Ling Tian Sword God

"Divine Intent Sect disciple, Dustless."

Ling Chen hesitated for a moment before announcing his pseudonym.

"Dustless?"

Xu Ruoyan frowned and once again took a closer look at Ling Chen, a trace of disappointment visible in her beautiful eyes.

"What, have you seen me somewhere, miss?" Ling Chen asked tentatively.

"You remind me of someone I know," Xu Ruoyan stated frankly, her eyes still fixed on Ling Chen.

"Who might that be?" Ling Chen asked in return.

"His name is Ling Chen. But even though you look like him, I'm quite sure you're not him," Xu Ruoyan shook her head.

"Why are you so certain?" Ling Chen couldn't help but ask.

"Because that man is cold-blooded and unfeeling. I'd wager even if I were in danger here, he wouldn't step in to help," Xu Ruoyan said, a blank expression on her face.

Heh, so that's how it is. But the Ling Chen I remember doesn't seem to be that kind of person. Perhaps he has some hidden difficulties? Ling Chen felt a bit helpless in his heart, but he just shook his head. Saving Xu Ruoyan was something he did out of convenience, not to score any points with her.

"Alright, Miss Xu, I should take my leave now." Ling Chen saluted Xu Ruoyan with a fist-palm salute, then quickly departed the hall. The longer he stayed with her, the greater the chance of him being recognized. At least for now, Xu Ruoyan probably wasn't completely sure that he was Ling Chen.

After Ling Chen left, Xu Ruoyan watched his retreating figure, a thoughtful expression on her face. Once I get back, I just need to have someone investigate a little to find out if the Divine Intent Sect has a disciple named Dustless. If not, then this person, in all likelihood, is that fellow Ling Chen.

Did you think I wouldn't recognize you just because you put on a mask? A mocking smile emerged on Xu Ruoyan's face. Then she gestured to the disciples of the Sky Void Palace, "We should also hurry to the Heavenly Sect Main Hall to rendezvous with Brother Feng."

"Yes."

The disciples of the Sky Void Palace saluted in response and followed her.

「...」

At this time, Ling Chen was quickly moving towards the Heavenly Sect Main Hall. He saw fewer and fewer individuals on his way, indicating that the majority had already headed there.

After all, that was the most crucial location of the Tienzong, and likely where its final inheritance lay.

Even when he saw some places that seemed to hold secrets, like hidden mechanisms or chambers along the way, Ling Chen ignored them. At this juncture, there was no time to explore such places, or he would risk losing the bigger prize for a lesser gain, like picking up sesame seeds but losing the watermelon.

After traveling for about half an hour, the sound of battle could be heard from up ahead.

Ling Chen quickened his pace. Soon, the view in front of him suddenly opened up, revealing a magnificent sight.

Before him was a vast White Jade Plaza. Upon it, hundreds of figures were besieging a Golden Python dozens of meters long. It was scaleless and had a giant horn on its head.

This python was incredibly strong, fending off hundreds of attackers with overwhelming power. Ordinary attacks couldn't even break through its defenses; only the top experts on the Heavenly List could inflict some damage on it.

Third Grade Demonic Beast, Golden Horn Python.

This was the guardian beast of the Tienzong. To enter the Heavenly Sect Main Hall, this Golden Horn Python would need to be defeated.

Among these hundreds of people, there were not only experts from the Righteous Path but also those from the Demon Way.

They had been fighting the Golden Horn Python for the better part of the day but were still unable to break into this Heavenly Sect Main Hall. Although both sides were battling the python, their intentions were far from genuine. They were deliberately trying to exhaust each other, continuously luring the Golden Horn Python towards their opponents and scheming against one another.

On the side of the Righteous Path, prominent figures like Young Master of Myriad Dao, Nie Wu Xiang, Feng Piaoliu, and other experts from the Heavenly List were present. Also there were Worry-free Young Master Lin Ya from the Black Market, and Chi Kong Young Master. On the Demon Way's side, there were likewise a myriad of experts. Ling Chen recognized only Beast King Yang Hong among them. Beside Yang Hong stood a burly young man whose face strongly resembled a fierce tiger. His demeanor and the aura he exuded far surpassed Yang Hong's.

If my guess is right, this burly young man must be 'Tiger King' Xu Chao, the direct disciple of the Elder of Myriad Beasts and Beast King Yang Hong's senior martial brother.

Apart from this man, there were other powerful experts on the Demon Way's side. One of them, a man with a long spear on his back and a cold, sharp aura, was someone Ling Chen didn't recognize. However, this person was already famous in the Jianghu. He was none other than "Demon Flame Gun" Yao Fang, one of the Ten Outstanding Talents of the Demonic Sect, who had previously assassinated Xu Chenshan with a single spear thrust.

Beside Yao Fang stood an exceptionally captivating young woman. She wore a low-cut black dress that revealed her ample bosom, snow-white shoulders, and slender, beautiful legs, making it difficult for anyone to look away.

Her features were utterly enchanting, and her eyes seemed full of affection, capable of stealing souls and unsettling minds with a single glance.

One of the Ten Outstanding Talents of the Demonic Sect, "Soul Hooker" Mei Ji.

"Everyone from the Demon Way,"

On the Righteous Path's side, Young Master of Myriad Dao stepped out of the battle circle. His gaze fell upon Yao Fang, Mei Ji, and Xu Chao in turn before he continued, "If we carry on like this, I'm afraid none of us will be able to enter this Heavenly Sect Main Hall. We'll only end up mutually wounded. Why don't we cooperate for now? After we defeat this Golden Horn Python and enter this Heavenly Sect Main Hall, we can resume our contests and schemes. What do you say?"

As his words spread, Yao Fang, Mei Ji, and Xu Chao exchanged glances and then nodded one after another. Young Master of Myriad Dao was right. Although the Righteous Path and Demon Way were incompatible, if they continued to fight like this, their numbers would dwindle. Eventually, they might not be able to defeat the Golden Horn Python even if they wanted to team up.

At that point, they truly might not be able to enter the great hall before them.

"Cooperation isn't out of the question. However, if anyone dares to scheme during this process, don't blame us for being impolite," Yao Fang stated coldly.

"Exactly. Disciples of the Righteous Path are always cunning and untrustworthy," Mei Ji suddenly interjected, her voice soft and alluring, capable of disturbing one's mind. "If any of you dare to act rashly, I'll make you wish you were dead."

"Naturally! Anyone who dares to act out of line will be a common enemy, and we shall unite to kill them!"

As Young Master of Myriad Dao swept his gaze over everyone, their expressions grew stern. Even if they had ulterior motives, they didn't dare to make any rash moves now. However, as he spoke, he couldn't help but glance at those from the Demon Way; his words were also meant to intimidate them.

"Then let's not waste any more time. Let's begin!"

Nie Wu Xiang seemed unable to wait any longer. They had been held up by the Golden Horn Python for far too long, and anyone would have grown impatient.

"Everyone, form battle formations by your respective Sects and attack on command!"

The Righteous Path disciples, clearly regarding Young Master of Myriad Dao as their leader, immediately began to move, splitting off to form their arrays as his voice faded.

Seeing that the great battle was about to commence, Ling Chen leaped into action, joining the ranks of the Righteous Path disciples and positioning himself within the area of the Divine Intent Sect disciples.