Ling Tian Sword God

On the outer perimeter of Black Devil Island, Ling Chen, Tian Hong, Liu Xin, and several Black Market Elders were present in a Black Market stronghold.

After the battle of Dark Sky City, Liu Xin had taken over as Chief Elder from Tian Hong. This was, of course, due to Ling Chen’s support, which had allowed Liu Xin to smoothly assume the position of Chief Elder.

Now, the situation was excellent. Black Chonghou’s forces had essentially disintegrated, with only the area near Black Devil Island remaining. Its conquest was merely a matter of time.

”Black Chonghou is now a fish in a barrel; capturing him is just a matter of time,” one of the Black Market Elders said, beaming.

”Yes, all this is thanks to Sect Leader Ling Chen,” another Black Market Elder chimed in with a smile.

”Next, we just need to break into Black Devil Island and capture Black Chonghou, and the overall situation will be secured.”

As the situation was so favorable, the Black Market Elders all turned their gazes to Ling Chen. He and the Cyan Robe Association had performed extraordinarily in the battle against Black Chonghou. If it had been only them, the Elders, they might not have been a match for Black Chonghou, even one who had been severely defeated.

”Has there been any recent movement on Black Devil Island?” Ling Chen asked.

He was not one to become arrogant from such flattery. On the contrary, things were progressing too smoothly. Shentu Yan, lurking in the background, had yet to make a move. This Ling Chen found very strange, and he couldn’t let his guard down.

Things are going too smoothly, and Shentu Yan hasn’t made a move. It’s unsettling.

”There haven’t been any particularly unusual movements,” Liu Xin said with a smile. ”Black Devil Island has been continuously strengthening its defenses. It looks like Black Chonghou is genuinely out of tricks and preparing to hole up for good.”

”What about Black Chonghou himself?”

Ling Chen’s gaze sharpened. He knew the Elder Hall had an informant close to Black Chonghou, so they were well aware of the latter’s every move.

”According to reports from our informant, Black Chonghou sighs all day long with a troubled expression. Recently, he’s just been moping in his palace. He probably can’t cause any more trouble,” a Black Market Elder said.

”Keep a close eye on him. Don’t let him escape.”

A glint flashed in Ling Chen’s eyes. Black Chonghou was a top-tier expert at the Sky Apex Realm Fifth Layer. If he were to escape and join forces with Shentu Yan, he would become a significant threat.

”Understood,” Liu Xin and the others nodded.

”Additionally, order our troops to intensify the attack, day and night without pause. They must take Black Devil Island within three days to prevent any unforeseen complications.”

Since things were progressing smoothly, Ling Chen didn’t plan to delay any longer. He wanted a swift resolution, ensuring that by the time Shentu Yan might consider intervening, there would be no opportunity for him to do so.

「Three days later.」

After an intense siege, Black Devil Island was successfully captured.

Most of the experts on Black Devil Island had surrendered, with only a small number of stubborn holdouts being completely eliminated.

However, Black Chonghou was nowhere to be found.

In the Council Hall of Black Devil Island, the upper echelons of the Cyan Robe Association and the Black Market were all present.

However, the expressions on everyone’s faces were grim.

”I never expected Black Chonghou to be so crafty! To think he had already fled Black Devil Island, leaving only a body double here to deceive us and lull us into complacency,” Liu Xin said, his expression turning ugly as he stared at Black Chonghou’s decoy. ”The real Black Chonghou probably escaped from Black Devil Island half a month ago, or perhaps even earlier.”

”Not only that,” another elder added, ”Black Chonghou also plundered the island’s treasury, taking everything portable. He left us with what is essentially an empty city!”

Hearing this, Ling Chen frowned. Black Chonghou is gone, and the treasury is empty. We’ve gained practically nothing from conquering Black Devil Island.

Even he hadn’t expected Black Chonghou to abandon Black Devil Island so decisively, making a clean break by absconding with all its wealth.

Ling Chen had originally thought Shentu Yan might appear to offer Black Chonghou assistance.

To give up a prize as large as the Black Market... that takes considerable nerve.

”Although he escaped, the internal strife in the Black Market has finally been quelled. Now, you know what to do,” Ling Chen said calmly.

”Please rest assured, Sect Leader Ling Chen,” Liu Xin and the other elders, their expressions solemn, exchanged glances before replying in unison. ”We will definitely honor our agreement and recognize Young Mistress Lin Ya as the new Black Market Master.”

At this, Lin Ya also looked at Ling Chen, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes. He and I were once peers, but now the gap between us is growing ever wider.

”Furthermore,” Ling Chen continued, ”this is precisely the time when we cannot afford to relax. I’m worried Shentu Yan might seize any moment of laxity to attack. So, for the time being, focus all efforts on eradicating Black Chonghou’s remaining forces, keep a close watch on any movements from the Divine Intent Sect, and be vigilant against surprise attacks.”

Although Black Chonghou’s forces had crumbled, remnants still persisted that had yet to be eliminated. Completely purging them would likely take some more time. Nevertheless, the overall situation was now largely settled. It was highly unlikely that Black Chonghou could stage a comeback.

「Two more days passed in this strange tranquility.」

Ling Chen stood atop a mountain peak, hands clasped behind his back. His gaze swept past the bustling scenery of Black Devil Island towards the distant horizon, where the sky remained a brilliant blue and flocks of birds flew leisurely by.

Still no movement? Ling Chen murmured to himself, his brow slightly furrowed.

”According to the intelligence we’ve received, there are no signs of the Divine Intent Sect anywhere within the Black Market’s territory,” Liu Feiyue, who was standing behind him, heard his murmur and replied.

”Shentu Yan and I are sworn enemies. I’ve now defeated Black Chonghou, the very man he painstakingly supported. Logically, they shouldn’t be able to tolerate our control over the Black Market. So why have they remained so quiet recently?” Ling Chen mused softly.

Shentu Yan’s silence is rather out of character.

Liu Feiyue shook her head slightly and asked, ”Any movement from the Saint Witch Religion’s side?”

”No.” Ling Chen also shook his head. ”I also suspected Shentu Yan might seize the chance to attack the Saint Witch Religion, but Sister Yunxin messaged me two days ago saying everything is normal there.”

The Saint Witch Religion is one of my main bases now; its defenses must be thorough.

Liu Feiyue’s willow-like brows also furrowed slightly. This strange tranquility was, paradoxically, rather unsettling.

They stood on the mountaintop for a long while, then both shook their heads. Just as they were about to leave, Ling Chen suddenly turned his head. A figure was rapidly approaching from a short distance away, quickly coming into view.

”Sect Leaders, there’s movement from the Divine Intent Sect!”

The figure swiftly drew near, and its hurried shouts reached their ears.

”What’s wrong?” Ling Chen, slightly startled, looked at the hastily approaching figure and quickly asked, ”Has Shentu Yan attacked?”

”No,” the Cyan Robe Association Disciple shook his head, his expression shifting slightly. ”The Divine Intent Sect hasn’t come to attack the Black Market. Instead, they’ve launched a surprise assault on the Sky Void Palace! According to our intelligence, the Sky Void Palace is suffering defeat after defeat. Their main gate has been breached, and the entire Sect is on the verge of falling!”

”The Sky Void Palace?”

Hearing this, both Ling Chen and Liu Feiyue were stunned. Ling Chen’s expression, in particular, changed drastically.

So Shentu Yan’s prolonged absence was because he had targeted the Sky Void Palace all along? Was the Black Market just a feint then? And Black Chonghou... had Shentu Yan abandoned him long ago? Even Black Chonghou’s defeat, the body double... was this entire series of events orchestrated by Shentu Yan merely to tie my hands and divert my attention? Almost all my forces are committed to the Black Market. Meanwhile, Shentu Yan led a large army and stormed the Sky Void Palace, giving me no time to react. That Shentu Yan... he’s an old, cunning fox!

”Junior Brother, what’s your plan? Will you go help the Sky Void Palace, or will you defend the Black Market?” Liu Feiyue asked.

The Sky Void Palace’s main gate has already been breached. I’m afraid even if we rush to their aid now, it’ll be too late. If we go rashly, we might fall for a ploy to lure the tiger out of the mountains. More importantly, the fate of the Sky Void Palace has little to do with us. After all, the Sky Void Palace is one of the great Famous Sects, while the forces Ling Chen is consolidating—the Saint Witch Religion, the Black Market, the Cyan Robe Association—none of them are considered part of the Righteous Path. Even the Cyan Robe Association can only be described as walking a line between righteous and evil. Whether to save them or not ultimately depends on Ling Chen’s personal decision.

Ling Chen’s eyes flickered as the image of a cool and elegant beauty surfaced in his mind. Thinking of that unforgettable woman, Ling Chen knew he couldn’t possibly stand by and do nothing about her plight.