“Ximen Gang, from the Ximen Family!”

“Nangong Jian, from the Nangong Family!”

Two people flew to Ling Yun and blocked his path from the left and right. They lifted their heads and proudly announced their names.

“We've heard from Dugu Mo. You're Ling Yun, right? On account of your friends.h.i.+p with Dugu Mo, we won't make things difficult for you. However, as you can see, we're dealing with the giant python. If you're seeking treasures for yourself at this time, it seems as though you don't understand the rules of the martial arts realm.”

Ximen Gang was clad in a white robe and held a half-meter-long fan in his hand. After he landed, he opened his fan to suavely fan himself in apparent seriousness. He swayed his head as he spoke.

Nangong Jian wore a green robe while holding an extremely narrow sharp longsword in his hand. He stood expressionless before Ling Yun and did not speak.

Ling Yun raised his eyebrows. After hearing hearing Ximen Gang's words, he was delighted. He curled the corners of his lips and laughed. “You're all willing to deal with the giant python. That's your business. What does that have to do with me? As the saying goes, the great road faces the sky, and each person walks his own side of the road, stays in his own lane and minds his own business. How about that?”

Although Ling Yun was unafraid of these people now, he did not wish to fight with them. Thus, he tried to negotiate with Ximen Gang and Nangong Jian out of good intentions.

Ximen Gang gave an evil laugh, closed his fan, and replied coldly, “Hey chap, we're kindly advising you on account of Dugu Mo. You'd better know what's best for you. Don't you know who those people are?” After speaking, he swiftly raised his hand towards the people that were fighting the giant “dragon”.

Ling Yun queried seriously, “Oh? Could you shed light on their ident.i.ties?”

With a disdainful look, Ximen Gang pointed to the fighting scene and replied, “See the one wielding the blade? That's Dongfang Ting from the Dongfang Clan. The other one fighting bare-fisted is Tie Zhengping from the Divine Fist Sect. There's also the one using the Hook of Separation — he's Shangguan Jue. Not to mention Lei Wenxing, who's the one using the spear…”

“It wouldn't hurt to tell you that we have all attained Houtian Realm Level Eight at least. Chap, since you're Dugu Mo's friend, we'll let you join us on his account. If you don't act according to the way things are…”

Ling Yun smiled slightly. “And so what?”

Ximen Gang frowned and glanced at Nangong Jian. As though he was talking to a monster, he replied to Ling Yun, “If you don't act accordingly, don't even think about leaving this place. Which of us do you think you can defeat with that little skill of yours?”

At this time, Dugu Mo sent a telepathic signal to Ling Yun. “Ling Yun, these people are all from ancient martial arts clans and secret sects. If you want to explore the stone doors now, you'll surely become their target immediately. I'm also unable to protect you…”

The only interaction Dugu Mo could remember with Ling Yun was the time they had crossed each other outside the DJ bar. However, he had had an inexplicable affection for Ling Yun from the moment he saw him. It seemed natural for him to warn Ling Yun.

Even though Ling Yun had used the divine sense from Qi Cultivation Level Nine to erase a portion of Dugu Mo's memory, he was unable to erase the feelings of people.

Memory and feelings were two different things. For example, even after a person lost his memory, they would still remain affectionate towards family and friends. That would be cla.s.sified under feelings and had nothing to do with memory.

Dugu Mo had fought alongside Ling Yun previously, and they had a mutual appreciation for each other. Ling Yun had thanked him for his help and had even injected some immortal spiritual energy to a.s.sist his breakthrough. Although Dugu Mo had forgotten about that, his sense of familiarity with Ling Yun had remained nonetheless.

Ling Yun smiled faintly and replied using telepathy, “No problem, let me see if his bite can match his bark…”

Ling Yun had just broken through to Body Cultivation Level Four, and he had felt his body increasing in strength. He had now reached the point where it was difficult to resist the urge to showcase his techniques. He could not have asked for more now that Ximen Gang and Nangong Jian had ran to him of their own accord.

Since there was an unlimited supply of Dragon Spiritual Energy there anyway, Ling Yun only needed to rely on his own skills and he would be invincible. Hence, he laughed aloud. “What's the point of saying so much? Won't we know after a round of fighting?”

Ling Yun's sword-like eyebrows were raised. The corners of his lips were curled into a highly confident smile. He waved his hand and Little White nestled herself up against the rocky wall. The black blade in his right hand shook. Ling Yun extended his left index finger to beckon Ximen Gang towards himself.

Ximen Gang's face turned serious as he let out a sinister laugh. “Since you are seeking your own death, don't blame me for being rude!”

After he had spoken, he appeared before Ling Yun in a flash. With a wave of his folded fan, it seemed that lightning was striking Ling Yun directly!

Ling Yun looked at Ximen Gang's speed and knew that it couldn't even compare to Dugu Mo's speed at the pinnacle of Houtian Realm Level Eight a few days ago. Ling Yun did not even bother to use any of his moves. He simply lifted his black blade in defence.

Shua!

The edge of the black blade struck against Ximen Gang's folded fan and broke the fan in a single strike!

In an instant, Ximen Gang felt that the weight in his hand was lighter. Only half of the fan he was holding remained. Afraid and upset, he quickly jumped away and pointed at Ling Yun's black blade. “F*ck! What kind of blade is that?!”

Ximen Gang's fan and fan ribs were made of black gold. The fan cloth was woven using golden thread and was bulletproof. However, it had been broken by a light touch from Ling Yun's blade. How could he not be horrified?

Ling Yun had won in a single move and was secretly amazed. He thought to himself, *How can this Devil's Underworld Essence Blade be so sharp? It might even be on equal standing with the Emperor Brus.h.!.+ *

However, now was not the time to examine the blade. Ling Yun laughed indifferently. “You don't need to know what kind of blade it is. On account of Dugu Mo, I'm only teaching you a lesson this time round. If you dare to stop me again, I'll cut your legs!”

Ximen Gang did not speak. His narrow and sharp eyes were transfixed on the black blade in Ling Yun's hand. The expression in his eyes gradually turned into horror.

Suddenly, his entire body s.h.i.+vered as he shouted towards the crowd, “Stop fighting! This chap is wielding the legendary Devil's Underworld Essence Blade! This chap is from the Devil Sect!”

Dugu Mo had been afraid that Ling Yun would be at a disadvantage. He had been paying attention to Ling Yun's situation and had witnessed the breaking of Ximen Gang's fan by Ling Yun's blade in a single strike. He was secretly afraid and all the more certain that Ling Yun was wielding the Devil's Underworld Essence Blade!

“This fellow Ling Yun…”

However, Ling Yun was extremely depressed. He thought to himself, Didn't Dugu Mo say that this blade hadn't appeared for thousands of years? How is it that practically everyone recognizes it? Could it be that the Devil's Underworld Essence Blade is that famous?

Unfortunately, Ling Yun had not recognized it from the start. Had he known that this was the Devil's Underworld Essence Blade earlier on, he would have rushed out with the Dragon Vein Sword.

Whoosh.

Just after Ximen Gang had spoken, there was a continuous sound of howling wind within the rocky cave. Everyone had jumped out of the giant python's attacking range to gather at Ling Yun's side and surrounded him.

“What? Devil's Underworld Essence Blade?”

“Ximen Gang, could you have seen wrongly? The Devil's Underworld Essence Blade has not appeared for thousands of years. How could it be in his hands?”

“Hey chap, let us have a look at it…”

Some people were shocked. Others were excited, greedy, or horrified. In the darkness, everyone's faces displayed all kinds of expressions which were clearly visible to Ling Yun.

The scene had suddenly become quite complicated.

Dugu Mo was the last person to walk over. While walking in the darkness, he sent Ling Yun a telepathic signal, “Chap, I said earlier that your blade was the Devil's Underworld Essence Blade. You should have taken the opportunity to discard it. Look at the situation now. You're in trouble! The sects of these people are different from mine. They all hail from prestigious sects and ancient martial arts clans. They take it as personal responsibility to slay evil spirits. Since ancient times, the forces of good and evil have been irreconcilable. The Devil's Underworld Essence Blade that you're now holding — it's pointless to explain yourself…”

Ling Yun had known long ago that there was no concept of good and evil in Dugu Mo. Thus, he similarly sent a telepathic signal to him. “Who says that I have to explain? This place is five hundred meters underground. I don't have to explain myself to them. You just have to enjoy the show that's about to come!”

Dongfang Ting was holding a long and s.h.i.+ning blade in his right hand. He was approximately twenty-nine years old and looked steady. He took a step forward to scrutinize the black blade in Ling Yun's hand. His face grew grim.

The members of the Dongfang Clan were sword experts and had carefully researched various types of swords and their usages. Dongfang Ting stared at the black blade in Ling Yun's hand for a long time before nodding his head gravely. “Ximen Gang is right. Although we haven't seen the scabbard, I'm certain that this is the relic of the Devil Sect which was lost for 1,200 years: the Devil's Underworld Essence Blade!”

Dongfang Ting continued, “Legend has it that this blade comes from h.e.l.l and was crafted using the spiritual blood of the Black Dragon King in h.e.l.l. It's the most important relic out of the nine Devil Sect relics. It can absorb blood and break anything. Most importantly, it can seize a person's soul. Not only can it have an astounding effect on its enemy, but it will also have a similar effect on its user. The wielder will not be able to perceive anything in the beginning, but as time goes on, the wielder will gradually be enslaved to the blade…”

Ling Yun laughed coldly and interrupted Dongfang Ting with a slight wave of his hand. He reb.u.t.ted sarcastically, “Nonsense, I see that y'all love to pa.s.s legends as the truth, eh? After witnessing how my precious blade cut through metal as though it were mud, you said it was an evil blade. I'm afraid all of you want it for yourselves!”

Dongfang Ting shook his head and laughed. “Little brother, you're wrong. Although I love blades and know that this Devil's Underworld Essence Blade is unsurpa.s.sable, I'll never think of coveting it. Don't even talk about the irreconcilability of good and evil. I don't want to become a slave to the evil blade!”

“Little brother, you don't seem to belong to the Devil Sect. Why not take the earliest opportunity to discard the blade? Otherwise, you'll turn into a devil in the future. No hero of the world can forgive that…”

His words were open and held an awe-inspiring righteousness. Ling Yun saw that Dongfang Ting's shocked expression didn't contain a hint of greed. He secretly approved of it and decided not to put Dongfang Ting in a difficult position.

“Dugu Mo, your friend is actually a member of the Devil Sect. How do you explain this?” Ximen Gang was filled with hatred after his fan had been broken by Ling Yun. He immediately labelled Ling Yun as such.

Ling Yun glanced at Ximen Gang without being angry. He only gave a slight smile.

Dugu Mo shook his head resolutely. “Ximen Gang, you're still from the Ximen Clan. Mind your words. I don't care what this blade is, but I can vouch with my life that Ling Yun is definitely not a member of the Devil Sect!”

Dugu Mo had uttered his words with such grim determination that Ximen Gang seemed to choke on them. His face turned both red and white, but no one was able to distinguish it in the darkness.

Now that Ling Yun had already ascertained that his black blade was truly the Devil's Underworld Essence Blade, he was still in disbelief that the blade could erode his cognitive functions. If it were not for the horrific divine punishment, the powerful spirit that he had cultivated during the Tribulation Stage would have enabled him to become an Earth Deity in the Period of Great Accomplishment. How could he be controlled by an evil blade?

Moreover, Ling Yun had managed to break the powerful and upright Buddhist influence from the master monk at the temple a short while ago. Was the blade's influence even worth considering?

“Anyway, this blade has already been ascertained to be the Devil's Underworld Essence Blade. Since it is a relic from the Devil Sect, then whatever the case, it has to be handed over to the prestigious sects to be dealt with!”

“Ling Yun, if you willingly hand over the blade, we'll let you leave. How about that?”

Ling Yun gave a small laugh. “Okay, since you all insist that it is the Devil's Underworld Essence Blade, then so it is. But I'll never hand it over. Whoever wants it on the basis that they're from the prestigious sects can come and retrieve it with their own abilities!”