Lin Chen gazed at the images carved into the wall, gradually unraveling the mysteries of the Aura Manipulation Technique.
A hundred years ago, the sect leader of the Aura Manipulation Sect had also come to this place.
The difference was, back then, the sect leader hadn’t grasped the deeper meaning—he could only rely on rote memorization to bring the knowledge back and force his way to understanding.
But now, Lin Chen had already studied the Aura Manipulation Technique for some time. The insights he gained from these murals were naturally different.
All the previously obscure and incomprehensible parts now flowed together seamlessly in his mind.
Su Xue'er pulled out her phone from her waist pouch and snapped a few photos.
"Taking pictures won’t help. The true essence of these murals lies in the lingering spiritual intent."
Lin Chen closed his eyes, his fingers tracing the carvings as he immersed himself in the sensation.
"So this is the Aura Manipulation Technique..."
Another voice suddenly spoke beside his ear.
Lin Chen’s eyes snapped open, sharp and alert, locking onto the figure beside him.
Chen Bing chuckled, raising a hand wreathed in swirling energy. "Relax. We’re on the same side."
"Aura Manipulation Technique?!" Lin Chen’s brow furrowed.
What the hell? Aside from him and An Yi, there was someone else who knew it?
That old geezer had sworn he was the last practitioner!
Damn liar!
"Mr. Cheng still hasn’t emerged," Chen Bing adjusted his black-framed glasses, his expression turning serious.
Lin Chen shook his head. "Do you know what’s going on with this secret realm?"
Chen Bing pondered for a moment before answering. "The Nightmare Realm. It’s said to trap people in their most painful memories. The deeper the suffering, the harder it is to break free."
He sighed heavily before continuing, "Mr. Cheng’s life has been filled with too much pain. Right now, hatred is the only thing keeping him alive. Breaking out... will be nearly impossible."
"How do you know all this?" Lin Chen’s voice was icy as he studied Chen Bing.
Though they had fought side by side against the Joyous Sect before, this man was far too enigmatic.
Naturally cautious, Lin Chen remained wary of him.
Chen Bing smiled faintly. "There are many things in this world I know. As for the secrets... perhaps I’ll tell you in the future."
"Then do you know who was behind the massacre of the Wolf Fang Mercenary Group?" Lin Chen pressed.
Chen Bing:
"Honestly? No idea."
Su Xue'er interjected curiously, "Then do you know what my favorite food is?"
Chen Bing:
"Come on, I only know your name is Su Xue'er and that you’re from the Underworld.
This world has seven or eight billion people.
There’s no way I can know everyone.
Even with a thousand more years, it wouldn’t be enough.
Most of my time is spent idling away—what’s the point, when I can’t escape the Curse of July?
If I’m not interested, no amount of free time will make me care.
It’s like... if your summer vacation were extended by two months, would you happily dive into homework?
Hell no!"
Suddenly, the sound of a commotion reached them.
"Zhang Qianyu, you really think you can take me on?"
Mo Jiu strolled forward, a massive axe resting on his shoulder, fresh blood still dripping from its edge.
Zhang Qianyu pressed on his acupoints to stem the bleeding from his chest wound, his gaze sharp. "Hmph! Eliminating demonic cultivators like you is the sacred duty of us from Dragon Elephant Mountain!"
"Pathetic righteousness."
Mo Jiu wiped his axe, his tall, lean frame radiating menace.
But Zhang Qianyu was no pushover either.
Ranked sixth on the Hidden Dragon Leaderboard—though overshadowed by Jiang Cheng, the undisputed number one—his strength was formidable among the younger generation.
Mo Jiu’s lips curled into a cruel grin.
If this fool wanted to die, he wouldn’t hold back.
The axe descended like a shadow—
Splitting Zhang Qianyu’s sword in half!
Mo Jiu’s gaunt body erupted with terrifying power.
Crack!
A bolt of lightning tore through the air!
Mo Jiu raised his arm to block—
Electricity surged through him, leaving his muscles searing in pain.
"Stand down," Zhang Qianyu said coldly. "Lv Zheng!"
Lv Zheng flicked a talisman between his fingers, his usually lazy tone now firm. "I may not like this guy, but he’s still part of the Dao Alliance. Letting you kill him would be... inconvenient."
Mo Jiu’s eyes narrowed. "And who are you?"
Holding the thunder talisman aloft, Lv Zheng answered with rare solemnity:
"Dao Alliance. Pure Sun Palace. Lv Zheng."
Elsewhere—
Buddhist radiance filled the sky as Ji Chen advanced, prayer beads whirling around him.
Half his face was twisted in wrath, the other half serene with a smile.
The contrast made him all the more terrifying.
Yan Zhi gripped her silver whip, her voice icy. "The Law Enforcement Bureau has no quarrel with you. Why attack us?"
Ji Chen replied lazily, "No reason. I just felt like killing someone."
"What a rotten excuse!"
Yan Zhi’s whip crackled with energy—she wasn’t to be underestimated.
Ji Chen observed her surging aura with indifference. "The Yan Family’s techniques truly are unusual. Reaching Bright Force at twenty-two, Dark Force at twenty-three, and Breaking Force just three months ago... Securing a seat among the Four Sacred Vermilion Birds is no small feat."
"Picking on a Law Enforcement Bureau officer isn’t very impressive, Master. How about you fight me instead?"
A tall figure stepped forward.
Jiang Cheng grinned at Ji Chen, his eyes glinting with menace.
Ji Chen sneered. "Our battle three years ago—when you defeated me—has haunted me ever since."
"You’ve broken the precept of anger, little monk."
Jiang Cheng slipped on his knuckle dusters, his usually half-lidded eyes now wide with killing intent.
"If I could beat you three years ago, I can do it again now."
"Qianqian, hold on!"
Tang Qingqing placed a detox pill into Shangguan Qianqian’s mouth.
The stunning actress’s face was flushed with fever.
She fought the urge to tear at her clothes, barely restraining herself.
"Well, well. If it isn’t the superstar."
Zhang Fan strode over, a chain leash in hand, Xue Ruirui trailing behind him. His smirk was wicked. "Under the effects of a lust toxin? How interesting."
"Zhang Fan!" Tang Qingqing tensed.
Over the past year, the "Venomous Physician" had made quite a name for himself.
His mastery of poisons rivaled even the Tang Clan and the Five Venoms Sect—though his medical skills were said to be equally formidable.
"Need my help?" Zhang Fan’s grin widened.
Shangguan Qianqian gripped her sword, her glare icy.
This man was a threat.
He couldn’t be allowed to live.
"That’s my toxin you’re trying to steal. Not very polite, is it?"
Xue Ming approached, his cold gaze fixed on Zhang Fan.
"Shixiong..." Xue Ruirui’s eyes lit up at the sight of him—but her hope quickly faded.
Xue Ming acted as though she didn’t exist, his focus entirely on Zhang Fan.
Zhang Fan tugged the chain lightly. "I’ve also taken your cauldron."
"Fine by me. Just a cauldron—keep it if you like." Xue Ming shrugged.
Tears welled in Xue Ruirui’s eyes.
So it was true—everything Zhang Fan had said!
A "cauldron" was a vessel—flesh cultivated with herbs, destined to become a breeding ground for venomous creatures.
A fate worse than death.
She’d been deceived all along.
Xue Ming sighed. "Don’t blame me. Blame your bloodline."
Then—
The ground began to quake!
The sky split apart!
Rocks tumbled like the world itself was ending.
Every head turned upward in shock.