Chapter 195 - 144: Shaking All Foes! Who Can Shake Me
Chapter 195: Chapter 144: Shaking All Foes! Who Can Shake Me
The area outside the woods wasn’t in much better shape, though.
It had, after all, been ravaged by the fire python.
The ground was cracked and dry, the vegetation reduced to ash.
It was a landscape scarred by a wildfire.
"Senior Brother Chen, there are still people behind us..."
Xu Long couldn’t help but whisper a reminder.
"Let them follow."
Chen Xuan replied, "We’ll keep moving."
He needed people following them; it made it easier to fish.
’I’d like to see who thinks they can touch me.’
The more who came, the better.
It would be a shame if no one followed.
People have a herd mentality.
Especially with more experts around, it’s easy to create a false sense of security. This might make them do things on impulse that they would never normally dare to even consider.
At his side, Chu Qingyin, Xu Long, and Cao Hai were all filled with apprehension. They stuck close behind Chen Xuan, feeling as if every step was taking them to the edge of an abyss. The uncertainty was truly unsettling.
Far in the distance behind them, shadowy figures moved.
More and more people were gathering.
Their cultivation levels varied wildly, from high to low.
The strongest among them were already at the second layer of the True Essence Realm. They came from first-rate factions and had only just arrived.
The weakest were only at the Gang Energy Realm...
Their reasons for following weren’t necessarily to fight.
Most were just there to watch the show.
A smaller group hoped to profit from the chaos.
After all, Chen Xuan was at the first layer of the True Essence Realm and ranked first on the Human List. He could surely fight above his level. So even with experts at the second layer of the True Essence Realm present, no one dared to make a move.
The main reason they were following was to wait.
They were waiting for the experts from the Evil Cult to make the first move.
They didn’t believe the Evil Cult’s experts could resist. After all, that Evil Cult elder was still waiting for the core to save his life...
And so, one party traveled at a leisurely pace, while the other tailed them just as unhurriedly...
Eventually, the group of experts following behind grew suspicious.
...
「Over with the trio from the Qingyun Sect.」
"Senior Brother Yue, what is that Chen Xuan up to? Why isn’t he in a hurry? Wouldn’t any normal person who obtained the Fire Python Inner Core be desperately rushing back to the Martial Alliance? Something seems off about him..."
An expert at the True Qi Realm named Han Feixing whispered.
’This Chen Xuan doesn’t look like he’s on the run at all...’
He seemed completely unconcerned about the trouble that was about to find him.
’How bizarre.’
"Yes, I’ve noticed that too. Is this the confidence of an expert on the Human List?"
A woman named Wang Qingxuan beside him added suspiciously, "But isn’t that a little too confident? He’s being watched by so many people, yet he’s certain he can break through the encirclement."
"Who knows what he’s thinking..."
Their leader, Yue Yun, stared intently ahead, then glanced around and murmured gravely, "But so many experts have followed us... Even Xu Er from the True Martial Sect is here..."
Xu Er. 69 years old. He was considered a senior of a past generation.
His cultivation was at the second layer of the True Essence Realm.
And he’d actually shown up in person, lurking nearby.
’How shameless.’
But at a time like this, what could they say?
All they could do was pretend not to see him. ’Soon, it’ll be every man for himself.’
...
At this very moment, Chu Qingyin, Xu Long, and Cao Hai felt their anxiety mounting.
Chu Qingyin forced a smile to break the heavy silence. "Senior Brother Chen, what are your plans for the Fire Python Inner Core once we get back?"
"What else? I’ll trade it for heavenly resources to use for my cultivation, of course."
Chen Xuan replied.
"Trade for heavenly resources?"
Chu Qingyin said skeptically, "If you’re looking for heavenly resources for cultivation, I’m afraid the Alliance headquarters doesn’t have much left. Those are always the first to be claimed and are basically all gone. You’d be better off taking it to the black market. I’m sure there will be plenty of people willing to trade for a Fire Python Inner Core there."
"A black market?"
Chen Xuan stopped and looked at her.
"Yes. It’s an incredibly mysterious and expansive place."
Chu Qingyin smiled. "If you’re lucky, you might get several times its value."
"Good. I’m interested."
Chen Xuan nodded and started walking again. "Tell me where to find this black market once we’re back at the Martial Alliance."
"Yes, Senior Brother Chen!"
Chu Qingyin nodded at once, a smile on her face as she followed after Chen Xuan.
Just as they stepped out of the woods.
WHOOSH...
Without any warning, a violent gale swept over them.
It didn’t come from a single direction, but seemed to rise from the earth beneath their feet, from the empty space around them, and even from their very backs, all at once.
It was cold and viscous, carrying the pungent stench of blood.
The instant the wind began to blow, the world was plunged into darkness.
It wasn’t that clouds had covered the sun; rather, the light itself seemed to have been devoured by some invisible entity. Even the stench of blood intensified several times over.
Chen Xuan stopped in his tracks and looked up.
Behind him, the faces of his pursuers all changed as they, too, came to an abrupt halt.
"They’re here!"
"The experts from the Evil Cult are here!"
"The fight’s about to start!"
"Back up!"
The crowd’s hearts pounded as they scrambled back, filled with frenzied anticipation.
"Not a bad entrance."
Chen Xuan surveyed the rapidly darkening landscape and commented calmly. He then glanced at Chu Qingyin beside him and said, "Get back!"
Their faces pale, Chu Qingyin, Xu Long, and Cao Hai didn’t need to be told twice; they were already scrambling back.
"Aren’t you tired of hiding for so long? The Fire Python Inner Core is right here on me. If you want it, come and take it with your own abilities!"
Chen Xuan declared.
He suddenly lifted his foot and stomped down hard.
A dense, scorching wave of terrifying True Qi, like golden magma, erupted from him. Its power was pure and immeasurable, radiating immense heat and a terrifying aura as it slammed into the ground beneath his feet.