A faint smile curved Chen Mu's lips, his eyes as cold as a deep pool. "You seem very confident."
The black-robed man looked utterly assured. With a soft chuckle, he slowly said, "You weren't the ones who left all these corpses scattered around, were you?"
"You're nothing but scavengers picking up scraps. Once I drive you away, all this loot will be mine."
Chen Mu remained composed, but his gaze turned frosty. "Are you sure you want to fight us?"
The black-robed man snorted, sweeping his gaze over Chen Mu and the others with a sneer. "This much wealth isn't something a handful of Soul Ancestors and Soul Elders can shoulder. I'd advise you not to seek your own deaths."
Chen Mu shook his head lightly, a teasing note in his voice. "Oh? It seems we've truly been underestimated."
The black-robed man chuckled, his laughter carrying a sinister, unsettling chill.
His gaze swept over Chen Xiaojun and the others absorbing their Soul Rings, and surprise flashed in his eyes.
"Oh, three of you are still absorbing Soul Rings. Hmm? That boy is absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring. Reaching the Soul King realm at such a young age-what a genius!"
"Dragons don't dwell among snakes. This is more interesting than I expected. It seems your little group really shouldn't be underestimated."
Dugu Fu folded his arms, the corners of his mouth lifting. "What, do you look down on snakes?"
The black-robed man paused, then raised a finger and gently wagged it. "Not at all. But when you consider yourself a snake, that's another matter."
Dugu Fu chuckled. "Yes, yes, you're right. A snake that feeds on rats like you."
The black-robed man's expression darkened slightly, anger flashing in his eyes. "You must be students from Chang'an Academy. Quite an