usenovelonline Chapter 559 - 397: You’re Far Inferior to That Su Boy—Ye Mountain Challenges!
Chapter 559 - 397: You’re Far Inferior to That Su Boy—Ye Mountain Challenges!
The bright moon hung high, casting its clear light over the vast Beast Cave.
Trudging halfway through the path with tense nerves, Ximen Gu belatedly sensed something was amiss; this particular level was rather unusual.
In any other realm, the night would be the peak of Fierce Beast activity, requiring him to avoid them after nightfall. Yet this level was eerily quiet.
Still, as he traveled, he encountered no danger. Everything seemed normal.
The first thought that crossed Ximen Gu’s mind was that he might have stepped into the territory of a powerful Fierce Beast, as the stronger they are, the keener their territorial sense, and they would attack intruders.
However, Ximen Gu quickly dismissed this notion after recalling how he just looked out from a high vantage point and observed serene tranquility beneath the moonlight.
If it was indeed a beast’s territory,
then there was only one possibility: the entire vast level of the Beast Cave was under the domain of a single beast.
But could this really be?
Ximen Gu shook his head.
"An entire level of the Beast Cave as a single fierce beast’s domain? Only a Martial Saint Level Fierce Beast could manage that."
Even though this was the deep part of the Giant Beast Cave, it’s still not the innermost Fifth Floor. Ximen Gu had a clear understanding of his own strength; if not, he would never have survived until now.
Ever since the Great Sage ventured solo into the Beast Cave a millennium ago and slain the Two-headed Flood Dragon, Holy Realm Fierce Beasts have no longer emerged, leading Ximen Gu to doubt he would easily encounter a Holy Realm Fierce Beast even if he were to delve deep into the Beast Cave now.
After all, Holy Realm Fierce Beasts are not common, akin to the 31 Martial Saints that emerged among billions worldwide.
A Martial Saint is born among tens of billions.
"I must be overthinking; each level of the Giant Beast Cave has variations, perhaps the beasts here have different habits. Traveling is better than reading thousands of books."
Pressing onwards, stepping through the dense forest, the view suddenly opened up before him.
After nightfall, the temperature in the Giant Beast Cave plummeted, and the ice-frozen Great River became a naturally carved mirror, reflecting the bright moon in the sky—a truly stunning sight.
Step, step.
Ximen Gu stepped onto the frozen Great River, paused, and looked down at his reflection, hardly recognizing himself. If someone had captured this scene and shown him the photo claiming it was him, Ximen Gu thought he might draw his sword at that moment; the photo clearly depicted a beggar.
Laughing at this thought, Ximen Gu suddenly tightened as his heart clenched in his chest and his right eyelid twitched.
Sizzling noise.
At that instant, Ximen Gu shuddered intensely as an overwhelming sense of life-and-death crisis seeped into his heart, seeing a purple lightning serpent swerving on the Great River, rapidly enlarging in his pupils.
In a heartbeat, Ximen Gu’s heart trembled fiercely, realizing he had ventured into the depths of an absolute Fierce Beast’s territory.
"A Saint Realm, it is indeed a Saint Realm aura... my previous suspicion, not wrong."
He knew that retreating was no longer an option.
The only choice was to fight!
Under the immense threat of life and death, Ximen Gu entered an enigmatic state, seemingly merging with the sword in his hand.
Then he swung the most stunning sword strike he had ever delivered.
The majestic Ice Sparrow soared, surging across the ice river.
"Phoenix Cry!"
Yet the savage thunder rolled, obliterating everything in an instant.
"As expected... it still won’t do... is this where my path ends..."
In his final moments, Ximen Gu caught sight of the Thunder God’s face—the head of a Flood Serpent, only its head emerging from the Great River was over ten meters in size.
"Hmm? Without even trying seriously, is this all? Are we going to perish just like this?"
"Far inferior to that Su boy, simply not on the same level, I thought another little monster was coming."
The Thunder God’s puzzled tone carried a hint of relief, its large flood eyes half-closed, recalling the sword swing earlier that bore some resemblance to the one by that Su boy.
"But that sharpness does bear some resemblance to that Su boy’s; well, that Su boy suited my taste, I suppose saving you once, in the name of acquaintance, couldn’t hurt."
The Thunder God willed the purple lightning to encompass Ximen Gu, transforming its previously violent force into a gentle embrace under the Thunder God’s control.
Thunder lifted Ximen Gu and swiftly carried him into the depths of the Great River.
...
In the Imperial Capital, abbreviated as ’Jing’, known historically as Yanjing, situated in north Huaxia, in the northern part of the North China Plain.
The Ye Family, originating here, is one of the two top Martial Arts Families in Huaxia. On the occasion of the current Patriarch’s seventieth birthday celebration, people from all over Huaxia and even other countries gathered in the Imperial Capital to celebrate.
Due to the longevity banquet, branch members of the Ye Family from various provinces in Huaxia sent representatives. Even within the Ye Family, there is a hierarchy; usually, these branch members rarely have the chance to enter the main family.
Over time, this formed a structure of main hierarchy and tributary inferiority, common among large Martial Arts Families.
South of the Imperial Capital, the Ye Clan Territory was adorned with lights and decorations, emanating a festive atmosphere.
Ye Yun, one of the representatives from the Ye Family’s branch in Min Province, arrived with his son and other clansmen. According to ancestral customs, the branch must first go to the clan’s Ancestor Mountain to pay respects to the forebears. Afterward, there would also be a grand banquet and an internal family exchange.
Included in this is the martial arts exchange among the younger generation, and Ye Yun’s son is one of the participants in this branch exchange.
Today, the main branch opens the Ancestor Mountain to welcome the branch families. Seeing representatives from each branch entering the clan territory, yet his own son was nowhere to be seen, Ye Yun grew anxious.
At such a critical juncture, no mishap can occur. If there is a problem with the ancestral rites, it will surely give rise to gossip and criticism, potentially causing the entire branch to be scorned.
Ye Yun called his son several times, but no one answered, and he couldn’t get in touch with him now.
"Hasn’t Shan arrived yet?"
An elderly man with a kind face and white hair, leading the Min Province branch, inquired.
"Uncle, Shan might have encountered some issues. He mentioned visiting a friend near Shanhai Pass a few days ago, but he assured me he would come. I reminded him repeatedly over the past days..."
Before he finished speaking, someone beside Ye Yun scoffed.
"A father bears the fault for his son’s failure. Ye Shan has often disregarded clan rules. If he delays our branch’s ancestral rites this time, what should your punishment be, Ye Yun?"
As the words fell, a few people around the age of thirty looked on with amusement.
Upon hearing this, the elderly man’s gaze turned sharp. He glanced at the speaker, and a massive pressure descended immediately, causing the speaker’s complexion to turn pale, daring not to speak further.
In the past, someone from the Min Nan branch committed a grave mistake, resulting in a decline in their standing, and they have not been valued since. The family uncle, a Fourth Forging Grandmaster, usually does not involve himself in branch affairs, only coming this time due to the grand banquet.
"Enough, I do not want to hear about or be involved in whatever past issues you might have had, but this is Ye Clan Territory. Any matters can be addressed later."
At that moment, a young man in green clothing approached from the clan grounds, surveying everyone with a glance.
"Which branch are you from?"
"We are from the Min Province branch."
"So, you’re the Min Province branch. It’s getting late; why are you still dawdling?" With these words, the young man from the main branch spoke with a tone of impatience upon hearing it was the Min Province branch.
Hearing this, the people from the Min Province branch subtly changed their expressions, detecting the impatience in his tone, some returned a glare.
"We need to wait a little longer, just a short while. We’re still missing someone from our branch." The white-haired old man replied kindly.
"Humph, wait a little longer? Do you think this is your branch’s place?"
The tone and manner provoked further change in the expressions of those present from the Min Province branch, instantly igniting their anger. Even the amicable white-haired old man frowned.
Sensing the crowd’s gaze, the young man from the main branch looked past the white-haired old man to the few peers behind him.
"Let me tell you, my name is Ye Ling. If you from the branch can’t stand my actions, step forward now, and we can have a good exchange among peers."
As he finished speaking, the aura emanated from the young man.
"This is the embryonic form of a Grandmaster’s Force Field, and he’s a hair’s breadth away from fully forming it; Ye Ling is just a step away from being a Grandmaster."
"I reckon no one in this batch of successors from the Min Province branch can match Ye Ling, truly worthy of being from the main branch."
"Indeed, and since Ye Ling is a disciple of the main branch, his martial arts knowledge must be top-notch. Even at the same level, his strength likely surpasses that of branch disciples by a significant margin."
"True, to have reached this step at such an age, Ye Ling must be a genius within the main branch. With the main branch’s support, his strength probably rivals that of an ordinary First Forging Grandmaster."
Other branch members present understood this might not be coincidental and chose not to intervene. Many shook their heads, believing the Min Province branch could only bow down and swallow this humiliation.
Moreover, the main branch seemed to have a valid reason this time.
Feeling the stares from those around, Ye Ling’s demeanor grew even more arrogant.
"I’ll ask again, does your branch dare?"
"Why wouldn’t we dare?"
At that moment, a voice full of anger came from afar, a streak of light shot over, materializing into an ordinary-looking figure.
Upon this person’s arrival, everyone present appeared shocked.
"This... this is a Grandmaster’s Force Field; this person is a bona fide Grandmaster. Judging by everyone’s reaction, could this person be from the Min Province branch as well?"
"Isn’t that impossible?"
Watching the newcomer stride forward, Ye Ling looked incredulous and began to panic internally; why had he never heard of such a martial arts prodigy from the Min Province branch.
"Who are you?"
The newcomer did not answer but instead walked briskly to the white-haired old man, bowing.
"Fifth Grandpa, forgive me, Ye Shan is late."
Having said this, he turned to face Ye Ling, his voice resonant.
"Fifth Grandpa, I, Ye Shan, request permission to challenge!"