Chapter 30: Reunion with Fang Ding

“What? You were actually injured by his shout! Are you certain he isn't a master from the Buddhist sect?” It was no wonder Fang Ding reacted this way to Tian Feng’s words. After all, among cultivators of the same rank, only those who had trained in the Buddhist Lion’s Roar technique could injure someone with a single shout.

Tian Feng’s face was gloomy. In Shu Mountain, he counted among the top ten experts, and outside, his reputation as a great hero was well known. Yet today, not only had his sword been seized bare-handed, but he had also been internally wounded by a cold shout from the opponent. Such humiliation left him feeling utterly disgraced. Tian Feng went on to recount how Zhang Xiao had taken his sword bare-handed. The more Fang Ding listened, the more his brow furrowed. However, when he glanced at the ancient bronze sword strapped to his back, confidence blossomed across his face.

Fang Ding was full of faith in his ancient sword. With it, he could even stand against Song Qing, the sect leader. At most, the opponent had cultivated the Buddhist Impervious Golden Body technique—Fang Ding refused to believe anyone could withstand his sword aura head-on. With this in mind, Fang Ding smiled at Tian Feng and said, “Enough, Brother Tian! Leave this grudge to me. If we encounter him during this treasure hunt, I’ll make him wish for death yet be unable to die!” A vicious glint flashed in Fang Ding’s eyes. He had endured enough humiliation in Luoyang City: first encountering the legendary Zhang Xiao, who seized the rare fire he sought; then being tormented by the old Qin soldiers at the parade ground; and finally, being berated as useless by the great general Bai Qi. Though he showed no dissatisfaction outwardly, his heart was close to bursting. That was why he had agreed to this treasure hunt with Tian Feng—to vent his frustration on some unfortunate soul. Hearing that Tian Feng had been injured, Fang Ding naturally included the assailant among his targets for revenge.

He did not know, however, that the person who had wounded Tian Feng with a shout was Zhang Xiao himself. Had he known, perhaps he would have thanked the heavens.

The mountain near the village was not far from the crowd, but many found themselves unable to advance. During daylight, there were rarely any monsters; now, however, beasts roamed unchecked. Everywhere were beasts of the Golden Core stage. Those less skilled barely took a few steps before being surrounded and torn apart by monsters. As for flying overhead, some had tried. Once, a Golden Core stage expert attempted to ride a magical treasure toward the moonlight, only to lose control and fall just as he neared the mountain. Below, a mass of monsters waited hungrily; the unfortunate cultivator was devoured within moments, not even a bone left behind. After this, no one dared attempt flight again.

Fang Ding, Tian Feng, and their formidable team charged toward the mountain. With both leading the way, their pace quickened; many experts trapped among the monsters joined their ranks, swelling their numbers. As the crowd fought fiercely, a strange head emerged from the grass nearby, peering at the beasts prowling about. Zhang Xiao was secretly astonished—how could so many Golden Core monsters gather here? Normally, these beasts were fiercely territorial, never allowing others—except kin—into their domain, not even a meter. Yet here, clearly of different species, they coexisted peacefully. Zhang Xiao realized his ignorance; perhaps something in the moonlight allowed these monsters to share the space? His heart burned with excitement at the thought. He continued to command his copper-armored corpse to burrow toward the mountain.

“Roar! Roar!” With each beastly cry, countless monsters surged from the woods, charging at Tian Feng and his group. Tian Feng’s face darkened; his flying sword multiplied into hundreds, slicing toward the oncoming beasts. He shouted to the crowd behind, “My friends, I know there are many experts among us, but in such circumstances, are you still intent on holding back? We seldom gather like this—if we cannot slay these monsters, none of us will claim the treasures atop the mountain!” His words jolted those who had refrained from exerting themselves, and now, they began to unleash their best techniques. Tian Feng smirked coldly. Just then, a beast lunged at him; a flash of brilliance appeared in his eyes as he engaged it in close combat. Suddenly, a scream erupted—the crowd turned to see Tian Feng sprawled on the ground, chest drenched in blood. The beast’s claw stabbed toward his heart, and as Tian Feng’s fate seemed sealed, Fang Ding, who had been observing Tian Feng closely, sprang into action. He shielded Tian Feng, wielding his ancient bronze sword to cleave the beast in two and dragged Tian Feng back to the group. Tian Feng’s severe injury elicited both worry and pleasure—those who had previously held back now fought with all their might, and the tide quickly turned. The group pressed forward over the corpses of monsters, unaware that Tian Feng, supported by Shu Mountain disciples, now wore an eerie smile.

Meanwhile, Zhang Xiao, tunneling through the earth, encountered a problem: a massive boulder blocked his path. No matter how he tried, he could not circumvent it—it seemed as immovable as a mountain. Had he reached the mountain itself? According to his memory, only this mountain had such enormous rocks. Resigned, Zhang Xiao cautiously poked his head out. Sure enough, he was within the mountain. Before him, a pillar of silvery light rose like the axis of heaven and earth. Not far away lay a natural pit, about thirty meters wide, bathed in moonlight. Was the treasure hidden in this pit? Zhang Xiao’s heart beat faster. Yet the pit’s edge teemed with at least a hundred monsters, greedily devouring the falling moonlight. Zhang Xiao’s eyes flickered oddly. He recalled an ancient record: in the primordial era, monsters cultivated with the essence of heaven and earth, growing unimaginably powerful—the true protagonists of the world, while humans could only survive in isolated corners. Until the essence began to fade, and human sages arose, freeing humanity from being prey. Was the moonlight before him such essence? Zhang Xiao began to speculate. Just then, explosions erupted from the northern woods; flying swords and magical treasures interlaced, forming a vast killing machine, advancing toward this place. The monsters roared in rage and charged to meet the assault. The army of nearly a hundred Golden Core monsters clashed instantly with a group of human experts. Zhang Xiao squinted from behind the rocks, recognizing a familiar figure—slaughtering monsters with abandon.

None of the monsters could withstand him for long; with a casual swing of his ancient bronze sword, a sword light ten yards wide split the beasts cleanly in two. This was Fang Ding. Zhang Xiao had long suspected the bronze sword was extraordinary; now he was certain. Witnessing Fang Ding’s massacre, Zhang Xiao was deeply impressed by the sword’s power. Just then, a beast somehow broke through Fang Ding’s defenses, striking him and sending him flying. Blood gushed from Fang Ding’s mouth, his face pale as paper—a clear sign of severe injury. Instead of discouragement, the crowd’s spirits soared. Previously worried Fang Ding might seize any treasure, now, with him wounded, everyone had a chance. The crowd fought madly. From afar, Zhang Xiao smiled playfully. Others hadn’t noticed, but Zhang Xiao saw clearly: Fang Ding had allowed the beast to approach, feigning injury to mislead the crowd. Those reckless fighters would surely be abandoned later. Zhang Xiao’s face showed disdain—these so-called experts couldn’t see through such a simple trick; truly, they were fools.

Despite the many monsters, the desperate human cultivators quickly overwhelmed them, forcing several beasts to flee. Cheers erupted, and the crowd strode toward the moonlight pillar, faces flushed with excitement. Though everyone knew a great treasure must lie within the pit, none dared act. “Look! What’s that?” cried a sharp-eyed cultivator, pointing below. All eyes turned to see ten jade pearls floating in the air, illuminated by the pillar of moonlight like stars in the galaxy. Instantly, joy spread; magical treasures were unleashed in an attempt to seize the pearls. “Stop! What are you doing?” someone shouted, seeing others impatiently reaching for them. “Humph, stop! The treasure belongs to everyone. Whoever gets it, it’s up to their skill!” declared a Golden Core disciple, sending his own magical treasure after the pearls. Yet, with only ten pearls and over a hundred people, chaos ensued—some interfered simply to prevent others from succeeding.

As tension mounted and a fight seemed imminent, a cold shout suddenly rang from behind. “Ha ha ha, Heaven truly favors me! Stop—all of you! Whoever dares touch the treasure, I’ll make them wish for death yet unable to die!” The fierce command halted everyone. A group had appeared silently behind the crowd, clad in black night robes, exuding a chilling aura. “Nine Fiend Palace!” someone exclaimed in horror.

It was still midnight. Fellow cultivators, lend your support—be it a bookmark, a vote, or even a comment. Any gesture is the greatest encouragement for Guoshui.