These fellows were dressed in ways that clearly marked them as coming from different groups. Among the six of them, there were at least three separate parties.
Moreover, these three parties had apparently formed a tacit alliance, seeming rather targeted in their approach.
However, their ambush here wasn't specifically aimed at Jiang Chen — they were planning to rob any sacred land's genius who happened to pass through.
The leader among these six was a genius from the Hundred Sacred Land. His surname was Qin, and his given name was Qin You. Within the Hundred Sacred Land, he was considered one of the very top-tier geniuses, virtually guaranteed to rank among the top three of the younger generation.
Beside him stood a young man dressed in similar attire, though he was strikingly unusual — a young man with prematurely white hair, his short white locks giving him a distinctly peculiar appearance.
The other four hailed from the Duowen Sacred Land and the Jimie Sacred Land respectively.
These three sacred lands had always been on good terms with one another, maintaining a semi-alliance behind the scenes and keeping very close ties.
Among these three sacred lands, the Hundred Sacred Land held the leading position.
Their objective this time was the same as the Eternal Sacred Land's — they had come gunning for the position of alliance leader. The Hundred Sacred Land in particular was practically hungry for that position.
Qin You had also received word that Jiang Chen was approaching their trap. He had believed this to be a great catch, one that could not only yield trial beads but also serve as a fierce venting of anger on behalf of the Hundred Sacred Land.
Alas, right before reaching their position, Jiang Chen had changed direction.
This forced them to wonder. Was it coincidence, or had Jiang Chen deliberately avoided them?
"Senior Brother Qin You, we had already heard the news. Last night, Hulei of my Duowen Sacred Land fell at the hands of that brat Jiang Chen."
The speaker was another genius from the Duowen Sacred Land, clad in green attire that seemed to blend with the color of the surrounding islands.
"So what?" Qin You sneered coldly. "That Hulei is brave but reckless. He didn't even know his opponent's depth before trying to provoke him. His defeat surprises me not in the slightest. Even if he hadn't fallen to Jiang Chen, he was bound to lose to any truly formidable opponent eventually."
Even such a top-tier genius as Hulei seemed rather unremarkable in Qin You's mouth.
The green-clad genius from the Duowen Sacred Land moved his lips but said nothing more. Clearly, he was privately rather displeased by Qin You's disparaging of their Duowen Sacred Land's fellow disciples.
However, the Hundred Sacred Land was currently the most powerful and also a very close ally of their Duowen Sacred Land. So, despite his dissatisfaction, he held his tongue.
A genius from the Jimie Sacred Land, however, spoke up. "Jiang Chen is truly remarkable. But for any individual to be too remarkable is never a good thing."
The green-clad genius from the Duowen Sacred Land asked curiously, "Why is that not a good thing?"
"Think about it — this Jiang Chen defeated Hu Lei, so his reputation must have grown even larger, right? And everyone must be even more wary of him now?"
"True. Speaking of Jiang Chen, he really is extraordinary. I'm even wondering — among the younger generation of our Ten Sacred Lands, is there really anyone who can match him?"
"Maybe there is, maybe there isn't. But that's not what matters. There's a saying — when a tree stands above the forest, the wind will surely destroy it! The more in the spotlight Jiang Chen becomes, the fewer friends he'll have. If in the end his strength draws the wariness of the majority, then everyone will tacitly form an understanding. Imagine — if everyone bands together to suppress Jiang Chen, no matter how strong he is, can he be stronger than all of them combined?"
It had to be said, this kind of sowing of discord hit the mark perfectly.
Even Qin You showed an amused smile: "Junior Brother Ding, I couldn't tell — you actually have quite the insight. It truly is as you say. This Jiang Chen shouldn't be too arrogant. Otherwise, the day when everyone rises up against him won't be far off."