Supreme of the Heavenly Realm
Chapter 368 - 365: Competing for the Treasure

Chapter 368: Chapter 365: Competing for the Treasure

"Let’s go!"

The gate opened, and Ye Xuan was the first to dash in, followed by Zi Yuqing, who, after a moment’s hesitation, was only a step slower than him.

The others entered one after another, and then the gate sealed shut again, isolating all the bronze guards outside.

Whew...

Having finally shaken off the bronze guards, Ye Xuan breathed a sigh of relief, while Zi Yuqing beside him looked at him with some surprise and said, "I didn’t expect Young Master Liu to be knowledgeable in arrays too. Truly, your expertise is broad and profound."

She found herself more and more unable to see through Ye Xuan. Not only was his power unfathomable, always giving her the feeling that he was hiding something, but now he had effortlessly solved the Array that had left her at a loss, which made him even more inscrutable to her.

"I have some understanding, having seen it in a book once."

Ye Xuan simply responded with a smile. Arrays, after all, were but trivial matters, and with so many secrets to his name, he naturally couldn’t reveal them all.

Zi Yuqing knew it wasn’t that simple, but since Ye Xuan didn’t wish to elaborate, she naturally wouldn’t ask any further out of politeness.

Passing through the bronze gate, what came into everyone’s view was a majestic and grand palace, with its doors tightly closed, emanating a magnificent presence.

This gate was different from the ones they had encountered before; there were no prohibitions protecting it, it was merely firmly sealed shut.

"Open!"

An Elder from the Black Market took a step forward, his palm striking the bronze gate through the air.

Boom!

The palace gate, closed for countless years, burst open, as if revealing an ancient gateway to the people. Each person held their breath, their eyes wide open, as if trying to pierce through the gate and see what lay inside.

Creak!

The palace gate finally opened, and at that instant, a surge of vigorous Spiritual Energy gushed out like a storm, striking everyone head-on.

"Such rich Spiritual Energy!" exclaimed Ao Wuchang.

The Spiritual Energy was so dense it was almost liquid-like, leaving their hair somewhat damp and restoring some of the True Qi in their bodies.

"What kind of rare treasure could be emitting such rich Spiritual Energy?"

The group was somewhat staggered by the discovery as they entered the interior of the palace.

The palace was not particularly large, but all around, crystals with a strong bright light embedded in them illuminated the interior, making it exceptionally bright. At the center of the palace was a large Array, circular in shape, with the incredibly dense surge of Spiritual Energy emanating from the center of the Array.

Before their eyes, heaps of square gemstones piled up like small hills. These gemstones, semi-transparent in color, were stacked high, and the mighty swell of Spiritual Energy formed a storm that scattered throughout the palace, making Ye Xuan and his group feel refreshed. If they could cultivate here, their efforts would certainly be doubled.

"They’re actually Spirit Crystals," an Elder from the Black Market said with his mouth agape.

"There are so many, at least three hundred thousand pieces," Ye Xuan thought, somewhat shocked. Spirit Crystals were the crystalline form of nature’s Spiritual Energy, extremely rare, and not often seen in the outside world. In the Chaotic Sea Domain, it was virtually unheard of to see so many Spirit Crystals.

"It’s a blessing in disguise."

Joy also filled Zi Yuqing’s pretty face. Although they were here for treasures, Spirit Crystals were not considered exceedingly rare, but such a quantity was undeniably unprecedented. It was her first time witnessing it in her life.

The value of Spirit Crystals was comparable to that of general Top Heavenly Grade Pills, and typically, those who possessed Spirit Crystals wouldn’t auction them off, as they were considered too scarce even for one’s own Cultivation.

Several hundreds of thousands of Spirit Crystals, split among six people, meant that each person would get at least fifty thousand pieces, a considerable amount.

When converted to Xuanyuan Pills, that would be worth at least five million. More, not less.

"Young Master Liu, you’ve been a great help along the way. You’ll keep thirty percent of these Spirit Crystals for yourself; the rest of us five will split the remainder evenly," Zi Yuqing proposed, her head clear despite the allure of the Spirit Crystals as she emitted a calm breath and looked towards Ye Xuan.

However, Ye Xuan did not agree. After all, he felt that since they were all in one team, he didn’t need to be special, taking a bit more Spirit Crystals than others.

"Exactly, we are all here together, and him taking thirty percent alone is a bit too much," Wuchang said, glancing coldly at Ye Xuan with a sneer on his lips. "Yuqing, although you’re leading this expedition, you cannot make such an important decision on your own without consulting us. Elders, don’t you agree?"

"Yes, I think it’s best to divide it equally."

"Hmm, since Young Master Liu Xuan isn’t keen on taking more, we can’t insist either."

The three Black Market Elders also nodded in agreement, clearly endorsing Ao Wuchang’s statement; none of them wanted Ye Xuan to have a larger share of Spirit Crystals. After all, Spirit Crystals weren’t ordinary commodities to them but precious resources used for cultivation, enhancing one’s Cultivation.

Seeing the reaction of these people, Zi Yuqing couldn’t help but shake her head silently. These people were too narrow-minded. What kind of person was Ye Xuan? If she could form an alliance with him, she would be willing to give up even more benefits, as long as Ye Xuan was willing to accept. However, these individuals were shortsighted and lacked foresight.

Boom!

Just as they were about to tally the Spirit Crystals, on the other end of the palace, a door that had been tightly sealed suddenly burst open. A group of people emerged from that side, numbering one more than Ye Xuan’s party, exuding an aura that was domineering and overwhelming.

The one leading them carried a black crescent saber on his back and had an extraordinary bearing. Those who stood behind him were also not average individuals; they all seemed like formidable experts.

"It’s the Heavenly Evil King and his followers."

Zi Yuqing’s pupils contracted as she recognized this group.

These people belonged to the Evil Moon Cave, a powerful Fourth Grade force comparable to the Black Market.

With the abrupt arrival of these uninvited guests, the nerves of everyone from the Black Market side tensed, their gazes locked on the newcomers as the atmosphere became charged and volatile.

"This is trouble."

Zi Yuqing’s brows furrowed. These were not individuals to be taken lightly, and their appearance couldn’t have been more inconvenient, materializing just before the division of the Spirit Crystals.

"Hehe, to think there would be so many Spirit Crystals in this palace, we are quite lucky."

The Heavenly Evil King ignored the Black Market folks entirely. His gaze landed on the Spirit Crystals at the center of the Array, his eyes blazing with eagerness, as if the hundreds of thousands of Spirit Crystals were already in his possession.

"Indeed, but Lord Heavenly Evil King, there are only so many Spirit Crystals, yet it seems there might be a few too many people to share them," remarked a middle-aged man with the appearance of a wily old rat, his lips curled in a smirk, glancing at Ye Xuan’s group as if to remind them intentionally.

"Just kill them all."

Killing intent surged from the Heavenly Evil King, who clearly held no regard for the lives of others. His gaze briefly lingered on Zi Yuqing before he said, "This girl is the daughter of the Black Market leader. Spare her life, but as for the others, show no mercy."

Even the Evil Moon Cave didn’t want to incite a deep and lasting enmity with the Black Market. Killing Zi Yuqing would undoubtedly lead to vendettas, but eliminating others probably wouldn’t amount to much.

In a place like the Ancient Cave Mansion, it was perfectly normal to kill a few over grievances; the Black Market wouldn’t go seeking trouble with them over such a trifle.

"Heavenly Evil King, there should be some order to these matters. We found the Spirit Crystals first; it seems inappropriate for you to set sights on them now."

Zi Yuqing’s pretty face was somber. The Heavenly Evil King was after all an elder powerhouse, a formidable opponent barely a step away from advancing to the status of a Half-step Elegance Venerable. The strength of the Evil Moon Cave’s forces was obviously not to be underestimated. What would happen if a fight broke out was still very uncertain.

"Talk no nonsense. Treasures belong to those with the strength to claim them; it doesn’t matter who found them first, but whose fist is harder—that’s who the treasures rightfully belong to."

The man next to the Heavenly Evil King with a rat-like demeanor scoffed again.

"Very well, let’s see whose fist is indeed the hardest. Let’s fight!"

Zi Yuqing, though a woman, was not indecisive. The moment the Heavenly Evil King and his followers appeared, she knew that matters couldn’t be resolved peacefully, and without fighting, it would be impossible to drive this group away.

Her body surged with purple demonic power. As Zi Yuqing made her move, the sword she held shot out, targeting the throat of the Heavenly Evil King.

"Wrath of the Heavenly Evil King!"

Standing still, the Heavenly Evil King punched out. Behind him appeared a phantom of a demon king that roared furiously, its fist lashing out at the opposition.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

Eleven individuals from both parties chose their opponents and began to fight following Zi Yuqing’s and the Heavenly Evil King’s engagement.

Sharp Qi Forces crisscrossed in the melee.

Ye Xuan’s opponent was the rat-faced middle-aged man, who looked at Ye Xuan with disdain, scoffing, "A mere Fifth Grade Demon King dares to enter this Ancient Cave Mansion? You truly don’t know what death looks like."

He had chosen the weakest of the group to ensure an unequivocal victory. Undoubtedly, within Zi Yuqing’s team, Ye Xuan seemed the weakest, which is why he was the chosen target.

"How death is written—I’d really like you to teach me," Ye Xuan replied with a hint of a smile on his lips. He had been underestimated before, not once or twice, and often those who did so ended up paying a price for their contempt.

"Teach you? I haven’t got the time to spare. You can go to your death!"

The middle-aged man sneered, then swung his large chopping knife, a three-meter-long blade bearing down on Ye Xuan with a fierce wind, oppressive and fierce.

Hum!

With a flick of his wrist, Ye Xuan’s Spiritual Edge Sword was already unsheathed and awaiting, and as the large knife of the middle-aged man came down, the Spiritual Edge Sword, as if sentient, was deftly angled and struck out under Ye Xuan’s command.