53: Chapter 53 Encountering Yama

Since that battle with the Double-Tailed Ringed Leopard, Ye Tian hadn't encountered any more powerful Vicious Beasts or discovered any exotic flowers or fruits. Although he didn't know exactly how much time had passed, he was concerned about his mother at home; fearing she would worry if he stayed away too long, he planned to return.

Ye Tian began to retrace his steps, heading back toward the outer regions.

This period of life-and-death tempering had brought him immense gains. His cultivation was now firmly established at the Qi Gathering Seventh Level Peak, only a single step away from the eighth layer.

However, just as he stepped out from the depths of the mountain range and entered the outer region, he felt a surge of icy killing intent strike!

Ye Tian's footsteps came to a sudden halt, his muscles tensing instantly as he whipped around!

Not far ahead, atop a bluestone, a middle-aged man dressed in black stood with arms folded, looking down at him from a height.

The man had sinister eyes; he was none other than the Black Cloud Stronghold's Third Chief, the "Black-Faced Yama," Yan Sha!

"It's you!"

Ye Tian's pupils constricted slightly as he immediately became vigilant.

He hadn't expected to encounter Yan Sha here!

Was it a coincidence?

Or had the other party been waiting here specifically for him?

Yan Sha's gaze swept over Ye Tian. When he sensed Ye Tian's Qi Gathering Seventh Level Peak aura, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but it was immediately replaced by an even more intense killing intent!

"Brat, it truly is a small world!"

Yan Sha slowly stood up from the bluestone, his body radiating the pressure of the Qi Gathering Ninth Stage as it bore down on Ye Tian. "Those two useless wastes failed to slaughter you last time, letting you live a few days longer."

“However, your good luck ends today!"

Ye Tian took a deep breath, forcing down the shock in his heart.

Yan Sha's cultivation indeed far exceeded his own; the Qi Gathering Ninth Stage was the top level below the Ningyuan Realm, comparable to the Ye Family's Third Elder!

In terms of cultivation Realm alone, he was at an absolute disadvantage.

However, instead of fear, a blazing Battle Intent ignited in Ye Tian's eyes!

He clenched his fists as the Nine Revolutions Purple Heart Art quietly circulated within him. True Qi surged, and the blood vitality of the Body Refining Fourth Layer churned.

Cultivation doesn't represent everything!

His True Qi far exceeded those of the same level, and his Physical Body's strength was comparable to a Vicious Beast!

Coupled with the explosive power of the Overlapping Wave Fist at Great Perfection, he might just have a fighting chance!

"The Third Chief of the Black Cloud Stronghold personally coming to intercept and kill a Junior like me—what a grand display of power!"

Ye Tian's voice was cold, tinged with a hint of mockery.

Yan Sha gave a sinister laugh. "Sharp-tongued brat! I'll tear your mouth apart later and see if you can still be so arrogant!"

Before his voice even faded, Yan Sha's figure moved abruptly, pouncing down from the bluestone with a speed so fast it left only an afterimage!

He held his fingers like a blade, striking straight at Ye Tian's face with a sharp Black Shamanic Palm, carrying a wave of frigid Evil Qi!

This palm strike was incredibly ruthless, clearly intended to be a killing blow!

"As if I'm afraid of you!"

Ye Tian's eyes turned sharp as he advanced instead of retreating!

The Triple Force of the Overlapping Wave Fist instantly condensed in his right fist to meet the attack!

He held nothing back, striking with full strength from the start!

Fist and palm collided!

Boom!!!

A dull, explosive sound erupted!

A wave of Qi violently expanded from the center of the two, blowing away the surrounding vegetation and debris!

Ye Tian felt an overwhelming force transfer through him; his arm shook violently and his blood boiled. He retreated three steps uncontrollably before he managed to shed the force and steady himself.

Every step left a deep footprint in the ground!

In contrast, although Yan Sha held the upper hand, he was also shaken by Ye Tian's incomparably fierce punch. His figure swayed as he took a slight step back, a look of disbelief flashing across his face!

"How is this possible?!" Yan Sha was horrified.

Although he hadn't used his full strength in that palm strike, it was enough to heavily injure or even instant-kill an ordinary Qi Gathering Eighth Layer Martial Artist!

Yet this Ye Tian, only at the Seventh Level Peak, could actually take his palm head-on and only be slightly disadvantaged?!

This kid's True Qi condensation and physical strength were simply monstrous!

Ye Tian steadied himself and shook his numbed arm, but an even more fervent Battle Intent erupted in his eyes!

Although he had been pushed back, he clearly felt that Yan Sha's power was not insurmountable!

He had a chance to win! "Qi Gathering Ninth Stage—nothing more than this!"

Ye Tian gave a low shout, his Battle Intent high, as he initiated the attack!

His figure was like the wind, the Overlapping Wave Fist pouring out in a barrage of shadows that enveloped Yan Sha's vital points!

"Arrogant little hybrid! You're looking for death!"

Yan Sha was completely enraged by Ye Tian's provocation. With a roar, he pushed the Black Shamanic Palm technique to its limit. His palm winds were sharp and his Evil Qi oppressive as he engaged in a fierce battle with Ye Tian!

Their figures crossed, the sound of fist and palm clashing incessantly!

The energy currents crisscrossed, leaving the surroundings in a state of ruin!

Ye Tian pushed his movement technique to the limit, no longer clashing head-on with Yan Sha's strength. Instead, he utilized his advantage in flexibility, constantly moving and searching for openings.

The hidden force of the Overlapping Wave Fist seeped through layer by layer, making Yan Sha quite uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, Yan Sha's experience was seasoned and his palm techniques were sinister. Several times he nearly struck Ye Tian's vitals, but Ye Tian managed to avoid them through his keen reflexes.

For a time, the two were actually locked in an inseparable struggle!

Ye Tian fought with increasing bravery, fully applying the experience he had accumulated from fighting Vicious Beasts. His combat skills became more and more refined.

In contrast, Yan Sha grew more alarmed as the fight progressed. He found that he was unable to take down this kid, whose cultivation was far lower than his own, in a short amount of time!

The opponent's tenacity, reflexes, and the explosive power of that strange fist technique were all far beyond his expectations!

"I can't let this drag on! I must end this quickly!"

A ruthless look flashed in Yan Sha's eyes. If he couldn't win quickly and it drew people from the Ye family, it would be troublesome!

He suddenly made a feint to pull back some distance. The True Qi within him circulated frantically as the Evil Qi around him surged, and an even more terrifying aura spread out!

"Brat, being able to die under my Black Shamanic Soul-Extinguishing Palm can be considered your good fortune!"

Yan Sha formed hand seals, and a heart-palpitating power began to condense!

Facing Yan Sha's "Black Shamanic Soul-Extinguishing Palm," which condensed his entire cultivation and billowed with Evil Qi, Ye Tian's pupils shrank. He felt an unprecedented threat of death!

He didn't dare hold anything back. He pushed the Nine Revolutions Purple Heart Art to its limit, his Body Refining Fourth Layer blood vitality surged wildly, and he unleashed the Triple Force of the Overlapping Wave Fist without reservation!

Rumble!!!

A deafening roar sounded!

Two violent energies collided fiercely. A wave of Qi exploded, the ground cracked, and dust filled the air!

"Pfft!"

Ye Tian felt an immense force surge through his arm into his body. His internal organs were shaken, and he felt a sweetness in his throat. He violently spat out a large mouthful of blood and was sent flying, crashing onto the ground several yards away. His aura instantly withered, and his face turned pale.

Taking the full-strength strike of a Qi Gathering Ninth Stage expert head-on, even with a Foundation far exceeding his peers, he had suffered heavy injuries!

"Hahaha! Brat, now you know how powerful I am!"

Seeing Ye Tian heavily injured and spitting blood, a cruel satisfaction flashed in Yan Sha's eyes. He sneered, "The chasm between the Seventh and Ninth stages of Qi Gathering—how could it be crossed by your meager tricks?"

“Today is the day you die!"

He did not let up. Evil Qi condensed once more within him, and a dense black light glowed on his palms. He clearly intended to take advantage of Ye Tian's heavy injuries and lack of strength to finish him off completely with a palm strike!

"Black Shamanic Soul-Extinguishing Palm!"