The Black Dragon Stronghold's Treasure Vault!

The Black Dragon Stronghold's gates were shut tight.

This time, under Black Dragon and Yuan Ying's leadership, the Black Dragon Stronghold had turned out in almost full force to join the Li Family Members in their assault on the Shen family.

Only a few small fry remained in the stronghold.

After Black Dragon fled for his life, Ning Chuan had speared most of the stronghold's bandits to death. By the time he arrived at the Black Dragon Stronghold, he found it utterly silent, with not even a guard on the watchtower.

Boom!

Ning Chuan unleashed his ferocious divine strength and slammed his palm into the massive wooden gates, knocking them down outright.

"Ning Chuan, that god of slaughter, is here! Run..."

Inside the stronghold, many martial artists were fleeing with bundles large and small. When they saw Ning Chuan charging in, someone cried out in alarm, and they immediately scattered in every direction.

News of what had happened at the Spirit Stone Mine had already reached them. The remaining bandits had no intention of resisting; they had packed their gold, silver, and valuables and were ready to flee.

After all, even their chief, Black Dragon, had fled back here. Who would dare stand against Ning Chuan?

"Die!"

His eyes icy, Ning Chuan charged with the Purple Thunder Spear in hand. His spear struck like a dragon, scattering ten thousand points of cold light as he slaughtered the fleeing bandits.

These robbers of the Black Dragon Stronghold had countless lives' blood on their hands. They were vicious villains, and Ning Chuan felt no qualms about killing them.

"Tell me, where is Black Dragon?"

The Purple Thunder Spear's tip rested against the throat of a middle-aged bandit at the sixth level of the Spirit Sea Realm as Ning Chuan spoke coldly.

"I... I don't know!"

The middle-aged bandit was so frightened he nearly wet himself, and his voice trembled.

"Then you can die!"

Ning Chuan's gaze chilled, and he moved to spear him through.

"Spare me, young hero! That's the Fourth Boss! He must know where the chief is!"

Just then, the middle-aged bandit's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly pointed to a figure in the distant crowd.

It was a thin old man in black robes, with shifty brows and ratlike eyes, trying to escape amid the crowd.

Hearing the middle-aged bandit's shout, the black-robed old man shuddered. He immediately pushed off the ground and used his movement technique to flee frantically into the distance.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Ning Chuan speared the bandit to death. Murderous intent flashed in his eyes, and he hurled the Purple Thunder Spear, swift as lightning.

Squelch!

Blood sprayed. Though the black-robed old man's movement technique was exceptional, how could he withstand the Purple Thunder Spear's ferocious divine strength?

The Purple Thunder Spear pierced his thigh in an instant. With a scream, he crashed to the ground and began wailing.

"Where is Black Dragon?"

Ning Chuan caught up and stared at the black-robed old man, his voice icy.

This Fourth Boss of the Black Dragon Stronghold was at the ninth level of the Spirit Sea Realm. He had concealed his aura while mingling with the others, and even Ning Chuan had failed to spot him.

"Spare me, young hero! I know where the chief is. As long as you spare my life, I'll take you to him..."

Enduring the agonizing pain, the black-robed old man knelt before Ning Chuan and spoke in terror.

"Fine! Take me to Black Dragon, and I'll let you live!"

Ning Chuan's gaze was indifferent, his voice flat.

"Yes, yes, yes... If the chief has returned to the Black Dragon Stronghold, he must be in its treasure vault. I'll take you there right now. If we're too late, he might escape..."

The black-robed old man smiled with utmost servility.

He did have some grit. He pulled the Purple Thunder Spear out himself and respectfully handed it to Ning Chuan, then limped deeper into the stronghold, leading the way.

At the very center of the Black Dragon Stronghold stood a rather imposing building, with a plaque bearing the words "Black Dragon Hall." Yet the building was clearly a converted mountain god temple.

"Only Black Dragon can enter the stronghold's treasure vault. He won't let anyone else know where the mechanism is. I only discovered it by accident..."

With an obsequious smile, the black-robed old man led Ning Chuan straight into the hall, then deftly turned a Mountain God Statue enshrined above.

Rumble!

The flagstones in the center of the hall sank, revealing an underground passage.

"Young hero, this is it!"

The black-robed old man spoke.

"You go in first!"

Ning Chuan's voice was cold.

The black-robed old man's face fell, but he understood that if he dared refuse now, Ning Chuan would probably spear him to death without hesitation. He could only proceed cautiously into the underground passage.

Ning Chuan followed behind him.

It was a long corridor. After they had walked several dozen yards, the space ahead suddenly opened up, revealing a vast underground cavern.

Many chests of gold, silver, and jewels lay scattered throughout the cavern, along with all sorts of treasure boxes and jade bottles. Spirit stones were piled in the center like a small mountain.

At that moment, Black Dragon was busily stuffing the spirit stones and treasure boxes into his Storage Bag, packing whatever would not fit into enormous sacks.

By the time Ning Chuan and the black-robed old man entered, Black Dragon had nearly finished packing.

"Fourth, you dare betray me?"

Seeing the black-robed old man enter, and especially Ning Chuan following behind him, his pupils abruptly contracted, and he flew into a rage.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

He unleashed terrifying divine strength, kicking one massive boulder after another toward Ning Chuan and the black-robed old man.

At the same time, a spray of deep-blue poisoned needles shot from his sleeve, slicing through the air and blanketing the space before them.

He himself darted toward the other side of the underground cavern, where an underground river led straight outside!