Chapter 90: Who’s Really in Control?

Lin Qian and the others followed closely behind Nan Xin as they ventured deeper into the withered forest. Upon entering, they found that the previously dense fog had dissipated, leaving the barren landscape fully exposed under the moonlight. The eerie scene was more unsettling than ever, especially with the multitude of walking corpses surrounding them. Although these creatures occasionally glanced at them with their glowing green eyes, they remained obedient and did not act out of line, likely due to Nan Xin's presence.

After some time, Lin Qian estimated that they had reached the center of the forest. At that moment, Nan Xin, who was leading the group, came to a halt. The army of corpses behind them also stopped in unison.

Nan Xin raised his hand and muttered something under his breath. The ground beneath the withered trees began to churn and shift, eventually revealing a massive, dark pit. The pit was so deep that Lin Qian could not discern what lay at the bottom.

Approaching the pit, Lin Qian summoned a ball of lightning essence in his palm, the crackling energy illuminating their surroundings. As he pushed the ball of lightning into the pit, it expanded, lighting up the depths below and revealing a sloping path made of dirt, leading further into the unknown.

"This is where the Dangyuan Sect's treasury lies. Let's go," Nan Xin said with a chilling smile, his pale face even more unsettling under the dim light.

Lin Qian nodded silently but added, "Before we proceed, I need to take care of something."

"Hmm?" Nan Xin looked at Lin Qian with a puzzled expression, unsure of what he meant.

Lin Qian turned to face Lei Qian and the others, his expression suddenly shifting to one of disdain. "You lot can leave now. This ancient sect's treasury isn't something you're qualified to touch."

Hearing Lin Qian's harsh words, Ye Xin's eyes flickered with surprise, and her expression turned to one of shock as she looked at him. Lei Qian and the other five were also taken aback, staring at Lin Qian in disbelief.

"What do you mean by this, Lin Qian?" Lei Qian demanded angrily, the first to speak up.

Ding Zhirong and Zhao Haiming, who had been about to say something, fell silent, while Li Letian and Wang Lanxin stood hand in hand, equally speechless.

"Out of respect for our shared sect, I'll let you scavenge what's left in the ruins. But as for this treasury, forget about it." Lin Qian's face showed clear impatience as he waved them off dismissively.

"You…" Lei Qian raised a hand, pointing at Lin Qian, but after a moment, he clenched his fist in frustration. "I must have misjudged you, Lin Qian."

With that, Lei Qian turned on his heel and stormed off, retracing his steps. The undead army, under Nan Xin's control, made no move to stop him.

Ding Zhirong and the other four followed suit, each casting a disdainful glance back at Lin Qian as they departed.

Watching this unfold, Nan Xin chuckled to himself. "I didn't expect this boy to be so greedy and ruthless."

Nan Xin then approached Lin Qian and offered, "Would you like me to lend a hand with them?"

"No need," Lin Qian replied, still watching as Lei Qian and the others left the undead horde's range. "They're fellow disciples, after all. Letting them leave is enough."

Satisfied, Nan Xin nodded and resumed leading the way, while Lin Qian tightly held Ye Xin's hand and followed him down into the pit. He glanced back one last time, noticing that the army of corpses was trailing behind them.

As they descended the dirt slope, Lin Qian kept his body cloaked in lightning essence, using the light to illuminate their path.

Meanwhile, after leaving the horde behind, Lei Qian and the others sprinted back to the ruins. They only stopped to catch their breath once they reached the desolate stone streets.

"Something isn't right. There's definitely more to this situation," Lei Qian said grimly, turning back to look in the direction they had come from.

Ding Zhirong and the others nodded in agreement. Lin Qian's behavior had been suspiciously out of character. They knew him well enough to understand that he wasn't the type to be consumed by greed.

After all, Lin Qian had shared the miraculous Nirvana Flame Bath with them without hesitation, showing just how generous he could be. Moreover, Nan Xin's sudden appearance had been strange enough on its own, leading Lei Qian to conclude that Lin Qian must have detected something was amiss and had sent them away to keep them safe.

"Look out!" Wang Lanxin suddenly screamed, pointing toward the entrance of the ruins.

The others followed her gaze and were horrified by what they saw.

A massive horde of walking corpses was emerging from the entrance, heading straight for them.

"Damn it, this has to be Nan Xin's doing. Something is definitely wrong here," Lei Qian cursed as he prepared for battle, his armor materializing around him.

"Charge!"

At that moment, a loud battle cry rang out from behind them. Turning around, they saw a fully armored general leading a squad of soldiers in a charge against the undead. It was none other than Zhao Long, flanked by his heavily armored troops, their spears gleaming as they cut through the horde with ease.

The clash between Zhao Long's forces and the undead was fierce, but the soldiers fought like a spearhead, piercing through the enemy ranks with brutal efficiency.

Li Letian and Wang Lanxin stared in awe, completely stunned by the display.

Ding Zhirong and Zhao Haiming quickly joined Lei Qian's side. "Are these soldiers part of Lin Qian's forces?" they asked.

Lei Qian nodded solemnly. "Yes, they're all under Lin Qian's command."

As they watched the battle, Lei Qian suddenly realized, "Now I understand why Lin Qian sent us back to the ruins. He knew Zhao Long's forces were here all along."

"Let's join the fight!" Ding Zhirong shouted as he armed himself, ready to charge into battle.

Lei Qian nodded, his body surging with purple lightning as he led the way.

Meanwhile, back on the dirt slope, Lin Qian casually waved his hand in the air, a move that puzzled Ye Xin. "Lin Qian, what are you doing?" she asked, confused.

"Nothing, just stretching," Lin Qian replied with a smile, keeping his eyes fixed ahead.

Unbeknownst to Ye Xin, Lin Qian had access to a tactical map that only he could see. On it, he could clearly see that Lei Qian had successfully regrouped with Zhao Long's forces.

As he followed Nan Xin further into the depths, Lin Qian narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at the figure in front of him. "Let's see who's really in control here."