374: Chapter 374 Qin Pojun

A look of resentment flashed in Nangong Xiao's eyes as he snorted coldly, "He's just a lucky low-born mud-leg! Once my eldest brother and the others arrive, I'll make sure he spits out everything he took with interest!"

The "eldest brother" he referred to was the true leading figure of the Nangong Family's current generation. It was said he had been in seclusion attempting to reach the Sea Transformation Third Stage and had not entered the Secret Realm this time.

"Oh? Is that so?" Qian Buduo replied noncommittally, waving his fan. "I, however, heard that Ye Tian made another Breakthrough in the Secret Realm, and his strength is unfathomable.

The 'Shadow' brothers of the Red Hand Hall teamed up, yet couldn't last three moves against him. One of them, at the Sea Transformation First Layer, was crippled in a single strike."

"What?!" Nangong Xiao was startled, clearly hearing this for the first time. The two black-clad men from the Red Hand Hall beside him also tensed up almost imperceptibly.

"The news is absolutely reliable." Qian Buduo lowered his voice. "So, Young Master Xiao, I advise you not to court disaster for the time being.

Wait until we reach Wendao Mountain. With so many people around and the struggle for opportunities, that's when you... hmm?"

He didn't finish his sentence. Suddenly sensing something, he glanced toward the crystal pillar where Ye Tian was hiding. However, Ye Tian's Aura was perfectly concealed; finding nothing, Qian Buduo turned back, looking puzzled.

Ye Tian sneered inwardly. This Qian Buduo was certainly well-informed.

It seemed the news of him saving the Qingyue Sect Disciples and defeating the Red Hand Hall assassins in one move had already spread.

That was fine; it would save him from being bothered by more blind fools.

He listened for a while longer, but most of it was mindless testing of each other, bragging, or complaining about how difficult the Secret Realm was to navigate.

However, he did hear something useful from the whispered conversations of a few Loose Cultivators.

"Have you heard? Things have really heated up over at the 'Bone-Eroding Gloomy Forest'!

Li Xuanxiao of the Heavenly Sword Sect and Qin Pojun of the Zhenbei Princes Mansion clashed. They fought over a Metal-attribute Talisman Seal and tore up half the forest!

In the end, Li Xuanxiao got the seal, but Qin Pojun didn't lose either; it seems he gained some other Opportunity..."

"That's not all! The 'Thousand Blade Sword Valley' is even more bizarre. That Loose Cultivator Han Xiao took down an entire team from the Youyu Gate with just himself and his sword!

Seven Core Disciples at the eighth and ninth levels of the True Martial Realm, plus a Sea Transformation First Layer Elder, were all beaten down by him! Good grief, just what is that Han Xiao's background?"

"Also, no one dares to approach the innermost 'Brood Core' area!

A few days ago, some Sea Transformation Realm Loose Cultivators who didn't believe the rumors formed a team to sneak in. As soon as they reached the edge, they hit a patch of space-time turbulence.

Two were gone on the spot, not even leaving bones behind. The rest scrambled back, scared out of their wits, claiming there are prehistoric behemoths inside..."

"Wendao Mountain... I heard that mountain is sinister. The higher you go, the greater the pressure, and there are all sorts of illusory trials.

However, in the 'Ancient Legacy Hall' at the Peak, it's said there really are legacies from ancient experts. Moreover, Talisman Seals can be exchanged for clues about the Secret Realm's true core, the 'Remnant Ruins'!"

"Remnant Ruins? What's that?"

"Who knows? Regardless, it's bound to be an incredible Opportunity! Otherwise, why would the Imperial Family set the final stage here?"

Ye Tian listened silently.

The top prodigies were all fighting for Talisman Seals and seeking opportunities, preparing for Wendao Mountain.

The terror of the Brood Core had already spread, so no one should dare to court death there in the short term.

This was a good thing for him.

He was planning to find an Opportunity to blend into the crowd and enter the Ancient Path to Heaven.

Suddenly, another commotion broke out at the entrance of the cavern hall.

"Move! Everyone get the hell out of the way!"

"Are you blind? You dare block the path of the Zhenbei Princes Mansion?"

Amidst a series of crude shouts, a group of people charged in aggressively.

Leading them was a burly, bald man with a face full of scars wearing Black Scale Armor. His Aura had reached the Peak of the Sea Transformation First Layer.

Behind him followed seven or eight soldiers in similar armor, each radiating a fierce Evil Qi. Their lowest cultivation level was the True Martial Ninth Level.

People from the Zhenbei Princes Mansion! But it wasn't Qin Pojun.

The bald man's gaze swept across the hall, lingering on a few beautiful female cultivators with a disgusting smile, before finally locking onto the Heavenly Sword Sect Disciples—specifically, a clear-featured female Disciple.

"Yo, isn't this Fairy Ling Xue of the Heavenly Sword Sect? What's this, all alone? Where's your Senior Brother Li? He wouldn't have been killed somewhere, would he?"

The bald man cackled strangely and led his men straight toward the Heavenly Sword Sect's side.

The faces of the Heavenly Sword Sect Disciples darkened, and their hands moved to their sword hilts.

The female Disciple called Ling Xue, whose cultivation was at the True Martial Tenth Level, had a face like frost as she said coldly, "Commander Wang, please show some respect. My Senior Brother's whereabouts are none of your concern."

"Respect?" Commander Wang laughed loudly, stepping closer as his lecherous gaze swept over Ling Xue. "When I was guarding the Northern Border killing barbarians, you Sect brats were still playing in the mud!

Talking to me about respect? If you're smart, hand over your Talisman Seals and have a few drinks with me. Perhaps..."

"Shameless!" Ling Xue's face turned pale with anger as she drew her sword with a clang. The other Heavenly Sword Sect Disciples also drew their swords, pointing them at Commander Wang's group.

"What? You want to fight?" Commander Wang sneered and waved his hand. The soldiers behind him fanned out instantly, forming a battle array with a chilling Killing Intent. "With just the few of you? Do you really think I wouldn't dare touch the Heavenly Sword Sect?"

The atmosphere in the cavern hall instantly became tense. Everyone else watched coldly; no one was willing to get involved in a conflict between the Zhenbei Princes Mansion and the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Nangong Xiao and his group looked on with schadenfreude. Qian Buduo waved his fan, his eyes narrowed, thinking of who knows what.

Ye Tian frowned slightly.

This Commander Wang was clearly using the power of the Zhenbei Princes Mansion to pick a fight intentionally.

He had met the Heavenly Sword Sect Disciple Ling Xue once in the Crimson Dawn Stone Forest. At that time, she had spoken up for the Cold Silence Valley Disciples; she was an upright person.

"Wang Ben, is your skin itching for a beating again?"

Just as both sides were about to clash, a calm voice drifted from the entrance of the Ancient Path to Heaven.

Everyone turned their heads at once.

A faint white light flickered at the passage entrance, and a figure as straight as a spear stepped out.

The newcomer wore a dark red battle robe, possessed a resolute face with sharp brows and bright eyes. It was none other than Qin Pojun!

His Aura was even more condensed than when he was on the arena, with faint signs of an impending Breakthrough. Clearly, he had gained much in the Secret Realm.

In his hand, he carried a blood-dripping bundle, which he tossed casually onto the ground. Several heads rolled out.

Judging by the clothing, they were people from the Youyu Gate!

"Heir... Heir Apparent!" The previously arrogant Commander Wang turned pale the moment he saw Qin Pojun. His arrogance vanished instantly as he hurriedly bowed, sweat appearing on his forehead.

Qin Pojun didn't even look at the heads he had dropped. His gaze swept over Commander Wang and his soldiers before landing on Ling Xue and the others. He nodded slightly, "Junior Sister Ling Xue, I apologize for the fright."

Ling Xue breathed a sigh of relief and sheathed her sword to return the greeting, "Senior Brother Qin."

Only then did Qin Pojun look at Commander Wang, his voice full of authority. "The blades of my Zhenbei Princes Mansion are meant for enemies and barbarians, not for you to use to oppress fellow cultivators and show off your power.

Go to the Discipline Hall yourself for a hundred military strikes, then get back to the Northern Border front lines. You are not to return to the Prince's Mansion for three years. If there is a next time, you will be dealt with by military law."

Commander Wang trembled all over, his face deathly pale, yet he didn't dare to disobey in the slightest. He lowered his head and said in a trembling voice, "This general... obeys!"

With that, he and his men dejectedly and hastily retreated from the cavern hall.

Having handled his house's affairs, Qin Pojun then cupped his fists to the crowd in the hall. "My servant was out of line and disturbed you all. Qin offers his apologies."

The crowd hurried to return the gesture, claiming they didn't mind.

Qin Pojun was powerful and had a strong background, yet he was upright and straightforward, earning him a good reputation among the younger generation.

Qin Pojun nodded, his gaze sweeping through the hall as if searching for someone.

When his gaze passed over the crystal pillar where Ye Tian was hidden, it paused for half a second. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes, which then returned to calm. The corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly, but he said nothing.