Chaos Dao Sheng Jue

This is because there are seven or eight cultivators hiding in the valley below Gu Tingyuan.

Apart from Ding Yiyan and Mu Pingzhi, two familiar faces, the other six were all quite skilled in cultivation.

“We don’t know if these guys are friends or foes of Gu Tingyuan,” Lu Chen said in a low voice. “Making a move rashly might cause unnecessary trouble.”

Upon hearing this, the monk, Fang Xinyi, and Nezha all nodded in agreement.

Given the unclear situation, they chose to wait and see.

However, the battle lasted for several days.

Gu Tingyuan and the white-robed cultivator fought back and forth, their battle raging fiercely until the sky darkened. Both were injured, but neither was willing to back down.

"This can't go on any longer," Lu Chen thought to himself. "Although Gu Tingyuan is strong, he is exhausted at the moment, which is the perfect opportunity to launch a sneak attack."

Therefore, Lu Chen decided to take the risk. He immediately unleashed his greatsword, God Slayer, and unleashed the ninth move of the Primordial Nine Blades, "Return to Origin".

Logically speaking, the Sun Chasing Sacred Bow would be the most suitable magic weapon for a sneak attack, but since there were still many cultivators in the valley, Lu Chen decisively abandoned this idea in order not to expose his treasure.

However, the ninth form of the Primordial Nine Blades, "Return to Origin," incorporates his mastery of the previous eight forms and his understanding of the power of Daoist principles, making it incredibly powerful.

Meanwhile, the half-monk, Fang Xinyi, and Nezha were also ready. They each concealed their forms, suppressing their auras to the extreme, prepared to support Lu Chen at any moment.

With a soft shout from Lu Chen, a dazzling blade of light pierced the sky and headed straight for Gu Tingyuan.

However, just as the blade was about to strike its target, the cultivators in the valley seemed to sense something amiss.

In an instant, the entire valley erupted in chaos. Gu Tingyuan and the white-robed cultivator, who had been locked in fierce combat, quickly separated and cautiously looked around.

Gu Tingyuan's face was gloomy, clearly realizing that he was in a desperate situation.

"Hmph, so it was you." Gu Tingyuan sneered.

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly swung his longsword, and a black light shot into the sky, attempting to block Lu Chen's attack.

However, even Gu Tingyuan in his prime couldn't defeat Lu Chen, let alone now that he was injured and Lu Chen was even faster.

Just as Gu Tingyuan was about to be cleaved in two by Lu Chen's dazzling blade of light, Ding Yiyan and Mu Pingzhi suddenly appeared like ghosts.

The two launched their attacks almost simultaneously. Their spells and magical artifacts converged in the air, forming a powerful force that directly shattered Lu Chen's almost indestructible giant sword shadow.

Lu Chen felt a chill run down his spine. He knew that with his current strength at the Transformation Realm, it would be far too difficult for him to face Gu Tingyuan, who was at the Integration Realm, as well as Ding Yiyan and Mu Pingzhi, who were also quite powerful.

Moreover, there were other cultivators in the valley eyeing him covetously, so he had to act cautiously.

So, with lightning speed, he quickly retreated a distance.

At this moment, all the cultivators in the valley focused their attention on Lu Chen. Although he appeared to be only at the Transformation Realm, the power displayed in his attack just now shocked everyone.

Clearly, everyone believed that Lu Chen was hiding his true strength, which made everyone wary.

Just then, the white-robed cultivator slowly stepped forward, cupped his hands in a salute to Lu Chen, and said, "Thank you for your help. If you hadn't intervened in time, I would probably be dead today."

Upon seeing this, Lu Chen returned the greeting with a cupped hand and introduced himself, "Fellow Daoist, there's no need for such formalities. This fellow took my things, and I was already planning to settle accounts with him."

"I see, but regardless, I still want to say thank you." The white-robed cultivator nodded slightly, indicating his understanding.

Gu Tingyuan stood still, snorted coldly, and said, "Hmph, so your real name is Lu Chen. Since you dare to show up, today is your death day."

He assumed Lu Chen had left alone, and since he also coveted the Yang Mirror in Lu Chen's possession, he wouldn't let Lu Chen off easily.

"Oh? Is that so? What if we're still here? Will you run away again?"

At this moment, a mocking voice rang out, and then Fang Xinyi, Nezha, and the half-Taoist monk appeared beside Lu Chen.

Upon seeing this, Gu Tingyuan's face turned extremely ugly. Two years ago, he had run away because of these people, and he never expected to encounter them again today.

Seeing this, the six people in the valley knew that things would not end well today, so one of them used his divine energy and said, "May I say something to you all?"

The voice was as loud and clear as a bell, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

The speaker was a middle-aged cultivator, dressed in a blue robe, with a composed face and a hint of arrogance in his eyes.

He flashed and reappeared beside Lu Chen and the others. He then clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "My name is Ling Muyang. Have you all heard of the Hidden Valley of the Divine Flame Domain?"

"You mean, this is the Hidden Valley?" the half-Taoist monk asked in shock.

Lu Chen had never heard of any Hidden Valley, so he didn't really respond to Ling Muyang's words. But judging from the expressions of the half-Taoist monk and Fang Xinyi, they probably knew about it.

Ling Muyang said with certainty, "That's right, this is the Hidden Valley, which is why we've been staying here. However, the array outside the Hidden Valley is too advanced. We've been searching for several days but haven't been able to find the entrance."

Since you've all made it this far, why don't you search together? If you successfully enter the Hidden Valley, whoever contributes the most will receive an extra 10% of the rewards, how about that?"

The monk and Fang Xinyi were clearly intrigued by the news, but Lu Chen remained unmoved and instead asked Fang Xinyi, "You've heard of this Hidden Valley too?"

Fang Xinyi didn't hide anything and nodded slightly, saying, "I have indeed heard about it. However, the exact location of Hidden Valley has always been a mystery. If it is indeed Hidden Valley as they say, it is worth exploring. It is said to be a sealed place that has existed for millions of years and contains countless treasures."

Lu Chen smiled faintly, a profound look in his eyes. "I see. But things in this world are often not as simple as they seem. How can a secret that has existed for millions of years be so easily uncovered?"

Besides, while I have studied formations, I am far from being an expert. Instead of wasting time here, I should look for a more tangible goal.

Lu Chen said this not only to Fang Xinyi, but also to everyone else.

When Ling Muyang saw that Lu Chen rejected his invitation so directly, a hint of anger flashed in his eyes, but he did not show it.

However, the half-Buddhist monk showed some hesitation on his face.

Nezha and Fang Xinyi chose to follow Lu Chen without hesitation. Nezha was straightforward and trusted Lu Chen implicitly; while Fang Xinyi, out of trust in Lu Chen, was willing to leave with him.

As for the Netherworld Yin-Yang Mirror in Gu Tingyuan's possession, Lu Chen was in no hurry to obtain it. He knew that as long as Gu Tingyuan dared to go to the Nirvana Forbidden Land, he would eventually have a chance to get this treasure.

Even if he doesn't go, Lu Chen won't force him; he'll let things take their course.

Immediately afterward, Lu Chen, Nezha, and Fang Xinyi took to the air without hesitation and flew away, quickly disappearing into the horizon…