The battle between Wang Chengan and Ezu continued. But from how the situation was developing, it was clear that Wang Chengan had essentially no hope left. Although he was fighting with all his might to resist Ezu, the raw difference in their power was not something that could be overcome with strong willpower alone.
What's more, Ezu seemed to have absolute confidence in dealing with Wang Chengan, employing methods that countered him at every turn.
As time passed, Wang Chengan's situation grew more and more perilous. At this point, he could no longer rely on his own strength to turn the tables. He could only transfer all his hopes to Lin Yun.
"Lin Yun!" he cried out. "I know you still covet the treasures of the Nether River Dragon Palace! If you let me go now, I can help you obtain all of them! Think about it! What this place once was! It holds the records of an endless prosperity!"
His gaze was like a torch as he stared at Lin Yun. The meaning behind his words was simple: if Lin Yun cooperated with him, everything could be resolved smoothly.
However, after hearing Wang Chengan's words, Lin Yun, far from agreeing to his request, just laughed and shook his head.
"Although you make it all sound very simple, for me, there is no way I can bring myself to trust anything you do."
Lin Yun had long since seen that Wang Chengan was a man who said one thing and did another. If he were to actually believe him, he would likely suffer a backlash for it.
Seeing the resolute look in Lin Yun's eyes, the expression on Wang Chengan's face grew even uglier. He had thought his words would win Lin Yun's approval, and everything could then be resolved. But now, he was beginning to have his doubts.
"From the very beginning, you never planned on letting me go," Lin Yun stated, not bothering to hide his assessment of the man. "To you, I was nothing more than a temporary pawn. The moment you achieved your goal, the first thing you would do is eliminate me."
With Wang Chengan's current strength, it was true that many problems couldn't be solved as easily as before. But he could have used Lin Yun's power to firmly grasp control of the situation. If this had happened before, Lin Yun might have been worried. But now, with Ezu helping him suppress Wang Chengan, he had no need to trouble himself with such concerns.
"Now you understand, don't you? This little fellow isn't as easy to deal with as you think. Even I am under his control. And you? You are just a soul, albeit a clever one."
Seeing the shocked expression on Wang Chengan's face, Ezu added his own taunt. Wang Chengan was far too confident in himself, and it was precisely this trait that had landed him in this difficult predicament. He had naively believed that with his petty tricks, he could make Lin Yun obey him. But he never imagined that his grand speech would have no effect whatsoever.
Looking at Lin Yun's dead-serious expression, Wang Chengan now truly understood. To the current Lin Yun, he was perhaps nothing more than a chess piece that had lost its value. He had thought he still had an important role to play, but he never expected Lin Yun to be able to discard him so casually.
Seeing Wang Chengan fall silent, Ezu laughed. "Now do you see? That little bit of cleverness you possess can't change a thing. When someone wants to deal with you, you have no way to change your own fate."
After speaking, Ezu increased his power even more rapidly. Wang Chengan, who was already struggling to resist, was naturally unable to withstand the assault. The giant python opened its gaping, bloody maw and swallowed him whole.
After devouring Wang Chengan, the python continuously released a black gas that merged into Ezu's body. With that, Ezu's power began to rise and strengthen.
Lin Yun, however, turned his gaze toward the physical body lying on the ground.
After the violent shaking, the underground palace had returned to a state of calm, as if nothing had ever happened. But after Wang Chengan was dealt with, even Lin Yun could clearly feel that sensation of being watched again. Before, he had thought Qin Xiyan might have been mistaken. But now it seemed her judgment had not been in error. Someone was truly watching their every move.
"Chongqing Bird. Someone is watching us." Lin Yun's voice was low, his expression growing solemn. This secret observer was no simple character. A single Wang Chengan had already caused them a great deal of trouble, and although the danger had passed thanks to Ezu, who knew what this next character would be like?
After devouring Wang Chengan, Ezu vanished once more.
"You still have some time," Ezu's voice echoed in Lin Yun's mind. "That fellow should be waking up soon. So if you truly want to get something, you need to hurry."
This time, Lin Yun had no time to doubt Ezu. He quickly made his way to the Xuantian Pavilion.
And Ezu had indeed not deceived him.
When Lin Yun arrived at the third floor, he couldn't help but marvel at how powerful the Sha Blood Dragon Clan must have once been. There were so many incredible treasures left behind here. Even the current Lin Yun was utterly shocked by it all.
"Their strength back then was beyond anything you can imagine. And the wealth they created for themselves is something most people in this world could never comprehend." Ezu seemed to sense Lin Yun's shock and offered a casual explanation.
This was an astonishing wealth that was beyond anyone's understanding. Lin Yun found it even more incredible that such a powerful race could have ultimately been defeated in a war. Judging by the wealth they now possessed, they must have had immense power. How could they have been so thoroughly defeated by their enemies?
But Lin Yun did not greedily try to take all the treasures. On the contrary, he carefully scanned the artifacts before his eyes settled on a single sword.
And that sword, as if by fate, seemed to sense Lin Yun's presence. The moment he appeared, it immediately shot towards him in a piercing attack.
In that same instant, Lin Yun effortlessly evaded the sword's assault, then caught its hilt in a firm grip.
A familiar power instantly surged through him…