"However, this person must not be weak if he managed to come to the Ruins of Return."
"So what? There are three of us, and just one of him. Besides, he’s only a third-level of the Mortal Strata. What kind of storm can he stir up?"
"Such a lone kid is the easiest to deal with."
"We should first ask about this kid’s background."
"If he has no significant background, we’ll just kill him. It seems like he has some dragon might on him; clearly, he has the bloodline of the dragon race or has encountered some dragon race’s fortune. Such a fortune is perfect for us to divide amongst ourselves."
"His essence blood is mine; I need the essence blood of martial artists to cultivate a demonic technique."
"Alright, let’s make our move cleanly and swiftly to avoid drawing attention from others."
These three Yan Yang Sect martial artists conversed telepathically with their spiritual senses for a while when suddenly one of them spoke up.
"May I ask, brother, which sect you belong to? Our Yan Yang Sect has good relations with many other sects. The Ruins of Return are filled with dangers, and we can help look out for each other."
Hearing the words of the Yan Yang Sect disciple, Chu Fengmian couldn’t help but sneer in his heart.
How could their spiritual sense conversation possibly escape Chu Fengmian? Each word was heard loud and clear by him.
However, Chu Fengmian didn’t expose them; instead, he replied with a smile,
"My name is Chu Fengmian. I am a disciple of Beimang Academy. When I entered the Ruins of Return, I was transported to a remote area. I have only just made my way here and have yet to contact my fellow disciples."
Chu Fengmian spoke with a smile, seeming like a martial artist without any guard up and inexperienced in worldly affairs.
"A disciple of Beimang Academy."
"Beimang Academy is nothing compared to our Yan Yang Sect. If we kill him, Beimang Academy wouldn’t dare to trouble us!"
The three Yan Yang Sect martial artists exchanged glances, reading the intent in each other’s eyes, and turned to look at Chu Fengmian as if he were a fat sheep awaiting slaughter.
"So you are a disciple of Beimang Academy. Beimang Academy does have quite a few dealings with our Yan Yang Sect. Considering Brother Chu is alone in the Ruins of Return, where dangers abound, it’s too risky for you to be by yourself. Why not join us in exploring the Ruins of Return?" asked one of the Yan Yang Sect martial artists with a smile.
"We’ve discovered an ancient ruin that has yet to be explored. The three of us were just about to investigate it when, fortunately, we encountered Brother Chu. It’s timely fate. Why not join us in the exploration, Brother Chu? We will share the spoils equally among all of us."
"What? An ancient ruin? You’ve actually found an ancient ruin in the Ruins of Return?"
Chu Fengmian feigned great surprise, yet such a reaction was only natural.
The greatest treasures in the Ruins of Return were the countless ancient ruins; this place was once home to many ancient martial sects.
Among these ancient martial sects, numerous powerful individuals were born. They established their own abodes in the corners of the Ruins of Return, many of which were no less significant than the abode of the Ancient Dragon Emperor.
For any martial artist, they represented an enormous opportunity.
"Indeed, it is an ancient ruin. Brother Chu, if you are willing to come along, you can also help us face the perils within, and we can share the rewards equally," said the Yan Yang Sect disciple as he turned his head, ready to lead the way.
Chu Fengmian stood still, appeared to ponder for a moment, then transformed into a beam of light, promptly chasing after them.
"This fool actually followed us just like that."
"Perfect. Once we get him to the spot we’ve prepared, we can just kill him outright!"
The three Yan Yang Sect disciples exchanged a glance, each revealing a sneering cold smile, their eyes filled with murderous intent.
A man poses no threat to a tiger, yet the tiger harbors thoughts of harm.
Originally, Chu Fengmian had no intentions of laying a hand on these suddenly appearing Yan Yang Sect disciples.
After all, Chu Fengmian had no grudge with Yan Yang Sect, and he was not one who would kill the innocent. It was unexpected that these martial artists had indeed set their scheme upon him.
If Chu Fengmian could withstand this, he wouldn’t be Chu Fengmian.
Murderous intent loomed in his mind, yet he was not in a hurry to make a move. He was curious to see how these Yan Yang Sect disciples planned to deal with him.
The three Yan Yang Sect disciples led the way at the front, transforming into a beam of light.
Chu Feng followed closely behind, and after the passage of an hour’s time, the landscape had changed countless times. Suddenly, they came upon an immense valley.
From the outside, the valley appeared serene with birds singing and flowers emitting fragrance, resembling a paradise.
"Gentlemen, exactly where is this ancient ruin?"
Chu Fengmian followed behind and couldn’t help but ask eagerly, as if he were already quite impatient for the ancient ruin.
Seeing Chu Fengmian’s reaction, the Yan Yang Sect disciples sneered in their hearts but responded with a façade of kindness,
"Brother Chu, no need to hurry. Just ahead, within this very valley, lies the ancient ruin."
With that, the three Yan Yang Sect disciples picked up the pace, entering the valley directly.
Following behind, Chu Fengmian too accelerated, flying into the valley.
But the moment Chu Fengmian set foot in the valley, the surroundings suddenly began to spin.
The entire valley took on a sinister aspect. Beneath Chu Fengmian’s feet was a black marsh emitting miasma.
Gone was the appearance of the paradise he saw moments before. This valley seemed to be a land of doom, a great source of calamity.
"Is the ancient ruin inside here?" Chu Fengmian paused, taking in his surroundings before he deliberately asked.
"Hahaha, an ancient ruin? What ancient ruin? Kid, you’re so foolish to fall for our trap so easily, without us having to expend any effort at all. Now, just obediently hand over all the fortuitous encounters you’ve obtained, and I might leave you with an intact corpse," sneered the Yan Yang Sect martial artist who had spoken earlier, his face now devoid of the previous kindness, filled with cold and sinister intent.
And beside him, the other two Yan Yang Sect martial artists also bore greedy, murderous gazes as they looked at Chu Fengmian.
"You? You plotted against me? Yan Yang Sect is supposed to be an upright sect; how could they have disciples like you! I’m a disciple of Beimang Academy; do you dare to kill me?"
Chu Fengmian shouted loudly, seemingly extremely surprised and furious.