68: The confrontation in Broken Dragon Valley and clues to the ancient heritage

On the rocks across the bank, strong winds carried shattered stones, assailing their faces.

Gu Tian, accompanied by five Gu Family Cultivators, landed on the ground, his black robe flapping in the wind. His gaze towards Liu Shan was like a poisoned blade: “Liu Shan, didn’t expect this, did you? We’ve been following you the whole time!”

Dan Chen stepped forward, blocking Liu Shan, and said coldly, “Gu Tian, what do you want? Do you really think my Danwang Valley has no one?”

“Young Valley Master Dan, this has nothing to do with you. I’m looking for Liu Shan.” Gu Tian chuckled sinisterly, “Hand over Mochu and the treasures you obtained in the Secret Realm, and I can let you die a quick death.”

He had clearly noticed that Mochu’s Qi had greatly increased after absorbing the Spirit Marrow Jade Marrow, and he was convinced that Liu Shan possessed other Opportunities.

Liu Shan gripped the Thunderclap Saber, his eyes cold: “If you have the ability, come and get it.”

“You’re asking for death!” Gu Tian roared, then said to his subordinates behind him, “Kill them! As for the Danwang Valley people, keep them alive!”

The five Gu Family Cultivators immediately charged forward, Magic Treasures in hand glinting with cold light, clearly intending to finish the battle quickly.

“Protect Fellow Daoist Liu!” Dan Chen shouted. The Danwang Valley Cultivators immediately formed a defensive formation, their Dan Fire swirling, and engaged in battle with the Gu Family Cultivators.

Gu Tian, meanwhile, charged directly at Liu Shan, his black banner once again unleashed. Countless ghostly figures roared and lunged, blotting out the sky!

“Mochu!”

Liu Shan let out a low cry, and instantly fused with Mochu’s spirit body!

His Golden Core Stage Qi surged, golden spiritual energy entwined with the Cloud Cauldron True Fire, incinerating all the pouncing ghostly figures! The Thunderclap Saber swept out, its saber light like a golden lightning bolt, striking towards Gu Tian’s face!

“I’ve long wanted to experience your strength!” Gu Tian advanced instead of retreating, waving his banner. The ghostly figures coalesced into a giant black claw, grabbing at the saber light!

“Boom!”

The golden and black energies collided, erupting in a deafening roar that shook the rock walls of Broken Dragon Valley, causing stones to fall!

The two exchanged blows, engaging in dozens of moves in an instant. Although Gu Tian’s cultivation was at the Golden Core Late Stage, Liu Shan, after fusing with Mochu’s spirit body, had his strength and speed surge several times. Coupled with the sharpness of the Thunderclap Saber, he showed no signs of being at a disadvantage!

“How is this possible? You’re only at the Golden Core Middle Stage, how can you have such strong power?” Gu Tian grew more and more alarmed as he fought. His proud Ghost Shadow Banner was incinerated by Liu Shan’s True Fire every time, completely failing to suppress him.

Liu Shan didn’t waste words with him. The Thunderclap Saber launched relentless attacks, its golden saber light like a torrential storm, forcing Gu Tian to retreat repeatedly. His black robe was even ripped in several places by the saber light.

On the other side, the Danwang Valley Cultivators, though slightly at a disadvantage in one-on-one combat, managed to hold their ground. Dan Chen’s Dan Fire was the most potent, forcing his opponent to constantly dodge, and he could even spare time to assist his companions, causing the battle to fall into a stalemate for a while.

Just then, Mochu’s spirit body suddenly let out a sharp hiss. Its snake eyes looked towards the depths of Broken Dragon Valley, conveying the thought, “There’s an anomaly there.”

Liu Shan’s heart stirred. He caught a glimpse of the swirling mist in the valley, with faint golden light piercing through it, as if something was about to emerge from the fog.

“Not good! An ancient Legacy is about to appear!” Dan Chen also noticed it and exclaimed.

Gu Tian had clearly seen it too, his eyes burning with fervor, and his attacks became even more ferocious: “First, I’ll deal with you all, then I’ll go snatch the Legacy!”

He suddenly bit his tongue, spitting out a mouthful of vital blood. The vital blood landed on the Ghost Shadow Banner, and the banner instantly swelled several times its size. Countless ghostly figures coalesced into a three-zhang-tall Ghost King, exuding the terrifying pressure of the Nascent Soul Stage!

“This is… Blood Sacrifice Art!” Dan Chen’s face changed drastically. “He’s burning his vital blood to forcibly increase his strength!”

The Ghost King roared and clawed at Liu Shan. Its black talons carried the Death Qi that could devour everything. Wherever it passed, even the air seemed to freeze!

Liu Shan’s pupils contracted. The power of this strike far surpassed anything before; he couldn’t block it at all!

At this critical moment, Mochu’s true form suddenly moved!

Its two-zhang-long body moved like a black lightning bolt, instantly blocking in front of Liu Shan. Its scales erupted with dazzling golden light, and a crack even appeared in the golden horn on its forehead, from which a more condensed golden flame spewed forth!

The flame landed on the Ghost King, igniting instantly like oil meeting fire, bursting into raging inferno!

“Awooo—!”

The Ghost King let out a mournful shriek, rapidly dissolving in the golden flame!

Gu Tian’s face turned pale, and he violently spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. The Ghost Shadow Banner instantly dimmed: “Impossible… What kind of flame is this?”

A hint of exhaustion flickered in Mochu’s snake eyes, yet it was accompanied by an unprecedented determination. Clearly, that last strike had also consumed a great deal of its energy.

“Now’s the time!” Liu Shan seized the Opportunity. The Thunderclap Saber gathered all his spiritual energy, transforming into a golden long rainbow, and slashed directly at Gu Tian’s chest!

“Pfft!”

The saber light pierced through Gu Tian’s protective Demonic Qi, leaving a deep, bone-visible wound on his chest!

Gu Tian flew backward, crashing against the rock wall. Looking at the wound on his chest, his eyes filled with fear and unwillingness: “Retreat!”

He knew the tide had turned and continuing to fight would only lead to his death. He decisively led his remaining subordinates, retreating in disarray along the ropes to the opposite bank, not even bothering to retrieve the bodies of his companions.

The battle instantly subsided.

The Danwang Valley Cultivators also breathed a sigh of relief. Two of them had sustained minor injuries, but nothing serious.

Liu Shan walked over to Mochu, his heart tightening as he saw its slightly listless Qi: “Are you alright?”

Mochu rubbed its head against his arm, conveying the thought, “I’m fine, just a bit exhausted.” Its snake eyes, however, remained fixed on the golden light in the valley, clearly very interested in that anomaly.

Dan Chen stepped forward, looking at the swirling mist in the valley: “An ancient Legacy appearing will surely attract more people. We must hurry.”

Liu Shan nodded. He could feel that the Qi emanating from the anomaly subtly echoed the energy within Mochu’s body. Perhaps there truly was an Opportunity that could allow it to fully transform.

“Let’s go!”

The group no longer hesitated, heading towards the golden light in the valley.

The deeper they went, the brighter the golden light became, and the energy fluctuations in the air grew stronger. They could even hear faint Dragon roars, as if an ancient exotic beast was awakening from its slumber.

Passing through layers of mist, a massive stone gate appeared before them. Carved on the stone gate was a lifelike giant Dragon, its head held high, as if it wanted to break through the stone gate and soar into the sky.

The golden light was emanating from a crack behind the stone gate.

Below the stone gate, an ancient line of text was carved:

“Those not of Dragon Clan Bloodline, trespassers will die.”

“Dragon Clan Bloodline?” Dan Chen frowned, “None of us are of the Dragon Clan, what should we do?”

Liu Shan, however, looked at Mochu. He saw Mochu’s snake eyes fixed intently on the giant Dragon carving on the stone gate, its body trembling slightly. The golden horn on its forehead erupted with a faint glow, creating a strange resonance with the Dragonlines on the stone gate.

“Buzz—”

The stone gate actually began to vibrate slowly. The carved giant Dragon seemed to come alive, its Dragon eyes turning towards Mochu, emitting a low Dragon roar!

Mochu also raised its head, responding with a hiss. Though soft, its voice carried an ancient majesty.

The next second, the giant stone gate slowly opened inwards, revealing an even more dazzling golden light within!

Dan Chen and his subordinates were stunned: “This… could this Xuan Jin Snake be related to the Dragon Clan?”

Liu Shan was also deeply shocked. He looked at Mochu and suddenly remembered that the grey-robed elder had once said that the Xuan Jin Snake was an “ancient exotic species.” Perhaps… its Bloodline truly flowed with the genes of the Dragon Clan?

In the golden light behind the stone gate, the outline of a palace was faintly visible. The ancient Legacy seemed to be right before their eyes.