Chapter 1040: Chapter 1039: The Five Ghosts of Jiangnan

Taking the black small sword from Murong Qingcheng’s hand, the smile on Huangfu Qi’s face grew even broader. Then, with a swift flip of his left hand, he took out his own key.

Whoosh!

In an instant, he activated his True Qi, injecting it into the two black small swords. The ancient patterns on the swords lit up rapidly, and the two swords resonated, emitting beams of light that converged in mid-air to form a black vortex.

"What is this guy doing?"

Ling Chen, observing the black vortex from afar, felt a twinge of unease, a foreboding sensation rising in his heart.

At that moment, from the center of the black vortex, a strange beam of light suddenly shot forth, neither askew nor off-target, aimed precisely at Ling Chen’s location!

"Damn it!"

Ling Chen’s expression turned stern. He rapidly retreated several meters, yet the beam still chased after him unerringly, striking him with precision.

Whoosh!

Around Ling Chen, countless onlookers were stunned at the scene, then a crowd shifted, leaving a small open space, while numerous heated gazes turned towards Ling Chen.

Faced with the intense scrutiny, Ling Chen’s face remained emotionless. However, beneath his calm exterior, a flicker of lethal intent passed; clearly, Huangfu Qi intended to make him a target... Traveling outside is indeed perilous, even someone you’ve never met can smile warmly while placing you in grave danger.

"Ha ha ha, it seems this gentleman is the holder of the third key?" 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Huangfu Qi’s face displayed a gentle smile, akin to a graceful young master. "Seeing you take so long to appear, we had to resort to extreme measures to invite your presence. Care to come up for a chat?"

"Sorry, no time."

Ling Chen wished to slay Huangfu Qi on the spot, but after leaving this remark, he immediately turned to leave. Once it’s exposed that he held the third key, it’s likely nine out of ten here would become covetous.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Ling Chen made his way out of the camp, yet the surrounding gazes were greedy, like beasts emitting a green glimmer.

Upon reaching the camp entrance, Ling Chen’s expression darkened as a number of figures emanating murderous intent blocked the way, their True Qi waves gradually spreading.

"You are the holder of the third key? Hand over your belongings obediently, and I’ll spare your life, otherwise your head will roll."

Leading the pack was a scar-faced male clad in a blood-colored robe, glaring menacingly at Ling Chen, eyes predatory. Clearly, this sort was accustomed to licking the blade’s edge, hands stained with countless lives.

Behind the scar-faced male stood four others, equally fearsome; their aura overwhelmingly strong, their True Qi waves had reached the Late Stage of Sky Apex Realm.

Countless eyes observed the sinister five figures, whispers quickly spread.

"It’s the infamous Jiangnan Five Ghosts, led by ’Cunning Ghost’ Lu Hun, isn’t it?"

"These five rushed, eager as always."

"This masked man is likely in grave danger; his aura only appears to be about the Sixth Layer of Sky Apex Realm..."

"Possession invites calamity— with such meager cultivation, he has no right to hold the treasure key; better give it up to save his life."

"This masked man seems unfortunate..."

Listening to the surrounding whispers, the scar-faced Lu Hun revealed a twisted, bloodthirsty grin and said, "Kid, keeping the key is pointless for you; even without it, you can enter the treasure. Why sacrifice your life over it?"

Though he spoke thus, the black small sword was not only a means to enter the treasure but mapped its interior, guiding the holder. Otherwise, a mere key wouldn’t attract such violent interest.

Under the crowd’s gaze, a silent Ling Chen exhaled softly, then slowly raised his head, his eyes suddenly flaring with a chilling hostility.

"Scram!"

A fierce shout erupted from Ling Chen’s mouth, temporarily quieting the surroundings, as varied gazes fixed on him. They hadn’t expected Ling Chen could remain so defiant at such a moment.

Didn’t he know these five were renowned Jiangnan Five Ghosts, famed throughout the Yangzhou Territory?

The leader, ’Cunning Ghost’ Lu Hun, was a powerful Sky Apex Realm Ninth Level warrior, famed for skillful blade techniques. What gave this masked man the gall to tell them to leave?

"Ha, bold indeed."

Lu Hun’s face twitched slightly before he grinned broadly, though his smile was filled with murderous intent.

"Since you’ve come all this way to deliver the treasure key, after you’re dead, I’ll leave your corpse intact."

The smile on Lu Hun’s face spread as his gaze turned venomous as a snake, "Kill him."

Boom!

Following his order, the four men behind him unleashed an overwhelming wave of murderous intent. Their tightly gripped weapons gleamed fiercely under the scorching sun.

Facing these vicious blades, Ling Chen remained motionless, knowing even if he defeated these five, others would emerge, seeking his key.

To resolve this definitively, he needed to display enough prowess in this battle to deter all present.

"Kid, blame yourself for being too weak! You’re unworthy of the treasure key!"

The faces of the four, menacing in Ling Chen’s sight, rapidly enlarged; then sharp blades streaked, descending swiftly upon Ling Chen.

As the blades reached Ling Chen, cruelty colored their faces; they seemed to envision the brutal spectacle of Ling Chen’s dismemberment.

Clang!

Yet, when their cruel smiles spread, a clear metallic sound suddenly rang out. Somehow, a sword appeared before Ling Chen, seemingly normal but blocking four blade strikes completely, without a scratch to his clothes.

The four abruptly paled, increasing their force in vain attempts to suppress Ling Chen but failed to budge him any bit.

"This your best shot? Murder for treasure too?"

Ling Chen lifted his head slowly, his eyes mocking as he stared at the stunned foursome. Then, his gaze sharpened; with a swift flip of his hand, the Thunder Sound Sword twisted, shredding, "Crack-crack," four blades shattered, entirely vulnerable before Ling Chen.

"Not good!"

The four, panic-stricken, hastily retreated, but before they could escape, a ghostly sword gleam severed through their terrified gazes.

Where the sword gleam passed, four arms flew up, blood spraying in pillars; simultaneously, dreadful screams abruptly resounded.