Chapter 680

Chapter 680: The Slaughter Begins

After a day and night of using spatial laws, Ye Yun, despite pausing to recover, could no longer endure the exhaustion weighing on his body and mind. He lay on the ground to rest until his true qi replenished, then departed again with his two companions.

Having teleported nonstop for so long, Ye Yun had burned through ninety percent of his true qi, finally reaching the target location. He hid to recover using a top-tier Immortal Spirit Stone. Ahead, a dense crowd of hundreds had already gathered.

Scanning them with his spirit perception, Ye Yun noted with surprise that nearly forty percent were at the Fifth Level of the Nascent Soul stage or higher.

"The number of Fifth Level Nascent Souls here is absurd," he muttered, glancing at the Purple Shadow Divine Sword at his waist. Though it could rival top-quality Immortal artifacts, even Fourth Level Nascent Souls here wielded such treasures.

"Exactly! There are so many people, Ling’er can’t see a thing!" Golden Ling’er complained, preparing to float upward. Ye Yun yanked her down gently. "Ling’er, learn to be cautious. Do you think these people are waiting idly? Rising recklessly might provoke them."

"What do you mean?" she asked, puzzled.

"Elder Ye means the Moon Goddess Palace likely forbids unauthorized flight to maintain order," Jin An explained, his experience showing.

Ye Yun observed the approaching Moon Goddess Palace disciples. Clad in moon robes, their cultivation levels varied, but even Third Level Nascent Souls eyed Fifth Levels with disdain, their robes symbolizing authority beyond their actual strength.

Two figures stepped forward. A moon-robed man cleared his throat and declared, "Hear the Moon Goddess Palace’s rules: Outsiders may not enter until we’ve finished—wait the time an incense stick burns. Second, claim treasures without disrupting us. Violators die."

"How arrogant, ready to kill from the start," Golden Ling’er grumbled, eyeing the haughty disciples. "They’re just hiding behind their sect’s reputation."

"What choice do we have?" Jin An sighed. "We’re small fish here. Without bigger targets, we’d suffer first."

"Already giving up, Senior Brother?" Golden Ling’er huffed, resentful of the disciples’ scornful gazes. Their wealth and resources didn’t justify such pride.

"Mediocre trash," a sneering voice rang from the crowd.

"Who dared?!" The Moon Goddess disciples scanned the crowd until a stern-faced man in moon robes stepped forward. "Apologize now, or I’ll drag you out myself—even at the Seventh Level Nascent Soul peak!"

"Ridiculous!" A white-haired old man floated forward, laughing coldly. "A Fifth Level brat lecturing me?"

"Apologize," the man repeated, icy.

"Beat me, and I’ll gift you my life!" The old man summoned a black heavy sword.

"Foolish," muttered the disciples as their leader, Zhang Yanhua, drew a crescent blade. Moonlight surged into the weapon.

"Enough talk! Die, and blame your pathetic sect for letting a Fifth Level lead!" The old man charged.

Zhang Yanhua exhaled, slashing the blade. Three moon-bright sword arcs shot forth. "You chose death."

The old man blocked the first arc, but the next two shattered his defense. As the third struck his chest, Zhang Yanhua flashed before him, fist cloaked in moonlight. "Moon Goddess Shattering Fist!"

The punch tore through the old man’s torso, killing him instantly.

"Who else defies the Moon Goddess Palace?" Zhang Yanhua growled, blood dripping from his hand.

"Senior Brother Zhang remains ruthlessly handsome," a female disciple sighed admiringly.

"Zhang Yanhua, the first treasure awaits. Stop wasting time," a cold voice interrupted. The crowd parted for Jun Ruolan, her aura chilling.

"Your concern is unnecessary, Jun Ruolan," Zhang Yanhua replied, wiping his hand. "I won’t hold back in this competition."

"I need no pity from failures," she retorted, sweeping her gaze over the cowed crowd. With a step, she vanished, ripples spreading like a scythe.

"Troublesome pair," Ye Yun mused. Though Zhang Yanhua rivaled Jun Ruolan, her self-taught Moon Demon Palm and influence tipped the scales. In the Great Qin Empire, he’d sensed her latent power—a true battle’s outcome was uncertain.

Jun Ruolan’s pride forbade alliances, her confidence matching her strength.

"With the Extreme East Thunder Realm’s treasure secured, break the first seal," Zhang Yanhua announced. "Claim your fortunes, but avoid harming fellow disciples."

"Don’t worry, Elder Brother. We’ll behave unless you and Senior Sister try to kill each other," a disciple joked. The group split—men following Zhang Yanhua, women trailing Jun Ruolan.

"Prove the Moon Goddess Palace is a man’s domain!" Zhang Yanhua urged.

"Crush them!" the men roared, ambition overriding any lingering affections.

"Fools," Jun Ruolan scoffed, leading her faction inward. The women echoed her, filing past the men.

After the Moon Goddess disciples entered, Ye Yun’s group waited until the incense time elapsed before joining the crowd. Ye Yun scanned for clues as they moved.

"Haha! A mid-grade heavenly material!" A victor laughed, only for the loser to slit his throat and seize the prize.

Such scenes repeated throughout the Xumi Treasure’s first layer. Watching, Ye Yun’s eyes hardened. He swung the Purple Shadow Divine Sword, purple lightning reducing contenders to ash. He snatched the heavenly material, ignoring Golden Ling’er’s gasp.

"Elder Ye, that was brutal!"

"Stay here. I’ll scout ahead. Regroup at the second layer." After instructing Jin An to guard her, Ye Yun vanished in a white flash.

The surrounding Nascent Souls exhaled in relief. None dared challenge the enigmatic expert who erased peers with ease.