The strong gather together, deep in the canyon

Half an hour later.

Carriages left the Ma Family, speeding towards a certain direction outside the City of Chaos.

Since the Gang Jade Vein, where the Earth Dragon Beast was located, was not too far from the City of Chaos, there was no need to fly. Additionally, the carriages not only carried Xiao Ming and the Ma Family members but also many essential combat items.

Even so.

Some carriages had been converted into temporary aid stations. It seemed the Ma Family was well aware of the dangers of this battle and had prepared everything.

Inside one of the carriages, Xiao Ming held a jade slip, examining it carefully.

This jade slip was given to him by Ma Yunzhou and contained detailed information on the major forces in the City of Chaos, including the Earth Dragon Beast.

After reading the information, Xiao Ming casually tossed the jade slip aside and stroked his chin, pondering his next move.

According to the information provided by Ma Yunzhou, the Earth Dragon Beast had reached the initial stage of the Transformation Domain Realm many years ago, and its strength was quite terrifying.

With the strength of the cultivators in the City of Chaos, a direct confrontation would certainly not be victorious.

Therefore, the two top forces in the City of Chaos had prepared a formation in advance, called the Dragon-Trapping and Killing Array.

Once they reached the Gang Jade Vein, as long as they lured the Earth Dragon Beast into the formation, the success rate would be greatly increased.

Furthermore.

Xiao Ming also thoroughly understood the relevant information about other forces.

The two top forces in the City of Chaos were Floating Snow Mountain Manor and Wu Family Stronghold. The leaders of both these forces were at the Great Perfection of the Yuqi Realm.

Among them, Floating Snow Mountain Manor primarily cultivated ice-element cultivation techniques and excelled at using long sabers.

When a saber strike was unleashed, it could freeze the moisture in the surrounding air, turning it into falling snowflakes, hence the name Floating Snow Mountain Manor.

Wu Family Stronghold, on the other hand, primarily cultivated earth-element cultivation techniques, was most skilled at using various earth-element martial arts, and possessed a remarkably sturdy physique.

Besides these two top forces, the City of Chaos also had five mid-tier forces, and the Ma Family was one of them.

However, such mid-tier forces were insignificant in the process of slaying the Earth Dragon Beast, serving merely as supporting roles.

Those truly capable of threatening the Earth Dragon Beast were still Floating Snow Mountain Manor and Wu Family Stronghold.

After all, the Dragon-Trapping and Killing Array was a joint effort by their two families.

The convoy sped forward at a rapid pace.

After a while, many unattached cultivators and other family convoys gradually appeared on the road.

Everyone's goal was very consistent: all were heading towards the nearby Gang Jade Vein. As for their individual thoughts, that was unknown.

Perhaps some truly wanted to contribute, while others merely wanted to broaden their horizons.

Still others wanted to fish in troubled waters, to see if they could gain any benefits during this great battle against the Earth Dragon Beast.

Approximately a quarter of an hour later.

The road ahead came to an end, and the convoy Xiao Ming was in arrived at a continuous mountain range, slowly stopping at the foot of a certain peak.

Ma Yunzhou emerged from his carriage, then came to Xiao Ming's carriage and, through the window, whispered, “Sir, we have reached our destination.”

“Is it time to get down to business? Should I get out?” Xiao Ming asked.

“Not yet,” Ma Yunzhou said, “Looking at the current situation, not all personnel have arrived. At least the people from Floating Snow Mountain Manor and Wu Family Stronghold are not here yet.”

“Sir, please wait patiently in the carriage for a moment. When it’s time to start, we’ll then set off into the mountains.”

“Understood,” Xiao Ming nodded and said, “Alright, I know. You go about your business.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Sir.”

After conversing with Xiao Ming, Ma Yunzhou actively walked over to the other convoys and enthusiastically chatted with the leaders of the various mid-tier families.

At this moment.

The news of his father and elder brother being killed by Xiao Ming had not yet spread, and the Ma Family's status remained stable, with other families not detecting any issues.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ming sat steadily in the carriage, observing the crowd outside through the window.

He saw that the foot of the mountain was already packed with cultivators.

However.

Upon his inspection, these cultivators had no good opportunities, and their own luck was very low; even purple was extremely rare.

They were utterly mediocre.

After observing for a while, Xiao Ming withdrew his gaze.

Because there was nothing interesting about these people, and Xiao Ming didn't see any acquaintances.

After another while.

Two large forces, each with a mighty presence, arrived from afar, marching grandly. They were the people from Floating Snow Mountain Manor and Wu Family Stronghold.

The Manor Lord of Floating Snow Mountain Manor was an old man in white robes with a white beard. His name was Peng Wanhe, and his strength had long reached the Great Perfection of the Yuqi Realm.

This man, with a long saber at his waist, was imposing and commanded the attention of countless people upon his appearance.

The Stronghold Master of Wu Family Stronghold was a dark-faced middle-aged man named Wu Cheng. He was also at the Great Perfection of the Yuqi Realm, possessing an impressive aura.

Although the Cultivation Levels and strengths of these two individuals were the same.

Yet, subtly, Peng Wanhe's Floating Snow Mountain Manor took the lead.

After the two major forces arrived at the foot of the mountain, Peng Wanhe swept his gaze across the surroundings and asked in a deep voice, “Is everyone here?!”

“All five mid-tier families have arrived, and many smaller forces have also come. However, some unattached cultivators are still on their way,” someone quickly replied.

“Manor Lord Peng, should we wait for those unattached cultivators?”

“No waiting! What good are those unattached cultivators?!” Peng Wanhe waved his hand domineeringly and said, “Everyone, listen to my command! Follow me into the mountains immediately!”

“This time, we are fully prepared. We are determined to slay the Earth Dragon Beast, or at least drive it out!”

After speaking.

Peng Wanhe immediately led his subordinates from Floating Snow Mountain Manor, taking the lead and charging into the depths of the mountain range.

Everyone else was already prepared and quickly followed suit.

Xiao Ming left the carriage and, following the Ma Family members and the main group, sped into the depths of the mountain range.

After passing through the obstructing peaks, a wide canyon appeared in everyone's line of sight.

The canyon was quite broad, at least several hundred meters wide. As for its depth, that was even more astonishing, at least several thousand meters deep!

Standing on the edge of the canyon and looking down, one couldn't even see the end of the canyon!

This kind of geological feature was more like a cliff than a canyon.

Furthermore.

Standing on the edge of the great canyon, one could clearly hear roars from deep within the canyon, as well as a strong and clear majestic beastly aura.

“That Earth Dragon Beast is hiding in the underground cave deep within the canyon. Cultivators with courage, follow this old man down!”

Peng Wanhe let out a hearty laugh, then his body shot forth like a large bird, darting towards the depths of the canyon!

Seeing this, the elite disciples of Floating Snow Mountain Manor behind him quickly followed.

In a moment, these people vanished without a trace into the canyon.

Upon seeing Peng Wanhe fly down first, cultivators who were confident in their abilities also shot down one after another, while the lower-level cultivators, fearing the canyon's depth and the Earth Dragon Beast, were all trembling with fear, hesitant to move forward.

After observing for a moment, Xiao Ming, Ma Yunzhou, Ma Weiwei, and the other elite disciples of the Ma Family also flew down into the canyon, disappearing from sight... At the same time.

On the outskirts of the mountain range.

Han Qingfeng, who had deliberately arrived late, finally made his appearance.

“It seems the elite forces of the City of Chaos have all entered the depths of the mountain range. I’m neither too early nor too late, this is just right,” Han Qingfeng muttered to himself.

“Let them go ahead and test the Earth Dragon Beast’s strength first.”

“The Earth Dragon Beast is a Transformation Domain Realm demonic beast; its strength is terrifying. I cannot allow myself to fall into a difficult situation.”