Lu Changsheng was getting closer and closer to the position of the Lingshu Squad. By now, his intention had become clear to everyone present.

"Wait... Is the Heavenly Lin Squad actually challenging the Lingshu Squad?"

"The Lingshu Squad? They've got the best spot. Everyone's been eyeing it, but it looks like the Heavenly Lin Squad is actually making a move."

"Or rather, Lu Changsheng is. He's the only one in the Heavenly Lin Squad who can actually pose a threat to the Lingshu Squad." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Huh? That's the Lingshu Squad we're talking about. They even survived an encounter with a Divine Treasury martial artist. They stood up to him and walked away unharmed. Does Lu Changsheng really think he can take them on?"

"Lu Changsheng is strong, no doubt, but the Lingshu Squad is different. I think he messed up by setting his sights on them. They're not going to be his stepping stone!"

All eyes turned toward the Lingshu Squad's position. A clash seemed inevitable. The Lingshu Squad had to have already noticed Lu Changsheng and the other members of the Heavenly Lin Squad.

"Huh? The way those guys are approaching... Do they really see us as easy targets?" one of the members sneered, anger flickering in her eyes. "I must say, after all these years, I never thought our Lingshu Squad would be seen as pushovers."

Indeed, the reputation of the Lingshu Squad had shaken the entire first layer of the Ancient Region, and almost everyone was aware of them. Not even the supreme squads they rivaled with dared to underestimate them. And now, the Heavenly Lin Squad, which they had once considered insignificant, was arrogantly trying to seize their position just like that. It had been years since someone last confronted them like that.

The woman turned to the captain beside her and asked, "Captain, what do we do?"

The captain remained silent, his expression calm as his gaze shifted to a white-robed man sitting cross-legged nearby. The man exuded a cold, distant aura that kept others at bay.

"Tianhua, what do you think?" asked the captain.

The man opened his eyes. "He's strong."

Dong Tianhua was a man of few words and with a cold demeanor. He was the strongest member of the Lingshu Squad—stronger than even the captain, Zhao Lingshu.

"Hmm? If you judge him as strong... How would you fare against him?" asked Zhao Lingshu.

"If he only uses what he has shown so far, I might have a shot," Dong Tianhua explained slowly and deliberately. "But if he uses all three of his other Domains... my chances become very still. And if he still has other tricks up his sleeve... then I don't stand a chance at all."

Zhao Lingshu fell silent. That was the most Dong Tianhua had spoken in days. Regardless, this man never lied. If he claimed he had a chance at victory, then he really did. However, that was only assuming Lu Changsheng had no other hidden powers. If he did, not even Dong Tianhua could tell.

In any case, the Lingshu Squad had a solid foundation. They could confidently take on a Divine Treasury martial artist, though that confidence rested on certain treasures, and the cost of using them would be immense.

"So, what do you think? Do we use the treasure? Or do we fight?"

Dong Tianhua swept his gaze across the other members of the Lingshu Squad. "No, we pull back. The Golden Fruits haven't matured yet. It's not worth it. Save the treasure for when it really matters."

"What? If we pull back now, how will the others see us? They'll think the Lingshu Squad is afraid of Lu Changsheng!"

Naturally, the other members of the Lingshu Squad were not happy with his decision.

Zhao Lingshu closed his eyes for a few moments, then opened them again. Lu Changsheng was drawing closer, and they had to make a call at once.

"The Golden Fruits matter most," said Zhao Lingshu, his voice barely above a whisper. "Even if we hold our ground and drive him back with our treasure, how are we going to deal with the other supreme squads when the fruits are ready? If the Heavenly Lin Squad wants to make a show of it, then let them."

Whoosh!

Lu Changsheng had finally reached their position—extremely close to the Golden Fruit Tree, the best spot in the entire Golden Swamp. Once the Golden Fruits ripened, he could reach the tree immediately from there and harvest them first. However, whether he could actually leave the swamp with the fruits was another matter entirely.

So this is the Lingshu Squad... And the man in white robes is Dong Tianhua, huh?

Lu Changsheng scanned his opponents. Earlier, Liu Yuan had briefly introduced the Lingshu Squad and specifically mentioned Dong Tianhua. He was very strong and was the strongest member of the entire Lingshu Squad.

Dong Tianhua said nothing. It was Zhao Lingshu who spoke up. "The Heavenly Lin Squad, huh? And you must be Lu Changsheng."

"That's right." Lu Changsheng turned his gaze toward Zhao Lingshu, the captain of the enemy squad, not someone to be taken lightly.

"Lu Changsheng, you want this position?" asked the captain.

"I do."

"Is there no room for compromise, then?"

Lu Changsheng gave a sight. "I know how strong you guys are. You guys are practically the top squad in the first layer of the Ancient Domain. But this spot? I'm taking it!"

He stood firmly before the Lingshu Squad. The others were behind him. They understood that if a battle broke out here, he might not be able to protect them all. If it really came to that, Lu Changsheng would go all out and try to end the battle in a single strike. He was ready to unleash his Heart Sword at any moment, ready to attack without giving the enemy a chance to react.

"I see..." Zhao Lingshu looked intently at Lu Changsheng for a few seconds. "If you want this spot so badly, have it. We're leaving."

With that, he waved his hand without hesitation, leading his team away.

"Huh?"

Lu Changsheng was taken aback. He had been ready for a fierce battle, ready to pay any price to eliminate the Lingshu Squad. And yet, his opponents had walked away just like that. Surely they had to be planning something?

He activated his Sense Domain and locked onto the Lingshu Squad. If they made any sudden or unusual moves, he would act immediately. But that was not the case. Even when his Sense Domain covered them—and they were surely aware of it—they made no reaction.

Having forfeited their position without a fight, the Lingshu Squad moved directly to the fifth position—still a fairly good spot, not far behind Lu Changsheng.

The squad occupying that spot was the Tianji Squad. The name sounded imposing[1], and their strength was indeed formidable. The Lingshu Squad also seemed familiar with them.

Lu Changsheng released his Sense Domain once more, this time focusing on the three itself.

The Golden Fruits have gotten brighter in color...

He narrowed his eyes as he observed the change in the fruits. They had previously been a pale gold, and now they had turned fully golden, each one shining brightly. He had already counted them—exactly twenty-eight Golden Fruits hanging from the tree. Unlike the gradual shift over the last month, the color of the fruits was now deepening fast enough to be seen with the naked eye.

"The Golden Fruits have ripened!" Lu Changsheng exclaimed with wide eyes.

Liu Yuan's serious expression brightened with excitement. "You're right! We can harvest them now!"

Some other martial artists in the Golden Swamp also picked up on the change in the Golden Fruits.

1. In Chinese, Tianji (天机) invokes something like heavenly secrets or hidden workings of heaven, which could be associated with having profound strategy or insight. Hence, they are described as imposing. ☜