A murderous intent surged in Ye Qiu’s heart.
In the valley below, five saint-level powerhouses stood alongside the geniuses from the five supreme forces of the Eastern Wasteland.
Given the natural terrain of the canyon, if an emperor-grade anomalous flame were to cascade down, not a single person inside would escape.
The more Ye Qiu thought about it, the stronger his killing intent became.
“Master, shall we strike?” Elder Niu asked. “Their attention is entirely fixed on that formation. If we act now, catching them unawares, I could smash quite a few of them to death.”
Cold light flashed in Ye Qiu’s eyes. He was about to speak when the long-browed venerable spoke first.
“Strange. The Yin-Yang Sect, the Butian Sect, and all three great holy lands have sent people. How is it that no one from the Qingyun Sword Sect has appeared?”
At these words, Ye Qiu also found it odd.
Indeed, why had the Qingyun Sword Sect not dispatched anyone?
Could they truly have received no news?
“Old fellow, how far is this place from the Qingyun Sword Sect?” Ye Qiu asked.
The long-browed venerable replied, “This location lies at the border between the Yin-Yang Sect and the Qingyun Sword Sect.”
Ye Qiu frowned. “If that is the case, the Qingyun Sword Sect should know what has happened here. Why have they sent no one?”
Just as he finished speaking,
“Clang!”
A heaven-shaking sword cry resounded.
Immediately afterwards, a streak of flowing light appeared on the distant horizon. Like lightning, it arrived above the valley in an instant.
Ye Qiu looked down and saw a group of people standing atop a massive golden sword.
“It is the people from the Qingyun Sword Sect,” the long-browed venerable said.
Ye Qiu had already recognised them. Every one of them carried a long sword on their back, their sharpness fully revealed. They were clearly sword cultivators.
There were forty or fifty in total.
Leading them was a youth clad in white.
The youth was young, strikingly handsome, with features sharp as if carved by a blade, sword-like brows, and starry eyes. A long sword rested on his back, his white robes fluttered, giving him the air of a sword immortal descended to the mortal world.
Behind him followed a short, stooped old man in grey robes.
The old man kept his head lowered and his back hunched, looking very much like a servant trailing his master.
Behind the old man came another forty or fifty sword cultivators, each scanning the valley with eyes full of curiosity.
“That white-robed youth is at the peak of the Tongshen realm. The old man behind him is a Sword Saint,” Elder Niu reminded.
The long-browed venerable said, “That youth’s cultivation is considerably higher than Fairy Yunxi’s. His status in the Qingyun Sword Sect must be far from ordinary.”
Sure enough.
As soon as the long-browed venerable finished speaking, the white-robed youth stood atop the giant sword and declared in a resounding voice, “I am Chen Tianming, first divine son of the Qingyun Sword Sect and of the Chen family. Greetings to all of you.”
His voice was loud and clear, his bearing proud.
At these words, the gazes of everyone from the five forces turned towards Chen Tianming in unison.
“This is Chen Tianming?”
“It is said that when he was born, heavenly phenomena appeared. He is extraordinarily gifted.”
“I have also heard that he will become the next sect leader of the Qingyun Sword Sect.”
“Not only is Chen Tianming’s talent terrifying and his cultivation profound, but his background is exceptional. His grandfather is the Chen family ancestor, the great elder of the Qingyun Sword Sect. I heard that not long ago, the Chen ancestor broke through to the Saint King realm.”
“This Chen Tianming truly is a proud son of heaven.”
Discussions broke out all around.
Some female disciples from the five forces were already gazing at him with dreamy eyes, secretly sending flirtatious glances.
It was understandable. Though they belonged to different sects, a man like Chen Tianming, handsome, highly cultivated, and from a powerful family, would naturally win the admiration of many women.
For a moment, Chen Tianming became the centre of attention.
He seemed to relish the scrutiny, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression one of considerable pride.
“Oh my, and who do we have here? It turns out to be the people from the Qingyun Sword Sect. I thought you were not coming,” a middle-aged woman from the Chaos Holy Land said with a chuckle.
Chen Tianming glanced at her. She winked at him, putting on a deliberately coquettish air.
“Slut!”
Chen Tianming cursed inwardly, then declared aloud, “The Burial Dragon Nest is about to open. At such a grand event, how could the Qingyun Sword Sect, the foremost great faction of the Eastern Wasteland, possibly stay away?”
“I have not only come, but the treasures within the Burial Dragon Nest are already mine.”
Chen Tianming brimmed with confidence.
“Hmph. What arrogant words,” the golden-robed youth from the Yin-Yang Sect snorted coldly. “It remains to be seen whose hands those treasures will fall into.”
Chen Tianming looked at him and asked, “Are you Su Wuming or Song Que?”
The youth uttered two icy words. “Qi Tian.”
“You are Qi Tian?” At once, battle intent blazed in Chen Tianming’s eyes. “I have long heard that you are the most outstanding genius the Yin-Yang Sect has seen in a thousand years, reaching half-saint in only a century.”
“You are the first divine son of the Yin-Yang Sect. I am the first divine son of the Qingyun Sword Sect.”
“I wonder which of us truly deserves to be called the foremost of the younger generation.”
Qi Tian’s gaze was frigid. “What, do you wish to spar with me?”
“No. I wish to settle life and death with you,” Chen Tianming declared. “Qi Tian, do you dare to fight me to the death?”
“Why would I not dare?” Qi Tian released a vast battle intent. “Make your move.”
Chen Tianming shook his head. “I will fight you, but not now. After I claim the treasures of the Burial Dragon Nest, then we shall decide life and death.”
Qi Tian sneered. “You keep talking of deciding life and death, yet you dare not act. Are you afraid?”
“Ridiculous. How could I possibly fear you?” Chen Tianming laughed loudly. “To be blunt, in my eyes you are already a corpse.”
“Too arrogant.” Fury filled Qi Tian’s face. He clenched his fists, barely holding back from attacking.
“Divine son!” the old man behind him cautioned. “Do not let anger cloud your judgement. Chen Tianming is clearly trying to provoke you.”
“Ignore him for now. Once the Burial Dragon Nest opens, divine son, enter first and secure the treasures, then deal with Chen Tianming.”
“Or…”
A cold glint appeared in the old man’s eyes as he transmitted his voice. “Or the divine son could ally with the geniuses of the other factions and leave Chen Tianming buried forever within the Burial Dragon Nest.”
Qi Tian replied arrogantly, “I am the first divine son of the Yin-Yang Sect. I need no alliances. I alone can kill Chen Tianming.”
The old man urged again, “Divine son, do not underestimate the enemy.”
“Chen Tianming is the first divine son of the Qingyun Sword Sect. Heavenly phenomena marked his birth, and the Chen family’s influence within the sect is extraordinary. His grandfather is a Saint King. Chen Tianming undoubtedly possesses many hidden cards.”
“When the divine son faces him, you must be cautious, exceedingly cautious.”
“It is a pity that the restrictions of the Burial Dragon Nest bar saint-level experts. Otherwise, if I accompanied you, there would be no need for the divine son to act. I could dispose of Chen Tianming for you.”
“Divine son, once inside the Burial Dragon Nest, you must remain vigilant.”
Qi Tian replied, “Third Elder, I have committed all you said to memory.”
“Rest assured. The treasures within the Burial Dragon Nest will be mine.”
“And at the same time…”
Qi Tian glanced at Chen Tianming. “His life will also be mine.”
