Chapter 661: Eight Desolations Return to the Source

It had to be said that a young woman experiencing her first crush sometimes didn’t have much sense, or perhaps, she simply chose not to overthink things.

“This… This senior brother is a good person. He wouldn’t have any ill intentions toward me,” Xiao Yingluo said, her form of address changing from ‘Senior’ to ‘Senior Brother’!

As she spoke, she couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Chen Cheng. Seeing that he didn’t object and seemed to tacitly accept it, she felt a secret thrill of joy.

Ke Dali was truly at a loss. He had no choice but to change his approach, turning to Chen Cheng and asking, “Which Sect are you from? What is your name?”

Chen Cheng also wanted to inquire about matters within the cave-dwelling, so he replied coolly, “My name is Xiu Chen. I’m a Jianghu Wanderer!”

“Xiu Chen? Just as I thought, a woman’s name!”

Ke Dali muttered to himself, then puffed out his chest and said proudly,

“Since you’re acquainted with Junior Sister Xiao, you should join our Dali Alliance. As for the membership fee, I’ll give you a discount. Just one Source Crystal Jade will do.”

‘Dali Alliance?’ Chen Cheng was intrigued.

Ke Dali said, “This cave-dwelling is fraught with danger, and death lurks around every corner. The Dali Alliance is a league I, Ke Dali, organized. Once you join the Dali Alliance, everyone in the cave-dwelling will stick together through thick and thin, advancing and retreating as one, ensuring our safety.”

“If we’re all sticking together, why do I have to pay you a membership fee?” Chen Cheng asked, though he was inwardly quite impressed with this senior brother.

‘After all, a scheme like this was a pretty good way to make a fortune.’

“Because I’m the strongest!” Ke Dali slapped his chest, but then, realizing that the Xiu Chen before him was also terrifyingly powerful, he added,

“Not only am I strong, but our Great Dao Sect has the most members here. Anyone who joins the Dali Alliance is essentially under the protection of our Great Dao Sect, so naturally, they have to pay a membership fee.”

“I’ve always preferred to act alone. I won’t be joining,” Chen Cheng refused decisively.

‘Why bother collecting protection money when you can just rob someone outright? It’s much more liberating.’

Ke Dali said, “Your Martial Arts Power is indeed great, but there’s always someone stronger. Among those who entered this cave-dwelling, there is one Innate Realm Expert and one Demon Cultivator who has cultivated Demonic Power. Although both of them are suppressed by the cave’s Array and cannot use their Innate True Qi or Demonic Power, their strength is still extremely formidable. Neither is any weaker than Ji Lingxiao, who wields the Profound Tier Spiritual Artifact, the Lingxiao Sword. Moreover, they are ruthless and have already killed many people. If you run into them, I’m afraid you’ll meet a terrible end. Besides them, there are two other groups in the cave-dwelling that have also formed alliances of more than ten people each. They aren’t as benevolent as our Dali Alliance. When they come across someone who’s alone, they often kill them without mercy.”

Xiao Yingluo, naturally hoping to stay with Xiu Chen, also tried to persuade him:

“Senior Brother Xiu Chen, Senior Brother Ke means well. There’s strength in numbers, and we’ll be safer together in the cave-dwelling. You should really consider it.”

“There’s no need.” Chen Cheng remained unmoved.

Xiao Yingluo’s expression fell.

“Since you are unwilling to join the Dali Alliance, I won’t insist.”

Ke Dali then asked with great seriousness, “Have you by any chance met a disciple from our Great Dao Sect? His name is Chen Cheng…”

As he spoke, he gave a detailed description of Chen Cheng’s appearance and his proficiency in certain Cultivation Techniques.

Chen Cheng shook his head. “Haven’t seen him.”

“You haven’t?” Ke Dali asked again.

“I’ve killed everyone I’ve come across, with the sole exception of that True Inheritor from Tide Hall. The person you described certainly wasn’t among them.”

Chen Cheng replied with certainty, then glanced at Duanmu Xi, who was visibly startled.

“That can’t be right!”

Ke Dali was clearly very concerned about Chen Cheng, and he turned to Xiao Yingluo again.

“Junior Sister Xiao, you said Junior Brother Chen’s last known location was nearby. He should have come to Lake Heart Island.”

Xiao Yingluo’s attention was now entirely focused on Xiu Chen, so she naturally didn’t care about Chen Cheng and replied casually,

“Junior Brother Chen deliberately shielded the aura of his Identity Jade Token. He must have gone off alone to secretly search for opportunities.”

“Makes sense!” Ke Dali nodded. “From what I know of Junior Brother Chen, he does prefer to go it alone and make a fortune on the quiet!”

‘This guy actually knows me pretty well!’

Xiao Yingluo asked curiously, “Senior Brother Ke, how did you figure that out?”

“Just a guess!” Ke Dali chuckled, but what he was really thinking was, ‘Junior Brother Chen really listened to my advice!’

In Ke Dali’s mind, the reason Chen Cheng had shielded the aura of his Identity Jade Token was likely because he had warned him before entering the cave-dwelling not to trust anyone inside.

Chen Cheng had clearly taken his words to heart, and this action was, of course, for self-preservation.

‘With Junior Brother Chen’s Martial Arts Power, and being so cautious, he definitely won’t run into any danger.’

After thinking this to himself, Ke Dali paid Chen Cheng no more mind.

He glanced at Duanmu Xi before addressing the crowd:

“Ji Lingxiao has entered the Qian Palace Array Hub. The Nine Palaces Locking Spirit Heaven and Earth Array is no longer stable, and the other Array Hubs will be revealed within three months. We need to make the most of this time and find as many resources as possible. Let’s go. First, we’ll work together to slay the Pseudo Tier Six Demon Beast on Lake Heart Island, take its Demon Heart and other Demon Beast Materials, and then go search for opportunities elsewhere.”

Everyone voiced their agreement.

Chen Cheng, however, was not pleased.

‘So Ke Dali brought the Dali Alliance here not just for Xiao Yingluo, but also to go after the Three-headed Demon Python in the Cold Pool.’

‘Isn’t this just snatching food from a tiger’s mouth?’

“Ahem…” Chen Cheng cleared his throat. When everyone looked over in confusion, he said seriously,

“I feel it’s necessary to make an announcement. Everything on this Lake Heart Island is mine. The Three-headed Demon Python in the Cold Pool can only be dealt with by me.”

Everyone was stunned!

Ke Dali looked as if he had just heard the world’s greatest joke. Becoming furious, he glared at Chen Cheng with his small, round eyes and said:

“You punk, are you actually planning to fight our Dali Alliance for the treasure all by yourself?”

Chen Cheng shrugged. “There’s a principle of first come, first served. This young master arrived at Lake Heart Island first and has already laid claim to all its resources. If the Dali Alliance wants to try and take them, this young master doesn’t mind teaching you a lesson about the rules of the Jianghu!”

“Hah! You’ve got a lot of nerve, kid!”

Ke Dali’s brow furrowed fiercely as his anger erupted. His entire aura became tyrannical.

“Then let this lord tell you plainly: the rule of the Jianghu is that our Dali Alliance is stronger than you! If you don’t want to die, then scram!”

“Then let’s test that, shall we?” Chen Cheng said coolly.

“Form the Eight Desolates Returning to the Source Array! Kill him!”

Ke Dali roared, instantly unleashing his Qi Blood Power and condensing the aura of his Second Layer Xuanwu Realm.

The members of the Dali Alliance had clearly practiced this before. They each swiftly condensed the auras of their own Realms, which faintly converged into one.

In the blink of an eye, the Eight Desolates Returning to the Source Array was formed. The various Realm auras enveloped the group, emitting a terrifying pressure that was powerful to the extreme!

This Eight Desolates Returning to the Source Array was the most widespread combination Battle Array for Realms.

The condensed Realm auras of everyone in the Battle Array, regardless of their compatibility or elemental relationships, would be gathered into one and amplified to unleash their combined might.

This wasn’t just three or five Perfect Martial Artists of the Organ Refining Realm, but more than ten of them, all at the Second Layer Realm. The amplified power of their union was unimaginable.

Even an Innate Realm Expert would be easily slain if they faced it!

Even the cave-dwelling’s own Array sensed this pressure. It began to tremble slightly, gathering streaks of lightning in the sky above, ready to suppress the Eight Desolates Returning to the Source Array at any moment!

They were fast, but Chen Cheng was faster. As the group was forming the Eight Desolates Returning to the Source Array, he flickered several times, stepping on Thunder Arcs, and appeared dozens of yards away, hovering above the Cold Pool.

‘The Eight Desolates Returning to the Source Array formed by more than ten experts is invincible head-on. My only option is to use the immense pressure of the Cold Pool’s water to limit the Array’s power.’

Ke Dali’s killing intent flared as he sneered, “Kid, are you scared now? Too late!”

He waved his hand, and the group flew to the edge of the Cold Pool, ready to strike and kill Chen Cheng at a moment’s notice.

A wicked grin appeared on Chen Cheng’s face as he said leisurely, “A Realm Battle Array is indeed formidable, but it’s not enough to handle this young master! If you all want a fight, then a fight you shall have! However, this young master is kind-hearted, so I advise you all to think clearly: do you really want to make an enemy of me!”