Haha, there really is treasure here?

Outside the mountain valley.

After slaying the second person, Tian Qingge leaned against a massive boulder behind her, gasping heavily for breath.

Her face was as pale as paper. She pulled out a handful of Medicinal Pills and stuffed them into her mouth, forcing herself to take a breath before she even had time to refine them.

"Four more..."

Her eyes were cold as she gripped the blood-stained longsword in her hand.

"I can't stop! I must kill them all! Otherwise, I'm as good as dead!"

Tian Qingge understood this very well.

She had been able to kill those two entirely by exploiting their arrogance and their psychological blind spots.

But now, with the two of them dead...

The remaining four Nascent Soul Cultivators had failed to catch up to her for a long time; she didn't have much time left!

Once they realized what was happening, they would never give her another chance for a sneak attack.

"I'll risk it!"

Tian Qingge gritted her teeth, her figure flickering as she prepared to repeat her old trick to hunt the next target.

However.

Just as she approached one of the searching Nascent Soul Cultivators.

That Cultivator suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked toward where she was hiding with a cold sneer playing on his lips:

"Little mouse, finally couldn't hold back anymore?"

"We've been waiting for you for a long time!"

Before his voice could fade.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

The sound of breaking wind suddenly rang out!

The other three remaining Nascent Soul Cultivators leaped out from all directions!

Four people, four positions.

With cruel grins, they instantly surrounded Tian Qingge!

"It's over!"

Tian Qingge's heart sank. Her knuckles turned white from gripping her sword as a surge of despair rose within her.

As expected.

The opposition had already caught on.

They had even turned her own plan against her, setting a trap and waiting for her to jump right in!

"Now, I can only fight with my life on the line!"

A flash of determination crossed Tian Qingge's eyes.

Ever since she entered the Piaoyue Mountain Range, this situation had clearly become a dead end, a desperate plight for her.

It wasn't that she wanted to take risks or was eager to counter-kill these Nascent Soul Cultivators.

But if she didn't fight to the death, she wouldn't have even the slightest sliver of hope for survival!

In these Piaoyue Mountain Range, hiding or turning to run was actually useless.

Nascent Soul Cultivators had too many tricks; as someone at the Golden Core Stage, she simply couldn't outrun them.

If she hid, she couldn't delay for long either; she would eventually be found, bit by bit!

Her only choice was to take the risk to fight, to kill!

Unfortunately, the enemy had reacted quickly; she had only killed two!

Her thoughts whirled in that instant.

Yet Tian Qingge showed no emotion on her face. With an indifferent expression and sword in hand, she slowly lowered her body, preparing for a lethal strike!

"Killing one breaks even! If I'm lucky enough to kill two, it's a huge profit!"

..."You still want to resist?"

Seeing this, the four Nascent Soul Cultivators all sneered.

"Attack together! Don't give her a chance!"

Someone shouted.

The next moment.

Boom!

Four terrifying beams of technique light tore through the air with a whistling sound.

They blasted almost simultaneously toward Tian Qingge, who was surrounded in the center!

These four were clearly getting serious, using their full strength to ensure Tian Qingge was incapacitated in one blow!

Facing this situation.

Tian Qingge did not dodge, nor did she make any defensive moves.

A flash of madness and resolve appeared in her eyes.

"Control the sword with the Soul! Explode!"

She prepared to use a forbidden explosive secret technique from the Heavenly Derivation Sword Art.

She would directly sacrifice her own Soul and essence blood to trade for a moment of ultimate power. Even if she died, she would take one down with her!

However.

Just as she was about to burn her Soul.

Buzz!

Tian Qingge was suddenly stunned.

Because she discovered to her shock that the magic power within her body had inexplicably stagnated!

It was as if it had been frozen by some invisible force!

"What's going on?!"

"I... can't perform the sacrifice?!"

Tian Qingge was horrified, then gave a bitter smile.

"It seems... it's a trick used by those Nascent Soul Cultivators..."

"They won't even give me a chance to fight with my life?"

Despair grew in her heart.

If she couldn't sacrifice herself, then in her current state, let alone taking someone down with her...

She might not even be able to withstand the incoming attacks!

She might not even be able to dodge!

However.

Next.

The expected agonizing pain did not arrive.

Instead, a gentle breeze brushed past her cheek.

Tian Qingge looked over in confusion.

She saw a slender figure in green robes that had silently appeared in front of her at some unknown time.

The person's back was to her, leaving only a silhouette.

At the same time, facing the violent torrent of techniques blasted by those four Nascent Soul Cultivators.

The person in green simply raised his right hand with a calm expression and gave a gentle wave.

"Disperse."

Buzz!

It was like a fresh breeze blowing away dust.

Those four terrifying techniques actually collapsed instantly within the airflow of that gentle wave of the hand!

From a violent state...

They turned into countless calm spiritual energy particles, slowly dissipating into the air.

It was calm and effortless.

Not a single ripple was stirred.

Without the slightest hint of aggression... "This..."

Tian Qingge was stunned.

She stared blankly at the green-robed back before her, her eyes filled with shock.

Of course, besides that, a sliver of caution instinctively arose in her heart.

Even though this person had saved her.

After experiencing her best friend's betrayal and being hunted all this way...

At this moment, she was like a startled small animal, instinctively harboring great wariness and suspicion toward anyone.

"Who is this person?"

"Why save me?"

"Could it be a deliberate act?"

Tian Qingge gripped the sword in her hand, constantly questioning herself.

Ye Qing turned around and glanced at the young girl whose eyes were full of caution.

He smiled and said calmly:

"Your swordplay... is somewhat interesting."

"But it seems a bit incomplete, a bit off, yet this charm..."

"It is indeed the path of the Tianyan Sword Sect."

Ye Qing had already seen that the Heavenly Derivation Sword Art Tian Qingge used was indeed related to the Heavenly Derivation Sword Canon.

However, the Heavenly Derivation Sword Art seemed like an incomplete, simplified version of the Heavenly Derivation Sword Canon.

Thus, seeing that Tian Qingge was prepared to die...

Ye Qing stepped forward and chose to save her.

But hearing this.

Tian Qingge's pupils shrank sharply, and the caution in her eyes grew even stronger... Meanwhile.

The four Nascent Soul Cultivators opposite them were also stunned.

They hadn't expected that just as they were about to succeed, someone would suddenly barge in!

Furthermore.

This person had neutralized the combined attack of the four of them with just a casual wave of his hand!

"An expert has arrived!"

The four of them felt a chill in their hearts, realizing this person was not to be trifled with.

They also knew that they couldn't accomplish their goal now.

Thus.

"Retreat!"

They exchanged looks and, with great tacit understanding, turned to flee, wanting to escape in different directions.

However.

Run?

"Come back."

Ye Qing raised his hand and made a grasping motion toward the Void Realm.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

The four Nascent Soul Cultivators, who had just run a short distance, felt an irresistible, terrifying suction from behind them.

Their entire bodies were like being grabbed by an invisible giant hand, and they were instantly pulled back!

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The four of them crashed heavily onto the ground in front of Ye Qing.

Then they looked up, their faces turning pale with horror!

"You..."

The four of them were terrified as they looked at Ye Qing.

They actually couldn't even run away?

The reason Ye Qing hadn't killed them immediately was...

Naturally, because he had questions to ask.

Looking at the four of them, Ye Qing said calmly:

"Speak."

"Why are you pursuing her?"

"Earlier, I heard one of you mention something about the profound mysteries within the Heavenly Derivation Sword Art... What does that mean?"

Hearing this.

Among the four, a Cultivator with a fleshy face suddenly sneered.

He looked at Ye Qing, a flash of mockery in his eyes:

"Heh!"

"Keep pretending! Go ahead!"

"You're also here for the secrets in the Heavenly Derivation Sword Art, aren't you?"

"Stop acting!"

He pointed at Tian Qingge and said disdainfully:

"That girl behind you is as shrewd as a ghost; the way she looks at you is incredibly wary."

"Do you think pretending to be a stranger who steps in for justice will trick her into trusting you? And then you can worm the secret out of her?"

"Save it!"

"This kind of old-fashioned routine is a bit laughable!"

...Ye Qing frowned slightly upon hearing this.

"Secret?"

"Routine?"

He was momentarily speechless.

And just then.

The fleshy-faced Cultivator who had spoken suddenly had a flash of cunning in his eyes.

Taking advantage of the moment Ye Qing frowned.

His hand, hidden in his sleeve, suddenly crushed a communication jade talisman he had been holding in his palm!

Crack!

At the same time.

He strained his throat and roared loudly:

"Reporting to Venerable Mountain Dragon!!!"

"We have already captured Tian Qingge!"

"But someone has suddenly jumped out to snatch her away!!"

"This person is powerful, and we are no match! Please assist us quickly, Venerable!!!"

The voice rolled out, traveling far.

Clearly.

He was calling for backup!

Seeing this.

Tian Qingge's expression changed.

But Ye Qing merely gave the man a faint glance and did not stop him.

If he had wanted to stop him, this person wouldn't have had the chance to crush the jade talisman and send a message in front of Ye Qing.

As for calling for backup?

"Calling for backup is fine too."

Ye Qing thought to himself.

"I came here specifically to resolve the Karma."

"Since this matter isn't over and there are people behind them, then I'll deal with the people behind them all at once today."

"Lest any hidden dangers remain in the future."

"So..."

Call them, go ahead and call them.

If it could be resolved all at once.

It would save Ye Qing some trouble!

And meanwhile.

In a mountain villa some distance away from this place.

A Cultivator at the Soul Transformation Early Stage, wearing grey robes and possessing a sinister aura, was sitting cross-legged.

This person was none other than—Venerable Mountain Dragon!

The reason he didn't personally go to capture Tian Qingge was that he had always been cautious in his actions.

He feared drawing the attention of other powerful experts and having his prize snatched away by his rivals.

That was why he had sent a few Nascent Soul Cultivators to handle it.

And now.

Buzz!

The communication jade talisman in his robes suddenly lit up.

Then, the voice of the Nascent Soul Cultivator from before rang out.

After listening to the transmission, Venerable Mountain Dragon abruptly opened his eyes, which flashed with a sharp light!

"Someone is snatching her away?!"

Instead of being angry, his eyes lit up, revealing a look of wild joy!

"Hahaha! Good!"

"Since someone is trying to snatch her, that means... there really are profound mysteries hidden within the Heavenly Derivation Sword Art on Tian Qingge!"

"Otherwise, why would someone risk coming to steal her?"

"It must be someone who knows the inside story!"

"Perhaps they've been watching this side all along!"

However.

Although Venerable Mountain Dragon was excited, he still remained cautious.

He immediately sent a message to inquire:

"What is the level of the person trying to snatch her? How many are there?"

Over there, the Nascent Soul Cultivator saw that Ye Qing had no intention of stopping him.

He tentatively sent a quick reply:

"Replying to Venerable! Judging by the aura... it should be a Nascent Soul Ninth Layer Cultivator!"

"And there's only one person!"

"Nascent Soul Ninth Layer? One person?"

Hearing this.

A cruel, cold smile appeared on Venerable Mountain Dragon's face.

"Hmph! A mere Nascent Soul Ninth Layer dares to touch something I have my eye on?"

"Seeking death!"

Since it was only someone at the Nascent Soul Stage, he had nothing to worry about.

Moreover, now that someone had stepped in to snatch her, he couldn't afford to stay hidden anymore; he had to act immediately, or things might change!

"Wait for me!"

Next.

Venerable Mountain Dragon no longer hesitated.

Boom!

His figure soared into the sky, and he even directly used several precious Minor Teleportation Talismans.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Venerable Mountain Dragon's figure continuously flickered and teleported through the air, rushing toward the depths of the Piaoyue Mountain Range at an incredible speed!

A moment later.

Venerable Mountain Dragon arrived at the Piaoyue Mountain Range. He flew in the air and swept his vast Divine Sense.

Sure enough, he saw Ye Qing and the others.

"Found them!"

Venerable Mountain Dragon was overjoyed.

He charged toward them, looking down from above, and let out a furious shout:

"Let me see who has the audacity! To dare snatch something from me, Venerable Mountain Dragon, is simply..."

However.

Before he could finish his sentence.

Ye Qing, below, looked up and gave him a faint glance.

Then.

He casually made a grasping motion.

Buzz!

Venerable Mountain Dragon felt a terrifying force that he simply could not resist instantly envelop his entire body!

Then.

He discovered to his horror that his body was completely out of his control!

Like a puppet being pulled by a string.

Directly from mid-air.

He was yanked down!

At a speed several times faster than when he had arrived, he hurtled toward Ye Qing!

"What?!"

Thud!

A dull thud sounded.

Venerable Mountain Dragon crashed heavily in front of Ye Qing, face-first, eating dirt!

...Venerable Mountain Dragon lay on the ground, lifting his head miserably while swallowing hard.

At this moment, he was completely dumbfounded.

And the four Nascent Soul Cultivators nearby, who had been full of anticipation, waiting to see Ye Qing suffer...

Were also dumbstruck, their jaws nearly hitting the ground.

"This..."

They had been quite excited before, thinking Ye Qing was pretty arrogant, not running even after knowing they called for backup—it was simply seeking death.

They thought once Venerable Mountain Dragon arrived, he would surely put this kid in his place.

But as it turned out... Venerable Mountain Dragon did arrive.

But he messed up big time right from the start!

Without even making a single move, he was captured like a little chick?

"What the hell..."

"The Venerable and this person don't seem to be on the same level at all!"

"Where did this person come from?"

The four Nascent Soul Cultivators exchanged glances, fear growing in their hearts.

And.

The next moment.

Just as they were filled with dread.

Venerable Mountain Dragon, who was lying on the ground, suddenly seemed to have received some great stimulation.

He burst into laughter!

"Hahahaha!"

"Treasure! There is definitely a treasure!"

He stared fixedly at Ye Qing. There was no fear in his eyes, only greed and madness:

"I knew the rumors weren't false!"

"There must be a secret within that Heavenly Derivation Sword Art! It really hides a world-shaking secret treasure!"

"Otherwise... why would it draw the attention of a powerhouse like you?!"

He looked at Ye Qing, gritting his teeth as he sighed:

"What a pity!"

"That you encountered it and interfered in this matter, causing some unnecessary complications!"

"However..."

At this point, Venerable Mountain Dragon wore a cruel grin and threatened harshly:

"Don't get ahead of yourself!"

"Do you think you're very strong? You're just one person!"

"Just wait! Just now, I already used a Family secret technique to send a message!"

"The Old Ancestor and powerhouses of my Family are about to arrive!"

"You're dead!"

"This treasure... you won't be able to keep it!"