Wu Yuan’s Soul Force was only able to extend up to two li. However, with the aid of heaven and earth’s power, his perception could span dozens of li! The entire Eight-Sided Cloudhill lay within the reach of his soul sense.
At this moment, Wu Yuan detected two powerful vital auras hurtling toward Cloudhill at alarming speed, showing no signs of slowing down. In terms of the strengths of their life force, they surpassed even Huan Jian, a quasi-Heavenly Ranker. Without a doubt, they were qi refiners!
Coming from the East, they’re unlikely to be experts from Great Jin. Could it be that Old Fang’s prediction was correct? Are they the experts from the Starcom Consortium? Or perhaps the Pleiades Guild?
They entered the Fourth Eldritch Realm on August 22nd and left on August 27th. Today was the night of the 29th, a mere two days since their departure from the immortal realm. Only a few factions could have reacted so swiftly.
“Wu Yuan, is something troubling you?” Wu Qiming noticed the change in Wu Yuan’s expression.
“Just a small matter,” Wu Yuan smiled and replied. “Chieftain, Mother, I suggest you consume the spirit fruits here, don’t leave my courtyard house. The method of consumption is simple, just consume all the fruit flesh. You can also teach Xiaoyi to do the same.”
“I will return promptly once everything is settled,” Wu Yuan said reassuringly.
“Very well,” Wu Qiming nodded.
“Yuan’er, if you have urgent matters, go ahead and attend to them,” Wanqin added.
Wu Yuan nodded.
Whoosh! With an explosive burst of movement, Wu Yuan soared out into the courtyard. Scales the color of earthy yellow covered him as he equipped his spirit battle armor.
But before Wu Yuan could take any action, a thunderous roar shattered the stillness of the night, resonating through the air like rolling thunder across Cloudhill. “Bu Yu, Huan Jian, show yourselves at once!”
“Who is it?”
“Who dares to call the hierarchs by their names?”
“The voice is coming from the sky!”
“Could it be a Heavenly Ranker?” Large groups of disciples from the Cloudstride Sect rushed from their respective towers and courtyard houses, all looking up at the sky in shock.
Two figures stood in mid-air, their presence radiating a terrifying aura that sent shivers down the spines of those below. One figure was cloaked in flames, while the other radiated a deep azure hue. Their brilliance was blinding, leaving the disciples of the Cloudstride Sect in shock, particularly those who were second or first-rate Adepts. The fact that they dared to call out the names of the hierarchs and tread in the sky could mean only one thing – Heavenly Rankers!
“Heavenly Rankers have arrived?” Murmurs of disbelief and unease filled the area. The news of Heavenly Rankers descending upon Cloudhill sent waves of uncertainty through the crowd.
However, the top-tier martial arts experts of the sect remained composed. Those like Yan Hong, Xu Hui, and Gao Yu, knew that Fang Xia had returned to protect the sect. Yet, even with this knowledge, their confidence was not absolute. Both sides had Heavenly Rankers, who would prove stronger?
…
Above Cloudhill, two resplendent figures hovered in the air, their gazes fixed on the chaotic scene unfurling below. Despite the darkness of the night, their acute vision and perception allowed them to witness the panic that gripped the numerous disciples.
“Brother Wu, must we display such an overbearing attitude?” queried the figure cloaked in a radiant azure aura, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Our purpose here is to aid the Cloudstride Sect.”
“Hmph! The Cloudstride Sect is just small fry. There’s no point worrying needlessly,” retorted the man garbed in black robes, flames swirling around him. “Let’s just cut through the formalities and ensure they know their place.”
In that instant, a disturbance caught the attention of the man enshrouded in flames. His gaze darted downward, and the figure wrapped in azure light followed suit.
Whoosh! An earthy-yellow figure leisurely made his way to them from the forest below. His movements were measured, and it was a rather unremarkable entrance. However, speed was just a relative concept. In the blink of an eye, the earthy-yellow figure had arrived mere meters away from the two resplendent beings.
“Earthy-yellow spirit battle armor? Are you Shadow Blade?” inquired the figure wreathed in azure light indifferently. Having received prior reports, he was well aware of the individual’s identity.
“Shadow Blade pays his respects to Seniors,” Wu Yuan stood mid-air, offering a slight bow as a token of respect. “I was not apprised of the arrival of the esteemed Seniors and humbly apologize for failing to extend a proper welcome.”
Given the unknown identities and abilities of these Heavenly Rankers, it seemed prudent to err on the side of politeness.
“Shadow Blade? Hahaha!” bellowed the man enshrouded in flames. “You dare return to Cloudhill? Your audacity is commendable. From your vital aura, it appears you aren’t far from unlocking your qi sea.”
“Far inferior to the two esteemed Seniors,” Wu Yuan responded lightly.
“Shadow Blade, allow me to introduce myself. I am known as Meng Cai, a seven-star elder of the Pleiades Guild,” the figure bathed in an azure glow greeted amicably. “And this Daoist beside me is Wu Jianzhong, an elder from the Starcom Consortium.”
Wu Yuan nodded slightly. “So, you are Senior Meng Cai and Senior Wu Jianzhong. I have heard much about your esteemed reputations.”
In reality, he had no prior knowledge of their existence. It was possible that in the distant past, they made a name for themselves in the Land Rankings. However, given the ever-evolving nature of these rankings, it was unreasonable to expect Wu Yuan to recall such old events. As for the Heavenly Rankings, only a handful of stories throughout the Middle Land had managed to withstand the test of time, persevering through generations.
“Shadow Blade, since you are here, I shall be straightforward,” Meng Cai uttered calmly. “You have killed Jin Qing. Do you comprehend the magnitude of the calamity you have invited upon yourself?”
“The Heavenly Rankers of Great Jin will not let this transgression go unpunished. As a Grandmaster of the Cloudstride Sect, you should be aware that your sect has only remained standing up until this point due to the Heavenly Rankings Treaty established among the Heavenly Rankers of the Wu Sect, Starcom Consortium, Pleiades Guild, and Great Jin.”
“Your act of slaying Jin Qing has placed us in a predicament. Safeguarding you won’t be an easy task,” Meng Cai lamented, shaking his head.
Heavenly Rankings Treaty? Wu Yuan was entirely oblivious to this. Perhaps Bu Yu possessed some knowledge on the matter.
Yet, Wu Yuan was no fool. He discerned the unsaid implication in Meng Cai’s words. He said that safeguarding him would not be an easy task, which meant that they were indeed capable of protecting him! Human nature invariably hinged on sentiments and self-interest.
“I appreciate your concern, Senior Meng. However, this matter between Great Jin and myself requires no worry on your part,” Wu Yuan replied, neither overly prideful nor humble.
Meng Cai’s brow furrowed ever so slightly.
“Brother Meng, what did I say? Your tactic of courtesy before force won’t yield any results,” Wu Jianzhong, cloaked in a black robe, emanated a domineering aura as he spoke with chilling detachment. “Shadow Blade, I shall be succinct. Surrender your spirit battle armor and all your spirit fruits, and the Cloudstride Sect shall remain unharmed.”
“And if I refuse?” Wu Yuan shook his head.
“To reject a toast is to be punished with a forfeit,” Wu Jianzhong’s face turned dark. “Do you believe that by outlasting and slaying Jin Qing, you can brazenly display arrogance?”
“I believed you possessed some potential and was contemplating sparing your life. But since you fail to recognize your place, prepare to die.” Wu Jianzhong’s eyes frosted over.
The next moment, he moved.
Boom! A brilliant cascade of fire surged towards Wu Yuan.
Meng Cai, standing at the sidelines, shook his head with a tinge of regret. “What a pity,” he mused to himself, “Today, we witness the fall of a quasi-Heavenly Ranker.”
In his view, Wu Yuan was someone who had yet to open his qi sea. How could he hope to contend with Wu Jianzhong? He wouldn’t even be able to withstand a single blow.
But in the next moment, a sense of alarm washed over him.
…
On Cloudhill, numerous keen-eyed martial artists strained to catch a glimpse of the earthy-yellow figure locked in confrontation with the two Heavenly Rankers. Outside the Cloud Hall, Gu Wang, Zhang Changsheng, and Lu Feng emerged from seclusion, astonishment etched across their faces as they peered up at the sky.
“What’s happening?” Lu Feng gasped, his voice laced with disbelief.
“It’s Senior Shadow Blade,” Gu Wang said solemnly, having learned of the color of Wu Yuan’s spirit battle armor from Bu Yu. “They appear to be communicating.”
“Where is Ancestor Fang Xia?”
“The Sword Hierarch has already left the mountain.” They all cast their gazes upwards, their hearts heavy with concern. The pressure emanating from the two Heavenly Rankers was simply too overwhelming!
“Hm? Not good! The fiery Heavenly Ranker is attacking Senior Shadow Blade,” Lu Feng exclaimed, his complexion paling.
“Not good!” The realization hit them all simultaneously.
Atop Cloudhill, those with relatively better vision experienced a fleeting moment of fear. Yet, a moment later, a startling scene unfolded before their very eyes.
Boom! Just as the fiery figure made his move, a mesmerizing display of golden currents materialized above Wu Yuan, streaming through the sky with a fearsome intensity. This golden power took the form of shimmering swords, radiating a palpable sharpness that caused one to erupt in goosebumps.
In an instant, these golden streams converged before Wu Yuan, transforming into a colossal palm that spanned hundreds of zhangs in length. The world seemed to freeze for an instant, its radiance piercing through the endless expanse of night.
Even the sky and moon were eclipsed by this grandiose golden palm. It was a sight that struck fear into the hearts of all who beheld it.
As this colossal hand took form, it reached out with a deliberate, unhurried motion, towards the figure wreathed in flames.
Not good! A profound sense of foreboding washed over Wu Jianzhong, causing his expression to contort in an instant.
Retreat immediately crossed his mind, and fiery red scales enveloped his body as he equipped his spirit battle armor. The golden hand’s aura of impending destruction caused his entire body to quiver uncontrollably.
Meanwhile, the gazes of Meng Cai and Wu Yuan remained fixed on the spectacle unfolding before them. The giant golden palm, seemingly languid in its approach, encased the fiery figure in mere moments, rendering any resistance futile.
“Have mercy! I beg of you, spare me, Senior!” Wu Jianzhong’s terrified voice pleaded from within the grasp of the colossal hand. He knew from the pit of his stomach that the disparity in power between them was insurmountable.
“This… This!” Meng Cai could only stare wide-eyed at the scene playing out before him.
“A little squirt at the fourth-stage Qi Sea phase dares cause trouble on Cloudhill? You must be courting death!” A cold voice resonated throughout the heavens and earth.
“No! Senior, I beg of you…” The terrified pleas were abruptly silenced.
Poof! The golden hand clenched its palm fiercely. Fire and blood burst out between the crevices of the massive golden fingers.
Then, silence.
Heavenly Ranker Wu Jianzhong was dead!
The entire world seemed to hold its breath. The disciples on Cloudhill, including first-rate Adepts and Savant experts, stared in disbelief at the scene before them.
Heavens! A Heavenly Ranker, who had arrived with such grandeur, had been squeezed to death just like that?
“We have a Heavenly Ranker in our Cloudstride Sect?”
“Amazing.” After a moment of silence, Cloudhill erupted into ecstasy, with countless disciples cheering excitedly.
Though many were still perplexed, wondering how the sect could have lost the Battle of Hillstride if there was a Heavenly Ranker in their ranks, the prevailing sentiment was one of triumph.
“Ancestor!”
“Ancestor Fang Xia.” Several informed Adepts and Savant experts recognized the voice of Ancestor Fang Xia, their shock palpable. Today, they had truly witnessed the power of Ancestor Fang Xia.
“Ancestor!”
“The world’s number one expert?” Gu Wang and Zhang Changsheng exchanged a glance, simultaneously recalling the first time they had met Fang Xia. Wu Yuan had introduced him as the world’s number one expert! At that time, they were rather skeptical. But now, their doubts were vanquished.
He could kill a Heavenly Rank with a single hand? Indeed, that title was well-earned.