Hao Tian's face turned ashen. According to common sense, Xing Yuan should be resting in his palace at the third watch of the night, but he was instead in the main hall. This was clearly not normal.
He must have already learned the news and deliberately set an ambush in the main hall.
Thinking of this, he quickly looked at Ye Cangtian and said angrily, "Kid, can't you see it yet? This is a trap! If we retreat now, there's still time."
As his words fell, Chen Yi, who was standing by, sneered in his heart. Since they had come, how could he let them leave?
Thinking this, he quietly took half a step back, not to escape, but to block everyone's retreat in advance.
While others might not have noticed Chen Yi's subtle movement, Ye Cangtian had already spotted it, but paid it no mind.
He glanced at Hao Tian and said, "Senior Hao Tian, the word 'retreat' is not in my vocabulary. Even if it's a dragon's pool or a tiger's den ahead, I will still charge through!"
After speaking, Ye Cangtian ignored them further, walked directly from the shadows into the open, and then strode towards the main hall.
"You!"
Hao Tian looked at Ye Cangtian's actions, almost driven mad. But how could he abandon him at this moment?
"Damn it, if we die, we die! I'll go crazy with you!"
As he spoke, Hao Tian also strode forward.
Seeing this, the smile on Chen Yi's face reached its peak. The other party had walked right into the trap, saving him a lot of trouble.
Thinking this, he also followed.
...
The main hall.
As soon as they stepped into the main hall, Hao Tian and Chen Yi's expressions changed, but in completely different ways.
In the open, only Xing Yuan was seated on the main throne in the hall, with no one else.
However, in the shadows, both of them detected several powerful auras. These individuals were at least above the Quasi-Heavenly level.
It was the presence of these people that made Hao Tian's face extremely gloomy.
With these individuals present, along with Chen Yi and Xing Yuan, it would be difficult for him to take Ye Cangtian and Gui Wu away!
Similarly, for Chen Yi, he inwardly gave Xing Yuan a thumbs-up for the perfect arrangement.
"I, Xing Yuan, representing the entire Dark Association, welcome the arrival of many powerful figures from the Huaxia forces!"
From the main throne, Xing Yuan spoke first when everyone remained silent, a peculiar smile flashing in his eyes.
"Xing Yuan, stop your pretense. You know very well why we are here. Just show us your skills!"
Hao Tian did not back down, stepping forward to block Ye Cangtian.
"Rumor has it that Hao Tian has a fiery temper, and it seems to be true."
Xing Yuan glanced at Hao Tian and continued calmly, "However, before we make a move, I believe it's appropriate to give you a surprise, so that you can die with understanding.
Also, I don't want such heroic figures to always live in darkness. Now that you have returned to your own territory, you should be worshipped by everyone. Am I right, Mo Lian?"
Mo Lian?
Hao Tian was stunned when he heard this address, but he quickly understood that this was likely Chen Yi's codename within the Dark Association.
Indeed.
The next moment, Chen Yi, with a triumphant smile, stepped away from the group.
He cupped his hands towards Xing Yuan and said, "Xing Yuan, you flatter me. My current achievements are all thanks to the covert cooperation of the Dark Association..."
"You're a traitor?"
Just then, a discordant voice interrupted Chen Yi. It was Ye Cangtian, who had remained silent until now.
With that single sentence, Hao Tian and Gui Wu were instantly stunned.
What was Ye Cangtian playing at? Didn't he already know that Chen Yi was a traitor? Why was he acting like this now...
The only one who could understand Ye Cangtian's move was likely Xing Yuan.
Ye Cangtian's purpose in doing this was simple: he felt that killing Chen Yi like this was too easy for him.
He should strike the other party down from heaven to hell with a single blow, which would only make Chen Yi more furious.
"That's right, I am the traitor you speak of!"
"Haven't you always wanted to investigate me? Weren't you also suspicious of me? Why are you still so surprised?"
Just then, Chen Yi's voice came. His face was filled with triumph, and he looked at Ye Cangtian with disdain.
"I was suspicious of you, but after you agreed to come to the Dark Ruins and participate in the beheading operation, I dismissed that thought."
Saying this, Ye Cangtian sighed and continued, "Who knew you were truly a traitor? You are truly insidious and cunning!"
Hahaha!
With that statement, Chen Yi burst into laughter and said, "Ye Cangtian, it's not that I'm cunning, but that you are foolish! If you hadn't proposed the beheading operation, you might have lived a little longer!"
Initially, Chen Yi had some concerns about this operation.
After all, Ye Cangtian was renowned. Doing something under his nose would be difficult.
However, throughout their journey, he discovered that Ye Cangtian was nothing special.
He easily contacted Xing Yuan and completed the plan.
If the team led by Ye Cangtian died here, then it could only be blamed on Ye Cangtian's incompetence, ruining a good hand.
Hmph!
Ye Cangtian let out a soft hum and said calmly, "Chen Yi, aren't you celebrating too early? Even in this situation, do you think you are guaranteed to win?"
"Ye Cangtian, your only advantage is your excessive confidence!"
Chen Yi glanced at Ye Cangtian, his eyes flashing with disdain, and mocked, "Do you think by cutting off the Pope's arm, you can truly contend with Heavenly level experts?"
Chen Yi's meaning was simple: he and Xing Yuan were both Heavenly level experts. With just the two of them, he was confident he could kill Ye Cangtian and Hao Tian.
"Chen Yi, it seems you don't know me well enough!"
Ye Cangtian smiled faintly and continued, "I remember telling you that I never do things I'm not confident about!"
Hmm?
Could it be that Ye Cangtian had a backup plan?
Hao Tian behind him looked at Ye Cangtian with a hint of surprise, muttering to himself.
With two Heavenly level experts on the other side holding the absolute advantage, how could Ye Cangtian say such a thing? Did he have another trump card?
Chen Yi also thought of this in his heart.
However, after racking his brain, he couldn't figure out what trump card Ye Cangtian could have, as an additional Heavenly level expert was an enormous advantage.
Thinking this, he sneered and said, "Ye Cangtian, are you bluffing? If you really have a trump card, why don't you reveal it?"
"Very well."
Ye Cangtian uttered two words, and his body vibrated slightly, emitting a trace of aura.
What!
Just by sensing Ye Cangtian's aura, Chen Yi, Hao Tian, and even Xing Yuan were stunned, because that aura was undeniably that of a Heavenly level expert.
None of the three had expected that Ye Cangtian had already become a Heavenly level expert.
Instantly, Hao Tian's expression grew even gloomier.
If he had known Ye Cangtian was a Heavenly level expert, he would have done everything he could to stop Ye Cangtian from coming.
Although they had two Heavenly level experts, they might not be able to leave safely.
The reason was simple: Ye Cangtian's breakthrough must have been recent, making him unable to contend with seasoned Heavenly level experts. If they died here, it would be a huge loss for the Hidden Organization!
On the other side, after a brief moment of shock, a sinister smile appeared on Chen Yi's face.
"Xing Yuan, it seems we are very fortunate!"
"If we keep them here, not only will the Hidden Organization lose two Heavenly level experts, but they will also lose their future!"
Hearing Chen Yi's words, Xing Yuan smiled and nodded, "Mo Lian, you are correct. Rest assured, your great achievements will be recorded in the annals of the Dark Association, and your name will be remembered through the ages!"
Haha!
Chen Yi burst into laughter, then glanced at Ye Cangtian and said again, "Ye Cangtian, so what if you have become a Heavenly level expert? Do you think we don't have a backup plan?"
As he spoke, Chen Yi gestured to Xing Yuan, who then coughed lightly.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
As the sound faded, four figures flashed from the dark corners. They were Hong Mo, Huang Shan, Lü Luo, and Lan Yue.
Seeing the four appear, Chen Yi's face revealed a triumphant smile again. "Ye Cangtian, although they are not Heavenly level experts, they are enough to break the balance of the battle. What do you say?"
"You are correct."
Ye Cangtian nodded, then glanced at the other party, his smile brilliant. "But I have a question: what if all your calculations are within my calculations?"