Nine mighty mountains stood together in a magnificent formation.

Each had an ancient palace on its peak that had appeared mysteriously amidst the mist.

There was no doubt that this was also a secret area where a great blessing was hidden!

Lin Xun had been feeling somewhat regretful because he had only obtained a secret Buddhist scripture and nothing else in the mysterious temple.

However, all of his negative feelings were swept away and he was reinvigorated upon finding out that another chance had appeared.

“Right! We’ll win big this time!”

Lin Xun was also itching to get started.

While they were deliberating which mountain to start with, a nearby altar suddenly released several undulations.

Soon after, a group of figures scrambled out as if they were fleeing for their lives.

“Abominable! What kind of godforsaken place is this? There’s fatal danger around every corner and a single misstep is equivalent to death. Too many of my clan’s elite cultivators have been lost to its clutches!”

“There are indeed no good people among the bald donkeys of the Buddhist Sect. How ruthless of them to leave so many deathtraps.”

The Herculean Demon Bull Clan experts!

However, they were currently in a very sorry state. Their clothes were in tatters and they were clearly worse for wear. Moreover, several members were bruised and bloodied and had evidently sustained substantial injuries.

They immediately let out a tirade of curses the moment they appeared. Their traumatized and angry appearances would make anyone wonder what kind of trials and dangers they had encountered that had left them in such a state.

Only a single person was completely unscathed among them: their leader, Little Bull Demon King Niu Tuntian.

His majestic figure resembled an unshakable metal tower while looking heroic and filled with vigor. His eyes shone brightly, filled with a look of disdain as if everything else was beneath him.

At this moment, however, his expression was also ugly and gloomy like the others.

However, Niu Tuntian immediately fixed his expression the moment he sensed Lin Xun and the others. A puzzled look flashed in his eyes as if not expecting that someone else would arrive before him.

“What? The human cultivators have come to our altar?”

The experts around Niu Tuntian also discovered Lin Xun’s group, causing their gazes to turn vigilant and prepared to kill if necessary.

The atmosphere became somewhat tense.

“The situation doesn’t look good. We should hurry up and move.”

Toady frowned. Who could have expected that a group of experts would appear while they were making their plans?

However, what happened next caught Lin Xun and gang by surprise. Several other altars nearby also began to resonate!

“Damn his mother! Don’t let me see any of those bald donkeys from the Buddhist Sect or I swear I’ll kill each one I encounter!”

“What kind of ghastly place was that? Why was it dangerous? Half my clan’s experts died inside!”

With each string of curses, a group of experts would appear at one of the altars. There was the Golden Luan Clan led by Meng Lianqing, the Cloud Hou Clan led by Kong Xiu, the Mysterious Ao Clan led by Xuan Luozi…

Batch after batch of traumatized experts appeared in bloodstained clothes. Like the Herculean Demon Bull Clan, their first act was to swear repeatedly when they emerged.

“It seems that the paths from the fifty-four altars were filled with all kinds of dangers. That’s why these guys are so mad. They must have lost quite a number inside.”

Toady began to gloat.

Lin Xun and Zhao Jingxuan had also arrived at the same conclusion, but found themselves unable to smile like Toady.

It was obvious to everyone that the blessing was more than likely hidden in one of the nine mountains. With the arrival of the experts from the various clans, it was easy to imagine the bloodbath that would soon follow.

“Junior Sister Zhao, you managed to arrive here in advance?”

A gasp of surprise suddenly sounded in the distance as Xiao Ran, Yu Xiang, and the others walked out from one of the altars.

The speaker was Su Xingfeng.

The entire group was somewhat surprised that Lin Xun, Zhao Jingxuan, and Toady seemed to be unscathed and had arrived before them.

“Junior Sister Zhao, come over to our side.”

Xiao Ran spoke in a gentle voice, still exuding the same air of superiority.

Zhao Jingxuan hesitantly looked at Lin Xun.

Lin Xun’s expression remained unchanged as he transmitted, “It’s about time to settle things with the mysterious assassin. Let’s go.”

Zhao Jingxuan immediately cast aside her hesitation. She had always been a strong-willed individual, but was more than happy to respect Lin Xun’s decisions and feelings.

As Toady observed the exchange, he could not help but sigh inside.

What an intelligent woman. If she fancies the kid, he will never be able to escape her grasp…

When Lin Xun and the others approached, Su Xingfeng could not help but ask, “Junior Sister Zhao, how did you guys get here?”

“We took another path.”

Zhao Jingxuan’s reply was rather blunt.

The answer obviously did not satisfy Su Xingfeng. He frowned as he looked at Zhao Jingxuan, then Lin Xun, then Toady, but ultimately did not say anything else.

“I am at ease to know that you guys have arrived safely.”

“The road here was filled with danger and we nearly succumbed to it. We were honestly very lucky to arrive unharmed.”

“That’s more than very lucky. You guys didn’t lose a single member, unlike the other groups.”

Toady’s words were filled with undertones. Likely because of his relationship with Lin Xun, he clearly disliked the Spirit Treasure Holy Land successors.

“You wish we had suffered losses?”

Wen Yang glared at Toady.

“This king is only saying that you guys are very lucky. Since when did you hear this king curse you? Little boy, don’t twist my words.”

Toady matched the glare, refusing to back down.

Unable to tolerate such rudeness, Yun Xiang interjected, “Who says we suffered no losses? If not for the Golden Cicada Talisman, we…”

Before he could finish, Su Xingfeng scolded, “Junior Brother Yun Xiang, watch your words!”

Yun Xiang immediately realized that he had said too much. His expression changed slightly as he quickly shut his mouth.

Despite this, Lin Xun, who had been observing everything, began to have a faint idea of what had transpired.

Xiao Ran and the others had only managed to arrive unscathed through the power of the Golden Cicada Talismans!

If that were true, then it would mean that at least one person in their group had already used the Golden Cicada Talisman!

But who?

Lin Xun could not tell for the time being. However, this was definitely valuable information. If they clashed, he might be able to kill one of them for real!

“Everyone, there’s a total of nine mountains. My Herculean Demon Bull Clan will be occupying the first mountain. Does anyone have anything to say about it?”

A thunderous shout suddenly boomed across the area. Niu Tuntian’s sharp eyes swept across the area as black light intimidatingly flowed along his body. He was clearly threatening everyone.

By this juncture, all of the clans had arrived and were observing the nine mountains with thoughtful eyes.

Numerous experts’ expressions sank upon hearing Niu Tuntian’s words. Wasn’t this no different than forcefully seizing the blessing?

“Hmph, isn’t your Herculean Demon Bull Clan being too domineering? There are so many fellow experts here. Why should you guys occupy one of the mountains?”

A shrill voice sounded from some unknown location.

“Why should we?”

Niu Tuntian’s laughter boomed across the area.

He suddenly reached out and made a grabbing motion. The air seemed to explode as a figure was wrenched out from among the nearby Fire Crow experts.

Boom!

Niu Tuntian made a knife-hand and viciously swung at the figure, chopping him into half. Blood fell like a waterfall and splattered on the ground.

He had killed someone without hesitation in front of all the experts present. Such a tyrannical action caused everyone’s expressions to change.

“Someone with such pathetic abilities dares to ask me why?”

Niu Tuntian was filled with disdain. “Is there anyone else who doesn’t agree? Feel free to step forward, I’ll happily convince you one by one!”

The place was completely silent for a time. Numerous experts were angered, but did not dare to speak. After all, they knew how strong and domineering Niu Tuntian was. He was like a demon king among the bulls that they were unable to fight against.

“Dao Friend, the blessing is still ownerless and we should contest it based on our abilities. I believe no one present would agree to you occupying an entire mountain based on your words alone.”

Unexpectedly, it was the usually aloof Xiao Ran who spoke up. His voice was gentle yet indifferent as it echoed across every corner of the area.

This surprised Lin Xun. Even until now, he was still rather wary of Xiao Ran and was unable to figure him out.

“And who are you?”

Niu Tuntian’s expression darkened as his piercing eyes scanned the crowd.

“Spirit Treasure Holy Land, Xiao Ran.”

Xiao Ran answered with a faint smile. Dao chimed around his body, displaying an aura that did not yield to Niu Tuntian’s.

Many experts raised their eyebrows in surprise.

“So you’re a human expert. I’ve heard of Spirit Treasure Holy Land, but I’ve never heard of Xiao Ran.”

Niu Tuntian’s voice was ice-cold as his aura grew increasingly powerful like dark clouds looming upon the city.

“How shameful, I am just an unknown individual who can only be considered average in Spirit Treasure Holy Land. I apologize if my inadequacy has made this Dao Friend laugh.”

Xiao Ran’s voice remained gentle, but his aura grew increasingly superior, and did not back down the slightest against Niu Tuntian’s.

This made the many experts present grow increasingly alarmed as they saw how frightening Xiao Ran was. Several factions secretly conversed among themselves and made sure to take extra notice of him.

I see. Xiao Ran is using this as an opportunity to display his might and intimidate the other experts. Now, some of the competitors who know they aren’t his match will not dare to attack him…

Lin Xun’s heart shivered in awe. Niu Tuntian killed to intimidate while Xiao Ran borrowed Niu Tuntian’s already reputable presence to establish his own!

Since Xiao Ran dared to do this, didn’t this mean he was confident in facing Niu Tuntian?

Suddenly, Niu Tuntian laughed and withdrew his pressure and killing intent. “You are a very smart human. Unfortunately, I do not have time to talk nonsense with you. Since no one wishes to give up on the blessing, let our abilities do the talking!”

“That will be best.”

Xiao Ran smiled faintly. His nonchalance and superior air made him impossible to ignore.

He’s no simple individual.

Toady transmitted with a sigh.

Lin Xun deeply agreed. Xiao Ran was undoubtedly the most unreadable among the Spirit Treasure Holy Land successors.