Ye Jun was actually surprised to know that there was an actual treasure, especially at a location they had picked randomly. The coincidence was creepy, but he didn’t think much of it, for now at least.
Currently, he needed to focus on the treasure itself since even Meihui looked anxious for it. If even someone like her wanted it, then it was bound to be amazing.
’Can’t let you have it, little brother.’
They first went to the outskirts of the Black Wind Wildlands, then proceeded to use shortcuts Ye Jun was familiar with to advance rapidly toward the northeastern part of the city.
Before long, they crossed the city and found themselves running across a hilly area. The north contained less vegetation and also had a colder atmosphere.
This area was especially cold because the cold black winds from the south and the freezing winds of the north met here, often creating hailstorms and cyclones big enough to ravage large sections of the Wildlands.
’Perhaps that’s why the treasure is located here. This place is special, after all.’
"Not everyone is fast," Meihui said. "Everyone is waiting for the trigger, so this won’t start until they gather a large group."
"Interesting, and why is that?"
Meihui closed her eyes, letting her Soul Sense spread as she replied, "There are two White Striped Tigers guarding that treasure, or rather the place where that treasure is sealed. They’re both Peak-Grade Tier 2 Spiritual Beasts."
"I see," Ye Jun hummed and increased his speed.
Not a single participant could defeat them alone, so they would have to send a few participants to keep the beasts occupied or kill them, while another entered the hidden place and retrieved the treasure.
It was a simple plan, but the problem was that whichever clan initiated the battle with the Spiritual Beasts would have fewer experts remaining afterward.
So it made sense that they would wait for their people to gather before deciding anything. Not to mention the rogue cultivators would also shift the situation.
It was all a big mess, but the great clans were willing to wait and even forget the Martial Exchange to obtain that treasure. If they succeeded, they could become the undisputed rulers of Bright Star City, removing the need to win the Martial Exchange at all.
"I can sense them," she said. "All of them are running toward the Whispering Valley."
An idea formed in Ye Jun’s mind as he grinned. "Can you please be kind enough to tell me the Ye Clan members’ positions?"
Meihui’s eyes snapped toward him in surprise. "You plan to remove the competition early on."
"The less support my little brother gets in this competition, the better for me," Ye Jun smiled. "Now, please tell me their positions."
"Very well, then," Meihui smiled as well.
They soon found a single Ye Clan member running toward the valley alone. In no time, Ye Jun took him down and threw his body aside.
Then they continued running forward while Meihui checked for more signs. The next group came from their left, so they moved toward that direction and stopped.
They stood upon a rock formation several meters higher than the ground, chasms opening before them. Solid grey stone filled their vision.
There, inside the chasm, Ye Jun spotted three of his fellow clansmen. He recognized two of them, which made his grin widen as the thrill of vengeance returned.
"We can’t jump down. It’ll take too long to reach our target otherwise," Meihui said, judging the situation. "I know ranged attacks. If you wish, I can kill them."
She hadn’t intervened in any of his fights with the Ye Clan since the vengeance belonged to him. But now the situation was different.
"No need," Ye Jun said, picking up a stone from the side. It was sturdy, heavy, powerful, and larger than his palm. "Watch me."
He gripped the stone tightly, his eyes scanning the distant Ye Clan members who ran with everything they had to assist their young master.
After watching for over five seconds, he pulled back his arm and hurled the stone with all his might. The stone shot forward faster than most birds, sparks forming from friction with the air.
Ye Jun had infused the stone with Qi. Though it would disperse within seconds, it provided the initial velocity needed.
The stone zipped through the air and struck the man at the center of the group. They reacted swiftly, but they were still too late as the stone slammed into the man’s face with a terrible impact.
The force caused the stone to explode apart, and the enemy’s skull shattered into pieces. Gore sprayed everywhere, affecting his teammates the most. One stumbled backward, eyes wide in horror, while the other turned toward the source of the attack.
Ye Jun gave them a mock salute before running forward, which confused Meihui. She followed and asked, "You aren’t going to kill them?"
"One death is enough to create terror in their hearts. Besides, they won’t fall for the same trick twice."
Meihui hummed in understanding, wondering just how much more Ye Jun was hiding within himself. How did such a simple man, who supposedly had never seen the outside world, understand things far better than her?
’What kind of past did he live?’
Shaking those thoughts away, they soon found themselves in the Whispering Valley, though it would be more appropriate to call it a basin.
Other participants had already arrived, just as Meihui mentioned earlier. Each occupied a tall side of the rock formations, watching one another cautiously. Other participants had also claimed positions while trying to gather allies wherever possible.
In the distance, Ye Jun felt two overwhelming presences. The pressure seemed suffocating, making him realize the gravity of the situation.
"At this rate, it’ll go nowhere. Do you trust me?" Meihui asked.
"Of course. No questions asked."
She smiled. "Then follow my plan, and I’ll bring you victory, including an opportunity to end your brother. But you’ll only have yourself this time, so protect yourself."