Chapter 1042: Chapter 1041: Ruthless Methods

"Both of you, we have come here for the treasure. Now, before the treasure has even been opened, there’s a conflict. Isn’t it a bit too reckless?"

However, just as both sides were about to clash, a gentle voice echoed from the mountaintop. Then everyone saw a white dress fluttering and a fragrant breeze wafting, as Murong Qingcheng gracefully walked out, her extraordinary demeanor capturing the countless gazes that were fixated on her, leaving many with a look of fascination.

Ling Chen watched the woman in white emerge. Her charisma indeed ranked among the most outstanding he had seen. Although her face was veiled, obscuring her appearance, her looks must certainly match her presence.

But having seen many beauties, Ling Chen was no longer the impulsive youngster he once was, being overwhelmed at the sight of a peerless beauty. Now, even as Murong Qingcheng appeared before him, his heart remained unmoved.

"Both of you possess the treasure keys. To unlock the treasure within this Tianyan Mountain Range, we must work together. At this moment, any mishap might delay the opening of the treasure, complicating matters."

"Therefore, on behalf of this lady, I kindly ask both of you to step back, transforming hostility into friendship—would that be acceptable?"

Murong Qingcheng’s voice was remarkably gentle; anyone who heard it would struggle to refuse her.

Huangfu Qi’s gaze flickered briefly, then he restrained his aura. A smile returned to his face, "Qingcheng’s words make sense. In that case, today, I will let you go for now. You should thank Qingcheng; it is she who saved your life."

"Hehe, I’m afraid the one to thank this young lady should be Your Excellency instead."

Ling Chen, unfazed, spoke calmly.

"What did you say?"

Huangfu Qi took a deep breath, boiling with rage internally. Why should he, a core figure of the Huangfu Clan, stoop to appease such a nonentity? If not for Murong Qingcheng’s influence, he would have killed this boy to vent his anger.

Even if he spared Ling Chen now, once the treasure was opened and entered, Ling Chen would not be spared.

"Please calm down, Brother Huangfu."

Murong Qingcheng smiled lightly, her laughter incredibly pleasing. Then she turned to Ling Chen, "My friend, currently, the Tianyan Mountain Range remains unstable, filled with a tumultuous fire energy within. Entering now would be difficult."

"But according to the Azure Dragon Family’s recent observations, the intense fire energy is expected to subside in two days, marking the best opportunity for us to enter. I hope you will join us then, as the treasure requires three keys; none can be missing," Murong Qingcheng observed Ling Chen’s profile, smiling.

"In two days, I’ll present myself."

Ling Chen merely glanced at Murong Qingcheng, waved his hand, then swiftly left the camp, disappearing under countless gazes.

"Hehe, it seems even your charm, Qingcheng, doesn’t have much effect this time. That unappreciative boy didn’t give you any face." Huangfu Qi coldly laughed.

Murong Qingcheng chuckled lightly. Although her beauty was indeed widespread throughout the Yangzhou Territory, she didn’t assume that all men would prostrate themselves before her.

With Ling Chen’s departure, the atmosphere in the camp eased again. Many eyed the direction Ling Chen headed, though none acted. Earlier, Ling Chen’s display of strength in killing the Jiangnan Five Ghosts was quite intimidating. Now, everyone knew that snatching the third key from Ling Chen was no simple task...

Indeed, among them were some who had remained cold-eyed observers. Many strong figures drawn by the treasure are among them, including those hiding their strength. They clearly did not intend to expose themselves now...

While the key’s role is significant in entering the treasure, even if they wished to seize it, there’s no need for immediate action. Waiting until inside the treasure is not too late.

As Ling Chen distanced from the camp, unnoticed by him, in a less conspicuous area nearby, two figures watched his back. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"That ghost-faced man’s swordsmanship seems impressive; it’s making me itch to try."

Among the pair, the one on the left had long hair, with two wisps of light white hair falling over his forehead. His eyes glinted with cold light, as if sword qi was about to erupt.

"Don’t be like that. We’re here for the Tianyan treasure, not to stir up unnecessary trouble."

The one speaking was the young man on the right side, seemingly thirty-five or thirty-six years old. He was also a swordsman, donned in a red short garment, carrying a sturdy-looking heavy sword on his back, his aura no weaker than that of the white-haired man.

"Hmm, don’t worry, I’m just speaking casually."

The white-haired man shook his head. "With us, the Ice and Fire Dual Swords, taking action this time, this treasure is sure to be in our bag."

"Do not underestimate them. That Murong Qingcheng and Huangfu Qi are not idle opponents, and even that unknown ghost-faced man just now might not be an easy adversary."

The young man in red looked solemn, then continued, "Moreover, after we finish exploring the treasure this time, we must rush back to the family immediately. I heard there’s a major upheaval in the family this time, the family champion of the Heavenly Sword Conference, Ling Yu, actually betrayed the family and joined the Witch Fiend Sect."

"Yes, it’s really unexpected, that Ling Yu’s real name is Ling Chen, he’s the son of Ling Tianyu. This father and son duo have really caused the family enough trouble."

"Like father, like son. This Ling Chen, relying on the protection of Empress Yun Yao, acts recklessly. If we encounter him, we must clean up the family on their behalf."

A hint of coldness flashed in the eyes of the young man in red.

The two of them, known in the Martial World as the "Ice and Fire Dual Swords," both reached the level of Half-Saint in cultivation. Their strength lies in their combined force, doubling their combat power, so they are not overly concerned about Huangfu Qi and Murong Qingcheng.

The issue with Ling Chen is ultimately a later matter. For now, their main focus must be on this treasure...

...

In the following two days, Ling Chen found a secluded place to temporarily stay around the Tianyan Mountain Range, avoiding conflicts while quietly waiting for the time to come.

And during these two days, Ling Chen could also feel that the number of strong individuals gathering within a hundred miles of the Tianyan Mountain Range was becoming increasingly terrifying. Most of them possessed remarkable strength, as they likely understood that coming to such a place without ability would mean not even getting a sip of the soup, but rather becoming food for others in the end.

As the number of strong individuals in the surrounding area increased, the whole Tianyan Mountain Range also became somewhat chaotic. More people meant more conflicts, and besides, those who came here were not good men by nature; plenty of them would resort to violence at a mere disagreement, causing countless skirmishes to erupt within these two short days. Of course, as the holder of the third Treasure Key, Ling Chen, despite previously having a remarkable record in defeating the Jiangnan Five Ghosts, faced trouble from later arrivals, some of whom were unaware of his past record. Those with ulterior motives naturally enjoyed letting others cause trouble for Ling Chen.

If Ling Chen were to be killed due to negligence, the Treasure Key on him would become a masterless object.

In these two days, quite a few people recklessly sought trouble with Ling Chen. Ultimately, all these fellows ended up with broken heads and bleeding faces, suffering considerably at Ling Chen’s hands. Among them, some notorious evil-doers were directly killed by Ling Chen.

Ling Chen’s fierce reputation gradually established itself through such thunderous means. Nowadays, the faces of most people would involuntarily change when talking about the ghost-faced man.

Accompanied by this chaos in the region, two days eventually passed...

When the third day arrived, Ling Chen, meditating in a mountain cave, slowly opened his eyes and then made his way to the summit. In his line of sight, the previously resting strong figures at various locations were now rushing toward the central area of the Tianyan Mountain Range.

Though Ling Chen was not in a hurry, he observed the two days’ situation clearly. The number of people gathering in the Tianyan Mountain Range was increasing daily, multiplying each day. If it dragged on too long, it would only attract more strong individuals and increase the difficulty of treasure hunting in these treasures.

With that thought in mind, Ling Chen immediately set off toward the central region.

As he dashed out of the cave, numerous gazes gathered around. In these two days, the fact that Ling Chen possessed the third Treasure Key had already spread, so many people recognized Ling Chen.

However, in the eyes of these people, upon seeing Ling Chen, there was a trace of apprehension appearing, and no one dared to step forward or target Ling Chen.

Evidently, the thunderous methods Ling Chen used over these two days had achieved some effect. Toward those targeting him, Ling Chen never showed mercy; those who needed to be killed, he would kill, and those whose hands needed to be cut off, he would cut them off, sparing none.

As he advanced rapidly, an enormous mountain range appeared in Ling Chen’s view. In the mid-air above it, extremely thick fiery clouds hung, exuding intensely hot waves.

Seeing people swarming into this area like locusts, Ling Chen’s mood began to stir, his eyes gradually becoming fiery. For within it was the hiding place of the third Void Emperor’s royal decree, which he must, by all means, obtain!