I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 574: South Mountain Four Ghosts Arrive, Secret Keys Complete
Previously on I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors?...
Chapter 574: South Mountain Four Ghosts Arrive, Secret Keys Complete
"We possess two of them, though the holders of the other five remain a mystery to us."
Jin Xi made no effort to hide the quantity of secret keys in her possession.
Even if the man standing before them intended to scheme for their keys, they were fully prepared to take him down if necessary.
Qian Jundao, however, showed no signs of treachery upon hearing her words.
Instead, he directed his voice toward the depths of the cavern: "I find myself wondering how many secret keys the two friends inside might hold?"
The expressions of Jin Xi’s party shifted instantly at his question.
It hadn't occurred to them that others might be lurking within that very cave.
They would be at a severe disadvantage if those inside decided to launch a sudden ambush.
From the shadows of the cave, Shi Xuan’s indifferent voice drifted out: "There is one secret key in our possession."
The two groups gathered outside reacted with varying emotions to this revelation.
For Jin Xi and her companions, the voice from the cave felt strangely familiar, as if they had encountered it before.
Yet, they couldn't quite place where they had heard it.
Meanwhile, a look of disappointment crossed Qian Jundao’s face.
If the duo inside only held a single key, it meant four were still missing from the total set.
He pondered how long the wait would be for the final four keys to surface.
A heavy silence descended, and the air grew still.
The students of the Sacred Dao Academy turned their attention toward Jin Xi, awaiting guidance.
"Senior Sister, what is our next move?" one disciple inquired.
"We shall set up camp right here," Jin Xi commanded. "We will wait for those remaining four keys to arrive."
"Understood."
With their orders received, the group began preparing their campsite.
Observing this, Qian Jundao also pitched a tent on a nearby patch of open ground, maintaining a short distance from the Sacred Dao Academy group.
As night fell, a light breeze swept over Heavenly Zen Mountain, making the foliage rustle softly.
Bonfires burned brightly between the two camps, their flames dancing in the dark.
While two disciples from the Sacred Dao Academy stood watch, the mountain winds suddenly intensified.
This subtle shift in the environment caused Qian Jundao to snap his eyes open inside his tent.
He immediately drew his blade from its scabbard.
"Jie jie jie..."
A chorus of eerie, bone-chilling laughter carried on the howling wind, reaching everyone’s ears.
Shortly after, a raspy, aged voice rang out: "To think the owners of the secret keys would all be huddled in one spot. This spares us the exhaustion of hunting you down."
"Who goes there?" Jin Xi demanded, her voice sharp with anger.
"We are the South Mountain Four Ghosts!"
As the declaration faded, four silhouettes plummeted from the sky.
The figures were draped in long robes of green, yellow, purple, and red.
Emblazoned on the chest of each robe was a prominent character.
Upon closer inspection, the characters spelled out: Fortune, Prosperity, Longevity, and Joy.
"The South Mountain Four Ghosts? The four infamous demonic cultivators from the Southern Barbarians!" Qian Jundao blurted out in shock.
Despite being loose cultivators, every one of them was a Half-Step Nirvana powerhouse.
They were far more formidable than even Qian Jundao, the man who shook the Northern Sea.
This was a dire situation!
However, despite the strength of his adversaries, he had already committed to this journey.
He had no intention of abandoning such a monumental opportunity.
Gripping his great blade, Qian Jundao stepped out of his tent, followed by Jin Xi and her group.
The oppressive, terrifying pressure radiating from the South Mountain Four Ghosts caused everyone’s faces to turn pale.
Old Ghost Fu scanned the crowd with a cold gaze. "Four secret keys are present here. The final one is hidden in that cave. You two brats inside, crawl out this instant!"
"Humph!"
Following a cold snort, a young man wearing a black mask emerged from the cavern, clutching a longsword.
He looked at the four ghosts with an air of calm disdain. "South Mountain Four Ghosts? This Young Master has never heard of such people. You’ve disturbed my master’s slumber. How do you plan to make amends for this?"
The area fell into a stunned silence at his bold words.
Qian Jundao stared at the youth, his eyes bulging like copper bells in disbelief.
Where did this kid get such courage?
He was merely at the ninth layer of the Life Core Realm, yet he spoke to Half-Step Nirvana experts in such a manner. Was he not terrified of being obliterated with a single thought?
The members of the Sacred Dao Academy also recognized the masked youth, and a single realization hit them—it was him!
"Brat, your arrogance knows no bounds!"
Old Ghost Xi’s eyes narrowed as he focused his gaze on the young man, unleashing his full pressure upon Liang Yi.
Liang Yi simply smirked. "You do not frighten me."
"Fine! Very well then!" Old Ghost Xi hissed through clenched teeth.
He was stunned that the youth remained so defiant even after they had revealed their identities.
He decided to make an example of this boy to intimidate the rest into surrendering their treasures.
Just as he prepared to strike, Old Ghost Shou reached out to stop him.
"Third brother, why do you interfere?" Old Ghost Xi asked, confused.
Ignoring him, Old Ghost Shou addressed Liang Yi: "Boy, you speak with great confidence. I must ask, who is your master?"
"At least one of you old ghosts has some wits about him to ask of our lineage," Liang Yi replied with a grin.
"I hope the truth doesn't scare you to death. I am a pupil of the Wendao Academy. My Martial Grandmaster is the unrivaled Sage of this world, the Qiankun Great Sage. And the man resting in that cave is my master."
Gasps erupted from the crowd at his declaration.
The Qiankun Great Sage was the supreme power of the current era. Even other Sages had to tread carefully around him, let alone minor figures like them.
The complexions of the South Mountain Four Ghosts shifted between green and purple, looking incredibly pained.
Had the boy been a common student of the Wendao Academy, they would have killed him without hesitation. But as the grand-disciple of the Qiankun Great Sage, they didn't dare touch a hair on his head.
Forget the Qiankun Great Sage—even if they managed to break into the Nirvana Realm, they would be no match for the Twin Holy Sons of Wendao.
Furthermore, the direct disciple of the Great Sage was currently inside that cave. They were paralyzed by hesitation.
Old Ghost Fu quickly cupped his hands toward Liang Yi. "Little brother, we were blind to your status and failed to recognize Mount Tai. We hope you and your master can find it in your hearts to forgive our rudeness."
Liang Yi chuckled. "Old man, I actually preferred your previous attitude. It was much more entertaining."
"Please, little brother, do not mock this old man. What are your master’s intentions?" Old Ghost Fu asked humbly.
At that moment, a freezing voice echoed from the cave.
"Since everyone has gathered, we shall use the secret keys to unlock the treasury together. As for who claims the treasures within, that shall be determined by our own individual capabilities."
The South Mountain Four Ghosts trembled at the sound of that voice. They felt a sudden urge to abandon their keys and flee, yet the lure of the secret treasury was too great to ignore.
After exchanging glances, the four ghosts spoke in unison: "We shall follow that lord’s instructions."
Liang Yi then looked toward the others. "And what of you?"
Jin Xi cupped her hands respectfully. "That senior saved our lives. We are more than willing to follow his lead."
Qian Jundao was stunned to find he was the last one to agree. He slowly returned his massive blade to its sheath. "I, too, shall abide by the senior’s commands."
Liang Yi gave a slight nod before turning back to the cave. "Master, they have all consented."
"Very well."
Following a soft response, a figure finally stepped out from the darkness. Every eye present was fixed on the newcomer...