Chapter Seventy-Six: Luo Long

As soon as the figure clad in black robes, seated atop the old locust tree, finished speaking, a strange surge of energy rippled out from a small clearing not far away. The energy appeared without warning, spreading from the empty ground as if conjured from nothing.

Following this mysterious fluctuation, several figures emerged one after another from the tall grass, landing beneath the old locust tree. Within a few breaths, six figures had gathered there, each exuding a faint yet powerful aura of blood energy. Clearly, they were martial artists of impressive cultivation in the realm of blood energy.

Upon closer inspection, their attire was identical—purple robes, unmistakably marking them as members of the same faction. Sensing the inexplicable energy, they appeared beneath the tree, shifting their wary gazes toward the clearing where the disturbance originated. Suspicion and vigilance mingled in their eyes, for the energy was unnervingly sudden and unpredictable.

Yet, all they saw was emptiness—no sign of anyone. They could only sense the intensifying force emanating from the clearing, prompting furrowed brows and deepening caution.

“What’s going on here?”

“This energy is so strange…”

It was clear none of them understood how this bizarre fluctuation had arisen. But the figure in black atop the old locust tree was different. His handsome, resolute face bore a faint, cold smile—one suffused with murderous intent.

“After waiting so long, it’s finally appeared. Since I’ve caught you, you can only blame your poor luck…” His chilling words drifted down, causing the people below to pause, startled.

A sharp humming sound rang out across the clearing, followed by a thunderous boom. A pillar of light shot skyward, enveloping the entire area. Fierce winds swept up, sending clouds of dust swirling through the air, obscuring everyone’s vision.

The light lasted only a brief moment. Before those beneath the tree could fully recover from their confusion, the pillar faded away before their eyes.

…

Once the massive beam—several yards wide—had vanished, the winds subsided, and the dust settled. Two figures emerged in the clearing, appearing before the assembled crowd. They stood side by side.

One was a refined young man; the other, a stunning young woman gripping a bronze longsword in her slender hand.

“Ye Cheng?”

The sudden appearance of these two stunned the group beneath the locust tree. Someone recognized him—they had studied his portrait before setting out. Now that Ye Cheng had arrived, they quickly identified him.

At his name, the others broke into smiles. These past days, they had lain in wait among the wild hills, nervously watching for the movements of demon apes, unable to sleep soundly, all for this moment—for Ye Cheng’s arrival.

Some had grown impatient after days of waiting, but dared not leave because of a certain person’s presence. Now, at last, Ye Cheng stood before them.

“Heh, finally showed up. Once Elder Three gives the order and we deal with him, we can leave this godforsaken place.” Among them, a middle-aged martial artist with a sinister expression fixed his gaze on the young man, sneering as if Ye Cheng were already his prey, his fate sealed.

“Haha, we’ll deal with the boy soon enough. But he’s lucky in love, isn’t he? To have such a beauty by his side… Too bad Elder Three is here as well,” one leering man muttered, his gaze lingering on the girl beside Ye Cheng, whispering to those around him.

As the group stared intently at Ye Cheng and his companion, Ye Cheng and Nangong Xue quickly sensed their presence. Though separated by dozens of yards, they exchanged distant glances.

The distance was considerable, but Ye Cheng’s vision was exceptional. As his blood energy had grown, so too had his speed, defense, and sight. Now, his blood energy surpassed even the peak of the blood energy realm. His gaze fell upon their waists, where each wore a purple-gold badge, the characters clearly visible.

“So the Luo family has finally tracked me down.”

Ye Cheng’s delicate face darkened as his gaze shifted from the badge, his brow knitting in concern. When he first left Luoyang Town, he knew the Luo family had put him on their blacklist, sending people to tail him. Though he had dealt with those pursuers months ago—and discovered the scented powder they scattered along the way—he had not anticipated the lingering threat. The Luo family had come for him after all.

It seemed they truly intended to destroy him before he could rise.

Ye Cheng’s eyes flickered, and his thoughts stirred. His gaze shifted to the shadows among the old locust tree’s branches, where a black figure appeared in his sight.

“Luo Family’s Elder Three, Luo Long?”

Ye Cheng’s quiet murmur carried a weight of gravity. That black figure radiated a subconscious sense of danger. Ye Cheng knew well—an expert at the peak of the Origin Realm, Luo Long was famed in Luoyang Town, rivaling Ye Cheng’s own father, Ye Shan.

While Ye Cheng himself had little reputation as a youth, overshadowed by Ye Shan’s brilliance, Luo Long was among those eclipsed. Yet that did not diminish his martial prowess. Decades on, he had reached the pinnacle of the Origin Realm and become one of the Luo family’s pillars—a figure of great influence in Luoyang Town.

“Do you know them? Are they your friends?” Nangong Xue, sensing the tense atmosphere and the group’s focus on Ye Cheng, turned her head and asked softly.

“Yes, I know them.” Ye Cheng did not look at Nangong Xue, but responded quietly, his gaze fixed on the black figure rising slowly. After a moment, his voice grew solemn.

“But they’re not friends. They’ve come to take my life.”