"Who exactly are you? I have no idea what you're talking about."
Though ripples surged in Zuo Ling's heart, his face remained composed and calm, showing no signs of panic.
Despite the oppressive aura from the person before him, Zuo Ling, with his cultivation at the consummate Sixth Rank True Lord, believed he could stand toe to toe with anyone.
"I am Gu Tiangang of the Ancient Wilderness Cave Heaven. There is no need for you to hide; you cannot escape my sight. Since you won't hand it over, I'll have to take it myself!"
Gu Tiangang's face was stern, and even though Zuo Ling had ascended to the consummate True Lord rank, he did not see him as a worthy opponent.
Among peers, Gu Tiangang believed no one could rival him.
With those words, Gu Tiangang attacked.
Gu Tiangang's assault was fierce, forcing Zuo Ling's fighting spirit to ignite. He was eager to test his newfound strength.
"Boom!"
Zuo Ling unleashed the full power of a consummate Sixth Rank True Lord, feeling the Quasi-Emperor bloodline surge within him. With every move, sharp sword energy pierced the void, multiplying and striking towards Gu Tiangang.
The Transforming God Sword Technique!
A supreme Eighth Rank technique!
Among the inheritances left by Zuo Shenfeng, one was the former protective technique of the Palace of Immortals, the Dao of Immortals Sutra.
The other was the Transforming God Sword Technique, personally imparted by Zuo Shenfeng.
Having just begun to master this secret technique, Zuo Ling unleashed it, and the sky filled with sword energy, making Gu Tiangang feel threatened.
"You indeed inherited the Quasi-Emperor's legacy!"
Gu Tiangang's eyes burned with intensity. With his experience, he could tell that Zuo Ling's techniques were extraordinary.
Even the deep heritage of the Ancient Wilderness Cave Heaven did not possess such profound methods.
With this realization, Gu Tiangang's killing intent grew stronger.
For the Ancient Wilderness Cave Heaven, the Quasi-Emperor's legacy was crucial. Once a Quasi-Emperor level sect, it had now declined to an ordinary Saint level sect.
If they could seize the Palace of Immortals' inheritance, they might revive the Ancient Wilderness Cave Heaven.
"Boom!"
"Rumble!"
Gu Tiangang's fists and kicks tore through space, showcasing the might of the Ancient Wilderness Sacred Body. Despite Zuo Ling wielding Eighth Rank secret techniques and possessing Quasi-Emperor blood, he was completely suppressed, gaining no advantage.
The battle grew fiercer,
and Zuo Ling became increasingly alarmed!
He had thought his strength was top-tier, but upon leaving the Quasi-Emperor secret realm, he was immediately struck down by Gu Tiangang's overwhelming power.
"Hand over the Quasi-Emperor's legacy, and I'll allow you to join the Ancient Wilderness Cave Heaven and explore the Great Dao with us!"
Gu Tiangang said in a deep voice.
He also recognized Zuo Ling's formidable strength. The Quasi-Emperor's legacy was too important, and Gu Tiangang did not want to delay too long, lest it attract others' attention.
Once the legacy's presence was known, it would be even harder for the Ancient Wilderness Cave Heaven to monopolize it.
Upon hearing this,
Zuo Ling sneered coldly, "Explore the Great Dao together? Let's see if you have what it takes to defeat me!"
With those words,
Zuo Ling forcefully activated the Celestial Emperor Sword in his dantian, channeling his qi and blood into it. The Celestial Emperor Sword trembled violently, releasing a terrifying sword energy that instantly tore his dantian.
In a flash,
the sword energy burst forth, and Zuo Ling's face twisted in pain. His gaze towards Gu Tiangang was filled with icy killing intent.
"Prepare to die!"
In an instant,
the space shattered.
A surge of indescribable terror rose within Gu Tiangang, forcing him to channel all his qi and blood into a protective divine light while rapidly retreating.
"Boom—"
The divine light shattered abruptly, accompanied by a spray of blood mist. Immediately, the mountain crumbled, the deafening sound of its collapse echoing like thunder.
Zuo Ling saw the sword energy penetrate Gu Tiangang. Though he wanted to deliver a fatal blow, the searing pain in his dantian and the immense disturbance in the area forced him to retreat quickly.
On the other side,
Gu Tiangang's chest heaved, and a horrific blood hole appeared in his lower chest, faintly revealing his beating heart. His face was grim, filled with lingering fear.
It was so close!
It truly was a hair's breadth!
For the first time in his life, Gu Tiangang felt death so near.
Had he not dodged in time, that sword would have taken his life.
Looking back,
he saw that a mountain peak had been destroyed by the sword energy, leaving a deep chasm in the ground, a testament to the residual power of the sword.
"A Quasi-Emperor treasure…"
Gu Tiangang muttered through gritted teeth. The flesh around his chest slowly squirmed, trying to heal, but the residual sword energy hindered the process.
Recalling the terrifying sword energy, Gu Tiangang was certain that only a Quasi-Emperor treasure could unleash such earth-shattering power.
Clearly,
Zuo Ling had not fully mastered the Quasi-Emperor treasure, merely borrowing a fraction of its power. Even so, he nearly cleaved Gu Tiangang in two, causing Gu Tiangang to be wary.
"I will remember you. To think that among all the cultivators who entered the secret realm, a mere rogue cultivator reaped such great benefits!"
Gu Tiangang swallowed several elixirs, barely stabilizing his injuries, then decisively turned to leave.
Now heavily injured, with his strength reduced to a fraction, it was unwise to stay. He had to return to the Ancient Wilderness Cave Heaven quickly.
An injured Ancient Wilderness Sacred Body would undoubtedly become a target for many cultivators.
Though the Ancient Wilderness Cave Heaven was powerful, in the central continent, some cultivators might not fear them.
Therefore,
to ensure safety,
Gu Tiangang decided to retreat first.
As for Zuo Ling, once he recovered, he would settle the score.
After all, with their enmity now deep, and Zuo Ling having obtained the Quasi-Emperor inheritance, leaving him to grow would pose a great threat to the Ancient Wilderness Cave Heaven.
Given the circumstances,
Gu Tiangang would not allow Zuo Ling to live.
Even if they could not obtain the Quasi-Emperor treasure, they would eliminate Zuo Ling.
Shortly after, both Gu Tiangang and Zuo Ling left. The intense battle drew the attention of other powerful figures.
Upon witnessing the deep chasm, the collapsed mountain, and the pervasive sword energy, they immediately realized a fierce battle had taken place here.
A True Lord cultivator sensed the residual sword energy on the ground and said gravely, "This lingering sword energy is incredibly terrifying, clearly surpassing the limits of a True Lord. It must have come from a supreme treasure."
A supreme treasure!
Hearing this, many cultivators' eyes gleamed.
First, the Quasi-Emperor inheritance had fallen into the hands of a mysterious cultivator. Now, the residual power of a supreme treasure appeared, linking the two events in their minds.
It seemed,
the mysterious cultivator who obtained the Quasi-Emperor inheritance was likely one of the combatants.
With this thought,
many cultivators began secretly passing messages, attempting to track down the cultivator and uncover the whereabouts of the Quasi-Emperor inheritance.