Chapter 420: Chapter 234: Burst of Strength!

Lu Li’s gaze swept over the landscape below, only to see in the midst of each city’s large square.

The multitude of common folk knelt upon the giant stone ground, their faces filled with devout reverence as they gazed at a massive statue in the center of the square.

The statue stood over twenty meters tall, sculpted entirely from giant rocks, its countenance portraying an elderly visage.

It bore a slight resemblance to Qin Xuwen.

Around the statue were placed four pots of green flames, the fires ascending and leaping in the void.

A dense crowd surrounded Qin Xuwen’s statue at the center, their eyes devoid of life.

The atmosphere at the scene was eerily strange.

Upon witnessing this, He Yulian’s expression turned exceedingly frigid.

“Hmph… This man is indeed quick, having already started harnessing the power of faith, this mission will probably not be so easy…”

However, she did not call for them to withdraw.

With her mid-stage Nascent Soul strength plus Lu Li’s help, there was still a great chance to eradicate the foe.

Although Qin Xuwen had begun to merge with the Cave Heaven Blessed Land and stepped onto the path of an Earth Immortal.

If they were to pull back now, it might be very difficult to find another opportunity in the future.

“Mr. Lu, you just had your breakthrough, so be very careful. The backlash from a Master of Grotto Heaven can often be terrifying…”

In her heart, she considered Lu Li’s abilities to be merely at the level of an ordinary early-stage Nascent Soul, barely adequate to assist her.

Should he unfortunately fall here, it would be difficult to explain to Qing Yan upon their return.

“Thank you for your kind words, Miss He.”

Lu Li smiled faintly, aware that he was being “underestimated,” but he did not bother to explain further.

In the ensuing confrontation, he would let He Yulian lead the attack while he acted covertly.

…

Just as the two had entered this Grotto Heaven.

In the Grotto Heaven’s center, a thousand meters up in the sky.

A gigantic palace floated in the void, built entirely of jade, its splendor and majesty awe-inspiring.

Inside the great hall.

Qin Xuwen sat serenely on his cushion, his eyes suddenly snapping open, sharp lights piercing the void.

“It’s bad, someone has intruded.”

His face stern, he quickly retrieved a Communication Jade Token from his Storage Bag, immediately activating it with Mana.

Then, he rose swiftly, exited the great hall and leaped forward, speeding away with tunneling light.

In the blink of an eye, he had vanished into the nearby void.

…

Lu Li and his companion rode their tunneling light, coursing through layers of mist, hurtling towards the center of the Grotto Heaven at extreme speed.

Half a teacup’s time had passed.

Lu Li and his companion had just reached the airspace above a giant forest when they halted, gazing silently into the void ahead.

“Mr. Lu, be cautious, the other side has probably already noticed us and is on their way.”

He Yulian’s expression turned cold.

Lu Li, with a calm expression, stood in the void, side by side with He Yulian.

He had already detected the anomaly ahead, a powerful presence rapidly drawing closer to them.

Accompanied by a fiery red tunneling light that streaked past, flickering several times before arriving not far in front of Lu Li and his companion.

It was none other than Qin Xuwen, who wore a crimson robe, his features grim, and a surge of murderous aura emanating from around him.

“Humph… It turns out to be you, this little wretch. I thought you had found some help, but it turns out it’s just a greenhorn who’s just had his breakthrough…”

Qin Xuwen’s face showed disdain, and he was slightly reassured inside.

Although he didn’t consider himself a match for He Yulian, this was his home ground–the Cave Heaven Blessed Land.

He had already begun merging with the Grotto Heaven and embarked on the path of an Earth Immortal; his strength would greatly increase here.

Naturally, he was not afraid of He Yulian.

As for Lu Li, who had just made a breakthrough, Qin Xuwen dismissed him completely.

Anyone who could advance to Nascent Soul was surely a peerless genius. If it were the outside world, he would be somewhat wary of Lu Li intervening.

“Today, I will make you understand that the majesty of a Master of Grotto Heaven is not to be challenged…”

His tone was very cold.

Since the preliminary refining of the Grotto Heaven, this was the first time he faced such a formidable enemy–he was even eager to test the might of his own Grotto Heaven.

“Hmph… Just with this newly formed Grotto Heaven?”

He Yulian stood poised in the void, her face filled with killing intent.

Lu Li also quietly watched Qin Xuwen, the cold glint appearing in his eyes.

As the two prepared to take action, an unexpected change occurred.

“Whoosh…”

In the space several miles to the northwest.

A gigantic rift suddenly appeared, from which thick black mist billowed.

A middle-aged man in black swiftly emerged from the crack, then flew towards Qin Xuwen.

In the blink of an eye, he had reached Qin Xuwen’s side, opposite Lu Li and He Yulian.

The man had a square face and eyes filled with lethal aura, his presence unfathomably deep.

The four stood in a stand-off, the air fraught with the thick scent of gunpowder, a great battle imminent.

“Qin, you old ghost, I didn’t expect someone to dare invade your lair. If I am to take action, you’d better have a gift prepared…”

Yuan Jiuan was cold.

“Rest assured, after we kill He Yulian and that kid, all the spoils will be yours.”

Qin Xuwen’s eyes were filled with tangible murderous intent.

To entice Yuan Jiuan to make a move, he had spared no expense.

From the black-clothed man’s appearance to the stand-off with Lu Li, all had transpired in a mere instant.

“It’s a mighty one from the Stealing Heaven Alliance!”

He Yulian conveyed to Lu Li gravely.

“This person is at mid-stage Nascent Soul. In our imminent clash, Mr. Lu, you hold off Qin Xuwen while I fend off Yuan Jiuan. Afterwards, we can join forces to surround and eliminate Qin Xuwen. If the situation becomes untenable, we’ll retreat…”

She did not anticipate this turn of events–Qin Xuwen must have already been in contact with the Stealing Heaven Alliance, or else Yuan Jiuan wouldn’t have arrived so swiftly.

Lu Li nodded lightly in acknowledgment, and they swiftly determined their plan of action.

“Attack together and kill them both.”

Qin Xuwen hesitated no longer, bellowing angrily.

His hands moved swiftly, casting beams of spiritual light into the void.