Chapter Seven, Ominous Signs
Jun Qiantang deliberately positioned herself behind Qu Ningxuan and created a barrier to shield Qu Ningxuan's presence. The footsteps of the golden-armored puppet indeed came to a halt, its neck mechanically twisting as if searching for something. At this moment, without needing Jun Qiantang to explain, Qu Ningxuan understood that this entity was coming for her, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of fear.
Jun Qiantang discerned the meaning reflected in her eyes and felt somewhat embarrassed, realizing that it was indeed inappropriate to argue with a young girl. Thus, he shifted the topic and returned to the main point: "As far as I know, the leader of the Yin Blood Sect obtained a high-grade earth-level secret manual titled 'Five Elements Dark Wave Technique' from the tomb of the Eternal Emperor. Once successfully cultivated, it can undoubtedly be deemed extraordinarily powerful. However, the cultivation requirements for this manual are extremely stringent; the minimum requirement is that all five elements must be present, with no individual attribute differing by more than ten, and the lowest attribute must reach sixty. Therefore, the Yin Blood Sect has expended great resources to acquire a technique for yin-yang root supplementation and has been actively seeking women with individual attributes above eighty to serve as furnace cauldrons, hoping to cultivate someone capable of practicing this manual. This supplementation technique is exceedingly sinister; if you use it on a woman with a root attribute of sixty, it will only increase by five or six points, but if you use it on a woman with an eighty attribute, it can surge by nearly twenty points. Your attributes are so high... thus, you are likely a crucial figure in their plans."
"When the tomb of the Great Emperor Wanzong was being excavated, I was also present. How could I be unaware of these matters?" Jun Qiantang replied with a smile.
At this moment, Qu Ningxuan had no time to consider Jun Qiantang's feelings. She already knew that the Shen family intended to betray her. Regardless of the method or the reason, she had mentally prepared herself. Knowing the truth was irrelevant; she was leaving anyway. However, wasn't the tomb of the Eternal Emperor supposed to be buried deep underground? How could Jun Qiantang know the entrance? Could it be that the major sects and families in the cultivation world had excavated all the valuable items and no longer cared about this mere tomb? However, wasn't the tomb of the Eternal Emperor supposed to be buried deep underground? How could Jun Qiantang know the entrance? Could it be that the major sects and families in the cultivation world had excavated all the valuable items and no longer cared about this mere tomb?
There are not many individuals who possess both Wood and Earth attributes at such a high level, but they do exist. However, I have not seen anyone who gets along so well with the Eternal Spirit Fairy. If we say that the girl's kind heart is the main reason, then how do we explain the current situation? Over a hundred years of immense investment have already left the tomb of the Ancient Emperor thoroughly excavated. Where did this puppet, which is on par with the Nascent Soul stage, come from?
With his words, Qu Ningxuan's thoughts were drawn back to the division of interests a century ago, as well as the ongoing excavation of tombs that had lasted for a hundred years, temporarily overlooking the inconsistencies in Jun Qiantang's remarks
Qu Ningxuan was left bewildered by his inexplicable words, and instinctively shook her head. Jun Qiantang, seeing that she did not seem to be lying, did not press further, but merely instructed her to stand behind him and not to stray too far away, while feeling an overwhelming sense of suspicion in his heart
Even if she secretly believed Jun Qiantang's words, Qu Ningxuan did not intend to follow his statements. Therefore, she immediately retorted, "These matters should be confidential; how did you come to know about them?"
Qu Ningxuan focused her gaze and discovered that the target of Jun Qiantang's attack was actually a golden-armored man. Just from the fact that the man was able to block Jun Qiantang's strike without sustaining any damage, one could tell of his extraordinary nature. Even though he was forced to retreat five steps by the immense force, the golden-armored man suffered little harm. After regaining his footing, he began to walk over step by step, the heavy sound of his armor clashing seemed to strike Qu Ningxuan directly.
After ensuring her safety, she immediately calmed her mind and focused intently on observing the battle between Jun Qiantang and the golden-armored puppet, a rare opportunity for learning that she would not let slip by
Qu Ningxuan suddenly felt darkness before her eyes, a mouthful of blood lodged in her throat, nearly causing her to vomit on the spot
What are you thinking about! Seeing that she was almost unable to hold on, Jun Qiantang suddenly burst into laughter, his eyes and brows filled with joy, even carrying a hint of mockery. "I just want to say, your future master has merely obtained a manual here."
Upon thinking of this, she could not help but take a few steps forward, her fear being overwhelmingly suppressed by intense curiosity, wanting to take a closer look at what the main tomb chamber of a tribulation stage expert was truly like. Unexpectedly, Jun Qiantang's expression changed, and her long sword was already drawn, the fierce sword energy possessing the might to split mountains and break seas, seemingly capable of dividing the tomb chamber in two, yet it was blocked by an incoming force.
In fact, Jun Qiantang's words are a mix of truth and falsehood. He did participate in the excavation of the tomb of the Eternal Emperor and was indeed one of the key players, yet he would not pay attention to what a first-rate sect's leader in the Eastern Wilderness might obtain. The illustrious Jun family possesses countless books, which makes them the envy of the world, yet due to the Jun family's immense power, no one dares to act recklessly. The Yin Blood Sect has spent countless treasures and resources, humbly seeking a copy of a manual on gathering spiritual roots from the Jun family. The Jun family's lineage has been established for countless years, and they are quite familiar with the era of the Eternal Emperor. A slight connection would reveal that they obtained the "Five Elements Dark Wave Technique." However, low-grade top-tier manuals are considered supreme treasures in the eyes of first-rate sects, but to the Jun family, they are of little significance. Thus, they did not pay much attention to it. Jun Qiantang also heard about this matter by chance and soon cast it aside. If it were not for discovering the connection between the ancestor of the Shen family and the Yin Blood Sect, he would not have recalled it.
At first, Qu Ningxuan could still barely make out the shadows of their battle, but after a while, her eyes began to hurt intensely. If she continued to look, she might sustain injuries, so she reluctantly closed her eyes, secretly lamenting the loss of a valuable learning opportunity
His series of actions was so swift that it was almost unbelievable; Qu Ningxuan did not react at all. Just as the flying boat was about to emerge, a strange teleportation array unexpectedly appeared at the spot where the golden-armored puppet had vanished, along with the books.
"Impossible!" Qu Ningxuan blurted out, but immediately realized her slip of the tongue, feeling secretly regretful. Jun Qiantang knew that she had already guessed he came from another continent, and felt that revealing the truth was not a big deal. Firstly, Qu Ningxuan did not dare to disclose his identity; secondly, stating these facts would not harm his interests. Therefore, he said, "Once the tomb of the Ten Thousand Ancestors is revealed, the world will be astonished, and everyone will want to take a share. Even though it is difficult for the Eastern Wilderness to unite and resist outsiders, it is also unwise to go too far, provoking the strong from all over the world to rise up against them." In the end, the two parties signed an agreement that the main tombs must be jointly divided by various forces, while the items in the tomb paths and various small rooms would be left to the cultivators of the Eastern Wilderness and the demon clan.
During her time of meditation with closed eyes, Qu Ningxuan did not forget to listen to the sound of metal clashing, trying to awkwardly mimic their movements, but gradually discerned a hint of discordance. She instinctively looked towards the source of the noisy sounds and discovered twelve silver-armored puppets moving back and forth. They appeared uneven, yet could form a powerful combined attack formation at any moment. In the darker distance, countless dense points of light emerged, varying in hues of ghostly green, silver white, and dark red. The thought that these might be the eyes of numerous animals sent a chill down Qu Ningxuan's spine. She instinctively looked towards the source of the noisy sounds and discovered twelve silver-armored puppets moving back and forth. They appeared uneven, yet could form a powerful combined attack formation at any moment. In the darker distance, countless dense points of light emerged, varying in hues of ghostly green, silver white, and dark red. The thought that these might be the eyes of numerous animals sent a chill down Qu Ningxuan's spine.
She only wanted to escape the Shen family, retreating to a remote mountain forest to wholeheartedly cultivate her immortality, ignoring worldly affairs, and never thought of getting involved with any powerful tribulation stage experts! If she truly provoked any top sect, unless Jun Qiantang was willing to tell her the location of the ancient teleportation array and take her to Zhongzhou, she would not survive the eighty-one days of weakness. Could this be Jun Qiantang's intention, to prove her own importance and force her to betray Xiao Ma? If she truly provoked any top sect, unless Jun Qiantang was willing to tell her the location of the ancient teleportation array and take her to Zhongzhou, she would not survive the eighty-one days of weakness. Could this be Jun Qiantang's intention, to prove her own importance and force her to betray Xiao Ma?
Struggling to keep herself standing, Qu Ningxuan took a deep breath, finally managing to calm her emotions, though her complexion remained as pale as paper. She looked again at Jun Qiantang, her eyes inevitably reflecting a hint of frustration, and deep down, she harbored some lingering doubts.
If there is anything about her that deserves the attention of others, it is only the three items obtained through virtuous deeds... It seems that in the future, one must learn how to conceal the aura of treasures; otherwise, if the precious items are discovered by others, it will lead to yet another round of troubles...
She simply did not believe that Jun Qiantang would directly barge into the Yin Blood Sect and conveniently overhear such matters. His experience far exceeded her own, and it was not impossible for him to fabricate a reason at will. With this thought, Qu Ningxuan gradually calmed down, reflecting that she had been too impulsive. How could she so easily believe whatever reason the other party casually provided?
Jun Qiantang's eyes darkened, and he turned to ask Qu Ningxuan: "What kind of item are you wearing?"
Upon hearing her question, Jun Qiantang's gaze darkened, yet he remained silent. Qu Ningxuan cautiously observed his expression, and seeing him like this, her heart sank, causing her complexion to grow even paler.
Jun Qiantang had no time to think further, so with her left hand, she quickly fumbled with a small object and, taking advantage of the moment, threw it into the gap of the golden-armored puppet's armor. The movements of the golden-armored puppet immediately halted. Seizing this opportunity, Jun Qiantang swiftly pulled Qu Ningxuan over and used her sword to destroy the power structure of the golden-armored puppet, storing it in her storage ring, and then planned to summon her flying boat
What exactly is going on ... ... ?
Jun Qiantang also sensed something amiss in the distance. His eyesight was remarkable; with just a glance, his expression changed. The group of strange beasts rushing through the passage at high speed left a deep impression on him. During their exploration of this tomb years ago, these beasts had caused them significant losses, with many perishing and others being captured. They had thought the tomb was completely clean, so where had these creatures come from? Was it the effect of the tomb sinking into the depths, or was there some treasure on the girl named Shen Yuxuan that attracted them? They had thought the tomb was completely clean, so where had these creatures come from? Was it the effect of the tomb sinking into the depths, or was there some treasure on the girl named Shen Yuxuan that attracted them?
After this incident, Qu Ningxuan further confirmed her suspicions. Jun Qiantang must have come from a prestigious family and been greatly favored. Even when faced with setbacks, he was easily able to resolve them with his own strength and the influence behind him. Among high-level cultivators, he is undoubtedly considered quite young. It is precisely for this reason that he possesses a strong sense of pride and self-esteem, refraining from easily striking against the weak and disliking acts of forceful plunder. Although this gentle attitude may be viewed by some high-level cultivators as looking down on low-level cultivators like ants, along with various factors such as timing and location, Qu Ningxuan had to admit that encountering Jun Qiantang was indeed her good fortune.
Are you a child? You suffered a loss here and deliberately scared me to get back at me? ... As a high-level cultivator, your actions are truly ...! ... If it weren't for the certainty that the medicine cannot produce Golden Elixirs or Nascent Souls, and that there is no way to create an Out-of-Body stage cultivator, I would really think you were only twenty years old!
Jun Qiantang is not merely a sword cultivator; rather, this golden-armored puppet is made from special materials, rendering it impervious to blades, guns, water, and fire. Using any magical artifact against it would be superfluous. Furthermore, he wishes to claim this puppet for himself, which is why he engages in swordplay with it. The golden-armored puppet possesses a strong combat instinct and a robust physique. Although its cultivation level is one tier lower than Jun Qiantang's, they still fought on equal footing.
He spoke so convincingly that Qu Ningxuan had already believed more than half of it in her heart. Although she was astonished early on to learn that the righteous and the demonic could coexist so harmoniously, without any sectarian biases, she no longer viewed the connection between the Shen family and the Yin Blood Sect as treachery after witnessing the ways of the world. The prevailing atmosphere in the world was such. Even though the Yin Blood Sect was merely a first-rate sect, it was still more powerful than the Shen family. If she truly was a crucial link in their rise, then it would naturally not be a problem to coerce or entice the ancestor of the Shen family. The question of family interests versus personal interests was one of weight... She no longer viewed the connection between the Shen family and the Yin Blood Sect as treachery, for the prevailing atmosphere in the world was such. Even though the Yin Blood Sect was merely a first-rate sect, it was still more powerful than the Shen family. If she truly was a crucial link in their rise, then it would naturally not be a problem to coerce or entice the ancestor of the Shen family. The question of family interests versus personal interests was one of weight... Hehe...