Supreme of the Heavenly Realm
Chapter 208 - 205: Awkward Schemes

Chapter 208: Chapter 205: Awkward Schemes

The vast and boundless swamp was permeated with a bloody and decayed scent, surrounded either by swamps bubbling with gray bubbles or by bizarre large trees, where occasionally one could hear hissing sounds.

In the swamp, Demon Beasts frequently appeared, and countless venomous insects and ferocious beasts lurked; the slightest carelessness could result in injury, and even powerful Martial Artists dared not be careless in this notoriously deadly Blood Swamp.

Swoosh swoosh!

Four figures rapidly dashed through the swamp, precisely the group led by Long Zhiyang that had been sent out to scout.

Before long, the four had ventured deeper into the swamp, and the number of people visible around them had decreased.

Suddenly, Long Zhiyang stopped and looked towards Leng Ruofeng and Yang Ting, "This swamp is quite large, and efficiency inevitably drops with four people together. Why don’t we split into two groups? You two go that way, and Xue’er and I will take this side. If anything unusual happens, just signal."

"Okay."

Leng Ruofeng and his companion hesitated for a moment but then nodded and headed toward another direction.

"Xue’er, let’s go."

Long Zhiyang smiled warmly at Ling Qianxue, who, as always, appeared clear and cold but strikingly beautiful, igniting a swift flash of eagerness deep in Long Zhiyang’s eyes.

"Mhm."

Ling Qianxue lightly tapped her foot without overthinking and flew towards the designated direction.

As for Long Zhiyang, he just coldly smirked and followed right after her.

...

"Little Long, having lived for several hundred years, you must know quite a lot about the Black Demon Sect. What exactly are they up to this time? Speak up."

Having left the cave, Ye Xuan was now heading deeper into the Blood Swamp, meanwhile asking the Flood Dragon inside the Beast Taming Token.

"Not sure. The actions of the Black Demon Sect have always been mysterious, but they never engage in matters that don’t benefit them. Their large-scale arrival this time must mean they have a particular motive. That suggests there’s something in this Blood Swamp that they desperately want." The Flood Dragon paused, then analyzed.

"Something? Like the Yin Spirit Ghost Pearl sort of magic treasure?" Ye Xuan’s expression shifted slightly.

"That, I cannot be certain of. It might be something even more crucial than the Yin Spirit Ghost Pearl, or perhaps someone." The Flood Dragon said.

"Someone?"

Ye Xuan’s expression changed, recalling the Yama Ghost General who had been sealed underground. Such a significant mobilization, if it involved a person, would indeed mean a very significant individual.

Whether it was a person or some treasure, either was not to be underestimated.

"Interesting, if it’s about a person, let it be, but if it’s a treasure, I wouldn’t mind seizing it for a look, and spoiling the Black Demon Sect’s plan in the process would be quite satisfying too."

Ye Xuan didn’t particularly despise the Black Demon Sect, but should they gain control over the Tiannan Region, it wouldn’t bode well for most, and the Ye family would face darkness; otherwise, Ye Xuan wouldn’t care so much.

"Let’s proceed, but don’t be too reckless. The Black Demon Sect, though in decline, possesses Ming Wang level figures not far off from my own strength. Should a true battle occur, we might not necessarily prevail," the Flood Dragon warned.

"Don’t worry, when have you ever seen me act recklessly?"

Ye Xuan didn’t take it too seriously. He wasn’t rash; his ability to become a Martial God in his previous life was crucially due to his intelligence, not merely his talent. Otherwise, even the most gifted would perish along the way.

...

Meanwhile, at almost the same time, Long Zhiyang and Ling Qianxue were also delving deeper into the swamp, but their exploration yielded no results, and the sky gradually darkened towards evening.

"Brother Long, it’s getting dark. Let’s head back today and continue tomorrow."

Ling Qianxue halted, her beautiful cheeks glistening with sweat that dampened her hair, the relentless activity of the day leaving her somewhat exhausted.

"Alright, let’s go back."

Long Zhiyang smiled and quickly nodded. However, as Ling Qianxue turned around, his gaze drifted to a nearby thicket where several dark figures flashed swiftly.

Seeing the emergence of these shadows, Long Zhiyang was not alarmed but instead, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Rustle...

Ling Qianxue hadn’t walked far when she too sensed something amiss. She suddenly looked to the right, "clang" – her treasured sword swiftly unsheathed and mercilessly slashed towards that spot!

Splurt!

The Sword Qi instantly split a large tree in half, and the man in black hiding behind it screamed as his body was cleaved into two, his organs and intestines spilling onto the ground.

Having faced life and death situations in Wanxiang Mountain, Ling Qianxue saw this scene and her pretty face changed – could this man in black be a remnant of the Black Demon Sect?

Bang bang bang!

Suddenly, explosions occurred from all directions around them, and dark figures burst out, charging together towards Ling Qianxue and Long Zhiyang.

"Qianxue, be careful!"

Long Zhiyang shouted, then dashed forward, intercepting two men in black outfits and engaging them in combat. However, the four other men in black went after Ling Qianxue.

Faced with four glittering cold weapons, a cold light flashed suddenly in Ling Qianxue’s beautiful eyes. She gathered her True Qi, transformed into an Ice and Snow Fairy, and swung her sword. The Sword Qi, like a flurry of snow, scattered in all directions, sweeping towards the four men.

Clang clang clang!

The snow-like Sword Qi descended on the men in black. Most of it was blocked, but a few landed, gushing out blood from their bodies.

Clearly, these men in black were skilled experts, among which three were Half-step Martial Sect Masters, well-trained, and the remaining one was a First Grade Martial Sect.

However, Ling Qianxue’s strength was not to be underestimated. Since her return from Wanxiang Mountain, her strength had further advanced. Fighting four at once, she didn’t falter at all.

Swoosh swoosh swoosh!

Just then, black crossbow bolts suddenly shot out from the dense forest nearby. These bolts, flashing a peculiar dark glow and engraved with strange runes, increased their speed and sharpness.

The bolts, vicious and exceedingly accurate, targeted Ling Qianxue’s vital spots, while only a few symbolic ones were fired at Long Zhiyang, leaving Ling Qianxue no time to worry about his situation.

Hiss!

After dodging a dozen arrows, one finally tore through her arm, slashing through her inner armor as well and leaving a bloody wound.

Seeing Ling Qianxue injured, Long Zhiyang, instead of panicking, seemed oddly pleased, exerting more effort to disguise his contentment and even sent a signal.

Splat!

Just as Ling Qianxue was struck by that one arrow, her sword inexplicably pierced through the head of one of the men in black. Instantly, brain matter burst out, and the man fell silent, dropping down.

In the jungle, cold eyes focused on Ling Qianxue. The next moment, a horrifying swarm of arrows shot over, working in close sync with the three men in black.

Watching Ling Qianxue struggle, Long Zhiyang’s smile deepened. He wasn’t worried about any problems as Leng Ruofeng and Yang Ting were also entangled. Even if he had signalled them, they wouldn’t make it in time.

As the battle continued, Ling Qianxue’s pristine white dress gradually soaked through, stained with blood, clinging tightly to her body, outlining her flawless curves, slim waist, and long figure. Her flowing long hair also became wet, occasionally dripping with sweat.

Long Zhiyang, looking at Ling Qianxue in this moment, felt the flames in his eyes intensify. She was the ethereal Ice and Snow Fairy, yet now, she was incredibly seductive.

His desire for Ling Qianxue grew stronger.

Of the four men in black, three were already slain by Ling Qianxue, leaving only the last First Grade Martial Sect alive. Meanwhile, her injuries also accumulated.

Seeing the opportunity was right, Long Zhiyang suddenly picked up a black slender needle between his fingers and intentionally circled behind Ling Qianxue, then fiercely flicked the needle, piercing it into her back, bypassing her inner armor.

Hmph!

Ling Qianxue grunted, feeling ambushed, but noticed nothing unusual, thus swung her blue sword again at the man in black facing her.

At that moment, Long Zhiyang merely sneered, then waved his hand. At his cue, the archers retreated, and even the man fighting Ling Qianxue fled.

"Qianxue, are you alright?"

After the men in black retreated, Long Zhiyang quickly moved to Ling Qianxue’s side to support her.

"I’m fine."

Ling Qianxue shook her head, gently pushing Long Zhiyang away, who just sneered in response.

However, within moments, her body began reacting abnormally.

She had only taken a few steps when her body started misbehaving, accompanied by a mysterious heat flowing back and forth within her. Her pale skin rapidly blushed pink, and her vision began to blur.

After shaking her head vigorously a few times, Ling Qianxue’s physical reaction intensified, eventually leading to hallucinations.

"Ye Xuan? How... how did you get here..."

As her frail body was supported by Long Zhiyang, Ling Qianxue opened her beautiful eyes, only to suddenly see Ye Xuan smiling tenderly at her. His gentle expression made her also smile beautifully, and her pale hand reached out to touch "Ye Xuan’s" face.

Seeing this, Long Zhiyang’s expression instantly darkened.

"Damn it, this little bitch is in heat and all she can think about is that brat! Even though I’m her childhood friend and senior brother, I’m nowhere in her heart compared to that newcomer. Luckily, I orchestrated today’s events; otherwise, I would truly be the tragic one."

Was Ling Qianxue mistaking him for that Ye Xuan? Perfect, then he would take full advantage of her now.

A lecherous smile filled Long Zhiyang’s face.