At this very moment, at the treasure site hidden by the Carp Demon General.
The major factions arrived one after another.
Under the night sky, the furious shouts of the Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals echoed.
The Ancient Flood Dragon of Pure Water Palace led his demon generals in a standoff against the Taoist priests from the temple.
The priests, clad in Taoist robes, drew their swords in unison.
Though both sides shouted fiercely, neither made the first move.
Because they weren't the only factions present.
"Heh, first time seeing all the Jiangnan factions gathered so completely!"
"Since we're all here for Mount Shushan's treasure, let's stop pretending."
The woman from Revival Sect walked forward with one hand on her hip.
The glimpses beneath her swaying skirt attracted many gazes.
"If we keep fighting, we'll only benefit others. We haven't even seen the treasure yet—shouldn't we go in first?"
The Revival Sect's lady continued.
Her words made perfect sense.
"Why hasn't Extreme Demonic Hall shown up?" someone asked.
Nearly every notable faction in Jiangnan had gathered for this occasion.
Only Extreme Demonic Hall sent a few scouts, which was puzzling.
But soon, everyone's attention shifted to the treasure site.
They entered the hidden vault one by one.
The Carp Demon General's treasure trove was an excavated tomb.
Tentatively, the crowd stepped inside.
Within the tomb, mountains of treasures filled every corner.
A marrow-jade box crafted from thousand-year frost jade of the northern glaciers lay neglected in a corner.
Yin-Yang Glazed Pearls intertwined in harmony, a pitch-black Mountain-Swallowing Furnace.
Earthfire-containing Geocentric Pearls.
An dazzling array of elixirs.
And rows upon rows of ancient texts...
For several breaths, everyone stood stunned by the sight.
The three strongest present—the Ancient Flood Dragon, the Revival Sect woman, and the old Taoist—exchanged glances.
Even they might perish here.
A death struggle benefits no one.
The Ancient Flood Dragon spoke first: "Perhaps we should..."
The beautiful woman finished his sentence.
The old Taoist nodded slightly.
With the three powers in agreement,
The smaller factions dared not object—except for one reckless soul.
"Equal split? Between you three, or including us brothers?"
The Ancient Flood Dragon glanced at the speaking tiger demon.
This tiger ruled Tiger Peak Mountain in Jiangnan.
Golden Core peak cultivation.
Before the words faded, the tiger's head was in the dragon's claw.
The tigress beside him turned to flee.
The Ancient Flood Dragon made a grasping motion in the air.
The tigress screamed and collapsed.
Silence fell over the crowd.
These treasures were worthless without life to enjoy them.
The dragon's gaze fell upon a Spell Seal.
His claw reached out, trembling slightly.
Upon touching the seal, a surge of energy erupted from it.
The dragon shuddered, his eyes narrowing as he savored the profound Dao rhythm within.
The seal's Dao essence flowed endlessly.
"Tsk tsk," the dragon marveled.
"How shall we divide these treasures?" the beauty asked.
The old Taoist stroked his beard: "Each picks one item in turn. Good or bad—your own choice."
"Hall Master, the tomb truly contains Mount Shushan's treasure!"
The returning Extreme Demonic Hall scout reported.
Hearing this, the hall members' eyes gleamed as they urgently looked to their elder leader.
Extreme Demonic Hall stood among Jiangnan's four greatest powers alongside Pure Water Palace, Revival Sect, and Spirit Sword Temple.
They naturally wanted their share of Mount Shushan's treasure.
Yet the old Hall Master hesitated, keeping them on perimeter duty.
This bred discontent.
The old Hall Master frowned. "Was I overthinking this?"
"Hall Master! We can't let them take all of Mount Shushan's treasures!"
The speaker was the hall's second-in-command, the old leader's successor.
Young and impetuous, with powerful backing.
The old Hall Master glanced at him, knowing he couldn't restrain his subordinates much longer.
As his tenure neared its end, why invite trouble and resentment?
After a hesitant sigh, he waved his hand.
The hall members rushed in eagerly.
Only the old Hall Master remained, his unease growing as calm prevailed.
The Ancient Flood Dragon extended his claw again, this time toward a precious sword.
The beauty glanced at it regretfully—she'd wanted that blade.
But with so many treasures left, one hardly mattered.
Then the Extreme Demonic Hall members arrived belatedly.
The beauty mocked: "Oh? I thought Extreme Demonic Hall stood above such things."
The Ancient Flood Dragon's ears suddenly rang as he sensed something wrong.
Before he could react—
In that instant, all the rare treasures seemed activated by some mysterious force.
They lost physical form, transforming into pure energy.
Like ignited gunpowder, they erupted in a cataclysmic explosion!
The blast deafened the old Hall Master, shaking his very soul.
It felt as if the world itself might tear apart.
Black ripples spread from the explosion's epicenter,
Forming a massive dark circle that engulfed the entire area like spilled ink.
Then a three-hundred-zhang pillar of Netherworld Qi erupted from the ground.
Like a roaring black dragon, it clawed toward the heavens,
Tearing space itself with shrill screams.
Qi from a hundred miles around converged here.
Even distant cultivators couldn't escape the shockwave.
The old Hall Master was sent flying.
All grudges and conflicts ended here—paid for by Mount Shushan's treasure.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust!