Chapter 365: Chapter 364: Riding Together _1
In just one or two days, the news spread like a whirlwind throughout the Five Kingdoms. The Demonic Army had occupied Longyuan Mountain. Inside Longyuan Mountain, there existed an Ancient Treasure. Moreover, it was rumored that this Ancient Treasure belonged to the legendary powerhouse, the Human Emperor. When this news broke, the entire Martial World was in an uproar.
The Human Emperor had once unified the Mixed Yuan Continent, becoming the ruler of the Eight Wastes. He was a fearsome powerhouse who ultimately disappeared into the Shattered Void. If it were truly his Treasure, it would likely drive countless people to madness.
"The Human Emperor’s Underground Palace!"
Ling Chen, who was cultivating in the City of Thunder, received a carrier pigeon message from the Divine Intent Sect. After reading the letter’s contents, he was equally startled.
The name of the Human Emperor had always been legendary on the Tianyuan Continent, a Supreme Expert adorned with countless accolades.
He was even different from the Heavenly Mansion General whom Ling Chen knew. The Heavenly Mansion General could only be considered an ambitious figure, a feudal lord. In contrast, the Human Emperor was the ruler of this entire world; they were simply not on the same level.
The only feeling Ling Chen could harbor towards such a figure now was reverence.
As for the Human Emperor’s Underground Palace, which contained the Treasure left by the Human Emperor, he absolutely had to explore it.
With his current fortune, he would certainly not return empty-handed from the Human Emperor’s Underground Palace.
After all, the championship of this Martial Arts Assembly wasn’t won for nothing. Getting his name recorded on the Martial Arts Monument allowed him to gain the blessing of Dragon Vein Qi. This meant Ling Chen’s chances of acquiring Treasures in these ruins were much greater than ordinary people’s.
However, strength without luck is useless if one doesn’t come across a Treasure.
Picking up the Cloud-hidden Sword from beside his bed, Ling Chen walked out of the room.
Just as he stepped out, Ling Chen saw an elegant figure approaching him. It was Xu Ruoyan.
Xu Ruoyan was dressed in a blue gown today. Her figure was exquisite, and a captivating fragrance emanated from her. Beneath her long blue skirt, a pair of snow-white stockings revealed slim, jade-like legs, slender and pristine, making them irresistibly attractive.
Xu Ruoyan placed her hands behind her back, looked elsewhere, and said, "Let’s go together. It’ll be much faster if we ride my Snow Feather Eagle than if you travel by yourself."
"Okay."
Ling Chen nodded without hesitation. The Human Emperor’s Underground Palace could be claimed by someone at any moment; perhaps someone has already entered. Any delay could mean a greater loss.
Besides, now that he and Xu Ruoyan had finally resolved their misunderstandings, more communication wouldn’t be a bad thing.
「Outside the city.」
A giant white eagle was already waiting. This Snow Feather Eagle had no stray feathers on its body and was a Second-Grade Peak Exotic Beast.
Taming a Flying Exotic Beast was already difficult, especially one just for transportation. Its strength wasn’t as important as its speed.
There was plenty of room for one person on the back of the Snow Feather Eagle, but it was a bit crowded for two.
Xu Ruoyan mounted first. Then, seeing Ling Chen still standing there, a trace of surprise appeared on her pretty face. "What are you still hesitating for?"
"Oh!"
Ling Chen snapped back to reality. Rubbing his nose, he also leapt onto the Snow Feather Eagle’s back, settling behind Xu Ruoyan.
But in this position, their bodies were almost touching. Feeling Xu Ruoyan’s soft body and smooth skin, with the refreshing scent of her waterfall-like black hair practically brushing his nose, Ling Chen felt his mind wander.
After coughing dryly twice, Ling Chen shifted back a little, trying to increase the almost suffocatingly close distance between them.
"We’re about to take off. Hold on tight to me."
Seemingly noticing Ling Chen’s discomfort, a teasing smile played on Xu Ruoyan’s lips as she turned her head and said this.
"That... isn’t necessary."
Ling Chen felt a bit awkward and deliberately looked elsewhere to ease the tension.
"Suit yourself."
Xu Ruoyan didn’t insist, but an expectant look, as if waiting for a show, appeared on her face. She pulled the reins, then suddenly tugged them tight. The Snow Feather Eagle spread its wings and, like a bolt of white lightning, shot up into the sky.
Under such a sudden jolt, Ling Chen’s body instantly lost balance, and he nearly fell off the Snow Feather Eagle’s back.
In his haste, Ling Chen had to tightly hug Xu Ruoyan’s waist to prevent himself from being thrown off.
They were high in the sky, after all. If he were really thrown off, he’d be dead for sure.
"You said no, but your body is quite honest, isn’t it?"
Xu Ruoyan glanced down at her abdomen where Ling Chen’s hands were wrapped. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
"I..."
Upon hearing this, Ling Chen wanted to let go immediately. But as soon as he loosened his grip a little, his body tilted back dangerously, almost falling off again.
This struggle, however, only made him hold on even tighter.
"Fool."
Xu Ruoyan couldn’t help but let out a laugh, though her expression returned to normal in an instant. "I’m going to speed up now. Don’t fidget anymore. If you really fall, it’ll be too late for regrets."
Without waiting for Ling Chen to say more, Xu Ruoyan accelerated again, guiding the Snow Feather Eagle like a white rainbow darting across the sky.
...
「Longyuan Mountain.」
Dark clouds churned in the sky above. Powerful individuals within a radius of a hundred li could sense the abnormality of this region.
"So many people!"
By the time Ling Chen and Xu Ruoyan arrived near Longyuan Mountain, a large number of Experts had already gathered. They were scattered throughout various areas of Longyuan Mountain, representing both the righteous and demonic paths, but there seemed to be no imminent signs of conflict.
Despite the deep-seated animosity between the righteous and demonic paths, both sides were aware that a full-blown conflict would only lead to mutual destruction.
Therefore, without a suitable catalyst, a major war between the righteous and demonic paths would not easily erupt.
For now, locating the entrance to the Human Emperor’s Underground Palace was clearly more important.
After all, whoever obtained the Human Emperor’s Treasure could decisively defeat the other side and gain complete control over the entire Five Kingdoms.
In mid-air, Ling Chen’s gaze fell beneath the dark clouds. There, amidst large cracks in the earth, the top and outer sections of a palace were faintly visible. Although it was now in ruins, one could still discern the outline of its past magnificence.
An extremely violent Energy emanated from the palace, disrupting the circulation of Spiritual Qi in the surrounding heavens and earth.
This palace was truly extraordinary.
Constructing such a project would require at least one hundred thousand warriors as labor. Only a Supreme Expert like the Human Emperor could accomplish such a feat. With the Human Emperor’s command, which none under Heaven would dare disobey, gathering one hundred thousand warriors to build a palace for himself would not have been difficult.