Volume Two: First Signs of Brilliance Chapter 60: Conspiracy (1)

Damn it, are you trying to frame me? If that’s the case, I’ll fight with everything I have. Though these thoughts crossed Qin Yang’s mind, he didn’t advance a single step. Instead, he retreated a few paces, dropped his Berserk Demon Body, and focused on recuperating. With so many people rushing forward to bear the brunt of the pressure, he’d be a fool to charge in blindly. I’m just an ordinary man, with aging parents and not even a wife yet. Besides, this person isn’t even targeting me specifically—there’s no reason for me to go.

Leng Qianyou fixed a cold, disdainful gaze on Qin Yang. She’d once thought that, though he lacked strength, at least he was a real man. Now, seeing him shrink back in the face of danger, she realized he had none of the courage or drive of a true warrior.

Catching her look, Qin Yang was furious. What the hell are you staring at? I don’t even like you, nor do I need to impress you. If I were courting some girl right now, I’d lose my temper and put on a show of masculine bravado.

Wu Jian’s face was pale, devoid of any color, his body seemingly drained of life. His skin was dry and sallow. Yet within him surged a sinister power, pure and intense, clearly the result of some master forcibly infusing him with supreme strength through an esoteric technique.

Scanning the crowd, he curled his lips in a twisted smile. His eyes burned with hunger—not just for people, but for their blood. In a flash, he seized a man, sank his teeth into the man’s neck, and drank deeply. Blood coursed through the veins and into Wu Jian’s heart. His once-pallid face regained color, and his aura grew even more oppressive.

“Low-quality blood. I imagine Miss Leng’s must be delicious—a true delicacy,” Wu Jian’s voice rang out, sending shockwaves through the assembly. No one could have imagined that Wu Jian would be so depraved, drinking the blood of others and even casting his eyes on Leng Qianyou.

“Wu Jian, do you even know what you’re doing? How is this any different from the demonic path?” Yu Chen burst out in anger.

Wu Jian laughed coldly. “The demonic path, you say? If I can live on, what does it matter if I walk that road?” His tone grew even frostier. “Yu Chen, drop the pretense. You’re just a hypocrite. You hide your inner ugliness behind a facade. Shall I list your deeds over the years, one by one? For a single cultivation manual, you wiped out the Dong family, and that’s not all…”

“What? Shocking! So there was an inside story to the Dong family massacre?”

“Is that true? Wasn’t there an investigation? Didn’t they find nothing?”

“Of course, with Yu Chen’s status, he could easily suppress the matter. Besides, the Dong family wasn’t some influential clan.”

“That’s enough, Wu Jian. Seems you really have a death wish. Since you’re so eager to die, I’ll oblige you.” Yu Chen’s face darkened as he launched a sudden, terrifying attack, his strength overwhelming.

Qin Yang watched the exchange with astonishment. Damn, what an epic face-off. He’d thought the so-called Four Elites were superior to ordinary people, but their character left much to be desired.

Amidst the chaos below, he watched the black-clad figures. Their faces were twisted beyond recognition, their bodies steel-like and brimming with raw power. Their only weakness was their sluggish movements. Ordinary martial artists were no match, and many were sent flying.

Are these puppets? Qin Yang mused, stepping forward to test his theory. He approached one of the puppets, steadied his breath, and threw a punch.

Bang!

Holy hell, that was intense. He could feel the bones shatter beneath his fist, the chest caving in—yet the puppet remained standing. Damn, this puppet is impressive.

The puppet, having taken the blow, swung back with casual force. Qin Yang barely managed to block, retreating several steps. His body was far stronger than most, his strength prodigious, yet he realized he was still weaker than this puppet.

A wave of murderous intent, thick with the stench of blood, washed over him. Could these have been forged with the essence of fierce beasts? He recalled a technique from his memory: using the blood of powerful monsters to temper the body. No ordinary person could survive the agony, but the dead felt neither pain nor awareness, making rapid enhancement possible.

Judging by their appearance, these puppets were likely crafted in haste. If they’d been made with more care, none of them would stand a chance. The thought sent a chill down his spine.

Just who was behind this? Judging by the situation, there had to be someone orchestrating everything from the shadows.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A series of explosions erupted. Qin Yang followed the sound and saw Yu Chen sent flying, his face twisted with disbelief and rage. “Impossible! You’ve reached the Profound Realm?”

Wu Jian reveled in the moment, basking in the shock and awe of those around him. It was far more satisfying to see the Four Elites themselves so stunned, compared to ordinary people.

A heavy atmosphere pressed down on everyone. Seizing the moment, Qin Yang drew the Meteor Blade and with a single stroke, severed a puppet’s head. The puppet collapsed instantly.

Hmph, did you really think no one could kill you if the Prince of Qin did not act?

Wu Jian’s gaze locked onto the Meteor Blade, then onto Qin Yang, his killing intent intensifying. “Heh, kid, you’re holding my Meteor Blade. Isn’t it time you returned it? And if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be in this state. So today—you must die.”

Qin Yang curled his lip in disdain, sneering, “Looks to me like you’re enjoying yourself quite a bit. What, you want both power and a handsome face? If you hog all the good things, what’s left for the rest of us?”

Zhang Kuang glanced at Qin Yang and whispered, “This whole situation is anything but simple.”

Qin Yang rolled his eyes. No kidding. He’d already realized that. But how were these puppets made? Where had Wu Jian disappeared to for so long? What had he experienced? No one knew. And what of the three Profound Realm experts who had led them here? Since entering, there had been no trace of them.

Chen Tian had promised at the auction to lead them out when the time came. Yet now, there was no sign of him, and escape seemed impossible. Damn, could this all be a trap? Had that bastard Chen Tian seen things were going south and run off with the other two Profound Realm experts?

In an unknown cave—

Chen Tian’s face was deathly pale, his wounds finally ceasing to bleed. The demonic energy at the site of his injuries had, after many days, at last been suppressed. The White-browed Eagle King was in dire straits, his complexion ashen, his breath weak and intermittent. He might not last much longer. None of them had expected the Three-eyed Demon King’s true essence to be so venomous.

Their greatest worry was the situation outside. Chen Tian was in charge this time—if everyone fell here, his family and corporation would face utter ruin. Some among the group carried powerful backgrounds.

His expression grew darker at the thought. He had to recover quickly and lead everyone out. Every extra minute spent here multiplied the risk, and though the Three-eyed Demon King was wounded, he would soon recover.

Time—they desperately needed more time.

“Look, the Enlightenment Fruit has ripened!”

A strange fragrance filled the air. Everyone’s face lit up with delight. The intense aroma of the ripened fruit sent a jolt through their spirits.

“Seize the Enlightenment Fruit!” Wu Jian glared fiercely at the others. He did not continue his assault—for now, the mission took precedence. If he failed, he would face punishment, a pain so excruciating and soul-rending that he never wished to endure it again.