The Legend of Futian - Chapter 531

Chapter 531: Ning Huang’s Defeat

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

 

Outside Jinxiao City, countless experts from the Dawn Road gathered and stood outside the gates, looking in the direction of the city. Many of the elites had also arrived. Bing Yi and Chu Shang from the Mortal World on the air warship, Yan Jiu from the Sword Saint Villa, Xia Hou from the Xia Clan, Nan Hao’s group from the Nantian House and Yuan Zhan from Mount Taixing. They all stood in different directions, not knowing exactly what was happening in Jinxiao City.

They had heard that Ye Futian had only brought two people and a demonic beast with him into the city and gone all the way into the center of the city. Those guarding Jinxiao City had not returned yet, could it be that the battle was still not over?

Nan Hao from the Nantian House had an interested expression. Ning Huang was from the Ning Clan. Although the Ning Clan was not an elite clan and was already on the decline, there was a fearsome elder who had risen up in the current Ning Clan. He was an extremely authoritative figure in the Holy Zhi Palace, even though normal people might not know this, but as a person from the Nantian House, he naturally knew all this.

That person in the Holy Zhi Palace had high expectations for Ning Huang, and entering the Holy Road was merely a formality for Ning Huang. In reality, he had entry to the Holy Zhi Palace to cultivate since a long time ago, and that person had taught Ning Huang a lot. He should be expecting Ning Huang’s performance in the Holy Road to be the most outstanding and enter the Holy Zhi Palace brilliantly.

Knowing Ning Huang’s personality, he probably had not bothered to understand Ye Futian. If he killed Ye Futian, how interesting would it become? They did not enter the city as it belonged to Ning Huang. That fellow was extremely arrogant, so they did not want to provoke him for no reason, it was better to stay and wait for the result.

“How are things on Gu Feiyang’s side?” at that moment, Nan Hao looked towards the rest and asked.

“Not optimistic,” Xia Hou replied calmly, then asked, “I’ve heard that Virgin Bing Yi is on good terms with Gu Feiyang. Are you not going to help him?”

“A battle should naturally be decided by one’s strength. I believe that Gu Feiyang will emerge victoriously,” Bing Yi replied emotionlessly. Xia Hou smiled, he naturally understood that Bing Yi did not mean what she said.

This time, it was very likely that Gu Feiyang could not live to walk out of the Holy Road. Xiao Junyi was too dangerous. Even Virgin Bing Yi of the Mortal World would not want to offend a disciple of the Dark Saint. For many years, the Dark Saint had been a menace to the influential figures of the Barren State, why would his successor be any different.

…

Presently, in Jinxiao City, Ning Huang was struck back once again. The countless figures watching in the huge area were stunned. Ye Futian’s rod skills were too overbearing and his aura was becoming even stronger as it accumulated.

The crowd had a ludicrous thought. Could it be that Ning Huang was going to meet his demise here?

Ning Huang’s expression became exceedingly serious. Through the two times they clashed, he could feel how strong Ye Futian was. He stood up straight, his Battle Beast Kirin returning to his back, converting back to its Life Spirit form and merging with his body since the Life Spirit alone was unable to even get near Ye Futian.

The armor he was wearing appeared to be burning, with rays enveloping his body. Ning Huang stood above the heavens, the halberd in his hand aimed at Ye Futian. In an instant, a tremendous amount of strength entered the Heavenly Halberd. The flame and metal element Spiritual Qi in the air gathered towards it and the light emitted by the halberd became even more terrifying than before.

“Is Ning Huang finally going to use his secret move?” The crowd was startled. Although the majority of those following Ning Huang did not come from strong clans, there was a small group of them who were of superior origin. There were a few among them who knew that Ning Huang had learned an imposing halberd skill. It was his strongest move, the God Slaying Halberd. It was a skill known for its overwhelming offensive ability, claiming that the halberd could eliminate everything in front of it, even if it was a god.

Ye Futian’s rod skills were evidently also a super offensive ability, Ning Huang had no choice but to use his strongest move to face him in battle.

Previously, nobody treated Ye Futian seriously, and they did not expect that he could force Ning Huang to such an extent. Nobody knew that he would be a one-man army after revealing his true strength. This kind of person was too scary, especially when he only showed an Arcana Plane’s cultivation level usually.

The current Ning Huang was dominant and unparalleled, the God Slaying Halberd’s strength was unmatched, each stroke containing extraordinary offensive ability and extremely hard to master. Ye Futian had asked him how many strikes of the rod he could withstand. He wanted to know the answer too.

Ye Futian’s body flew and gathered force as he struck towards Ning Huang yet again. The Polearm of Divine Destruction was like a raging dragon and even Ning Huang had to acknowledge its strength. However, the Heavenly Halberd in his hand did not budge an inch as he took a step forward, the air shaking under their force, as though attempting to trample Ye Futian’s confidence.

The Heavenly Halberd pierced forward. At that moment, it was like Ning Huang, the Battle Beast QIlin and the Heavenly Halberd had combined into one with the heavens. A remarkably brilliant giant halberd that could match the Polearm of Divine Destruction’s shadow in strength appeared in the heavens. An invisible wave crashed down and the space between the two of them was crushed. The people watching from a distance felt a feeling of asphyxiation, the halberd strike was unbelievably tyrannical, killing all enemies in its path.

The God Suppressing Strike, as the halberd struck, it suppressed the Polearm of Divine Destruction.

The huge crowd watched as the Polearm of Divine Destruction and the Heavenly Halberd clashed. They were shocked by it, they were too strong, it was hard to imagine that it was a battle between a Lower Noble Plane and Arcana Plane cultivator. When the Polearm of Divine Destruction clashed with the Heavenly Halberd, they felt as though their hearts would be crushed under the pressure and an invisible might caused them to feel suffocated.

An extremely frenzied aura erupted from both people and they retreated thereafter. Ye Futian’s will of the emperor remained overbearing, the Polearm of Divine Destruction wielded in his hands, golden clouds following along. Ye Futian acted as though the halberd strike had not affected him, continuing to accumulate might for his next blow.

Ning Huang stared at the front, the Heavenly Halberd pointing towards the sky. He took another step forward, the halberd aiming towards Ye Futian. In an instant, a myriad of golden flames flew forward alongside the Heavenly Halberd. Ye Futian’s starry defense was penetrated at the places that the golden flames passed and shattered to pieces.

As the Heavenly Halberd landed, tens of thousands of golden flames descended as well, this was the God’s Burial Skill from the God Slaying Halberd. Ye Futian’s Polearm of Divine Destruction roared and struck out, creating a brilliant light veil, striking the air and with an ear-shattering sound. The golden flames flew backward and at the same time, the Heavenly Halberd landed on the light veil and Ning Huang retreated again. The God’s Burial Skill was even less of a threat to Ye Futian than the God Suppressing Strike.

At that moment, Ning Huang’s body disappeared and after-images appeared in the heavens. In the air, countless Ning Huang shadows and Heavenly Halberd silhouettes appeared, eventually combining into one and dashing forward. This was an extremely powerful technique from the God Slaying Halberd, the God Execution Strike.

At that moment, Ye Futian felt a strong threat incoming. He closed his eyes, the will of the emperor shining brightly around his body, as though entering a state of Enlightenment. His senses were heightened and he could catch a glimpse of Ning Huang’s figure. Tens of thousands of shadows had combined into one, strongest Ning Huang.

His memory brought him back to the mountain behind Qingzhou Academy, where the Snow Ape had shown him the Nine Heavenly Attacks, each strike resonating with a corresponding cultivation level, the fifth strike likely to resonate with the Noble Plane.

The Divine Ape growled and merged with him. An immeasurable might gathered in an instant, it was a Noble Will that formed in an instant and resonated with the heavens.

Ye Futian’s body moved, stepping forward and the Polearm of Divine Destruction sweeping forward. When the strike landed, the crowd felt as though there was a colossal Divine Ape howling and trying to crush everything beneath its feet.

The halberd’s shadow arrived and the Polearm of Divine Destruction cleaved forward at the same time. A piercing light burst forth and the crowd saw Ning Huang’s body turn into a flash of golden lightning, crashing heavily into a distant palace. The entire palace collapsed and Ning Huang shot right through it, his feet dragging along the ground. The Heavenly Halberd pierced the ground vigorously and created a rift in the ground. Only after that did Ning Huang stop moving backward. His head was lowered, blood streamed from his mouth and nobody could see his expression.

When they looked at Ye Futian, his body was still standing steadily in the air with the glow of the will of the emperor and an aura of arrogance.

Defeated! Ning Huang was actually defeated in his strongest form. The crowd was appalled. Although the Polearm of Divine Destruction was very strong, Ning Huang’s Heavenly Halberd was also a powerful ritual implement that had resonance with him.

When they saw Ning Huang’s final blow, many of them had thought that Ye Futian would be in trouble, but eventually, the loser was Ning Huang. Nobody dared to imagine that when Ning Huang wanted to deal with an Arcana Plane cultivator, he would end up being defeated by that cultivator. This was a huge shock to them.

Ye Futian basked in the emperor’s glow and stepped forward. Ning Huang’s head was still lowered; nobody could understand how he felt right now. He had come to the Holy Road to be first, to plunder the most holy badges. He wanted to restore the glory of the Ning Clan, this was also the expectation that the Holy Zhi Palace’s elder had for him. However, he had been defeated in battle today, to an insignificant character.

Countless people stared at Ye Futian’s figure and those in the air around him did not dare to act rashly. Li Qingyi’s eyes were red. He had won; Ye Futian had actually defeated Ning Huang. This was inconceivable, she could not believe that it was real.

Who could have imagined that the handsome teen who had appeared on Mount Jiuxian could actually go so far?

Beside her, Li Xun did not dare to imagine it as well. He was dumbstruck, but after the shock came the horror, if Ning Huang were to die, he could not possibly live. Out of all the people here, he would be first on Ye Futian’s list. He was extremely regretful, but it was not the time for regrets. He wanted to live.

His palm suddenly stretched forward and gripped Li Qingyi by the throat. Li Xun took out a dagger and pointed it towards Li Qingyi’s throat and shouted to Ye Futian, “Stop!”

Li Qingyi was stunned, a furious expression appearing on her face.

Ye Futian’s footsteps stopped and he looked mercilessly at Li Xun. Li Xun had been correct, the first person Ye Futian had wanted to kill was indeed him.

“She is your sister.” Ye Futian’s voice was frigid.

“I have never treated her like my sister, she’s just the daughter of a lowly maid. If you want her to live, throw your ritual implement over,” Li Xun said. The ritual implement was too strong. With the Polearm of Divine Destruction, Ye Futian’s rod skills were unrivaled. He did not expect Ye Futian to give up his life for Li Qingyi, so he only requested Ye Futian to give up his ritual implement, so that he had a chance to live.

“Don’t do it…” Li Qingyi looked at Ye Futian and shook her head with red eyes, then said, “Kill this b*stard.” While saying that, she walked forward, allowing the dagger to cut towards her throat. Li Xun’s expression changed and immediately retracted his arm, but the dagger had already left a faint cut on Li Qingyi’s fair skin.

“B*tch.” Li Xun grabbed her by the neck and lifted her up, rendering her unable to speak. The current Li Xun was crazed and looked towards Ye Futian, demanding, “Are you going to hand over your ritual implement?”

Ye Futian’s expression was frigid as he looked towards Li Xun and said, “You will die!”

---

Chapter 532: The Killer, Yu Sheng

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

 

Li Xun looked at Ye Futian’s expression and became even more determined. He could only use Li Qingyi as a threat now. If he did not do that, he would die immediately.

He exerted some force on his palm and Li Qingyi expression became pained as if she was about to suffocate.

Li Xun stared intently at Ye Futian. He had stepped into Jinxiao City to save people, now Li Xun could only hope that Li Qingyi was important enough to Ye Futian. Otherwise, he would have to drag Li Qingyi to the grave with him.

“You be my hostage and I’ll throw my ritual implement out,” Ye Futian said coldly.

“Throw it here now,” Li Xun replied.

“What if you don’t let her go after I give my ritual implement to you?” Ye Futian coldly said. “You be my hostage and I’ll hand over the ritual implement. Afterward, I’ll swap you for Li Qingyi, if you don’t agree, you die now.”

After saying that, Ye Futian stepped forward. Li Xun’s expression was sullen, he naturally did not want to be a hostage, but now, he had no choice but to gamble.

“Okay.” Li Xun nodded and handed Li Qingyi over to his subordinate with utmost prudence. He himself walked towards Ye Futian, his expression pale. In the past, Ye Futian had just been an Arcana Plane cultivator to him, but the Ye Futian now basked in the emperor’s glow, an unparalleled figure.

Eventually, Li Xun walked to Ye Futian’s side and Ye Futian stretched out his left arm, grabbed him by the neck and lifted him up.

“If I die, kill her immediately,” Li Xun shouted frantically. If Ye Futian wanted to kill him with no regard for Li Qingyi, he would have done so just now and not wasted his time to do this.

Ye Futian’s right hand flung the Polearm of Divine Destruction forward and a figure picked it up in a flash. However, the moment the person held it, his body started to vigorously fall towards the ground. With a bang, the Polearm of Divine Destruction nearly crushed his body and the Noble might on his body erupted, only then did he barely held on to the Polearm of Divine Destruction.

It was that heavy? Many people were stunned.

“Take it away,” Li Xun said. He wanted the Polearm of Divine Destruction to weaken Ye Futian’s strength and grasp a chance for survival. The person dragged the Polearm of Divine Destruction and started to walk further away, but Ning Huang stopped him, grabbed the Polearm of Divine Destruction and started to scrutinize the ritual implement.

“Swap hostages now,” Li Xun shouted. He was afraid that Ning Huang would give the order to kill Li Qingyi. He knew that Ning Huang did not care about his life.

“Swap hostages now.” Ye Futian stared at the other person and released his grip on Li Xun. The other person similarly let go of Li Qingyi, and both of them started walking to the other side. Li Qingyi did not dare to act rashly as he knew that he was not out of danger yet. If Ye Futian wanted to kill him with his Noble Will, he could not escape death.

Hummmm. Li Xun sped up all of a sudden and escaped far away. Ye Futian stepped forward at the same time, the Thundering Illusion Step descending beside Li Qingyi in an instant. Li Qingyi looked towards Ye Futian, her head lowered and tears in her eyes. Why was he willing to swap for her?

“Why aren’t you all moving, you all wanted to kill him just now, do you think that he will let you all go?” Li Xun yelled. The enormous crowd was dumbfounded, they had all attempted to kill Ye Futian previously, but were stunned by Ye Futian’s strength now.

“He’s using a secret move to increase his strength, he can’t last much longer, wear him down.” Ning Huang raised his head, looked towards the crowd and walked forward. Although he had been injured, his words still carried weight.

“Do it,” someone from the crowd shouted. In an instant, the experts started to cast their spells towards Ye Futian. If Ye Futian killed Ning Huang, their fate would be unpredictable and they might die as well. Even so, they only used long-range attacks and nobody dared to get close to Ye Futian anymore.

Around Ye Futian’s body, starlight glowed, protecting him and Li Qingyi. Countless attacks hammered on the shield and it wavered. As the attacks got even stronger, some people from illustrious backgrounds even used their ritual implements to attack, causing cracks to appear in the starlight veil.

Within the protective veil, Ye Futian raised his head and looked towards the vast group of experts. These people knew nothing about him, but all wanted him dead.

“Are you still hesitating?” At that moment, a voice sounded out. Many people raised their heads and saw a burly figure standing in the air. It was Yu Sheng.

Yu Sheng did not look at the crowd, but looked towards Ye Futian instead and said, “Before we arrived, we had already expected this kind of ending. When they helped Ning Huang to kill the people of the Flaming Prison City, they had no mercy. They never had any mercy towards killing you.”

Only Yu Sheng understood Ye Futian the best. Before entering the city, Ye Futian was furious and asked people to guard the exits and kill anyone who attempted to escape. However, when he saw the number of people who wanted to kill him, Ye Futian still hesitated. The vast area was filled with experts and countless attacks barraged him when Ye Futian was not resisting, even his sturdy defense was unable to withstand it.

When Yu Sheng said that, a demonic aura erupted from within him, his eyes turned crimson like blood was going to drip out.

Bam! His demon-like wings spread open and he was covered in demon might from head to toe, as though possessed by a demon. Behind him, an enormous demon shadow appeared behind him.

“Yu Sheng,” Ye Futian mumbled. On the Sky Mountain, Yu Sheng had demonized and rampaged once to save him.

Was he going to do the same now?

Yu Sheng likely knew that his emperor’s will did not have much time left.

“Perhaps the Arhat was right back then when he said that I’m destined to have blood on my hands. Those who attempt to kill you, even if there are millions of them, I will kill them all.” Yu Sheng’s voice was ice cold, like a demon lord.

Many people’s hearts trembled. Even if there were millions of them, he would kill them all. They saw Yu Sheng move, his demon-like wings flapping and spikes appearing on his terrifying dark golden armor, turning into frightening spears. He drew the spears with both hands and rushed towards two people at breakneck speed. The two people felt like a demon was trying to invade their head and making them kneel, the pressure making them unable to move.

With a squish, the spears impaled their heads and as Yu Sheng flew past them, the two corpses fell towards the ground.

Thump, thump… Many people’s hearts thumped as they saw Yu Sheng gliding across the air with his demon wings, wherever he passed, people dropped like flies.

How could this be? Li Xun, who thought that he had escaped a crisis stared intensely at the scene. It was groundbreaking enough for one Arcana Plane to reach the level of an elite genius, but now, there were two?

“Surround and kill him,” someone yelled furiously. Many people reacted and started to surround Yu Sheng. However, Yu Sheng’s speed became even faster. Under the possession of the demon, he allowed the attacks to land on his body like he did not feel anything. He descended in front of an expert and a battle ax appeared in his hand. He cleaved the person as though he was a log and continued forward.

Bam, bam, bam… In the air, there were people falling continuously, all killed by Yu Sheng. It was as though he was making good of his word to kill millions of them.

Seeing countless spells flying towards Yu Sheng, Ye Futian felt pained. Although Yu Sheng’s defense was strong, it was impossible for him to not feel pain. But even so, that was Yu Sheng. He understood that Yu Sheng did not have a ritual implement like the Polearm of Divine Destruction and could not kill that many people. He was inciting him to step in.

He naturally understood as well that Yu Sheng was not stupid, he saw things more clearly than anyone else. Suddenly, Ye Futian smiled, but his smile was desolate. He had thought of two people all of a sudden, Donghuang the Great and Emperor Ye Qing.

Back then, the two brothers had traveled the world, he wondered what experiences they went through to create such a magnificent piece like the Ukiyo. The piece attempted to trample the heavens and become the ruler of the world.

Ye Futian sat with his knees crossed, surrounded by a brilliant glow. His guqin spirit appeared in front of him, causing the crowd’s attention to focus on him again. He still had another Life Spirit?

Ye Futian held the guqin and pleasing melodies started to play from the guqin. Ye Futian’s aura changed yet again. Although the emperor’s will was circulating around his body, he appeared to be cut off from the rest of the world, as though superior to all of them. Strong imagery brought everyone else into it, from calmness to passion, and onwards to attempting to trample the heavens and reach the peak.

Rays of the emperor will’s glow started to rise up, the golden light enveloping the entire area as the guqin melody reached every corner of the battlefield. In an instant, many people felt as though the area was changing. The Spiritual Qi became more apparent and landed from the air, merging into the guqin melody.

Ning Huang’s expression froze. He had seen a radical scene. The Spiritual Qi in the heavens appeared to be controlled by the guqin melody, accompanying the light of the emperor’s will, resonating with Ye Futian’s will.

The guqin melody was influencing the Spiritual Qi in the area.

At that moment, around Yu Sheng, a group of people was casting spells to attack him. But before they were able to finish the spell, it had already dissipated into nothingness. Their Spiritual Energy was unable to control the Spiritual Qi in the air, causing them to be unable to cast their spells.

They were flabbergasted and looked downwards at Ye Futian. The emperor’s light was shining radiantly and golden Fatal Entanglement vines were forming at their feet, coiling around their bodies. Thereafter, golden blades pierced their bodies, nailing them in the air.

“Noooo…” There were people being coiled in succession and they were terrified. How could this happen? What guqin spell was that?

“When the Ukiyo sounds, no spell can exist.” Ning Huang stared blankly at the situation. In the skies, all spells were forbidden. The only person who could cast spells was Ye Futian. In the vast area, everyone’s life was under his control.

Even Qin Yin’s group, who was a distance away, were petrified. They shivered uncontrollably, looking at Ye Futian playing the guqin, it was as though it was just a dream, everything was too surreal.

In the skies, the experts were being hunted rapidly, but Ye Futian was not affected at all. His aura was remarkable and the guqin melody was like a god’s piece, not meant to appear in the humans’ world. The feeling was indescribable.

“Noo…” In the air, when Li Xun’s body was coiled, he let out a blood-curdling scream, but the golden blades pierced his body one by one like a harsh punishment, slowly draining him of life. Li Xun felt pain beyond belief and looked towards the figure below. Apart from hatred, he also felt utmost remorse. Who on earth did he betray…

Ning Huang was still resisting, but a demon-like figure descended from the skies, battle ax in hand, cleaving downwards. Blood trickled from between Ning Huang’s brows. He stared at the figure in front of him and said, “My death is not undeserved.” He had finally understood before he died what kind of figure the person he had tried to kill off casually was.

Yu Sheng’s palm gripped his head and ripped it off, then he turned around and walked into the air, the demon’s might rampaging. Yu Sheng said mercilessly, “If word of what happened today spreads, I will kill you.”

Qin Yin’s group heard Yu Sheng’s words and were startled. They naturally understood that those words were meant for them. The usually silent, burly teen, was now a demon.

Yu Sheng flew towards the outside of the city and he saw Yi Xiaoshi still battling with Mo Jun. He cleaved Mo Jun with one wave of his ax.

Outside Jinxiao City, there were countless people. At that moment, a distance away, demonic aura was brimming. A demonic might flew rapidly towards them and everyone’s gazes turned towards that direction. Next, they saw a scene that they would never forget.

Yu Sheng’s body landed on the city’s gate and he placed Ning Huang’s head there. Like a demon, his gaze swept across the crowd and he ruthlessly said, “Those who previously followed Ye Futian and entered the giant relic, stand guard here. Do not allow anyone to step into Jinxiao City. From now on, Jinxiao City has a new owner. Those who violate the rule, kill them all.” As he finished, Yu Sheng turned around and walked into Jinxiao City.

At the same time, a glacial voice sounded out, “The killer, Yu Sheng!”

Chapter 533: One Step Away

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

 

Outside Jinxiao City, it was dead silent. Even the elite geniuses were aghast when they saw Ning Huang’s head on the city gate. They had gathered to watch the fun, to watch Ye Futian die.

What had awaited them was a peerless demonic figure. Ye Futian did not die. The person who had died was Ning Huang. The overbearing elite genius, commander of all the experts in Jinxiao City, was actually killed by someone else. This came as a great shock to them.

Even Nan Hao had not expected an ending like this. Perhaps, the teen that had come from the Eastern Barren State was much more of a prodigy than he had thought.

“How could this be?” On the air warship, Virgin Bing Yi from the Mortal World was mortified. What had just happened had subverted her understanding. Not just her, but everyone in the area was speechless. Thereafter, those who had followed Ye Futian in deciphering the Flaming Prison City’s giant relic broke into a craze. They felt emotionally charged, like their blood was on fire.

Previously, Ning Huang had sent his men to kill their friends and caused a storm in the Flaming Prison City. He had held Ye Futian’s friends captive to try and force Ye Futian’s hand. When Ye Futian stepped into Jinxiao City, they had felt tragic, but never in their wildest dreams did they imagine that they would bring out Ning Huang’s head after Ye Futian went in.

Ning Huang himself probably never expected it either. Otherwise, he would not be overbearing.

Mu Zhiqiu and the Starry School’s disciples were the most startled. Nobody knew what had happened in the city, and they were unable to imagine what the situation in the city was. Jinxiao City did not only have Ning Huang, but it also had thousands of his followers. Where were they?

At that moment, they started to stand up one by one, their auras bursting out. The experts who had followed Ye Futian all stood up proudly, guarding the city. Now, they would naturally take orders from Yu Sheng as they could partake in the glory as well.

They were very clear that with the Jinxiao City’s changing of ownership, Ye Futian was likely to open a second giant relic, which would be another opportunity for them. Although those guarding could not possibly fend off all the experts outside, who would dare to recklessly charge in?

Ning Huang’s head was on the city gate, even if they could manage to break through and enter Jinxiao City, were they not scared to die?

Ye Wuchen, Loulan Xue, Mu Zhiqiu and the rest of Ye Futian’s friends moved into the city in a flash. They wanted to see what had happened. Previously, Ye Futian had not allowed them to enter the city. They naturally understood that it was because their cultivation level was too low and would only be a burden in Jinxiao City.

“I’ll go and take a look,” Gu Yunxi said quietly, entering the city as well. She had only seen Yu Sheng and did not know how Ye Futian was doing, so she was a little worried. Moreover, with her relationship with Ye Futian, Yu Sheng would not kill her.

When Ye Wuchen and the rest arrived at the battlefield, they saw the floor littered with corpses and were startled. Qin Yin and the rest were clearing up the battlefield and preparing to bury the people. They knew that everything that they had just experienced had to be buried deep within their hearts. They could only treat it as a dream, but the dream was far too realistic and shocking.

“Loulan, do it,” Ye Wuchen said. He stepped forward and walked away, then drove his sword into the ground. The ground tore open, revealing a horrifying crack. Mu Zhiqiu also went forward to help, her strong Celestial Will erupting and causing the earth to shake as though an earthquake was happening.

“The Holy Road opens once every three years and experts from all areas of the Barren State will gather. Moreover, the death rate in the Holy Road is extremely high, so even if there are people who die in the Holy Road, generally people will not know how they died or who they were killed by. These people that are buried here should have no other companions, but after we have buried them, we cannot let anyone else step into Jinxiao City,” Mu Zhiqiu said to Ye Futian, who was sitting cross-legged a distance away. Her expression was solemn.

Ye Futian did not say anything, but Qin Yin’s group was extremely uneasy. They knew what Mu Zhiqiu meant. Apart from them, nobody else knew that they had come from Mount Jiuxian. If they had all died in Jinxiao City, nobody would know how they had died. Unless it was someone like Ning Huang who had died, then it would be inevitable, since everyone knew him.

However, the number of people that had died in Jinxiao City this time was huge. There might be people outside who knew that they had entered Jinxiao City, so there was still certain risk.

“The Holy Road is a trial by the Holy Zhi Palace. Entering the Holy Road means to put one’s life at stake. However, Ning Huang’s death might probably cause us some trouble. One of his elders is an influential figure in the Holy Zhi Palace.” Mu Zhiqiu looked knowingly at Yu Sheng. She did not know how Ning Huang had died, but Yu Sheng’s roar was to tell everyone that Ning Huang had been killed by him.

Seeing the situation in front of her, she knew that the truth was not that simple. Ye Futian was extremely weak now, like he had just been through a huge battle.

“It was Ning Huang who wanted to kill us. Moreover, this is the Holy Zhi Palace’s Holy Road, even the influential figure can’t do anything to us, right?” Li Qingyi stood beside Ye Futian and asked Mu Zhiqiu.

“Ning Huang naturally deserves to die. However, everyone has their own stand. The influential figure in the Holy Zhi Palace had high hopes for Ning Huang and is his elder, so his stand would naturally be on Ning Huang’s side. Now, Ning Huang is dead,” Mu Zhiqiu replied. Li Qingyi bit her lip nervously, she naturally knew that what Mu Zhiqiu was saying was not wrong.

“How should we deal with the other people in Jinxiao CIty?” Yi Xiaoshi stood beside Ye Futian and asked. During the battle, although many experts had gathered, Jinxiao City was huge. There were still people who did not join in and were in other parts of the city.

“Just now, I asked Little Condor to watch the surroundings. Since those people did not gather to assist Ning Huang, leave them be. They had previously followed Ning Huang, now they follow us,” Ye Futian replied. He had already given the order to seal off the city, now he needed to control these people.

“Alright.” Yi Xiaoshi nodded and said, “You and Yu Sheng have a good rest, we’ll handle the matters here.”

“Okay.” Ye Futian was indeed lethargic. He looked at Yu Sheng, now that Yu Sheng had formed his own Noble Will, even though he had demonized, he had more control over the demonic power and would not completely lose control.

Closing his eyes, Ye Futian relaxed. He would not have to think about what would happen later.

…

The days passed but the news of Ning Huang’s death was still shocking. Moreover, another person’s death in the Dawn Road caused a commotion. Sage Duantian’s disciple Gu Feiyang had been killed by Xiao Junyi and his city occupied by Xiao Junyi. At the same time, Xiao Junyi had opened the giant relic and was cultivating in it, causing a huge ruckus.

Xiao Junyi was even more ruthless than the demon. Ye Futian and Yu Sheng were forced by Ning Huang, if they did not go to Jinxiao City, Ning Huang would not let them off easily. However, Xiao Junyi hunted mercilessly and killed countless people to create his dead spirit army and even killed Gu Feiyang.

Xiao Junyi and Yu Sheng were reputed to be the two demons of the Dawn Road that nobody wanted to provoke.

With such figures appearing in these two factions, the other elite geniuses were naturally unable to take it lying down. They sped up their actions both on the surface and secretly. There were many people who were killed mysteriously or had their holy badges plundered. Although it did not seem like those were done by the elite geniuses, nobody knew who they had sent out secretly to do it. The carnage in the Dawn Road was even more horrifying than past years and numerous people died as a result.

One day, Jinxiao City, which had been silent for many days suddenly released news that Ye Futian had given the order to gather a thousand holy badges. Those who were willing to offer their holy badge would be allowed into the Jinxiao City giant relic to cultivate. However, this time, the holy badges would not be returned.

Many people could understand that. Ye Futian’s reputation was not like before since they had been able to kill Ning Huang. Now he was not asking for a favor from the crowd, but offering them a chance. In a short time, many people gathered. Too many people wanted to enter Jinxiao City and hand over their holy badge. After all, there was already a precedent and they were all willing to trust Ye Futian.

Now, Ye Futian’s rallying power could be said to be the strongest in the Dawn Road. Although Xiao Junyi was equally as strong, who would dare to cooperate with Xiao Junyi?

Soon, Ye Futian had gathered a thousand holy badges. It was much easier than the previous time.

Presently, in Jinxiao City, a magnificent relic appeared. Countless golden rays shone like they were trying to light up the entire Jinxiao City. A colossal golden figure appeared in the air, like a peerless battle god. In the middle of the battle god shadow, a person floated there and countless rays landed on his body, causing the burly figure to become even more extraordinary. That person was Yu Sheng.

Ye Futian did not inherit the legacy of this giant relic but gave it to Yu Sheng to inherit. The demon might that Yu Sheng cultivated had not just demonic power, it also had an overbearing metal element ability. Therefore, the relic would be better suited to him. Even though Yu Sheng still wanted to let him have it, he rejected Yu Sheng determinedly.

Moreover, Yu Sheng had gotten Ning Huang’s Heavenly Halberd and the God Slaying Halberd skill. When Ye Futian was battling with Ning Huang, he had already felt that the God Slaying Halberd skill was extremely strong. If it could be used with Yu Sheng’s explosive strength, just the God Suppressing Strike would be a huge difference as compared to Ning Huang. Now, Yu Sheng had inherited the giant relic. His strength would definitely go up another level.

At that moment, Ye Futian stepped forward and walked into the relic, then looked at the crowd and said, “You all may enter the relic to cultivate.”

“Understood.” The crowd nodded and moved in a flash into the giant relic.

Outside Jinxiao City, there was a person in the air looking in the distance. From extremely far away, golden rays started to rise up and the person said, “The relic is opened.”

They knew that after Ye Futian had gathered the holy badges, adding on what Ning Huang already had, he would be able to open a second giant relic. Thereafter, word started to spread throughout the entire Holy Road and countless people were astonished.

Ye Futian had been able to open two giant relics by himself, even the Jinxiao City’s giant relic had been occupied by him.

After they had received the news, the elite geniuses from the other factions started to speed up the gathering of the holy badges. They were determined to open a giant relic in the Holy Road as well.

About ten days later, Ye Futian and Yu Sheng both broke through their cultivation level and stepped into the ninth level of the Arcana Plane, the final level of the Arcana Plane. They had planned to break through to this level in the Flaming Prison City’s giant relic, but because of Ning Huang’s coercion, they had to step out of the relic. Now, they had broken through in the second relic.

They were only one step away from the Noble Plane!

Chapter 534: Snow Ape Emperor

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

 

The ruins of Jinxiao City was taken over by Yu Sheng, yet due to Ye Futian’s inherent extraordinary perceptivity and abilities provided by Freedom Meditation, he was able to sense a lot from the ruins nonetheless.

A terrible metal-elemental storm whipped up around Ye Futian that day. Pieces of gold-colored blades circled around him with immense aura speaking of unparalleled sharpness. The tornado of sharp blades gathered around his body, and a pair of incredibly dazzling pair of wings of the great roc congealed behind him. Every feather looked as if they were forged out of indestructible golden blades capable of cutting through anything.

Mu Zhiqiu watched him from the sides. Seems like he became able to comprehend metal-elemental noble will. When the day comes where he steps foot into the Noble Plane, he would have become the noble with the sturdiest foundations there is, far surpassing any who is at Noble Plane at the moment.

Ye Futian opened his eyes and saw a thread of golden light shimmer. Metal-elemental powers have always been one of his fortes. He was pleased to see the breakthrough achieved at the moment, and he took a look at the ones by his side. Yi Xiaoshi’s aura seemed to have become even more aggressive than it had been, a testament saying that he had made it to grade seven Noble Plane, and had grown considerably more powerful.

At the gates outside of Jinxiao City, there were people taking turns to guard the place from the very time the ruins were opened. There were few, yet due to the fearsome image projected by the scene of Yu Sheng having the head of Ning Huang on his hand, nobody dared intrude Jinxiao City as of yet.

However, a figure arrived at the gates of Jinxiao City. The figure was a huge one, with a body that seemed to be made of gold. The figure took a look at the golden lights emanating from within the city and walked towards it.

“Yuan Zhan. Jinxiao City had given strict orders of allowing no one to pass,” the ones told the ape as they shimmered about themselves. They watched the huge figure that was about to trespass with serious expressions.

It was Yuan Zhan, and the ape was not something they were capable of stopping.

Yuan Zhan paid them no heed. Every step he took shook the earth like an earthquake. Someone cast spells to attack him, which landed on him with rumbling booms. However, Yuan Zhan did not even bother defending himself. He simply spared a look at the one who had just attacked him. The attacker saw the intense wildness within the ape’s eyes, which sent him shivering, and he took a step back without realizing it.

Yuan Zhan of Mount Taixing, a top class genius level figure, whose seniors were the king of Mount Taixing, the one demonic beast who was ranked within the Barren Sky Ranking. He was an extraordinarily powerful being and a peculiar one, as well as one who was acutely protective of his own shortcomings. Yuan Zhan was one of those beings that anyone could least afford to mess with.

Yuan Zhan did not bother doing anything else to the one who attacked him after giving the man the looks. The ape continued moving forward, and no one dared get in his way. They knew none of their efforts would have amounted to anything anyway. Rumbling noises continued to be heard as Yuan Zhan zipped past at frightening speeds. The guards at the gate looked at each other with bitter grins. “So what now?”

“If Yuan Zhan insisted on getting his way. There is simply nothing we can do here. He is obviously after the ruins there. But since Yu Sheng was the one inheriting the ruins’ lineage, It would do Yuan Zhan no good getting in there anyway.” One of them answered, and everyone nodded in agreement. All there was to left to do was to see how Ye Futian would have dealt with all that.

Yuan Zhan, who took large steps in his way in, arrived shortly near the ruins. Everyone stared at him with big eyes, given how he did not bother to do anything to conceal his presence.

Ye Futian gazed at the demonic beast’s silhouette with cold eyes and said, “Did you not hear that Jinxiao City was off-limits?”

“Ning Huang promised me that when the ruins were opened, I was to be allowed to train here. And that was why I handed Jinxiao City to him in the first place,” Yuan Zhan answered as he kept his gaze at Ye Futian.

“That was your business with Ning Huang. Jinxiao City belongs to us now,” Ye Futian answered coldly.

“I want to see for myself, how powerful are the ones who killed Ning Huang.” Yuan Zhan’s eyes turned to look at Yu Sheng, eyes filled with wild ferocity.

“Older brother.” Ye Futian turned to look at Yi Xiaoshi.

“Capable people are always busy,” Yi Xiaoshi murmured and shimmered his plump body forward to face Yuan Zhan.

Yuan Zhan’s eyes might have as well rolled seeing Yi Xiaoshi coming forward. The ape felt disdainful. A fat one like him probably doesn’t even possess much power in the first place. How is he suppose to fight anyone?

Yuan Zhan raised his palm and terrifying rumble was heard all over the place. An incredibly huge golden palm lashed out at Yi Xiaoshi’s direction, overshadowing their air before it with terrifying might.

Yi Xiaoshi remained unfazed. He extended his arm, which kept extending like vines whipping at the palm. His body blinked and a shining trajectory was seen reaching for the air behind the palm, arriving shortly after before Yuan Zhan.

Yi Xiaoshi extended both arms at the same time, which seemed to conjure countless arms in an instant. They reached out and went tangling the huge body of the ape.

Yuan Zhan’s arms shook for a bit and shattered the vines entwining them. He then reached out and took hold of the golden vines, pulling them towards him in a jerk, which in turn brought Yi Xiaoshi up.

The incredible force of the pull caused Yi Xiaoshi’s body to drop sharply, heading in the ape’s direction. Pairs of shadows of arms flickered about in the air as if thousands of arms were born at the same time. Fearsome metal-elemental spiritual qi whipped about as they moved, coalescing into a giant golden palm pressing downwards. Yuan Zhan saw multiple golden palms filling the sky in an instant, attempting to suppress him where he stood. Yi Xiaoshi, whose previous attacks have been comparatively soft ones, struck with incredibly aggressive might with the palms instead, showing that he was indeed capable of blending softness and hardness in his art.

Roar… Yuan Zhan roared and the air before him trembled. He lifted both arms and swung hard at the great golden palm, like some arrogant ape god.

Boom! A crazed metal-elemental might swept about and the air rumbled with it. Yuan Zhan’s body was somewhat shaken; a testament of the ferocity of Yi Xiaoshi’s attack, which looked way more aggressive than it had suggested.

The countless palms shattered, and Yuan Zhan saw terrifying spears of golden colors followed. They looked to be manifestations of those vines from before, yet were incredibly hard and aggressive instead. The golden spears seemed to be out to pierce anything standing in their way. Yuan Zhan’s eyes went on to take a serious look. He stepped hard on the ground and his body shook with overpowering might. A screen of golden light burst forth from his body, like a horrifying torrent out to defend against everything coming at it.

The golden spears zipped at the ape, piercing the seemingly-unbreakable defense and continued on their intended target. A golden staff of spiritual qi was conjured on Yuan Zhan’s hand. He whipped the staff at the air before it shortly after.

Ye Futian stepped out from the ruins. His eyes sparkled as he watched the battle rage on before him. Others were doing the same. Their minds were completely shaken as they became aware, that Ye Futian’s group was at the moment, the most powerful one in Dawn Road. Yi Xiaoshi had just made it into grade seven Noble Plane, and yet he became capable of facing Yuan Zhan alone.

The attacks of both combatants grew increasingly ferocious and violent. Yuan Zhan’s art with a staff was out of this world and demonstrated unparalleled powers.

“Do his staff techniques have a name?” Ye Futian asked Mu Zhiqiu, who had just walked out of the ruins.

“81 Strikes of Heaven-traversing Staff Techniques, of the apes of Mount Taixing. The art bears incredible might, and this is actually the first time I’ve laid eyes on it personally. From the looks of it, it looks rather similar to how you go about with your staff,” Mu Zhiqiu elaborated, looking at Ye Futian.

“Heaven-traversing Staff Techniques eh?” Sparkles were seen in Ye Futian’s eyes. His techniques with the staff were named by Senior Snow Ape to be Nine Heavenly Attacks. And Senior Snow Ape was of the apes as well.

Ye Futian activated his Freedom Meditation abilities and watched the staff techniques demonstrated by Yuan Zhan. It was more than looking similar. He was able to feel somewhat that the Nine Heavenly Attacks were actually an evolved version of the Heaven-traversing Staff Techniques instead.

“Seventh elder brother, we’re done here,” Ye Futian shouted at Yi Xiaoshi. The plump man retreated and left the battlefield soon, feeling rather let down. However, it was clear that Yuan Zhan’s powers were formidable. Had he not been training and making breakthroughs in the ruins, one whack from the ape’s staff would probably have left him lying on the floor. While Mo Jun was a formidable figure himself, he nonetheless paled in comparison to Yuan Zhan who seemed to be something made of gold.

Yuan Zhan turned to look at Ye Futian, and Ye Futian returned the gaze, asking, “No need to try any further. If you were to face me under the same circumstances, you’d definitely lose.”

“How arrogant.” Yuan Zhan eyed Ye Futian for a bit.

“Have a closer look.” The Five Element Rod appeared in Ye Futian’s hand, which then transformed into a golden rod. Golden lights flowed about him as he leaped soon after. The Five Element Rod went burst as it attacked, bringing incredible might to bear.

At the very moment, the Five Element Rod burst forth, Yuan Zhan’s eyes were simply fixed. He watched as Ye Futian whipped about with the rod, while his eyes never left Ye Futian for even a second.

Many who witnessed the battle felt shaken as well. How did Ye Futian come to know Yuan Zhan’s way with the staff? What Ye Futian was demonstrating, was none other than the Heaven-traversing Staff Techniques.

Ye Futian stopped shortly after, and Yuan Zhan asked coldly, “Where did you steal those techniques from?”

Yuan Zhan took a step forward as soon as he was done talking. A golden staff materialized in his hand bearing an aggressive aura. Yi Xiaoshi was just about to interfere when he saw the Five Element Rod in Ye Futian’s hand was replaced with the Polearm of Divine Destruction. Heavy pressures were felt around him as stars shimmered about. Saint lights flowed about him as a bearing like none other was manifested about him.

Boom. Yuan Zhan took a ferocious stance as he leaped in Ye Futian’s direction. The Heaven-traversing Staff Techniques went for Ye Futian’s head with frightening aura.

Starlight shimmered about Ye Futian and an even more fearsome aura burst forth. He too took a step forward and went with a heavy blow. Shimmering mirages coalesced into that one strike of his, which looked as if it could have split the heavens and the earth.

Boom… The air shook and terrifying storms were conjured. Ye Futian’s body was thrown off and his arms felt numb. What terrifying might indeed. Yuan Zhan was thrown off as well as his body glided in the air. He was unable to come out on top at all with that one hit.

Ye Futian was able to fight Mo Jun before he was able to make it to the next plane. As he made it to grade nine of Arcana Plane, his powers became comparable to top class geniuses on the Holy Road with the help of the Polearm of Divine Destruction. However, if his opponent was to carry a ritual implement equal in power to his, he might not have looked as powerful.

Yuan Zhan’s golden eyes glared at Ye Futian as he asked, “What technique was that?” He had practiced the Heaven-traversing Staff Techniques since he was young, and no one was more familiar with that art with a staff than the apes. While Ye Futian had only launched one strike, Yuan Zhan was able to tell that it was something that had evolved from the Heaven-traversing Staff Techniques.

“Come with me.” Ye Futian stepped forward, as he had something to ask Yuan Zhan as well.

There were others who wanted to go with them but were stopped by Yi Xiaoshi. “There is hardly anyone who can harm little brother on the Holy Road now.” They nodded in agreement, as they came to realize that Ye Futian of that very moment was no longer the Ye Futian who had just landed on the Dawn Road.

Ye Futian walked alone to a place with Yuan Zhan. Yuan Zhan’s eyes never left Ye Futian, and he felt that Ye Futian had something going on with the apes.

“If you want to know where my staff techniques came from, there are some questions I need to be answered first.” Ye Futain looked at Yuan Zhan and continued, “What kind of staff techniques were the Heaven-traversing Staff Techniques?”

“Techniques passed down throughout the line of apes.” Yuan Zhan continued to eye Ye Futian. The answer he gave was never a secret.

“Where did golden great apes come from, and how did they end up in Barren State?” Ye Futian asked again. Yuan Zhan continued to eye Ye Futian, this time, without giving an answer.

“If you want answers on that staff technique, you need to answer my questions,” Ye Futian continued.

“You swear?” Yuan Zhan asked, with his eyes fixed on Ye Futian.

“I swear.” Ye Futian nodded.

“I will have to kill you if you are not telling me anything.” Yuan Zhan said with a cold tone, “The golden great apes were a branch of the apes. I heard from my predecessors that the apes came from the demon world. The apes were led by the Snow Ape Emperor back then, following Emperor Ye Qing as he built his empire. The Snow Ape Emperor seemed to have sensed something untoward was about to happen sometime after that and had the apes who were lacking in martial training to lead the younger ones, to spread across the Divine Prefecture. Something happened to Emperor Ye Qing later. The Snow Ape Emperor disappeared, and the strongest among the apes were wiped out in a genocide. Only those who spread across the realm survived. Of course, that was only because the leaders did not bother settling the score or whatever, or else, where apes were found in this realm, there would have been golden great apes among them.” He would not have told Ye Futian such things if his hands were not forced.

Ye Futian shook slightly. The gentle figure he remembered became something unimaginable. He would have never expected the gentle Snow Ape was an emperor of the apes. He then remembered what Senior Snow Ape looked like when he faced those divine generals—a figure of regal bearing, a true king.

---

Chapter 535: Invasion

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

 

Senior Snow Ape was the Snow Ape Emperor!

Ye Futian felt rather restless now. Senior Snow Ape had never demonstrated any pressure befitting his identity of the Emperor of Apes before him until the very last battle.

Come to think of it, if Senior Snow Ape had been one of those great demons who had followed Emperor Ye Qing, he would have been a nobody, would he?

“Who am I then?” Ye Futian asked himself silently. When the Snow Ape Emperor first laid eyes on him, he could not have helped but shed tears and knelt as the ape knew who he was.

Whose descendant am I exactly?

Ye Futian felt rather overwhelmed. While he had often lauded himself to be a king of some kind when he was young, it was him being young and stupid. After having experienced so many things throughout the years, he had matured considerably and there were things he became rather reluctant to think about. At the moment, he actually had little idea what kings and emperors were actually like.

At the moment, Yuan Zhan’s eyes were still fixed on him. He found Ye Futian’s expression looked difficult and complex. He was unable to tell what was going on in Ye Futian’s head as the man’s expression kept changing. However, as Yuan Zhan had elaborated on the history of the apes, it was Ye Futian’s turn to tell him where he learned his way of the staff.

A formless pressure was clad on Ye Futian. Yuan Zhan said coldly, “Your turn to talk.”

“Would you like to learn that?” Ye Futian looked at Yuan Zhan and asked all of a sudden.

Yuan Zhan blinked his big eyes in confusion. “Learn what?” He felt dazed for the moment.

“My art of the staff. The attacks were called Nine Heavenly Attacks,” Ye Futian said.

Yuan Zhan let out a great breath, which spawned quite a gust. The staff techniques of the apes were 81 Strikes of Heaven-traversing Staff Techniques, and Ye Futian’s, the Nine Heavenly Attacks.

“You’re willing to teach me?” Yuan Zhan asked.

“Indeed.” Ye Futian nodded and went on to sit with his legs crossed on a rock. His Guqin Spirit manifested, and Ye Futian looked up at Yuan Zhan. “The attacks have no specific formulas, and I have only learned the first five of the nine. I will first send the will of the Nine Heavenly Attacks into your mind, and you will need to figure out the rest yourself.”

“Very well.” Yuan Zhan looked at Ye Futian puzzled. He was confused as to why Ye Futian had been so frank with him.

Ye Futian strummed the chords and a tune was heard, carrying formless will with it. Musical spells were something Spirit Elemental-based sorcerers used to deliver will and concepts. Images rose within Yuan Zhan’s mind shortly after. It was somewhere in the mountains, and the place was encased in coldness. An incredibly regal silhouette was seen on it, proud and gracious.

“The Snow Ape Emperor.” Yuan Zhan’s massive body trembled violently and gasped for breath. He then saw the Snow Ape Emperor begin to whip his staff about, which he closed his eyes to silent feel. The images were sent into his mind in waves of strong will, as if they were to be imprinted on his mind until the very last stroke of the art was finished. Yuan Zhan flinched, yet he kept his eyes close, feeling it all in silence.

The Guqin Spirit disappeared, and Ye Futian sat waiting in silence as well. The Nine Heavenly Attacks were something taught to him by the Snow Ape Emperor. Now that he met someone of Senior Snow Ape’s race, and the Nine Heavenly Attacks were offensive techniques evolved from the 81 Strikes of the Heaven-traversing Staff Techniques, it was only natural for him to pass the techniques onto one of those apes, who happened to be right before him.

Yuan Zhan opened his eyes after a while and looked at Ye Futian, with a very a very restless look face. He had been training in the 81 Strikes of Heaven-traversing Staff Techniques since young and developed immense comprehension of the Nine Heavenly Attacks. Those nine new attacks were condensed and enhanced forms of the 81 strikes, stronger and bearing more power in every move.

Yuan Zhan stood up and looked at Ye Futian, who remained sitting on the rock, and bowed in gratitude. “Thank you.” The Nine Heavenly Attacks originated from the Snow Ape Emperor, and Ye Futian had done him a great service for willing to pass those techniques down to him.

Ye Futian nodded and smiled. “It is an obligation on my part.”

“Where did you find the Snow Ape Emperor?” Yuan Zhan asked.

“My hometown, a very remote corner of the Eastern Barren Territory.” Ye Futian continued, “The day before Senior Snow Ape passed, he passed the techniques onto me, and now I passed it onto you, back to the apes. I suppose this is what they’d call the circle of life.”

“The Snow Ape Emperor perished?” Yuan Zhan was still rather reluctant to believe it. It was, after all, the Emperor of Apes who had been their leader.

“Yes.” Ye Futian nodded. He still felt a tinge of sorrow whenever Senior Snow Ape came to mind. Yuan Zhan stood where he was silently and felt sad as well. If any of the elders came to know this, they would probably be as sad.

“When we get out of here, I’ll take you to see my grandpa in Mount Taixing. He had wanted to see our emperor for a long time,” Yuan Zhan spoke again after a while.

Ye Futian nodded slightly. “Very well.”

“While I have never opened up any ruins in this trip on the Holy Road of mine, I met you, and that in itself was the greatest reward for me,” Yuan Zhan said to Ye Futian. He saw the Snow Ape Emperor, and he inherited the Nine Heavenly Attacks that originated from the emperor.

“Let’s head back.” Ye Futian stood up and started walking, while Yuan Zhan followed behind him.

“Yuan Zhan, what was it like outside when you came to Jinxiao City?” Ye Futian asked Yuan Zhan.

“Xiao Junyi killed Gu Feiyang, took his city, and opened up the great ruins within. I heard that Yan Jiu had also gathered enough holy badges to do the same,” Yuan Zhan said.

“Yan Jiu, where is he?” Ye Futian asked.

“Flying Sword City,” Yuan Zhan answered.

“As I expected,” Ye Futian murmured to himself. The Flaming Prison City was a fire one.

The Jinxiao City, a metal one. The great ruins of Flying Sword City must have been one to impart a swordsmanship lineage. All nine cities on the Holy Road bore deep meanings within them.

“Yuan Zhan, would you mind heading to Flying Sword City with me?” Ye Futian asked Yuan Zhan. The ape nodded without inquiring further. It was a no-brainer for him, even if it meant waging a war with Flying Sword City.

When everyone saw a demon and a man walked side by side in the ruins, they were flabbergasted. Just what is going on here?

Mu Zhiqiu looked rather amused as well. So, something did happen then?

Ye Futian cast his gaze at the mighty ones at the ruins and said, “I need swordsmen to come with me on my next trip, anyone?” As soon as he finished, one figure after another stepped forward to answer his call, with Xie Wuji from Heavenly City and Zui Qianchou taking the lead. Mighty ones in the hundreds stepped out of the ruins; all of them swordsmen. Everyone came forward without asking any questions, a testament to the powerful charisma possessed by Ye Futian.

“Elder brother, do you have any time to spare?” Ye Futian grinned at Yi Xiaoshi.

The plump fellow glared at him, knowing that he was up to no good.

“Wuchen, come with me.” Ye Futian looked at Ye Wuchen, and then called to everyone, “Let’s go.” He turned around and took to the sky as soon as he finished, with Ye Wuchen right behind him.

“I’ll go have a look too.” Mu Zhiqiu followed suit.

Yuan Zhan stomped hard on the ground and rumbles were heard as the ground shook. Yuan Zhan ran following Ye Futian. Yi Xiaoshi flashed and rested on Yuan Zhan’s shoulder. “Hey, brother Yuan. Do you mind letting me sit here? Fat people get tired easy.”

Yuan Zhan glared at the fat person sitting on his shoulder with razor-sharp eyes and ignored him altogether. The ape ran, and the rumbling continued.

“That fatso…” Many people looked at Yi Xiaoshi and felt speechless. So Yuan Zhan is going to let him stay there? Since when did Yuan Zhan become so friendly with people?

“Brother Yuan, what did you talk about to our little brother?” Yi Xiaoshi asked out of curiosity.

Yuan Zhan continued to ignore him.

“You guys talked about staffs?” Yi Xiaoshi continued to ask, and Yuan Zhan slapped at his shoulder. Yi Xiaoshi leaped out of the way before landing on the same spot. “Alright, I’ll stop asking.”

Dust was kicked up as the group went further and further away. Countless sent them off from the ruins. Students of Starry School stood up and someone asked, “So, is Yuan Zhan now a pet of the Son or something?”

“Maybe.” They felt restless inside. They were at the Holy Road, yet Ye Futian continued going around kicking up trouble.

“Are they going to take a city?” someone asked. With the entourage consisting of Yi Xiaoshi, Yuan Zhan, and hundreds of swordsmen, it was not hard to guess what they were up to.

“Yu Sheng and Ye Wuchen were his best friends, and the three were always seen together. Now, he got his own place, and Yu Sheng got a piece of the ruins too. All there was left was Ye Wuchen, the swordsman, and all he gathered were swordsmen,” Gu Yunxi elaborated.

Everyone was stunned before someone murmured, “Looks like they’re heading to Flying Sword City then.” They were envious of Ye Wuchen, who had Ye Futian taking him to take a city personally.

It was a pity that they did not share such amicable relationship with Ye Futian.

The headmaster had asked the students back in Starry School who would be willing to guard the Son on his divine path. No one answered the call, as most did not like him back then. Most simply sat on the fence. Now, Ye Futian had no need for them to be around even if they were willing to follow him.

Many looked at Long Mu, as he was probably the closest among them to Ye Futian. It was such a pity.

…

The Flying Sword City was a palace itself. Many mighty ones gathered while Yan Jiu remained in the air. His body remained upright and his bearing excellent. He looked at everyone and said, “Everyone, with me.” With the holy badges being collected in ample numbers, they became able to open the great ruins in Flying Sword City, and he felt rather excited about it.

Many made their way to the ruins, which was not far where they were.

Loud noises were heard from afar and the ground shook. Yan Jiu asked, “What is that?”

They stopped and looked behind them. The rumbling grew closer and closer, and they were able to make out that a group of people was heading their way.

“Someone intruded Flying Sword City.” A voice was heard somewhere. Yan Jiu frowned. Does someone dare to come take my place?

The group looked more and more fearsome. Intense sword aura was sensed in the sky above, as a group came through the air. A giant golden monster was seen landing from above. With another rumble, the giant figure was seen in the air again, making its way forward.

“Yuan Zhan.” Yan Jiu glared at that giant figure with sharp eyes. Rumbles continued as Yuan Zhan took several more steps, and the ground shook violently in response. A fat person was also seen on Yuan Zhan’s shoulder. Ye Futian was also seen in the air, casting his gaze at Yan Jiu.

“Ye Futian.” Yan Jiu recognized him in an instant. When Ye Futian threw out that ring that day, he played more than just Ning Huang, as Yan Jiu was also one of them who went for that ring.

“How dare you?” Mighty ones from the Sword Saint Villa spread out, and every one of them looked cold. Ye Futian dares to attack this place, and now is allied with Yuan Zhan as well?

“Ye Futian, why have you come to my Flying Sword City instead of staying back to train in Jinxiao City?” Yan Jiu’s expression was as sharp as a sword as he cast his razor-like gaze at Ye Futian.

“Just like how you went to Flaming Prison City instead of staying back to train in Flying Sword City.” Ye Futian spoke plainly. “Just hand over the holy badges.”

The mighty ones around were stunned by what they just heard. So Ye Futian is here to rob Yan Jiu by invading Flying Sword City then. This is just too crazy. He dares move against a genius like Yan Jiu.

“Are you being serious?” Yan Jiu asked as he clad himself with a will of sharpness. A formless sword intent seemed to have been conjured, and his body seemed to have become like a sword itself, which threatened to lash out at any moment, emanating a very dangerous aura.

Ye Futian chose to intrude at the very moment he was about to open the ruins after all.

“What do you think?” Ye Futian looked at Yan Jiu before casting his gaze down at the others below. He said, “Anyone who doesn’t have anything to do with this, you best leave immediately. When the fighting starts, there will be no mercy.”

The mighty ones around were all Yan Jiu’s followers, and they looked particularly severe at the moment. Yu Sheng and Ye Futian killed Ning Huang in Jinxiao City, and it was said that Yi Xiaoshi was too someone capable of fighting toe-to-toe with Mo Jun. Worse still, they had Yuan Zhan added to their ranks. The group was as fearsome as possible at the moment.

Yan Jiu stayed in the sky, clad in sword aura, and addressed Yuan Zhan, “Yuan Zhan, are you sure you want in on this?”

Yuan Zhan gazed at Yan Jiu severely and said, “He told you to hand over the holy badge, so just hand it over already.”

Yan Jiu looked especially embarrassed hearing those words.

Ye Futian took a step forward and added, “When all mighty one ganged up on me back in Flaming Prison City, the scene was simply magnificent. You all dared not rob each other and moved against only me instead. So today will be payback time. Yan Jiu, I’ll have you hand over the holy badges whether you like it or not.”