A strand of icy spiritual power had just gathered at Cang Ming's fingertips, and he was about to strike at Yun Tian below when an amused voice suddenly drifted out from behind the clouds, breaking the tense standoff. "Brother Cang Ming, isn't this rather beneath the dignity of a great family?"
Before the words had faded, a figure in blue robes came riding the wind, his sleeves fluttering and a playful gleam in his eyes. Cang Ming turned to look and raised an eyebrow. "Mu Ye? An old monster who's spent a thousand years in seclusion actually decided to come out and join the fun?"
"Hahahaha!" Mu Ye laughed heartily, his gaze sweeping over the faintly glowing water below. "With treasure right before us, only a fool would stay hidden. Why don't we join forces to retrieve it, then settle who gets it with our own abilities?"
A vicious glint flashed through Cang Ming's eyes before he threw back his head and laughed. "Good! Exactly what I had in mind!" As soon as he finished speaking, he tore open his black outer robe, revealing dark-gold armor beneath. Intricate runes flowed across its surface, wreathed in faint soul flames. It was the Soul Nether Family's supreme heirloom, the Netherworld Armor.
"So he actually brought that..." Mu Ye's pupils contracted slightly. He clearly hadn't expected Cang Ming to wear his most prized treasure; it seemed he was determined to succeed. Without another word, Cang Ming pushed off with his toes and shot toward the water like an arrow, stirring a ring of ripples. Mu Ye followed suit, channeling his spiritual power and streaking after him in a blue arc.
Watching from the shore, Nie Li felt his heart pound with alarm. He tugged on Yun Tian's sleeve and asked quietly, "Senior Yun