Ling Tian Sword God

"What, Ling Chen?"

Liu Sha looked stunned. Dustless turned out to be Ling Chen, the one who had killed Wang Yan, the Big Disciple of the Shocking Death Sect, causing turmoil in the sect.

How did this jinx end up in North Wind City? The expression on Liu Sha's face became somewhat unpleasant.

"Humph, this damned brat dared to kill my Shocking Death Sect's Big Disciple. His crimes are unforgivable!" Mo Feng's face darkened as he said coldly, "I've come this time partly for the Golden Sand Ancient City, but my other critical mission, under orders from the Sect Leader, is to eliminate this brat."

"With Protector Mo Feng taking action, success is certain." Liu Sha immediately began to curry favor, laughing flatteringly. "As for that Ling Chen, he's just a young whippersnapper. Protector Mo doesn't even need to lift a finger; our Black Dragon Gang can handle him!"

Mo Feng is a Third Level Grand Master; his strength far exceeds mine. For such an expert to deal with a young novice, wouldn't it be a piece of cake?

"Enough!" Mo Feng coldly glanced at Liu Sha and roared sharply. "Still think you're not useless enough? You couldn't even guard a single Treasure Map! What else are you good for? Scram!"

"Yes!"

Liu Sha didn't dare to object and hastily retreated. Compared to the Shocking Death Sect, the Black Dragon Gang was merely a third-rate faction. If they angered this powerful backer, the Black Dragon Gang might lose their footing in North Wind City, or even be wiped out entirely.

「Three days later.」

On the appointed date, Ling Chen packed up and left the inn.

After Ling Chen left the inn and arrived at the West City Gate, dozens of fine steeds were already waiting. His gaze swept over them, and in the center of the crowd, he saw a rather handsome young man chatting and laughing with Lin Ya.

"Come, let me introduce you. This is Dustless... Dustless, this is Liu Yi, the son of the President of the Baiyue Trade Association." As Ling Chen approached, Lin Ya made the introductions.

She deliberately gave Ling Chen a meaningful look. She hadn't revealed Ling Chen's real name, keeping it secret even from her own people, as a gesture of goodwill towards him.

"Dustless? The one who killed Su Lie and seized the ancient city's Treasure Map from the Black Dragon Gang?" Liu Yi seemed to know about Ling Chen, but he only spared Ling Chen a glance, apparently not holding him in high regard.

"That incident was purely coincidental." Ling Chen shook his head with a smile. When he killed Su Lie, he hadn't anticipated that the latter possessed the map to the Golden Sand Ancient City.

"I also think it was a coincidence. Su Lie, no matter how weak, shouldn't have died at the hands of a Sixth Layer Realm Martial Artist. You must have used some trick to ambush him." Hearing Ling Chen say this, a trace of contempt surfaced in Liu Yi's eyes, and he regarded Ling Chen with even less importance.

To this, Ling Chen merely smiled dismissively. Why should he care about the opinions of irrelevant people?

"Liu Yi, Dustless's strength is greater than mine. You must not be presumptuous," Lin Ya said, frowning as she detected the mockery in Liu Yi's words.

"Yes."

Liu Yi dared not disobey Lin Ya. She was one of the three great young masters of the Black Market, her status noble, and she was also the object of his admiration. What truly bothered him was why Lin Ya regarded this Dustless so highly.

Stronger than Lin Ya? Only a ghost would believe that! Lin Ya is ranked twelfth on the Heavenly List, a genius whose true strength is even higher than her ranking suggests. Does this mean Dustless has combat power comparable to the top ten on the Heavenly List?

"Brother Dustless, please don't mind Liu Yi's words," Lin Ya said apologetically to Ling Chen.

Ling Chen chuckled. He was long accustomed to encountering people like Liu Yi and couldn't be bothered to stoop to his level.

Such a pretentious fellow, Liu Yi's expression soured. Give him an inch, and he takes a mile.

"Miss Lin Ya, we can depart now," an elder said, walking over and clasping his hands politely.

This elder was from the Baiyue Trade Association and one of only two Grand Masters on this trip.

Lin Ya nodded slightly, then leaped onto a fine steed. With a soft command, she led the group galloping out of North Wind City.

"Let's go, Brother Dustless. We'll need you to lead the way on this trip. Don't stray too far from the main group, or I can't guarantee your safety," Liu Yi called out to Ling Chen, then with a cold sneer, he mounted his horse and quickly caught up with the main party.

Ling Chen shook his head. He's just asking for trouble. I didn't expect to attract Liu Yi's hostility like this, even though I haven't said anything.

Shrugging helplessly, Ling Chen cracked his whip, urging his horse to quickly follow.

「Meanwhile, at the Black Dragon Gang's headquarters, a scout had already reported.」

"Reporting to the Gang Leader and Protector Mo," a scout knelt on the ground, "the Baiyue Trade Association's party has already departed from the West City Gate. There are about thirty to forty of them. I also saw the Baiyue Trade Association's young master among them."

"They're finally making a move."

Liu Sha's face lit up. He shot up from his seat and quickly asked, "Is Ling Chen in the Baiyue Trade Association's group?"

"Yes. There's also an unfamiliar woman and two elders from the Baiyue Trade Association, both First Realm Grand Masters by cultivation," the scout continued.

"Good! It seems they are indeed heading for the Golden Sand Ancient City, and the people they've brought aren't particularly strong. Watching all the city gates has indeed yielded results. Protector Mo is truly a master strategist!" Liu Sha was overjoyed, not forgetting to flatter.

"Enough nonsense!" Mo Feng's face turned cold as he ordered fiercely. "Quickly gather our men and prepare to set out! We must follow the Baiyue Trade Association's group!"

The vast treasure of the Golden Sand Ancient City was practically in their grasp; how could they let it fall into others' hands?

"As you command!"

Liu Sha led the men of the Black Dragon Gang out of the main hall. This expedition to the Golden Sand Ancient City was crucial. Since the Baiyue Trade Association had dispatched so few people, they had to gather twice their number to ensure victory.

Mo Feng's face was grim, his eyes flickering with killing intent. The ancient city's treasure and Ling Chen's life—I must seize them both this time. Absolutely no failures.

"If the Protector completes this task, his status within the Sect will surely soar, and he'll become a core figure," one of the Shocking Death Sect experts said.

"I hear there are numerous treasures in the ancient city. If we manage to seize them, Protector Mo's strength will surely reach a new level."

"Not only that, but Ling Chen is a once-in-a-century martial arts genius. He possesses many fortuitous encounters. If Protector Mo can plunder them, he can change his destiny in one fell swoop. Becoming an influential figure in the Martial World would no longer be an empty dream."

Hearing these words, the glint in Mo Feng's eyes grew even more intense. This is an excellent opportunity; I absolutely cannot miss it. If I can accomplish this task, my prestige within the Shocking Death Sect will undoubtedly soar. Moreover, if I kill Ling Chen, then in the unseen workings of fate, a portion of the karmic fortune of such an unparalleled genius would transfer to me, greatly increasing my chances of breaking through my bottlenecks and surpassing my limits.