Chapter 135: Chapter 135:1 was not born to chase after power
Translator: 549690339
When Yang Zhen descended, he was startled by the scene before him, not only were there quite a few people here, but it was also a secret place. In the center was a stone slab with natural Dao marks on it!
Around the natural Dao marks were blooming a dozen or so brilliant red flowers. When Yang Zhen landed, several people were collecting these red flowers.
The flowers looked incredibly delicate, the kind that would be damaged at the slightest touch. Despite the care taken, one person accidentally brushed against a petal, and the entire plant immediately wilted. In the blink of an eye it turned into a pile of what looked like dried-up debris.
Everyone gasped in surprise, their glare falling onto Yang Zhen unkindly, as though he was the one who had damaged the flower, their faces filled with resentment.
Yang Zhen looked bewildered at everyone, from their reactions, they hadn’t noticed that the real treasure here was the trace on the stone, the natural Dao mark. This was something many people only dreamt about but couldn’t actually obtain.
Such a small trace, if taken out, could have definitely sent shock-waves through the entire East Forest Island. These fellows were ignoring the Natural Dao mark to pick those flowers?
Yang Zhen looked around puzzled, how could he make it clear to these people that he didn’t want those tiny red flowers, but only the stone marked with Dao?
It wouldn’t work to speak clearly. If these people noticed the Dao marks, they would fight harder to snatch it. But if he didn’t say anything, they were staring at him, fearing he would steal those small red flowers.
This was indeed a bit awkward!
Yang Zhen glanced at the mark on the stone, he could definitely feel the faint aura of the Natural Dao marks, confirming that he wasn’t mistaken. Could these people not feel the aura emanating from the stone?
Everyone was at a stalemate for a while, and Yang Zhen was racking his brain when a deep voice came from behind him!
“Yang Zhen, we can let go of those crystals, but if you dare to destroy the Blood Crown Flowers, I will not rest until one of us is dead!”
The long-bladed practitioner glared coldly at Yang Zhen, and even with his cultivation at the Nascent Soul stage, he was somewhat nervous, which revealed his estimation of the importance of these Blood Crown Flowers.
The surrounding practitioners didn’t even expect that by going out to kill a Golden Core Stage practitioner, they not only didn’t kill him but also led him here, and their faces darkened slightly.
“Senior Brother Lu Heng, what’s the point of wasting so much breath on a person like Yang Zhen? He’s just a Golden Core Stage practitioner. With so many of us here, we won’t let him touch the Blood Crown Flowers, will we?”
“We can’t, the Blood Crown Flowers are related to the rise and fall of our sect. We mustn’t let Yang Zhen destroy them.”
“He’s just a practitioner at Golden Pill Stage, I can deal with him alone!”
“Hold on, don’t act rashly!”
Everyone was chattering about Yang Zhen, ignoring him. Dammit, these morons. Yang Zhen was thinking about retreating and coming back when they were done collecting flowers.
But that wasn’t entirely safe. What if, while collecting blooming flowers, they noticed the natural Dao marks on the stone and moved them. Where would Yang Zhen find them then?
Suddenly, Yang Zhen noticed a familiar-looking young man in the crowd. Their seeming gloating made Yang Zhen’s heart jump.
Damn, he should not stay here for long!
Yang Zhen laughed heartily, looked back at the long-bladed practitioner, Lu Heng, and said disdainfully, “A bunch of idiots, this is a world within a world! There’s more than the Blood Crown Flowers here. The stone there is the most precious thing!”
Everyone watched as Yang Zhen pointed to the rock amongst the red flowers, their faces filled with mockery. “Yang Zhen, do you think we are three-year-olds? It’s just an ordinary rock that’s been affected by the aura of the Blood Crown Flowers. Stop playing tricks, otherwise we’ll be prepared to fight to the death with you.”
An expert at the Nascent Soul Stage threatening to fight to the death with a Golden Core Stage practitioner was not only surprising to Lu Heng’s classmates, but even the practitioners on the ground who were trying to get a peek inside the pit were taken aback.
Yang Zhen erupted in laughter and went straight toward those Blood Crown Flowers under everyone’s gaze.
Lu Heng and the others were tense, but they didn’t act rashly. Instead, under Lu Heng’s guidance, they surrounded Yang Zhen.
In such a cramped environment, if Yang Zhen dared to damage the Blood Crown Flowers, regardless of how many powerful techniques he had, he wouldn’t have a chance to escape their onslaught.
Everyone stared at Yang Zhen, their faces tense. Seeing Yang Zhen walk past those Blood Crown Flowers directly to the large rock. He picked up the large stone and walked away, leaving them all bewildered.
“Could it be that the stone is indeed the most precious thing in this world within a world?”
“Be careful, Yang Zhen is full of cunning tricks, he might just be trying to confuse us. Senior Brother Lu Heng already checked the stone, and there is nothing special about it. What could a golden pill-stage practitioner like Yang Zhen find?”
“Hmph, Yang Zhen is indeed crafty and cunning, but he’s also underestimated us. Can’t we tell a treasure from a trinket?”
“Be careful of the Blood Crown Flower, everyone! If Yang Zhen makes any move to steal it, show no mercy!”
Carrying an incredibly huge stone, Yang Zhen casually strolled through the crowd. Not only were people like Lu Heng dumbfounded, but Yang Zhen was also a bit taken aback.
Was it just this simple?
Did he manage to obtain the Dao markings without shedding a drop of blood from everyone’s hands?
Yang Zhen laughed heartily, casting a disdainful look at Lu Heng and the others. In a boisterous voice, he spoke, “You bunch of losers! You don’t even recognize a good item. I’m taking this stone, so you guys keep harvesting your flowers. We’ll meet again!”
Lu Heng stared at Yang Zhen with a bewildered expression, speaking in a deep voice, “Yang Zhen, do you think this kind of trick will work on us? Even if we need the Blood Crown Flower more, if this stone were so valuable, would you be so glib about it?”
Hearty bursts of laughter echoed from the surrounding disciples. Yang Zhen was momentarily taken aback and left speechless.
“Fine! You enjoy yourselves then, I’m leaving!”
Yang Zhen put the stone into his storage ring, secretly feeling relieved that he luckily had several storage rings; otherwise, he would have been in trouble.
Just as he left the constructed dimension, before he had a chance to relax, a thunderous roar rang out, “Yang Zhen, drop that stone!”
Boom!
An intimidating figure appeared from the horizon, carrying explosive waves of energy that darkened the sky. The ominous pressure drastically changed the faces of everyone present.
Yang Zhen lifted his head to see and was immediately filled with alarm.
The old man was an extremely powerful Nascent Soul Stage Expert in the ninth level, no doubt close to breaking through to the next stage.
Boom!
The old man hovered in mid-air, releasing a sea of fire toward Yang Zhen with a casual wave of his hand. Amidst the roaring flames, there was an overwhelming force that made anyone palpitate.
Yang Zhen’s face changed color. A ninth-level Nascent Soul Stage Expert indeed proved to be alarmingly formidable, putting on such a spectacle with just a flick of his sleeve.
Hearing the old man’s words, the faces of Lu Heng and the others finally shifted. They surrounded Yang Zhen in frustration, intimidating in a threatening voice, “Yang Zhen, drop that stone!”
“Put down that stone!” More than a dozen Golden Pill Stage Practitioners barked in unison.
“Put down that stone!”
The incessant shouting was distressing. Even the practitioners watching the scene were startled, yet they watched the situation, taking pleasure in Yang Zhen’s misfortune.
The Nascent Soul Stage Expert radiated an energy akin to furious waves that set everyone’s hearts pounding, even those standing on the periphery. It was as if they were caught in a violent storm and monstrous sea waves. The endless pressure indicated just how perilous Yang Zhen’s situation was.
Yang Zhen’s body involuntarily started to creak under the onslaught of overpowering waves of energy, yet his Golden Pill erupted with a brilliant radiance.
As Yang Zhen looked around him, he witnessed a concoction of a ninth-level Nascent Soul Stage Expert, a third-level Nascent Soul Stage Expert, a dozen Golden Pill Stage Practitioners at or above the sixth level, and several practitioners below the sixth level.
Such a display was truly flattering!
Yang Zhen took a deep breath, scrutinizing his surroundings. He saw expressions of disdain, greed, hatred, mockery, and curiosity, all of which were heartlessly focused on him.
In this world full of life, the strong basked in reverence, and regardless of the expressions on people’s faces, their gaze on Yang Zhen remained remorseless.
Yang Zhen slowly raised his Thunderbolt Sword and muttered under his breath, “I’m not here to compete for glory, I sit idly on this golden stage. You ask what I desire, I laugh while the autumn leaves are buried under winter snow. At a time like this, I feel the absence of someone who could cheer me on.”
“It’s not that I won’t compete; it’s that I find no need to compete with you.”
Boom!
Yang Zhen’s aura abruptly burst forth, skyrocketing towards the heavens. In that instant, the color of the world changed, and waves of energy began to surge..