Chapter 253: The Four Corners Stir

“Are there any other treasures inside?”

Lu Bai asked again.

Lu Mingyuan said, “This junior isn’t sure of the specifics. After all, the Restrictions around the great tomb haven’t been broken yet, so no one has actually been inside. The rest are just rumors. Some say the great tomb contains a peerless Cultivation Technique left by Mo Yuan, the *Talisman Manual*. Others say there’s a True Dragon Inner Core. The stories are all over the place, a mix of truth and lies.”

After a pause, Lu Mingyuan added, “However, this Mo Yuan was once a regional Prince and the First True Monarch. He was also the top Artifact Refining Grandmaster and Talisman Grandmaster of his time. His great tomb is definitely full of treasures.”

Lu Bai fell silent in contemplation, a stir of interest rising within him.

‘The Ancient Exotic Treasure, the Execution Crossbow Cannon, will surely be fought over by all the Nascent Soul True Monarchs. I have no chance of getting my hands on it. However, according to Lu Mingyuan, there are other, smaller tombs surrounding Mo Yuan’s main tomb, which will be the targets for the Golden Core Realm experts to search and plunder. I, on the other hand, could fish in troubled waters and take a look inside.’

‘With my fourteen cultivated Meridians and my Blood Qi like a surging tide, I could probably take on one or two Early or Mid Stage Golden Core Martial Artists or Cultivators. But if I run into top-tier True Masters at the Late Stage of Golden Core or Great Perfection, I’ll still have to steer clear. The chances of snatching a treasure from the hands of so many Golden Core experts are slim to none.’

‘But my trump cards are the pair of wings on my back and the Mountain Demon Hat! The *Fuyao Skill* contains a section called the “Wind Following Technique.” Mastering this technique would allow my Body Technique to move with the wind, silent and unseen. Combined with the Mountain Demon Hat to hide my presence, I could move freely among the Golden Core Realm experts, waiting for the right moment to strike. Even if I can’t face them head-on, I’ll have more than enough ability to protect myself.’

‘There are bound to be better treasures in the main tomb.’

But Lu Bai had no intention of going there.

‘No matter how good the treasure, you have to be alive to take it. The Mountain Demon Hat can fool Golden Core Realm experts, but not Nascent Soul True Monarchs.’

“There’s nothing else. You may go.”

His mind made up, Lu Bai flicked his sleeves and departed, soon disappearing over the horizon.

Lu Mingyuan sighed with emotion. “I wonder which sect or school that senior belongs to. From the looks of it, once an Exotic Treasure emerges from the main tomb, there’s bound to be a massive battle between Nascent Soul True Monarchs!”

—

「The eastern side of the Longling Mountain Range.」

A towering mountain peak trembled slightly. Its summit exploded, forming what looked like a massive volcanic crater, from which a strange and brilliant light erupted.

Yue Qianshan, Xiao Qingyu, and the other generals of Wu Country had gathered not far from the base of the mountain.

Aside from the two of them who had cultivated to the Nascent Soul Realm, the other eleven generals were all True Master Martial Dao.

“It’s only been a few days, and several hundred True Master Golden Cores have already arrived.”

Xiao Qingyu’s gaze flickered as he scanned the experts scattered around the mountain peak.

Yue Qianshan said in a low voice, “Over a dozen Nascent Soul Realm experts have also shown up. I wonder when the Restriction on this great tomb will dissipate. The longer it takes, the more people will arrive, and the more dangerous the treasure hunt will become.”

“We need to be careful of the people from Great Li Country.”

Xiao Qingyu’s expression was grave as he said, “They’ve sent four Martial Dao True Monarchs, all of them Admiral Divine Brilliances, led by Xiahou Li. It’s said he has already cultivated to Nascent Soul Perfection, and his Blood Qi Domain can extend to a radius of seven zhang.”

Here in the Longling Mountain Range, there were no restrictions from the Peace Alliance.

Yue Qianshan nodded slightly. “We’ll assess the situation and act accordingly.”

After a pause, Yue Qianshan looked at the two True Master Martial Dao behind him and said, “Xu Changfeng, Jiang Qingsong, you two will lead the team. Be wary of a certain True Master Martial Dao from Great Li Country, Nangong Bo. He is a disciple of the Great Li Nangong Family, at Golden Core Realm Perfection. Among the True Master Martial Dao of Great Li Country, his combat power is ranked in the top ten. There are many treasures inside. The eleven of you should not split up, and try to avoid a direct confrontation with him. If things get out of hand, just retreat. Don’t force it.”

“Yes, sir.”

Xu Changfeng and Jiang Qingsong replied in unison.

It was still noon, yet a cold, full moon appeared in the distance. In the blink of an eye, it was directly overhead, a vague figure faintly visible within it.

“It’s Cold Moon True Monarch!”

“He’s a top-tier expert of the Nascent Soul Realm!”

Just then, a light laugh echoed. “Haha, what a lively gathering!”

A man stood on a cloud, a wine gourd in hand, drinking as he surveyed his surroundings.

“It’s Yuqing True Monarch.”

“He hasn’t emerged from his seclusion in a long time. To think even he was drawn out.”

“Well, it is the tomb of the First True Monarch from the era of the Black Emperor. Who knows how many treasures are buried inside? Perhaps obtaining just one could provide the opportunity to break through to the Returning Void Realm.”

It wasn’t just Human Race experts from the Martial Dao and Cultivation Realms.

Over the past two days, various birds and beasts had also been seen appearing near the mountain peak, waiting for an opportunity.

Having cultivated to the Golden Core Realm or Nascent Soul Realm, Demon Beasts had long since gained sentience and knew that treasures would emerge from this great tomb.

Spiritual Elixirs and rare treasures held an immense attraction for these Demon Beasts as well!

「On the other side of the peak.」

The generals of Great Li Country were gathered together.

The man in the lead had a grim face and was clad in dark red Divine Brilliance Armor. It was none other than one of the Admiral Divine Brilliances, Xiahou Li.

Xiahou Li’s gaze was as sharp as a falcon’s. It swept over the figures in mid-air, then flickered past the distant location of Yue Qianshan’s group, and a cold sneer touched his lips.

“When a great treasure emerges, it’s every man for himself.”

Xiahou Li looked at the people behind him and said slowly, “However, the people from Wu Country are not to take a single treasure from the great tomb. Understand?”

One of the True Master Martial Dao said, “We couldn’t make a move in the Longling Canyon, so this is the perfect chance to teach the Wu Country Border Army a lesson!”

Another handsome man said lightly, “Just leave those few True Master Martial Dao from Wu Country to me.”

“Bo, you should be careful too. Don’t capsize in a gutter.”

Xiahou Li said, “It’s a pity your older brother isn’t here. If Nangong Huang were to come, even these several hundred Golden Core Realm experts wouldn’t be enough for him to handle alone.”

Nangong Bo replied, “Big Brother is in seclusion, preparing to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm. It’s best not to disturb him.”

“By the way,” one man suddenly asked, “Elder Wu of the Witch Race should have gone to find that Lu Bai. I wonder what the outcome was.”

“Don’t worry.” Xiahou Li grinned. “The Witch Race’s methods are sinister and insidious, impossible to guard against. An Innate Martial Artist facing a Golden Core Realm Witch wouldn’t even know how they died.”

—

「Deep within the mountain peak.」

Inside a dim, deathly silent tomb chamber, Yin Qi permeated the air. Over a dozen coffins were placed in the corners.

“Wu Country sent two Nascent Soul True Monarchs and eleven True Master Martial Dao.”

Suddenly!

A voice echoed through the tomb chamber.

“We lost several True Master Golden Cores in Jing State for unknown reasons. This is the perfect chance to teach Wu Country a lesson.”

“When will the great tomb open?”

“I don’t know. We’ll probably have to wait. Elder Pu will make the call.”

“Jye jye jye! Once more people arrive, we can catch them all in one net and refine them into our Combat Corpses!”

After a round of eerie laughter, the tomb chamber fell silent once more.