Stop it, Taoist, Your Fight almost Ruins the DAO!

A white and a black stream of Mana collided fiercely against the body of the purple-striped Mantis, shattering its scales and piercing through it, causing dark green blood to flow out and corrode the ground, creating two shallow pits.

The insects of the Extinction Ruins, though they had tough bodies and immense strength, ultimately lacked intelligence. Their methods were simple, fighting merely on instinct. Under the combined efforts of Yi Chen and his two companions, the creature was quickly slain.

"Do the two Taoist friends know what type of monster this is?" Yi Chen asked with a hint of puzzlement in his eyes, turning to Tao Shanzi and the other.

Along the way, they had already killed many different insects, including several purple-striped Mantis, but this was the first time they encountered such a powerful one.

If they encountered more insects like this one further on their journey, even Yi Chen would consider whether to just explode these two and run off with the Gold Coins.

"This is the Purple Mantis Queen, the monarch among the insects here," Tao Shanzi explained while taking out a golden dagger and carefully dissecting the body of the Purple Mantis on the ground, extracting scales that were as lustrous as gemstones but deliberately ignoring the egg sacs near its tail.

"Han Taoist friend, don't take it amiss. My brother and I are known for our generosity. Anyone who comes to our Tao Shan in need is generously helped, hence our expenses are unavoidably a bit high. These scales on the Purple Mantis are excellent materials for forging artifacts; they can't be wasted."

Noticing Yi Chen's gaze, Tao Shanzi explained somewhat 'embarrassedly'.

He really was a smooth operator, who even now didn't forget to feign and boast about his reputation, Read latest chapters at My Virtual Library Empire

If it wasn't for the malice Yi Chen had previously sensed from him, he wouldn't have been fooled.

He had always been one to suspect the worst in others, both in his past life and in the present. When someone mentioned giving him advantages or teaching him how to make money, he would always be skeptical, wondering if they were just trying to shear him like a sheep.

He believed that pies could fall from the sky, but he did not believe that they would land on his head.

"Why only take the scales, Taoist brother, and not the egg sacs from the tail of the Purple Mantis? Perhaps those could be cultivated into some rare species outside of here," Yi Chen said, rather surprised.

At this point, Gu Lingzi quickly stepped forward to Yi Chen's front, flanking him with Tao Shanzi, and explained warmly,

"Previously, my brother and I were remiss, causing Han Taoist friend some alarm, for which we are truly sorry."

"The Taoist friends might not be aware that these insect eggs, as well as the insects themselves, have been taken outside for breeding by cultivators before. There have even been Taoist friends who captured the mature creatures to try and domesticate them."

"However, the creatures of the Extinction Ruins are peculiar. Once they are taken out of here, their vitality gradually diminishes and they eventually disintegrate. After that, no one tried to take the creatures of the Extinction Ruins again."

Indeed, many paths that you think are untrodden have already been explored by predecessors.

All of a sudden, Yi Chen remembered the black 'little potatoes' he saw on the barren plateau, the strange mantises that glowed like fireflies, and the luminous lichen. Coupling with the scenes he had witnessed at the Heavenly Dragon Cave, a chill ran down his spine:

"Damn it, there must be an invisible mastermind behind the Extinction Ruins controlling all of this. What on earth does he want to do?"

"Could it be that this person is using the numerous treasures of the Wheel-turning Temple as a lure, enticing cultivators to treasure hunt, but actually lays traps to kill the cultivators and plunder their flesh and souls, using them to achieve some unspeakable purpose? For instance, the Black Lotus Sovereign."

Although Yi Chen had not seen the entire battle at the Wheel-turning Temple, he knew that it must have been a pyrrhic victory for the side of the monk who had achieved the flesh bun.

If the Black Lotus Sovereign had won, it would be impossible for news of such an individual not to reach the Eastern Continent's cultivation world—it would have been a storm of blood and carnage.

"In my memory, the Black Lotus Sovereign was at the top of that verdant river. Damn it, after I finish with the Ask Heart Cave, I can't keep going higher; I should just plan my escape."

"If the invisible hand controlling everything is likely to be anywhere, it must be hidden in the endless energy veins beneath that verdant river."

"Better to leave the river water undisturbed by the well water, trust in the wisdom of future generations, as long as they don't blow it up while I'm still in the Extinction Ruins."

Yi Chen hadn't forgotten the images of the black smoke pillars pounding on the clear membrane that wrapped around many monks. He decisively decided to follow his gut.@@novelbin@@

Continuing onwards was no longer cost-effective. The strange Black Lotus Sovereign had reached a level of cultivation where a single thought would resonate; Yi Chen had no wish to attract the attention of such a powerhouse.

"I can't afford to provoke him, just hand the big boss a cigarette," he thought.

"Once this job is done, I'm washing my hands of it and waiting happily for the day of my return."

Watching Gu Lingzi leading the way ahead, Yi Chen's eyes flickered with a dangerous light. With a thought, he concentrated his special ability to launch, instantly branding the man's form and aura in his mind.

Suddenly, a beacon of light appeared in Yi Chen's mind, resembling real-time location tracking in WeChat. He found it quite intriguing and immediately glanced back at Tao Shanzi behind him.

This Gold Coin, he was determined to claim. As Yi Chengzi had said—

"Why do you look back, Han Taoist friend? Rest assured, with Tao Shanzi covering your rear, you will have no concerns from behind," Tao Shanzi said as he saw Yi Chen's action, tensing slightly and his eyes sharpening.

The man in front had decent cultivation, but not strong enough. He and his brother were quite lucky with their fate this time.

According to his earlier plan, if this person had hidden his cultivation and was difficult to handle, he would have shared the Bodhi golden fruit with him as promised. Now, well, he would have to be a bit hard on this Han Taoist friend.

"Han Taoist friend, don't blame Tao Shanzi for being cruel. If you must blame someone, blame your bad luck," Tao Shanzi thought to himself, the killing intent flaring within his heart. Even if Yi Chen survived this ordeal, he was determined to silence him, as such matters were not honorable.

The Ask Heart Cave was crisscrossed with pathways like a maze, teeming with various insects, as if it were the headquarters of the mantis-like creatures.

After eliminating two more swarms of insects and passing through several forked paths, the trio soon arrived at a dead-end in a cavern. It was a dead-end road that dropped off like a cliff at the end, descending into a deep pit.

Seeing this, a hint of joy couldn't help but appear on the faces of Tao Shanzi and the other.

We've arrived.

With a wave of his hand, he cast out a radiant beam of mana, and in an instant, a water mirror appeared out of nowhere, displaying everything at the bottom of the deep pit.

Within the depths of the cavern's absolute territory was a shriveled yellow tree, barely taller than a man, drooping despondently with three golden fruits hanging from its branches, glistening brilliantly, illuminating the entire area.

Where the ground sank, arrays spread out, and a lava vent ceaselessly spewed sparks. Under the operation of the arrays, an endless heat source converged towards the small tree.

Around the small tree lay a red beast, coiled into a length of several tens of meters, resembling a mutated earthworm with a growth-like head at each end.

At this moment, Tao Shanzi suddenly placed his meaty palm on Yi Chen's shoulder, "Han Daoist friend, this is a corner of the Spirit Medicine Hall of the former Reincarnation Temple."

"There are three Bodhi Golden Fruits here. If Daoist friend sprinkles this beast powder on himself, it will agitate the creature. If Daoist brother lures it away, we can seize the opportunity to snatch those three Bodhi Golden Fruits. We will then meet up at the exit, what do you think?"

"Daoist brother is indeed a clever one. You looked back before because you were thinking of running away, right? What a pity, you're still outmatched by us brothers~"

Gu Lingzi in front also changed from his previous friendly demeanor to a cold sneer as he advanced towards Yi Chen, placing a large hand on his shoulder as well. He took out a jade bottle and transmitted his voice, "Daoist brother, taking a risk might still give you a chance to live. Stop overthinking, and please—"

At this point, the two men finally revealed their hidden daggers.

Facing the strong malice from the two men, Yi Chen revealed a neurotic smile, his hands also resting on Tao Shanzi and the other's bodies as he looked down and chuckled softly:

"Fellow Daoists, do you know what strength is?"

"You know nothing about strength!"

While chuckling, Yi Chen suddenly displayed his overwhelming physique, his two purple-golden hands gripping the two men's bodies like iron hoops before violently colliding them together!

Boom!

"Two shallow-rooted weaklings."

"Strength, it's all about explosion~"

Even as Tao Shanzi and the other desperately supported their mana shields, they were still jumbled messily under the impact of Yi Chen's formidable force.

Yi Chen's voice suddenly rose eight octaves as he threw the porcelain bottle with the beast powder and the two Daoist brothers towards the blood-colored beast in the depths of the cavern.

With a flip of his palm, a golden long halberd was already in his hand.

"Roar!"

The porcelain bottle with beast powder exploded, filling the entire space, and under the intense stimulation, the 'Heavenly Dragon' blood beast abruptly awoke, coiling towards the two Daoists.

A perfect opportunity!

Taking advantage of the chaos, Yi Chen, dragging a golden trail, swiftly pocketed the three Bodhi Golden Fruits from atop the shriveled yellow tree.

A clever hunter often appears in the guise of prey. After doing all this, his figure had already returned to its original place.

"Ah ah ah, Han Feiyu, you bastard."

Somehow, Tao Shanzi utilized a secret technique, his body steaming with blood energy, and managed to break free from the blood beast's restraint. He tried to flee from the depths of the cavern, but was quickly slapped back by Yi Chen's halberd.

"Halberd Three·Earth Extinction."

Laughable, thinking of running after offending me, Daoist? Wanting to freeload off me?

In your dreams!

Until the blood beast is killed, or they are, no one is coming up.

Immediately, the cavern's depths filled with noise and continuous roars.

"Brother Han, we recognize our fault, we are willing to compensate."

"We can't hold on, this creature is too powerful, Brother Han save us!"

Gu Lingzi, true to his word, unleashed a torrent of powerful mana fluctuations that temporarily entangled the blood beast, giving Tao Shanzi another chance to claw his way up.

Slap!

But soon, Tao Shanzi was slapped back down by Yi Chen's halberd once more.

"Fellow Daoist brothers, please do not underestimate yourselves."

"Hold on, stay firm, and there will be a way."

As an honest man, Yi Chen stood above, cheering for the two men, laughing out loud.

In his heart, there wasn't a trace of pity. It was just the natural order of big fish eating little fish, and little fish eating shrimp. If it wasn't for Yi Chengzi being tough enough, it would be Yi Chen down there wailing right now.