Chapter 129: Not Long for This World

"Calm down, Zhao. We have suffered enough losses as it is; do not add to the casualties. The most important thing now is to secure the valuables here."

As he spoke, he looked up, and upon doing so, he was stunned into silence. In the distance stood a palace, shrouded in white mist. In an instant, his head swam, and his breathing became ragged. It was a palace—and where there is a palace, there must be extraordinary treasures.

"We’ve struck gold! This must be the ruin of a Martial Emperor," Elder Wu said with delight. A Martial King, no matter how powerful, would lack the wealth to construct such a palace. For someone to possess such resources, the master of this palace must have been at least a Martial Emperor during their lifetime.

The others looked on, Zhao Zhongtian’s eyes widening, his breath quickening. "Elder Wu, let’s go up there quickly," he urged excitedly. It was his first time seeing a palace in all his years; he had only ever heard his uncles speak of them, claiming that treasures were piled high inside and that even Heaven-tier techniques could be found. The very technique his Zhao family currently practiced had been obtained from such a ruin. At the thought, his heart raced.

Seeing this, Elder Wu sighed softly. Though he knew Zhao Zhongtian was young, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. "Zhao, the greater the opportunity, the greater the danger. To rush in blindly is to throw your life away," he chided.

Zhao Zhongtian snapped back to reality. He had always taught his subordinates to be cautious and prudent, yet here he was, so distracted by the palace that he had forgotten his own principles.

"We need pathfinders," Elder Wu said coolly. Almost simultaneously, Zhao Zhongtian’s gaze shifted toward Xiao Yang. They had already lost too many men along the way. If they continued to suffer casualties, they would not have enough hands left when they encountered traps or formations. It was fortunate, then, that there were two outsiders present—perfect for scouting.

Without needing a word from Zhao Zhongtian, Elder Wu’s eyes were already fixed on Xiao Yang. "Go bring that man here. Have them scout the path for us."

Two Great Martial Masters nodded and headed toward Xiao Yang. Xiao Yang knew that their approach spelled no good.

"You two, come with us," one of them said, gesturing to Xiao Yang.

"And if I refuse?" a discordant voice rang out.

The retort infuriated the two Great Martial Masters. "Do not provoke us, or you will meet a very ugly end," one growled, reaching out to grab Xiao Yang.

But then, a blur of motion. Both Great Martial Masters were sent flying, landing squarely at the feet of Elder Wu and Zhao Zhongtian.

Xiao Yang smiled. "Your men seem a bit unruly, so I helped you discipline them."

At these words, veins bulged on Zhao Zhongtian’s forehead, his eyes turning slightly red. "You're courting death!" he snarled, preparing to strike, but Elder Wu held him back.

"We cannot kill such energetic scouts," the elder said. He knew that if his nephew attacked, Xiao Yang would end up broken and mangled, significantly reducing his value as a pathfinder. Only someone in full health could be of maximum use.

"I will go," Elder Wu stated calmly, walking toward Xiao Yang.

Xiao Yang frowned as the old man approached. Another one, he thought. "What do you want?" he asked dismissively.

Elder Wu laughed, his aura as a Martial Marquis erupting. "Listen, boy, I’ll give you one chance: go scout the path, or I will kill you right here. If you are obedient, I might even let your woman live." He glanced at the female ghost, failing to realize what she was—he only thought her face looked deathly pale.

"Heh! Old man, is something wrong with your head?" Xiao Yang retorted. A mere Martial Marquis, acting so arrogant? Did he not see the Beast King currently being cradled in his arms? Of course, the Profound Ice White Tiger refused to let its aura be sensed by anyone below the King realm, so to the elder, it looked like nothing more than a white cat.

"It seems I will have to drag you there myself," Elder Wu said, his eyes narrowing as he unleashed his killing intent, pressing it toward Xiao Yang.

But Xiao Yang, who didn't even fear the aura of a Beast King, was completely unaffected by the pressure of a Martial Marquis. He stared at the elder as if nothing had happened. "Old man, I’ll give you a warning: leave now before I lose my temper. Otherwise, it will be too late."

A flicker of murderous intent crossed Elder Wu’s eyes. Under normal circumstances, this man would have died a hundred times over. But he needed hands, and he couldn't afford to waste them yet. He would use Xiao Yang for now; if he survived the traps, he would ensure he suffered a hundredfold later.

"My patience is thin. You had best not test it," the elder warned.

The repeated provocations were beginning to annoy Xiao Yang. *Damn it,* he thought, *this old bastard really thinks he's something.* "I am provoking you today. Let’s see what you can actually do about it."

Elder Wu, no longer holding back, reached out to forcefully grab Xiao Yang. But suddenly, the white cat opened its mouth, and a blast of frigid cold air erupted. Elder Wu’s pupils contracted, and he jerked his hand back, staring in shock at the Profound Ice White Tiger in Xiao Yang’s arms.

"You dare bully my person right in front of me? Are you tired of living?" the White Tiger said coldly.

"A Beast Marquis?" Elder Wu was stunned that this brat had a Beast Marquis as a guard. But with his own cultivation at the tenth level of the Martial Marquis realm, even a Beast Marquis would have to die if it dared to obstruct him. Besides, he had just found an even better pathfinder. "Perfect. You can come along too."

A Beast Marquis as a scout—there could be nothing better.

The Profound Ice White Tiger raised an eyebrow. "Are you talking to me?"

Elder Wu laughed. A lowly Beast Marquis actually thought itself invincible? He decided to make an example of it to cow the fearless little beast. "A tiny cat demon—who gave you the courage to defy me?" He reached out, intending to seize the tiger.

Xiao Yang watched, stunned. The old man was certainly bold for his age. He decided to sit back and watch the show. Everyone who had ever called the Profound Ice White Tiger a "cat," save for Sun Xiaoya, had already been killed. And this man... his forehead was darkened with the mark of impending doom; he was clearly not long for this world.

"What did you just call me?" the White Tiger asked, enunciating every word.

Elder Wu, losing patience, channeled his pure internal energy, clearly getting serious. "Little cat, I advise you to stay quiet and not resist, otherwise—"

Before he could finish, a blur flashed before his eyes, followed by a sharp, searing pain in his chest. He was sent flying backward.

*Thud!*

As he landed, he could feel that at least seven or eight of his ribs had been shattered in that single strike.