Chapter 678 - 678: Three Gang Leaders

"It's about time. We can open the passageway now."

An Elder from the Talisman Puppet Sect, a master of Arrays, spoke to the other Martial Emperor Realm experts beside him.

The Five Directions Spirit Fire Array was an incredibly powerful Array.

The workings of the various forces within such an Array were exceedingly complex.

Therefore, opening a passageway through the Array's seal wasn't as simple as just blasting a hole in it.

Acting rashly could easily compromise the entire seal, or even cause the whole Array to collapse. If that happened, the consequences would be catastrophic.

As such, these Martial Emperor Realm experts from the various Sects and the No-Life Gang dared not be the slightest bit careless.

The few Martial Emperor Realm experts who specialized in Array Restrictions meticulously calculated and re-calculated, repeatedly confirming the precise timing and method for opening the passageway.

The other Martial Emperor Realm experts didn't dare to disturb them, waiting patiently off to the side.

After more than half an hour, the Array Masters all nodded, agreeing that the time was ripe to open the passageway.

"Everyone, stand back!"

"While we open the Array passageway, no one is to make a scene or cause trouble! Violators will be severely punished!"

The few Martial Emperor Realm experts skilled in Arrays walked into a pre-marked area, preparing to open the passageway.

The other Martial Emperor Realm experts stood guard, dispersing all the nearby Martial King Realm disciples and strictly forbidding them from interfering.

"Everyone, let's begin..."

The Array Masters glanced at one another and nodded. Then, in unison, they waved their hands, sending out streams of Primordial Power that flowed into the Five Directions Spirit Fire Array. Following their pre-arranged plan, they coordinated their efforts and began to open a passageway in the Grand Array.

The Martial Emperor Realm experts nearby remained on high alert, guarding against any powerful Blood Corpses or Blood Beasts that might charge out from within the Blood Sect ruins.

"The Grand Array is about to open! We have to go all out in there this time!"

"Heh heh, I brought two King-level Elixirs this time. I'm definitely going to show them what I've got in there!"

"The price of Blood Crystals has been driven sky-high in the Blood-soaked Land. If we can get our hands on even a single Martial King Level Blood Crystal this time, we'll make a killing..."

"Brothers, remember this: we're not that strong. Our target is Martial Spirit Level Blood Crystals. Whatever you do, don't go looking for trouble..."

All the Martial King Realm cultivators stared, their eyes glued to the Primordial Power in the Array Masters' hands. They were all itching to go, wishing they could charge into the Blood Sect ruins at that very moment.

However, in an inconspicuous corner, three men were constantly glancing around, as if searching for someone.

"Big Brother, the Saint Extreme Sect's team is over there. Look, isn't that Chu Qingyun?"

A Second-level Martial King suddenly pointed toward the Saint Extreme Sect's group, speaking to a Fourth-level Martial King beside him.

The Fourth-level Martial King immediately turned his head. The moment he saw Chu Qingyun, an icy glint flashed in his eyes.

"It looks like him!"

As he spoke, he took a portrait from his Storage Ring.

Upon unrolling it, they saw a portrait of a very young man who, indeed, bore a striking resemblance to Chu Qingyun.

The three men looked from the portrait to Chu Qingyun, their faces lighting up with excitement.

"It's him! It has to be him! His age is about right, and he's with the Saint Extreme Sect. This can't be a coincidence!"

"There's no way it's a coincidence! He's definitely Chu Qingyun!"

The two Martial Kings spoke in hushed, excited tones.

The Fourth-level Martial King violently crumpled the portrait in his fist, his face contorted with hatred. "It's definitely him! He dared to kill my son, Qiang! This trip to the Blood Sect ruins will be his grave!"

It turned out that these three men were the leaders of the Black Blood Gang from Black Blood City in the Blood-soaked Land.

Back when Chu Qingyun had first entered the Blood-soaked Land, he passed through Black Blood City. There, Tu Qiang of the Black Blood Gang coveted his Earth Seal Sword. Tu Qiang failed in his attempt to rob him and was instead killed by Chu Qingyun in a forest near the city.

The guard who had accompanied Tu Qiang managed to escape with his life. He carried Tu Qiang's headless corpse back to Black Blood City and told the three leaders everything that had happened.

Tu Qiang was the only son of Tu Guang, the leader of the Black Blood Gang.

At the time, Tu Guang had naturally roared in fury, wanting nothing more than to immediately hunt down and kill Chu Qingyun.

But back then, the entire Blood-soaked Land was still under the Sects' Forbidden King Order. So, despite his immense fury, Tu Guang didn't dare show his face in public, let alone hunt down Chu Qingyun.

Otherwise, if he encountered patrolling disciples from the sects—someone like Qi Hao—he would be a dead man, and he might even drag the entire Black Blood Gang down with him.

So, he endured it until the Forbidden King Order was lifted. Only then did he set out with his two brothers—Sheng Yuande, a Second-level Martial King, and Dong Yiran, a Third-level Martial King—to find a way to get revenge.

Before they left, they found an artist and, based on the descriptions from the few people who had seen Chu Qingyun, had a portrait drawn.

However, by the time the Forbidden King Order ended, Chu Qingyun had long since joined the Saint Extreme Sect and was likely on the verge of entering the Inner Sect. Naturally, they had no opportunity to get their revenge.

Just as they were losing hope, they happened to hear the news that the Sects were opening the Blood Sect ruins to be used as a Land of Trial.

Suddenly, they saw a glimmer of hope.

At first, they didn't think Chu Qingyun would be there, believing he couldn't possibly have broken through to the Martial King Realm so quickly.

Thus, in order to get their revenge, they had prepared to camp out here for the long haul.

For the sake of revenge, they had to take a gamble—a gamble that Chu Qingyun would eventually come here for training!

And now, it was clear their gamble had paid off!

"Big Brother, our luck is incredible! To think we found that little thief on the very first day!" Sheng Yuande said with delighted surprise.

"This is all thanks to my Qiang's spirit in the heavens, watching over us..."

Tu Guang's face was a mask of sorrowful hatred.

However, Dong Yiran, the Third-level Martial King, frowned.

"Big Brother, Chu Qingyun is only a First-level Martial King. He's definitely traveling with the rest of the Saint Extreme Sect."

"There's a Sixth-level Martial King next to him, along with several Fourth and Fifth-level Martial Kings. We're no match for Sect Disciples of that caliber..."

Dong Yiran said with great concern.

"We can't worry about all that! This Chu Qingyun's growth rate is terrifying. In less than a year, he's gone from a Fourth-level Martial Spirit to a First-level Martial King!"

"If we miss this chance, I'm afraid that in the future, even we won't be a match for him!"

"This time, no matter what, we have to find a chance to kill him inside the Blood Sect ruins!"

Tu Guang's expression was filled with determination and killing intent!

In the midst of the crowd, Chu Qingyun suddenly frowned. Sensing a strange disturbance, he turned his head and looked in the direction of Tu Guang and his two brothers.