Chapter 974: The Meeting

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Since they had heard about Duan Ling Tian obtaining a Profundity Fragment, the young powerhouses from the second-rate forces had to have also heard of it.

Duan Ling Tian had to be everyone’s target.

It was not difficult to guess.

“Although Duan Ling Tian is strong, I’m afraid he’s no match for the top young powerhouses from second-rate forces!” Nangong Yi took a deep breath. His tone was filled with fear for the several few top young powerhouses from second-rate forces.

With his current strength, he could easily take on the average young powerhouses from second-rate forces. However, he had no confidence to win against top young powerhouses from second-rate forces.

Apart from having a Martial Emperor powerhouse in their sects, second-rate forces were second-rate forces because the young powerhouses’ cultivations were far better than the cultivation by third-rate forces like Five Element Sect.

For once, Nangong Chen nodded and agreed with Nangong Yi.

Meanwhile, all around the Martial Emperor’s secret treasure, more and more people had figured out the directions to the central area and were traveling there.

“En?” On his way to the central area of the Martial Emperor’s secret treasure, Duan Ling Tian who was hurriedly traveling had just flown through a cave and saw three extremely familiar figures appearing in the distant.

The three of them were flying in the same direction as he was, they were obviously heading toward the central area of the Martial Emperor’s secret treasure.

“Daniu, Su Li, Big Brother Zhang.” Duan Ling Tian’s speed was as fast as lightning, he caught up like a ghost. He smiled and said hello when he arrived at their side.

The three of them were none other than Huang Daniu, Su Li, and Zhang Shou Yong!

Duan Ling Tian did not expect to meet them here, let alone to see the three of them together.

“Duan Ling Tian!”

“Brother Ling Tian!” Duan Ling Tian’s appearance was a huge surprise for Huang Daniu, Su Li, and Zhang Shou Yong. Seeing Duan Ling Tian again brought excitement to their eyes.

“Duan Ling Tian, good for you… I thought you’re already killed by the hands of the others!” Huang Daniu said in jest.

“Duan Ling Tian, did you really obtain a Profundity Fragment?” Su Li looked at Duan Ling Tian and asked with a piercing gaze.

Zhang Shou Yong also looked at Duan Ling Tian.

“If I say no… will all of you believe it?” Having heard Su Li’s question, Duan Ling Tian knew the three of them must have heard about the rumor that he had obtained a Profundity Fragment. He could not help but smile bitterly.

Although he had obtained a Profundity Fragment, that was something no other living person knew.

As for the widespread rumor, it was just a setup.

“No?” Having heard Duan Ling Tian’s respond, not only Su Li and Zhang Shou Yong, even Huang Daniu was surprised.

“Someone’s trying to set me up.” There was a flash in Duan Ling Tian’s eyes, a glimmer of coldness flash past as though waiting for a chance to devour someone. “I still don’t know who it is, but one thing’s for sure, that person must have entered from Entrance No.2 with us.”

“I’ll surely kill them once I find out who it is,” Huang Daniu threw a punch and said in anger. His face sank when he heard what Duan Ling Tian said.

“By framing you like this, he obviously wants to get you killed… That person must hold a grudge against you. Could it be the two remaining disciples of Sun Moon Sect?” Su Li speculated.

“It could also be Lian Xiong.” There was a flash in Zhang Shou Yong’s eyes who stood at the side. He quietly said, “In Blade Sect, everyone knows Lian Xiong always holds grudges and seeks revenge! He certainly wouldn’t give up so easily after such a big loss to Brother Ling Tian.”

“I’ve thought about these people that you all mentioned… I did consider the Emotion Severing Sect’s disciples. After all, all of them have the motive! The one who framed me doesn’t necessarily have to hold a grudge against me. It may be pure jealousy, and they just don’t want me to survive this expedition in the Martial Emperor’s secret treasure,” Duan Ling Tian said slowly and shared his deduction.

Huang Daniu and the rest immediately fell silent.

“That person is really insidious! With one phrase, he put you in danger… Now, those young powerhouses from second-rate forces must be looking for you,” Huang Daniu said with an alarmed expression.

Second-rate forces?

Duan Ling Tian lifted his eyebrows when he heard what Huang Daniu said.

None of the disciples of second-rate forces he had met and battled was a match for him. All of them died in his hands.

“Even if it’s that Peng Bao from Anicca Sect… With my current strength, it shouldn’t be hard to win him!” Duan Ling Tian unconsciously thought of Peng Bao whom he had met once previously.

At that time, his Spiritual Energy discovered Peng Bao was a Third Level Void Transformation martial artist. He did not have much confidence in winning a battle against Peng Bao then, but things have changed.

Unless Peng Bao had a fortuitous encounter, he would not be a match for Duan Ling Tian.

The four of them traveled to the central area of the Martial Emperor’s secret treasure together. Along the way, Huang Daniu asked curiously, “Duan Ling Tian, did you gain anything else along the way?”

“It’s not too bad… I obtained a Ninth Level Earth Concept fragment and a spirit fruit,” Duan Ling Tian said as he smiled, he did not mention the incident with the Seventh Level Monarch Stage Earth Profundity Fragment. Otherwise, he would be admitting the rumor was true. Then, that person would not be framing him but would have spoken the truth instead.

That was not something he was willing to see.

“What about all of you?” After Duan Ling Tian told them about his acquisition, he looked at Huang Daniu and the other two others and asked, “How did the three of you meet?”

“I met Su Li first,” Huang Daniu said.

“Yes.” Su Li nodded. “After that, Daniu and I met Big brother Zhang together, and we decided to travel together. We did acquire some things… So far, we managed to collect all the Ninth Level Concept fragments that are usable for the three of us.”

“Looks like it’s a fruitful trip for the three of you,” Duan Ling Tian said with a smile.

“Duan Ling Tian, you don’t know… Apart from those, we encountered a Profundity Fragment! It was an Eighth Level Monarch Stage Wind Profundity Fragment!” Huang Daniu said and sighed at the same time, hints of regret filled his face.

“Eighth Level Monarch Stage Wind Profundity Fragment?!” Duan Ling Tian was shocked when he heard Huang Daniu’s statement.

Although he had a Monarch Stage Wind Profundity Fragment, it was just a Third Level Monarch Stage Wind Profundity Fragment. It was incomparable to an Eighth Level Monarch Stage Wind Profundity Fragment.

“You all didn’t get it?” Duan Ling Tian’s eyes flashed when he saw Huang Daniu’s sigh. He asked curiously, “Since you all didn’t manage to obtain it… This means the person who obtained that Profundity Fragment is stronger! But why did he let you go? Isn’t he worried that you all will spread the news that he had obtained a Profundity Fragment?”

“He wanted to kill us, but we narrowly escaped… Besides, he doesn’t seem to care about us spreading the news that he got a Profundity Fragment,” Zhang Shou Yong said with a bitter smile.

“What does that mean?” Duan Ling Tian was stunned, his face filled with questions.

In his opinion, since the person tried to kill Huang Daniu, Su Li, and Zhang Shou Yong, that means he was worried the three of them would spread the news that he had obtained a Profundity Fragment. However, why did Zhang Shou Yong say he did not care?

Was that not contradictory?

Shortly after, Duan Ling Tian finally understood after listening to Su Li’s explanation.

“What you mean is… He just stomped his feet, and several disciples from Izumo Sect and Anicca Sect was killed?” Duan Ling Tian could not help but inhale sharply.

Based on Su Li and the others’ explanation, he gathered that the several Izumo Sect and Anicca Sect’s disciples were the weakest among the disciples of second-rate forces that entered the Martial Emperor’s secret treasure.

However, that black-clad young man was able to kill them with just a stomp of his feet and almost killed Su Li and the rest. He felt shocked from the bottom of his heart.

Huang Daniu’s face was filled with fear as he said, “That person’s strength should be at least at the Second or Third Level Void Transformation… More importantly, he comprehended the Earth Concept, and can draw support from Earth Energy!”

“According to what you’ve said… He’s at least a Third Level Void Transformation martial artist! Additionally, the Earth Concept he has comprehended would be at least at the Third Level Advanced or higher,” Duan Ling Tian guessed as he referred to the experience in the Rebirth Martial Emperor’s memories.

“Forget it, don’t mention him… Makes me feel unlucky!” Huang Daniu shook his head. “Duan Ling Tian, the news of you obtaining a Profundity Fragment has spread… Maybe you should stay away from the central area of the Martial Emperor’s secret treasure?”

“That’s right! Duan Ling Tian, what you should do now is protect yourself.” Su Li agreed.

“Brother Ling Tian, I think you shouldn’t go too… Once you’re there, human greed will make you an obvious target for everyone,” Zhang Shou Yong added.

Duan Ling Tian’s heart warmed after listening to the concerns of the three of them.

Just when he wanted to say something, “Heng, you’re Duan Ling Tian?” A cold humph sounded from the opening of a cave in front of them, and it spread clearly into Duan Ling Tian’s ears.

Following that, Duan Ling Tian saw a black figure appeared on the path they were headed toward.

It was a black-clad young man with an indifferent expression. His eyes seemed dull, but in fact, it hid a murderous intent and gave out an invisible sense of oppression.

Duan Ling Tian raised his eyebrows and extended his Spiritual Energy. He intended to identify his opponent’s cultivation.

“It’s you!!” At that moment, the screams of Huang Daniu, Su Li, and Zhang Shou Yong shocked Duan Ling Tian. His Spiritual Energy almost collapsed, and his heart was filled with curiosity.

Did they know the black-clad young man?

“Duan Ling Tian, he’s the person we previously mentioned… But we didn’t expect him to be nearby and to be eavesdropping on our conversation,” Su Li answered the question in Duan Ling Tian’s mind using Voice Transmission.

“Then… That Eighth Level Monarch Stage Wind Profundity Fragment is with him?” Having heard what Su Li said, Duan Ling Tian stared at the black-clad young man who was blocking their way with a piercing gaze.

His killing intent showed in the depth of his eyes.