299: Encountering the Void

Wang Zhan, the Jiang Family's Divine King Body, Qilin Son Mo Yu, the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty's Ji Xuan Ye... these most prominent young Supremes, each of their cultivations had impressively reached the King Realm!

Every one of their moves captivated countless hearts, and their victories or defeats seemed to subtly foreshadow the future direction of the world's great powers.

At the Peak of Zizhu Peak, clouds unfurled and gathered.

Gu Changge sat leisurely on a stone stool, his fingertips gently caressing the warm teacup, his gaze seemingly piercing through layers of Void Realm, taking in all the recent upheavals across the Eastern Domain.

The Yaoguang Saint's retreat, the rise of the name "Green Robe Guest," the "mountain crushing lord" suppressing the barbarian Cultivators of the Northern Domain with his fist, the "river severing guest" cleaving the Western Domain's ascetics with his sword... the Kirin Son's arrogance, the Archaic Royal Family's Battle Asura's fierce might, the Divine King Body's radiant glory, the Great Zhou Crown Prince's unfathomable depth... one after another, these pieces of news, enough to make ordinary Cultivators' blood boil or their hearts tremble, flowed through his mind without stirring a single ripple.

"Merely ripples in a pond."

He took a light sip of clear tea, his tone calm and unperturbed.

These so-called Prodigy contentions, in his eyes, were fundamentally no different from children playing.

However, when the names "Green Robe Guest," "mountain crushing lord," and "river severing guest" successively reached his ears, a barely perceptible curve appeared at the corner of Gu Changge's mouth.

"These lads have certainly caused quite a stir."

He understood in his heart that the source of Xuan Yangzi Senior Brother's sweet troubles lay precisely here.

As their Revered Master, he was naturally pleased to see his Disciples make a name for themselves through their own abilities.

Suddenly, his gaze shifted slightly.

"The Heavenly Secret Pavilion's methods, hmm, is that little fellow called Xing Lan?"

A hint of playfulness flashed in Gu Changge's eyes.

"Still want to create a Prodigy Ranking? Heh, is this to make the waters muddier, to make the younger generation fight even more fiercely, or what?"

Eastern Domain, atop a solitary Peak that pierced the clouds.

The fierce winds howled, flapping the corners of Wang Zhan's dark battle robe. He stood with his hands behind his back, his figure as tall and straight as a spear, his gaze like lightning, overlooking the surging sea of clouds below, as if surveying his own territory.

Several figures with powerful auras stood respectfully behind him, all young talents from the Archaic Royal Family or Geniuses from allied forces. At this moment, they all bowed their heads slightly, adopting a humble posture.

One follower stepped forward, softly reporting the recent turbulent news from the Eastern Domain, specifically highlighting Qilin Son Mo Yu's arrogant challenge.

Wang Zhan listened, a cold, sharp curve appearing at the corner of his mouth, filled with undisguised disdain.

"Kirin Son? Heh, a beast with scales and horns, having gained some ancient Legacy, he doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth, and dares to bark in front of me?"

His voice was not loud, but it carried a metallic quality, echoing on the Peak, full of absolute confidence and arrogance.

He slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping over the people behind him. That gaze was almost tangible, carrying a heavy sense of oppression.

"But that Battle Asura who hides his head and shows his tail, are there any clues about him?"

He changed the subject, a hint of almost imperceptible solemnity entering his tone.

"Reporting to Young Lord," another follower quickly bowed and replied.

"We have investigated with all our might, but the Battle Asura's whereabouts are mysterious. He disappeared without a trace after the battle, and there are still no definite clues."

Wang Zhan's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this, a sharp glint flashing within them.

He was not angered by the Kirin Son's provocation; instead, he developed a greater interest in that even more mysterious opponent.

"The Kirin Son is nothing; no matter how strong his Bloodline, it is ultimately external power. Possessing only brute force, he is merely a decent whetstone."

His tone was calm, yet it carried an accurate judgment that pierced through the essence.

"But this Battle Asura can fight a King Realm Peak at the Heavenly Human Realm. Although the opponent was just an ordinary Elder, to defeat an opponent across a major Realm, his Legacy, Heart-Nature, and Battle Intent are all top-tier.

Such a person, yet willing to remain silent, must be plotting something significant. However, the Heavenly Human Realm is ultimately a bit lacking. I hope you Breakthrough to King Realm soon, only then will you be qualified to stand before me!"

He was silent for a moment, seemingly weighing something, then gave an order, his voice resolute:

"Send out the message. Tell that Kirin Son that in seven days, at the Demon Heaven Sect's ancient ruins, I will wait for him to fight.

At that time, I will make him understand what it means to possess the talent of a Great Emperor, and what it means to be the Human Race's might!"

"Yes, Young Lord!"

The crowd behind him responded in unison, their voices shaking the clouds, then transformed into several streaks of light, swiftly relaying this Battle Intent-filled response to all parts of the Eastern Domain.

Wang Zhan turned back, gazing at the endless sea of clouds, his eyes deep. Battle Intent condensed around him, like a War God about to awaken.

"Battle Asura, Sword White Robe, I hope you don't make me wait too long."

On the solitary Peak, only the whistling wind remained, and the prelude to an even more intense war that was about to sweep the Eastern Domain.

Three days later, deep within a secluded, rarely visited canyon.

Li Xuanfeng's figure quietly appeared. According to ancient records, he came here to search for a Spiritual Plant called "star vein orchid."

This plant contained the essence of stars and was a crucial auxiliary medicine for harmonizing the sharp Sword Qi of the sword heart grass and assisting its perfect refinement.

Within the canyon, Spiritual Qi was abundant, and ancient trees reached for the sky.

Li Xuanfeng's Divine Sense swept across, and soon, in a rock crevice where moonlight could penetrate, he discovered a peculiar orchid, entirely like glazed glass, with specks of starlight flowing on its leaves—it was precisely the star vein orchid.

Joy filled his heart, and he was about to step forward to pluck it.

Suddenly, a gentle Buddhist chant sounded from not far away:

"Amitabha. This item, with its inner starlight, subtly aligns with the Heavenly Dao and has affinity with my Buddha.

Benefactor, this item should be a bright lamp before my Buddha, illuminating Bodhi."

Before his words finished, a figure had already appeared beside the rock crevice like a ghost.

The newcomer wore a moon-white monk's robe, with a handsome face and a solemn, dignified appearance. A gentle yet unfathomable Buddhist light emanated from him, and his aura had impressively reached the King Realm!

It was Fakong of the Western Domain's Sumeru Ancient Temple.

This person was less than a hundred years old, yet his cultivation had already reached the Late Stage of the King Realm, relying on his superb Buddhist Divine Ability.

He had been renowned in the Western Domain for many years, hailed as one of the leading figures of the younger generation of Buddhist Cultivators in the Western Domain, with unfathomable strength.

He chanted Buddhist mantras, his tone gentle, but his movements were as swift as lightning. One palm, glowing with golden glazed light, reached directly for the star vein orchid, completely disregarding the already present Li Xuanfeng.

Li Xuanfeng frowned, his figure subtly shifting, arriving after but striking first. A condensed Sword Qi silently slashed towards Fakong's wrist, forcing him to defend.

"Hmm?"

Fakong let out a soft exclamation. He flipped his wrist, and a golden lotus phantom bloomed from his fingertips, easily deflecting the Sword Qi, but his plucking motion was also halted for a moment.

He looked at Li Xuanfeng, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, which then turned into a deeper, compassionate smile:

"Benefactor has exquisite swordsmanship. However, your attachment is too heavy, coveting external objects, which may lead you into an boundless sea of suffering.

It would be better for this humble monk to take this item, and in the future, I shall recite scriptures and pray for the Benefactor, resolving your malevolence, which would also be an act of Karma."

His words were high-sounding, as if his forceful taking was for Li Xuanfeng's own good. The compassionate expression on his face, in stark contrast to his ruthless snatching actions, appeared incredibly hypocritical!