Zhan Chen raised his spear high after he saw the expectant look on the face of Kai Min. How could he ignore the battle invitation? He readied himself for the upcoming battle and plunged into the battlefield that was full of joy and sweetness.

-------------

In a different location from the herb valley, a group of cultivators were blocking the narrow entrance to a valley. There were many cultivators in the vicinity but no one dared to approach the group of cultivators who were blocking the entrance to the valley.

Many cultivators had rushed to the location of the valley after they learned about the inheritance valley of the ruined sect. But all of them stopped after seeing the group of cultivators at the entrance of the valley.

The group of cultivators were wearing black robes and there was a signia of lion imprinted on their chest area. From their clothes and imposing momentum, any knowledgeable cultivators of Shredded mountain province could guess their identity. They were from Black rock castle which was considered one of the super power of the Shredded mountain province.

Currently, every cultivators' focus was on the entrance of the valley because a beautiful lady challenged the Black rock castle. The lady had covered her face with a veil but it couldn't hide her natural grace. With her curves and perfect body, she managed to attract the attention of all male cultivators.

"Miss, don't take it too far. My Black rock castle experts will arrive shortly. If you remain stubborn, then don't blame me

", the leader of the Black rock castle group shouted.

There was no reply from the beautiful lady but she waved her sword as a reply. A powerful fire snake lunged towards the leader of the Black rock castle group.

"Damn it. I am being lenient on you because I don't want to harm your pretty body. But now that you are being stubborn, I will show you the power of my Shattering mountain fist

", the middle aged leader of the Black rock castle angrily shouted.

The young lady was Shen Ruyan and as for Liu Nanxi, she was already hidden from others view. Her logic was simple. As long as there was no danger to her young miss, she wouldn't make a move.

The middle-aged man became frustrated after a long battle with Shen Ruyan. Initially, he just wanted to play a little bit as the young lady Infront of him was only at first stage of Core condensation realm but reality was harsh. The essence energy of Shen Ruyan was extremely refined and despite being two stages lower, she managed to fight him to a draw.

As time passed, her attack became increasingly stronger. It definitely irked the middle aged man.

"Initially you have chance to withdraw. But you you don't have anymore chance. Wait untill I capture you and then we can have a nice chat

", the middle aged man spoke.

He sheathed his sword and channeled a martial technique. A suppressing momentum came out of his body. Veins appeared on his hand as his body became more muscular. Then he threw a punch towards Shen Ruyan.

"Mountain shattering fist, first move- Shatter the rock

", the middle aged man bellowed as a fist energy surged towards Shen Ruyan.

A frown appeared on the face of Shen Ruyan as she could feel the suppressing might of the fist. But she didn't lost her cool as she launched an attack to meet the fist energy of the middle-aged man.

'Boom!', the fist energy and the sword energy collided loudly and the fist energy shattered the energy wave Shen Ruyan had launched. Then it moved towards Shen Ruyan without the obstruction of her sword energy. Shen Ruyan brought forward her sword hurriedly and the fist energy dissipated after colliding with her sword. Shen Ruyan took three steps back to adjust herself. Her face was slightly pale as she looked towards the leader of the Black castle group.

Shen Ruyan gritted her fist as a determined look appeared on her face. She was once known as a cultivation prodigy but fate was cruel to her. She couldn't manage to reach the Core condensation realm and all the voices of praise gradually turned to the voices of scorn.

'What cultivation genius! She is merely a trash who raised her cultivation with her grandfather's support'

'No need to bother about her. She could only become a plaything of other clan youngmasters'

'It is better that way. At least she would have some value in her'

'It is her duty to sacrifice herself. As a Shen clan member, how dare she reject the marriage proposal of other youngmasters'

Shen Ruyan recalled some memories which haunt her day and night. Even Zhan Chen didn't know what was it mean for her to reach the Core condensation realm. Zhan Chen's appearance was like a sun which lit up the dark life of Shen Ruyan.

Shen Ruyan circulated her true essence energy and tightened the grip on her sword. Then she waved her sword the middle aged leader of Black rock castle.

"Fangs of fire python

", Shen Ruyan shouted softly and a three streaks of crimson energy lunged towards the middle aged leader.

The middle-aged leader was taken aback for a moment as he saw the determined look in the eyes of Shen Ruyan. The hostility and irritability in his heart reduced a little as he threw a punch to receive the sword attack of Shen Ruyan.

The experts gathered were surprised by the counterattack of Shen Ruyan. There were not many Core Condensation realm experts present as the majority was True essence realm experts. For them battle between grade four experts were a good experience. So, they were watching the battle of Shen Ruyan and the leader of the group from Black rock castle.

"Young miss withdraw. Some powerful experts are coming this way

", suddenly the voice of Liu Nanxi came when she was busy in battling the middle-aged man. The experts gathered were surprised after they saw the old woman who appeared out if nowhere.

"Fifth stage expert!

", the middle-aged man muttered softly as he withdrew from the battle. Shen Ruyan wanted to battle for some more time but she knew what was appropriate to do in different circumstances.

A group of five people appeared in a distance as they made their way towards the entrance of the valley. A frown appeared on the face of the middle-aged leader when he saw the young man walking Infront of the other four people.

"Lu Weifang! This bastard is nothing but trouble

", he murmured to himself while keeping an eyes on the young man who was being followed by four other imposing looking warriors.

(To be continued......)