Chapter 162: Chapter 161 Tienzong Ruins_1
"Ling Chen, you should just kill her. Disfiguring her doesn’t align with the Righteous Path."
Xiao Muyu walked over. Having heard Ling Chen’s intent to disfigure Yu Qingxuan, she expressed her disagreement with his approach.
"Of course, I’d never actually go through with disfiguring someone."
Ling Chen sheathed his Heavenly Mansion Sword and glanced at Xiao Muyu. "Let’s go."
Saying this, he moved forward, not appearing to have any plans for dealing with Yu Qingxuan.
"Ling Chen, you’re not going to kill me?"
Yu Qingxuan paused, staring at Ling Chen’s retreating back.
Ling Chen stopped for a moment but didn’t turn around. He merely tilted his head to speak, "My sword only kills two types of people: evil demons and villainous scoundrels."
"Ling Chen, you should just kill her instead. Disfiguring her doesn’t align with the Righteous Path."
Xiao Muyu walked up to him again. Hearing Ling Chen’s intent to disfigure Yu Qingxuan, she expressed her disagreement with his actions.
"Of course, how could I really disfigure someone."
Ling Chen sheathed his Heavenly Mansion Sword and glanced at Xiao Muyu. "Let’s go."
Having said that, he moved on without any intent of addressing Yu Qingxuan.
"Ling Chen, you’re not killing me?"
Gazing at Ling Chen’s slowly distancing figure, Yu Qingxuan paused.
Ling Chen halted for a moment but didn’t turn around, only shifting his face to the side as he spoke, "My sword only kills two kinds of people: evil demons and treacherous people. You don’t fall into these categories."
Upon hearing this, Yu Qingxuan was stunned. After regaining her senses, she cupped her fist to Ling Chen. "I owe you one."
"However, I must warn you, my master won’t let you off easily. After my defeat, my senior brother Longyang will definitely make a move. Before you have enough strength to deal with him, don’t confront him directly."
"Thanks for the warning."
Hearing this, Ling Chen’s expression became somewhat stern.
Longyang was among the top ten of the Heavenly List, a Ninth-level Martial Master whose strength far surpassed Yu Qingxuan’s.
Indeed, with Ling Chen’s current strength, there was virtually no possibility of defeating him.
"Who’d have thought Ling Chen would defeat Yu Qingxuan! This is big news; we have to spread the word immediately."
A Jianghu guest seemed excited. For the younger generation of the Martial World, nothing was more shocking than a change in the Heavenly List rankings.
"That’s right. This is definitely a bombshell. If we delay, we might miss our chance to be the ones to spread the news."
"Let’s go!"
The two figures dashed off, leaving the vicinity of the teahouse.
"Ling Chen, are you really just letting Yu Qingxuan go like this? Aren’t you afraid she’ll come back for revenge once she recovers?" Xiao Muyu asked with concern.
Ling Chen had only managed to defeat Yu Qingxuan by exerting his utmost effort. If she returned prepared next time, the outcome would be uncertain.
"She won’t come back."
Ling Chen had some confidence in his ability to judge people. Even if he had misjudged Yu Qingxuan, he wasn’t afraid of her returning.
He had already seen through her strongest sword techniques. Even if they were to fight again, Yu Qingxuan would be no match for him.
「Half a month later.」
Since the meeting of the four Experts from Ghost Fog Mountain, both the Demonic Sect and the Righteous Path factions had quieted down. It seemed as if the battles had subsided and calm had returned.
However, most people knew this was likely the calm before the storm; the Demonic Sect was sure to make a greater move.
As the Righteous Path factions had speculated, scouts from the Fire Country soon discovered that the Earth Country had dispatched an army of one hundred thousand black-armored soldiers. This army had secretly occupied the Black Dragon Rift Valley, their motives unknown.
The Black Dragon Rift Valley was an ancient region on the border of the Fire Country. Abandoned for hundreds of years, its land featured a strikingly deep fissure.
Secrets have a way of getting out. After some investigation, shocking news finally surfaced.
The Demonic Sect was actually looking for the Tienzong Ruins.
"Tienzong Ruins? Is that the Tienzong, the once-renowned number one sect in the Martial World from three hundred years ago?"
In a pub in Stone City, Ling Chen picked up his teacup, took a sip, his expression slightly surprised.
"Yes, it’s Tienzong."
Xiao Muyu nodded. "Tienzong was a sect that stood between righteousness and evil. It vanished three hundred years ago. Many rumors surround its disappearance: some say a natural disaster destroyed its mountain gate, leading to a gradual decline; others suggest it was torn apart by internal strife. The accounts vary."
"Regardless, Tienzong was a dominant force three hundred years ago. If its ruins are found by the Demonic Sect, it would be a disaster for the entire Martial World."
Ling Chen looked thoughtful. Those Righteous Path Sects surely won’t let the Demonic Sect succeed so easily.
"The Black Dragon Rift Valley is vast; even the Demonic Sect cannot control it all. The Sect Alliance has already found another entrance on the far side of the valley and is preparing to let young disciples from the major sects enter," Xiao Muyu said.
"Only young disciples?"
Ling Chen sensed something amiss. "A place this important... the top experts of both the Righteous and Demonic paths must be eager to enter. Why would only young disciples be allowed in?"
"They certainly wish to," Xiao Muyu said with a smile, shaking her head. "But if the top experts from both sides were to mobilize, it would be tantamount to prematurely igniting a full-scale war between the Righteous and Demonic paths. At that point, the Sect ruins themselves would likely be affected, possibly even destroyed. In such a scenario, no one would benefit."
"Allowing disciples under thirty from the major sects to enter is the result of a compromise made by the higher-ups on both sides."
"I see. That indeed seems like a good compromise."
Ling Chen nodded in understanding. That made sense then.
Among the younger generation, the strongest were merely Grand Masters. The destruction they could cause in battle was limited, incomparable to a Top Sky Apex Strong, who could cause earth-shattering devastation with a casual move.
"My master has sent me a message by carrier pigeon. The entrance to the Black Dragon Rift Valley will open on the sixteenth of this month, which is five days from now." Xiao Muyu calculated the time, then added, "If we leave now, we should be able to make it."
"Alright. But before we leave, I need to disguise myself."
Saying this, Ling Chen retrieved a set of black clothes from his Heavenly Mansion Ring and put them on. Then, he took out a Ghost Mask and placed it over his face, concealing his features.
He then unfastened the Heavenly Mansion Sword from his waist and slung it across his back.
"From now on, I am no longer Ling Chen, but Dustless, a True Disciple of the Divine Intent Sect."
Ling Chen’s voice, slightly deepened, came from beneath the mask. Judging by his appearance alone, it was impossible to tell who he was.
In the past few days, news of his victory over Yu Qingxuan had spread. In less than ten days, his name was listed on the Heavenly List. Ling Chen’s name replaced Yu Qingxuan’s, ranking thirty-third.
At present, the thirty-third entry on the Heavenly List clearly read: ’Ling Chen, Rank thirty-three, Fifth Stage Martial Artist.’
Most people were skeptical that Ling Chen, a Fifth Stage Martial Artist, could defeat Yu Qingxuan, a Martial Artist of the Eighth Level. They assumed Ling Chen must have used some despicable means to steal the victory.
Consequently, the number of people wanting to challenge Ling Chen, to replace him and make a name for themselves, increased. In just ten days, Ling Chen had received over a dozen challenges. He could hardly stroll down the street or have tea without some young warrior jumping out to demand a duel.