“Elder Mu, my entire team was killed!” the white-haired elder said urgently.
“What did you say?”
Elder Mu’s expression changed drastically, and he pressed, “What exactly happened? Who did it?”
“It’s like this: we found Ksitigarbha Bodhi Fruit by a silver lake, but a lone cultivator also discovered it. We fought over the fruit, and… who could’ve known that kid was ridiculously strong? He gravely injured me. I only escaped because I was quick, or I’d probably be dead by now,” the white-haired elder recounted, his face pale.
“Losing so many elites over mere Ksitigarbha Bodhi Fruit? How incompetent!” Elder Mu roared, furious at his uselessness.
The white-haired elder hurriedly explained, “Elder Mu, those weren’t ordinary Ksitigarbha Bodhi Fruits. They were over a hundred thousand years old, and there were eight of them.”
“What? Ksitigarbha Bodhi Fruits over a hundred thousand years old? Eight… eight of them!” Elder Mu’s pupils surged with intense shock.
Then, his eyes flickered with fervor.
Such ancient Ksitigarbha Bodhi Fruits, treasures of this caliber, were enough to make even his heart race!
“I never expected such a heavenly treasure in this spiritual treasure.”
Elder Mu licked his dry lips, then sharply turned to the white-haired elder, “You said the attacker was a lone cultivator? If I recall, only two people entered the spiritual treasure alone, while the rest came in teams. Which one was it?”
The white-haired elder quickly replied, “Yes, only two came alone. The one we fought was the young guy!”
“Elder Zhen, you’re a Nine-Turn Tribulation Realm cultivator, and he’s just one person, so young, yet you couldn’t handle him? What’s his realm? Could he be Tribulation Realm?” Elder Mu’s voice was icy.
“Elder Mu, he… he’s also Nine-Turn Tribulation Realm, but he wields a Heavenly Dao-grade weapon. With that advantage, how could I fight him?” the white-haired elder said helplessly.
“A Heavenly Dao-grade weapon? Killing him means we not only reclaim the Ksitigarbha Bodhi Fruit but also gain a Heavenly Dao-grade weapon. He dared to steal from our Baili Clan and kill our people—he’s done for!” Elder Mu’s eyes flashed with thick killing intent.
Then, Elder Mu looked towards the waterfall, “Hurry up, finish collecting and regroup!”
“Yes!”
The members harvesting beads on the waterfall wall responded, speeding up their efforts.
…
Elsewhere.
Lin Yun had been exploring for hours but hadn’t made any major discoveries.
Though Xiao Bai could sense special items, it required being within a certain range.
“What’s that?”
Lin Yun gazed far ahead, spotting a palace in the distance.
“Standing after a hundred thousand years, that palace must be extraordinary. Let’s check it out!” Lin Yun fixed his eyes on the distant palace.
Immediately, Lin Yun unleashed his full speed, rushing forward.
Since entering, Lin Yun hadn’t seen any buildings in this micro-world. Over such vast time, even if there were once many structures, they’d have crumbled to nothing.
After traveling swiftly for about ten minutes, Lin Yun finally arrived nearby.
“It looks like this was once a massive city,” Lin Yun observed.
There were still faint traces of a city, though only remnants remained.
Except for the palace ahead, all other structures had vanished, leaving mere traces.
Judging by the traces, this city was once large enough to house hundreds of millions!
If Lin Yun guessed right, a powerful figure who created this micro-world settled their clan here to live and thrive.
In that chaotic ancient era, this place was far safer than the outside. Back then, the human race often lost battles, with cities frequently changing hands. Humans in lost cities were inevitably slaughtered by the demon race.
Perhaps this spiritual treasure once held more than one city.
“Every other structure in this city has crumbled, yet that palace still stands. There must be something special about it,” Lin Yun said, eyeing the palace a few thousand meters away.
Lin Yun noticed many people had already gathered there.
“It seems this standing palace is too obvious a target, drawing quite a crowd,” Lin Yun remarked.
Then, Lin Yun quickened his pace towards the palace.
No matter what, he had to see what was happening before deciding.
Before the palace.
Hundreds of people from various teams had gathered, at least three hundred strong.
Old Man Yan stood among the crowd.
The most eye-catching group was undoubtedly the Tianqian Royal Clan, clad in armor.
About fifty Tianqian Royal Clan members stood at the palace’s entrance.
“I didn’t expect the Tianqian Royal Clan to be here,” Lin Yun thought.
Lin Yun knew that if there were treasures inside, the Tianqian Royal Clan would claim them first, leaving others in the dust.
Glancing over, Lin Yun saw the dozens of Tianqian Royal Clan members at the entrance, seemingly guarding it.
As Lin Yun stepped onto the stairs leading to the palace, a sharp shout rang out.
“Get off the stairs! This place is claimed by our royal clan. Trespassers will be killed without mercy!”
The harsh shout pierced Lin Yun’s ears.
Lin Yun’s expression shifted slightly, and he stepped back off the stairs.
Just as he did, a large hand clapped his shoulder.
“Young friend, don’t rush forward. Even if there are treasures inside, the Tianqian Royal Clan will take them all. You won’t get a chance to explore.”
Lin Yun turned to see Old Man Yan.
“Thank you for the advice, senior,” Lin Yun smiled faintly.
Old Man Yan paused, feeling the young man seemed familiar.
Though Lin Yun had altered his appearance and aura, Old Man Yan had spent time with him in the Land of Exile, so there was a sense of familiarity.
“Young man, have we met?” Old Man Yan stared at Lin Yun.
“First time meeting. You might have mistaken me, senior,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
While saying this, Lin Yun transmitted to Old Man Yan.
“Senior Yan, it’s me, Lin Yun. I’ve hidden my identity to avoid unnecessary trouble.”
Old Man Yan, hearing this, smiled and transmitted back, “It’s really you? Haha, I felt you were familiar. What a coincidence to meet you here! Seems we’re quite fated!”
“Quite a coincidence indeed,” Lin Yun replied with a smile via transmission.
Their exchange was conducted through transmission, keeping Lin Yun’s identity and name concealed.
At that moment, an armored general at the palace entrance addressed the crowd below, including Lin Yun, “I suggest you all disperse. Waiting here is a waste of time. You’d be better off searching for treasures elsewhere.”
