The Sword God of the Universe
Chapter 610: Ancient Cave Mansion

Chapter 610: Chapter 610: Ancient Cave Mansion

The following day, Jing Yan returned to the Donglin City Lord’s Mansion.

Gu Xinghe and Elder Yin were already waiting for Jing Yan, ready to set out for the newly discovered Ancient Cave Mansion in the Black Stone Mountain Range.

"Alchemist Jing Yan, can we now proceed to the Black Stone Mountain Range?" Gu Xinghe asked with a smile.

"Yes, no problem!" Jing Yan nodded, "We can leave right away."

"I’ve never been to the Black Stone Mountain Range, and I’m a bit curious too; I’ll tag along!" Zhou Shangyun interjected.

At Zhou Shangyun’s words, Gu Xinghe’s brow furrowed.

"Prince, it is fine for you to enter the Black Stone Mountain Range, but you cannot accompany us. You know, to open this Ancient Cave Mansion, my Gu Family has expended a great deal of effort and lost many powerful martial artists," Gu Xinghe said, regaining his smile while addressing Zhou Shangyun.

When Zhou Shangyun mentioned going along, he was not genuinely curious about the Black Stone Mountain Range. If he were truly interested, when could he not enter? He was worried that Jing Yan might be in danger.

Gu Xinghe’s intentions were certainly not so pure.

Of course, Gu Xinghe could see this. Zhou Shangyun had official backing, and if he went with them, they would have to be cautious. Therefore, Gu Xinghe would never agree to go along with Zhou Shangyun.

And his words were to make clear that this Ancient Cave Mansion was discovered and opened by the Gu Family, and any treasures found within were the Gu’s, having nothing to do with Zhou Shangyun.

As one of the Seven Great Families of the Heavenly Origin Continent, the Gu Family had the confidence to say this.

Had it been a smaller family power that discovered an Ancient Cave Mansion within Lanqu County, it would be impossible for them to monopolize whatever treasures it contained. The Prince Manor would not allow such a thing.

But against a powerful family like the Gu Family, Zhou Shangyun was powerless.

"Prince, my visit to the Black Stone Mountain Range this time is to guide Young Master Gu; it’s best you don’t come with us," Jing Yan hinted to Zhou Shangyun with his eyes.

Having Zhou Shangyun come along would not make much of a difference. Zhou Shangyun’s strength was merely at the late Daoist Realm; if a fight broke out, he would not be able to help at all.

Jing Yan might even have to look after him.

But if Jing Yan was alone, he would be much more flexible. Armed with second-realm Sky Wings, even if he couldn’t win a fight, it would be easier to flee alone.

Moreover, Jing Yan was in possession of numerous Micro Arrays, and should a fight to the death ensue, Gu Xinghe and his companion might not necessarily have much of an advantage.

"Alright then!"

"Jing Yan, I won’t be returning to Lanqu County City for now; I’ll wait for you here in Donglin City," Zhou Shangyun said, raising his voice.

"Let’s set out, it’s getting late," Gu Xinghe said, waving his arm impatiently.

Immediately, the three of them left the City Lord’s Mansion and flew toward the Black Stone Mountain Range.

The periphery of the Black Stone Mountain Range was a gathering place for low-level spiritual beasts, where even ordinary martial artists of the Innate Realm could come and go freely.

In the inner layers, however, the beasts roaming around were mostly high-level spiritual beasts.

Jing Yan and his two companions flew directly over these areas. Departing from Donglin City, it took them only a few hours to enter the core area of the mountain range, where almost all the spiritual beasts were Golden Pattern Spiritual Beasts.

Naturally, as soon as Jing Yan and the others released a bit of their aura, those Golden Pattern Spiritual Beasts would scatter in fear or lie down and not dare to move.

"I wonder if there are any Divine Beasts in the Black Stone Mountain Range," Gu Xinghe mused, narrowing his eyes.

"Master, it’s unlikely for a Divine Beast to appear in such low-level spiritual beast gathering areas," Elder Yin countered, shaking his head. "I’ve been to the Despair Abyss before, and that’s truly terrifying. I remember going in only a few hundred meters and already encountering a Divine Beast. It was horrifying; even the weakest Divine Beast is comparable to a warrior in the Daoist King Realm. Had I not retreated immediately, I would probably be dead in the Despair Abyss by now," Elder Yin said with a sigh.

"Alchemist Jing Yan, you’re familiar with the Black Stone Mountain Range. Tell us, could there be a Divine Beast here?" Gu Xinghe asked, turning his gaze to Jing Yan.

"There probably aren’t any. If there were a Divine Beast, then Donglin City would be in grave danger. Once a Divine Beast leaves the Black Stone Mountain Range, the entire Donglin City would be destroyed," Jing Yan said nonchalantly.

"That makes sense," Gu Xinghe nodded.

The trio chatted idly as they delved deeper into the core area of the mountain range.

On their journey, they encountered quite a few formidable Golden Pattern Spiritual Beasts, but no matter how strong these beasts were, they posed no threat to Jing Yan and his companions.

By evening, the three came to a halt.

"Ahead should be the location of the Ancient Cave Mansion," Elder Yin said, taking out a map and scanning the surrounding environment before speaking.

"Let’s go and take a look," Gu Xinghe said.

Sure enough, after traveling for several more miles, Jing Yan began to sense an energy fluctuation in the space around him. The scene before his eyes confirmed that there once was a Formation here, and it was a Killing Array.

However, the Killing Array was now completely destroyed, greatly diminishing its threat.

Jing Yan guessed that this Killing Array must have been destroyed by the Gu Family. Gu Xinghe’s claim of significant losses to the family to open this Ancient Cave Mansion was likely true.

As an Intermediate Array Master himself, Jing Yan’s vision was not mistaken. He recognized that the Killing Array set up here was of an Advanced Array caliber. Breaking such a formation would not be easy. Even a High-level Array Master might not be able to destroy it without harm. And if brute force was used to break the formation, many powerful warriors would have to sacrifice their lives.

"Young Master, stay behind me," Elder Yin instructed, shielding Gu Xinghe.

Even though the formation was broken, that did not mean it lost all its lethality. Even a destroyed High-level Killing Array could still be dangerous.

"Young Master Gu, since you have already found the Ancient Cave Mansion, then my task is also considered complete. Please relay news to my father," Jing Yan spoke up.

Jing Yan had no intention of entering the Ancient Cave Mansion. Setting aside whether there were any treasures inside, even if there were, they were probably already taken by the Gu Family.

"Hehe... Alchemist Jing Yan, you really are in a rush."

"However, your task is not yet complete. You must enter the Ancient Cave Mansion with us. Only after we exit it can you be deemed to have completed your mission. At that time, I will definitely tell you about your father," Gu Xinghe said, his eyes narrowing into a smile.

"Young Master Gu, why do you insist on me entering the Ancient Cave Mansion? The entrance to the mansion is right here; you and Elder Yin can go search for treasures yourselves," Jing Yan frowned and said.

"Master Jing Yan, it’s not that I don’t trust you, but we are, after all, not familiar, right? One must always guard against others! If we enter the Ancient Cave Mansion and you leave to talk about this matter, wouldn’t that be troublesome for us?" Gu Xinghe’s eyes flashed with a sinister glint.