Three Kingdoms: Start by marrying Cai Yan, then vie for supremacy.

3

"This is just the beginning."

"

The masked man said condescendingly,

"Tell me the whereabouts of the evil god, and I'll give you a quick death."

"

"Otherwise... Hmph!"

"Pah! You dare to challenge me?"

As expected of the leader of the evil generals, Ke Tu managed to stand up again despite his shattered body.

"court death!"

The masked man was enraged and swung his palm down!

"puff--"

Ke Tu coughed up a mouthful of blood and was lifted up by the neck.

"Wake up, Kluge!"

The masked man sneered.

"The glory days are long gone!"

"It's time to leave..."

Just as he was about to exert his strength, Ketu suddenly grabbed his wrist tightly!

That's it?

A burst of purple light flashed in Ke Tu's eyes, and the masked man felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave!

He tried to escape but found he couldn't move!

"Weren't you looking for me?"

A deep voice came from Ke Tu's mouth.

"An evil...evil god?!"

The face beneath the mask turned deathly pale instantly.

"Now you're scared?"

As the purple mist surged, the masked man's right arm flesh melted away!

"ah--"

With a scream, he was kicked away, his entire arm reduced to bone!

"Get out of here."

The evil god coldly watched the huddled figure.

"I'll spare your life so you can go back and deliver the message."

"

"Please pass on a message to the person behind you—you'd better behave yourself."

"

"Though I am asleep, I will eventually wake up."

If you dare to be disrespectful again, don't blame me for being ruthless!

Before the evil god's words had even faded, his figure had vanished without a trace, leaving only a bewildered Ketu behind.

The traces left at the scene quickly made him understand what had just happened.

His gaze swept over the heavily injured masked man on the ground, carefully examining his physical features.

The evil general Ke Tu is known for his vengeful nature!

"withdraw!"

With a command, Ketu turned and left with Tukgu and Batu.

"Lord Ketu, they still possess three portions of inherited power. Are we just going to let them go like this?"

Batu couldn't help but press for more information.

Acquiring the power of inheritance would greatly increase their strength, so even grabbing just one more share would be beneficial.

Ke Tu gave him a cold glance:

"The evil god has not fully recovered yet, and acting rashly may ruin his plans."

"

"As long as I'm alive, I'll have a chance to settle this score sooner or later."

The humiliation of today will be repaid a hundredfold in the future!

After saying that, he led the two away without looking back.

After the three men had walked away, the masked man's companion rushed forward to help them up.

"Are you badly injured?"

"Damn it! He truly lives up to his reputation as an evil god; we had no chance against him!"

The masked man said bitterly, still feeling a chill run down his spine when he recalled what had just happened; it was a fear that came from the depths of his soul.

"Don't worry, I heard that Senior Chun has returned, and the Chosen One is about to appear. The evil god won't be able to run rampant for long!"

"That's right, when the evil god is defeated, that will be the day we see the light of day again!"

The three of them helped each other leave the battlefield.

Neither side in the battle noticed that Xu Chen and Sima Hui were hiding behind a large rock not far away.

Only after confirming that there was no further movement around did Xu Chen and his companion appear.

"Mr. Shui Jing, do you recognize the origins of those three masked men?"

Sima Hui shook his head solemnly:

"Wearing a mask yet possessing extraordinary strength, it's truly difficult to judge."

"

"However, judging from the set of fiery palm techniques he used, it seems to be the power of the five elements."

Of course, there are many fire-based palm techniques in the world, and this is just speculation.

"

"The power of the Five Elements?"

Xu Chen's heart tightened.

He never revealed the details of his intrusion into Shennong's land, breaking the Earthly Swamp Formation, and obtaining the Shennong Armor to anyone.

How did Sima Hui know this?

Noticing that Xu Chen's expression was unusual, Sima Hui immediately explained:

"Don't doubt it, King of Liang. I deduced it from their conversation."

"

The masked man mentioned 'Senior Tsubaki has returned'.

"

The Zhuangzi states: "In ancient times there was a great tree called Chun, which took eight thousand years for spring and eight thousand years for autumn."

"

This is not some vague legend, but a real technique to bring withered trees back to life!

"A withered tree coming back to life? What kind of mysterious thing is that?"

Xu Chen frowned slightly, his gaze fixed intently on Sima Hui, waiting for him to reveal the answer.

All things in heaven and earth belong to the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, which generate and restrain each other.

Once the Wood element is cultivated to the highest level, one will be able to comprehend the profound meaning of withered wood coming back to life.

"

"Judging from the old man Chun mentioned by the masked man, this matter is probably related to a secret organization from many years ago."

"

What organization?

Xu Chen's expression remained unchanged, but his heart was in turmoil.

This Sima Hui is not only knowledgeable, but also has unfathomable cultivation. Just who is he?

Sima Hui stroked his beard and pondered, "In ancient times, Chi You wreaked havoc on the world. The Yellow Emperor and the Yan Emperor joined forces to quell the rebellion and eventually unified the country."

At that time, Emperor Yan used the power of the Five Elements.

"

"Later, the Yellow Emperor took control of the Central Plains, while the Yan Emperor and some of his followers went into seclusion."

These descendants inherited the mantle of Emperor Yan, and although they lived in seclusion in the city, they often left their mark in the long river of history.

"

No one knows what they want.

This organization operates in secrecy, and its members all refer to themselves as "Five Elements Apprentices," while its leader is revered as the "Five Elements Venerable."

"

"That old man with the ailanthus trunk is very likely the contemporary Wood Element Venerable!"

click-

Just as Xu Chen was shocked by the secrets of the Five Elements, a crisp cracking sound suddenly came from all around.

It was as if the entire world was falling apart!

Xu Chen looked in the direction of the sound and saw that the island beneath his feet was cracking at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Your Highness, the island is about to collapse! Leave immediately!"

"It must be that the power of inheritance was taken away, causing the island's spiritual energy to become unbalanced."

If we don't escape in time, we risk utter destruction!

"In your opinion, how long can this last?"

"At most half an hour."

If they remain stranded on the island at that time, they may perish along with the island.

"

Half an hour? More than enough!

Upon hearing this, Xu Chen's lips curled up slightly, and he suddenly slapped Sima Hui on the shoulder.

Sima Hui was suddenly lifted into the air involuntarily.

"What does Your Highness mean by this?!"

"One of the nine major traditions is still missing."

You go first; this little bit of time is enough for me to seize the final opportunity.

"

See you in half an hour!

Before he finished speaking, Xu Chen had already transformed into a streak of azure light and sped off into the depths of the island.

After seeing Sima Hui off, Xu Chen made a full-speed dash across the crumbling island.

The location of the last secret cave remains a mystery, and at this moment he can only gamble with fate.

A dark shadow suddenly flashed past, blocking Xu Chen's path.

"Ke Tu?"

Xu Chen frowned, and the Tai'a sword in his hand was instantly drawn, its chilling aura spreading around him.

He stared intently at the other person, secretly alarmed—this guy hadn't left!

"We meet again."

"

Ketu's eyes gleamed with an eerie purple light, and his voice was hoarse and deep.

Xu Chen instantly realized that the person in front of him was not the leader of the evil generals, Ke Tu, but the evil god himself!

Xu Chen had met him at Demon God Castle; that chilling voice was terrifying, and he would never mistake him for someone else.

The evil god sized Xu Chen up and down, a meaningful smile playing on his lips:

"As expected of the destined one, he obtained the Tai'a Sword and put on the Shennong Armor in a short period of time, and his strength increased dramatically."

What's even more remarkable is that he inherited the mantle of two of my top generals, an opportunity that even I envy.

"

"Enough with the nonsense!" Xu Chen said coldly. "You've come to me to reclaim the Evil General's inherited power?"

"Heh..." The evil god chuckled contemptuously, "Xu Chen, you underestimate me too much."

Why not give you this little bit of power? Once I fully awaken and regain my full strength, I'll have as many inheritances of this level as I want.

"

"I've come here today to tell you that what you see with your eyes is not necessarily the truth."

Learn to make your own judgments.

"

"I can guess roughly how Shennongjia came about even if you don't tell me."

Remember, we are the same kind of people.

"

"Those who offer you favors are not necessarily friends; they may have ulterior motives."

"

Those who seem to be against you may not be your enemies; they might be protecting you in secret.

"

"Aren't you looking for the final lineage? I'll show you the way!"

Before he finished speaking, the evil god raised his hand and pointed, a purple light shooting out from his fingertip and flying into the distance.

"Follow it, and you will find the last piece of the legacy!"

The purple light dissipated, and the figure of the evil god faded away as if it had never existed.

Xu Chen knew he couldn't delay and had no time to verify the truth of the evil god's words, so he immediately sped off in the direction indicated by the purple light.

......

The consciousness of the evil god returned to Yamatai.

Himiko gazed at the crystal ball that had lit up again, and bowed her head respectfully:

"Lord Evil God, do you think... Xu Chen will believe us?"

Believe it or not.

As long as we plant a seed of doubt in his heart, making him suspicious of everyone around him, that will be enough to buy us time.

"

"I didn't expect so many people to be watching me. If I don't start with Xu Chen, my grand plan will be difficult to succeed!"

"The evil god is wise!" A fanatical glint flashed in Himiko's eyes. "When you awaken, you will surely return to the world!"

"I just never imagined that old bastard Sima Hui would dare to betray you..." Her voice suddenly turned sinister, "When you return, I will personally refine him into a bone sculpture—it will surely be the most perfect work of art in the world!"

The evil god was already used to Himiko's morbid words, and simply responded with a cold snort.

"Sima Hui? Ever since he came to me, I've known that he wasn't on the same page as me."

"

"To be honest, I don't trust him either."

I'm not surprised at all that he's run away now.

"

"That kid Xu Chen is moving too fast, strangely fast—he probably has something hidden inside him."

"

"What the heck?"

It's hard to say.

But that thing is no ordinary entity; with my current level of cultivation, I still can't figure out its details.

"

Himiko's heart pounded as she listened.

What could something that even the evil god fears be so powerful about?

"Those few brats of Ke Tu have all received the inheritance. Let them go into seclusion for two days to recover their strength."

"

"With these people backing us up, at least we can catch our breath."

Pass on my words: Without my command, who dares to act rashly?

"Rest assured, Lord Evil God, Ke Tu knows the importance of things best."

Before Himiko could finish speaking, the evil god had already turned into black smoke and dissipated.

The crystal ball inside the hall suddenly went dark.

Following the purple aura mark given by the evil god, Xu Chen quickly found his way into the mysterious cave.

But as soon as he stood still, the sight before him made him gasp in horror—

In the very center of the cave, two inheritance crystals were hanging!

The one on the left, emitting a familiar purple light, was exactly the same as the mysterious inheritance I had seen before.

But the red one on the right was glaringly bright, as if it were soaked in blood, and its eerie light flickered on and off.

"Strange, how can one cave hold two lineages?"

"Which killer did it?"

Just as they were muttering to themselves, a furious shout suddenly erupted from the darkness: "Who the hell are you?!"

A bright red figure suddenly appeared, wielding two swords and bursting into flames.

Xu Chen's eyelids twitched: "Red Fang?"

"Since you recognize Grandpa, how dare you steal the inheritance—you're courting death!"

As expected of the most reckless of the nine generals, Chi Ya swung his sword at the face before he could finish speaking.

Xu Chen was not surprised but delighted: "Perfect, I'll use you to test my sword!"

"A single, chilling star!"

The clash of swords and blades sparked a shower of sparks.

Xu Chenren followed the sword, and where the cold light passed, a bright hole appeared in Chi Ya's chest.

To everyone's surprise, the burly man cracked his neck and grinned as if nothing had happened: "Sleeping for too long has made my muscles stiff..."

"You've got some skills to be able to poke Grandpa."

"