Chapter 120: Chapter 120: No Rush, Let’s Observe First (Four More)
At the foot of the mountain, blades flashed and swords flickered continuously. A group of people formed a tight circle, and they directly killed nearly everyone who approached, without a shred of mercy. Those who had previously addressed each other as brothers were now completely red-eyed with murder. The truth that people die for wealth and birds perish for food was fully revealed here. The experts shook their heads and sighed at this scene. Human greed was just like that, silent and insidious. The old feuds of the Jianghu seemed to erupt completely at this moment. And this was all before the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure had even been opened. If it were opened, it would likely be even worse...
Just then, the people digging at the foot of the mountain seemed to have found something, and they all began to shout loudly.
"We’ve found it! It’s a Stone Gate!"
"Damn it, all of you get out of my way! I’m going in first!"
"Keep digging! Unearth the entire Stone Gate for me! I’ll kill anyone who dares to stop!"
"The Stone Gate has appeared! Everyone, get ready!"
At the foot of the mountain, a Stone Gate was excavated by many Jianghu People. At first, only a corner was visible, but as they dug, the entirety of the Stone Gate gradually came into view. It extended three zhang deep into the ground and was carved with various birds, beasts, flowers, and plants. There were also inscriptions in scripts that did not belong to this era. The moment it was unearthed, everyone was shocked by the sight.
There was no doubt! This was the entrance they were seeking. The entire Stone Gate was about five zhang high. Three zhang of it were buried in the ground, with two zhang exposed. It disappeared deep into the mountainside. The moment the Stone Gate appeared, everyone’s breathing became rapid. This was the entrance to the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure! By entering here, they could find the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure and obtain the secrets to control the world! Everyone grew intensely excited.
It was also at this moment that the second round of slaughter officially began. More and more people rushed forward, wanting to be the first to push open the Stone Gate and enter. But those behind them were even more ferocious. Regardless of who blocked their path, they drew their swords and stabbed. It seemed as if everyone had descended into madness.
Cui Shengshu watched this scene with a grave expression. Should I make a move? But seeing that Kong Qingquan and the others hadn’t stirred, he hesitated.
Beside him, Cui Wenzheng and Cui Yuan stared at the Stone Gate, breathing rapidly. "Father, we can’t wait any longer," Cui Wenzheng urged.
"Yes, Father! First come, first served!" Cui Yuan added.
They spoke one after the other. Cui Shengshu clenched his fists tightly. First come, first served. I, Cui Shengshu, must obtain what’s inside the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure!
"Let’s go!" Cui Shengshu gritted his teeth. "All members of the Nine Heavens Alliance, enter the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure!"
Following his cry, all the members of the Nine Heavens Alliance drew their swords. They had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Now that their leader had spoken, they rushed down without hesitation, clearing out the people guarding the entrance.
Seeing the Nine Heavens Alliance take action, the others no longer hesitated. The Nine Dragons Secret Treasure—everyone has a chance to get it. Why should they let the Nine Heavens Alliance have it all?
"Amitabha," a voice intoned. "People of Zen Heart Temple, let’s move!"
"Disciples of the Celestial Cyan Workshop, move out as well! Don’t fall behind!"
"Little Sage Manor, don’t be hasty. Everyone stay here. No one is to make a move without my order!"
"Living Up to the Tathagata has actually come too. He really kept himself well hidden."
Zhao Qixian and Kong Qingquan frowned upon seeing the old monk leading the Zen Heart Temple group. It was the Second in the World, Living Up to the Tathagata!
Now, all three experts of the Free Heaven Realm had revealed themselves, and even the other seven of the top ten experts had taken action at the first opportunity. What was strange, though, was that so far only Jianghu People had made their move. The Imperial Court and the Aristocratic Families were merely watching, seemingly in no hurry at all.
Xu Nian noticed that the people from the Aristocratic Families and the Ninth Prince’s group had clustered together, which made his heart sink. Are they planning to sit back and watch the tigers fight? Or do they know something I don’t?
"Are we not taking action yet?" the Blood Demoness glanced at Xu Nian beside her and asked softly. "Or are you waiting for me to act for you?"
"There’s no rush," Xu Nian slowly replied.
He didn’t know why, but he had an increasingly uneasy feeling. It’s very strong, as if some terrifying entity will rush out the moment that Stone Gate is opened.
Cui Shengshu took the lead. The terrifying aura he emitted plunged those guarding the Stone Gate into despair. The Nine Heavens Alliance disciples were quick to act, cutting down those unfortunate souls one by one.
Arriving before the Stone Gate, Cui Shengshu excitedly raised his arm and fiercely pushed against it. At that moment, he seemed to exert all his power. His aura, pushing the limits of the Carefree Earth Realm, caught the attention of many.
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
Under this formidable force, the Stone Gate began to shudder, and a fissure gradually opened. But just as the crack appeared, a visible green Poisonous Miasma rushed out from within.
The green Poisonous Miasma came so swiftly that not even Cui Shengshu could evade it. The disciples of the Nine Heavens Alliance had no time to dodge and were immediately enveloped by the green Poisonous Miasma. Instantly, bloodcurdling screams echoed in front of the Stone Gate.
Cui Shengshu, along with his son and daughter, leaped out of the green Poisonous Miasma, landing back where they had been stationed. Even so, half his face was completely corroded, a bloody mess. Both Cui Wenzheng and Cui Yuan’s hands were also gruesomely mangled.
Those who had intended to follow quickly withdrew upon seeing this. The members of the Nine Heavens Alliance had unknowingly become their scouts.
"What terrifying Poisonous Miasma! Even Cui Shengshu fell victim to it!"
"The Nine Heavens Alliance has truly taken a fall. With so many engulfed by the Poisonous Miasma, it was feared no one would survive."
"Listen... the screams seem to have stopped. Could they be...?"
"All dead, no doubt. Now the Stone Gate is shrouded in Poisonous Miasma. It won’t be easy to get through."
The screams from within the Poisonous Miasma died down completely. Everyone knew that those from the Nine Heavens Alliance were beyond saving. Those who had retreated were grateful for their slower pace. Otherwise, they too would have perished within the Poisonous Miasma. Who could have foreseen that such Poisonous Miasma lay in wait inside the Stone Gate? This time, the Nine Heavens Alliance had suffered the heaviest losses.
Xu Nian clicked his tongue. "Good thing we didn’t go up there. Otherwise, we’d be done for too."
Meanwhile, Zhao Qixian, looking at the Poisonous Miasma, said somberly, "Living Up to the Tathagata, isn’t your Zen Heart Temple the most skilled at detoxification? Aren’t you going to bring out your Detoxification Pills?"
Hearing this, Xu Nian’s eyes brightened. That’s right! The miasma is a type of poison. We can use Detoxification Pills to protect ourselves! I still have those Top-Grade Detoxification Pills rewarded by the System. This miasma was nothing. They’d work even against poisons a hundred times denser! The Players also have some crafted Detoxification Pills. Though not as effective as my Top-Grade Detoxification Pills, they should be adequate against this miasma!