Chapter 524: Sikong

After a short period of rest and recovery, Zhao Tiankuo was able to move again.

But before they could make a move, a flurry of urgent footsteps echoed from outside the cave.

“This is bad!”

“They’re here!”

Zhao Tiankuo’s face fell. He never imagined that just as the crisis with the Crimson-Mane Tiger had been resolved, the people of the Luo Race would arrive at this very moment!

Qing Lian’s expression also grew grim.

The Luo Race was nothing like the Crimson-Mane Tiger.

The Crimson-Mane Tiger was, after all, just a single demonic beast. The Luo Race, however, had numerous experts who worked together seamlessly, making them far more difficult to handle.

Besides, their daring to return meant they were fully confident they could deal with the Crimson-Mane Tiger.

Only Ye Chen’s brow furrowed slightly, his expression remaining calm. “Follow me,” he said.

Before the three of them could even reach the cave entrance, a succession of torches flooded into the cavern. The brilliant flames illuminated the gloomy surroundings, revealing a group of figures clad in beast-hide robes right before their eyes.

“Oh?”

“The Crimson-Mane Tiger is actually dead?”

The thick stench of blood filled the cave. The man leading the Luo Race experts took a light sniff of the air and made an immediate judgment.

He could smell the scent of death!

Without a doubt, the stench of blood came from the Crimson-Mane Tiger. The beast was dead!

‘It’s him?’

Seeing the newcomer, Qing Lian’s lovely face changed. Her gaze flickered, as if she had just laid eyes on some terrifying existence.

“Who is this guy?”

Zhao Tiankuo, standing to the side, frowned. He realized this man was likely a very difficult opponent.

“Besides their all-powerful Clan Leader, the Luo Race has three vice-leaders under his command!”

“Each has their own duties, and their strength is not to be underestimated.”

“The one before us now is the vice-leader in charge of external conflict and hunting for the Luo Race! His name is Sikong, and his combat prowess is among the very best in the entire race!”

Qing Lian explained, her expression grave.

“Sikong?”

“The Luo Race’s vice-leader in charge of combat?”

Zhao Tiankuo was taken aback.

Just then, Sikong clearly noticed Ye Chen and his companions as well.

A strange look entered his eyes.

Behind him, the crowd of Luo Race Cultivators exchanged glances, smirks of derision appearing on their faces.

It was rather strange, as if the newcomers had expected to find them here all along.

Sikong’s gaze swept indifferently past Zhao Tiankuo and Qing Lian before finally landing on Ye Chen.

“I heard the White Tiger Tribe found a powerful helper…”

“Was it you who defeated my little sister?”

Sikong’s gaze suddenly turned sharp and cold, like a piercing sword that seemed intent on seeing through Ye Chen’s every secret.

“His sister’s name is Si Rong. She’s the woman we brought back to the tribe,” Qing Lian whispered from the side.

It was clear the Luo Race already knew Si Rong’s group had met with disaster.

They also knew she wasn’t dead, but had been taken back to the White Tiger Tribe.

Ye Chen nodded slightly, then looked calmly at Sikong and said, “That’s right.”

“He admitted it?”

The Luo Race members all stared at Ye Chen in surprise. “So it really is him? He’s the White Tiger Tribe’s helper? No wonder I’ve never seen his face before.”

“But how could he have defeated Si Rong? He doesn’t have the slightest aura of Spiritual Power. It’s obvious he has no cultivation base, right?”

The members of the Luo Race exchanged glances, clearly unconvinced.

If the Crimson-Mane Tiger wasn’t lying dead in this very cave, they would have assumed Ye Chen was spouting nonsense.

“Oh?”

“If I hadn’t heard you admit it with your own mouth, I would find it very hard to believe you have the strength to defeat my sister.”

Sikong raised an eyebrow.

He was tall, with bronze-colored skin. Just by standing there, he exuded an invisible aura that was deeply oppressive.

“Did you come here to avenge your sister?” Ye Chen asked with a faint smile.

“Revenge?”

Sikong suddenly let out a cold laugh. “Her skills were lacking, so she lost to you. I have nothing to say about that.”

“We only came to drive away that Crimson-Mane Tiger and claim the spirit mine inside this cave.”

“You’re not planning to rescue your sister?” Ye Chen asked, his interest piqued.

“That’s not it.” Sikong shook his head. “It’s just a matter of priorities. Once I’ve dealt with things here, I will personally lead my men to your door, flatten the White Tiger Tribe, and then, as a matter of course, I’ll rescue my sister.”

He spoke casually, his tone flat, as if he were simply stating an impending fact.

Qing Lian’s expression shifted. She felt an intense pressure from his nonchalant words.

“Since you didn’t come for revenge, why don’t we just part ways?”

Ye Chen smiled. “We have no interest in that spirit mine. You can go about your business.”

At these words, a mocking smile spread across the faces of the Luo Race members behind Sikong.

“Do you think that’s possible?”

Sikong spoke as well, his tone tinged with ridicule.

Ye Chen’s words were an unmistakable sign of weakness, making it seem like he was desperate to escape.

This made Sikong look down on Ye Chen. He said indifferently, “While I have no interest in avenging my sister, the spirit mine isn’t the only thing in this cave that’s caught my interest.”

“Isn’t that right, Priest Qing Lian?”

His gaze darkened as he looked at Qing Lian’s petite, slender frame. “If I could take the White Tiger Tribe’s Priest back with me, that would undoubtedly be a fine prize as well, wouldn’t it?”

Qing Lian’s delicate body trembled. Her eyes widened as she glared daggers at Sikong.

With her level of power, she had absolutely no hope of escaping from Sikong.

If Sikong were to truly make a move, she could only resign herself to her fate.

‘These damned bastards!’

Zhao Tiankuo seemed to recall the time he was ruthlessly hunted by the Luo Race.

Bone-deep hatred surged in his eyes. His voice was hoarse as he said, “I’d advise you not to try anything!”

“Old man, you were lucky to escape last time. Let’s see if your luck holds out now.”

Sikong paid Zhao Tiankuo no mind whatsoever. He sneered, “First of all, I highly doubt this kid with no cultivation base whatsoever is the one who killed the Crimson-Mane Tiger…”

“But even if he did, so what?”

“With me here today, none of you will escape!”

As he spoke, a sharp wave of energy erupted from Sikong’s body, shaking the very heavens and earth. The whole cave began to tremble!

He was a Primordial Mansion Realm Cultivator!

‘Primordial Mansion Realm?’

Ye Chen’s eyebrows twitched, but his expression remained calm.

Coincidentally, he had also just recovered his combat power to the level of the Primordial Mansion Realm.

‘If it comes to a fight,’ he thought, ‘that’s fine by me!’