Chapter 34

Every three years, the Nanzheng Nether Realm would appear in the Nanzheng Forbidden Land.

To find the entrance to the Nanzheng Nether Realm, one had to cross vast forests teeming with demonic beasts, and entering the forbidden land itself carried a high risk of encountering powerful demons, making it a place fraught with danger and peril.

Now, with the Nanzheng Nether Realm about to appear, the number of people on the bustling streets of Songyan City had clearly increased several times over, the crowds surging like waves, creating a cacophony of noise.

"The Moon Laurel City, Jade Crystal City, Falling Sand City... It seems that cultivators from all cities in the southern border have appeared. This Nanzheng trial is truly unprecedented!"

"Indeed, who would have thought that General Qin would allow these outsiders to participate? Regardless of other reasons, just for the sake of the highly valuable Evil Beads, this Nanzheng Nether Realm trial will certainly not be peaceful."

"That's not entirely false, but I heard that most people are not just here for the Evil Beads. They seem to be searching for something like a Sword Immortal's cave, though I don't know if it's true."

"A Sword Immortal's cave? Ha, don't joke around. The Nanzheng Nether Realm is depleted of spiritual energy and filled with evil qi. Which Sword Immortal would be so idle as to build their cave there?"

...

The streets were filled with various discussions, creating a tense atmosphere as if a storm was about to come.

"The Nanzheng Nether Realm will appear tomorrow, and the entrance will only be open for three hours, so we must rush there overnight."

Standing before the Nanzheng Mountains, Du Qingxi held a jade slip map, glanced at it, and said seriously, "Everyone, be careful. The Nanzheng Mountains are filled with demonic beasts at night, and it's extremely dangerous. Don't be complacent."

"Qingxi, don't worry. With our three people's strength, even if we encounter a Purple Mansion demon, we can kill it," Duanmu Ze said with a slight smile, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.

Kill a Purple Mansion demon?

Chen Xi's heart tightened. This guy must have already advanced to the Purple Mansion realm to dare say such big words. Du Qingxi and Song Lin probably weren't far behind.

But Purple Mansion cultivators can't enter the Nanzheng Nether Realm, right? Perhaps they have other methods to enter...

This question involved some privacy, and Chen Xi wasn't close to the three of them, so he couldn't ask much and could only keep it in mind.

The night was dark, with sparse stars in the sky.

From the sky, countless streams of people flowed toward the Nanzheng Mountains, roughly estimated to be no less than ten thousand.

"Hey, am I seeing things? Duanmu Ze, the genius of the younger generation in Longyuan City, is actually here?"

"It can't be wrong. That person is definitely Duanmu Ze. It's said he has already reached the Fourth Star of the Purple Mansion and might become the next leader of the Duanmu family."

"Wow, so he's the Duanmu Ze I've been dreaming about. He's indeed as handsome and extraordinary as the rumors say, simply too cool!"

...

Just as Chen Xi and the others were about to enter the mountains, someone recognized Duanmu Ze, causing a wave of exclamations and praise.

Duanmu Ze's handsome face showed a hint of a restrained smile. He was used to such scenes in Longyuan City and didn't find it strange. He smiled at Du Qingxi, "I didn't expect to be recognized so quickly. These people are really quite boring."

"Since they're boring, let's hurry up and go," Du Qingxi said, her expression as cold and clear as snow, seemingly uninterested in her surroundings.

Duanmu Ze was taken aback, shook his head, and smiled, but he was secretly furious. This Du family girl is too hard to handle. Does she have to force me to use force?

He had been pursuing Du Qingxi, but her cold and distant personality made it difficult. He had tried many methods, but all ended in failure.

For a young noble like him, beautiful women were easy to find, but in Duanmu Ze's eyes, they were all庸脂俗粉. In the entire Longyuan City, only a few could match him, and Du Qingxi, from the Du family, was undoubtedly one of them.

Du Qingxi was not only stunningly beautiful and exceptionally intelligent, but she was also the only daughter of the Du family's patriarch. Marrying her would not only win her heart but also gain the support of the Du family, which was the result Duanmu Ze most desired.

Becoming the Du family's son-in-law would mean gaining the support of the entire Du family. With this backing, Duanmu Ze was confident he could ascend to the position of the Duanmu family's patriarch.

Therefore, although he was slightly discouraged by Du Qingxi's cold attitude, Duanmu Ze would not give up on pursuing her.

However, he was still a bit annoyed, especially with Chen Xi standing nearby, watching.

This kid is probably laughing at me for being self-important, right?

Duanmu Ze glanced at Chen Xi, but saw him with a distant look, completely ignoring the opportunity to provoke him. He was so angry that he thought, once we enter the forest, I'll find a chance to deal with this lowly servant!

The night grew darker, like black ink covering the entire Nanzheng Mountains. In the distance, terrifying roars of beasts could be heard, adding a chilling and ominous atmosphere.

Faced with this scene, even Song Lin, who had been half-asleep, opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and bright.

"Let me remind you, if you dare to hold us back, regardless of what Qingxi thinks, I will definitely give you a good beating."

A whisper reached Chen Xi's ears. He looked up to see Duanmu Ze smiling at him, as if the words hadn't come from him.

Faced with this aggressive and threatening attitude, Chen Xi chose to ignore it.

Hold us back?

We'll see who holds who back.

Thinking of the battles with vicious and cunning demonic beasts every night for the past three months, Chen Xi felt a bit sorry for Duanmu Ze. What are Purple Mansion cultivators to those beasts? They are not to be underestimated, each one cunning and ruthless, with a variety of tricks...

After entering the mountains, to show his gentlemanly demeanor, Duanmu Ze led the way, dressed in white, sword in hand, his handsome and elegant smile indeed making most women fall in love.

Du Qingxi didn't object, Song Lin followed at the back, half-asleep, and Chen Xi wouldn't compete for the spotlight with this flashy young master.

So, as they moved forward, Duanmu Ze acted as the leader of the group. Chen Xi suggested changing the path several times, but he was firmly rejected. According to Duanmu Ze, "We, sword cultivators, must forge a path with our swords, even if there is no path. Taking a detour is not the style of a sword cultivator..."

Chen Xi didn't say more. When someone is destined for misfortune, no one can stop it.

Then, in a lush area of the forest, a swarm of Ice-Tailed Poison Bees, as Chen Xi had predicted, surged forward.

As a Fourth Star Purple Mansion sword cultivator, Duanmu Ze was not afraid of these small creatures. He immediately drew his sword, and with a flurry of sword light, sharp sword qi shot out like arrows, and in the blink of an eye, hundreds of Ice-Tailed Poison Bees were dead.

"Such a group of little bees, truly a disappointing opponent."

Duanmu Ze said with a restrained smile, just as he was about to sheath his sword, his expression suddenly stiffened, and a look of shock appeared in his eyes.

Red, swollen bumps suddenly appeared on his face and hands, turning his handsome face into a pig's head, a sight too terrible to behold.

"Ah!"

Duanmu Ze let out a piercing scream, the unbearable itching on his face and hands making him forget all about his dignity, and he began to scratch his face fiercely.

"What's happening?" Du Qingxi's heart tightened, watching Duanmu Ze's awkward scratching, feeling puzzled.

"Hmm, Duanmu brother, are you practicing monkey boxing?" Song Lin opened his sleepy eyes and mumbled, "I remember you hate monkey boxing, saying it's too ugly and affects your aesthetics and demeanor."

"He killed the Ice-Tailed Poison Bees, but their stingers pierced his face and hands, causing unbearable itching," Chen Xi said with a frown, secretly feeling satisfied.

These Ice-Tailed Poison Bees were the size of a thumb, completely black, with fine, transparent stingers. When the stingers pierced the skin, it felt like ice melting in water, impossible to guard against. The venom would instantly seep into the blood, causing red, swollen bumps and unbearable itching.

"Since you knew, why didn't you say it earlier?" Du Qingxi looked at him coldly, her tone carrying a hint of blame.

"I tried to warn him, but he said as a sword cultivator, he must use his sword..."

Before Chen Xi could finish, Duanmu Ze, who was scratching his ears and face, roared, "Shut up, you little brat!"

"I'm fine, let's go," Duanmu Ze took a deep breath, enduring the itching, and staggered forward.

"Ah, Duanmu brother is the most dignified person. In Longyuan City, if anyone talks about dignity, Duanmu brother is undoubtedly the first. Now, in this state, he must be very uncomfortable."

Song Lin sighed lazily, glancing at Chen Xi, then closed his eyes and fell back into a sleepy state.

"Oh, if I had known he was so ticklish, I should have advised him more. Then none of this would have happened," Chen Xi said with an innocent look.

These words made Duanmu Ze's anger surge even more. Especially thinking about his embarrassing state being seen by Du Qingxi, he almost spat blood, thinking, "Damn it, this guy must have done it on purpose, not warning me properly and then making sarcastic remarks. Just wait, I'll make you pay!"

"Duanmu, there are some not-so-powerful demonic beasts ahead. Should we change our path?" Chen Xi asked, seemingly out of concern.

Duanmu Ze's body stiffened, then he answered fiercely, "No, thank you!"

As he spoke, to vent his anger, Duanmu Ze quickened his pace, his sword swinging, turning the vines and grass in front of him into ashes.

"You seem to know this place well?" Du Qingxi asked with a frown.

Chen Xi nodded, "I've been here before."

"Why didn't you lead the way?" Du Qingxi pressed.

Chen Xi glanced at Duanmu Ze in the distance, not saying more, but his meaning was clear.

"From now on, you lead the way," Du Qingxi said in a tone that brooked no argument.

"Okay!" Chen Xi nodded.

Ah~

At that moment, from a distance, Duanmu Ze's piercing scream echoed again, filled with endless anger and fear, as if he had encountered something terrifying.