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Dongfang Meng, holding the second fragment of the Ancient Transmission Array, walked towards the mountains as promised with Li Qiushui. Her heart was complex, conflicted, and aching. She never expected such trust from Ye Tianchen, and she was torn about whether what she was doing was right...

The fragments of the Ancient Transmission Array, in today's tumultuous Earth, are already crucial and highly sought after treasures by various forces. Everyone understands that possessing the fragments means controlling the passage to the Martial Arts World beyond, obtaining unexpected things. How important are these fragments to Ye Tianchen? They are his hope, something he is desperately searching for, having barely obtained two of them. But Dongfang Meng is going to hand one to the Nine Netherworld. Once handed over, it may be lost forever, with no way to retrieve it. Dongfang Meng understands this, yet if she doesn't do it, all the people in Desolate Stone Village will perish in an instant...

Therefore, Dongfang Meng's conflict and the pain she bears inside are unknown to anyone; she bears them alone... For the villagers of Desolate Stone Village and for Ye Tianchen, Dongfang Meng has even decided that as long as she can remove the "poison" from the villagers, she is willing to sacrifice her own life!

Dongfang Meng tightly embraced the fragment of the Ancient Transmission Array in her arms. This is one of Ye Tianchen's most treasured possessions. Naturally, she knows its significance to Ye Tianchen, but she has no choice. Between the fragment and the lives of the villagers, she chooses the latter because she believes Ye Tianchen would do the same.

The situation on Earth is beyond anyone's clarity. During the four years of Ye Tianchen's absence, the three Ancient Martial Worlds have undergone earth-shattering changes, revealing many hidden inheritances and forces, as well as emerging treasures and Martial Arts Divine Skills. The entire three Ancient Martial Worlds are in turmoil, as if ready for something major to occur. With so many forces appearing, the number of powerful martial artists grows, and the appearance of treasures and Martial Arts Divine Skills from ancient times will inevitably lead to brutal struggles and endless slaughter. A bloody era is about to commence, unavoidable, but also ushering in a brilliant era, showcasing various divine skills, wielding treasure weapons, and the emergence of talented individuals across the sky, truly exciting and passionate.

This is merely the undercurrent of the current Earth situation. What about the Martial Arts World? In the Martial Arts World, particularly known as "Emperor Star," rumored to be the place every martial artist wants to visit, it's said that "Emperor Star" has been most visited by Emperors throughout history, thus being called "Emperor Star." Ye Tianchen has always wanted to explore it because it's a place where Emperors have left their legacies, making it not so simple...

In truth, Ye Tianchen already has a premonition about the impending outbreak in the Martial Arts World, fearing that this era will be even more violent and mighty than the cultivation boom of the Late Ancient Times to Early Ancient Stage. And this is a world where the strong prey on the weak, with power being the only voice. Everyone knows it; thus, Ye Tianchen is working to elevate his cultivation realm and enhance his combat strength. In chaotic times, strong power is more needed.

At this moment, Dongfang Meng, bearing the fragment of the Ancient Transmission Array, arrived at the mountains not far from Desolate Stone Village, with the sun about to set. Li Qiushui was already there, and upon seeing Dongfang Meng, she coldly sneered, "Little sister, I knew you'd come, you wouldn't dare not come, am I right?"

"Senior sister, I truly feel sorry for you..." Dongfang Meng shook her head, sighing.

"Hmm? Sorry, why should you be sorry? It should be you who's sorry!" Li Qiushui was taken aback, speaking harshly.

Dongfang Meng glanced at Li Qiushui, seemingly reminiscing about their days in the Ancient Tomb Sect, finally shaking her head, "Actually, our master favored you back then, wanting to pass the Sect Leader position to you. But your heart was already possessed by the demon; your Slaughter Aura was too intense, focused solely on a higher cultivation realm. The master tried to guide you repeatedly, but you wouldn't listen, breaking their heart..."

"What wrong did I do? Seeking a higher cultivation realm is wrong? This world is inherently survival of the fittest, a world of slaughter. Can you survive without advanced cultivation? Who isn't pursuing the Martial Arts Peak?" Li Qiushui seemed somewhat enraged, shouting at Dongfang Meng.

"Power is something everyone desires. With absolute power, many impossible things become achievable. Yet, in the pursuit of power, unscrupulous methods can easily lead one to become a demon, and you have fallen into that. Senior sister, I truly don't want to see you like this..." Dongfang Meng spoke with some heartache.

"Hahaha, spare me your hypocrisy, acting all noble and pure, posing like a Holy Daughter—who are you trying to fool? When our master passed the Sect Leader position to you, why didn't you refuse? Now you're speaking so righteously, do you think I'll believe it?" Li Qiushui laughed loudly and shouted.

"Senior sister, you need to understand that at that time..." Dongfang Meng shook her head.

"Enough nonsense! If it weren't for orders from the master forbidding me to kill you, I would have acted long ago. Hand over the fragment of the Ancient Transmission Array!" Li Qiushui seemed a bit mad, interrupting Dongfang Meng's words and shouted.

Dongfang Meng glanced at Li Qiushui, truly beyond saving, and frowned as she took out the fragment from her arms but didn't immediately hand it to Li Qiushui. Just as Li Qiushui reached to grab it, Dongfang Meng pulled it back into her body.

"Hmm? If you don't hand it over, it seems you really want to see everyone in Desolate Stone Village perish!" Li Qiushui spoke venomously.

Bang!

Bang!

Li Qiushui acted, striking with the Bone Melting Palm, while Dongfang Meng countered with the Jade Maiden Palm. The two powerful forces collided, shaking the mountain range. Li Qiushui and Dongfang Meng each retreated two steps, coldly looking at each other.

"Hmph, I didn't expect you to have progressed so much over the years, able to match me evenly. It seems the Jade Maiden Heart Scripture is indeed profound. That old woman preferred to pass it to you, not to me. Damn, frustrating!" Li Qiushui snorted coldly.

"You are so disrespectful to our master, I will rectify the sect!" Dongfang Meng, filled with a killing aura, spoke.

"Hahaha, rectify the sect? I'm afraid you lack the strength. Hand over the fragment of the Ancient Transmission Array, and I might spare you for now!" Li Qiushui laughed and said.

"Senior sister, our strengths are now evenly matched; you can't kill me. The fragment is in my hands, and I'm sure the Nine Netherworld desires it greatly. If they want to get it effortlessly, there's one way: first, remove the poison from the villagers of Desolate Stone Village; otherwise, I'll have no choice but to destroy the fragment." Dongfang Meng seriously said, looking at Li Qiushui.

Dongfang Meng isn't foolish. On her way here, she contemplated that if she simply handed over the fragment to the Nine Netherworld, it would likely lead to the death of all Desolate Stone Village villagers. Once the Nine Netherworld obtained the fragment, they could certainly proceed to kill all the villagers. It's a certainty beyond doubt. Dongfang Meng realized that the Nine Netherworld hasn't killed them yet and activated the poison as they await Ye Tianchen's appearance and to obtain the fragment. The fragment matters significantly to the Nine Netherworld.

Precisely because of this realization, the clever Dongfang Meng understands she can negotiate with the fragment, letting them know one piece is indeed in her hands. They must clear the poison from the villagers before she relinquishes it; otherwise, she'd destroy the fragment, making it impossible to reassemble. Dongfang Meng believes that, to the Nine Netherworld, the fragment matters more than the lives of the villagers—this is her bargaining chip.

"Naïve, do you think I'll agree to your terms?" Li Qiushui spoke coldly.

"I know you won't agree; you lack the authority, but the people from the Nine Netherworld will!" Dongfang Meng replied coldly.

"You..." Li Qiushui was startled, grinding her teeth. She never expected Dongfang Meng to be so clever, seizing her weakness and point, leaving her with no room to resist.

"Senior sister, I suggest you report back. Making decisions without authorization might disrupt the Nine Netherworld's grand plan, leaving you in a bad situation, don't you think?" Dongfang Meng smiled, looking at Li Qiushui and asked. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian.com to cast recommendation votes, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)

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