Chapter 322: Forming an Alliance

"I..."

Han Ming stood frozen, at a loss for words under the interrogation.

Doubt began to creep into his heart as well.

Even if the people of the Northern Profound Domain were simple and honest, and goods were high-quality and cheap, a complete map wouldn't sell for a mere three Spirit Stones.

It was simply too cheap.

What made him even more suspicious was that the map in his hands was shoddily made. Many areas were drawn vaguely, and no matter how he looked at it, it didn't seem real.

"Is there even a need to say it? Elder Han was obviously scammed by that old bastard at the general store and bought a fake map."

"Heh, these paupers from the Northern Profound Domain. To think they'd even scam someone over three Spirit Stones."

"It's probably because this place is too barbaric."

"The Northern Profound Domain is full of losers."

"Old Han Ming, it's not that I want to lecture you, but you really need to change this habit of yours of chasing petty advantages. You didn't even realize you were being scammed."

Everyone began to roast him one after another.

RIP!

His face contorted with rage, Han Ming violently tore the map in his hands to shreds and roared, "You old bastard who doesn't know what's good for you! Just you wait! If I don't annihilate your entire family, I swear I'm not a man!"

The three Spirit Stones didn't matter.

What infuriated him was that the old man at the general store had deceived him, causing him to lose all face in front of everyone.

Who could possibly endure that?

Sima Jian waved his hand. "Alright, alright, don't be angry for now. Attending to proper business is more important. Let's figure out how to get into the Martial Emperor's Cave Mansion ahead."

"So we're not going to kill that guy surnamed Su?"

Han Ming asked.

Sima Jian retorted, "Are you that wary of him?"

"Well... I'm afraid that delays will bring more trouble."

Han Ming said in a low voice, "To be invited by Lujiang Qu to the Giant Sword Sect for a personal birthday celebration, that Su fellow is definitely no ordinary person."

"So what if he's not an ordinary person? With so many of us, you think we can't kill him?"

Nian Yao said with contempt.

Elder Hu said calmly, "Elder Han, don't worry. If we obtain the treasures and inheritance from within the Martial Emperor's Cave Mansion, killing that Su fellow will only be easier."

"Alright!"

Han Ming agreed. "Let's just say the heavens are taking pity on him and will let him live a few more days."

Having finished their discussion, the group was about to enter the Array ahead.

But just then...

A voice suddenly came from behind them. "Fellow Daoists, please wait before you enter."

Hm?

The group turned to look and saw three figures streaking over from the distance. They landed in front of them in an instant.

"Martial Emperors?"

Seeing this, the group immediately grew wary.

'Didn't they say the Northern Profound Domain was a poor, remote backwater with no experts? How did three Martial Emperors suddenly appear?'

And at such a critical moment, no less.

"You three, may I ask why you are blocking our path?"

Nian Yao spoke up.

The leading old man said, "I am acting out of kindness. I don't want you to throw your lives away for nothing, which is why I spoke up to stop you."

"What do you mean?"

Nian Yao asked, confused.

The old man said, "To be honest with you, this Martial Emperor's Cave Mansion was left behind by our ancestors. Only we, their bloodline descendants, can enter. Anyone else who tries will be annihilated by the Array and die a violent death."

"Do you take us for fools?"

Sima Jian sneered, "The Northern Profound Domain is a remote backwater. It hasn't even produced a Martial Emperor in hundreds of years, so how could a Martial Emperor expert appear?"

"This..."

The old man fell silent, pondering.

Sima Jian chuckled. "If you want to seize this opportunity, just say so. If I'm in a good mood, I might even give you a share. But if you try to deceive me, then I'll have no choice but to offend you."

"Hehe, a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding!"

Seeing that his bluff had been called, the old man's demeanor changed instantly. He said with a beaming smile, "As they say, we don't get to know each other without a fight. I am Lan Xuan, and I am willing to form an alliance with you fellow Daoists."

Sima Jian's brow furrowed.

Although Lan Xuan's group only had three people, they were all experts at the Martial Emperor Great Perfection realm. If a fight really broke out, Sima Jian's group probably wouldn't gain any advantage.

Even though they had more people, only four of them could match their opponents.

The rest could only provide support from the side.

They could probably kill them, but it would likely come at a cost.

Just as Sima Jian was hesitating on whether to accept the old man's offer, two more figures appeared in the distance. "Hahaha, I sensed the Spiritual Qi fluctuations from afar! I didn't expect to actually find a Martial Emperor's Cave Mansion here."

"And you are...?"

Lan Xuan asked.

The newcomer laughed. "I am the humble Daoist Qingfeng, and this gentleman next to me is my good friend, Dragon Sword."

"Dragon Sword?"

Lan Xuan asked in surprise, "You mean the Sword Dao Butcher who once killed eighteen Martial Emperors in a row and slaughtered thirty-six clans?"

"That is I."

Dragon Sword admitted.

Hearing this, Sima Jian and the others were all shocked. They clearly hadn't expected Dragon Sword to appear here.

Lan Xuan continued to ask, "Fellow Daoist Qingfeng, does that make you the renowned Array Master from our Central Profound Domain?"

"I am untalented, but I do indeed know a thing or two about Arrays. I often set up Sect Protection Arrays for some of the Major Sects and families."

Qingfeng said with a smile.

Lan Xuan gave a wry smile. "Fellow Daoist Qingfeng, you are too modest. You are an Array Master that even the major Sacred Lands vie to invite. If that's considered 'untalented,' then haven't the rest of us been living our lives like dogs?"

Qingfeng smiled faintly, his face a mask of arrogance.

Lan Xuan clasped his hands. "I am Lan Xuan. I happened to be passing by when this Martial Emperor's Cave Mansion appeared. I am willing to form an alliance with you two to seek treasure within it."

"Agreed!"

Qingfeng readily agreed.

Lan Xuan turned back to Sima Jian. "And you all? What do you say?"

"Then let's join forces."

Sima Jian reluctantly agreed.

Originally, he didn't want to ally with Lan Xuan's group, but he never expected Dragon Sword and Qingfeng to suddenly appear and reach an agreement with Lan Xuan.

Now, he had no choice but to agree.

Lan Xuan said, "Since we are allies, any treasures we obtain will be split evenly. That seems fairer."

"Fine!"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Lan Xuan said, "Let's go now. If we delay any longer, I'm afraid more people will come to seize the treasure and steal our opportunity."

WHOOSH!

The group arrived before Qingyang City. Just as they were about to enter, they saw an old man holding a broom standing in their path.

"No way, someone actually got here before us?"

They all had looks of disbelief.

Lan Xuan stepped forward and asked, "May I venture to ask for your esteemed name, Fellow Daoist?"

"Zhuge Su!"

Zhuge Su replied.

Lan Xuan clasped his hands. "So it is Fellow Daoist Zhuge. My apologies for my lack of respect. May I ask, Fellow Daoist Zhuge, have you been inside this Martial Emperor's Cave Mansion?"

"What Martial Emperor's Cave Mansion?"

Zhuge Su looked completely baffled.

Lan Xuan chuckled. "Let's not beat around the bush. Fellow Daoist Zhuge, if you have been inside this Martial Emperor's Cave Mansion, please tell us and show us the way. If we obtain any Treasures, we can give you a share."

"You're here to seize treasure?"

Zhuge Su was speechless. "Let me be honest with you. This isn't some Martial Emperor's Cave Mansion at all; it's just a city. As for seizing treasure... I advise you not to get any ideas about this city, or you'll die a miserable death."

"What damn city? This is clearly a cave mansion."

"You old codger, you're trying to trick us, aren't you?"

"I get it. This old codger must be afraid we'll snatch the Treasure, so he's deliberately blocking us from going in."