Volume Two, Chapter Fifty-Four: Infighting

"Oh!"
"Ah!"
Meng Fang crossed his arms over his chest, wearing an air of superiority as he addressed the two disciples of the Free Alliance who'd been beaten into pig-headed shapes: "Today, your master is in a good mood—I'll spare you two mutts. Now get lost!"
"Yes, yes!" The two scurried away, tails between their legs.
The trio burst into hearty laughter and stepped forward to open the wooden chest.
"Damn, it's another Dao Artifact. This luck is just terrible," Meng Fang cursed, passing the artifact to Old Qu without a second thought.
These low-level magical tools were of little use to the two, so they would gift them to the disciples from Hawk Ridge who had not come along.
Since the formation of their 'robbery gang,' this was the fifth room with treasure they had encountered. The best item so far had been a mid-grade Dao Artifact, the Flying Sword.
One could not help but wonder about the mindset of the tomb's original master, who had designed this sacred tomb as if it were a place expressly for others to search for treasures.
Through these experiences, Yu Mu had gradually pieced together the general situation of this level of the sacred tomb.
First, all the doors were teleportation gates, but the destinations were random. Passing through a gate could send one into corridors or various rooms. If several people wished to appear together, they had to remain in physical contact.
Second, every room contained a wooden chest filled with magical treasures; occasionally, there was a chance of finding a spiritual treasure, though the odds were slim.
Third, each room had clay guardians. The strength of these clay figures varied depending on the spirit controlling them, but generally, they were about as powerful as cultivators at the Pill Formation stage.
Fourth, this sacred tomb had been visited before; thus, there were skeletons and rotten chests scattered throughout.
But why had the Saint designed his tomb in such a manner? What was his purpose?
...
"Wow, no one's here!"
The trio rejoiced as they entered—the first room they'd found with an unopened chest and no one else present.
Unable to contain their excitement, they rushed to the chest.
"Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits! Great god of nature, show your power—grant me a spiritual artifact," Meng Fang prayed with sincere devotion in a peculiar ritual.

"Wow! The great god of nature has manifested!"
Perhaps Meng Fang's plea had some effect, for this time the chest revealed a supreme Dao Artifact.
A mirror!
Though not a spiritual artifact, its appearance alone showed it was no common item. Their reflections flickered across its surface, splitting into countless illusions that dazzled the eye.
It was a spiritual-type magical tool, the rarest of all. Its practical value even surpassed that of ordinary spiritual artifacts.
Unable to suppress their excitement, they were about to pocket it when suddenly, with a crash, a crescent blade smashed the chest. The arc of the blade swept past them and flew behind.
"Who!" Meng Fang roared, the three turning to face the intruder.
"You!?" Seeing the newcomer, all three were startled and furious.
It was none other than Gu Feng and his group, who had parted ways with them at the start.
Meng Fang's face darkened. "Gu Feng, what is the meaning of this?"
Gu Feng sneered, one hand holding the crescent blade and the other picking up the mirror. "What meaning? The treasures here are ownerless. Naturally, whoever has the strength claims them. Is there anything wrong with that?"
He waved the mirror. "If you want it, you can take it from me—if you have the power."
Such blatant contempt and plundering immediately enraged the trio.
Old Qu let out a furious roar, summoning a golden spear: "Gu Feng, the master warned us not to harm fellow disciples during this tomb exploration. You break the rules—no matter how favored your Wolf Clan is, there must be reason!"
Gu Feng curled his lip. "Have I broken the rules? Have I harmed you? As I said, if you can take it from me, it's yours. I won't accuse you of harming fellow disciples. If you can't, then this treasure is mine. Isn't that fair?"
Enraged, Old Qu thrust his spear: "I've long despised your Wolf Clan's arrogance. Today, I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of all tribes from Hawk Ridge, so you'll know what it means to keep your tail tucked."
Gu Feng, hearing the veiled threat in Old Qu's words, eyes flashed with ferocity: "Fine, let's see today who needs to keep their tail tucked."
With a flash, the crescent blade twisted like a silver snake, spinning along the spear shaft and slashing at Old Qu.
So fast—
In the blink of an eye, the blade was upon him; if Old Qu did not let go, his hands would be lost.

With a clang, the golden spear fell to the ground, and all three drew sharp breaths.
They knew Gu Feng was formidable, but not to such an unnatural degree. Old Qu, unwilling to admit defeat, summoned his spear to fight again, but Meng Fang stopped him.
Though the attack had an element of surprise, the gap between Old Qu and Gu Feng was undeniable. To fight again would only invite humiliation.
"Gu Feng, well said. The treasures of the sacred tomb are ownerless—you have the strength, you may claim them. But the sun and moon wax and wane, the tides rise and fall. Today's advantage doesn't last forever. Keep the item for now; someday, I will reclaim it myself. Farewell!"
With this, he dragged the others out the door.
No matter how arrogant Gu Feng was, he dared not lay a finger on Meng Fang. Meng Fang's status in Hawk Ridge was well known; harming him would spell disaster for the Wolf Clan unless he could kill everyone present.
Back in the corridor—
"That wolf pup is lawless. When we return, I'll report to the master. If these people aren't restrained, they'll be uncontrollable," Old Qu cursed.
None had expected, after planning to rob others, they'd be robbed by their own. It was humiliating and infuriating.
Meng Fang gave a cold laugh: "Today’s disgrace is due to our lack of strength. Being humiliated is deserved—we, too, have taken others’ treasures. Rather than complain, we should focus on seeking more treasures and improving ourselves. As the saying goes, a gentleman’s revenge is never too late, even after ten years. Time will tell."
"Right! Someday we'll show him our strength. Come, let's keep searching for treasure."
Old Qu pulled the others and entered another teleportation gate...

Clang—
Old Qu had barely poked his head through the door when a huge blade came crashing down.
The blade landed squarely on his shiny bald head, but not a mark was left, while the blade itself chipped with a gaping crack.
Roar—
Still fuming, Old Qu shook his bald head and let out a thunderous howl, spraying it full in the attacker's face.
Immediately, blood streamed from every orifice of the attacker, who collapsed like a pile of mud.
Old Qu's roar had killed the ambusher outright.