Chapter 264: Treasure Key

“Huo Qinglan, Jiang Changkong.”

Jiang Changkong carved the names in Star Script, writing quite well: “Should we record any deeds or something?”

“Hurry up and leave, what deeds? Let’s get out of this damned place first,” Yao Qing urged.

They had no desire to stay here any longer—it was too terrifying.

Who knew if that corpse might rise again and kill them.

Jiang Changkong swiftly spun the longsword, stone chips flying everywhere, gradually revealing a pit.

“You’re too slow, let me do it,” Heng Xi said.

As a cultivator of Taiyin Star Power, she was more suited to wield this sword.

Jiang Changkong thought for a moment and handed the sword to her: “It’s only top-tier sixth rank, so it can’t bear your Star Power.”

Heng Xi smiled: “As long as the sword tip can, that’s enough. You needn’t worry about my mastery of Taiyin Star Power.”

Jiang Changkong said nothing more.

Heng Xi channeled Star Power into the sword tip, activating the Taiyin Star Power within.

Hum

Instantly, a sword intent capable of severing heaven and earth erupted, accompanied by a terrifying chill that spread, causing even Jiang Changkong to shiver.

Yao Qing, Nan Zhaokong, and Huo Qinglan also trembled, their faces filled with shock and doubt.

Hum

The sword tip vibrated, directly piercing into the pit.

Boom

With a loud rumble, the pit rapidly expanded, revealing a half-person-high circular hole in an instant.

Outside, a bloody glow shimmered, and dense blood energy surged in.

“Let’s go,” Heng Xi returned the Lunar Sword to him: “We’ll still rely on you once we’re out.”

“Don’t worry…”

Rumble

As soon as Jiang Changkong spoke, the blood-colored palace shook once more, unleashing an invisible pressure.

Roar

The roar of the Power Runes reappeared, and all five present paled.

“Hurry, that thing is coming,” Huo Qinglan urgently shouted.

Jiang Changkong dared not hesitate, leading the way as he crawled out of the pit and left the palace.

The other four followed closely behind. Golden patterns emerged on Jiang Changkong’s body, enveloping him in a brilliant golden light.

“Blood energy, activate the array—Power Pattern War Body.”

Jiang Changkong shouted softly, activating his Stellar Body. Countless patterns appeared, and six Power Runes manifested once more, constructing a mysterious Star Array.

The Star Array enveloped the five of them, ignoring the surrounding blood energy and pressure as they swiftly soared into the sky.

Roar

The roar of the Power Runes grew louder, shaking heaven and earth, and the surrounding space began to shatter.

“Faster, even faster,” Huo Qinglan urged.

Yao Qing and the other two looked tense, gripping Jiang Changkong tightly. Their nails pierced his defenses and dug into his flesh.

“Are you really this scared?”

Jiang Changkong looked at him speechlessly. This time, as before, he felt no sense of danger.

But what had just happened? Why did the Power Runes suddenly roar again?

Earlier, it could be said that he was gathering the Power Pattern War Body, which triggered the Power Runes.

But just now, they had only unleashed Taiyin Star Power…

Was it the sword tip?

A flash of insight crossed Jiang Changkong’s mind. Back then, with the three great palaces and the Lunar Sword tip, could it be related to the Lunar Yin Palace?

Was the place where the Lunar Yin Broken Sword lay actually the Lunar Yin Palace?

Lost in thought, Jiang Changkong sheathed the Lunar Sword.

As the Lunar Sword was sheathed, the roar of the Power Runes gradually faded until it disappeared.

The pressure also began to weaken, and the drifting blood energy and condensed Star Array rapidly merged back into the palace.

“It’s fine now, we’re safe,” Huo Qinglan sighed in relief: “That thing didn’t chase us out.”

Jiang Changkong nodded. They had already reached the barrier of the Sin Domain.

Huo Qinglan quickly waved her hand, opening the barrier.

The four of them rushed out directly. The surrounding pressure dissipated, and their Star Power immediately recovered.

Jiang Changkong looked back and immediately froze.

The blood qi had returned to the palace, and on the Blood Qi Palace stood a Martial Artist, hands clasped behind his back, gazing up at him.

He recognized this Martial Artist—the one who had left behind the Three-Colored Stone Pearl!

“Changkong, come up quickly, what are you looking at… holy shit, it came out?” Yao Qing, seeing him in a daze, followed his gaze and was instantly stunned.

Huo Qinglan and the other two hadn’t left either, asking in confusion, “What’s wrong with you… it really came out?”

The four of them felt a chill in their hearts, their bodies stiffening.

Faced with such an existence, even without any suppression, they felt no sense of security whatsoever.

A being capable of shattering stars with a single punch—even if dead, they couldn’t possibly challenge it.

And now, it had even “resurrected” and was staring right at them!

The Martial Artist standing on the palace watched Jiang Changkong, and Jiang Changkong watched him in return.

There was no point in running. Once targeted by something like this, no one except a Near-Deity could escape.

Beads of cold sweat dripped down. At this moment, even Jiang Changkong felt a bit panicked.

He could clearly sense that this thing was fixated on him, not on Huo Qinglan and the other four.

“We… we didn’t take the second item,” Yao Qing muttered, his lips trembling.

After what felt like an eternity, the Martial Artist on the palace suddenly raised a hand and waved.

“What is he doing?” Huo Qinglan wondered.

“Is it a farewell? Should we wave back?” Nan Zhaokong’s face twitched.

“Let’s wave back. It’s better to be polite, as you said.”

Yao Qing quickly raised his hand and waved in return.

“…”

Alright, better to be polite. I’ll try it too.

Jiang Changkong raised his right hand and waved, hoping it really was a farewell.

Boom!

After the wave, the Void behind the Martial Artist suddenly split open. The Blood Qi Palace trembled and, carrying the Martial Artist, surged into the spatial rift.

The blood-colored palace vanished, and the spatial rift was smoothed over.

Not a trace of blood qi remained. The world returned to clarity.

“What are you five doing? Where are the others?”

A puzzled voice startled the five of them.

Yao Qing jolted, glanced at the newcomer, and immediately slapped him: “An Shanhe, can’t you make some noise? You scared me to death.”

Huo Qinglan was also startled: “Hit him a few more times.”

An Shanhe: “…”

What did I do to deserve this? Why are you hitting me?

“An Shanhe, go to the warship and arrange a room. No one is to disturb us. Shut down all surveillance immediately,” Huo Qinglan said sternly.

Yao Qing let go, and An Shanhe’s expression turned serious: “Yes, ma’am.”

An Shanhe flew away, and Huo Qinglan whispered, “Come on, do it, full force.”

Jiang Changkong nodded, and an invisible force descended upon the four of them.

“Ugh, pfft.”

Yao Qing and the other two immediately vomited a mouthful of blood: “Couldn’t you give us some warning? Some hint? Where are you hitting?”

Huo Qinglan said, “Enough, stop complaining. Changkong, don’t use this ability again for a few months. Say you comprehended it.”

Jiang Changkong nodded, “Alright.”

The five of them left together, heading for the warship.

The black warship, the Sin Domain, and all the geniuses were inside.

An Shanhe had prepared a room. The five entered and immediately locked the door.

“Now it’s safe. Let’s talk,” Huo Qinglan said, sitting down and letting out a sigh of relief.

Yao Qing and the other two slumped into their chairs: “I never want to go there again in my life. It was too terrifying.”

“I still want to go, but if we do, we have to bring Changkong,” Huo Qinglan said, her gaze turning to Jiang Changkong.

If it weren’t for Jiang Changkong this time, none of them would have made it out.

“I really don’t want to go,” Jiang Changkong lay slumped on the table, speaking weakly. “We were just lucky this time—I managed to comprehend the Star Array in time.”

“The Star Array you obtained was far more useful inside than the Near-God Inheritance we got,” Huo Qinglan remarked.

“With so many Near-God Inheritances, aren’t you tempted, Changkong?”

“What’s the use of being tempted? I already took one item. If that corpse hadn’t come back to life, we could have taken more.”

Jiang Changkong curled his lips. If that corpse hadn’t revived, he could have emptied the entire crimson palace.

“Earlier, when I killed them, I used martial arts from the Near-God Inheritance. If I can fully switch to cultivating it, I’ll be able to take lives in an instant.”

Huo Qinglan continued, “It can absorb life force and also greatly aid in healing. This technique is incredibly powerful. Soon, I’ll advance to the mid-stage Star realm.”

“What we obtained is also very strong. Preliminary estimates suggest it’s even stronger than our family’s foundational techniques,” Yao Qing and the other two said.

“Are you trying to make me jealous?” Jiang Changkong scoffed.

“Without you, we wouldn’t have obtained these inheritances. We’re just telling you—if you ever go to the Void Realm and need help, come find me. Here’s my contact information,” Huo Qinglan smiled slightly.

“In the future, if you need anything, just go to the Heng family.”

“Or come to our Yaoguang Merchant Guild.”

“Just find my Nan family. They’re too busy, but we have plenty of free time,” Nan Zhaokong added.

Jiang Changkong narrowed his eyes. “I know what you’re scheming. You can’t take anything more, but your family members can.”

The four of them chuckled awkwardly but didn’t refute it.

Based on their experience, if they had listened to Jiang Changkong from start to finish, nothing would have gone wrong.

Moreover, even if something did happen, Jiang Changkong could modify the Star Array to get them out.

Now, Jiang Changkong was like a treasure key. With him, as long as they found the treasure, they could unlock it.

“Alright, if you can find that palace, I’ll accompany you for another trip.”

Jiang Changkong smiled faintly. He still had many unresolved doubts in his heart, but he didn’t believe these people could easily find it.