SWNOVELXO Chapter 726: Treasure Map (Part 2)
Luo Chen also furrowed his brows, quickly putting away the ancient tome and grabbing Qing Shuang's hand to prepare for the impending changes.
However, just at that moment, a dazzling ray of light suddenly streaked down from the sky, landing directly in front of them.
When the light dissipated, a middle-aged cultivator dressed in luxurious robes appeared before the two.
His expression was stern, and his eyes carried an undeniable authority.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang felt a chill in their hearts, knowing that this person was not someone simple.
"Do you two juniors know your crime?" the middle-aged cultivator spoke coldly, his voice carrying undeniable authority.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang exchanged a glance, both feeling inexplicably perplexed.
They did not know this middle-aged cultivator, nor did they know what crime they had committed.
However, facing such a powerful adversary, they dared not show the slightest negligence.
"Why would senior say such things? We have not done anything against the heavens or reason," Luo Chen saluted respectfully, his tone full of deference and puzzlement.
The middle-aged cultivator snorted coldly, raising his hand with a wave, instantly enveloping them in a beam of light. Luo Chen and Qing Shuang felt a massive force flood into their bodies, rendering them immobile.
"Still dare to argue? The ancient tome in your hands is a treasure lost by our Sect long ago. How can the likes of you dare touch it?" the middle-aged cultivator shouted angrily, his eyes blazing with fury.
Only then did Luo Chen and Qing Shuang realize that the middle-aged cultivator had come for the ancient tome.
However, their hearts were filled with unwillingness and anger.
This ancient tome was bought with their Spirit Stones, how could it suddenly become someone else's treasure?
"Senior, you are mistaken! This ancient tome was bought with Spirit Stones from a cultivator, not stolen," Qing Shuang loudly defended herself, her voice full of determination and defiance.
The middle-aged cultivator's face turned even darker upon hearing this. He raised his hand, sending a powerful force that blew the two away.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang crashed heavily to the ground, spitting blood, their faces as pale as paper.
"Hmph! Mere ants dare to argue with me? Today, I will show you the consequences of offending me!" the middle-aged cultivator sneered coldly, his figure a blur as he lunged at them.
Facing this sudden attack, Luo Chen and Qing Shuang felt despair in their hearts.
However, at that moment, a familiar figure suddenly appeared in front of them.
With a longsword in his hand, moving like the wind across the battlefield, each swing accompanied by fierce sword light and powerful sword qi.
"Junior Brother! Why are you here?" the Black-clothed Cultivator shouted in surprise, he was the cultivator who had fought alongside Luo Chen and Qing Shuang before.
"Senior Brother! I heard that you encountered trouble, so I came immediately to help."
The Black-clothed Cultivator responded, his gaze filled with firmness and resolve.
The middle-aged cultivator's expression changed slightly upon seeing this situation.
He did not expect these two juniors to have help, and moreover, it was a cultivator with considerable cultivation.
However, he did not retreat but instead, it ignited his fighting spirit even more.
"Hmph! Do three mere juniors dare stand against me? Today, I will show you my strength!" the middle-aged cultivator shouted angrily, his figure instantly expanding several times over, transforming into a massive demonic beast.
The demonic beast opened its bloodthirsty maw, lunging toward the three.
Luo Chen, Qing Shuang, and the Black-clothed Cultivator unleashed their most powerful spells and martial techniques, engaging in a fierce battle with the demonic beast.
However, the demonic beast's power was too overwhelming; even together, they struggled to withstand its onslaught.
Just as the three were on the brink of despair, a gentle voice suddenly echoed in their ears: "Children, don't be afraid, I'm here to help you."
As the voice fell, a gentle light descended from the sky, enveloping the three.
In the light, a woman dressed in plain clothes, with a kindly face, slowly emerged. She held a longsword that faintly glowed, her gaze filled with endless warmth and determination.
"Senior! You are..." Luo Chen looked at the woman in surprise, his heart filled with confusion and awe.
The woman smiled slightly and said softly, "I am the guardian of this ancient tome and also your guide on the path of immortal cultivation. Today, I sensed the tome's aura ripple and came to assist you."
With that, the woman's form flickered as she charged toward the demonic beast.
With a light swing of her longsword, a brilliant sword light cleaved through the air, striking directly at the demonic beast's massive body.
The demonic beast let out an earth-shattering roar, its colossal body tumbling several times in the air before barely stabilizing itself.
However, its eyes were filled with terror and unwillingness, clearly sensing the woman's unfathomable power.
"A mere demonic beast dares to be impudent in my presence!" the woman coldly shouted, her figure transforming into a stream of light as she pounced at the demonic beast.
Her swordsmanship was exquisite; each strike perfectly hit the demonic beast's weak points, leaving it utterly defenseless.
Luo Chen, Qing Shuang, and the Black-clothed Cultivator watched in awe from the side, never having seen such powerful swordsmanship or such a calm and composed combat demeanor.
Their hearts were full of reverence and gratitude, knowing the mysterious woman had saved their lives.
After an intense battle, the woman finally defeated the demonic beast completely.
She sheathed her sword and turned to the three, her eyes radiating a gentle light.
"You three are rising stars of the Cultivation Realm; the road ahead is long. I hope you will cherish this opportunity, strive to cultivate, and contribute more to the Cultivation Realm," the woman earnestly advised.
Hearing this, Luo Chen, Qing Shuang, and the Black-clothed Cultivator each nodded in agreement.
They understood that this woman was not only their lifesaver but also a mentor and role model on their path of immortal cultivation.
"Senior, we will surely strive to cultivate, not letting down your expectations!" Luo Chen said resolutely.
Qing Shuang and the Black-clothed Cultivator immediately followed suit, expressing their determination and belief.
The woman smiled gently, taking out a crystalline jade pendant from her sleeve and handing it to Luo Chen.
"This jade pendant is from my years of cultivation, containing a strand of my sword qi. In times of crisis, you can unleash it to protect yourself and your companions."
Luo Chen accepted the jade pendant, sensing the majestic sword qi within, his heart filled with gratitude.
He understood what this jade pendant represented for him and the responsibility and mission he was entrusted with.
"Senior, we will surely make good use of this jade pendant, living up to your expectations!" Luo Chen said solemnly.
The woman nodded, her gaze revealing satisfaction and comfort.
"Alright, I must be going. Remember my words, strive to cultivate, and contribute your strength to the Cultivation Realm."
With those words, her figure became a stream of light disappearing into the horizon.
Luo Chen, Qing Shuang, and the Black-clothed Cultivator watched in the direction she departed, filled with respect and gratitude.
They knew that this mysterious woman had not only saved their lives but also planted a seed of immortal cultivation within their hearts.
This seed would take root and grow on their future cultivation path, eventually blossoming into dazzling brilliance.
In the days that followed, Luo Chen and Qing Shuang dedicated themselves even more to their cultivation.
...
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, another month had passed.
In the workshop, within the courtyard.
Luo Chen looked at the map in his hand, his brows furrowing slightly.
The map was bought from an old man's stall in the workshop.
It was said to hold a treasure.
He who is fated will obtain it.
But as to where this treasure was...
Luo Chen was not entirely sure.
"So, did the old man scam you or something?"
"Or perhaps even the old man didn't know, and this map is fake?"
Qing Shuang asked softly from the side.
Luo Chen shook his head, his gaze firm as he stared at the map in his hand: "No, I trust that old man's words. Since this map was able to be passed down, it must have its special qualities. Moreover, my intuition tells me that the treasure it points to is closely tied to our path of cultivation."
Seeing this, Qing Shuang said nothing more, merely nodding silently.