Chapter 156 - Gu Batian!

“Long Chen, it looks like luck isn’t on our side today. The weather’s terrible.”

Liu Yuan’s brows were knitted with worry as he gazed at the black patch of desolate mountains with dark clouds looming above them.

Long Chen looked at the legendary Nine Devil Mountains but only saw black peaks peeking above the clouds with streaks of lightning swimming through the cloud layer and the occasional rumbling thunder that sounded like low beast roars.

The nine mountain peaks pierced through the clouds like claws and greeted them with a cold aura. “This is the Nine Devil Mountains? Literally nine of them?”

Long Chen was a little tongue-tied.

“I’m afraid it’s going to rain. The storms in the Nine Devil Mountains are harsh with mad lightning, which will make the qualifiers much more difficult ...”

Long Chen was already weaker than the rest in terms of cultivation level, and now there was the harsh weather to deal with. Liu Yuan thought the odds were against them.

“Don’t worry, Uncle Liu. I won’t be the only one who has to face this harsh environment. I might even be able to adapt to it,” said Long Chen with a nonchalant grin.

When Liu Yuan saw how optimistic he was, he shook his head in exasperation.

Once they arrived at the vicinity of the Nine Devil Mountains, the Divine Gale Peng grew increasingly afraid. When they finally neared Mortal Devil Mountain, it landed on its own and refused to move, retracting its neck in fear.

The three of them dismounted.

“The Nine Devil Mountains are dark and cold; the Divine Gale Peng isn’t used to an environment like that. Whatever, it’s not too far from the Nine Devil Mountain Village. We’ll just walk there. It’s getting dark, and it’s best we arrive before nightfall.”

The Nine Devil Mountain Village was a base built by the Lingwu family in the Nine Devil Mountains. Since almost every inner family qualifier event was held in the same place, they decided to build a base here. "The inner family qualifiers start tomorrow. I think it’s almost time for them to divide the participants into teams. Long Chen, Lan’er, we need to speed up!”

After Liu Yuan dealt with the Divine Gale Peng, he led Long Chen and Liu Lan towards the Nine Devil Mountain Village.

The Devil Mountains were a vast group of mountains, where the Nine Devil Mountains were the nine tallest peaks, each one tall enough to touch the clouds. Long Chen was currently within the area of the Devil Mountains.

Both the soil on the ground and the wood of the trees were a faded black. Creepy-looking withered trees stood in strange, twisted shapes.

As Long Chen walked, he realized it was very quiet.

“You may only see withered trees here, but the Nine Devil Mountains are filled with dense forests. In general, as you travel, you’ll find that the ground is filled with tree roots, and you’ll find almost no flat spot to place your feet. A terrain like this can have a great impact on your combat capabilities.”

When he thought about the terrain, Liu Yuan lost confidence.

On the one hand, he truly admired and approved of this teenager. On the other hand, the Turquoise Sun Hall had also spent resources on nurturing Long Chen’s talent. If he died young, in this place, Liu Yuan would be very disappointed.

“Remember, Long Chen, if you’re ever in danger, forget about whether your teammate will be disqualified. Just use the flare, and you’ll definitely live!”

Liu Yuan spoke in complete sincerity, so Long Chen could only nod in agreement.

As they hurried towards the Nine Devil Mountains, Long Chen turned and took a glance at Liu Lan. She was made up particularly beautiful today. Her soft, pink skin and devil-like curves gave him the urge to bite her.

When she saw that there was not a hint of worry in his eyes, Liu Lan felt like he was beyond saving, so she said flatly, “Don’t you dare fool around anymore. It’s best you listen to my father. The inner family qualifiers are no child’s play. If you die, it will be a great loss to the Turquoise Sun Hall.”

“You just wait and see,” Long Chen said nonchalantly, and his eyes darted at her figure. “You’re dressed all special today. You’re not getting ready already, are you?”

“Ready for what?”

Liu Lan was puzzled, but she was suspicious of the look in his eyes. Being an intelligent person, she quickly recalled that she had told him that he could do whatever he wanted to her once he entered the inner family.

Do you think you can even dream of entering the inner family and having me at your cultivation level?

Liu Lan smirked to herself. She looked down on Long Chen in this aspect.

“A person must, most importantly, be humble and honest. I suddenly realized that you don’t seem to be either. That is why you will always be last,” remarked Liu Lan mildly, then she passed Long Chen and walked in front.

The corner of his lips curved upwards. “Really? But why would I want to be humble?”

Liu Yuan didn’t quite understand what they were talking about, but he mulled over it silently when he saw how sarcastically they spoke with each other.

Why does it seem like Lan’er and Long Chen are arguing? They’re both grown, so why are they saying such childish things? Unless she’s actually interested in Long Chen?

As an experienced outsider, Liu Yuan instantly realized that something was off.

However, he buried this matter deep in his heart for the moment because this was a somewhat difficult issue to settle. If they truly were interested in each other, that was a good thing, but Long Chen had to come back alive first.

And with Long Chen’s temper, that might be difficult to accomplish.

They were soon approaching the Nine Devil Mountain Village. “The Nine Devil Mountain Village is ahead. You two, remember not to utter a single word about what happened at the Grand Elder’s gates. Do not argue with him either, especially you, Long Chen ...” He glared at Long Chen sternly and then continued, “Although they were being bullies, he’s still of higher status and more powerful than us. He’s at the late Heavenly Core Realm after all. That is why we must hold our tongues and just agree with whatever he says. If you start spouting nonsense because you’re dissatisfied, you’ll be the only one to blame for your own death!”

Long Chen could only nod in the face of Liu Yuan’s solemn warning.

That old man has insulted me. Liu Yuan might have emphasized his stance on this matter, but the future can always change.

The vegetation parted, and a gigantic building emerged from a valley ahead. This place was a few times larger than Turquoise Willow Residence.

There were only about forty people present for the inner family qualifiers, yet they were using such a large place just for transit. The Lingwu family’s budget was surely huge.

The Nine Devil Mountains were pitch black, so the building’s main color was also black in order to avoid being too conspicuous.

Night had gradually fallen. There were already many lights in the building, and red lanterns lit within the black pavilions like the eyes of countless beasts hidden in the night.

“Let’s enter.”

It looked like everyone participating in the qualifiers was present already. Liu Yuan took a deep breath, then he led Long Chen and Liu Lan towards the Nine Devil Mountain Village. Before long, a few cultivators in black armor surrounded them.

They were all at the Earthly Core Realm and were no ordinary men; they radiated a bloody Qi that meant that they had taken many lives before. “This is the Nine Devil Mountains base belonging to the Lingwu family of Yuanling County! Who are you? State your name or die!” A cold voice came from the surrounding people.

“I am the Sect Elder of the Turquoise family’s Turquoise Sun Hall, Liu Yuan. I am here to bring my disciple for the inner family qualifiers!” announced Liu Yuan, deliberately speaking loudly. He did this to attract the attention of people within the mountain village. As long as he attracted attention, this situation would be easier to deal with.

“Inner family qualifiers? Nonsense! The participants were brought in by their Grand Elders. You may be a Sect Elder, but so what? I think you’re just here to cause trouble. Get him!”

The black-armored guards refused to reason. Despite Liu Yuan’s constant efforts to explain, they didn’t listen. The group of ten mid Earthly Core Realm cultivators attacked immediately.

“Bastards!” Liu Yuan squinted. He was really angry this time. In a situation like this, even the kindest person would be furious!

He was only at the initial Heavenly Core Realm, but the difference between the Heavenly Core Realm and the Earthly Core Realm was like the sky and the land. Even ten mid Earthly Core Realm cultivators were no match for him!

The reason why he didn’t make a move was because future negotiations would be difficult if he did so. There were inner family members in the Nine Devil Mountains, so if he didn’t deal with this matter appropriately and was betrayed by someone, he could easily lose his life.

It was at this moment that his previously loud announcement took effect.

“Stand down!”

An old but powerful voice rang out. The mid Earthly Core Realm guards were about to attack, but there was suddenly a vibration that caused their legs to give out, and they collapsed.

An old man clad in violet robes appeared at the entrance of the Nine Devil Mountain Village. He loomed over them at more than two meters tall. After pushing away the black-armored guards with the shockwaves of his attack, he eyed Liu Yuan for a while and declared loudly, “Indeed, it’s him. Liu Yuan! I can testify to their identities, let them in.”

When the guards heard the old man’s words, they did not dare say anything more and retreated quietly before disappearing into the forest.

Liu Yuan was surprised and overjoyed to see the tall old man, exclaiming in reverence, “So it’s you, Senior Gu Batian, Grand Elder of the Violet family! I can’t believe you still remember me!”

“My memory is excellent. Then again, I haven’t seen you in four or five years. I can’t believe you’re still as pathetic as before. Even that small ant dares to bully you.”

The Grand Elder of the Violet family spoke without reservations, his voice booming loud.

“I am sorry you had to see that, Senior Gu Batian ...” Liu Yuan looked a little embarrassed, then he hurriedly introduced the other two to Gu Baitian. “Senior, this is my daughter, Liu Lan. She also participated in the inner family qualifiers once but unfortunately wasn’t good enough to qualify. This is a disciple of the Turquoise Sun Hall, Long Chen. He’s here to participate in the inner family qualifiers. You two ...”

With his reminder, Long Chen and Liu Lan locked eyes and then quickly bowed.

The Violet family’s Grand Elder looked like a rough brute, but he was actually very friendly. If Chu Tianxiong ignored or bullied them, they could get Gu Batian to help reason with him. This was a good thing ...