner of treasures: Demon Beast crystal cores and bones, various war weapons and suits of armor, and countless gold coins.

After a series of difficulties, Nie Li successfully obtained the Shadow Demon Spirit Lamp.

Elsewhere, Chen Lin Jian and the others fought desperately against the Azure-Armed Giant Apes' ferocious attacks.

After a bitter struggle, they finally drove the Azure-Armed Giant Ape pack back.

Although everyone had suffered some injuries, fortunately, none were serious.

Chen Lin Jian wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked, "Is everyone all right?"

Everyone shook their heads to indicate that nothing was wrong.

"Where are Nie Li and Ye Ziyun?" Just as the group was about to set off, they suddenly realized that two more people were missing. Cold sweat broke out on Chen Lin Jian's forehead as he questioned the others.

Ye Ziyun was the City Lord's daughter. If anything happened to her...

Not only he, but even his family would likely be unable to withstand the wrath of the City Lord and Lord Ye Mo.

Under Chen Lin Jian's direction, the group spread out and searched the surrounding area, but they found no trace of either of them.

Helpless, they could only wait where they were.

Half an hour later.

"We can't keep waiting like this. Two people will stay behind. The rest of us will continue to the drill grounds," Chen Lin Jian told the group.

Once the others reached Ancient Orchid City's drill grounds, they immediately began digging.

After considerable effort, they finally dug through the drill grounds and entered the treasure chamber.

When they saw Nie Li and Ye Ziyun standing beside the treasure, surprise spread across their faces.

Chen Lin Jian stepped forward and said with delighted surprise, "Nie Li, how did you end up here?" Seeing Ye Ziyun safe and sound, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Nie Li briefly recounted how they had entered Emperor Kongming's tomb, leaving everyone amazed.

Just then, Xiao Tianhao and Huyan Lanruo arrived as well. Seeing the others, Huyan Lanruo smiled with delight. "We finally found you!"

Then came the part everyone had been eagerly awaiting: dividing the treasure.

Xiao Tianhao swept his gaze over the dazzling assortment of rare treasures. There were Demon Crystals emitting powerful auras, as well as the skeletal remains of several powerful Demon Beasts.

He selected some high-quality Demon Crystals and several precious Demon Beast skeletons, then stored them in his Space Ring.

These Demon Crystals contained abundant energy that would greatly aid his cultivation, while the Demon Beast bones could be used to forge powerful war weapons and armor.

When Chu Yuan of the Chu Family saw Huyan Lanruo return with Xiao Tianhao, a fire of jealousy immediately surged in his heart.

He had admired Huyan Lanruo for a long time. How could he not be furious upon seeing her so close to Xiao Tianhao?

Chu Yuan stepped forward and said mockingly, "Well, well. Some brat who crawled out of who knows where actually dares to claim a share of the spoils. Take a look at your own background before you make a disgrace of yourself here."

Xiao Tianhao frowned and glanced at Chu Yuan, but did not bother responding.

Seeing Xiao Tianhao remain silent, Chu Yuan assumed he was afraid of his status as a young master of a noble family and grew even more brazen. "What's wrong? Too scared to speak? You're nothing but a country bumpkin who's never seen the world, yet you dare get close to Lan Ruo. A toad dreaming of eating swan meat!"

Huyan Lanruo could no longer listen to him. Planting her hands on her hips, she snapped, "Chu Yuan, that's enough! Who I like is none of your business. You're a wastrel who spends his days drinking and carousing, and you're only Three-Star Bronze Rank at sixteen. What right do you have to stand here passing judgment?"

After Huyan Lanruo's scolding, Chu Yuan was both furious and embarrassed. However, he feared Xiao Tianhao's strength, so he only dared use his family to pressure him.

He snorted coldly. "Hmph, Lan Ruo, don't let him fool you. He's nothing but a lowly commoner who got lucky."

Even a clay figure had a spark of temper! Mockery was one thing, but Chu Yuan had gone as far as personal insults. Xiao Tianhao could no longer tolerate it.

He immediately activated his Demon Eye Demon Spirit's ability and took control of Chu Yuan's movements.

Chu Yuan had still been badmouthing Xiao Tianhao when he suddenly lost control of his body. He raised both hands and began furiously slapping himself across the face.

The sight left Huyan Lanruo and everyone nearby dumbfounded.

Unlike the astonished onlookers, Chu Yuan was utterly terrified. His mind was perfectly clear, yet he could not control his own body.

Before long, Chu Yuan frightened himself into unconsciousness.

Seeing Chu Yuan pass out, Xiao Tianhao released his control and paid him no further attention.

Huyan Lanruo also recovered from her shock. This had to be Xiao Tianhao's doing. Standing beside him, she whispered.

"Little brother Tianhao, you did that, didn't you?"

Xiao Tianhao merely smiled without answering.

Elsewhere.

Seeing Nie Li together with Ye Ziyun, Shen Yue felt the flames of anger flare up in his heart once more.

He already bore a grudge against Nie Li. Earlier, the appearance of the Demon Beasts and the Dark Guild had prevented him from making a move, and now he was so furious that his teeth ached.

Shen Yue glared viciously at Nie Li, thinking, Nie Li, don't get smug too soon. Sooner or later, I'll settle this score with you.

However, with everyone gathered in the treasure chamber, he could not recklessly send his men to attack. He could only suppress his fury.

Within Glory City, the Winged Dragon Family was facing suppression from the Sacred Family.

The family's businesses and shops suffered one after another, breeding resentment among its younger members.

Xiao Ning'er often heard some of her clansmen discussing the situation. Fortunately, most of them still supported her.

During these difficult times, Xiao Ning'er always found herself thinking of Xiao Tianhao.

Every night, she stood alone by the window, gazing at the bright moon overhead, her heart filled with longing for Xiao Tianhao.

She grieved silently, wondering whether Xiao Tianhao was safe in the Ancient Orchid City Ruins and whether he could return soon to help the Winged Dragon Family escape its predicament.

Clearly, in Xiao Ning'er's heart, Xiao Tianhao had become someone capable of anything.

"Tianhao, where are you? I really need you..." Xiao Ning'er murmured, tears welling in her eyes. (Xiao Ning'er was only thirteen. Faced with such enormous difficulties, crying was perfectly normal, right? Although she was supposed to be rather strong in the original story, she was still only thirteen.)

In Ancient Orchid City's treasure chamber, the atmosphere grew somewhat strained.

After provoking Xiao Tianhao, being controlled, and beating himself up, Chu Yuan realized upon waking that Xiao Tianhao had been responsible. He shot him hateful looks from time to time, but no longer dared make threats, afraid of suffering another beating.

Meanwhile, Shen Yue stared daggers at Nie Li, stripping away what remained of the previously harmonious atmosphere.

"We all came here to find treasure. There's no need to fight." Seeing this, Chen Lin Jian stepped in to smooth things over.

"Fine. I'll do Young Master Chen this favor," the two said in unison, both withdrawing their gazes.

However, the resentment in Chu Yuan's and Shen Yue's hearts did not fade.

Each harbored his own ulterior motives, secretly plotting how to achieve his goals.

Xiao Tianhao stood silently to one side. He knew full well that in this world where the strong devoured the weak, strength was the only argument that mattered.

He resolved to improve his strength as quickly as possible. Then, whether it was the Chu Family or the Sacred Family, he would smash them all with a single punch.

Meanwhile, the situation within Glory City grew increasingly dire.

The Sacred Family continued escalating its suppression of the Winged Dragon Family, placing Xiao Ning'er under immense pressure.

At the Alchemist Association, Yang Xin and the others had thoroughly studied the pill formulas Xiao Tianhao had sent over and begun producing and selling the pills. The Alchemist Association's prestige had also reached its peak.

Elsewhere, Xiao Tianhao and the others had begun making plans for their return.

Chen Lin Jian, Xiao Tianhao, and Nie Li discussed their next steps.

They knew that the Dark Guild's appearance was no coincidence. Although they had driven its members back, they had no idea where they were hiding now or when they might deliver a fatal blow.

Amid this tense atmosphere, rife with uncertainty, everyone worked toward their own goals.

(My new book has set sail! To all my clever, kind, beautiful, and handsome readers, please follow the book and tap the update reminder. If possible, send some free "Power with Love" gifts to support the author. Thank you, everyone!)