Chapter 272: Showdown at the Entrance of the Underground Cave Dwelling

"Is this the inside of the Cave Heaven?"

"The Spiritual Qi here seems even more sparse than in our sect. I reckon the furthest one can cultivate here is up to the Dao Comprehension realm."

"Eh, look, there's an inheritance over here! And another one over there!"

"While these aren't high-grade inheritances, but these are cultivation methods I've never come across before. And the inheritances are scattered everywhere, completely unguarded. It's astonishing!"

"With so many common inheritances in plain sight, it stands to reason that the high-grade ones must be treasured immensely. Perhaps there truly is a chance to reach the Transcendence realm."

"Even if we can't locate it, by tapping into this Cave Heaven to its full extent, our Nine Heavens Tower is bound to elevate to another level!"

"..."

Tower Lord Lu An, the Dao Palace realm powerhouse He Tian, and a group of experts from the Nine Heavens Tower, their eyes reddened as they scanned the numerous inheritances scattered around them.

Just then,

"Tower Lord!"

"This Cave Heaven seems immense; our divine sense can only detect a small corner of it."

He Tian surveyed the area and proposed, "How about we divide into two teams, explore, and then regroup?"

With so many inheritances scattered around, searching as a large group seemed inefficient.

"Good idea!"

"But we mustn't stray too far."

"We aren't the only ones who have entered this Cave Heaven."

Lu An nodded, his expression serious as he responded.

"I understand!"

He Tian declared with a buoyant smile, "Then I'll lead a team in this direction."

Lu An gave his assent, then watched as He Tian led a portion of the group onward.

Subsequently, he also led the remaining members in a different direction.

'They've split into two groups?'

'He Tian's chosen direction leads straight to Gu Ran!'

'This way, initially, Gu Ran will only encounter the Nine Heavens Tower group led by He Tian.'

'The combat prowess of these cultivators is not much different from Wu Qian, Liu Xiong, and Gu Ran.'

'So, if an evenly matched situation arises again, Gu Ran could stealthily kill, grow stronger, and eventually break the deadlock.'

Jiang Chen theorized internally, continuing to monitor the movements of the Nine Heavens Tower cultivators. He relayed this information to Wu Qian and Liu Xiong through divine sense.

Before long, the Nine Heavens Tower cultivators led by He Tian discovered the underground space entrance where Gu Ran and the others were located.

"What's this?"

"A cave formed by a battle? But why are there so many golden patterns adorning the walls here!"

"Could this be...a Dao Palace realm inheritance!"

"Someone's beaten us to the inheritance!"

"..."

Upon discovering the cave, He Tian and his group quickly deciphered the golden patterns, gleaning a wealth of information.

Just as they reveled in their discovery, they spotted Gu Ran, Wu Qian, and Liu Xiong, who were still in the underground space and had yet to depart.

Suddenly, He Tian's and the others' faces darkened.

As the leading force in the Ninth Heaven Domain, this group of experts from the Nine Heavens Tower had grown accustomed to having their way throughout the domain.

Now, the inheritance they had fortuitously stumbled upon had been claimed by others first. How could they possibly stomach this?

"One at the Dao Palace realm, another at the Dao Comprehension realm, and the least powerful among them at the Inquiring Journey realm."

"They're all unfamiliar faces; they must be independent cultivators without any notable backing."

"How dare they snatch the inheritance meant for my Nine Heavens Tower! Today, we'll teach them a harsh lesson about the ruthlessness of the cultivation world!"

Cold light flashed in He Tian's eyes as he ordered everyone to secure the entrance.

He too took cover, preparing to ambush Gu Ran and his group.

However, unbeknownst to He Tian and his party, their movements had already been detected by Jiang Chen, who had swiftly informed Wu Qian and Liu Xiong.

Inside the underground dwelling, Wu Qian and Liu Xiong divided up the pills and, along with Gu Ran, scoured the vicinity once more, but found no additional inheritances.

With that, the trio decided to head back.

But as they neared the entrance of the underground cave dwelling, Wu Qian gestured for the group to halt.

"Slinking around like this, could it be you're too unsightly to show your face?"

Wu Qian stared at the vacant entrance and spoke in an icy tone.

"Hmph!"

"It seems your senses are keener than I anticipated."

Emerging from his hideout with a grim expression, He Tian locked eyes with Wu Qian. "I'm offering you a chance. Leave behind everything you possess, and I might just spare your three worthless lives."

"Exactly!"

"Surrender all your belongings!"

"Otherwise, we won't hesitate to end your lives."

"And not just you, but also your friends and family. Our Nine Heavens Tower will ensure their complete obliteration!"

"Hand over the inheritance swiftly, surrender all the treasures. You have only one chance!"

"..."

The other Nine Heavens Tower experts joined in the threats, their eyes alight with greed.

"So, you're nothing but a band of beggars."

"I'll offer you a chance too! Apologize right now and leave, or face certain death!"

Liu Xiong glared coldly at He Tian and the others, speaking without a shred of fear.

Standing behind him was Jiang Chen, the one who had slain and decapitated Long Tianlu. What did they have to fear?

Moreover, Jiang Chen had personally instructed them to be assertive and confront the adversaries head-on.

Once the battle began, they were to seize the opportunity to eliminate the weaker cultivators first!

"Hahahaha!"

"Coming from you, the claim that we'll die is simply laughable."

"Elder, you've labored hard to reach the Dao Palace realm. I suggest you preserve that and retreat promptly, lest you meet a tragic end."

"More of us from the Nine Heavens Tower are on their way. If you're so eager to court death, we'll happily oblige."

"..."

One after another, the Nine Heavens Tower cultivators sneered relentlessly, their expressions ferocious.

Under the influence of the Heavenly Fate, they had already become 'less judicious' and viewed Gu Ran as a sworn enemy.

Now, with Jiang Chen stealthily instigating Liu Xiong and Wu Qian to stir up trouble, the two sides were beyond reconciliation.

"Young man."

"It seems, you are the one calling the shots."

"These two are merely your guardians, correct?"

"Or perhaps, are you the prized disciple these two elders have discovered after much effort?"

"You have a boundless future ahead of you. Are you ready to throw that away over mere material wealth?"

"Wouldn't it be more prudent to persuade these two elders to step aside? That would be the path to survival."

He Tian, having observed Gu Ran's demeanor, surmised his role within the trio and addressed him with narrowed eyes.

"Heh."

"A pack of scum, today will be your end."

Gu Ran emitted a cold chuckle, far from afraid. Instead, he was thrilled!

After all, it wasn't often they came across another swarm of enemies, especially one with such a substantial number of Inquiring Journey realm cultivators.

If he could eliminate a few, he could instantly progress to the Middle-stage or even the Late-stage of the Inquiring Journey realm.

"Hmph!"

"Since you remain obstinate and hell-bent on courting death!"

"Then I, He Tian, will grant your wish and leave you without a grave!"

"All disciples, attack!"

He Tian let out a chilly command, his aura surging, his robe billowing, prepared to launch into action instantly.

But at that very moment, a dull sensation clouded his mind, delaying his move momentarily. By the time he regained his clarity, the opposition had already sprung into action.

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