Dapeng's Time Travel Life

Chapter 239 A Cloud of Suspicion, A Secret Showdown

During the journey to escort the Heart of the Spirit Crystal, Zhang Peng remained vigilant at all times. On the surface, he cooperated with the old man's side, but secretly he arranged for his disciples to set up a meticulous reconnaissance network. At each rest stop, he would carefully observe the surrounding environment, not letting go of any suspicious detail.

That day, the team took a short rest in a valley. Taking advantage of the others' inattention, Zhang Peng quietly approached the team member responsible for carrying the Spirit Crystal Heart and asked in a low voice, "Have you noticed anything unusual along the way?" The team member looked solemn, shook his head slightly, and then leaned close to Zhang Peng's ear: "Master, I always feel that although their people seem busy, they are intentionally or unintentionally keeping us away from the Spirit Crystal Heart, as if they are guarding against us."

Zhang Peng's heart sank. He had long noticed the strangeness on the old man's side. This Spirit Crystal Heart was the key to their cooperation, yet they were being treated with such suspicion. There must be something fishy going on. He patted his teammate on the shoulder: "Keep an eye on things, and don't alert them."

At this moment, the old man strolled over, a seemingly kind smile on his face: "Young friend Zhang Peng, you've had a long journey. This cooperation is entirely thanks to your help, and I will certainly not treat you unfairly after it's done." Zhang Peng replied calmly: "Elder, you're too kind. Since we're cooperating, we will naturally do our best. However, the preparations for the 'Spirit Abyss Sacrifice' are time-sensitive. I hope the elder can reveal more key information so that we can be more confident."

The old man's eyes flashed, and he immediately smiled and said, "Young friend, rest assured, I will naturally not hide anything that needs to be told to you. However, this ceremony involves a wide range of matters, and many details still need to be carefully considered." Zhang Peng keenly noticed the evasiveness in the old man's eyes, and his doubts deepened.

On the other side, Pan Liwei and Cui Mingjia huddled together, whispering amongst themselves. Pan Liwei said with a face full of dissatisfaction, "Hmph, why should Zhang Peng and the others be involved? This Spirit Crystal Heart should have been ours." Cui Mingjia said coldly, "Don't rush, that old man isn't a good person either. They'll have a conflict sooner or later. We just need to observe secretly and act when the opportunity arises."

Night fell, and the valley was silent except for the occasional chirping of insects. Zhang Peng lay in his tent, unable to sleep, carefully sorting through the clues of the past few days. Suddenly, he heard light footsteps outside the tent. Zhang Peng immediately held his breath and focused his mind, quietly circulating his internal energy to prepare for battle.

A dark figure stealthily approached the tent where the Spirit Crystal Heart was stored, moving with extreme caution. Zhang Peng was startled and was about to get up to investigate when several more dark figures surrounded the tent from different directions. Suspicious, he decided to observe secretly for now.

Several dark figures lingered outside the tent, seemingly discussing something, before suddenly making their move, attempting to force their way in. The guards inside the tent immediately noticed and shouted a warning: "An attack!" In an instant, the entire camp erupted into chaos as everyone rushed out of their tents.

Zhang Peng recognized the leading figure as the man in black robes, and he was furious: "Man in black robes, what do you mean by this?" The man in black robes sneered: "Zhang Peng, stop pretending to be confused. We must take this Spirit Crystal Heart with us today." Only then did Zhang Peng realize that an internal conflict had erupted within the old man's group, and the man in black robes likely wanted to keep the Spirit Crystal Heart for himself.

The tension instantly escalated, with magical lights flashing. Zhang Peng unleashed the Chaos Spirit Technique, gathering multicolored spiritual energy in his hand to form an unbreakable shield, blocking the attacks from the black-robed man and his companions. At the same time, he shouted, "Everyone, don't panic! Hold your ground!"

Wang Yongli and the other Qingyun Sect disciples quickly assembled and engaged in fierce combat with the black-robed man's men. In the chaos, Zhang Peng caught a glimpse of the old man standing to the side, his expression grim, yet he made no move to stop them. He immediately understood that this might be the old man's test, or perhaps a covert contest between him and the black-robed man.

The battle intensified, and seeing no way to win, the man in black robes suddenly pulled out a black magical artifact from his robes, its surface shimmering with an eerie light. He shouted and hurled the artifact towards the tent of the Spirit Crystal Heart, instantly enveloping the entire tent in a black light.

"This is bad! There's something strange about this magical artifact!" Zhang Peng thought to himself, realizing the danger. He rushed forward without hesitation, using all his strength to try and block the black light. Just as the black light was about to touch the Spirit Crystal Heart, Zhang Peng finally arrived and forcefully repelled the black light with his chaotic spiritual power.

Upon seeing this, the man in black robes' expression changed drastically. He knew the operation had failed and immediately led his men in a hasty retreat. Zhang Peng watched the man in black robes' departing figure, pondering to himself: What kind of conspiracy lies hidden behind this farce? And what role does the old man play in all of this?