Chapter 136: Battle!
"What—"
"Who is that guy? There's a prodigy like this in the Northwest Continent?!"
"He actually blocked the Young Hall Master's attack?!"
Qin Tian and the other two couldn't help but cry out in shock. In that area where the wild energy swept everywhere in all directions, that dragon silhouette intertwined with the black hole showed absolutely no signs of faltering.
Only those who followed by Yun Yi's side understood more deeply just how monstrous their Young Hall Master truly was.
In a single year, Yun Yi had risen from Dou Huang to the realm of nine-star Dou Zong, and his battle strength was even more unfathomable. Even they sometimes felt chills run down their spines when facing Yun Yi.
Seeing Jiang Yun withstand a single palm strike of Yun Yi's power—that was why the three were so astonished!
Atop a towering tree peak, Hai Bo Dong and the others flashed down from the sky. Each of them looked rather disheveled.
That terrifying energy—although the crowd had reacted swiftly, they had still ended up in a wretched state as a result.
"It's Master Jiang!" Suppressing the roiling blood and qi within him, Hai Bo Dong spotted the four figures on the distant rooftop at a single glance and cried out with excitement.
Jia Xingtian and the others also subsequently saw Jiang Yun. Their expressions stirred with emotion as they exclaimed—at this moment of despair, Jiang Yun's appearance was like the dawn of hope, deeply moving all present.
"It truly is Master Jiang!"
"Excellent! With Master Jiang here, we'll be fine, right?"
"I'm afraid we're celebrating too early. Master Jiang is merely a seventh-tier alchemist—not enough, I fear, to make a Dou Zun back down!" Gu He, quite clear-headed at this moment, said with some despondency.
Sure enough, Gu He's words, like a bucket of cold water, promptly extinguished the hope that had risen in everyone's hearts.
"Teacher, what should we do?" Within the crowd, Xiao Yan couldn't help but ask Yao Chen beside him.
Yao Chen's gaze swept over Jiang Yun's group, then he said in a grave voice, "Observe the changes quietly!"
With a light wave of his sleeve, extinguishing the rolling ripples of energy, Yun Yi looked 'with interest' at Jiang Yun and his group of four. Curious, he asked, "The path of spiritual arrays?"
"Among the seven great ancient clans, this Hall Master is certain there is no character like you. Which old monster's disciple are you?"
Hearing Yun Yi's words, Yao Chen's and Qin Tian's eyelids twitched violently!
Ancient clans!
To ordinary people, a Dou Zun was already the controller of the Central Plains—lofty and supreme. But only upon reaching a certain level would you learn that the true controllers of this world had always been the descendants of those lofty, supreme ancient clans!
Even the Pill Tower was no exception!
Only the Pill Tower and the Burning Flame Valley at their zenith a thousand years ago had momentarily possessed the momentum to contend against the several ancient clans.
Yet with the passage of time, the ones standing at the continent's pinnacle, looking down upon all under heaven—forever those terrifying seven great ancient clans!
Upon hearing Yun Yi's words, the rest of the people exchanged confused glances. At their level, they couldn't even begin to reach such matters.
What kind of power would dare to bear the title of 'Emperor'?!
They felt as though they were touching upon some enormous secret!
"A rustic villager from the countryside—if I were to say, I'm afraid the Young Hall Master wouldn't know of it!" Facing Yun Yi's question, Jiang Yun's face carried a spring-breeze-like smile as he replied softly.
"Heh—" Yun Yi let out a 'cold laugh' and speculated: "Your Dou Qi carries wood within fire. Coupled with your late-Spirit Realm soul power, you're clearly an alchemist—and an eighth-tier one at that. Even among the current young generation of the Yao clan, at this age, none could match you. And the Pill Tower lacks the ability to cultivate a figure like you..."
As Yun Yi gradually peeled back the layers of Jiang Yun's background, everyone present looked at Jiang Yun with astonishment. Who could have imagined that this young, youthful fellow was actually an eighth-tier alchemist.
Even more people wore expressions as if they'd suffered a heavy blow. What had they been doing at this age?
Dou Shi cultivation? First or second-tier alchemist?
This guy was already an eighth-tier alchemist. This achievement had truly and forcefully broadened the horizons of the people of the Jia Ma Empire.
So the outside world was this absurd?!
Yao Chen also looked at Jiang Yun with curiosity. He too couldn't see through Jiang Yun's exact strength. Now that Yun Yi had spoken it aloud, he too felt deeply shaken.
At the same time, a trace of curiosity rose within him. Under which alchemy grandmaster had this Jiang Yun studied?
"Those in the alchemy world capable of cultivating a figure like you are few and far between. Aside from the Yao clan, I'm afraid the only one is the Mystic Pill Grandmaster from a thousand years ago—Senior Shen Nong, the Old Man of Agriculture, correct?"
"Senior Shen Nong?!" When Yun Yi brought up this name, Yao Chen's face dawned with sudden understanding, his heart giving it a few more points of credence. His own alchemy had already reached the continent's summit.
The only ones stronger than him were a few old monsters—among them, Shen Nong, the Old Man of Agriculture, that most 'ordinary' great senior of the alchemy world.
"Teacher, who is Senior Shen Nong? Is he very famous?" Beside him, Xiao Yan looked at Yao Chen somewhat curiously and asked.
At this moment, Hai Bo Dong and the others all pricked up their ears, wanting to hear this continent's number one alchemist's answer.
"Senior Shen Nong, ah. A thousand years ago, he was already a ninth-tier Alchemy Grandmaster. Now, I'm afraid no one knows to what realm his alchemy has reached. In the alchemy world, I'm afraid no one dares claim they can firmly surpass him in alchemy skill!"
Yao Chen did not suppress his voice, speaking with a tone of admiration.
"Hiss—"
Hearing Yao Chen's words, everyone couldn't help but sharply inhale a cold breath. An existence like that—this was likely a true figure at the very pinnacle of the continent!
If what Yun Yi said was true, then Jiang Yun was the disciple of a ninth-tier Alchemy Grandmaster. Presumably, the Soul Hall would also give him face on that account?!
Thinking of this, everyone looked at Jiang Yun as if he were a savior!
Jiang Yun watched the identity Yun Yi had pinned on him, somewhat speechless. What was he trying to do?
Was he afraid the Soul Hall would cause him trouble in the future, so he was preemptively cloaking him in an intangible, elusive background?
"For the sake of Senior Shen Nong, leave now. This Seat will spare your lives!" Observing Jiang Yun's seemingly acquiescent expression, Yun Yi nodded affirmatively, his tone carrying a trace of wariness.
"I never expected the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame to actually be in your hands. Though only ranked twenty-second on the Heavenly Flame List, it's still better than nothing."
After 'arranging' matters for Jiang Yun, Yun Yi's gaze fell upon Xiao Yan, his tone utterly indifferent.
As his voice fell, a pall of murderous intent immediately wreathed the air between heaven and earth. The people of the Jia Ma Empire instantly felt as if they had fallen into an icy abyss.
"Boom—"
In the next instant, Qin Tian struck out fiercely. A pallid palm extended from his sleeve. Vast black mist surged, instantly condensing into a black mist palm seal fully ten zhang wide. With a single slap, he ruthlessly struck down toward Yun Lan Mountain.
"Wuu wuu."
Hearing the terrifying sound of rushing wind sweeping violently toward them, the crowd's faces all changed drastically. They grew as frantic as ants on a hot pan.
"Roar—"
Right at that moment, a world-startling dragon roar rang out. A streak of purple light slashed across, instantly piercing through the black palm seal, then shot without slowing toward Qin Tian with incredible speed.
"What—"
Seeing the purple streak of light, Qin Tian let out a terrified roar. It had happened too suddenly. In the blink of an eye, the attack was already upon him. And he felt as if an invisible cage surrounded his body, making it nearly impossible for him to move!
"Young Hall Master, save me!"
"Ding—"
A deafening sound of metal clashing against metal rang out atop Yun Lan Mountain's peak. The terrifying force made the surrounding space tremble, as if it might shatter at any moment.
"That's... a long spear?!"
At this moment, everyone clutching their chests could finally see clearly what that purple streak of light was. It was unmistakably a dragon-headed long spear of purple crystal form, gleaming with a magnificent, brilliant luster under the sunlight's rays.
All turned their heads to look at Zi Yan, who had just completed that throwing motion. No one had expected her to be so terrifying—with a single move, she had nearly claimed the life of a Dou Zun.
"What was that dragon might just now? What race possesses such imposing power?" Yao Chen, however, looked at Zi Yan with a face full of puzzlement, his eyes full of probing inquiry.
Watching the spear tip that was less than a foot from him and feeling the razor-sharp edge radiating from it, Qin Tian couldn't help but swallow hard. His heart still pounding with lingering fear, he looked at the halberd that had blocked the long spear.
It was a great halberd as pitch-black as ink, its entire body radiating a strange, eerie devouring power. It was Yun Yi's weapon. Over this past year, he had witnessed with his own eyes this very halberd tear open Dou Zuns.
"Many thanks to the Young Hall Master for saving my life!" Qin Tian looked at Yun Yi, who now held the halberd, his face full of gratitude.
Yun Yi paid him no attention. Instead, with a shake of his hand, the long spear, which had been blocked by the halberd's head, transformed into a streak of light and shot backward toward Zi Yan.
"Bang—"
Zi Yan caught the flying spear in one hand. Staring with a grave expression at Yun Yi, she said without turning her head, "This guy is seriously tough!"
Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin nodded solemnly. They naturally knew how formidable Zi Yan was. For that Young Hall Master to so easily neutralize Zi Yan's attack—he was a troublesome opponent.
"Be careful. The Soul Hall's people are all very strange and insidious," Jiang Yun also stepped forward at that moment, standing shoulder to shoulder with Zi Yan, his expression entirely serious.
"Taixu Ancient Dragon!"
Right at that moment, Yun Yi—casting aside his usual indifferent calm—stared at Zi Yan with a thoroughly grim expression and said in a deep voice, "You are a member of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan."
Yun Yi's voice was filled with absolute certainty. Then, looking at Jiang Yun with a peculiar expression, he said, "I never expected you would also have ties to the Ancient Dragon Clan!"
"Taixu Ancient Dragon?!"
"The supreme magical beast of the Magical Beast World!"
"To think that after so many years, another Taixu Ancient Dragon has emerged from the void and appeared on the continent!"
Zi Yan's identity naturally stirred another wave of commotion. Qin Tian and the others immediately felt the situation had grown thorny.
The Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan—their strength was likely not one whit inferior to the ancient clans. If they made an enemy of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan today, who knew if the Hall Master would tear them apart?
"I never thought that anyone today could still have a connection to the Ancient Dragon Clan," Yao Chen watched the unfolding scene and spoke with focused solemnity.
"Teacher, are the Taixu Ancient Dragons that powerful?" Xiao Yan asked somewhat quizzically. He knew from ancient records that the Taixu Ancient Dragon was the sovereign of the Magical Beast World. But exactly how powerful they were—he had no concrete concept.
"From what I understand, at their peak, the Taixu Ancient Dragons were fully capable of contending against any power on the continent. Moreover, they dwell within the void turbulence—no one knows the location of their Dragon Island. They haven't set foot on the continent for many, many years. They are the undisputed overlords, the supreme sovereigns of the Magical Beast World!"
Hearing Yao Chen's explanation, Xiao Yan immediately drew in a sharp, cold breath. Able to advance and attack, able to retreat and defend—the Taixu Ancient Dragons were practically naturally placed in an invincible position!
No wonder Yun Yi was so wary!
"Though the Ancient Dragon Clan is mighty, my Hun clan does not fear them. Are you certain you wish to make an enemy of my Hun clan?" After his initial shock, Yun Yi still spoke with uncompromising force.
"Hmph! You were the ones who attacked us first just now. Am I not even allowed to resist?" Zi Yan's face was icy as she stared at Qin Tian, speaking coldly.
"Fine. Fine. Fine." Even though his own side had been in the wrong first, Yun Yi still spoke forcefully. "Qin Tian, I will hold off these few. You go and seize the Jia Ma Empire!"
"Yes!" Hearing Yun Yi's command, Qin Tian immediately licked his lips with excitement, looking at the people of the Jia Ma Empire with a grin.
"Then let me be the one to test your mettle!" With a light shout, Zi Yan's eyes instantly turned sharp and fierce. Powerful Dou Qi swept out from within her like a raging storm.
Swoosh!
Zi Yan stomped fiercely against the ground, her figure darting out like a phantom.
Boom!
The very moment Zi Yan struck, the Devouring Heavenly Corpse standing beside Yun Yi moved. Like an iron tower, it descended from the sky, landing right in front of Zi Yan, intercepting her entire offensive.
"Bastard!" Seeing Yun Yi refuse to face her in battle directly, Zi Yan cursed under her breath. Looking at the Devouring Heavenly Corpse before her, she didn't dare be careless either. This strange puppet made her feel a genuine pressure.
The thought flickered through her mind. In her hand, the long spear thrust out violently. The spear wind, under the infusion of vast Dou Qi, even tore the very air apart.
The Devouring Heavenly Corpse watched the howling, incoming long spear. Neither dodging nor evading, strange runes flickered across its body. Clenching its iron fist, it smashed toward Zi Yan.
Ding!
Fist and spear tip collided with a boom. Amidst the scattering sparks, a visible shockwave of energy swept outward. The surrounding air all instantly exploded.
"Since I began my path, among my peers, only you have caught my eye. Though this was an accident today, I hope you can allow me to taste the joy of battle."
Yun Yi walked unhurriedly before Jiang Yun, his face utterly impassive. Anyone could feel the arrogance in his tone.
"As you wish!" Jiang Yun faced him with equal calm. Behind him, Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin retreated into the distance with solemn expressions. Because of Jiang Yun and Zi Yan's status, Qin Tian and the others chose to ignore the two women, so they were safe for the time being.
Jiang Yun and Yun Yi faced off, black and white flames flickering simultaneously in their eyes. Surging Dou Qi fluctuations, vast and heavy soul pressure—these spread outward.
The two's standoff was already a clash of sharp blades!
"Boom—"
Two figures shot out like phantoms. All anyone could see were two blurred silhouettes. In the very next instant, those two figures had already collided with a boom high in the sky.
Tch!
The pitch-black halberd swept out horizontally, baleful, murderous aura wreathing around it. The halberd's blade was coiled with terrifying devouring power, like a ferocious beast preying on food. Carrying an unstoppable, unmatched momentum, it came straight for Jiang Yun. Even the surrounding space faintly showed signs of being violently torn open.