Chapter 63: Yunyang Metropolis

  Li Dongkui was startled: "Sir, I had no such intention. I truly wanted to give the treasure key to you, sir. This treasure key was given to me by a loose cultivator who was on the verge of death. He was grateful for my lifesaving grace and gave it to me before he died, saying it was the key to unlocking an ancient treasure. He told me that I should try my luck if I had the chance. But somehow, the Yang family found out about it."

  He forced a wry smile: "Originally, I was quite enthusiastic and wanted to go to Gu Cang to try my luck. However, after experiencing this war, I have come to realize that without real power, even the greatest opportunities are unattainable, and one may instead lose their life. This Gu Cang is not destined for me; it's better to leave it to you, sir. Besides, I have personal motives: if you obtain the Gu Cang opportunity, your future prospects will be brighter, and as a subordinate of yours, my Li family will naturally benefit from the rising tide."

  His words were sincere and undoubtedly expressed his loyalty.

  Xia Chen looked at him unexpectedly, not thinking that Li Dongkui would have such thoughts. Facing the mysterious treasure, he had a mind to take and give up, which is probably something that most people can't do.

  He hesitated for a moment, took the treasure key, and said: "Alright, since that's the case, I'll take it. You've made your point clear. If I can obtain good fortune from the ancient storage, the power of the Li family will also increase."

  Xia Chen was also considering for himself, who knows what might happen in the future. Since Li Dongkui expressed his loyalty, being able to leave a way out in this Maple City was naturally the best.

  And as for this mysterious ancient treasure, Xia Chen was also quite tempted by it. He wasn't some noble gentleman who would decline a good opportunity that came knocking on his door.

  Li Dongkui was overjoyed, knowing that Xia Chen had accepted the treasure key, which meant that he truly regarded the Li family as his trusted confidants.

  Ten days later, Xia Chen followed the map of Bao Jue to a huge city called Yunyangdu, which was still a thousand miles away from Fenglin City.

  The ancient Zang is located near Yunyangdu, dozens of miles away.

  According to Li Donggui, the treasure key is not just one, but seven, and the ancient storage is not a secret, it has long been spread within a thousand miles.

  Innumerable scattered cultivators and sects rushed to Yunyang City, hoping to get a share of the ancient treasure. Along the way, they robbed and killed each other, vying for power and profit. The scattered cultivator who had given Li Dongqiu the treasure key was one such person, pursued and mortally wounded by others.

  Looking at the prosperous Yunyang City, only to see the endless stream of people, the bustling streets, Xia Chen couldn't help but nod her head. This Yunyang City is ten times more prosperous than Fenglin City, and in comparison, Fenglin City is just a rural village.

  Walking on the street, you can almost see post-heaven cultivators everywhere, hastily passing each other by, but it's unknown whether they are cultivators from Yunyangdu itself or outsiders seeking ancient relics.

  At noon, Xia Chen arrived at a bustling wine house, went upstairs to order a single room, and ordered several dishes of wine and food. However, he didn't start eating, but instead quietly began to operate a true Qi method.

  There are many people in the wine house, and it's possible that cultivators will chat with each other. It's just the best way to eavesdrop on information.

  As soon as his ears perked up, all the sounds from both floors of the tavern became crystal clear.

  This Shun Er Gong Fa is a unique skill in the Tian Shu Qi Shu, which can increase one's hearing by nearly tenfold.

  These days, Xia Chen has been studying the heavenly book's strange techniques and has learned quite a few new tricks. Although they don't have much effect on his cultivation, at certain times, they can be surprisingly effective.

  After filtering out most of the chaotic and useless sounds, Xia Chen suddenly heard a sharp voice: "Ma Ge, when are we going to set off for Gu Cang? In the past few days, many cultivators have arrived in Yunyang City, they must be here for that ancient treasure."

  Xia Chen immediately concentrated and listened carefully.

  Another low voice immediately said: "Xu Zhuo, lower your voice, be careful of eavesdroppers."

  "What's there to be afraid of? Brother Ma, anyway, we don't have the treasure key in our hands. Along the way, I've heard many people talking about Gu Cang. It's said that Gu Cang is an ancient divine cultivator who has closed himself off in a cave, possessing many treasures. Whoever can get their hands on them will be set for life!"

  "That's right, don't just think about the good things," Namago said coldly. "The ancient tomb may also be full of deadly traps and dangers, and you could lose your life at any moment! If you're dead, what use is any benefit?"

  "Ma Ge is right, but wealth and honor have always been sought in danger. The cave of the ancient divine cultivator is also worth our gamble. Unfortunately, we don't have the treasure key, so we can only mix with others and grope for fish." A soft female voice said.

  Xu Zhuodao: "Ma Ge, now that all seven treasure keys are in someone's hands, have you heard any news?"

  Nama Ge said, "The treasure key is the key to unlocking the ancient vault. Whoever gets it will naturally keep it a secret, but there's no wall that doesn't leak wind. Although we can't be certain yet, it's highly likely that four of the treasure keys have been obtained by people from the Haoran faction, Luoyu faction, Xiefengmen, and the Hungry Wolf gang. As for the other three treasure keys, their whereabouts are still unknown."

  Xu Zhuo furrowed his brow and said with a bitter face, "Alas, these are all masters that we can't afford to offend. The Haoran Sect, the Luoyu Sect, and the Xiefeng Gate are all among the seven major sects. Although the Hungry Wolf Gang is slightly weaker in terms of strength, it's also a gang with many years of history. We don't stand a chance at all."

  "Our target is not them." The woman said, "Although we can't afford to offend these several sects, there are three other treasured keys that will definitely fall into the hands of scattered cultivators or small families. They won't be able to avoid coming to find the ancient treasure, and at that time, we can make our move."

  When it comes to the two words "underhanded", the woman's tone becomes extremely spicy.

  "That's probably difficult," said Nama, sighing. "I estimate that the vast majority of people are like us, definitely coming for the remaining three treasure keys. The competition is so fierce, we can only take advantage of the situation."

  Xia Chen's heart moved, thinking that even the Lian Hao Ran Sect, Luo Yu Sect and Xie Feng Men knew about this ancient hiding place, why hadn't he seen any of the other four sects? However, Yunyang was too far away from the other four sects, so it was normal that they didn't know the news.

  Hao Ran Sect and Luo Yu Sect ranked first and second among the seven major sects, in terms of overall strength, they were still far above Zheng Xuan Sect, Dong Hua Sect, Yun Ling Sect and Zheng Yi Men. The reason why the four sects hold regular meetings is actually to form an alliance, so as not to be threatened too much by Hao Ran Sect and Luo Yu Sect.

  The Xie Feng Gate is a mysterious and solitary existence, being the only demonic cultivation sect among the seven major sects, with an unknown level of strength.

  As for the Hungry Wolf Gang, Xia Chen had never heard of it, and it was probably far inferior to the Seven Great Sects.

  The three brothers lowered their heads and whispered something, seemingly discussing a plan, but their voices were extremely low, even with the keen hearing skill, it was hard to make out what they were saying.

  Xia Chen's heart was filled with vigilance, he hadn't expected this ancient dwelling to attract so many people. Apart from the great masters of the Gate Sect, there must be other powerful experts lurking in the shadows. Alone and carrying the precious key, he had to be extremely cautious in his response.

  Suddenly, a noisy sound came from the entrance of the hall, accompanied by chaotic footsteps getting closer. The wine shop owner was hastily explaining: "Gentlemen, it's not that we're pushing you away, but the single rooms on the second floor are really full. Please forgive us..."

  "What a ridiculous thing! Are we supposed to dine with those lowly people in the hall?" a cold voice shouted, "No private rooms? We must be given one!"

  Bang!

  A crisp slapping sound rang out, followed by the shopkeeper's pained and indignant voice: "You... how dare you hit someone?"

  Xia Chen slightly pushed the screen door open, and vaguely saw four boys standing together, wearing green clothes. The boy in front had a cold gaze, with an arrogant expression on his face.

  The hotel manager covered his bright red face, gritted his teeth and was both fearful and angry.

  "Beating you is nothing, if I don't find a single room, I'll dismantle this wine building." The leading young man said calmly.

  "Several seniors, you've also seen that the second floor is fully occupied. If there's space, would I not give it to you?" The shopkeeper was truly at a loss for words, he also knew these people were cultivators with powerful martial arts skills and couldn't be provoked in the slightest.

  "Is it full?" The leading youth sneered, "Then clear the floor for me, the entire second floor, we'll take it."

  "He suddenly raised his voice and shouted loudly: 'Everyone on the second floor, listen up! Get out of the tavern immediately!'"

  "Ah......" The shopkeeper was shocked and his eyes widened in amazement. He had seen unreasonable people before, but never anyone as unreasonable as this.

  "Which son of a bitch is yelling and disturbing my meal, are you tired of living?" A furious voice rose, a burly man with a menacing appearance walked out of a single room, glaring at the leading youth: "Do you want to die?"

  He suddenly felt a blur in front of his eyes, and his chest was already lifted by the young man, who said coldly: "I think you're looking for death, get out!"

  He casually threw it, and the big man suddenly wailed loudly and flew out of the window. With a thud, a heavy muffled sound came from the ground outside, probably not lightly injured.

  The second floor private room was suddenly in a mess, except for Xia Chen, almost all the diners came out from behind the screen, even Ma Ge and his three men also walked out, staring angrily at those few young people.

  Among these diners, about half of them were cultivators, but Xia Chen just glanced at them and knew that the strength of these cultivators was at most not more than the second level of the Post-Heaven.

  A middle-aged man said coldly, "You seem to be cultivators as well. Since we're all on the same path, why must you be so overbearing? Have you offended everyone and benefited from it?"

  "That youngster sneered: 'Offend you? Humph! You scattered cultivators are also worthy of being offended by us? No time for nonsense, scram, don't disturb my master and brothers from having their meal.'"

  Everyone couldn't help but get very angry. The middle-aged man angrily said: "I'd like to ask, what are you people's backgrounds? How dare you be so arrogant?"

  "Hmph, I'll tell you something that will scare you to death." The young man proudly raised his chin, "We are disciples of the Haoran Sect. So what if we're arrogant? So what if we drive you away? What can you do about it?"

  What a majestic aura! The crowd suddenly gasped in unison, as if they had been drenched by a bucket of ice water, and their anger disappeared completely.

  The young man sneered: "Any more questions? If not, then get out of here quickly!"

  The crowd looked at each other in dismay, and with a sense of humiliation, they silently walked down the stairs without saying a word.

  The Haoran faction is a behemoth in the Great Liang Empire, and many scattered cultivators are nothing but insignificant ants compared to it, naturally not daring to offend this giant.

  The young man in front sneered, holding his arms around him, with a swaggering air of being completely unaware.

  "Qī Shīxiōng, we'd better keep a low profile. Now that dragons and snakes are mixed together, who knows if there's someone secretly watching us? We can't be too careful." A Hào Rán Pài disciple suddenly said calmly.

  This younger brother had been standing behind the other three people, silently lowering his head without making a sound. Only at this moment did he raise his head, and on his handsome face, there was no expression.

  Xia Chen's mind suddenly boomed, his pupils violently contracting. This disciple of the Haoran sect was truly unexpected, and it turned out to be Yan Bing!