Volume Two: Emerging Talents Chapter 0057: Entry (4)

Using the last burst of power, he managed to escape the encirclement. The enhancement from the Berserker's body was gradually fading. His body was covered in wounds, his complexion pale as paper.

Yet this battle was not without its gains: first, he had severely crushed Wu Jian’s arrogance; second, he had obtained the Starfall Blade; and third, the blue ring hanging from his neck.

From the memory information he received, he learned that the ring was a storage ring, with a space of ten cubic units—a vast capacity. The shelves inside were filled with all kinds of things, making his heart leap with joy. Just as he was about to celebrate, his forehead tightened in frustration.

Damn it, the pills had expired.

Inside the cave, he dared not light a fire. In such a complex environment, one must beware not only of fierce beasts but also of humans.

His consciousness delved into the storage ring, unwilling to give up. He rummaged through everything inside, but only found a single blue crystal.

The blue crystal was azure and beautiful, but nothing seemed particularly special about it. Yet, for some reason, through it, he could sense faint traces of the Water Dao’s intent.

His heart raced in astonishment.

“Could this be a Dao Intent Crystal?” he wondered.

In his memories, many powerful figures would expend tremendous energy to condense Dao Intent Crystals so their juniors could comprehend the Dao, thereby increasing their chances of success.

He never imagined his luck would be so bountiful—a random ring, and inside it, such a precious item.

Dao Intent Crystals weren’t sold anywhere; even if they were, they would command a sky-high price, for they allowed cultivators to comprehend an additional Dao. Out in the world, even if the asking price were billions, he believed someone would pay it.

At this moment, he put aside all distractions and entered meditation.

Meanwhile, Wu Jian stared furiously at Qin Yang, who had disappeared without a trace. In his rage, he unleashed his wrath upon the Earth Dragon. With everyone joining forces, it was slain in less than a quarter-hour.

On the scorched earth, an old man appeared, holding a scythe. His face was wrapped in black cloth, obscuring his features.

Wu Jian, sensing murderous intent from this newcomer, turned pale. “This is bad. Run!”

“Hahaha, under my watchful eye, do you think you can escape?” The hoarse voice rang out as the scythe danced in the air. Soon, the Sword Sect disciples were wiped out, leaving only two people on the field: Wu Jian and the stranger.

“Who are you?” Wu Jian demanded.

“The one who’s going to kill you.”

“Then I’ll fight you to the death!” Wu Jian had no intention of waiting for his doom, launching a sudden attack.

Clearly, these events had nothing to do with Qin Yang, who was still cultivating. At the same time, a rumor spread outside:

Qin Yang of North Sea is a demon cultivator.

To cover up the truth, he slaughtered the Sword Sect disciples.

Soon, investigators arrived at the scene, finding traces left by Qin Yang. Nearly all Sword Sect disciples had perished; only Wu Jian’s whereabouts were unknown.

On the desolate wasteland, Leng Qianyou frowned. Though they had a map, it was outdated, and many places had changed beyond recognition, making investigation difficult.

The atmosphere throughout the ancient ruins was eerie. Where once there had been bustling crowds, now only a few remained.

Who had massacred so many Sword Sect disciples? Was it truly Qin Yang of the North Sea?

She had even sent out elite scouts to investigate, but they vanished without a trace.

Martial artists entering the ruins grew increasingly wary, moving in groups of three or five, traversing the ancient grounds like bandits, leaving nothing behind.

But this slaughter had only just begun.

Mist Barrier Forest

The man in black had just killed over a dozen people, their blood staining the earth, his eyes strange and unsettling.

Standing motionless, he muttered, “Not enough yet.”

Mist Barrier Forest was the most mysterious place in the ruins. Once, a bloody battle had occurred here; by morning, all was restored as if nothing had happened.

Chen Tian, White-Browed Eagle King, and Green-Winged Bat King descended, their faces grim, especially as they focused on the man in black, their expressions tense.

White-Browed Eagle King’s pupils shrank sharply. “Demonic Scourge—Three-Eyed Evil King!”

Three-Eyed Evil King.

This name caused both Chen Tian and Green-Winged Bat King’s faces to change dramatically. Who in the ancient martial world didn’t know it? His crimes were notorious; once, for a single remark, he slew five hundred and thirty-six opponents.

His exploits with women were countless.

Heroes might bend the law for their beliefs, but he cared nothing for such constraints. He roamed alone, burdened by nothing.

The Dragon Group had once issued a red notice and gathered experts to hunt him, but he escaped.

“Three-Eyed Evil King, why are you here?” Chen Tian’s eyes blazed, his aura pressing forward in anger. “And how did you get in?”

Faced with their imposing presence, the Three-Eyed Evil King chuckled, breaking their momentum.

“How did I get in?” He glanced at the cold sky, killing intent undiminished. “Wasn’t it your so-called righteous cultivators who forced me in? I had no choice.”

“Now that I’m here, don’t think about leaving.” With a single sentence, he set the tone.

The three heard this and their faces changed. The opponent was a long-renowned figure in the ancient martial world. If the great powers acted, perhaps he could be slain, but they clearly lacked such strength. Even united, their chances were slim.

White-Browed Eagle King and Green-Winged Bat King were both elderly, well past their prime.

Chen Tian had only just advanced; this expedition was to consolidate his realm.

Without warning, the Three-Eyed Evil King struck. His robe billowed as his fists transformed into a pitch-black dragon, surging fiercely at the three.

A furious roar.

A shrill cry.

The sky trembled. The three’s expressions changed dramatically; feeling immense threat, they fought with all their might, scrambling to defend themselves.

Hiss—

Spurt!

All three coughed blood in unison, their bodies flung aside by the force.

Seeing that his attack hadn’t finished them, the Three-Eyed Evil King sneered. “I didn’t expect you’d have some skill after all.”

“But you still can’t escape your fate.”

His hands struck out again and again, forming invisible barriers that separated the three.

White-Browed Eagle King’s aged face grew more weathered; his hands, like eagle claws, shredded the air, which exploded under his grip. Yet faced with this move, he was full of despair.

Chen Tian, witnessing this scene, realized that if it continued, all three would perish here.

Feigning a strike, he shattered the enemy’s attack, grabbed White-Browed Eagle King, and shouted, “Run!”

Meanwhile, a giant black hand appeared in the air, reaching for them.

Green-Winged Bat King had hoped to escape, but now it was impossible. Among the three, someone had to stay behind—otherwise, none would make it out.

He had mastered the Dao of Wind; the air was full of shadows, layered and countless.

“You go, I’ll hold him off.”

Three-Eyed Evil King, seeing this, curled his lips into a mocking arc. “Trying to block me? You think too highly of yourself.”

Between his brows, a third eye suddenly opened, brimming with evil, destruction, and slaughter.

A ghostly blue light flashed overhead, enveloping Green-Winged Bat King. At the same time, a wretched scream rang out.

His body was dissolving bit by bit. Chen Tian and White-Browed Eagle King saw this, their faces contorted in horror.

“Green-Winged Bat King!”

“If I die, I won’t let you off easily!” Green-Winged Bat King growled low, reversing his technique, flipping yin and yang. “Go now!”

“Explode!”

Boom! Boom! Boom!