CHAPTER 918 THE HOLY EMPEROR'S TOMB

"Laura, what exactly is your mission? Why did the elders send you here?" Arvin asked.

"They want me to find the tomb of the ancient emperor," Laura replied.

Shock rippled among the rest of them when they heard the ancient tomb. Even Darren felt his heart jolt

at Laura's answer, but he disguised his surprise with his calmness.

Curious, Laura stared at his placid face. "Huh. You don't seem interested by this."

"I am interested, but I've already seen a powerful holy emperor and the soul of an ancient emperor. I'm

afraid nothing can surprise me now," Darren said with a smile.

His words made him sound arrogant in everyone else's ears.

"Stop bragging, Darren."

Unfortunately, nobody believed him.

"Darren's not making it up. He really did meet a holy emperor's soul." Chaz immediately came to his

defense.

Someone laughed. "I don't believe it."

"I believe in him." It was Laura, and she was staring at Darren with her bright eyes. "But Darren, I don't

think you understand the value of the tomb. It was said that it belongs to a genuine emperor of three

conflicting martial art skills. Does that not interest you?"

"Wow!" A spark of interest finally flickered in Darren's eyes, disturbing his calm exterior. Back in the

ancient times, although there was no thunder punishment for cultivators practicing Conflicting

Cultivation, it was still a dangerous and difficult path to take. To reach the Emperor Realm via the

Conflicting Cultivation was extremely difficult.

Darren could remember clearly what the Shadow Emperor had told him back in the Ancient Void

Battlefield. He said that he was defeated by a grand warrior with four conflicting martial art skills. If a

grand warrior with four conflicting martial art skills could easily kill a holy emperor, one could barely

imagine just how powerful this ancient emperor could be!

Besides, Darren was always curious about Conflicting Cultivation. He had already practiced the sword

and blade conflicting skills, and he was eager to know more about the Conflicting Cultivation.

'If only I was successful with the Rule and Martial Arts Cultivation, I would have been practicing two

conflicting martial arts skills. Unfortunately, I had to give up and divide my soul in two as I couldn't bear

the thunder punishment.' Darren pondered on this for a moment.

Strictly speaking, the Blade and Sword Cultivation was the only Conflicting Cultivation for him. As for

the Fire and Water Cultivation, since the powers of flame and ice in his body hadn't merged, it couldn't

be considered as a Conflicting Cultivation. Besides, mastering the basic elements like water and fire

was only ordinary. Likewise, they were weaker compared to studying the sword and the blade.

"Oh look at you! You look so cute!" Laura cooed at Darren's face as he got lost in his own thoughts. Her

soft laugh broke him out of his reverie.

"Shall we go and take a look? You've been practicing Conflicting Cultivation so you might get

something out of it," Laura entreated.

"Very well. I'll go with you. Maybe I can offer you a little help at the crucial moments." Darren nodded

his head in agreement.

Laura moved closer to Darren, laying a hand on his shoulder as soon as she stood beside him. "In our

Holy City, there is another cultivator who practices the Conflicting Cultivation. In fact, that warrior is

even stronger than you."

This successfully piped Darren's attention. He asked, "Who is that?"

The Conflicting Cultivation was an extremely advanced skill that was difficult to master. In the last

million years, only Darren and Hanson were able to pass through the thunder punishment of the Holy

Realm. To hear that there was another one out there who practiced this type of cultivation was

shocking for him.

"Yes, I am jealous of her. Ugh. I get mad just thinking about it. Let's just go."

Laura immediately dropped the subject, not wanting to discuss it further. Her fingers then lingered on

Darren's face, touching it lightly, before walking ahead.

The disciples of the Holy City quickly took note of her blatant flirtation. Each of them had at least once

fantasized to be in Darren's position. The mere idea of being at the center of her attention was a dream

come true to them.

But they all shook the thought off their minds and followed behind Laura.

They cautiously flew across the desolate land where monstrous beasts roamed freely. Some posed a

threat to the group so they were wary enough to avoid provoking the beasts.

"I could sense at least four beasts here who are as powerful as the roc," Chaz whispered to Darren,

letting the message pass through his spiritual sense.

"No. I think there are actually five of them. One seems more powerful than the roc." Ever the daredevil,

excitement fluttered deep within Darren's guts. The mere thought of facing such powerful opponents

had him looking forward to exploring more of his own potential. He just knew that these powerful

creatures would be the key to unraveling the mystery of his talents. But for now, he might not stand a

chance against them. Nonetheless, it still didn't stop him from imagining what would happen if he

assimilated them all.

"Darren, you must thread this path carefully. I'm not the only one who was sent out for this mission.

There are other young cultivators from other cities. Do not get into a fight with any of them," Laura

warned.

"Don't worry. I won't get in trouble with anyone as long as they don't offend me.

I have a question, though. Why are only young cultivators coming? Why not send their more powerful

warriors?" This puzzled Darren.

"You sure are silly." Laura smiled at him indulgently like a mother to her child. "It's impossible to enter

the tomb by brutal force. They only sent the younger ones to train them. Who knows, the journey might

teach them a lesson or two. If they are lucky, they may have a chance to absorb a little holy emperor's

aura. The elders and governors won't find the holy emperor's aura useful anymore since they're

already powerful. So why bother fighting over it?"

That did make sense for Darren. Nonetheless, he continued, "But what if something happens to these

younger cultivators? Aren't they worried about them? There should be an elder accompanying them."

While it was true that those who were sent out for this mission were the best in the cities, it would still

be a great loss to the cities if anyone of them died. Such potential would be wasted in death. So it didn't

make sense to send them out without some sort of protection.

"I don't think you understand, Darren. All eighteen cities adhere to one major policy—the killing policy,

which means survival of the fittest. Those who aren't strong enough to make it simply won't make it."

Darren had heard of this policy before he came to this land, so he understood where Laura was coming

from.

"So it's normal to kill others to survive in the eighteen cities."

Once again, Darren found himself consumed by his own thoughts.

"But you don't have to be afraid, Darren. Our policy isn't as cruel as it sounds. All half-step emperors

are forbidden from attacking anyone from the younger generation who is under five thousand years old.

And anyway, we're friends now. As long as you behave, I'll be here to protect you."

Darren rolled his eyes.

"Thanks for your support," he said, dryly.

"There's no need for formalities. This is simply an exchange of favors, so that the next time I need your

help, you'll have no choice but to come." Laura laughed.

"Of course I'll come for you." Darren returned her smile.

"Ah. I think my shoulders and legs are sore now after all that flying. Let's stop and rest for a while.

Darren, can you please massage my legs for me?" A charming smirk slid unto Laura's beautiful face. Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

She batted her long eyelashes at Darren.

Upon hearing her request, two disciples fell down on their knees. They wanted to volunteer to take

Darren's place for the job.

At the back of their mind, the voice of reason kept telling them that they were playing with fire by doing

so.

As soon as Darren and the others landed, Laura dramatically lounged against a rock. Her lean body

stretched out on the ground with a flourish. Delicately, she lifted her skirt and motioned Darren to come

to her. "Come on, Darren. You promised to help me when I need you. If you can't do this little favor,

how can I know that I can rely on you the next time I call for you?"