Chapter 692 - 693: Sand Giant

Ye Xuan had agreed to the Xiao family’s request to explore this mysterious place simply because he was curious about it. He was in no mood to get entangled with other powers and naturally wanted to keep a low profile.

’But with Yu Chi Bugong saying that, isn’t he just drawing everyone’s attention to me?’

Sure enough, as soon as Yu Chi Bugong finished speaking, a young Martial King from Lingkong Cave snorted coldly. "Patriarch Yuchi, isn’t that a bit of an exaggeration? I’ve heard of Master Rongyang. He was a Tier Eight Second Layer Martial King. This boy is a Tier Seven Second Layer Martial King. How could he kill Master Rongyang with a single palm strike?"

The others also looked skeptical.

Yu Chi Bugong chuckled and cupped his hands. "Ah, so it is Young Cave Master Qiu Yuan of Lingkong Cave. If you truly don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do. However, you are free to ask around in my Celestial Capital Prefecture. I, Yu Chi Bugong, wouldn’t lie to you over such a small matter."

Yu Chi Bugong then continued, "I’ve heard that Young Cave Master Qiu Yuan is one of the top geniuses in our Eastern Domain, already a Peak of First Layer Martial King at such a young age. I used to be quite impressed, but now, compared to Master Xuan Ye of my Celestial Capital Prefecture, you fall quite short."

’This old bastard.’

Ye Xuan was no saint. How could he not realize that Yu Chi Bugong was trying to stir up animosity against him? He had clearly been set up.

Seeing this, Xiao Wuji immediately stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Patriarch Yuchi, what’s the point of slandering Master Xuan Ye like this? It’s true that he killed Master Rongyang, but everyone knows Master Rongyang was only killed because he was caught completely off guard. Besides, now is hardly the time to be discussing this."

The experts from the major powers present weren’t idiots. Yu Chi Bugong’s words were so obvious that they all understood he wasn’t genuinely praising Ye Xuan, but trying to make him a target. It was clear there had been some sort of conflict between the two.

Moreover, from the expressions of the other major powers from Celestial Capital Prefecture, they could also tell that what Xiao Wuji said was likely true.

"Alright, if everyone keeps chatting like this, the sun will set. Let’s discuss how we’re going to explore this mysterious place."

Sect Master Yu Xiuneng of Langxie Sect, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke with a cold tone.

This brought everyone’s focus back.

Patriarch Long Yuan of Liuxian City immediately said, "Everyone knows the purpose of our joint exploration. News of this mysterious place has already gotten out. Before long, some of the first-tier powers will learn of it. When that happens, no matter what treasures are inside, we second-tier powers won’t get a share. Therefore, I hope we can all unite and contribute our strengths to thoroughly scout out this mysterious place."

Patriarch Helian Yue, from another major power in Liuxian City, also said gravely, "This time, the experts from our two cities, one sect, and one cave have come out in full force. We can definitely venture deeper and uncover the truth of this mysterious place. You have all conducted preliminary investigations, so why don’t we share the information we’ve each gathered?"

Ye Xuan suddenly cut in, "I hear the Yuchi family was the first to learn the secret of this place and has explored it the most. Why not have Patriarch Yuchi explain it to us?"

The members of the other powers were all stunned. This Xuan Ye had such a fiery personality, truly one to repay every grievance. Yu Chi Bugong had just tried to set him up, and retribution had come so quickly. However, they also knew the Yuchi family was likely the first to get the news, so every last one of them turned to look at Yu Chi Bugong.

Yu Chi Bugong’s expression was grim. He said flatly, "Why is everyone looking at me? It’s true that my Yuchi family received the news early, but because of that, we suffered heavy casualties. Our progress might not even match yours. Besides, I’ve already shared all the information my Yuchi family had."

The people from the other powers snorted. They didn’t believe a word of it.

Everyone looked around at each other, but no one was willing to share their information.

Long Yuan and the others sneered inwardly. They had long anticipated this situation.

"Since everyone has already shared all their information, let’s all set off together. No point wasting more time here," Sect Master Yu Xiuneng of the Langxie Sect said impatiently.

No one objected. Soon, the group flew out, shooting forward.

At this point, the relationships between the major powers became apparent. Although the people in the sky weren’t far from each other, they all maintained a certain distance, clearly afraid of a sudden attack.

Because of their relationship with Ye Xuan, the Lin family and the Xu family subtly stayed close to the Xiao family.

Xiao Wuji glanced over but paid them no mind. Instead, he said to Ye Xuan in a low voice, "Young Master Ye, this is the outer region of the mysterious land. The space within is very strange. Although the outer region extends for thousands of miles, danger can appear at any moment."

Even without Xiao Wuji’s reminder, Ye Xuan had already sensed the strangeness of the space here. It felt as if this place existed in a separate dimension from the Celestial Profound Continent.

Xiao Wuji hadn’t made any effort to conceal his warning, so the nearby members of the Lin and Xu families naturally heard him, which sparked some doubt in their minds.

As far as the eye could see, the sky was gloomy and the ground was covered in black sand. There was no life at all. ’Where could the danger be?’

Ye Xuan suddenly looked ahead and said, "Patriarch Xiao, when you mentioned danger, were you talking about this sand?"

His voice had barely faded when a patch of sand ahead seemed to sense the auras of the people in the sky. The vast expanse of black sand began to flow like water, instantly forming into a nearly ten-meter-tall Sand Giant that threw a punch at the crowd in the sky.

"What the hell is this thing?"

Although the Lin and Xu families knew about the mysterious land, this was their first time here, just like Ye Xuan. They were instantly startled.

RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

At the same time, sand in two other locations also began to flow rapidly, likewise forming two giants that threw incredibly powerful punches toward the crowd.

The members of the Lin and Xu families looked on in horror and immediately prepared to defend themselves. But before they could act, the experts from Lingkong Cave, Langxie Sect, the Yuchi family, the Long family, the Helian family, and even the Xiao family shot forward like sharks smelling blood, their eyes gleaming.

"This Sand Giant belongs to the Yuchi family."

"Leave this one to my Langxie Sect."

"Then Lingkong Cave will take the last one."

The three major powers—the Yuchi family, Langxie Sect, and Lingkong Cave—arrived first. Their experts instantly intercepted the three Sand Giants, as if they were dividing up spoils of war.

Seeing this, the members of the Xiao family, the Long family, and the Helian family returned dejectedly, their faces full of resentment.

"Patriarch, the Yuchi family and the others beat us to it," a Xiao family elder said to Xiao Wuji, looking displeased.

"What are they doing?" The Lin family and the others were utterly confused. ’Could this black Sand Giant be some kind of treasure?’

"You’ll know just by watching," Xiao Wuji said, a flash of regret also crossing his eyes.

Not far away, the three major powers were fighting furiously against the Sand Giants.

It was unknown what kind of lifeform these Sand Giants were. Under the attacks of numerous Tier Eight Martial Kings, the sand on their bodies constantly exploded and scattered across the ground.

But the sand quickly flowed back and replenished the Sand Giants’ bodies, as if they were immortal.

Moreover, the combat power of these Sand Giants was terrifying, comparable to a Peak of Tier Eight Second Layer Martial King. Coupled with their immortal bodies, it left the three major powers scrambling to handle them.

However, as the battle continued, the three powers gradually gained the upper hand, as they had Tier Eight Third Layer Martial King experts present.

After about half an incense stick’s time, a dusty gray rope suddenly appeared in the hands of Cave Master Qiu Gong of Lingkong Cave. As soon as the rope appeared, it rapidly lengthened, like an agile gray snake, and quickly coiled around one of the Sand Giants, wrapping it up tightly. At the same time, strange runes appeared on its surface.

The Sand Giant, whose entire body was made of sand, was completely immobilized by the rope. Then, Qiu Gong shattered its head with a single punch and snatched a single black grain of sand from within.

This black grain of sand looked identical to the others, but it emitted a unique aura. After grabbing it, the elder Qiu Gong laughed heartily and stored it in his Storage Ring.

BOOM!

The next moment, the Sand Giant that had been bound by the gray rope instantly turned into a pile of black rubble, crashing to the ground without another sound.

The elder Qiu Gong retrieved his rope and immediately returned to his group.

Meanwhile, on the Yuchi family’s side, a pitch-black battle-axe appeared in Yu Chi Bugong’s hand. He split open a huge gash on the Sand Giant’s head with one swing, and at the same time, he actually charged directly into the giant’s head.

The sand on the Sand Giant’s head churned madly, constantly trying to press in. But after a moment, it let out a silent roar, and its entire body exploded.

"Haha!"

Yu Chi Bugong’s figure flew out from the sand, laughing loudly. He too held a black stone in his hand, a look of pure delight on his face.

Over with the Langxie Sect, Sect Master Yu Xiuneng had also retrieved a black stone from a Sand Giant’s head, killing it.

The members of the three major powers all returned to their groups in high spirits.

Patriarch Helian Yue of the Helian family had a grim expression as he said unhappily, "Everyone, you managed to snatch these three Sand Giants this time. Next time, it should be our turn."

The elder Qiu Gong chuckled and said, "Patriarch Helian, you’re mistaken. We seized these Sand Giants through strength. It’s not as if you yielded them to us. Why should it be your turn next? The way I see it, next time, it will still be a case of ’first come, first served.’"

Yu Chi Bugong also laughed. "Cave Master Qiu Gong is absolutely right. In this exploration, it’s every man for himself. Are we expected to be polite and yield to others?"

"Hmph, then let it be every man for himself."

Helian Yue snorted coldly, a flash of displeasure on his face, but his gaze became intensely focused. He was clearly afraid of missing out on the next wave of rewards.