Chapter 69: Du Nian Guan accompanies them; the West Province

Along with Su Yu disappearing from the spot.

Huang Shaotian's face finally showed a proud smile.

Du Nian Guan's expression looked somewhat unpleasant, and he said in a deep voice.

"Huang Shaotian, we're all from Jiangnan Sheng; now is the time to present a united front against outsiders—how dare you say such morale‑shaking words!"

Although Du Nian Guan ranked above Huang Shaotian, it was obvious Huang Shaotian didn't take Du Nian Guan seriously, and he said lightly.

"How? Am I wrong? If the Stone Apes came, do you think those Shu people would still come back? This time the Shu folks are clearly looking for trouble for Su Yu; as long as Su Yu isn't here, we'd actually be safer."

"Everything I've done is for everyone's good!"

Huang Shaotian directly placed himself at the moral high ground.

For a moment, even Du Nian Guan didn't know what to say to rebut.

He could only turn his gaze to Wang Lin and say.

"Wang Lin, your cultivation is the highest here; by rights you should be the leader—tell us what you think about this."

For a moment, everyone's eyes fell on Wang Lin.

Wang Lin glanced lightly in the direction Su Yu had gone.

"Since it's his own choice, let him go; what's most important now is to be the first to reach the endpoint!"

Hearing Wang Lin's words, Huang Shaotian burst out laughing.

"I say, Du Nian Guan, what's so good about Su Yu that you're sucking up to him? In my view, he's just an arrogant, self‑important person—why bother?"

Du Nian Guan took a deep breath and gave a cold snort.

"I've figured it out—a bunch of people who only care about their own interests don't even deserve the title 'heavenly pride'!"

"I, Du Nian Guan, scorn to travel with you!"

Du Nian Guan gave a low shout, flicked his sleeve, and rushed toward the cave entrance where Su Yu had entered, charging inside.

Watching Du Nian Guan leave, someone in the group couldn't bear it, but Wang Lin stopped them.

He watched Du Nian Guan leave and said lightly.

"I've said it—everyone has their own thoughts, you can't force them; right now the urgent task is to get to the endpoint as quickly as possible!"

Having said that, he took the lead and headed toward another cave entrance.

Those who had been wavering could only sigh and follow Wang Lin's steps after hearing his words.

It's not their fault; in a place full of danger, even threatened by heavenly pride from other provinces, following the strong is the way to go.

All in all, it's better that way.

At the same time, Su Yu entered the cave, expecting pitch darkness, but after a few steps his view suddenly opened up.

First to come into Su Yu's sight was a vast stone forest.

Calling it a stone forest is somewhat inaccurate.

Because on that plaza there were blocks of stone.

The stones were directly carved into human shapes.

From afar they looked like dense crowds of people standing silently in place.

Su Yu's brows furrowed slightly; just as he was about to step forward, he heard a helpless laugh from behind him.

"I say, Su Yu, even if you're leaving, slow down a bit—I almost couldn't catch up!"

Su Yu turned his head and saw Du Nian Guan emerge from the shadows with a smile, appearing before him.

Su Yu looked at Du Nian Guan with some surprise.

"Why aren't you following Wang Lin and the others?"

Du Nian Guan shrugged and laughed as he spoke.

"It's boring with a crowd; it's more exciting with fewer people."

Hearing Du Nian Guan's explanation, Su Yu felt a faint warmth in his heart.

Although Du Nian Guan said that, Su Yu knew the real reason without needing to think.

But Su Yu didn't expose him, just chuckled and said.

"Aren't you afraid the Shu folks will take their anger out on you?"

Du Nian Guan said bluntly.

"Shu is nothing; I, the young master, still have tricks up my sleeve."

Su Yu smiled and patted Du Nian Guan on the shoulder.

"I, Su Yu, consider you my friend now."

Du Nian Guan raised his eyebrows slightly: "Is that it? Afterward, won't you invite me for a drink?"

Su Yu punched Du Nian Guan in the chest and said.

"Enough!"

The two glanced at each other, then burst into loud laughter.

After a few brief words, the two looked toward the stone forest ahead.

"You're a repeater, huh? How much do you know about this Grand Master Secret Realm?"

Su Yu looked at Du Nian Guan.

Du Nian Guan pondered for a moment and said.

"To be honest, I don't know much, but from some materials I saw in the library earlier, to reach the endpoint one should have to pass three checkpoints."

"And this should be the first checkpoint, right?"

Just as they were talking, a discordant voice sounded.

"I wondered who was talking—turns out it's the two good‑for‑nothings from Jiangnan Sheng!"

Both furrowed their brows at the same time and looked toward the direction of the speaking voice.

All that could be seen were youths in purple robes walking out slowly.

Each person's body emitted waves of terrifying aura.

All of them were at the Organ Tempering Realm!

The leader among them had an aura even slightly stronger than Wang Lin's.

Du Nian Guan's face darkened somewhat: 'West Province... Yang Qi!'

'Yang Qi? Who is that?'

Su Yu asked softly.

'He is the top of the West Province Heavenly Pride Battalion; he previously fought Wang Lin, and Wang Lin was slightly inferior.'

Du Nian Guan explained quickly.

After hearing the explanation, Su Yu's gaze toward Yang Qi also gained a hint of wariness.

Although Su Yu's combat strength is now fairly strong, compared to those like Wang Lin and Yang Qi, he is clearly still lacking quite a bit.

Moreover, the opposing side actually has a full ten Organ Tempering Realm experts!

One must be more careful.

'Get lost!'

Behind Yang Qi, a youth shouted loudly.

His eyes were filled with disgust.

'What bad luck, to encounter the trash of Jiangnan Province!'

Upon hearing those words, Su Yu's face instantly darkened, and he looked at the speaker.

That person's strength is not weak either, possessing the peak of early-stage Organ Tempering Realm cultivation; if placed in Jiangnan Province's Heavenly Pride Battalion, he would at least rank among the top eight.

'Say that again?'

Su Yu's gloomy voice sounded.

The speaker obviously did not expect that Su Yu would actually dare to fight back.

After all, the cultivation Su Yu has shown is merely at the Blood Refining Realm.

'Courting death!'

The man let out an explosive shout and threw a punch straight at Su Yu.

Du Nian Guan's face changed; he tried to intercept, but was still a beat too slow—the man's fist was already about to land on Su Yu's face.

'Su Yu, be careful!'

Du Nian Guan said anxiously.

However, Su Yu's expression remained unchanged, and a violent surge of qi and blood rose up his body as he threw a punch as well.

Except...

Plus a strand of Martial Dao True Intent!

Yin Yang Meaning!

Yin Yang Taiji Fist!

Thud!

Their fists instantly collided, and the powerful force directly kicked up clouds of dust on the ground.

And the next moment, many people's brows furrowed.

All that could be seen was Su Yu standing still in place.

And the person who had thrown the punch actually staggered back three or four steps!