Ling Tian Sword God-Chapter 685 - 683: Black Stone Beast_1

"Report to the Sect Leader, apart from some True Disciples who have escaped, nearly all the powerful experts in the Myriad Dao Sect have been annihilated by us."

Above the Central Plaza of the Myriad Dao Sect, an Elder of the Divine Intent Sect stepped forward, reporting to Shentu Yan.

"They escaped? We had the Myriad Dao Sect completely surrounded; how could they have made their escape?"

Shentu Yan narrowed his eyes, a chilling light seeming to radiate from his gaze.

Under Shentu Yan's intense gaze, the Elder of the Divine Intent Sect felt a chill creep down his spine. He hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "According to a surrendered Elder of the Myriad Dao Sect, there's a hidden tunnel in the rear mountain that leads to the outside. It's highly probable these individuals entered that tunnel."

"A hidden tunnel?"

Shentu Yan's pupils contracted, his expression darkening. "Go find it immediately! Find the location of that secret passage. They must not be allowed to escape!"

He had seen it very clearly: those who escaped were not just True Disciples of the Myriad Dao Sect but also members of the Four Great Hidden Clans, and Ling Chen was among them. He considered Ling Chen his greatest threat. Now, while Ling Chen was still no match for him, was the perfect opportunity to eliminate him.

If Ling Chen could not be eliminated this time, it would cause him considerable trouble to kill Ling Chen in the future.

Moreover, if these escapees could be captured all at once, his unification of the Martial World would be an absolute certainty. The remaining scattered forces would pose no threat to him whatsoever.

Shentu Yan leaned down and patted the head of the Exotic Demon Beast. "Exotic Demon Beast, you're most familiar with Ling Chen's aura. Go, find him for me."

Hearing his words, a ferocious glint surged in the Exotic Demon Beast's eyes. Its massive body suddenly shot forward, leaving a fleeting black shadow on the ground.

...

「Inside the tunnel.」

Ling Chen and his companions were still unaware of the situation outside. They were advancing at full speed towards the tunnel exit because everyone knew the Myriad Dao Sect couldn't hold out long against Shentu Yan; their time was limited.

But the tunnel was not spacious, and with fifty to sixty people having entered, their progress was inherently slow. Furthermore, what made things worse was its meandering nature; there were many bends, likely designed to prevent collapses due to shifting terrain. Thus, despite their best efforts, they hadn't managed to exit the tunnel after more than two hours of marching at full speed.

"Damn it, just how long is this tunnel?"

Seeing no end in sight, Yin Tianxiao, the Yin Family Patriarch, grew increasingly frustrated and complained.

The secret tunnel was pitch-black, without a single ray of sunlight. The gloomy, cold atmosphere understandably made everyone's mood worsen. Moreover, the longer they remained in the tunnel, the more perilous their situation became. It was quite possible that Shentu Yan had already discovered the tunnel entrance and was, even now, making his way inside.

"Yin Family Head, please be patient. We should be close to the exit soon."

The Young Master of Myriad Dao wasn't sure himself and could only try to reassure Yin Tianxiao with a bitter smile.

Yin Tianxiao just frowned. If it weren't for the dire circumstances, he would have lost his temper long ago.

Ling Chen, Liu Feiyue, and Duan Qingxu remained silent, their expressions grave as they scouted ahead. Many parts of the tunnel had developed cracks, and some sections even showed signs of imminent collapse. This forced them to be cautious. A tunnel in such disrepair, clearly neglected for years, offered little peace of mind.

HUMMM...

Suddenly, a faint, strange noise drifted from the darkness ahead.

"Wait a moment, there's a sound up ahead."

Ling Chen's perception was the most acute. The moment he sensed something was wrong, he stopped and signaled for the group behind him to halt.

"What sound? I didn't hear anything."

Yin Tianxiao paid Ling Chen's words no heed. In his view, if Ling Chen hadn't been so indecisive, unwilling to relinquish the position of Alliance Leader for his own selfish reasons, the Alliance's matters wouldn't have dragged on this long, and the situation wouldn't have deteriorated to this terrible state. Therefore, in his eyes, Ling Chen was the chief culprit, even more detestable than Shentu Yan. Harboring such thoughts, he naturally wouldn't be courteous towards Ling Chen.

"Ling Chen, are you just trying to scare us? Shentu Yan might be right behind us, yet you're delaying us here. Aren't you trying to get us all killed?" Yin Tianxiao chuckled coldly.

"Since Your Excellency doesn't believe me, then please, feel free to proceed."

Ling Chen didn't lose his temper, merely responding calmly.

"Proceed? Of course, I'll proceed! As if I'd believe your nonsense."

Yin Tianxiao probed the area ahead but sensed nothing. He sneered inwardly. This brat, trying to bluff me! If I were to back down now, I'd really fall for his trick.

If everyone just blindly kowtows to Ling Chen, they'll undoubtedly fall for his crafty plot. This youngster is just looking for a chance to establish his authority, and then his position as Alliance Leader will be secure. How can I let him succeed?

However, he had walked less than a hundred meters when a strong, chilling wind suddenly gusted towards him. The wind grew fiercer and fiercer, until he was trembling uncontrollably, his heart pounding with fear.

ROAR! ROAR!

Deafening roars suddenly echoed through the tunnel. From the heart of the swirling, chilling wind, a black shadow shot out and, without a word, pounced on Yin Tianxiao, who was at the very front of the group.

"Courting death!"

Although Yin Tianxiao was startled, he was a Top Sky Apex Strong, after all. How could he be scared off by a mere shadow? The moment it pounced, he instantly channeled his True Qi and launched a fierce palm strike.

BOOM!

His palm strike landed as if hitting a steel plate, emitting a heavy, dull thud. However, in the instant Yin Tianxiao's palm collided with the shadow, a shocking scene unfolded: Yin Tianxiao's body was forcefully sent flying backward by the shadow!

Even Yin Tianxiao's expression was incredibly grim at this moment. He hadn't expected that something appearing so suddenly from nowhere would be this powerful!

Everyone's attention fixed on the black shadow. As light illuminated it, the shadow's form was revealed. It was a crawling Exotic Beast, entirely pitch-black, resembling something between a lizard and a dinosaur. Its body, however, was composed of a strange type of rock. If not for the incredibly potent aura radiating from it, no one would have believed it to be an Exotic Beast.

"It's a Black Stone Beast! A powerful Exotic Beast rumored to live underground!"

Beside Ling Chen, Liu Feiyue spoke, her pretty face etched with gravity.

"Black Stone Beast?"

Ling Chen's eyes narrowed. He, too, had heard of the Black Stone Beast. It was a unique Exotic Beast living underground, distinct from others because its body was entirely composed of a special type of rock. Typically, a juvenile was a Third Grade Demonic Beast, and upon reaching adulthood, it would advance to become a Level 4 Exotic Beast.

And this Black Stone Beast before them, which had sent Yin Tianxiao, a Top Sky Apex Strong, flying with a single blow, was undoubtedly an adult.