Chapter 165: Chapter 164 Departure_1
Shangguan Qiushui introduced Ling Chen to all the Heavenly List Experts visible from the high platform. This placed immense pressure on Ling Chen. None of these individuals are to be underestimated, he thought, feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of facing any one of them.
"Why haven’t you mentioned anyone from the top ten?" Ling Chen asked, finding it strange. Shangguan Qiushui had only spoken of Experts ranked below the top ten on the Heavenly List, not breathing a word about those within it.
"There’s no need," Shangguan Qiushui said, shaking his head. "The tenth rank on the Heavenly List is a watershed. Those who break into the top ten possess not only greater strength but also a loftier perspective. They generally don’t deign to fight those outside the top ten, believing it beneath their status.
"So, as long as you don’t actively provoke them, you’ll be fine. It’s best to simply avoid them."
"Alright." Ling Chen nodded. Indeed, he thought, while I might have a fighting chance against the ones he mentioned, if I were to encounter any of those in the top ten of the Heavenly List, the victor would likely be decided in a single move.
"Our primary adversaries, for us geniuses of the Righteous Path, remain the members of the Demonic Sect," Shangguan Qiushui continued. "The Ten Outstanding Talents of the Demon Sect, each exceptionally gifted, are our greatest foes. Additionally, the Black Market will also be sending their young Experts into the Tienzong Ruins."
"People from the Black Market?" Ling Chen exclaimed, surprised. "Why are they involved?" He hadn’t expected the Black Market to get a foothold, considering the Tienzong Ruins were divided between the Righteous and Demonic paths. Their influence is truly formidable.
Shangguan Qiushui explained, "The president of the Black Market personally intervened. If the Sect Alliance refused to cooperate, they threatened to ally with the Demonic Sect. Either way, the Black Market stood to lose nothing. However, if they joined forces with the Demonic Sect, it would put us at a disadvantage. Consequently, Experts from the Black Market will be entering the Tienzong Ruins alongside us."
"The Black Market’s power is not to be underestimated," Ling Chen said, his expression thoughtful. "If they were to side with the Demonic Sect, it would indeed be a major problem." Within the Five Kingdoms, the Black Market operated as a relatively independent force. Its strength was undeniable, not just in terms of economic might but also martial prowess. The president of the Black Market was a Top Sky Apex Strong, possessing unfathomable power.
Seeing Ling Chen’s expression shift, Shangguan Qiushui mistook it for fear and said with a smile, "Once inside the Tienzong Ruins, try not to be too conspicuous. Just act within your capabilities, and you should avoid any major trouble."
"Besides, many from our Divine Intent Sect are entering the Tienzong Ruins this time. If you find yourself in danger, the others won’t just stand by and watch."
"Mm," Ling Chen acknowledged, though he didn’t truly take it to heart. Nie Wu Xiang and Shangguan Qiushui might help, he thought. But if it were Longyang, Zhao Qingyang, or their ilk who saw me in peril, I’d be grateful if they didn’t kick me while I was down.
"It’s about time," Shangguan Qiushui said, noticing that members of the various major sects were beginning to move. He turned, glanced at Ling Chen and Xiao Muyu, and then descended from the high platform. "Let’s prepare to enter the Rift Valley."
"We should get going too." There wasn’t much to prepare. Ling Chen had already stored dry rations, water, and spare Elixirs in his Heavenly Mansion Ring, ready for use at any moment.
The Tienzong Ruins lay beneath the Black Dragon Rift Valley. The valley itself was thousands of feet deep, making descent impossible even with Light Skill. One had to use specially constructed temporary elevators to reach the Rift Valley floor.
Upon reaching the bottom of the Rift Valley, an icy, dark chill immediately swirled around Ling Chen, seeping into his body. He quickly consumed an Elixir designed to ward off the cold and circulated his True Qi to expel the frigid energy that had invaded him.
"The entrance is over there," Xiao Muyu said, pointing to a nearby cliff shrouded in an eerie, black mist.
"What a strange place." If Shangguan Qiushui hadn’t said the entrance was here, I’d never have guessed this cliff led to the Tienzong Ruins, Ling Chen thought.
"I shall go first," the Young Master of Myriad Dao declared. Tapping his foot lightly on the ground, his cloak billowed behind him as he leaped from the cliff, soaring downwards like a great wild goose.
Nie Wu Xiang, Feng Piaoliu, and the others followed suit, leaping off the cliff one by one.
SWISH! SWISH!
The remaining Heavenly List Experts followed close behind, their rapidly moving figures leaving trails of varicolored True Qi, creating a dazzling spectacle.
The next moment, like a swarm of locusts, hundreds of Sect Disciples surged towards the glowing portal in a continuous stream. Some even started infighting mid-descent, exchanging blows.
Everyone present had their strength acknowledged by their respective major sects. Even those not on the Heavenly List were not far from its standards.
"This cliff isn’t that deep. Let’s go!" Ling Chen and Xiao Muyu donned their masks and then leaped down as well.
Meanwhile, standing before the elevator at the top of the Rift Valley, several figures gazed down into its depths. They were Ye Nantian and his four disciples: Longyang, Yu Qingxuan, Song Hailan, and Yun Tianhe.
"Once inside the Tienzong Ruins, be cautious," Ye Nantian instructed his four disciples. "If you encounter Demonic Sect Disciples, kill them on sight. Show no mercy."
"Yes, Master," Longyang and the other three replied, cupping their hands in salute.
"There is one more person," Ye Nantian said suddenly. "You must not allow him to leave the Tienzong Ruins alive."
"Who?" the four asked, looking up, though they already had a strong suspicion as to whom he meant.
"That brat, Ling Chen," Ye Nantian stated coldly. "Consider him a Demonic Path Disciple."
Hearing this, Yu Qingxuan frowned and stepped forward. "Master," she said, "although Ling Chen’s mother is the Demon Cult Saintess, there isn’t a trace of evil aura about him. Furthermore, it’s rumored that his mother nearly killed him on Ghost Fog Mountain because he refused to join the Demon Way. Given this, why must we insist on his death?"
Yun Tianhe sneered. "Senior Sister, how can you speak up for that brat? Rumor has it you lost to him last time, yet he spared your life. Is that why you dare question Master now?"
"Of course not," Yu Qingxuan replied, her brow deeply furrowed. "I simply believe it’s wrong to vent the enmity between you, Master, and Supreme Sky Feather on Ling Chen. It’s unfair to him."
"Impudent!"
SLAP! Ye Nantian struck Yu Qingxuan across the face. A vivid red Palm Seal instantly bloomed on her fair cheek. "Ling Tianyu’s union with that Demonic Woman was a heinous act, an affront to the world!" Ye Nantian seethed.
"Ling Chen, that misbegotten offspring, is a disgrace to the Divine Intent Sect! It’s not that I’m prejudiced; he simply should not exist in this world!"
"Exactly," Song Hailan chimed in with a sneer from the side. "Whether the Ghost Fog Mountain incident is true or not remains uncertain. Even if it were true, why didn’t Ling Chen die? It must have been a charade concocted by mother and son to deceive the world. Unfortunately for them, they can’t fool Master’s discerning eyes."
"Leave this matter to me," Longyang said indifferently, merely glancing at Yu Qingxuan.
"Good!" Ye Nantian looked at Longyang with great expectation. "Longyang, you are the disciple I value most. I trust you won’t disappoint me this time." Compared to the other three, he had the most faith in Longyang. His Big Disciple had never let him down.