Chapter 667: The Divine Son Suffers a Heavy Blow

With our combined strength, we can venture into the Northern Plains Territory. As long as we intentionally avoid the domains of Tier Seven Demon Venerables, we’ll have nothing to fear!

Besides, my Junior Brother Chen Cheng is also incredibly powerful. He’s strong enough to easily defeat two or three ordinary Perfect Martial Artists of the Organ Refining Realm.

I’ll convince him to come with us. With the three of us working together, we won’t be in any real danger even if we run into a Tier Seven Demon Venerable.”

“Hmph! Don’t try to fool me!”

Chen Cheng snorted. “The combat power of a Tier Six Demon Beast is already comparable to an Innate Realm Expert. And you dare claim you have no fear of a Tier Seven Demon Venerable? You truly don’t know your own limits. How ridiculous!”

Ke Dali remained calm and tried to coax him persuasively:

“Ah, Young Master Xiu Chen, don’t build up their prestige at the expense of our own morale! A Tier Six Demon Beast’s physique is massive, and the might of its Demonic Power is comparable to the Innate True Qi of an Innate Realm Expert. But they are just Demon Beasts, after all. Their grasp of Techniques is extremely limited. Even a Puncture Realm expert who hasn’t cultivated the True Intent of Heaven and Earth can kill them with ease. Those few moves you used in the Cold Pool clearly displayed the True Intent of Heaven and Earth. Your practical combat ability is already more than enough to easily slay a Tier Six Demon Beast. My own comprehension of the True Intent of Heaven and Earth is far inferior to yours, Young Master, but I’ve also managed to slay a Tier Six Demon Beast by relying on my Yellow Tier Spiritual Artifact, the Mountain-Suppressing Xuanwu Armor. A Tier Seven Demon Venerable is far stronger than a Tier Six Demon Beast, but they’re really not that terrifying! Even if the three of us together can’t defeat a Tier Seven Demon Venerable, we’ll have more than enough strength to protect ourselves.”

“So you really are trying to trick me. Are you looking to get hit by my hammer?” A smirk played on Chen Cheng’s lips as he suddenly raised the Military Dao Combat Killing Hammer in his hand.

A Martial Artist’s Martial Arts Realm is just a rough categorization; it doesn’t fully represent their true combat strength.

For example, among two Perfect Martial Artists of the Organ Refining Realm, one who has cultivated a Second Layer Realm can typically crush one who hasn’t.

Then you have someone like Duanmu Xi, who has cultivated two compatible Second Layer Realms. Her combat power far exceeds that of someone who has only cultivated one.

And someone who has cultivated the True Intent of Heaven and Earth is far more powerful than a Martial Artist like Duanmu Xi.

‘Isn’t the same true for Demon Beasts? Among Tier Six Demon Beasts, those on the verge of condensing a Demon Core are naturally terrifying in terms of combat power!

And among Tier Seven Demon Venerables, if you encounter a powerful one, Ke Dali’s Yellow Tier Spiritual Artifact, the Mountain-Suppressing Xuanwu Armor, probably wouldn’t even withstand a single blow!

Ke Dali only mentioned the weakest of the Tier Six Demon Beasts, but not the ones about to condense a Demon Core. He’s clearly downplaying the risks to trick me!’

“Ahem…” Ke Dali coughed twice to cover his embarrassment, but he was grumbling to himself inwardly.

‘Dammit, I’ve met a few disciples from the great Noble Families of the Central State and other Major Sects before.

Every one of them was arrogant and thought they were invincible, that they could go anywhere in the world.

A few words of flattery and they’d get all fired up, rushing off headfirst into danger. Only after getting their asses handed to them by a true expert would they learn how dangerous the Jianghu really is.

So how come this pretty boy isn’t falling for it at all?

Forget it. This pretty boy is too calculating. Even if he agreed to go to the Northern Plains, he probably wouldn’t be on the same page as me.

I should just wait for Junior Brother Chen to grow stronger, then we can venture into the Northern Plains. By then, we two martial brothers will have a common goal and can naturally work together. It’ll be much safer!

Still, this pretty boy is powerful. It’s best to get on his good side first!’

His thoughts racing, Ke Dali made up his mind. He hastily stepped back a few paces, cupped his fists, and said:

“Young Master Xiu Chen, I truly wish to befriend you. But we’ve only just met, and I’ve been too forward, so you may be suspicious. In time, you will come to know my character. To show my sincerity, I would like to offer you a great gift, Young Master Xiu Chen.”

“Oh?” Chen Cheng’s eyes lit up, and he shouldered the Military Dao Combat Killing Hammer again.

Ke Dali said, “Perhaps you are not aware, Young Master, but of the eight Array Hubs in this cavern’s Nine Palaces Locking Spirit Heaven and Earth Array, the Pseudo Tier Six Demon Beasts in three of them have already been slain. It was likely the work of that Demon Cultivator who entered the cavern. Someone saw this Demon Cultivator fighting fiercely with the Kunlun Divine Son, Ning Hao, over a Pseudo Tier Six Demon Beast. Ning Hao wields the Yellow Tier Spiritual Artifact, the Sun and Moon Mirror Light Sword, yet he was still no match for that person! Therefore, I speculate that this Demon Cultivator is likely collecting Demon Hearts—and perhaps even hunting Organ Refining Realm experts for their blood essence—to condense a Demon Core and break through to a Tier Seven Demon Body. This Demon Cultivator’s strength is too terrifying. The Martial Artists who entered this cavern formed alliances precisely to avoid being hunted by him for their blood essence. Although you are powerful, Young Master, the outcome of an encounter with this Demon Cultivator would be hard to predict. You must make plans early!”

“This is your great gift?” Chen Cheng’s expression darkened.

Ke Dali faltered for a moment, thinking to himself, ‘Such critical information could very well save this pretty boy’s life. How is that not a great gift?’

“I don’t care what kind of Demon Cultivator he is! If he dares come to Lake Heart Island, I’ll smash him to death with one blow!”

Chen Cheng’s gaze was icy as he grinned, projecting an air of supreme arrogance.

“Woah!” Ke Dali was shocked. He hadn’t expected the pretty boy before him to remain so calm after hearing this.

‘That’s a Demon Cultivator on the verge of condensing a Demon Core! Outside this cavern, his combat power would be equivalent to a Tier Six Demon Beast about to advance to a Tier Seven Demon Venerable.

Even an ordinary Puncture Realm expert would be no match for him!

Inside the cavern, even with his Cultivation restricted, he’s still among the absolute strongest.

Aside from an alliance that can unleash the power of the Eight Desolates Returning to the Source Array, or Ji Lingxiao with his Profound Tier Spiritual Artifact, no one is his match.

Young Master Xiu Chen is powerful, but how could he possibly be a match for him?’

This line of thought contradicted how he had tried to trick Chen Cheng earlier—a slip of the tongue, even in his own mind!

Chen Cheng said arrogantly, “Whether or not I’m his match is something we’ll only know after we fight!”

‘Fine. Good advice is wasted on a stubborn fool!

This pretty boy is so clueless about his own limits, he must be a disciple from one of the great Noble Families of the Central State!’

Ke Dali thought to himself, then cupped his fists at Chen Cheng and said, “Young Master Xiu Chen, I have said all I can. Farewell!”

With that, he took great strides and sped away from Lake Heart Island. His stout figure kicked up fierce gusts of wind, creating a tempestuous sight.

When he reached the outskirts of Lake Heart Island, the members of the Dali Alliance were waiting there.

“Senior Brother Ke, did you remind Senior Brother Xiu Chen to be on guard against that Demon Cultivator?”

Xiao Yingluo hurried forward and asked with great concern.

Ke Dali said irritably, “I did, but that guy must be some disciple from a great Noble Family of the Central State out for experience. He’s so arrogant he treated my goodwill like dirt.”

“Ah… What should we do? If Senior Brother Xiu Chen runs into that Demon Cultivator, he’ll likely be at a disadvantage.”

Xiao Yingluo was fraught with worry, not noticing the strange looks the others were giving her.

“Yingluo, mind your place!”

Xiao Nianci glared at her niece and scolded her softly, “That Xiu Chen’s origins are unknown. He could be some Evil Cultivator from who knows where. You should stay away from him from now on!”

“Auntie… Senior Brother Xiu Chen is truly kind-hearted and a very upright person. He didn’t even give me a second glance. How could he be an Evil Cultivator?”

Xiao Yingluo explained, then glanced toward the Cold Pool and added,

“No, I have to go back and warn him again. He needs to be careful of that Demon Cultivator and not let his guard down.”

As she spoke, she started to turn back.

“It’s no use!” Ke Dali grinned. “That pretty boy has to be from a great Noble Family of the Central State. He thinks he’s invincible and is bursting with arrogance. If he doesn’t suffer a bit, how will he ever learn his lesson and realize his own…”

His words stopped abruptly as he turned to look at the distant lake surface.

The others also heard the sound and followed his gaze.

They saw a figure in white robes skimming across the surface of the lake, heading toward Lake Heart Island.

He had a tall and imposing figure, his hands clasped behind his back. With his robes fluttering in the wind, he looked like a peerless Sword Immortal in white—truly extraordinary!

It was none other than the Divine Son of Kunlun Divine Palace, Ning Hao!

In just a few dozen breaths, Ning Hao crossed the wide lake and arrived before them.

His gaze swept over the crowd. He smiled faintly, cupped his fists, and said, “Ning Hao, disciple of the Kunlun Divine Palace. It is a pleasure.”

Ning Hao had the Yellow Tier Spiritual Artifact, the Sun and Moon Mirror Light Sword, and his strength was immense. Naturally, no one wanted to offend him, so they all smiled and returned the cupped-fist greeting.

Only Ke Dali’s attitude was colder. He gave a casual cupped-fist gesture and asked,

“Divine Son Ning, are you here to compete for the Pseudo Tier Six Demon Beast at the Kan Palace Array Hub?”

When they first entered the cavern, Ning Hao had forcefully shattered the Xuanwu Realm that Ke Dali had condensed, so Ke Dali was naturally displeased with him.