68: Chapter 68 First Battle Against the Condensation Realm

Ye Tian's gaze swept across the battlefield. He saw that although the clan's juniors and guards were filled with fear, they were still putting up a tenacious resistance under the command of the Elders and deacons, relying on the grand Formation. Bandits were constantly being shot down by arrows or killed by the Formation's backlash, but casualties had also begun to appear on the Ye family's side.

Right then, he spotted a familiar figure—Grand Elder Great Elder Ye Zhengyuan!

He hadn't stayed in the inner courtyard; instead, he was forcing his injured body to appear at the eastern defensive line.

His face was still pale, yet he held a longsword, commanding the clansmen to repel the attack. Occasionally, he struck out personally, his Sword Qi sharp and fierce, instantly slaying several bandits attempting to scale the walls, demonstrating the formidable power of a Half-step Condensation Realm expert.

His presence greatly boosted the morale of the eastern defensive line.

Ye Tian's heart stirred, and he no longer hesitated.

He didn't rush directly toward the mountain gate at the front line, but chose a flank where the Formation's fluctuations were most intense.

Here, dozens of Black Cloud Stronghold bandits, led by a Qi Gathering Eighth Layer leader, were frantically attacking a Formation node.

"It's Young Master Ye Tian!"

"Young Master Ye Tian is here!"

The Ye family juniors defending this spot felt their spirits lift instantly upon seeing Ye Tian.

Ye Tian nodded slightly to them, his gaze locking onto the Qi Gathering Eighth Layer leader of the Black Cloud Stronghold.

He took a deep breath, the Nine Revolutions Purple Heart Art circulating as his Body Refining Fourth Layer blood and Qi power erupted, and he charged directly out of the Formation's protective barrier!

"Overlapping Wave Fist!"

He gave a low shout, three layers of hidden force stacking. Wherever his fist passed, the air let out explosive booms!

The Black Cloud Stronghold leader was hacking away with glee when he suddenly felt a vicious wind approaching. In his haste, he raised his saber to block!

Fist and saber collided; the thick-backed saber forged from refined steel was actually bent and deformed by Ye Tian's single punch!

The terrifying hidden force surged through his body. The leader felt a massive force hit his chest as if struck by a giant hammer. With a wretched scream, he spat blood and flew backward, knocking down several bandits before breathing his last!

"What?!"

"The leader is dead!"

"Who is this kid?

Such incredible strength!"

The surrounding bandits were pale with fright at the sight, and their offensive ground to a halt.

Ye Tian did not let up. His figure weaved through the crowd of bandits, throwing Overlapping Wave Fists left and right. Every punch was heavy and powerful; those hit were either killed or crippled!

He was like a tiger among sheep, invincible, instantly throwing this small group of bandits into disarray!

"It's Ye Tian!

Kill him! Avenge the Third Chief!"

Some bandits recognized Ye Tian and rushed forward with bloodshot eyes.

But the current Ye Tian's strength was far beyond their imagination!

Ordinary bandits at the Qi Gathering sixth or seventh layer simply couldn't take a single punch from him!

Relying on his powerful Physical Body and dense True Qi, he carved a path of blood through the enemy ranks, greatly relieving the pressure on this section of the defense.

His appearance immediately caught the attention of Yan She from his high vantage point.

"Hmm?

Peak of the Ninth Level of Qi Gathering Realm?

Good kid! You really do have some tricks!

No wonder you could kill Old Third!"

A flash of surprise crossed Yan She's eyes, which then turned into an even more intense killing intent. "However, it ends here!"

He abandoned his continuous assault on the grand Formation. With a flicker of his body, he crossed dozens of yards in a few bounds, pouncing straight toward Ye Tian's position!

The pressure of the Ningyuan Realm descended upon Ye Tian!

"Ye Tian, watch out!"

Ye Qingtian and Ye Wenshan's faces changed drastically at the sight. They wanted to go to his aid but were pinned down by other bandit leaders, leaving them burning with anxiety!

Ye Tian felt the lethal threat and his heart chilled, but there was no fear in his eyes. Instead, a blazing Battle Intent ignited!

He spun around abruptly to face the lunging Yan She. The True Qi within his body erupted to the limit, and his strength condensed in both fists!

"Come! Let me see just how strong the Ningyuan Realm really is!"

Fist and saber clashed!

Boom! An airwave exploded. Ye Tian felt a terrifying force travel up his arm!

His Physical Body, which was strong enough to go toe-to-toe with the Qi Gathering tenth layer, seemed so fragile before this absolute power!

"Pfft!"

His throat felt sweet as a mouthful of blood sprayed out. He was sent flying, crashing heavily onto the ground ten yards away, rolling several times before finally coming to a stop.

He felt sharp pain in his internal organs and Meridians. His right arm was especially numb and sore, almost losing all sensation.

Ningyuan First Layer Peak!

The gap in strength was too large!

Even though his Foundation far surpassed those of the same level, he was still vulnerable under the crushing weight of absolute power!

"Ye Tian!"

In the distance, Ye Qingtian and Ye Wenshan saw this scene, their hearts shattering and their eyes nearly bursting from their sockets!

They tried desperately to rush over to save him, but the hundred or so fierce bandits surrounding them were like mad dogs, completely unafraid of death.

Even with Ye Qingtian's Yuan Condensation Second Layer cultivation erupting with full force, he couldn't break free for the moment. He could only watch helplessly as Ye Tian fell into a desperate situation!

However, to everyone's surprise, Yan She didn't deliver the killing blow immediately.

He stood where he was, looking at Ye Tian who was struggling to crawl back up. A hint of appreciation actually appeared on his sinister face.

"Tsk tsk tsk..."

Yan She clicked his tongue and walked forward slowly, his voice laced with mockery. "Kid, I have to say, you've truly opened my eyes.

To be at the Peak of the Ninth Level of Qi Gathering Realm at such a young age, with a powerful body and refined True Qi... and more importantly, this courage to stay calm in the face of danger!

Staying in a place like the Ye family is simply a waste of your talent."

He stopped and looked down at Ye Tian, actually extending an olive branch: "Kid, what future is there in following the Ye family?

Why not join my Black Cloud Stronghold!

With your talent, I can make the call to let you take Yan Sha's place and become the Third Chief of the Black Cloud Stronghold!

Money, women, cultivation resources—you'll have everything! What do you say?"

When these words were spoken, not only were Ye Qingtian and the others shocked and furious, but even some of the Black Cloud Stronghold bandits showed looks of astonishment.

The Second Chief actually wanted to recruit the kid who killed the Third Chief?

Ye Tian used the back of his hand to harshly wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth. Enduring the sharp pain, he stood up shakily.

He looked at Yan She, his eyes showing no hint of wavering, only disdainful mockery. He sneered, "Heh... Third Chief of the Black Cloud Stronghold?

What grand prestige!

Unfortunately, in everything I, Ye Tian, do, I only seek a clear conscience!

Your Black Cloud Stronghold burns, kills, and loots, committing every evil imaginable. Your actions are lower than those of pigs and dogs!

You want me to associate with a pack of beasts like you?

Pure wishful thinking!"

He took a deep breath, suppressing his churning blood and Qi. His voice was resolute, ringing across the entire battlefield: "If you want to kill me, then do it! Why waste words!

I, Ye Tian, am by no means a man who fears death!"

These words were powerful and resonant, filled with righteous indignation!

They made the blood of all the listening Ye family juniors boil, and caused Yan She's face to turn instantly dark to the extreme!

"Good! Good! Good! Such backbone!"

Yan She laughed from extreme anger, the killing intent in his eyes surging. Any hint of recruitment was gone. "Since you refuse the easy way and insist on the hard way, seeking death, then I shall fulfill your wish!

I'll send you down to keep Yan Sha company!"

He wasted no more words. His body flickered, and the pair of Poisoned Scimitars in his hands let out piercing whistles. One high and one low, they aimed straight for Ye Tian's throat and heart!

The speed was at the absolute limit, the angles tricky and ruthless. Clearly, he intended to kill with a single strike!

"Ye Tian!"

"Watch out!"

Ye Qingtian and Ye Wenshan let out desperate roars, trying with all their might to rush over, but they were blocked by even more bandits. They could only watch helplessly as that lethal blade-light closed in on Ye Tian!

At this moment, Ye Tian was heavily injured and his True Qi was in disarray. Facing this strike that was fast as lightning and contained the full power of the Ningyuan Realm, he was simply unable to dodge!

A flash of unwillingness crossed his eyes, but it was mostly a sense of calm acceptance.

He had done his best!

However, just as that poisoned blade was about to touch him...

Ye Tian's body once again broke free from his conscious control!

A mysterious and profound feeling flooded his entire body!

His mind went blank, but his body moved in an incredible way—a slight tilt, a pivot, a duck!

Swish! Swish!

Two sharp glints of the blade passed almost flush against his neck and ribs!

The sharp Saber Qi even cut his clothes and left shallow bloody streaks on his skin, but in the end, it failed to hit any vital points!

This exquisite evasion happened in the blink of an eye!

The entire field instantly fell into a dead silence!

Everyone's eyes widened, looking at this scene in disbelief!

The cruel grin on Yan She's face completely froze!

His sure-kill strike had actually missed?!

It missed before a heavily injured Qi Gathering kid?!

How was this possible?!

"No... Impossible!!"

Yan She cried out in shock, his voice full of incomprehension. "You... how could you possibly dodge?!"

Even Ye Qingtian and Ye Wenshan, who were fighting to the death, froze where they stood. Forgetting the enemies before them, they stared blankly at Ye Tian, their minds a total void.

"That just now was..."

Ye Qingtian murmured to himself. He had seen that at the moment the blade-light reached him, Ye Tian's eyes became hollow, but his body seemed to anticipate the move, avoiding that fatal strike?

Ye Tian himself was also stunned.

He stood there, panting slightly, looking down at the body that had just performed that evasion. Feeling that profound state slowly recede, a storm of shock rose in his heart!

"It's Martial Dao Will! That state just now... there's no mistake, I completely entered that state of unconscious instinctive reaction!"

He understood instantly!

Under the absolute pressure of a life-or-death situation, his fledgling Martial Dao Will had actually been fully triggered!

In that moment, his body had instinctively made the most perfect evasion!

Even if it was only for a fleeting moment!

"So this is Martial Dao Will."

An unprecedented brilliance erupted in Ye Tian's eyes!

A sense of confidence arose spontaneously!

He slowly raised his head, looking at the suspicious and uncertain Yan She. The corner of his mouth curled into a cold arc: "Yan She, your blade... doesn't seem fast enough."