At that moment, besides Lu Chen, Black Emperor, Pang Bo, Tu Fei, Li Heishui, and their companions, a handful of cultivators remained in the mountains, having chosen not to enter the Ruthless Great Emperor's Daoist Grounds.
It was not that they suspected a conspiracy. Some simply knew they lacked the strength to compete with the major powers once inside and would likely throw their lives away for nothing.
Besides Black Emperor and Tu Fei's group, who were arguing, Lu Chen spotted another familiar face who had not entered the Daoist Grounds: the Unprincipled Daoist, Duan De.
He stood in the distance, staring at the open black portal in astonishment before sinking into thought. He showed no intention of entering the Daoist Grounds either.
"Fat Daoist, a Great Emperor's Daoist Grounds are right before your eyes. Why not go in and explore?" Lu Chen knew Duan De had already entered Ruthless Daoist Grounds before, and that the Devouring Heaven Demon Lid was in his possession. Guessing that he must know something was wrong with this opening, Lu Chen approached and deliberately asked.
"It's you, brat!" Duan De turned around, saw Lu Chen, and said with a perfectly straight face, "This humble Daoist knows his strength is insufficient to compete with all those major powers, so I won't go in and join the excitement."
"Fat Daoist, even you have your humble moments!" Lu Chen laughed. He knew the Unprincipled Daoist's true nature all too well. If there really were treasures, he would run faster than anyone.
"This humble Daoist is following his true heart!" Duan De glanced at him. "Brat, you're pretty strong. Few of those holy sons and saintesses can beat you. Why aren't you going in to compete?"
Lu Chen looked toward the pitch-black entrance to the Daoist Grounds, a