Chapter 1717: A Sacred-Tier Sword Tomb
"An Emperor-tier sword tomb..."
Ling Feng quickened his pace and walked up to it. Crouching down before the tomb, he clasped his hands respectfully.
"Senior, please forgive any offense."
With that, he circulated his Sword Will and merged it with the sword monument standing before the tomb.
According to Despicable Donkey, if the tomb's owner acknowledged him, the treasures hidden within would reveal themselves automatically.
Of course, that was assuming there were still treasures left inside.
A moment later, the sword tomb opened as expected.
Ling Feng reached in and retrieved an imprint crystal.
It appeared to contain either a cultivation art or a martial skill.
"So it's an ancient sword technique."
After briefly scanning the information stored within, Ling Feng learned what it contained.
It was an ancient fire-attributed sword art known as the Great Sun Burning Heaven Sword Art.
"As expected of a sword art from the ancient era. A random sword technique from that age has already reached the level of Great Sun True Energy."
Ling Feng narrowed his eyes.
Shi Haoxuan's strength came largely from the Great Sun True Energy he had cultivated.
However, Ling Feng was confident that if he cultivated this sword art, he would surpass Shi Haoxuan's mastery of Great Sun True Energy within half a year.
When that day came, Shi Haoxuan would probably start questioning his entire existence.
"Unfortunately, it isn't a treasure that can improve my Sword Will."
Ling Feng stored the crystal away.
He was not particularly lacking in sword arts or martial skills. With the Eye of the Emperor, he could replicate almost any martial skill with ease unless it was a bloodline inheritance unique to a particular lineage.
Even so, the value of the Great Sun Burning Heaven Sword Art was astonishing.
If it appeared outside, it would probably be worth an entire Sacred-tier cultivation art.
"Let's keep going."
Having obtained a sword inheritance, Ling Feng was in an excellent mood. He placed the treasure inside his storage spirit ring and continued deeper into the fourth level.
...
Time passed little by little.
Before long, Ling Feng discovered another sword tomb.
This one was Emperor-level.
After opening it, however, absolutely nothing appeared.
According to Despicable Donkey, even Sacred-tier sword tombs could not guarantee treasures one hundred percent of the time.
The Mystic Sword Underground Palace only opened once every few centuries, but countless openings had accumulated over the vast passage of time.
Many opportunities had long since been claimed by previous generations.
"Huh? There's another sword tomb up ahead, and this one's Sacred-tier. There's a good chance something valuable is still inside!"
Despicable Donkey suddenly cried out.
Ling Feng's eyes immediately lit up.
"A Sacred-tier sword tomb?"
This was the first Sacred-tier sword tomb he had encountered.
The treasures left behind by an Ancient Great Saint would undoubtedly surpass the Great Sun Incinerates Heaven Sword by a considerable margin.
"Hopefully it's something I can actually use."
Ling Feng quickly strode forward and prepared to open the tomb.
"Hold it right there."
Just as he was about to begin, a sharp shout rang out.
Several figures cut through the air and descended nearby.
There were five of them in total.
Leading the group was none other than Wang Bodang.
Although Wang Bodang had not recruited many companions, the people beside him were all fellow disciples from the same sect.
Their relationship was built on genuine trust and cooperation rather than temporary interests, making their alliance far more reliable than the makeshift factions formed by others.
Among the five, Wang Bodang himself had reached the Fourth Level of the Divine Destiny Realm.
The other four were all at the Third Level of the Divine Destiny Realm.
Such a lineup was terrifying.
Even if they encountered any other faction in the underground palace, they would have nothing to fear.
The five swiftly spread out and surrounded both Ling Feng and the sword tomb.
Their intentions could not have been clearer.
They were here to take it by force.
"Hehe, so we meet again, native from the Dongling Region."
Wang Bodang glanced at Ling Feng and sneered.
"I'm claiming this sword tomb. If you're smart, you'll leave quietly. Otherwise, I don't mind adding another soul to the tally of my Iron Mountain Sword."
Ling Feng narrowed his eyes.
"Are you threatening me?"
"Interpret it however you like."
Wang Bodang smiled coldly.
"The strong never waste time explaining themselves to the weak."
"Hehe, looks like this kid values treasure more than his own life."
The thin man behind Wang Bodang bared his teeth in a grin.
Ling Feng took a slow breath and looked at Wang Bodang.
Though unwilling, he ultimately chose restraint.
Wang Bodang's aura was even stronger than Shi Haoxuan's.
On top of that, the four disciples beside him were not much weaker than Shi Haoxuan either.
If all five attacked together, Ling Feng had little confidence in killing them all.
Of course, he could activate Chaotic Rebirth.
The problem was the price.
Using Chaotic Rebirth would cost him an entire major realm.
He had only recently reached the Extreme Human Emperor level.
If he fell back to King-tier, who knew how long it would take to recover that lost cultivation?
A single treasure from a Sacred-tier sword tomb was not worth paying such a price.
Besides, just because the treasure ended up in Wang Bodang's hands now did not mean it would still belong to him when they left the Mystic Sword Underground Palace.
In Ling Feng's mind, Wang Bodang's name had already been added to his kill list.
The fourth level of the Mystic Sword Underground Palace was overflowing with opportunities.
Treasures could be found everywhere.
Ling Feng believed that before long, his strength would rise by several levels.
When that happened, crushing Wang Bodang would be effortless.
Without saying another word, Ling Feng merely swept his gaze across the five men and memorized their faces.
Then he retreated at high speed.
"Hehe, a weakling is still a weakling. Not even a shred of backbone."
Watching Ling Feng withdraw, Wang Bodang and the others laughed.
Their contempt for him only deepened.
"People from the Dongling Region are all spineless cowards. No wonder it's always been the weakest region on the Xuanling Continent."
The skinny man chuckled and turned his attention toward the Sacred-tier sword tomb.
"Senior Brother Wang, hurry up and open it. Let's see what kind of treasure is inside."
Wang Bodang nodded.
He released his Sword Will and pressed it against the stone monument.
...
"Hehe, kid, you're pretty unhappy about that, aren't you? Feeling angry?"
Despicable Donkey sounded unusually cheerful.
Ling Feng had just lost a valuable opportunity, yet the donkey seemed positively delighted by it.
"What's there to be angry about?"
Ling Feng shrugged.
"What I lost was only a small opportunity."
His eyes flashed with a chilling light.
"What they stand to lose is their lives."
In the world of martial cultivation, the strong preyed upon the weak.
Everything depended on strength.
This minor setback was nowhere near enough to shake Ling Feng's Martial Heart.