Chapter 318: Crisis Lurking in Dark Corners (1/2)

No battles or brawls were allowed in Shatter City. This was the rule set by Cai Lan, the head of the Blood Skull. Anyone who dared to break this rule would be punished severely.

The Blood Skull had set up special spell formations to cover every inch of Shatter City, so that they could detect any clash between spiritual power and determine the location of a fight the moment it took place.

Once they discovered a battle anywhere in Shatter City, the Blood Skull would immediately send people to deal with it.

Nie Tian had learned about it soon after he had become a guest elder of the Blood Skull. Even so, he was prepared to use everything within his power to kill the man in front of him!

After all, Hu Rong being alive was such a huge threat to him.

Considering his current relationship with the Blood Skull, if he killed Hu Rong, he would probably still be punished by the Blood Skull, but after weighing the punishment against the peace he would gain by killing Hu Rong, he felt that it would be worth it to receive a punishment from the Blood Skull.

As soon as the thought of killing Hu Rong appeared in his mind, Nie Tian unleashed a murderous aura so palpable that he could almost cut it with a knife.

Hu Rong, whose cultivation base was two levels higher than Nie Tian’s, saw the soundproof, ocean-blue light screen being distorted by Nie Tian’s chaotic magnetic field to the point where it was on the verge of falling apart, and that the murderous aura Nie Tian unleashed was growing more and more intense and suffocating. He said hastily, “Mr. Hua is also a member of the Spirit Condor.”

“Which Mr. Hua?” The strong killing intent in Nie Tian’s eyes didn’t weaken a bit.

“Hua Mu, of course!” A bitter smile spread out across Hu Rong’s face. “Actually, our first encounter wasn’t an accident at all. Do you really think us members of the Spirit Condor would simply wander in the street and sell information? If Mr. Hua hadn’t asked me to deliver that information to you, I would never have taken the initiative to approach you!”

Upon hearing Hua Mu’s name, the strong killing intent around Nie Tian immediately disappeared.

“How come he’s a member of the Spirit Condor?” Nie Tian sounded very surprised.

“Not only is Mr. Hua a member of the Spirit Condor, but he’s also a high-ranking official in the Spirit Condor.” Hu Rong also seemed to feel deep veneration when he talked about Hua Mu. “Let me put it this way: considering my status in the Spirit Condor, if Mr. Hua didn’t want to give me a mission, I wouldn’t even be allowed to meet him in person.”

Nie Tian’s chaotic magnetic field gradually weakened, and eventually dissipated into the air. Then, he asked, “Why have you sought me out this time?”

“You need to answer my question first. How much of the first fragmentary star mark have you learned and refined?” Hu Rong said with all seriousness.

“The first fragmentary star mark carries three profound magics. So far, I’ve learned and refined the first two. It won’t be long before I fully master the third magic. I just need some time to practice it.” Nie Tian didn’t hide anything. Instead, he told Hu Rong the truth.

Hu Rong nodded briefly as he said, “Good. The circumstances have changed. Originally, Mr. Hua wanted you to stay in the Realm of Split Void and refine both of the fragmentary star marks. However, according to the newest information we’ve received, Mr. Hua believes that as long as you can learn and refine the first fragmentary star mark, you won’t need to worry about your real identity being exposed anymore.”

“Why?” Nie Tian was surprised and curious.

Hu Rong smiled as he said, “Even Mr. Hua himself didn’t know that the three fragmentary star marks need to be learned and refined in the right order. The third fragmentary star mark was obtained by Ning Yang from the Heaven Palace Sect. However, up till now, he still hasn’t been able to receive any enlightenment from it.

“According to Ning Yang, he won’t be able to learn the third fragmentary star mark unless he obtains the first two fragmentary star marks and starts from there.”

Upon hearing these words, Nie Tian’s eyes instantly lit up. “Does that mean that the third fragmentary star mark has been completely useless to Ning Yang?”

“Exactly!” Hu Rong nodded, smiling.

“That was why he ignored orders from the Heaven Palace Sect and hid away. Now even the Heaven Palace Sect is asking us to help them search for him.”

Confused, Nie Tian asked, “Why did they do that?”

Hu Rong took another sip of his hot, strong tea as he organized his thoughts. Then, he went on and explained, “The Heaven Palace Sect believes that since you’ve disappeared for quite some time, you’ve probably already learned and refined the first fragmentary star mark. Once you’ve done that, the fragmentary star mark will become a part of your body and soul. By that time, even the Heaven Palace Sect won’t have the ability to separate and strip it from you.

“Thus, you’ve become the key to this.

“Even though Ning Yang is the ‘chosen one’ of the Heaven Palace Sect, since he couldn’t learn anything from the third fragmentary star mark, he will be forced to give it up so that you’ll be able to master all three fragmentary star marks and seal the three huge spatial rifts, which connects the outsider demons’ world with ours, as soon as possible.

“For that reason, the Heaven Palace Sect intended to strip Ning Yang’s fragmentary star mark from him and offer it to you when you showed up.

“Ning Yang learned about their decision through his connections in the sect, so he claimed that he was going on a trip to search for you and disappeared.”

Hu Rong took his time as he explained the ever-changing situation to Nie Tian in great detail.

Nie Tian pondered in silence for a while. After obtaining a thorough understanding of the current situation, he asked, “Is this all you wanted to tell me?”

“For one thing, I hope you can refine that first fragmentary star mark as quickly as possible. For another, I’ve come to tell you that you don’t need to be overcautious any more. Even if you expose your true identity here, it probably won’t be a big deal.” With these words, Hu Rong suddenly assumed a serious expression. “Another thing that I need to inform you of is that Ning Yang is also in the Realm of Split Void right now.”

“What?! He’s also in the Realm of Split Void? Where exactly? Is he here because of me?” Nie Tian asked a series of questions without pause.

Ning Yang was at the late Greater Heaven stage. Back when they were in the Ancient Fragmentary Star Palace, he had risen up, slain numerous powerful Greater Heaven stage experts, and eventually gained a fragmentary star mark.

Even the valiant Tang Yang from the Flame God Sect suffered a disastrous defeat from him.