Chapter 082: Ancient Holy Land

  The Artifact Sect, once ranked among the top ten sects in ancient times, was renowned for its countless treasures. Even its gatekeepers were famously known as the "Treasure-Laden Youngsters," and the sect itself was considered the wealthiest of all. However, it was annihilated during the ancient era, a tragic secret that no one wished to speak of, a tale that unfolded after the Great War of the Hundred Clans.

  Now, at the Artifact Sect's ruins, the time for the treasure vault's opening was drawing near. Two formidable groups stood facing each other. On one side was Qing Yuan, leading Yun'er, Xing Hao, and Dan Qu—four exceptionally powerful individuals, with Yun'er's strength rivaling even Xing Hao's. On the other side stood a brocade-robed youth named Gu Mo, a prodigy from the Ancient Holy Land, whose cultivation was on par with Qing Yuan's. Behind him were Li Hongtao and others.

  "Qing Yuan, your dantian was shattered by the Demon Lord back then. Even though it's healed now, it seems you still haven't learned your lesson," Gu Mo sneered, his face perpetually shadowed with a sinister aura.

  "None of your damn business. If you want a fight, bring it on," Qing Yuan retorted, his lips curling in disdain. "Your elder brother was beaten to a pulp by me back then. Do you want to test my fists too?"

  "You dare!" Gu Mo's fists clenched, his expression turning icy as he glared at Qing Yuan.

  "Qing Yuan, hand over my Soul Crystal. I've already gifted it to Brother Gu," Li Hongtao suddenly interjected, his cultivation fully restored as he boldly stepped forward.

  "Haha, seems like I didn't beat you enough the other day. Looks like I need to loosen your bones some more. Stop being a lapdog—you're disgracing the name of your ancient family," Qing Yuan laughed, his ample frame shaking with mirth.

  "Damn fatty!" Li Hongtao's face twisted in rage. Three months of hard-earned treasures had fallen into their hands, and even the Qian Yuan Cauldron bestowed by his family had been extorted by Qing Yuan.

  "The Soul Crystal... I must obtain it," Gu Mo muttered, his eyes gleaming with desire. The appearance of a Soul Crystal at the Senluo Auction House had caused quite a stir in the Ancient Holy Land. Unfortunately, it had already been auctioned off, forcing them to come to Martial Dao Mountain.

  "Qing Yuan, with just four of you, do you really think you can stand against us? I don't want to make things difficult for you. Just hand over the Soul Crystal," Gu Mo said with a smirk.

  "Four of us? What if we add two more?"

  Suddenly, a calm yet resonant voice echoed across the battlefield.

  "Yang Tian, you finally made it," Qing Yuan muttered, wiping the sweat from his palms. They were outnumbered, and Gu Mo's strength was formidable. If Yun'er got hurt, Qing Yuan would have a hard time explaining it to Yang Tian.

  All eyes turned to the distance, where a shimmering silver ship was rapidly approaching. It was a flying treasure, capable of cutting travel time significantly, something Yang Tian had long coveted.

  The appearance of the silver ship drew murmurs from the crowd. Li Hongtao's face darkened—he would never forget that voice.

  "Brother Gu, the Soul Crystal is with the person on that ship. He's a friend of Qing Yuan's," Li Hongtao said with a sly smile, stepping closer to Gu Mo.

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  The Ancient Holy Land, though reclusive, was a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Continent. Even some ancient families dared not provoke them lightly, and the Ancient Holy Land was one of the three great holy lands.

  "That's the Silver Wing Treasure Ship... Isn't that from the Meng family?" Gu Mo frowned, his gaze fixed on the approaching vessel.

  "Brother Gu, the person inside is Yang Tian. He's not affiliated with any major faction. Dealing with him should be a piece of cake for you," Li Hongtao added, sensing Gu Mo's hesitation.

  "Oh? Not part of any faction? That makes things easier," Gu Mo said, a cold smile spreading across his face as he patted Li Hongtao's shoulder.

  Two figures emerged from the ship, which then vanished without a trace. Yang Tian and Meng Hao quickly made their way toward Qing Yuan's group.

  "Brother Yang, you're here," Yun'er said with a sweet smile, brushing a strand of hair from her shoulder. Her radiant smile caught the attention of many, their gazes growing increasingly heated.

  "Bastard!" Gu Mo's face darkened as he glared at Yang Tian, a flicker of killing intent in his eyes. Such a remarkable woman was rare even in the Ancient Holy Land, and yet she was smiling at someone with no backing.

  "Brother Gu, Yang Tian is quite the charmer. It's a shame to see such a flower wasted on him," Li Hongtao said casually, his eyes gleaming with malice.

  "No matter how charming he is, he's still going to die," Gu Mo growled, his anger barely contained as he stepped forward, his expression shifting back to a calm facade. "Miss Yun'er, how can you associate with such a scoundrel? I think—"

  Before he could finish, the group's attention shifted, their cold gazes locking onto Gu Mo. Yun'er's eyes filled with disdain as she pursed her lips, mimicking Yang Tian's tone, "What an idiot..."

  "This girl..." Yang Tian couldn't help but chuckle at Yun'er's imitation.

  "Haha..." Xing Hao and the others burst into laughter, their faces red with amusement. It was the first time they'd heard Yun'er curse.

  "Crack." Gu Mo's face turned ashen, his body trembling with rage as his fists clenched tightly.

  "Yang Tian, Yang Tian... You've offended the Ancient Holy Land. Let's see how you survive this," Li Hongtao sneered, reveling in his own cunning.

  "Yang Tian, come out and hand over the Soul Crystal, and I might spare your life," Gu Mo said coldly, his voice dripping with menace.

  "You want to fight?" Meng Hao stepped forward, a massive black sword appearing in his hand. A dark aura swirled around the blade as he spoke calmly.

  "The Black Profound Sword!" Gu Mo's eyes widened in surprise, his mind racing to guess Meng Hao's identity. Even Qing Yuan looked intrigued—this weapon was no less formidable than his own Thunder God Hammer.

  "That little brat's protectors just keep multiplying," Li Hongtao thought bitterly, his face twisting with resentment.

  After a moment of hesitation, Gu Mo took a deep breath and turned his attention back to Yang Tian. "Yang Tian, are you going to hide behind others like a coward?"

  "Idiot..." Yang Tian muttered, stepping forward with a cold glare, a hint of killing intent in his eyes.

  "Yang Tian, be careful. This guy isn't easy to deal with," Qing Yuan warned, his brow furrowed. Gu Mo's strength was formidable, and the resources of the Ancient Holy Land far surpassed those of the Qing Yuan Empire.

  "Don't worry. I'll test him out first. If I can't handle him, we'll gang up on him," Yang Tian said with a grin.

  "This guy..." Xing Hao and the others couldn't help but smirk.

  "Not bad. You've got some guts," Gu Mo said with a cold smile, his killing intent now fully exposed. In an instant, he stomped the ground, sending a surge of energy rippling through the air as he loomed over Yang Tian.

  "All show, no substance," Yang Tian quipped, his body vanishing in a blur. His movements were fluid and unpredictable, each step carrying him several meters as he darted around like a fish in water.

  "That's the Eight Desolation Steps! Brother Yang has actually mastered it!" Xing Hao and Dan Qu exchanged glances, their faces lighting up with excitement. Yang Tian had previously lacked a movement technique, but with the Eight Desolation Steps, his combat prowess would undoubtedly reach new heights.

  During his journey, Yang Tian had spent two days studying the technique, barely scratching the surface of its mysteries. Yet, even this rudimentary understanding had significantly boosted his strength. The Eight Desolation Steps allowed one to traverse the world with unparalleled freedom.

  Boom! Gu Mo's hand transformed into a claw, a powerful force surging forth as he struck at Yang Tian. A fierce gust of wind accompanied the attack.

  Facing the onslaught, Yang Tian raised an eyebrow, eager to test the mettle of the Ancient Holy Land's prodigy. Dozens of light arcs danced on his palm as he slashed through the incoming force.

  Bang! The gust was shattered, and in its place, hundreds of crimson light arcs shot toward Gu Mo, filling the air with their deadly glow.