Splash!
Ye Zhen Tian landed straight into a pool of murky black water.
"What kind of place is this now?"
The last ti he ca here, he landed near a volcanic crater. If he hadn’t reacted quickly, he would’ve plunged into boiling lava and earth fire. Even with mana protecting him, disaster would have been unavoidable.
This ti, though, his luck seed better. Last ti was a volcano; this ti, it’s a water pool. At least that seed like an auspicious sign.
Suddenly.
Ye Zhen Tian felt sothing winding around his hips, startling him. He reached out to grab it and realized with a shock that it was a pitch-black snake.
"Netherworld Snake."
He was imdiately alard and activated his mana to form a protective shield before leaping out of the water. Looking down, he almost felt his soul flee his body—the black water was teeming with countless Netherworld Snakes slithering and writhing about.
If he hadn’t reacted quickly, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
"Damn it, how could I be this unlucky?"
Ye Zhen Tian’s heart burned with anger. His mood was already ruined thanks to Lin Fan, and now, encountering this ss had him boiling with rage.
Boom!
Boom!
One by one, the Netherworld Snakes leapt out from the water, twisting their bodies as they attacked Ye Zhen Tian, spewing black mist that blanketed the air.
"Shit."
Ye Zhen Tian struck back with lethal force, crushing countless Netherworld Snakes into pulp. But there were just too many of them. Swearing under his breath, he ran off. He had no intention of wasting ti on such insignificant matters.
He had visited the Abyss Sea before, but every ti it closed, he could never fully explore it. The place was vast—how vast, he wasn’t sure. Regardless, it was a Secret Realm worth exploring.
...
After passing through a beautiful landscape, Lin Fan reached his destination—a Sword Tomb.
The atmosphere in the Sword Tomb was suffocating, with traces of Sword Intent lingering in the air even after an unimaginably long ti.
Many rusted and weathered long swords were driven into the pitch-black ground.
Lin Fan observed carefully and noticed several vacant spots on the ground where swords should have been but had clearly been taken away.
"Damn, soone really cleaned this place out. The good stuff is all gone, leaving behind only these rusted pieces of scrap."
Lin Fan swore under his breath. What could he do? He wasn’t among the first group to enter this cave mansion.
If soone collected scrap tal,
maybe he could make a small profit.
Soon enough.
He discovered a deep pit, clearly dug out by soone, and a collapsed stele lying beside it. Words carved into the stele read:
’Sword Slave’s Sword Tomb.’
It was obviously the Sword Tomb of one of the great cultivator’s servants. Inside the pit was a wooden box, opened and completely empty.
"Damn! Ruthless! Not only did they steal the legacy, but they didn’t even bother to restore the Sword Tomb. Truly locusts—they leave nothing behind!"
All of a sudden.
He realized that finding sothing good in this Secret Realm would be extrely difficult. Everything worth harvesting had likely already been taken, making obtaining precious treasures a near-impossible task.
Unless he ventured deeper.
Moreover, the cave mansion of this great cultivator still held value, indicating that the great cultivator’s legacy hadn’t yet been claid.
Once a great cultivator’s legacy was taken, their cave mansion would lose all relevance.
"This place holds no value for slow exploration."
Lin Fan already understood the situation. The outskirts of the cave mansion were aningless; if he wanted valuable treasures, he needed to go deeper.
...
This ti, many sect disciples had entered the Secret Realm of the cave mansion. Their cultivation levels were not weak, and so had ventured into the cave mansion multiple tis, all for the chance to claim the legacy left by the great cultivator.
Whoever managed to obtain such a legacy would soar to the heavens.
Of course.
Even though this was the cave mansion of a great cultivator, the place was fraught with danger. Any cultivator deed a "great cultivator" would at the very least be of True Immortal Realm strength.
When they perished,
their body’s immortal essence would radiate outward, creating various world-shaking phenona.
They could transform plants, insects, and other life forms effortlessly.
Not to ntion the countless arrays that may exist within this place. The purpose and intricacy of these arrays were mysteries. Just because danger hadn’t yet appeared didn’t an it wasn’t lying in wait deeper within.
After so ti traveling.
Lin Fan spotted a surge of mana ahead—there was a battle taking place. Excited, he rushed forward. He had been holding back for too long, and while ambushing others might be a shaful tactic, who knows—maybe the other party was even more hotheaded than himself.
When Lin Fan arrived, he saw a man who had just slain a demon plant. On the demon plant’s body hung a small, broken bell, dusty yet unable to hide the lingering spiritual glow it emitted.
"Ahem!" Lin Fan deliberately coughed to grab the man’s attention.
The man jolted in shock upon hearing the cough. Turning to Lin Fan, he clasped his hands courteously and said, "I wonder what this fellow cultivator desires?"
"Which sect are you from?" Lin Fan asked.
"I am Song Ming, a disciple of the Immortal Sect," Song Ming replied. He studied Lin Fan and noted his calm deanor. He’d heard cautionary tales about the Abyss Sea—one must be vigilant and not let their guard down. The greatest danger here wasn’t the terrifying creatures living within, but the heart of man.
If you co across soone unnervingly composed, they’re likely trying to size you up. The key is to avoid provoking them at all costs.
"You’re alone?" Lin Fan scanned the area and found no one else around.
"Yes, I ca alone. My fellow sect mbers were scattered across various locations upon entering the Abyss Sea," Song Ming replied warmly, with not a trace of impatience.
Lin Fan said, "Mr. Song, judging by how effortlessly you slew that demon plant, it’s clear your strength is extraordinary. This broken little bell hanging there looks quite special. Why not let take a look?"
In his mind, such a bold request would naturally spark resentnt from the other party. If the man had a good temper, he’d refuse politely.
If not, he’d surely explode with anger.
Wouldn’t conflict then inevitably ensue?
Song Ming felt a chill inside. This didn’t look good—the other party seed to be aiming to snatch his newly obtained treasure.
If a fight broke out, the danger would be imnse. He hadn’t assessed the other party’s strength yet, and in these desolate surroundings, getting killed would leave no trace.
Stay calm!
He had to stay calm.
The essence of cultivation was survival. Dying for a re treasure was simply not worth it.
He’d witnessed a battle fought over a single artifact before.
Several cultivators who had trained for hundreds of years ended up slaughtering each other—three dead, one gravely injured—all for one spiritual artifact. He couldn’t comprehend their thinking.
Was living not good enough?
Why gamble your life so recklessly?
"Alright, since fellow cultivator wishes to see, I’ll lend it to you for a look," Song Ming said, tossing the broken little bell to Lin Fan while remaining ready to flee at any mont.
Hmm?
Lin Fan froze in surprise. What’s going on? The guy just tossed the bell to him without a hint of objection or hesitation?
Couldn’t he get mad?
Why be so agreeable?
Fiddling with the little bell, Lin Fan casually said, "This is a low-grade Spiritual Artifact. Though it’s missing a fragnt, it’s quite decent and seems to align with sohow. Such a sha it’s in Mr. Song’s hands, though."
As he spoke.
Lin Fan looked up at Song Ming, as if expecting sothing.
He’d already been this blunt—was there no reaction at all?
Song Ming stood still, staring at Lin Fan with a mountain of thoughts swirling. The guy seed to be provoking him, blatantly wanting the small bell he had just claid.
Clearly, he was trying to anger .
And the way he’s looking at feels so predatory, almost as if he’s sizing up prey.
But why hasn’t he taken action yet? Why this need for all these words?
Suddenly.
It clicked.
This guy was intentionally stirring up conflict.
"Since fellow cultivator likes it, I’ll gift it to you. Spiritual Artifacts may be great, but I’m happy to assist another," Song Ming replied, then feigned readiness to leave.
Fighting was never a wise option.
"Wait a minute." Lin Fan frowned. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. By logic, this situation shouldn’t be unfolding like this.
This guy was surely too terrified.
"I demand sothing you obtained. You’re not even a little annoyed by that?" Lin Fan asked.
He couldn’t fathom what was going through this guy’s mind.
"Annoyed?" Song Ming asked, confused. Then he continued, "Fellow cultivator, why should I be annoyed? Fighting over a low-grade Spiritual Artifact with you would be unwise. Conflict leads to bloodshed, and bloodshed leads to death. For us cultivators, it’s not easy walking this path—life must be cherished."
"We cultivators walk against the heavens, facing countless tribulations. If I fight with you, it ans I’ve succumbed to the control of the artifact. How can I then claim to fight the heavens?"
"You like it? Take it. Well then, I’ll take my leave."
Song Ming’s words stunned Lin Fan completely—he was at a loss for what to say.
"Hold it." Lin Fan shouted, tossing the bell back to Song Ming without looking back. "Ridiculous logic, lunatic."
Muttering curses, he stord off.
He walked quite a distance before glancing back at Song Ming.
[Song Ming: Fourth-stage Longevity Golden Core Realm.]
[Potential drops: ...]
[Note: Values life above all else, avoids conflict whenever possible.]
Damn!
So after all that, the guy turned out to be soone who prioritized his life above everything. What else could Lin Fan say?
The guy was cowardly to such a degree.
Could you even pick a fight with soone like that?
Even if you tried to provoke him, it’d be pointless.
He’d simply run off without giving you a chance.
"Whew, that was close." Song Ming breathed a sigh of relief, watching Lin Fan’s departing back. What could he say?
There was nothing to be said.
All he knew was that he had just brushed past disaster. Thank goodness the other party wasn’t an overly unreasonable person.
At this mont.
Many disciples who had entered the Abyss Sea had already reaped significant rewards. Although the Abyss Sea had been looted multiple tis before, treasures still remained within, making this expedition worthwhile for the lucky ones.
After a long while.
A massive portal stood before them, and many disciples from various sects had gathered here; their goal was clearly aligned.
Beyond the portal lay the true cave mansion of the great cultivator.
The treasures scattered throughout the outskirts were rely remnants left by the great cultivator’s servants.
"So it’s you guys again. Ten years ago, when you entered the portal, you claid this place’s legacy would undeniably be yours. But now, looking at the situation, it seems none of you are destined for such immortal fate." A strikingly handso man swept his gaze across the crowd. Proud, domineering, and insufferably arrogant, he drew the deep hatred of everyone around him.
Damn, such nonsense.
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