After the explanation, Ye Qingchen finally understood the reason behind the events:

Half a month ago, several suspicious cases surfaced in Celestial Peak Country. Many people either mysteriously disappeared or died tragically in the wilderness, turning into mummified corpses. Thus, Zhou Yuntian was tasked with investigating.

But once Zhou Yuntian left, there was no news of him, not a single response, as if he vanished into thin air.

Therefore.

Everyone at Martial Arts Arena is searching for him.

"I originally held a glimmer of hope, thinking Lord Zhou might be here, after all, you're the young genius he most favored!" Steward Zhao couldn't hide his disappointment as he spoke, "Now, I can only hope others have some leads!"

Ye Qingchen furrowed his brows.

Whether for public or private reasons, he couldn't ignore the matters of Martial Arts Arena. Moreover, this matter was connected to Zhou Yuntian.

"I'll go to Martial Arts Arena with you!" Ye Qingchen stood up resolutely.

Steward Zhao was overjoyed at his words, "With Young Master Ye taking action, perhaps we'll find Lord Zhou soon."

Earlier when he arrived.

He happened to see Ye Qingchen breakthrough the Profound Pill Realm, with spiritual qi covering an area over a hundred meters.

It's important to know.

He had seen others breakthrough the Profound Pill Realm before, but the spiritual qi they emitted covered at most ten meters, unlike Ye Qingchen's vast and staggering power. Just after breaking through the Profound Pill Realm, Ye Qingchen's strength was unimaginable.

Leaving Taotian Palace, the two headed straight for Martial Arts Arena.

On the way, Steward Zhao explained in detail:

"Lately, this matter has been extremely bizarre; the victims weren't ordinary people, they were all powerful cultivators. They all became mummified corpses, it's uncertain if it was caused by something evil or by demons prowling."

"They turned into mummies?"

Ye Qingchen raised an eyebrow.

Such an eerie way to die actually exists? No wonder Martial Arts Arena found this matter strange!

"And then?" Ye Qingchen continued asking.

Steward Zhao responded: "To investigate this matter, we sent out many people from Martial Arts Arena, but none returned. In the end, Lord Zhou had no choice but to personally lead people to investigate, yet he too went missing!"

Ye Qingchen listened, his brows furrowing deeply.

This matter is likely far from simple.

It is possible that Zhou Yuntian's disappearance is closely related to this incident.

In less than half a day, they arrived at Martial Arts Arena.

The interior was already filled with people, all Profound Pill Powerhouses, each emitting powerful auras.

Ye Qingchen glanced around; besides Steward Zhao, there were several martial artists who had been invited from afar. The atmosphere was incredibly tense, and everyone was silent, clearly worried about Zhou Yuntian's whereabouts.

"Steward Zhao, didn't you go to Taotian Palace? Why bring back such a young kid?"

Among them, a slightly older Silver Robe Steward, around forty years old, scrutinized Ye Qingchen, raising his eyebrows disdainfully.

Steward Zhao felt a bit awkward at this, saying: "This is Ye Qingchen, he shares a close relationship with Lord Zhou and came here after hearing about his disappearance, hoping to help!"

He's Ye Qingchen?

Many present knew of Ye Qingchen's achievement at the Qingzhou Sword Fighting Conference, but to them, it was merely a child's game, not worthy of their attention.

Others saw Ye Qingchen's youth and didn't give him a proper look.

"Huh, what help can he provide? We've got so many Profound Pill powerhouses here searching for more than half a month without any leads, what can he do?" A red-haired man scoffed.

"Indeed, even if he was the champion of Qingzhou Sword Fighting Conference, what's the use? He might end up losing his life!" Someone said expressionlessly, chiming in.

Ye Qingchen's eyes flashed as he glanced at those speaking, then lowered his gaze, not responding.

"Humph, cowardly as a mouse!"

The red-haired man sneered.

Others, seeing Ye Qingchen dare not retort, revealed even more disdainful expressions.

"We've found Lord Zhou's whereabouts!"

Just then, an urgent voice came.

A young Silver Robe Steward quickly entered the interior, speaking up: "Lord Zhou is likely trapped inside Netherworld Mountain; signs of their passage have been found outside."

"What are we waiting for? Let's hurry and depart!"

Everyone sprang to their feet at once.

Zhou Yuntian had been missing for over half a month, with difficulty finding a clue; they certainly wouldn't let it slip away.

However.

As Ye Qingchen prepared to follow, he was blocked by the earlier Silver Robe Steward:

"We're going to rescue Lord Zhou, why tag along to cause trouble?"

Seeing Ye Qingchen being stopped, Steward Zhao quickly said, "Young Master Ye's strength is not bad, he…"

"Humph, that Netherworld Mountain is a notorious juedi, even Lord Zhou got stuck inside, aren't you seeking your death?" The other steward raised an eyebrow, spoke squarely.

Ye Qingchen replied calmly, "Mr. Zhou has favored me; now that he's in trouble, I naturally won't stand by idle."

"Youngsters really don't know their limits!" The other snorted coldly.

What he didn't voice was that Martial Arts Arena had deployed experienced veterans for this task.

Adding Ye Qingchen might slow them down?

But seeing Ye Qingchen's determined stance, he didn't object directly, simply said coldly:

"Since you want to come, then come! But if you die there, don't blame me for not warning you!" With that, he shot Ye Qingchen a cold glance and turned away.

"Young Master Ye, this truly is…" Steward Zhao looked embarrassed, wanting to speak but holding back: "He's Steward Guo; with Lord Zhou absent, he's the highest-ranking person in Martial Arts Arena, worried because Lord Zhou's fate is uncertain."

Ye Qingchen nodded slightly, saying: "Don't mention this; finding Mr. Zhou is what's paramount!"

"Yes, Young Master Ye!" Steward Zhao nodded repeatedly.

A group of people left Martial Arts Arena, rushing toward Netherworld Mountain.

Netherworld Mountain is a part of Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range, though it spans only a hundred miles, its terrain is extremely complex.

Looking ahead, towering trees stood over a hundred meters tall, old vines twisted, and amidst the forest, faint glimpses of stark white bones added to the eerie scene.

"Indeed, Lord Zhou has been here!"

Steward Guo's eyes sparkled as he spotted a special mark from Martial Arts Arena on a tree, feeling a surge of excitement.

Everyone nodded and quickly sped toward the depths of Netherworld Mountain.

"That kid came along after all!"

In the crowd.

Someone noticed Ye Qingchen at the back of the group.

Furthermore.

What irritated the group more was that upon entering Netherworld Mountain, everyone was extremely cautious, like they were facing a great enemy, all ready to act at any moment. But Ye Qingchen had his hands behind his back, strolling casually as if on a leisurely outing.

Steward Guo witnessing this scene also frowned slightly.

Originally.

He held a hint of anticipation for Ye Qingchen, given he was someone Zhou Yuntian favored, but seeing Ye Qingchen's demeanor now, shook his head subtly, inwardly thinking:

"Lord Zhou chose poorly, this kid isn't a reliable person after all!"

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