Urban Martial Saint

The stone gate was pushed open, revealing a massive cave about a dozen meters high. The cave was pitch black, and although everyone present was a Peak Master, they couldn’t see through this darkness. However, the moment the stone gate opened, waves of chilling wind blew from the stone cave onto everyone, causing even the Peak Masters to involuntarily shiver. This chilling wind felt as if it blew out of hell itself, with a coldness that penetrated to the bone!

Feeling the chilling wind and gazing at the boundless dark cave, everyone was left in a daze. Although this was the tomb of the first Great Sage Guiguzi of the Taoist Sect for thousands of years, looking at this cave, what everyone felt was more fear, as if some unparalleled ferocious beast was hidden within the dark cave, ready to tear apart anyone daring enough to enter!

Among the crowd, Ye Qing felt the strongest response, for the three forces inside him stopped completely when the cold wind from the cave blew out. Earlier, these three forces were clashing and colliding wildly within Ye Qing, but at this moment, they all seemed to have received a summons, stopping completely. Of course, these forces did not dissipate, Ye Qing was very aware of this; they were congregating inside his body, as if concentrating in readiness for something, or perhaps staying alert for something. Regardless, Ye Qing could feel that these three forces were constantly brewing, as if preparing for a massive eruption!

Ye Qing was well aware of the three forces within himself; the Taoist Sect’s power was a result of his recent cultivation of Innate Skill, capable of surviving beneath the powers of the Buddha-Demon, albeit not considered strong. As for the powers of the Devouring Demon Flower and Buddha’s Relic, they were a different story. Ye Qing couldn’t estimate the power of the Devouring Demon Flower, but he was very clear on the power of Buddha’s Relic.

This Buddha’s Relic is the Sarira of Shakyamuni from the Buddhist Sect, containing the power of Shakyamuni. Even without discussing how much power of Shakyamuni is held within, just the fact that the Buddha’s Relic can crush the Corpse Ghost Dragon, which has cultivated the Indestructible Demon Body, is enough to show the terrifying extent of its power. No master Ye Qing has seen can compare to the power of the Buddha’s Relic, illustrating its might!

Moreover, the power of the Devouring Demon Flower can stand evenly against the power of Buddha’s Relic, showcasing the formidable strength of the Devouring Demon Flower, undoubtedly equal to the power of Buddha’s Relic.

As for the Taoist Sect’s power, surviving amidst these two forces is no simple feat. Thus, the three forces within Ye Qing are all extraordinary, each enough to shock the world.

Yet now, these three forces are cautiously responding to the pitch-black cave. Therefore, how can the entity hidden behind the cave be ordinary? What could be inside the cave, causing his inner forces to sense it and remain so wary?

Despite not knowing what lies within the cave, Ye Qing’s intuition tells him that whatever is inside is anything but simple. The tomb of the first Great Sage Guiguzi of the Taoist Sect, with the ability to form the pattern of Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams Formation alongside Zhou Tian Star Dou, surely holds extraordinary things!

Having entered several tombs before, all were fraught with peril. Would Guiguzi’s tomb be any different, possibly holding various threats inside? And what could be the thing inside, which could instill fear in his three inner forces? Could it be that shocking powers are hidden within this tomb?

Only other powers can induce sensations and vigilance in his inner forces; Ye Qing knows this clearly. But in what form do these powers exist? Powers are usually embedded within a person, so could there be someone inside the cave?

With doubts and astonishment, a notion arose in Ye Qing’s mind that the Guiguzi tomb isn’t one that you can just enter casually. If one rashly steps in, securing the contents inside is another matter; meeting peril could cost one’s life!

Of course, Ye Qing didn’t voice his thoughts out loud. He turned his gaze to Mr. Hattori and others beside him, seeing these individuals just as shocked. However, their bodies didn’t possess the sensitive trio of forces that Ye Qing had, thus unable to conjecture what lies within Guiguzi’s tomb. Once the cold wind blew over, the cave appeared nothing special, besides being somewhat dark, looking like an ordinary cave. This wouldn’t scare the group of Ninjas!

Mr. Hattori’s eyes glimmered as he glanced at Ye Qing, smiling as he said, ”Mr. Ye, the Sect Master wants us to retrieve what’s inside Guiguzi’s tomb, then he’ll release Miss Huangfu!”

”Alright, I’ll go inside and fetch the item for you,” Ye Qing replied directly.

”No need for that!” Mr. Hattori hurriedly gestured, saying, ”Retrieving items is coarse work best left to us. We only need to trouble Mr. Ye and Senior Fu a bit, asking you two to guard the outside to prevent disturbances. If someone snatches the items inside, Miss Huangfu’s safety could be compromised!”

Ye Qing’s prior statement about entering to retrieve the items was simply to provoke Mr. Hattori. In truth, sensing the forces inside the cave, Ye Qing didn’t wish to enter. He knew the cave was far from ordinary, contrary to Mr. Hattori’s assumptions. It was wise to let others lead the way inside. If any danger arises, at least others would traverse first, faring better than risking his own life exploring.

Ye Qing also understood Mr. Hattori wouldn’t allow him and Fu Qingping to enter Guiguzi’s tomb, as they were not trusted. Nobody knew what mysteries Guiguzi’s tomb concealed, but many speculated it held numerous Taoist Sect Secret Manuals, the main reason people wanted to enter. Such manuals wouldn’t be entrusted to Ye Qing, as tampering with them would be troublesome. Ye Qing’s remark led to Mr. Hattori’s immediate refusal. From Mr. Hattori’s perspective, it was safer for them to retrieve the items personally. He didn’t wish Ye Qing to learn the secrets within Guiguzi’s tomb, opting to leave Ye Qing guarding outside. This inadvertently suited Ye Qing’s intentions.

Listening to Mr. Hattori’s words, Ye Qing smiled inwardly but remained expressionless outwardly, saying, ”Well, in that case, I’ll remain outside with Master and guard. Mr. Hattori, I hope you’ll hurry, as I’m eager to see Zi Yu!”

”Of course!” Mr. Hattori laughed, saying, ”We’ll rely on Mr. Ye and Senior Fu outside.”

Mr. Hattori finished speaking and immediately gathered several individuals to follow him inside Guiguzi’s tomb. Feeling uneasy, he left two people outside, ostensibly to assist Ye Qing and Fu Qingping in guarding, but in reality, to monitor them, ensuring they didn’t sneak inside.

Having arranged everything, Mr. Hattori led a group of Ninjas into Guiguzi’s tomb, while the two Ninjas stayed with Ye Qing and the others outside. Wen’er remained by Ye Qing’s side; since both parties had met, there was no imminent battle, and Wen’er didn’t need to leave prematurely. Besides, the Church’s people were also on this mountain, and if Wen’er were captured, Ye Qing would need to rescue her later.

Once Mr. Hattori and others entered, Ye Qing finally had some time to chat briefly with Wen’er, inquiring about her situation. Fortunately, Mr. Hattori’s Ninjas had some sense of honor, not harming Wen’er, merely using her mother to coerce her into revealing the Gold Silk Armor’s usage. Ye Qing had instructed Wen’er beforehand to disclose the armor’s secret during critical moments. Without such guidance, Wen’er might have resisted unto death, not divulging the armor’s secret.

Noting Wen’er’s worried demeanor speaking of her mother, Ye Qing understood her deep concern. Nodding affirmatively, Ye Qing whispered, ”Don’t worry, after this is over, I’ll rescue your mother too.”

Saying so, Ye Qing leaned slightly closer to Wen’er, speaking in a voice only they could understand, ”Our people have tracked down your mother’s location; it’s just not the right time to act. Once business here concludes, we’ll rescue her immediately. You don’t need to worry!”

Hearing this, Wen’er couldn’t contain her joy, gratefully nodding towards Ye Qing and softly saying, ”Thank you, Ye!”

Ye Qing smiled and waved dismissively, just about to speak when Fu Qingping beside him frowned, saying solemnly, ”Something’s wrong!”

”What’s the matter?” Ye Qing asked, puzzled, looking at Fu Qingping. Given Fu Qingping’s strength, he should remain composed despite any situation. But now, with him frowning, could something problematic have transpired?

Just at that moment, six or seven people suddenly emerged from the path down the mountain. Ye Qing saw clearly that these six were the Church’s people from earlier, led by none other than the Great Lord in disguise.