Myth Beyond Heaven

Chapter 2250  Being Targeted (2)

"Huang Ba of the Thousand Skulls Valley is the first winner of the second round!" The elder's voice resounded, a wave of cheers erupted from the crowd, each carrying the weight of admiration and envy.

Not long after, Gu Bingning, Xiao Hu, and Long Jingxia also emerged from the maze, their faces bearing the triumphant marks of victory. The crowd's cheers reached a crescendo, a symphony of celebration for the outstanding performance of these young cultivators.

The elder, his voice booming with authority, announced, "Congratulations to all who have reached the halfway point! You have secured your path to the Holy Lands. The final round will commence in one week's time. It will be a tournament-style competition, where the strongest will rise to the top. Prepare yourselves, for the ultimate challenge awaits!"

A wave of anticipation washed over the crowd, the promise of a tournament igniting their spirits. The winners, their hearts pounding with excitement, looked forward to the final showdown that would determine their destiny.

Huang Ba returned to the viewing area and poured the wine down his throat.

"Hah! Feels great!" Huang Ba grinned happily. It would be a lie if he didn't feel proud of being number one in the second round.

"Congratulations," Yun Lintian raised his cup and finished it in one gulp.

"Thank you, Brother Yun. I was lucky," Huang Ba chuckled.

"You were indeed lucky. Don't get complacent," Huang Zheng cut in mercilessly.

Huang Ba wisely shut up.

"Let's go back," Huang Zheng said, getting up and stretching lazily before leading everyone out of the Colosseum.

On the way back to the Celestial Pavilion, Yun Lintian looked at Huang Ba and asked with a smile, "Do you find it strange?"

"Yes," Huang Ba frowned slightly. "I didn't care about it at first, but I just noticed that none of those renowned geniuses have come this year. Perhaps they have already gone to the Holy Lands."

"Or perhaps they are staying away from it," Yun Lintian added.

"What do you mean, Brother Yun?" Huang Ba asked curiously.

"I'm not sure, but something is definitely going on inside the Holy Lands. We will find out later," Yun Lintian replied.

"Oh," Huang Ba nodded and said nothing more.

Upon returning to the Celestial Pavilion, Yun Lintian and the others immediately went back to their respective rooms.

The Divine Light City was a sight to behold at night. As Yun Lintian sat by his window, the sprawling cityscape below thrummed with an energy that seemed to defy the darkness. The vibrant afterglow of the day's events still lingered, painting the city in a tapestry of warm hues.

The streets, far from being deserted, teemed with activity. Lanterns of every color imaginable hung from eaves and balconies, casting a kaleidoscope of light upon the cobblestone paths below.

Street vendors hawked their wares, their voices mingling with the laughter and chatter of the passersby. The air was alive with the tantalizing aroma of exotic spices and sizzling delicacies, a testament to the city's vibrant culinary scene.

Yun Lintian's eyes followed a group of street performers as they made their way through the crowd. Their acrobatic feats and dazzling displays of magic drew gasps of wonder and applause from the onlookers.

The sound of music drifted up from a nearby tavern, the lilting melody weaving its way through the night air. Yun Lintian could hear the rhythmic beat of drums, the plaintive wail of a flute, and the joyful strumming of a lute. Feeling the joyous atmosphere outside, Yun Lintian's mind drifted back to his women and family. It had been a few months since he had arrived in this world, and he had no idea whether he could return. He also wanted to know if the time flow here was the same as in his world.

Yun Lintian wondered what Lin Xinyao and the others were doing right now. Were they safe and sound? Were they worried about him?

"Alas…" Yun Lintian let out a long sigh. All he could do was suppress his longing.

He closed the window, preparing to sleep and forget his sadness. However, the moment he turned around, Yun Lintian was shocked to find the ordinary-looking man he had seen earlier standing there, looking at him with a smile.

"It's not good to be sentimental at a young age, you know?" the man spoke playfully.

Yun Lintian's heart sank. It was the first time someone had appeared behind him without him knowing. How could this person avoid his perception all this time?

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Yin Ye. People call me Venerable Shadow," the man said.

"The Nine Hells Gate," Yun Lintian uttered slowly. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

At this moment, he discovered the entire room was sealed by a powerful formation. It would take him a long time to crack it. With Yin Ye present, it was basically impossible.

"I'm really curious. How did you kill Kong Cheng?" Yin Ye sized up Yun Lintian from head to toe curiously.

In his eyes, Yun Lintian was indeed strong but not on the same level as Kong Cheng. It puzzled him how Kong CHeng lost his life to this young man.

"How about try it out?" Yun Lintian asked with a faint smile.

"You're quite confident, aren't you?" Yin Ye narrowed his eyes.

"That's how you deal with your enemies, isn't it?" Yun Lintian responded calmly.

Yin Ye's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light. "Indeed, that is my style. But you, young man, have piqued my interest. Let's see if you have the strength to back up your confidence."

Without waiting for a response, Yin Ye disappeared from his spot, leaving only a wisp of shadow in his wake.

Yun Lintian's senses tingled, his body reacting instinctively as he conjured a golden sword from the metal element. A brilliant golden light erupted from the blade, illuminating the room with a celestial glow.

The next instant, Yin Ye reappeared behind Yun Lintian, his hand transformed into a shadowy claw, aiming for Yun Lintian's heart. Yun Lintian whirled around, his sword deflecting the attack with a resounding clang.

The shockwave from the impact sent ripples through the air, causing the lanterns inside the room to flicker wildly.

"Not bad," Yin Ye complimented, his voice dripping with amusement. "But can you keep up?"

The room became a blur of movement, a dance of light and shadow. Yun Lintian's sword and Yin Ye's shadowy claws clashed repeatedly, each strike reverberating with immense power.

The air crackled with energy, the very fabric of reality seeming to warp and twist under the strain of their battle…