Gods: Start with Goblins

Sure enough, after getting the benefits, everyone looked at Luo Dan with friendly eyes, and even a little grateful. Seeing this, the leader's last worry disappeared. He gritted his teeth, took the bag from Luo Dan, and whispered: "Brother, since you are so generous, I will reveal a little to you. But you must remember not to tell others."

Luo Dan nodded quickly, with an expectant look on his face: "Don't worry, big brother, I will keep my mouth shut."

The leader looked around to make sure no one was paying attention, then lowered his voice and said, "In fact, the reason why our young master was arrested is not only because he knew about the Holy See. There is another important reason. He may have the key to open a mysterious relic. Those forces want to get this key and enter the relic to look for opportunities."

Luo Dan was shocked when he heard this, but his face remained calm and he continued to ask: "Then where is this mysterious relic? Brother, do you know?"

The leader shook his head and said, "I don't know exactly where it is. But I heard that it is closely related to the Monster Mountain Range. Well, that's all I can tell you. Be careful and don't get discovered by those forces."

Luodan said gratefully: "Thank you for your advice, big brother. I'll remember it." At this time, everyone in the camp was still excitedly counting the spirit stones in their hands, but Luodan had already started to plan the next step in his heart.

The hundred people looked at the spirit stones in their hands, their eyes full of surprise and greed. In the sect, it was usually difficult to obtain enough cultivation resources. It took a lot of energy to complete tasks and please the elders, and it was not necessarily possible to get what you wanted. But now, these spirit stones came into their hands so easily, as if they were picked up for free, there was really no reason to refuse.

The leader tightly grasped the cloth bag containing 1,000 spirit stones in his hand, and the balance in his heart gradually tilted. He secretly glanced at Luo Dan, and saw that Luo Dan was smiling with sincerity in his eyes. Buck Yun and Shangguan Butcher beside him just stood quietly, looking as if it had nothing to do with them. They didn't look like people with ulterior motives.

"In my opinion, these brothers are just here to join in the fun in the Monster Mountain Range," a disciple whispered to the leader, "Looking at their appearance, they don't seem like they can stir up any big waves. They shouldn't cause any trouble for us."

Another disciple also echoed, "Yes, big brother. We have received so many spirit stones from them, it would be unreasonable if we did not reveal any information at all. Besides, the little information we revealed is not a particularly important secret, so it should not be a big deal."

The leader listened to everyone's discussion, and his worries gradually dissipated. He nodded and said, "Okay, since everyone says so, let's reveal a little. But everyone remember, don't tell anyone, otherwise if the elders find out, we will all be in trouble."

Everyone nodded in agreement, with excited smiles on their faces. At this time, the light of the campfire illuminated everyone's faces, and a subtle atmosphere filled the camp. Luo Dan looked at everyone's reactions, secretly delighted in his heart, knowing that his plan was half successful. He narrowed his eyes slightly, and began to conceive the next action in his mind, how to use this information to rescue Shangguan Bowen, and explore the secrets of the mysterious ruins. Outside the camp, the Monster Mountain in the dark was like a sleeping giant, waiting for Luo Dan and others to challenge.

Luo Dan nodded slightly, listening carefully to the leader's words. The more he listened, the more he felt that what the other party said made sense. His eyes unconsciously scanned the crowd around him, thinking secretly about the severity of the situation.

"You're right, big brother." Luo Dan said solemnly, "I originally thought this matter was not that complicated. Now it seems that I underestimated the ambitions and methods of those forces."

The leader sighed, a trace of worry on his face: "That's right. These forces will do anything to get the key to the mysterious ruins. Take our Shangguan Sect for example. They sent a hundred of us here this time. On the surface, we are here to investigate the situation, but in fact, we want to get a piece of the pie. And we are just some small minions in the super-level realm. The real powerful ones above the throne must have come."

Luo Dan frowned and thought in his heart. He knew very well that in such a situation, it would be very difficult to rescue Shangguan Bowen. Those powerful people above the throne were not easy for them to deal with.

"Brother, do you know what these forces are doing now?" Luo Dan asked anxiously, "Is there any news about my friend? How is he now?"

The leader shook his head and said helplessly, "I don't know the specific situation. I only know that those forces are keeping a close eye on your friend and won't let him leave. Moreover, they are constantly interrogating him, using all means to pry the whereabouts of the key out of him."

Luo Dan's eyes flashed with anger and worry, and his fists clenched unconsciously. He knew that time was running out and he had to find a way to rescue Shangguan Bowen as soon as possible, otherwise his life would be in danger.

"Thank you, brother." Luo Dan took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. "The information you provided is very helpful to me. I will find a way to rescue my friend."

The leader looked at Luo Dan's determined eyes and couldn't help but admire him: "Brother, I can see that you are a man of loyalty and righteousness. But this matter is really dangerous, you must be careful. If there is anything you need help with, as long as we can do it, we will definitely not refuse."

Luo Dan looked at the leader with gratitude and nodded: "Brother, I appreciate your kindness. I will be careful. I hope we can all get through this crisis safely."

At this time, the atmosphere in the camp became increasingly tense, and everyone was worried about the upcoming unknown. However, Luo Dan already had a preliminary plan in his mind. He decided to take a risk, rescue Shangguan Bowen, and uncover the mysterious ruins.

An ancient sect stood quietly among the misty mountains. Inside the sect, the disciples were in a hurry.

"Brother, have you heard?" A young disciple, with an anxious look on his face, pulled an older brother, his voice filled with nervousness and curiosity.

The older brother frowned, his expression solemn, and whispered: "I just got the news that there was a big commotion over there in the mountains."

"Then what will our sect do?" The young disciple's eyes were full of worry, and his voice unconsciously rose.

"Don't panic!" The senior brother glared at him and lowered his voice, "The elders are already discussing countermeasures. Let's do our own things first and wait for instructions."

At this time, the atmosphere in the sect's meeting hall was solemn. The elders sat in a circle, looking serious, staring at the yellowed mountain map on the table.

"The unusual movement in the mountains this time may hide a great opportunity." A white-haired elder spoke slowly, his voice deep and powerful. "That's right, we can't let other forces get there first!" Another elder slammed the table, his eyes flashing with anxiety.

"But we can't act rashly." The leading clan leader slowly stood up and glanced at everyone. "Although the power of the nearby lords is not as strong as our clan, they should not be underestimated. They must have received the news and it is impossible for them to sit back and do nothing."

"Then what should we do?" An elder looked at the sect leader with a puzzled look on his face.

The sect master pondered for a moment and said slowly: "First send people to gather information and find out the movements of other forces. At the same time, gather the elite disciples and be ready to set off at any time."

At the same time, in a castle near the mountains, a lord dressed in gorgeous clothes was sitting in a spacious hall with a gloomy face.

"What's going on with this mountain range?" The lord smashed the wine glass in his hand to the ground and roared angrily.

"Sir, it is said that a great opportunity has appeared." The butler at the side answered cautiously.

"Humph, those guys from the sect will definitely not let go of this opportunity." The lord snorted coldly, with a hint of unwillingness in his eyes, "We can't fall behind either, gather our men immediately and prepare to set off!"

At the entrance of the mountain, a group of scattered cultivators had already gathered. They were dressed in rags, but their eyes were gleaming with greed.

"Haha, maybe I can get rich overnight this time!" said a burly casual cultivator with a big laugh.

"Don't be happy too soon. This opportunity is hard to come by." A thin casual cultivator curled his lips and said coldly.

"What are you afraid of? There are so many of us, are we afraid that we won't be able to rob those sects and lords?" Another casual cultivator said loudly with disdain on his face.

Everyone was arguing, but the greed in their eyes was getting stronger. As time went by, the movement in the mountains became louder and louder, and a fierce fight seemed to be about to break out.

In the dim secret room, the candlelight flickered, and Luo Dan frowned, staring at the mysterious animal skin map in his hand. His fingers slid slowly on the map, and every mark was like a heavy lead block, pressing on his heart.

"How could this happen..." Luo Dan muttered to himself, his voice low and hoarse, revealing endless fatigue and shock. After a long time, he sighed and slowly raised his head, his eyes full of solemnity and helplessness.

"Sir, the situation outside is getting worse." A shadow guard exuding a cold aura appeared behind Luodan like a ghost, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a cold voice.

Luodan nodded slightly without saying anything. He just raised his hand and rubbed his temples, as if trying to dispel the fatigue and worry in his heart.

"According to our latest inquiries," the shadow guard paused, his voice getting deeper and deeper, "at least several thousand people have gathered. Among them, there are seven or eight half-step Saint Throne masters, each with a terrifying aura, and the space can be shaken with just a gesture. There are estimated to be more than thirty Dominant masters, whose strength is unfathomable, and each of them is capable of dominating a piece of heaven and earth. There are even hundreds of Throne Realm masters, and their auras gathered together are like surging waves, which makes people shudder. The rest are also super-level practitioners, and any one of them can cause quite a storm if left outside."

"This... This is simply a terrifying force that can sweep away everything..." Luo Dan murmured in a low voice, with a flash of despair in his eyes. He slowly stood up, walked to the window of the secret room, raised his hand to push open the window, and looked at the land outside shrouded in darkness, with mixed feelings in his heart.

"Sir, what should we do?" The shadow guard stood up, walked behind Luodan and asked softly.

Luo Dan was silent for a long time, then slowly turned around, looked at the shadow guard with a firm gaze, and said in a deep voice: "Now, I have to deal with all of this alone. You go and inform the other brothers to hide themselves and not expose themselves easily. Leave the rest to me."

"Sir..." The shadow guard wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Luo Dan raising his hand.

"No need to say more, I have made up my mind." Luo Dan's eyes revealed an unquestionable determination, "I can't avoid this battle, and I don't want to avoid it. I want to let them know that it's not that easy to take things from me!"

In a dimly lit tavern filled with the smell of decay, the atmosphere was originally peaceful, but Luo Dan could sense the hidden danger in the air. Holding a wine glass, he casually approached a man in the corner who seemed inconspicuous but actually exuded the aura of a gangster. Luo Dan's heartbeat quickened slightly, but he pretended to be calm on his face, trying to make his voice sound casual and natural: "Brother, I heard that Shangguan Bowen was imprisoned for committing a crime recently. Do you know where he is imprisoned? I have something to ask him."

As soon as he said it, Luo Dan regretted it. The man's eyes, which were originally a little drunk, suddenly became as sharp as an eagle. His expression suddenly changed, and he stared at Luo Dan with deep suspicion, as if he wanted to see through him. The man's hand unconsciously pressed on the hilt of the knife at his waist, and the joints turned slightly white because of the force.

In an instant, the people who were originally chatting and drinking in the tavern seemed to have received some kind of silent command, and their movements all paused. Then, everyone quietly prepared for action. Some reached for weapons hidden in the dark, while others adjusted their positions quietly, vaguely surrounding Luo Dan in the middle. The temperature of the entire tavern seemed to drop, and it was so oppressive that it made people breathless.

Luo Dan's heart skipped a beat and he secretly said something was wrong. His hand subconsciously reached for the bag of spirit stones in his arms. His fingers touched the round and smooth spirit stones. He was about to take them out and continue to fool this group of people with money, but then he changed his mind and gave up. He knew that in such a tense atmosphere, taking out the spirit stones rashly would not only fail to ease the situation, but might be like pouring a fire on dry wood, completely infuriating this group of people. Luo Dan's brain was working rapidly, thinking about how to get out of this situation. Fine beads of sweat oozed out of his forehead, but on the surface he tried to stay calm, trying to find a glimmer of hope in this imminent crisis. (End of this chapter)