235: Chapter 234 I was just joking with you too

Some traveled in groups, looking out for one another; some charged ahead alone, eager to seize the initiative; still others hid their intentions, observing their surroundings with wary eyes, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Qin Changsheng also controlled Hu Nan and Wang Cheng, quietly stepping into the golden portal amidst the surging crowd.

The scene shifted, and Wang Cheng's figure appeared within a dense mountain forest. Towering ancient trees blotted out the sun, and the woods were shrouded in mist, with the faint roars of Yao Beasts echoing through the air.

Hu Nan, meanwhile, was transported into a deep valley flanked by sheer cliffs on both sides.

Qin Changsheng also summoned the Golden Trait: Teleportation, and in the next instant, he appeared not far from Hu Nan.

Upon appearing in the Secret Realm, Qin Changsheng immediately issued orders to the two.

"Wang Cheng, act freely. Hunt the Yao Beasts in the Secret Realm and seize points!" Qin Changsheng commanded.

Qin Changsheng had no worries whatsoever about Wang Cheng taking first place on the Qingyun Ranking.

After all, Wang Cheng was his External Incarnation.

With the enhancement of numerous traits on his body, he would absolutely be able to secure the top spot on the Qingyun Ranking.

"Hu Nan, set out immediately for Qianmen Lake and rendezvous with Chen Erniu!" Qin Changsheng said to Hu Nan.

"As you command!" Hu Nan's figure moved, and after getting his bearings, he headed toward Qianmen Lake.

Once the two had set off, Qin Changsheng waved his hand and summoned the Heavenly Dao Trait: Intelligence.

As Qin Changsheng input a heavenly dao fragment, a line of small text appeared on his attribute panel in the next instant.

[heavenly dao fragment: A special treasure capable of upgrading a Golden Trait into a Heavenly Dao Trait. Holder: None. Location: South of the Altar.]

However, when Qin Changsheng input the qiankun token, no information appeared.

Looking at the information on the attribute panel, Qin Changsheng's eyes were filled with confusion.

Since this heavenly dao fragment was to the south of the altar and there was no qiankun token, why did Chen Erniu choose to attack the north?

Could there be some special treasure in the north?

Qin Changsheng tucked away the Heavenly Dao Trait: Intelligence and began to ponder silently.

He quickly reached a decision; he planned to head to Liujin Valley to check out the altar.

If the south and north were too far apart and traveling between them would consume too much time, he would prioritize securing the heavenly dao fragment to the south of the altar.

If the distance between north and south was short and time was sufficient, he would head north to seize that treasure.

In the next second, Qin Changsheng's figure turned into a streak of light, silently rushing out of the deep valley and speeding toward Liujin Valley at the northernmost end of the Secret Realm.

However, just as Qin Changsheng left the valley, several figures blocked the path ahead.

Qin Changsheng looked up to see Chen Huan dressed in fine silk, followed by four Cultivators from the Flowing Fire Sect. Cold killing intent flickered in their eyes as they formed an encirclement, deadlocking Qin Changsheng's path.

Qin Changsheng's figure stopped abruptly, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.

He didn't understand at all why Chen Huan was blocking his way, and with eyes so full of killing intent.

One had to know that he had never had any interactions with Chen Huan.

But soon, a glint of joy flashed in Qin Changsheng's eyes.

Because a few days ago, he had used a Heavenly Dao Trait to search.

This Chen Huan had golden yellow grass in his possession.

This kind of Spiritual Plant was one of the primary Materials for Core Formation.

Qin Changsheng asked, "Your Excellency, why are you blocking my path? What do you intend to do?"

Hearing this, Chen Huan slowly raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Qin Changsheng with eyes full of venom and killing intent. "What do I intend? Naturally, I want your life!"

As soon as these words were spoken, a flash of joy appeared in Qin Changsheng's eyes.

He had wanted the golden yellow grass in Chen Huan's hands in the first place.

Now that Chen Huan wanted to kill him, he could naturally kill Chen Huan in retaliation and seize the golden yellow grass from him.

Qin Changsheng still spoke up, "I have no past grievances or recent enmity with Your Excellency, and I have never provoked you. Why do you wish to take my life?"

Chen Huan suddenly sneered upon hearing this. "We indeed have no grievances!"

"But I have a grudge against Hu Nan of your Heavenly Sword Sect!"

"Blame it on the fact that you and Hu Nan belong to the same Sect!"

At this moment, Qin Changsheng finally understood why Chen Huan wanted to kill him.

It turned out that Chen Huan had taken the resentment from losing face at the Exchange Conference several years ago and pinned it all on the Disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect. Intercepting him now was merely venting his anger on an innocent party, using the Secret Realm trial as an opportunity to retaliate against the Heavenly Sword Sect and release his pent-up frustration and spite.

He sneered inwardly; Chen Huan's narrow-mindedness was truly laughable and pathetic, nursing a grudge for years and even targeting the innocent just because of a single defeat in a sparring match.

However, this also played into Qin Changsheng's hands, allowing him to obtain the golden yellow grass without paying much of a price.

Seeing Qin Changsheng remain silent, Chen Huan thought he was afraid. He immediately raised his hand and waved it fiercely, barked an order to his four subordinates behind him: "Go! Kill this wretch quickly! Once he's dealt with, search every corner of the Secret Realm. If you encounter any Disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect, don't let a single one go—slaughter them all!"

"Yes, Senior Brother Chen!" the four Cultivators responded in unison, their voices loud, a glint of greed and ruthlessness flashing in their eyes.

They were all at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment and usually relied on Chen Huan's strength to throw their weight around. Now that they had their orders, they were completely reckless. Their spiritual power surged instantly, and gripping their Magical Artifacts with the sound of whistling wind, they lunged at Qin Changsheng with vicious Moves, each strike intended to be fatal, clearly aiming to kill him in one blow.

Looking at the four charging Cultivators, Qin Changsheng slowly shook his head, a faint look of mockery and impatience appearing on his face.

In the next second, Qin Changsheng's Aura changed abruptly. His previously restrained spiritual power erupted instantly, and an incredibly terrifying Pressure began to spread continuously from within him, sweeping across the entire forest clearing.

Qin Changsheng already possessed the Pressure of the eighth level of Foundation Establishment, and with the addition of the Golden Trait: Pressure, his pressure became even more powerful.

This Pressure carried a chilling Aura that looked down upon the world, crushing toward Chen Huan and his subordinates like Mount Tai pressing down.

As soon as the Pressure appeared, the four Cultivators who were charging forward instantly froze in place, the greed and ruthlessness on their faces replaced by sheer terror.

They felt an irresistible, massive force pressing down on them. Their bones made creaking sounds of being overburdened, and the spiritual power in their bodies became instantly chaotic, making it impossible to circulate. Even breathing became extremely difficult.

In just a breath's time, the four Cultivators could no longer hold out. Their legs gave way, and they fell to their knees with a thud. They were then pinned to the ground by the Pressure, their faces pressed against the dirt, unable to Move. Painful groans escaped their mouths, their eyes filled with despair, lacking even the strength to lift their heads.

They couldn't understand how this seemingly ordinary Heavenly Sword Sect Disciple could possess such terrifying Pressure.

As for Chen Huan nearby, he was so startled by this Pressure that his whole body trembled violently, his face instantly turning as pale as paper, devoid of all color.

Before this terrifying Pressure, the spiritual power around his body was as fragile as an ant, completely unable to resist. His body staggered back uncontrollably for a few steps before his legs buckled, and he fell heavily to his knees with a thud. His forehead touched the ground, his entire body shivering, even his hands shaking incessantly.

"Gol... Golden Core?!" Chen Huan's voice carried an uncontrollable tremor and fear, his teeth chattering, his eyes filled with unbelievable terror as cold sweat slid down his cheeks and dripped into the dirt.

He gritted his teeth hard, his mind a complete blank. He never imagined that this seemingly unremarkable Disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect would actually emit the terrifying Pressure that only a Golden Core Cultivator could possess!

He was also extremely confused.

This was the trial Secret Realm for the Qingyun Ranking; how could a Golden Core Cultivator have entered?

At the same time, Chen Huan was filled with immense regret.

Had he known earlier that Qin Changsheng was a Golden Core expert,

he wouldn't have tried to kill Qin Changsheng for anything.

He didn't understand at all how the Heavenly Sword Sect could have so many experts.

First, there was Hu Nan, who defeated him in a single Move.

And now there was Qin Changsheng, who suppressed him with just a single wave of Pressure?

However, very quickly, the instinct for survival overcame his fear. He abruptly looked up, forcing a smile onto his face that looked worse than crying. "Se... Senior, have mercy! This is all a misunderstanding, a total misunderstanding!"

"I was just momentarily confused and was joking with Senior. I would never dare to actually raise a hand against an Immortal! I beg Senior to have a great heart and forgive me this once, for the sake of my Revered Master, Elder Huoyun!"

Qin Changsheng stood in place, the Pressure around him withdrawing slightly.

He knew very well that Chen Huan wasn't truly begging for mercy.

Rather, he knew he was about to die.

Qin Changsheng glanced at Chen Huan on the ground and said, "A joke?"

"How about I play a joke on you too?"

The smile on Chen Huan's face froze instantly, his heart sank, and his face became even paler than before, but he still braced himself and said, "Se... Senior, what kind of joke do you want to play?"

Qin Changsheng spoke slowly, "I have a Spell called the Fire Snake Technique. If you can withstand it, I will let today's matter go and allow you to leave."

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope instantly ignited in Chen Huan's heart.

Although he knew Qin Changsheng's strength was unfathomable, he had absolute confidence in his own defense.

He was wearing a Medium Grade Profound-rank inner armor, a treasure bestowed upon him by Elder Huoyun.

Even if Qin Changsheng's Fire Snake Technique was powerful, he might not be unable to withstand it.

Thinking of this, Chen Huan nodded vigorously, his tone carrying a hint of urgency: "Good, good, I'll take it!"

Qin Changsheng lightly waved his hand. The spiritual power around him surged instantly, secretly enhanced by the power of his Golden Traits. A blazing red light erupted from his hand, accompanied by a whistling heatwave, quickly condensing into a fire snake with a crimson body and distinct scales.

This Fire Snake Technique was several times more powerful than one cast by an ordinary Cultivator. Raging flames burned on the snake's body, emitting a terrifying high temperature. Everywhere it passed, the air was scorched into distortion, and even the surrounding vegetation was instantly charred black. A destructive Aura swept toward Chen Huan and his subordinates.

"Not good!" The four Cultivators pinned to the ground by the Pressure saw the Fire Snake Technique approaching. Their eyes were instantly filled with despair, and they tried with all their might to struggle and stand up, but they couldn't Move at all. They could only watch helplessly as that blazing fire snake lunged fiercely toward them.