Martial Universe

As time passed, nightfall gradually enshrouded the endless large mountains.Following the arrival of the night, the roars of various Demonic Beasts alsoresounded one after another within the mountain range.

A large rock covered a crevice along the wall of a cliff deep within themountains. The crevice was dozens of feet large and was able to accommodatearound a dozen people.

Lin Dong placed the young lady on his back onto the ground before his eyesswept cautiously across the interior of the crevice. Promptly, he turned tolook at the now dark sky. After which, he quickly moved the enormous rock andslowly covered the crevice.

Ying Huanhuan quietly leaned against the stone wall. Her pale and small facecaused her to look much weaker. The current her was unable to speak, and allshe could do was was stare at the busy figure hurrying all over the place,while a complicated emotion flashed across her eyes. A moment later, she softlysaid, “After how I treated you in the past, I never expected you to actuallyrisk yourself to rescue me.”

Lin Dong gradually covered the crevice. When he was done, he patted his handsbefore turning to look at Ying Huanhuan, frowning as he said, “Do I look likesuch a petty person?”

Ying Huanhuan softly chuckled. Soon after, she replied, “Even though you haverescued me, I will not withdraw my final opinion of you for the time being.”

“A shameless braggart, right? It seems like you truly do not believe that Iwill be able to comprehend the Great Desolation Scripture?” Lin Dong laughed.

“It is not that I have no confidence in you. Rather, the chances ofsuccessfully understanding the Great Desolation Scripture is simply too low.Back then, my elder sister quietly sat in front of the Great Desolate Tabletfor months, but she still failed in the end. Other than senior Zhou Tong, not asingle person from the Dao Sect has managed to comprehend the Great DesolationScripture in the last hundred years…” Ying Huanhuan shook her head as sheelaborated.

“There were outstanding and talented individuals in the Dao Sect in the pasthundred years, but none of them were ultimately able to understand the GreatDesolation Scripture…”

Lin Dong nodded quietly. He also knew about this. If it was so easy tounderstand the Great Desolation Scripture, the Desolate Hall would definitelynot be the weakest of the four halls.

“There is no question that the Great Desolation Scripture is extremelypowerful. If you are truly able to understand it, it will indeed be extremelybeneficial for our Dao Sect. At the very least, our Dao Sect will gain someinsurance in the next Great Sect Competition…” Ying Huanhuan toyed with astrand of black hair as she spoke.

“Great Sect Competition… what is that?”

Lin Dong was not familiar with this term. He had heard of it being before fromthe Yuan Gate’s Liu Tong back atop the Hundred Empire Mountain. However, he didnot know the specifics.

“Every once in awhile, the super sects in Eastern Xuan Region will hold anextremely grand Great Sect Competition. Only the disciples within a sect canparticipate in this great competition. From a certain point of view, it is atrial.”

Ying Huanhuan’s eyes lowered a little. Lin Dong could see that she was slowlyclenching her fist as this moment.

“Each time around, our Dao Sect will end up losing some outstanding disciplesbecause of this competition…”

Lin Dong’s pupils shrunk a little. Could it be that the Great Sect Competitionhad the same format as the Hundred Empire War?”

“One of the reasons is because of the perilous nature of the place where thecompetition is held. Another reason is because of the fights between thevarious super sects. Of course, our Dao Sect losses from the Great SectCompetition is mostly because of the Yuan Gate…”

“Yuan Gate?” Lin Dong frowned slightly.

“We do not have a cordial relationship with Yuan Gate and those fellowstypically behave in a domineering manner. Furthermore, there is also the seniorZhou Tong incident from back then. Hence, both factions are just like fire andwater and all the disciples of the Dao Sect despise the Yuan Gate disciples.Similarly, those Yuan Gate disciples also view our Dao Sect’s disciple as athorn in their side. Typically speaking, the upper echelons from both sideswill do their best to suppress this. Nonetheless, our Dao Sect is still forcedto give way most of the time. After all… the Yuan Gate is stronger than our DaoSect.” Ying Huanhuan’s voice carried a little chillness as it spread within thecrevice. Lin Dong could vaguely hear some fury within it.

“You mean to say that the Yuan Gate disciples will purposefully attack our DaoSect disciples during the Great Sect Competition. Moreover, they will nothesitate to use lethal force?” Lin Dong narrowed his eyes and asked.

“Mm…”

Ying Huanhuan lowered her head. Her ink black hair covered her face as shesoftly said, “The Great Sect Competition is basically a type of contest.Overall, the Yuan Gate disciples are stronger than our Dao Sect disciples.Therefore, our Dao Sect has suffered substantial losses every Great SectCompetition, and many seniors have been killed by the Yuan Gate disciples.”

“During the last Great Sect Competition, the previous big senior sister of ourSky Hall was killed by those Yuan Gate disciples… At that time, she was tryingto protect the other disciples as they retreated…”

“At that time, she had clearly admitted defeat… However, those beasts did notstop. They were doing it on purpose…”

The young lady’s voice trembled a little. Her face was buried in her knees asher small and delicate body trembled.

Lin Dong was silent. During a fight between super sects, various dirty trickswould be used. However, it was unexpected that the Yuan Gate was actually thisdespicable… Lin Dong gazed at the body of the frail young lady and pursed hislips. His pitch-black eyes now had an additionally chillness within them.

“If nothing unexpected occurs during this Great Sect Competition, elder sisterwill most likely lead the group. I know that if faced with a similar situation,she will likely fight and perish together with the Yuan Gate disciples.”

Ying Huanhuan raised her head before her jade-like hands rubbed her face. Hereyes were a little red under the weak moonlight. She stared at the young man infront of her and said, “When that time comes, I too will not hesitate.”

Lin Dong watched as a trace of determination flashed across the young lady’seyes. He nodded quietly. Having entered the Dao Sect not long ago, he wasnaturally not aware of the grudge between the Dao Sect and the Yuan Gate.However… who asked him to become a disciple of the Dao Sect?”

“If you are angry, then kill a couple more Yuan Gate disciples during theupcoming Great Sect Competition…”

Lin Dong laughed softly and he did not try to dissuade her. That was becauseeven he felt an intense hatred towards the Yuan Gate bubbling within him…

“Mm.”

Ying Huanhuan nodded her head solemnly. Immediately, she ceased crying andsaid with a smile, “Before we talk about that, we should first try to return tothe Dao Sect alive. Yao Ling will definitely not let us off so easily.”

“That fellow should have something with him that can sense the Immortal YuanAncient Seed’s fluctuation.” Lin Dong looked at the dark sky and said.

“He won’t chase after Jiang Kun and the rest, will he?” Ying Huanhuan wasstartled as she hurriedly said. She was already aware that Lin Dong had handedthe Immortal Yuan Ancient Seed over to Yuan Fang’s group.

“Relax, I have already sealed that ripple when I handed the Immortal YuanAncient Seed to elder sister Fang.” Lin Dong smiled faintly. Immediately, heclenched his hand as the enormous Immortal Yuan Ancient Tree appeared andlanded heavily on the ground.

“Instead, Yao Ling will treat this object as the Immortal Yuan Ancient Seed.Therefore, he will definitely come looking for us.”

Ying Huanhuan finally sighed in relief. Immediately, she glanced briefly atLin Dong. Clearly, she did not expect the latter to be so cautious. He hadactually arranged everything so well.

“You should rest first. You are severely worn out. It is likely that YaoLing’s group will not find this place tonight.” Lin Dong said.

“Mm.”

Ying Huanhuan gently nodded. She was indeed exceptionally tired. Her bodylacked Yuan Power, causing her to feel weak. Immediately, she leaned againstthe rock wall and slowly shut her eyes.

Lin Dong only turned his head after observing that Ying Huanhuan had shut hereyes. His eyes looked towards the night sky through the crevice. It waspossible for him to sense the undulations in the surrounding area. Clearly, YaoLing’s group was searching for them all over the mountain.

“Bastards from the Yuan Gate, all of you will repay this debt sooner or later…”

Lin Dong softly muttered to himself. After which, he took out a black robefrom his Qiankun bag and covered the now fast asleep Ying Huanhuan. Only thendid he sit down. However, his eyes did not show any signs of shutting. It wasclearly impossible for him to shut his eyes and rest when they were in such adangerous predicament.

Hence, Lin Dong kept his eyes open and maintained high alert throughout thenight…

The long eyelashes of a young lady twitched when the first rays of the morningsun tore through the sky. She quickly opened her eyes. The first thing she sawwere the bright eyes of the young man seated in front of her.

“Have you rested well?” Lin Dong watched as Ying Huanhuan woke up. Thelatter’s aura was clearly much better than yesterday.

“You did not sleep?” Ying Huanhuan was extremely observant. She had seensliver of tiredness that had flashed across Lin Dong’s eyes. Clearly, he hadbeen staying vigilant all night standing guard.

Lin Dong glanced at her, but did not say anything. All he did was to stepforward and keep the black robe. Ying Huanhuan tilted her head and observedhim. After which, she softly said, “Ever since you entered the Dao Sect, I cantell that you have been careful and cautious. Isn’t that… tiring?”

“Tiring?”

Lin Dong laughed. He stared the young lady in front of him and immediatelysaid, “Ever since you were born, you lived in this sect that countless peopleare envious of. I on the other hand, came from a branch family of a low rankempire. Since young, I had an enemy that could eliminate my entire family witha finger. Although I hated him to the core at that time, I was unable toexpress my emotions. All I could do was to train diligently until I had thestrength to face him head on. Only at that time, would I barely be able toprotect my family…”

“I have no one behind me or supporters. Therefore, I must be extremelycautious. Otherwise, how else could someone like me, who came from a low rankempire, become the champion of the Hundred Empire War?”

Ying Huanhuan was silent when she stared at that young man who wore a slightsmile on his face. She simply could not imagine what he had been through…

“What happened to that enemy of yours?”

“I killed him atop the Hundred Empire Mountain…” Lin Dong shrugged hisshoulder and spoke in an indifferent manner.

Ying Huanhuan gently nodded. Surprisingly, she was actually well-behaved anddid not say anything else.

“Boom!”

The entire mountain suddenly shook violently at this moment. The large stonethat was blocking the crevice swiftly collapsed. One could vaguely hear someloud cries and a commotion from outside.

They had finally been discovered…

“Later, you will leave first. Otherwise, you will only be a burden if youstay.” Lin Dong’s gaze turned towards the outside of the crevice, as he exhaleddeeply and said.

Ying Huanhuan bit her lips as some stubborness appeared in her eyes. However,this stubborness gradually disappeared when she saw the back in front of her.Ultimately, she could only give in and nod gently.

“Alright.”